6 Places I'm Definitely Going in Tulsa
Fitting the best stuff into a quick trip to one of my favorites
We’ve established that I’m a hardcore fan of Tulsa. I was just there in April, and I’ll be there this weekend, although that trip is going to be preceded by Friday in Oklahoma City and Saturday in Okemah. That gives me Saturday night, some of Sunday, and a sliver of time on Monday to squeeze in my necessary spots. Here are my six must-visit places during my short visit:
Woody Guthrie Center: Woody Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma, on July 14, 1912. And that’s why my heat-intolerant ass visits this hotter than blue blazes location every summer. The Woody Guthrie Center in nearby Tulsa features artifacts from the musician’s life, along with treasures from people influenced by him. The small theater, designed to resemble the inside of a box car, hosts live music and speakers regularly, often for the cost of admission. And that’s why I’ll be there: I’ll be reading Woody-inspired original poetry with the Woody Guthrie Poets at the center on Sunday, July 13th. It’s in my top three favorite days of every year.
And don’t you think we could all benefit from seeing Woody’s hand-written lyrics to “This Land is Your Land” right about now?
Magic City Books: I need more books like I need … more books. That won’t stop me from my regular stop at Magic City Books, just a few blocks from the Woody Guthrie Center. Not only do they have an awesome selection and the lovely Alquonquin Room for meetings and events, even weddings officiated by the co-founder/president, but this is shopping you can feel good about. They’re also a nonprofit corporation that supports literacy. Often, that includes taking Oklahoma lawmakers to task for their book-banning, anti-education agendas. Shopping at Magic City is an act of resistance.
Brookside by Day: Some folks will tell you to be careful if you venture out of downtown Tulsa, which is a bit of a haven for us left-leaning people. But doing so would mean missing Brookside, the vibrant stretch of Peoria that’s home to the Philbrook Museum and a strip of mostly local shops and restaurants. One of them, Brookside by Day, offers Gary’s Gravy Burger. It sounds humble, like the diner that’s grown to inhabit multiple storefronts. But what it is is THE GREATEST BURGER IN THE WORLD. It’s so good it’s not even a burger—it’s in a class by itself.
Start with a perfectly seasoned half-pound of ground beef—it’s a big, thick patty. Don’t be afraid to get medium-rare. The burger’s seared on an old flat top that’s even better seasoned than the meat. They throw it on a slice of Texas toast, then top it with peppery white gravy. Cut into it, and that gravy mixes with the burger juices to make an elixir that proves the French aren’t the only folks with sauce-making skills. I get it with the far superior home fries instead of the French fries it comes with. Somehow, this makes it breakfast, and that means drinking 10 refills of kidney-busting diner coffee. They give you a big glass of ice water, too, which you need in this heat. The lovely staff will keep cups and glasses full. And, after you order a couple of gravy burgers with home fries, they’ll remember you, no matter how long you’re away between visits.
Meadow Gold District: When I researched in the Woody Guthrie Archives in January 2018, I stayed in an apartment in the Meadow Gold District. Running along Route 66 (11th Street) and marked by the large restored Meadow Gold neon sign, it felt like kismet to stay there because my dad drove a truck for Meadow Gold Dairy when I was a kid.
Since my two-week stay by the sign, the Meadow Gold District has boomed into a walkable shopping and dining district. I’m overdue for checking it out, and I have an excuse to shop for Uncharted Territory founding subscribers who are getting Tulsa souvenirs as a thank you! I know I’ll be stopping by Buck Atom’s. Then I’m heading to Mon Amie—they have head spa services, and I’m fascinated! I saw this during my most recent L.A. trip, and I’m a little surprised to see that it’s hit Tulsa. I have an appointment for next Saturday night. For research purposes. For you.
Doubleshot Coffee: Don’t let anyone tell you that Tulsa isn’t hip. This coffeehouse/roaster was, um, roasted on “Portlandia.” After a visit while on tour, Carrie Brownstein wrote “The Coffee Shop Manifesto,” based on a sign that used to hang on the Doubleshot cash register.
Don’t worry, it’s satire. The staff at Doubleshot, located just south of downtown and the Cathedral District, is always delightful, and their coffees are among the best I’ve found in my travels. In April, I learned by accident that should you order a lemonade, they hand-squeeze it to order!! And they do have baked goods, including a house-made cranberry English muffin breakfast sandwich and these lovely little donuts that are offered in one flavor a day. I’m partial to the orange cream one.
Doubleshot’s also the perfect hang-out coffee shop. Cushioned chairs at the tables work great for long writing sessions, and there are sofas and armchairs, like all proper coffeehouses should have. Even in July, the pet-friendly patio is fan-cooled and comfortable. I once met a cat who was moving to Ireland out there.
Antoinette’s: Monday, July 14th, isn’t just Woody Guthrie’s birthday. It’s also Bastille Day, so of course I have to eat cake at Antoinette’s. Or, more likely, pie, because I love pie shops and Antoinette’s makes incredible pie. Antoinette’s has plenty of French-inspired pastries along with Midwest favorites. Like pie. Located down the street from Cain’s Ballroom, a few blocks from the Woody Guthrie Center, I ate a lot of their egg salad for lunches when I was researching. I tend to make Antoinette’s my last stop on my way out of town, usually grabbing lunch and dessert, along with baked snacks for the road. Until I was struck by a weird poultry aversion a few years ago, my snacks included multiple bags of their duck fat Chex mix. It’s just like the Chex Mix my Granny Viv used to make, but with duck fat cutting the butter, accented with dried cherries and hazelnuts. It’s the perfect fuel for making some heads roll.
Mind blown; must try 😂
Duck Fat Chex Mix: the name looks as naughty as I'm sure it tastes