OK Traveler (OK Traveler)
Google
I hadn't seen my brother in a long time, and he insisted that I pick a place for us to meet and eat. As much as I resisted coming here, he was paying, so he had the final say. It’s not that I didn’t want to try it—I love brisket, ribs, and anything smoked—but I knew the area would be a nightmare on a Friday. Traffic? Insane. Parking? A headache. But I gave in, and sure enough, finding a spot was chaotic, thanks to ongoing roadwork and lunchtime crowds.
Walking in, the entrance wasn’t what I expected—not necessarily bad, just different. But then came my first real irritation: the line. Yes, there’s a line to order your food. I’d already been at work for five hours. I wanted a break, not a pre-meal waiting session. To make matters worse, we stood behind a group of five people for ten minutes before realizing they weren’t even there to eat. They were just standing there. Once we got past them, the line still crawled. Nearly 25 minutes just to order? That’s not lunch break-friendly. To top it off, there was a second register sitting idle, which only added to my frustration.
But then, the smell of brisket hit me. That smoky, mouthwatering aroma calmed me down—at least a little. And once the food arrived, I finally relaxed. Before diving in, I checked the bathrooms (because, yes, that matters). They were clean, well-kept, and even nicely decorated despite the packed house. Points for that.
Now, the big question: was the food worth it? Absolutely. I ordered sliced brisket, and it was amazing. Tender, flavorful, perfectly smoked—everything I wanted. It’s the reason I’m willing to overlook the long wait and chaotic ordering process.
Would I come back? Yes, but not on a work lunch break. This isn’t a place for a quick bite—it’s a commitment. Honestly, I wish they had table service. If I have to wait that long, I’d rather be sitting than standing in line.
I know people wonder why most of my reviews are five stars. It’s simple: I don’t review bad places. If a restaurant isn’t worth four or five stars, I just don’t bother writing about it. This place earned its five stars—not because it’s perfect, but because the food is that good. That said, I do think they could improve the ordering process and overall hospitality. Next time, I’ll be back to try the pulled pork and ribs—just not during a lunch break.