Ricky R.
Yelp
On my travels back home to Texas the other day, I decided to divert off Interstate 35 today and take the backroads of Oklahoma. It was a beautiful day, we were in no hurry, and why not?
My aunt hit me up and suggested I meet her in Tishomingo, Oklahoma and give Ole Red a try for lunch. So, we keyed the address into the GPS and rerouted the Suburban.
After a nice long scenic drive from OKC, we arrived. The restaurant is right off of West Main Street, so parking was limited and construction robbed even more parking from the restaurant. No biggie, we could use the exercise, so I parked and we went for a stroll.
We walked in the door, and right into the gift shop. Greeted promptly by two friendly young ladies with menus in hand ready to seat us. Down a hallway, and to a table we went. Today they had live music, so we were in for another treat. We were greeted by a nice waitress shortly thereafter that took our drink orders. We ordered drinks and perused the menu. I was digging the ambiance and vibe of this place being a lover of country music.
The menu was very simple. A few appetizers to choose from, salads, a burger, three entrees, desserts, and beverages are the only thing on the menu. It also is a one sided menu, so it did not take long for us to decide what we were going to have. Our menus were a bit worn, and hard to read. My wife ordered the bluetick burger, as did myself, and my aunt ordered the Nashville hot chicken salad. Now we wait.
While we waited, we listened to a young lady by the name of Emily Rhyne sing some tunes. She started out with a little country (real country, not the pop crap), then started covering other genres to include classic rock, like "Turn the Page," and also some pop tunes to include Britney Spears. The young lady was very talented and had a beautiful voice. I do wish her future success. I am sure she will find it.
We waited for our food. Waited some more. Occasionally, we got the "your food is up soon." Those soon turned into "I don't know what the hold up is, let me check." Eventually, "I am so sorry."
We watched numerous other plates come out, and some other patrons even pay and leave, and we still did not have food. At one point my aunt quipped "If Dorothy were here, she'd be back in that kitchen setting them straight."
Finally, a manager came by and apologized. She said she was going to go back there and check on the food herself and told us "lunch is on me today guys. You will not be paying for this." This was great - as we had not complained, and she was going to make it right before we had to. Our drinks did stay full while we waited, so that also made our wait not as bad as well.
Shortly after the manager checking, violá, our food arrived. Our order had gotten lost in the queue of orders in the kitchen, and somehow lost. Our waitress and manager apologized profusely and left us to our meals.
The wife enjoyed her burger, as did I. The wife thought hers was very good, while I just thought mine was not bad. It was a decent burger, nothing special. Just an average burger. That is to say it didn't wow me, but I'd eat it again. My aunt enjoyed her salad, and took some of hers home with her.
After enjoying our meal, the waitress came by and said we were good to go. We tipped the waitress generously, as it was not her fault, and walked toward the exit. On the way out you have to walk through the souvenir shop. After browsing through the items, I decided on a shirt, as did the wife. A bit overpriced, but considering we were comped lunch, the price was not as bad.
I am going to give this place the benefit of the doubt. I understand restaurants drop the ball sometimes, and these things do happen. Seeing how all of the other diners were eating pretty quick, this was not the norm. Bonus points for the manager for making it right, before we even had to complain. Also, full drinks all the whole time by our waitress salvaged what was shaping up to be a disaster of a visit. This would have been a two star visit had they not recovered!
I recommend this place if you pass through Tishomingo, Oklahoma. The food was pretty good, and Emily was even better. We will be back again.
Enjoy!