Jeff S.
Yelp
Today found me in serious need of a burger fix. Living in Owasso, there are some options, but they also get used pretty regularly, and I wanted something different. So I schlepped my butt into Tulsa, heading for Hank's on Admiral. Thanks, Covid... Hank's wasn't open. Not sure if it was just today or what.
So, on to the next closest burger joint, Freddie's on 11th. Totally packed. Not gonna wait.
I gave Yelp! a quick look (not while driving, so untwist those panties), and laid my eyes on Ty's. Now, I've known about Ty's for years, but not being a regular in the 15th and Harvard area, I'm almost never there. Not so today.
I landed in the parking lot and made my way inside. You order at the counter from a menu that's short and to the point. Basic burgers, a patty melt and blackened chicken sandwich are offered up, as well as some chicken nuggets for those picky eaters (like The Kid).
I opted for a 1/3lb hickory cheese burger, 1/2 order of Q's (curly fries), and a cup of homemade chili. Or so it says, anyway.
Ordering took a little while, since there were a couple of people in line, and Ty's is strictly old school. Orders handwritten on a roll of adding machine paper and carried to the kitchen, with your drink on the return trip.
Seating was a little sparse (thanks again, Covid.), but I found a corner booth.
Overall the place is a little kitschy, rundown and the perfect dive burger bar atmosphere. Literally, I love the inside. I'd rather eat at place like this than a shiny new hi tech music pounding chrome and plastic franchise burger joint.
Every.Damn.Time.
So the food arrived in due time... a little longer than I would have expected, but there was a fairly large group of parents and soccer kids en route to a tournament, so that might have jammed things up a bit. It looked like there was one guy in the back manning the grill, so patience is extended in this instance.
The 1/2 order of fries is easily more than any one normal person needs to eat at one time. I didn't finish all mine, even though they were delicious. As another reviewer mentioned, they definitely need a good smack with the salt shaker right out of the oil, as I had to salt mine pretty rigorously.
The burger was well done. Solid, nicely prepared and flavorful. It looked good sitting in the basket, albeit a little dwarfed by that mountain of fries. Cooked well, it had a great flavor, the hickory was subtle but there, and the toppings were all in good proportion and fresh. Well done job.
The chili was good as well. When you order a cup, well, you get a cup full. A coffee cup, that is. For the price, it was a very generous serving. As for the homemade, I can't say. It was highly reminiscent of Chili Bowl chile. That said, I grew up on CB chili and love it. So whether this was homemade or not, it was good and I ate it all. And I won't hesitate to get it again the next time I drop in.
Again, Ty's is a little out of the way for me, but I will certainly return the next occasion that time and location allow.