Oklahoma's Adored Eatery Serves Unbeatable Chicken-Fried Steak
Title: Cattlemen's Steakhouse: A Legendary Eatery in Oklahoma City's Stockyards
Stroll down South Agnew Avenue in Oklahoma City, and you'll find yourself under an old-west style arch, welcoming you to Stockyards City. This place is a far cry from the city proper, with real cowboy hats and an aversion to faux leather. And, nestled in the heart of this small corner, lies a true-blue icon: Cattlemen's Steakhouse.
Step inside, and you'll be greeted by remnants of its colorful past. Portraits of the early owners adorn the walls, and a mural depicts an Old West saloon scene. The space retains a mid-century lunch counter vibe on one side, while the other halls whisk you into dimly lit steakhouses of yore.
This eatery, established in 1910 as Cattlemen's Cafe, has served the freshest beef in town for a century, with the Oklahoma National Stockyards just down the road. The restaurant's history is as intriguing as the meals it serves, passing through the hands of Hank Frey and Gene Wade, who got ownership in a game of dice in 1945. All Wade needed was to roll a hard six – evident by the '33' still emblazoned on the wall.
Cattlemen's is not just famous for its aged charcoal-grilled steaks but also for mastering a regional classic: chicken-fried steak. This dish, now an official state treasure in Oklahoma, is nothing short of legendary. It's lean, tender, and far from mushy, served with a light, crispy breading and smothered in peppery cream gravy. This heavenly plate comes with homemade rolls, a baked potato, and a mammoth salad – don't forget to give the strange-looking house dressing a try!
Despite catering to cowboys in its early days, the steakhouse has since won the hearts of folks from all walks of life in Oklahoma and beyond. Visitors from across the country – including musicians, actors, and Presidents – make their way to Cattlemen's to immerse themselves in its faded, glorious charm over a simple, sublime meal.
While Cattlemen's was born to satisfy the palates of its namesake clientele, it's safe to say it's struck a chord with locals and tourists alike. So, if you find yourself in Oklahoma City, pay a visit to Cattlemen's Steakhouse – you'll understand why people have made this place a staple in their lives for well over a century.
Bonus tidbit: Did you know that Cattlemen's is Oklahoma City's oldest continually operating restaurant and has hosted celebrities like Gene Autry, John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, and Reba McEntire over the years? Don't miss out on experiencing this piece of history for yourself!
- Cattlemen's Steakhouse, a legendary eatery nestled in Oklahoma City's Stockyards, invites visitors to step back in time as they stroll down South Agnew Avenue.
- The restaurant's rich history is as intriguing as its meals, with ownership passing through the hands of Hank Frey and Gene Wade, who famously acquired it in a game of dice in 1945.
- Known for its aged charcoal-grilled steaks and mastery of the Oklahoma regional classic, chicken-fried steak, Cattlemen's serves dishes that are far from stereotypical yet satisfyingly succulent.
- From cowboys to celebrities, including musicians, actors, and Presidents, Cattlemen's has won the hearts of people from all walks of life, both locals and tourists alike.
- A visit to Cattlemen's Steakhouse isn't just a meal – it's an experience immersing oneself in Oklahoma's history and charm, much like the celebrities who have graced its Southern Living-worthy tables over the years.
