The Best of 2008
Dec. 31 The end of the year seems to be a good time to write a summary of the good
places I have found to eat. Despite my best efforts I have fallen quite a bit behind on my reviews of
restaurants. Some of the places listed below have their own pages on this site, and hopefully the
rest will be added soon.
During 2008 I spent part of the year in El Paso, Texas, and part in Oklahoma City. Following is my
current list, then, of these two cities (and in some cases, the surrounding areas). I am sure I have
not been able to visit all the good places--this list only represents places about which I have first
hand knowledge.
Oklahoma City
Chinese
Best Chinese: Grand Village, Chow's (both are Hong Kong/ Guangdong style)
Best Chinese by special order (not on the menu): Fortune (Guangdong style)
Best Shanghai style: Golden Dragon (call ahead for a special order)
Best hot and sour soup: Dot Wo
Thai
Best Thai: Thai Palace (Edmond)
Best noodles: Elephant Cafe (Bethany)
Best Laab (Thai salad): Thai Garden
Indian
Best Indian: Taj (Warr Acres)
Best dosa: Namaste (Edmond) note: closed summer 2008
Japanese
Best Japanese: Tokyo
Best sushi: Mr. Sushi (Edmond)
Vietnamese
Best Vietnamese: Golden Phoenix, Pho Cuong
Best pho: Pho Hoa, Kim Wah (The Village) note: Kim Wah only serves one kind
Korean
Best Korean: Fusion Cafe (Moore)
Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern
Best Mediterranean: Cous Cous Cafe Moroccan, Camilya's
More of the Best: Shishkabab, Zam Zam (Warr Acres)
Best Lebanese steak house: Eddy's note: closed in 2008
German
Best German: Old Germany (Choctaw)
Mexican
Best Mexican: Adobe Grill
Best old style Tex-Mex: Cocina de Mino (south OKC), Serapio's (El Reno)
Best authentic street style food: Buy For Less Grocery (Warr Acres)
Italian
Best Italian: There are too many places on my "to visit" list to make a list at present
Best Pizza: Caffe Pranzo (The Village), Italia Express, Papa Angelo's (Bethany)
Other Ethnic (All of which are excellent)
Ethiopian: Queen of Sheba
Guatemalan: Curiosidades Guatemala
Brazilian: Cafe do Brasil
Steaks
Best steaks: Cattlemen's, Boulevard Steakhouse (Edmond)
Hamburgers
Best hamburgers: Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler (The Village & OKC)
Best onion burgers: Johnnie's Grill (El Reno)
Best veggie burgers: Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler (The Village & OKC)
Barbecue
Best BBQ: Van's Pig Stand (Shawnee)
Chicken
Best fried chicken: Eischen's (Okarche), Sleepy Hollow (OKC)
Salads
Best salads: Boulevard Steakhouse (Edmond), Museum Cafe, Cheever's
El Paso
Mexican
Best New Mexico style: Chope's (La Mesa, NM)
Best interior style Mexican: Cafe Mayapan
Best border (El Paso) style: Forti's
Best Mexican seafood: Villa del Mar
Best taqueria: Santa Cecilia
Best Mexican breakfast: Mi Tierra, Mike and Ana's
Best Mexican bakery: La Ideal
Best Lent specials: El Jacalito, Carnitas Queretaro
Best barbacoa: Los Jarrones
Best caldo: Jalisco Cafe, Anita's
Best chicken tampiquena: Ay Caramba, Amigos
Best chile con queso: La Choza
Best chile relleno: Chope's (La Mesa, NM), Little Diner (Canutillo), Amigos, Casa Jurado
Best fajitas: Wyngs
Best flautas: Julio's Cafe Corona, Casa Jurado, Flautas Tepalca (Canutillo)
Best gorditas: Little Diner (Canutillo)
Best green enchiladas: Chope's (La Mesa, NM)
Best mole: Carnitas Queretaro, Barrigas
Best red enchiladas: Forti's, Su Casa, Dominguez, La Casita
Best salsa: L&J Cafe, Julio's Cafe Corona
Best shredded beef taco: La Nortena
Best steak tampiquena: Forti's
Best tamales: La Choza, Little Diner (Canutillo), Lupita's Tamales (Canutillo)
Best tortilla soup: Amigos
Chinese
Best northern style Chinese (spicy): Moon Day (Beijing style)
Best Cantonese (Guangdong) style: China Star Bistro
Best Chinese by special order (not on the menu): China Star, Oriental Cafe, Sam's, Moon Star
Best egg rolls: Shan Dong
Best Mongolian barbecue: Beijing Lili East
Vietnamese
Best Vietnamese: Saigon Taste
Thai
Best Thai: True Thai
Japanese
Best Japanese: Matsuharu
Best sushi: Matsuharu
Korean
Best Korean: Seoul, Han Il's
Indian
Best Indian: India Palace
Italian
Best Italian: Trattoria Bella Sera
Best pizza: Cafe Italia, Hello Pizza
Best pizza without red sauce: Ardovino's
Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern
Best Middle Eastern: Al-Zaituna
Best Greek: Casa Pizza
Best tabouli: Su Casa
Best soup: Mediterranean Cuisine
German
Best German: Gunther's Edelweiss I'm not sure if it's still open
Other Ethnic
Hawaiian: Aloha Hawaiian BBQ
Steaks
Best steaks: Great American, Cattleman's (Fabens)
Hamburgers
Best hamburgers: Rosco's
Chicken
Best chicken: Billy Crews (Santa Teresa, NM)
Best fried chicken: Elmer's
Barbecue
Best Barbecue: Mo'Z
Best Ribs: State Line
Sandwiches
Best sandwiches: International Bakery & Deli
Best panini: Ripe
Fine Dining
Best fine dining: Cafe Central