Primo's d'Italia
1215 Garth Brooks Blvd.Yukon, OK
(405) 350-9090
In Oklahoma it seems that the best Italian restaurants are unpretentious places in strip malls, and such is
the case with Primo's. Although the setting can be considered "romantic," the norm is for patrons to wear blue
jeans (I have bought some of mine at a western wear store in the same shopping center).
Families with kids are just as comfortable as couples, and the hostess offers all guests a choice of the
type of seating arrangment they would like.
The restaurant is also much improved since state law mandated that they eliminate the smoking area
that was pretty much contaminating the whole restaurant. Now, however, the main problem is simply having
to wait for a table on weekends and busy nights (although there is ample seating in the waiting area). A
takeout counter is also available, but because of the size of the takeout servings they are only recommended
for families of four persons or more.
Recently I have not noticed the crowds that I used to see at Primo's on a regular basis. It may be that
some people are now going to the new location in south Oklahoma City, but there is also more competition
from nearby restaurants. I would still expect to have to wait for a table at times, however.
It may be my imagination, but I believe Primo's has expanded the menu since it first opened. With my
limited experience of trying different dishes, though, I believe the best dishes are the ones I have always
liked, and that have been offered from the beginning. In fact, my main gripe about the restaurant is that
some dishes are so good but others are mundane. Most patrons just have to experiment to see which
ones they like.
The Bread served before the meal was a very nice touch, with an olive oil dip for flavor and nutrition.
I saw in my notes that we did not used to be served bread, so this must be a new addition.
The House Salad was loaded with spinach leaves and other greens, making this much more the
type of salad I enjoy eating than the ones primarily composed of iceberg lettuce. The dressing tasted home
made. A salad seems as if it is an easy thing to make, but few of the moderately priced restaurants do it as
well as Primo's.
As for the food, my primary recommendation is to order the Canneloni. Two kinds are served, but
I like the one with chicken and alfredo sauce. For some reason Primo's just seems to have gotten this dish
dead on, and I have never had one at another restaurant that I liked as much as here. I think the sauce has
the right texture and flavor.
In the past I have enjoyed the Chicken Parmiagiana very much. I cannot say for sure it is the best in
the OKC area, but it may very well be.
For me things went downhill when I tried to order dishes with marinara sauce as the main flavor component.
The Manicotti seemed very ordinary and flavorless, especially compared to Italian restaurants in larger
cities.
The Chicken Cacciatore was very strange. Loaded with so much garlic it could be smelled across
the table, it nevertheless tasted very good. It was full of pasta, though, with small chunks of white meat chicken.
I believe the classic versions do not have pasta, or the pasta is on the side as at Papa Dio's. The dish should
also have a whole chicken or meat with the bones intact for more flavor. The one at Primo's was almost
totally lacking the sauce that normally comes with this dish. I do not recommend that purists order this dish,
but at least the flavor was not bad.
Primo's serves smaller portions than the other restaurants and at a reduced price, so I figure I can afford
to experiment with different dishes in a way that I hate to do when more money is invested.
Some of the best Italian food in the metro is found in various upscale restaurants at higher prices. Primo's
is one of the better "family restaurants," though, where kids can feel comfortable and everyone can afford
to eat.
House salad
Canneloni with Alfredo Sauce
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RESTAURANT DETAILS
RATING: 22
Cuisine: Italian
Cost: $$
Hours: Open Daily
Accessible: Yes
Additional Locations: I-40 & Sooner Rd., I-240 & S. Walker
Smoking: No Smoking
Alcohol: Beer, Wine
Most Recent Visit
Dec. 28, 2007
Number of Visits: 5
Best Items
Chicken Parmiagiana, Canneloni
Special Ratings
Chicken Parmiagiana:
Canneloni:
Manicotti:
Chicken Cacciatore:
Asiago Spinach Pasta:
House Salad:
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