Ardmore, Oklahoma, has quietly perfected the art of the SCRPRTCUWFF—those Super Cute, Reasonably Priced Restaurants To Catch Up With A Few Friends. These 19 spots are where you can settle in, share a meal and a drink for about $50, and finally hear all about what your friends have been up to.
Jakes Joint
$ | (580) 389-5040 | WEBSITE
Jakes Joint offers classic comfort plates for around $18. The runway view of planes landing and taking off—complete with the rumble of engines—is a nice bonus. The airport spot serves a pretty solid blue plate with all the fixings for dinner, but the best thing here is their key lime pie, which they only serve as dessert.
Taco Bell
$ | (580) 223-1308 | WEBSITE
Taco Bell makes things easy. For $8, choose between a Crunchwrap Supreme, Nacho Fries, or a Chicken Quesadilla, and you’ll receive your pick—in a bag with a side of hot sauce. All that’s left to do is decide if you’d like to drink Baja Blast or a regular soda, and then you and your family can work around your trays and chat in peace.
Chili’s Grill & Bar
$ | (580) 223-5039 | WEBSITE
This highway-side spot is always full of travelers and locals catching up over great big plates of burgers, topped with things like crispy bacon, juicy patties, and crunchy fries. Each plate—really more like a platter in size—fills the clean, spacious dining room with the aroma of grilled food as if this were a comfort-food haven. Grab a seat at the bar for a quick drink, or settle into one of the well-spaced tables for a full meal with friends.
Cafe Alley
$$ | (580) 223-6413 | WEBSITE
No burger at Cafe Alley costs more than $18. That’s especially great because this Ardmore spot feels like the kind of place where you’d spend $26 on some elevated bar fare in a bigger city. Smooth indie tunes, exposed beams, $12 craft beers and those excellent burgers help stretch out an evening here. Come with a group or two—the portions are quite generous.
Casey’s Catfish Corral
$ | (580) 223-2553 | WEBSITE
Casey’s leans more into the local hangout part of this guide than the tourist destination part, but it’s still easy to have a big meal at this Ardmore catfish spot for under $25 per person. That’s because you’re going to be eating catfish—they don’t have any fancy entrees, but have a nice range of sides—which gives you more room to spend on another order of their tender, crispy fried fillets.
Jimmy’s Egg, Ardmore
$ | (580) 226-5344 | WEBSITE
Certain breakfast spots are perfect for just about any morning, and Jimmy’s Egg is one of them. Their breakfast food—like the queso Blanco burrito and the Three Egg Sunrise Sampler—is solid, the prices aren’t astronomical, and the Ardmore space feels like the home of a person who starts their day with purpose and probably has a well-organized pantry. It’s surprisingly clean and inviting, filled with warm lighting, comfortable seating, and beautiful plating.
Sonic Drive-In
$ | (580) 223-7050 | WEBSITE
Sonic is pretty great fuel for a quick drive. At Sonic Drive-In, a fast-food spot in Ardmore, you can grab a burger with a side of pickle fries and tater tots for yourself, and add on a sweet tea that hits just right. With cars of people (some in pajamas) munching on chicken wraps and sipping drinks, it’s a welcoming place for a casual bite. The carhops are generally friendly, and the place stays clean, though sometimes orders get mixed up or food arrives cold after a long wait.
Still, it’s a spot worth stopping by every now and then.
Fireside Dining
$$$ | (580) 226-4070 | WEBSITE
Fireside Dining was made for this guide. The Ardmore restaurant offers excellent American cuisine cooked to perfection in a dining room full of cozy firelight and groups celebrating special occasions over prime rib. Focus on the main dishes, like the tender prime rib and the tasty Cajun prime rib, and the succulent filet. The homemade salad dressings and amazing croutons start things right, while the fried peaches with ice cream finish with a sweet touch.
The classy, clean interior feels inviting, and the fire pit in the lobby adds a unique warmth to the intimate atmosphere. Though the pricing leans higher, the attentive service and memorable experience make it worth the drive for a Friday or Saturday night out.
Edamame American Sushi Bar
$ | (580) 223-2333 | WEBSITE
Ardmore’s best-kept secret is Edamame American Sushi Bar, a cozy spot that’s popular among travelers for its exceptional food and great service. Despite sometimes being quiet, it’s usually pretty easy to walk into. They serve all of the sushi bar’s most beloved dishes, like the Honey Badger roll, just in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Round out your meal with a crispy fried shrimp starter and some delightful caramel apple crème brûlée.
Ryans Sports Bar and Grill
$ | (580) 319-4039 | WEBSITE
Between the pool tables and sports memorabilia, Ryans Sports Bar and Grill definitely has the lively thing down. But this sports bar in Ardmore has the entertainment options covered as well. With nothing on the menu over $18, this is one of the few spots in town where you can really feel like you’ve had a night out, without spending a fortune per person.
Jersey Mike’s Subs
$ | (580) 798-3971 | WEBSITE
Jersey Mike’s Subs is less a classic sub shop, more a place that serves decent sandwiches and cosplays as a classic sub shop. But either way, it’s still a solid spot for grabbing a fresh sandwich on the go, or a quiet lunch when you need a break. If you find yourself returning for the topnotch meat slicing and friendly service, consider it a regular stop, so you never have to settle for less than fresh again.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
$ | (580) 364-7906 | WEBSITE
The clean, family-friendly dining room at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is filled with bright lighting and simple, comfortable seating, and it’s a reliable place to enjoy a hot, satisfying meal after a long day. We like to order a classic combo—always the spicy chicken sandwich, and also things like crispy tenders and buttery biscuits.
3 J’s Southern Eats
$ | (580) 319-4396 | WEBSITE
The main reason why we come to 3 J’s Southern Eats is the music. It’s filled with soulful Southern tunes, and there are multiple screens showing the game, as if the whole place is a front for the Oklahoma sports commission. The dining area—with its easy location off I-35 and welcoming atmosphere—is also pretty pleasant. Wherever you choose to sit, you can eat some flavorful bone-in smothered chicken and drink a $12 sweet tea.
Napoli’s Italian Restaurant
$ | (580) 798-5130 | WEBSITE
Napoli’s Italian Restaurant has a cozy, older MA and POP style atmosphere and a highly satisfying Italian menu, in case you’d like your baked ziti paired with a glass of house red or a local beer (though actually, it’s great just plain). If you’re meeting someone for a first date in the Ardmore area, this is an intimate and relatively affordable choice. And during the in-between hours, there’s still hot food served quickly, where you can relax and chat with tiramisu.
Panda Express
$ | (580) 786-0869 | WEBSITE
This straightforward, bustling fast-casual spot in Ardmore is the kind of place where you immediately feel taken care of. The service is so friendly, it’s like you’ve accidentally wandered into a wormhole and traveled back to whatever year you could last easily find genuinely warm interactions at a chain restaurant. Get the orange chicken and the fried rice to share too.
7 Brew Coffee
$ | (580) 490-4085 | WEBSITE
7 Brew Coffee is a drive-thru destination and then some. The Ardmore coffee spot—known for its consistent flavors—has sugar-free options, whipped cream toppings, and great chilled drinks, like the Blondie Chiller with caramel served with an extra swirl of sweetness just because. Always start your morning with something from their quick and friendly service.
“The Rock” Kitchen & Lounge
$ | (580) 319-4371 | WEBSITE
The Rock Kitchen & Lounge is a cool, laid-back spot in Ardmore with a solid band and great service. It’s a bit on the pricier side, but the Cajun chicken Alfredo pasta is absolutely delicious. Grab a table near the stage to enjoy the music, or settle into one of the comfy booths, order a drink, and chat with Kelsee—she’s attentive and friendly, always making regulars feel right at home.
Case Del Mare Italian Restaurant
$ | (580) 341-3200 | WEBSITE
Case Del Mare might be the most authentic spot for Italian in Ardmore. It’s also family-friendly, and has a very cozy atmosphere with pictures of beautiful Italian landscapes playing on the TV. (We particularly love the chicken fettuccini Alfredo.) Focus on the pasta dishes, like the $24 Chicken Parmigiana with tender breaded chicken, or the $22 Spaghetti Meatballs with homemade sauce.
Sakura
$$ | (580) 224-0333 | WEBSITE
This Japanese spot has a worn-out booth area with caved-in seats, and one movable booth that pushes against the person opposite, making it hard to lean back. The restaurant may have an unpleasant smell, but the hibachi chefs impress with their skills, and the sushi is absolutely fantastic. A lot of the dishes cost around $15–$25, but the quality is really good. For most items, like the Bento Box with steak teriyaki and crab rangoons, one order is more than enough for two people.
Also, Sakura is kid-friendly with wheelchair accessibility.