Goin’ stag

Where to eat solo this Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is a sham of a holiday, ripping off all the totally wonderful, unforced, organic moments of love and elation we experience every other day of the year. I’m generally skeptical of being required to romance another human with beaucoups of bills and grocery store chocolate, and I downright reject any holiday that makes you feel bad for ridin’ solo. So in honor of all the independent women out there (men, too!), here are 10 places to eat on Valentine’s Day all by your damn self. 

Braum’s
1415 S. Lewis Ave. (and multiple other locations)

If there were ever a time to maw down on some Braum’s, it’s February 14. Lucky for you, the holiday falls on a Tuesday this year, and Tuesdays just so happen to be BOGO days at Braum’s. Buy one #12 1/6 lb. Deluxe Cheeseburger combo and get the second one fo’ free (5pm-close). Don’t forget the chocolate shake (YES, YOU’RE UPGRADING…), and about eight cups of the fancy ketchup. You might even spring for some Braum’s sauce on the side. And if you’ve had a particularly rough year (read: two-timing, a messy divorce, the wedding of an ex, too many nights at Soundpony, et al.), go for the Sundae, too. Braum’s makes everything better.  

El Rio Verde
38 N. Trenton Ave.

I’m usually not one for wet food, but I’ll make an exception for El Rio Verde’s carne asada wet burrito any day. And let’s get real: nothing says love like chips and salsa (skip the queso and go for the guac). With dishes like fish tacos, chimichangas, and horchata, it’s easy to fall in love with this little hole-in-the-wall. As a bonus, you can get out for under $10 bucks—turns out you’re a cheap date. 

White River Fish Market
1708 N. Sheridan Rd.

On a day when some find it tough to be alone, what better way to spend an evening than by enjoying a little communal dining? White River Fish Market embraces the concept, and has no problem seating diners elbow to elbow while they peel their shrimp. Snag a seat, get comfortable, and ask your neighbor to pass the Cholula. White River flies their fish in daily from the coastal cities across North and South America, meaning your meal is as fresh as the daily catch at any five-star spot. They offer everything from Cajun classics like Red Snapper to shellfish feasts like the half-pound of fresh shrimp and oysters on the half shell. Every dinner comes with hush puppies, which you should go ahead and dunk in tartar sauce (caper breath is no concern if you’re dying—er, dining—alone).

Leon’s Smoke Shack BBQ
601 S. Sheridan Rd.

If you’re going to smear your face with sauce, there’s no better time to do it than while on a date with yourself. Fueled by “nothing but pecan wood and passion,” Leon’s Smoke Shack BBQ seems like a no-brainer for Valentine’s Day. Picture baked potatoes covered in ranch and brisket, sweet-charred ribs with a perfectly pink marble, spicy hot links, and swoon-worthy fried bologna sandwiches. 

The Pint on Cherry Street 
1325 E. 15th St.

While not the schmanciest place for a Valentine’s Day dinner, The Pint has a few things going for it on Tuesday nights: $2 tacos, brain-teasing trivia, lots of rowdy young folk, and plenty of cheap beer to help ease you into all three. If you fancy yourself a trivia hustler, spend your V-Day sipping local brews with friends and competing for a $50 Pint gift card. If you’re on your own, invite another solo player to join your team with a sweet note and his/her score sheet: “You’re hot, but your answers are not. Want to join forces?” If that’s too ballsy for you, just name your team Single and Ready to Flamingle and call it a night. 

Manos Peruanas
6703 E. 81st St.

This unassuming Peruvian eatery is tucked away at 81st and Sheridan and easy to miss. For the uninitiated, navigating a foreign menu can be tricky. Manos makes it easy with pictures by the items, straight-forward descriptions, and a clear 4G signal; feel free to Google anything you don’t recognize. Start your meal with a cheese and beef arepa or empanada, then move on to the Shrimp Cause—a Peruvian, shrimp-based take on a tuna tower. For dinner, Peruvian staples like Loom Salado (picture a Peruvian Poutine) and the Tacu Tacu (beef, seasoned rice, beans, egg, plantains) are fantastic representations of the cuisine. 

Palace Café
1301 E. 15th St.

Girl, you’re a queen, so treat yo’self to a dinner fit for one. Chef James Schrader knows how to make a gal feel special with top-notch service, indulgent small plates, and an intimate atmosphere to match. Start with a spread of Bentos for a bite-sized culinary tour (the spanakopita will have you seeing stars), and then move on to the lobster ravioli or pork tenderloin (ask your server to suggest a wine pairing to match). And don’t even think about skipping dessert. The banana crème brulée boat is big enough for two, but lucky for you, you don’t have to share. 

Stonehorse Cafe
1748 Utica Square

My love affair with Stonehorse Cafe knows no end. From their five-star Caesar salad (those anchovies, those candied onion crumbles…) to the very best non-pizzeria pizza in Tulsa, Stonehorse Cafe has every inch of my heart. In fact, this is why I’m single: I love it so much, there’s simply no room for anything else.

Stonehorse shines with its California spin on Southwest cafe cuisine, with everything from tamales to semolina pasta, white wine moules frites to French onion soup. The blue-plate special is almost always a great choice. For a particularity posh V-Day dinner, order a half bottle of wine, everything else you want, and go to town on the fluffy treats in the bread basket. 

Celebrity Restaurant
3109 S. Yale Ave.

Contrary to what the name suggests, you don’t have to be a celebrity to dine at this Tulsa institution, though a meal here might leave you feeling like one. Celebrity Restaurant has been serving Tulsa for nearly 50 years and its signature tableside Caesar is as delightful as ever. While dinner in the main salon is a memorable experience, the bar menu is just as impressive, boasts many of the same dishes, and the grandeur of the restaurant’s red velvet is on full display. Start with a classic Old Fashioned and then nosh on the aforementioned Caesar salad. For dinner, the fried chicken is well seasoned and reasonably priced.  

The Lounge, aka The Bull in the Alley
somewhere downtown

Dinner at Tulsa’s not-so-secret speakeasy will set you back a pretty penny, but if you’re flying solo, you can cut corners without skimping on taste or experience. Grab a seat for one at the bar, enjoy the live piano tunes, and order a three-olive martini, extra dirty. For something truly magnificent, start with the escargot. They aren’t cheap, but neither are you. Dinner options run the tax brackets, from the $12 spaghetti to the $25 burger to the Black-Card steak and fish options. Note: the bar is usually first come, first serve, but if you’re planning on popping in for V-day, best to make a reservation (good luck finding the phone number).

For more from Megan, read her article on local ride-sharing service TRIDE.