Best Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
By: Liam Ford
Christmas day is about giving, receiving, friends and family, but like all other days, we have to eat on Christmas (aside from advent chocolates, candy canes and cookies). But because nobody wants to spend their holiday cooking meals, I've compiled a list of restaurants that will do it for you. Included is Mexican, Brazilian, upscale and casual cuisine.
Los Cabos on Jenks Riverside
On their Google page, Los Cabos boasts “Mexican classics in upscale, relaxed environments with outdoor live music & weekend mariachi bands.” Upon entering, I noticed it felt only somewhat upscale, with a broad, open space accompanied by a bar on the near wall and another room for more secluded seating on the far wall. The restaurant was noisy from families talking and the small mariachi band in the dining area, and it smelt of fresh corn chips as well as Mexican spices.
After being seated, I first realized that the prices were relatively affordable depending on your order. I actually ended up spending around $20 for a two course meal and drink for one. But before I ordered, the servers brought me warm, crisp tortilla chips and two cups of salsa: one hot, and one not. The spicier salsa had a pungent smell and a dark red color, with a broad texture and a zesty, perfectly-spicy flavor. The mild salsa was almost identical, though not as fiery, almost like a slightly duller version, and the chips themselves were thin and cooked to a perfect light brown crunch with just the right amount of salt.
The service was very friendly, and quickly after my water was brought out to me, so was the white queso dip. The queso was a sleek white liquid in a bowl, which dipped easily and evenly coated the chips, though it felt like its potential was somewhat suppressed by its runny consistency and mild flavor. Soon after arrived my Tequila Lime Salad: a lettuce base topped with pico de gallo, sour cream, grilled chicken, plentiful amounts of fajita vegetables, avocado, and most importantly: lots of lime.
The chicken was scarce and in long strips, and was rather difficult to cut, but the flavor and texture were on point. It delivered a spiced, rich meat flavor with a kick followed by a bittersweet aftertaste that left me wanting another bite. The salad beneath it was a different story: the avocado was warmed and far too squishy, while the grilled vegetables were ice cold. The pico de gallo was as excellent as my appetizer salsa, but the lettuce seemed like it was marinated in a saccharine sauce, not entirely unappetizing, but far off from the bold tequila lime flavor I had in mind when I ordered.
After dining, I was able to pay and leave quickly; it took me around 30 minutes to dine alone with no wait. As I left, the patio was bustling with live music and happy customers, and I was able to stroll along the riverwalk for a short while as my food settled.
Ratings:
Quality (of ingredients): 5/7
Flavor: 4/7
Quantity:5/7
Price:4/7
Atmosphere: 4/7
Overall: 4.5/7
Texas de Brazil in Woodland Hills, Tulsa OK
Texas de Brazil is a churrascaria - a special kind of restaurant that specializes in meats - often accompanied by Rodizio serving style - a serving style where roving waiters carry large skewers of various meats and offer small portions to guests upon passing. Although I had to make reservations for this meal, I immediately understood why after walking in: dimly lit lamps shone on immaculate table sets while well-dressed customers and waiters alike filled the room with soft speech. I was seated as soon as my reservation came up (at 6:30pm on the dot), and was given a fully encompassing selection of beverages.
Before requesting the meat roaming through the restaurant, which smelled divine, customers walk around a small central island filled with appetizers, sides and other foods including sushi, salmon, salads and rolls all presented beautifully on silver platters. As I returned to my table, I found a variety of things waiting for me: mashed potatoes with the consistency of a cloud, deep fried banana (to clear your palate between courses), and a small card with one red side, and one green.
After flipping my card from red to green, roving waiters began to approach semi-often with meter-long skewers to offer me numerous different meats cooked in different ways. If accepted, they would carve a few ounces of their offerings off and allow you to remove it with a small pair of provided tongs. In doing so, the servers are very respectful of their customer’s time, privacy and selves.
Throughout the hour, I tried different sausages, lamb, various steak cuts, slices of pork, and specially cooked chicken breast. After trying each one with its taste, texture and quality in mind, I could not think of a single critique to give the food. The sausages remained in their casing and melted on your tongue, the lamb fell apart as it entered my mouth, the steak was bold and not-too-tender, followed by the simple yet equally as enticing tough earthy pork cuts and buttery glazed chicken breast.
Eventually your server can recognize you are finished eating, and will bring you a check. The total for one dinner was around $60 with tax, although their lunch prices can run for nearly half that. After paying, I was offered complimentary mints on the way out and was able to walk the mall the restaurant is located inside of as I burnt off the thousands of calories I probably just ate.
Ratings:
Quality: 7/7
Flavor: 7/7
Quantity: 7/7
Price: 4/7
Atmosphere: 6/7
Overall: 6/7
Texas Roadhouse in Tulsa Hills, Tulsa OK
Texas Roadhouse is the restaurant with the most hype in Tulsa - I even had the honor of eating here before it was opened to the public through an association with the general manager. Though the American steakhouse has plenty of pros, it has some pretty heavy cons with it. First is the wait: sometimes, I am seated immediately, but more often than not, when eating here you can expect a wait anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours. Next is the atmosphere: though the restaurant is one large room with multiple seating options - including a bar, booths and chairs - in which the booths form a tight labyrinth for the many people to squeeze through.
The first thing my timid server brought out was a basket full of glistening rolls. Upon inspection, they looked almost plastic - perfectly risen and crusted. Alongside the bread was a cinnamon butter, that when combined with the rolls birthed a rich yet airy textured appetizer with a honeyed flavor. I then ordered a rare 6oz sirloin with a side of steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, and a cup of rice for just above $20.
When the food arrived after a lengthy wait, the waitress prompted me to cut open my steak and ensure it was cooked to my liking. Surprisingly, the steak was both warm and still red on the inside. The dark savory crust of the steak made up for it's rather bland interior, and I was equally as pleased with my side dishes: somewhat bland mashed potatoes with a good consistency, properly steamed and perfectly salted vegetables (maintain a slight crunch), and a bed of moist, well-cooked rice with an almost zesty and savory flavor I can't quite name or describe.
Though service throughout the meal was scarce and at times felt disorganized, the staff were certainly spread thin and hard working. There was also a dessert menu offered as well as coffee and tea to relax and indulge after your meal. Located in the Tulsa Hills shopping center, there is also post-meal shopping and walking available.
Ratings:
Quality: 7/7
Flavor: 6/7
Quantity: 5/7
Price: 4/7
Atmosphere: 3/7
Overall:5/7
So, this Christmas, let’s treat ourselves. If you eat at any of these restaurants on Christmas, message a picture to @JenksTrojanTorch on Instagram for a shoutout!