Ike's Chili House

5941 East Admiral Place, Tulsa, OK - (918) 838-9410

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Posted By Michael Stern on October 17, 2010 10:17 PM

Now in its 101st year of operation, Ike's is an urban eatery specializing in chili that is a viscous dish of ground beef and a peppery jumble of spice. It comes plain in a bowl, with spaghetti noodles, or three way, meaning with noodles and beans. Cheese, jalapeno peppers and onions are extra-cost options. Chili is also the star of Ike's Frito pie and Coney dog. The latter is described on the menu as being built upon a "large Oscar Meyer."

Jim Oakley, the Tulsan who originally tipped us off to Ike's, sent us a menu on which is reprinted an article from the 1936 Tulsa Daily World newspaper, noting, "When the original Ike Johnson established his first modest little 'parlor' down by the old Frisco depot twenty-five years ago, there was no lowlier food than chili… It was openly sneered at by the Social Register and the hot dog was much higher up on the social scale." While chili may have shed some of its plebeian aura in the last century, Ike's remains a no-nonsense, paper-napkin diner where you can have a nice lunch and change from a five-dollar bill.

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Chili

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Posted By Stacy Richardson on January 16, 2011 1:46 AM

Ike's Chili is legendary for a reason. The care and attention devoted to the preparation of the secret recipe ensures you'll be eating a chili of astonishing texture and quality. Service is fast and friendly.

I advocate on behalf of Texas-style chili, which means NO beans. Please try it that way, with or without cheese or onions. You may add your own pepper sauce, cayenne pepper, or crushed red pepper, along with the more common black pepper and salt.

At the end of the meal you will be SO happy you visited Ike's.

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