Country Dove Tea Room

610 W. 3rd St., Elk City, OK - (580) 225-7028

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Posted By Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch on November 4, 2010 1:43 PM

When tea was first brewed some 5,000 years ago, chances are that it didn’t take long for hungry folks to munch on finger food with it, thus establishing the tea room. It’s a concept that has virtually been forgotten to present generations in America — or been replaced with the corporate coffee-centric model — but one need look no further than Historic Route 66 to uncover the slower things in life. Despite the number of retro eateries along the Mother Road, there are still plenty of old-timey establishments to be discovered. On our must-eat list while in Elk City was the French silk pie from the Country Dove Tea Room, and after perusing the specials, we decided to stay for lunch. Tea rooms are traditionally female-dominated, and the Country Dove was no different: the dining room was filled with mothers, grandmothers, daughters, granddaughters, and lunching ladies. Chris was the only male in the place, but no one seemed to notice, especially during and after our customary food photo-snapping frenzy when the food arrived at our table.

Wanting the truest tea room experience, we ordered the creamy vegetable soup with a scoop of chicken salad. Heart-shaped toast came alongside, and the ultra-tender chicken was nearly pulverized and mixed with ample mayo. The chicken-avocado salad on a croissant was also quite tasty: the avocado was mixed in with the chicken instead of sliced and stacked on top. However, the most curious—and delicious—item was a thin square of lemon jello, blended with pears and cream cheese and perched on a bed of lettuce. The French silk pie was divine, of course: a light chocolate cream filling with real whipped cream and chocolate shavings, tucked into a homemade crust that seemed to have been molded out of crumbled pecan sandies. Real lemonade with a maraschino cherry and lemon slice capped a wonderful, sophisticated lunch.

The Country Dove is also a Christian gift shop, and we poked around afterward and spoke to the cashier about our meal. We told her that we especially loved the pie, so she went to the kitchen and brought out Glenna Hollis, owner and pie baker, who promised us that we could make her signature pie at home. “The recipe’s right here in our cookbook,” she said, picking up a copy to sell. We assured her that we could never duplicate such a delightful dessert and that we’d simply return for more. Sweetly, she took out a business card and signed the back for us: “Thanks for stopping by the Country Dove! Blessings, Glenna.” The Tea Room is open for lunch Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Overall Rating

French Silk Pie

Soup & Salad

Chicken-Avocado Salad

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Posted By Greg rutter on September 21, 2011 4:57 PM

Your grandmother's type of tearoom, with doilies and frilly lace on everything. The food is rich and good but not life changing. But it's a real standout when you're passing through Elk City.

Overall Rating

Chicken-Avocado Salad

Soup & Salad

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