Just like last week, I had to find a new restaurant to review for today's deadline, because the one in Nicoma Park I was going to cover announced it was unceremoniously closing on October 20th due to rising food prices.
Since half the point of these reviews is to tell people about new places to try, that pushed it off the menu.
But, still wanting the atmosphere, quality, and, more importantly, the food, I scrolled through my recommendations and headed to another relatively hidden place – Woodbridge Restaurant, 3701 S. Western Ave.
Who would’ve thunk it?
To be fair, Woodbridge is kind of unkempt on the outside, with weathered frontage, faded signage, and the layout of a small bank. It’s near one of the Mexican markets I shop at, so I’ve seen it a couple of times, and it was pleasant to finally put a name to the place.
In the entryway, there was a whiteboard listing the daily specials, and I was immediately enthralled by the appearance of an N8V Taco. Even though I didn’t try it, I ticked my boxes, and I know what I'm getting next time.
Sitting near the front of the restaurant, our waitperson gave us some menus to peruse as she filled my cup with fresh coffee that really started my afternoon right. After a few minutes, I placed our orders and waited for the food to arrive.
Between small talk, I scanned the scene. It had the character I enjoy from small restaurants, and all of the customers seemed happy. Once the waitperson began to bring us our food, I could see why!
Order up, we started with the appetizer plate, the eponymous Woodbridge Sampler ($8.99). Calorically bad from the outset, it was a deep-fried plate of two chicken fingers, four cheese sticks, and more fried mushrooms than you can shake a stick at.
Even though it was fried to pre-packaged perfection, I only had a few bites of this starter as my cholesterol was going in the gutter, and with my main dish still ahead, I had to pace myself.
For our main courses, my girlfriend’s chosen meal was the very formidable Patty Melt ($9.99). A diner staple, the juicy burger was topped with sautéed onions and melted Swiss cheese on grilled wheat (not rye) bread, and served with cheesy hash browns.
While that full sandwich was to die for, with its greasy demeanor making for pure sopping on the plate, what really revved her engine was the worked-over cheesy hash browns. They made the meal, and she was in love with them!
For my meal, I had an old standby in Oklahoma’s counter-culture: the Southern Fried Catfish ($14.99). Three fillets of golden brown and flaky Sooner-bred catfish were well-paired with a bowl of pinto beans, fried okra, and a fluffy dinner roll.
Man, right from the first morsel of catfish, I’ve got to tell you—it was as perfect as fish can get. With an extra fillet, it was done just right, covered in cornmeal batter and fried, with a cup of fresh tartar sauce at the ready. With the beans and okra, it was an Okie treat!
With my belly busting, I didn’t need dessert, but, as the menu admonished, “Don’t forget dessert!”
I had a slice of Coconut Meringue Pie ($4.50), and with a refill of black coffee, it was the perfect cap to an already wonderful meal.
So, yeah, even though the best-laid plans often go astray when it comes to the restaurant business—and the reviewing of them—sometimes you can find that little nibble that will turn into a big bite. With Woodbridge, you’ll get the biggest bite of all.
Cómpralo ya!
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Follow Louis Fowler on Instagram at @louisfowler78.
