New restaurant opens as Tulsa becomes a barbecue hot spot

Published 1:30 pm Friday, February 11, 2022

By From Feast and Field  •  Excerpt from an article from Tulsa World by James D. Watts Jr.  •  Photos courtesy of 1907 Barbecue

1907 Barbecue serves central Texas style barbecue in Tulsa, OK.

There are days — one day a few weeks ago was one such day — when those who own and operate food trucks think seriously about reconsidering their career path.

It was one of the coldest days so far this winter, with shivering temperatures around 20 degrees.

“Yeah, we were partially frozen up that day, and we had to lose a day’s business,” said Justin Carroll, who co-founded 1907 Barbecue with John Karr. The duo has been serving their style of Oklahoma barbecue at their truck located outside Tulsa’s Cabin Boys Brewery since 2019.

“It was just one of a thousand reasons why having a brick-and-mortar location is so appealing,” Carroll said.

That wish will come true when 1907 Barbecue becomes the newest addition to the Mother Road Market, 1124 S. Lewis Ave. (An exact opening date has not been set.)

The change in location is also representative of the Tulsa barbecue scene in general, which has grown to feature cooks who take the tradition of smoking meats seriously, but also are willing to explore and invent.

One such establishment is Oakhart Barbecue, 1644 E. Third St., which was No. 4 on the Tulsa World’s annual Best New Restaurants list. Co-owners Brian Hodges and Chris Emmons follow the traditions of Central Texas barbecue, using post oak wood and only salt and pepper as seasoning — along with an artisan’s touch at coaxing culinary magic from these simple elements — to create mouth-watering barbecue.

But Oakhart is far from the only establishment helping to give Tulsa serious cred as a barbecue hot spot. And the popularity of these restaurants is such that many are seeking out additional locations to spread their individual takes on barbecue throughout the city. Some of Tulsa’s barbecue highlights include:

Killer Wail Barbecue — 2112 E. Admiral Blvd.

Cain’s Kitchen by Green and Gambill — 423 N. Main St.

Leon’s Smoke Shack — 1529 E. Third St.

Alpha Grill, 6670 S. Lewis Ave

You can read the full article from Tulsa World, here.