Sunday, March 20, 2011

Ricardo's.

"Where The Locals Go!"

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Comfort Mexican food. That is what comes to mind when I think of Ricardo's. I have been going there since before my first memory, thanks to my parents who have continually frequented the establishment since it's opening year of 1975. They were 19 when the joint began it's story and often had date nights at the "fine Mexican restaurant". Thirty something years later, they relive old memories and create new when they swing open the unique large wooden doors and sit down for a consistently excellent meal. My brother and his family and my own little family eat here at least once a month. I guess you could say it's in our blood.

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The place was created for the locals to come and enjoy good Mexican food. Tucked away in a shopping center, it's not a place that would bring in much "out of town" traffic. You have to seek it out to get there, and people have been flocking to it's same location for 36 years. There are very few empty table, if any, when we go. And on a weekend, it is always a full house.

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Since this is a favorite establishment of mine, I know what I like and I never waver from it. What I order here I have never ordered at another restaurant simply because I know it could never measure up to Ricardo's. And that, my friends, are the chile rellenos. Though the menu is appealing and authentic, I never crack it's cover. The "number 4 reversed" is my standard dish of choice and I must say, it will blow your mind.

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Each combination dinner comes with a scoop of guacamole beforehand, along with your standard chips and salsa.

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The "number 4 reversed" consists of two chile rellanos (mild Anaheim pepper, skinned, stuffed with cheddar, battered, fried, and smothered with chile con queso) and and an enchilada of your choice. I choose cheese. Now, what's this "reversed" business all about, you ask? Well, the standard number 4 is what I stated above, but flip flopped. Since the rellanos are so unbelievably fantastic, I opt for two of them instead. It's the perfect set up and when all of my family gets together to eat, we always each order "number 4's reversed." It's pretty easy for the waitress. This particular dish will set you back $9.25, and it is more food than you could possibly want.

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The service is always quick and super friendly. The atmosphere is one of my favorite parts of the dining experience, since it hasn't changed since I was a wee one. Walking into Ricardo's has a similar feeling of going back home. It is relaxed, cozy and the staff makes you feel like they've been waiting to see you. The food speaks for itself and stands completely on it's own when comparing Ricardo's to any chain restaurant out there - there simply IS no comparison and it alone will keep you coming back undoubtedly. But the family feel that you get when you dine here is something that will always stand out as exemplary.

There's a reason the locals have been coming back since 1975.

Ricardo's
5629 East 41st Street
Tulsa, OK

Boom Town Bite's Rating: * * * * * (5/5)

7 comments:

  1. Yum!!! I always forget about Ricardo's! This blog is SUCH a great idea!!!

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  2. Yum! Love the new blog! :) When are you going to post where your hubby's residency is? :)

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  3. Awww....I have great memories of Ricardos,too. It is the first place your mamacita took me to eat on our first girl's day out. Love it.

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  4. I have never heard of Ricardo's, but you can bet I'm going to try it out soon!

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  5. Ricardo's has the best chile rellanos, hands down! I don't even bother ordering them anywhere else.

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  6. This Kansas lady has eaten at Ricardo's...and loved it! I have a girl friend, whose sister took her and I, to lunch there. The last time hubby and I were in Tulsa, I was trying to remember what street it was on. I think there was a hobby lobby in that same shopping center, or real close by, that we went to, as well.

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  7. My husband and I are considering moving back to Tulsa and I showed him your review about Ricardo's the other day and told him we HAVE to eat there if we move back. We both agreed it looks amazing!

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