FOOD: Lucille’s Restaurant

Spring weather has an
intoxicating lure, beckoning us out of our fuzzy slippers and man caves to
explore adventurous places and soak up the vibrant culture around us. A short,
scenic road trip to the landmark territory of Mulhall, Oklahoma, satisfies those
wanderlust weekend cravings.

Whether you cruise into town on
a Harley or in the family SUV, you can almost feel time roll back with every
rotation of your tires on these hallowed Oklahoma roads. At the renowned
intersection of Highway 77 and Main Street in Mulhall, Lucille’s Restaurant—a
celebrated place to eat, reflect and reconnect—stands as a tribute to the
simpler times and pioneering spirit that characterize our great state.
Delicious home-style foods like chicken fried steak, catfish, steaks and
show-stopping homemade pies have long made this local hot spot a legend in
destination dining. Sunday brunch is another highlight, complete with favorites
like homemade biscuits, waffles and all the trimmings.

Although Lucille’s Restaurant
closed after a devastating fire in 2009 and an F4 tornado prior to that, it
proudly reopened in 2011. Today, it flourishes with all the tenacity, charm and
character of its namesake, Lucille Mulhall. Dubbed America’s ‘first cowgirl’ by
Will Rogers during the land rush and early days of her father’s traveling Wild
West show, the petite, 14 year-old Lucille mesmerized crowds with her amazing
wrestling and wrangling stunts. Competing against men in some of the roughest
events, she broke the stereotypical women’s roles of her day and became a
beloved attraction.

Thanks to Mulhall natives and
brothers, Don and Chris Harman, who purchased the restaurant and undertook its
extensive renovations after the fire, a colorful slice of Americana has been
preserved. Restoring the restaurant’s authentic western flair has been of
utmost importance. “The 1894 sandstone bank building across the street was the
only thing to survive the fire,” Don recalls. “Its teller window is now part of
the bar at Lucille’s.”

Oklahoma’s ‘Wild West’ persona comes
to life in the unique artifacts, furnishings and décor at Lucille’s.
Ranch-style furniture, an old gas pump aquarium, Wurlitzer and Rock-ola
jukeboxes, lariats, chaps and even a covered wagon across the street all lace
together a rustic, by-gone era that grows even more appealing as our society
advances. “Everything on the walls tells a story,” Don remarks. “It’s a place
to have a great meal and enjoy history.”

Topping the line-up at the
lively roadhouse are events like classic car shows, biker buffets, tailgating
and live music and entertainment on Friday nights by Buck Goucher and Cowboy
Jim Garling. Most notably, Lucille’s was a celebrated stop during the latest
Feed the Children charity motorcycle ride. Complete with Native American
costumes, dances and an 1890 chuckwagon like that used on cattle drives, the
memorable event was full of western color and pageantry…and approximately 350
bikers circling the scene in a rumbling salute.

Lucille’s Restaurant is located
at Highway 77 and Main Street in Mulhall, Oklahoma, just west of Stillwater and
north of Guthrie. Open Thurs. 4-8pm, Fri. & Sat. 11am-9pm and Sun. 7am-7pm
(Sun. brunch 7am-11am). Call (405) 649-2229 or visit lucillesok.com.