U.S. Underrated Travel Notes | Oklahoma

Following up on my last post, this time I’m focusing on OKC’s food scene—get ready for some delicious finds! 😋 1. Cafe Kacao 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 This Latin American breakfast spot is super popular! When I tried to go on a weekend, the waitlist was already 2 hours long by 9 AM 😱. I finally got to eat there on a Monday morning, and it was worth the wait. The restaurant specializes in Guatemalan and Mexican cuisine, so their Huevos Rancheros (made with black beans and corn tortillas) are a must-try 🥚. Their pancakes are also a highlight—they’re huge, so even a small slice will fill you up 🥞. Plus, they have tons of coffee flavors to choose from ☕. 2. Ma Der Lao Kitchen 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A fantastic Laotian restaurant that’s always packed—if you go around 5:30 PM, you’ll definitely need to wait for a table 🕒. I love Southeast Asian food, but I’d never tried Laotian cuisine before this. Most of their meat dishes are small plates, so if you’re with a group, I recommend ordering a few to share 🥘. Laotian food is similar to Thai food in that it’s mostly spicy and sour, and you can wrap the meat with sticky rice and lettuce, then eat it with your hands—super authentic! 🍚 3. Pho Lien Hoa 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 This pho spot is so popular, it even opened a branch in Edmond 🎉. Their portions are huge—I ordered the Bun Bo Hue, which is a bit spicy, but their regular pho broth is also rich and flavorful 🥢. If you’re a pho lover, this place is a must-visit. 4. Cafe Antigua I heard this is Cafe Kacao’s “sister restaurant.” On the weekend, since I couldn’t get a table at Kacao, I went here first. But after comparing the two, Cafe Kacao is better—both in terms of ambiance and food quality 😐. It’s a solid backup, but Kacao is still the star. 5. Goro Ramen I ordered a dry curry ramen here, but honestly, the food was just “okay” 🥱. The real highlight is the neighborhood vibe—since it’s in the Paseo Art District, stopping by in the evening lets you soak up the area’s artistic, laid-back feel 🎨. 6. Swadley‘s Bar-B-Q This is a local Oklahoma BBQ chain 🍖. For someone like me who can’t eat a lot of meat, the portions were way too big! But if you’re here to experience classic Midwestern BBQ, it’s worth a try—just bring an empty stomach (or a friend to split with)! 🗻 Two More Travel Spots I Missed Earlier 1. Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from OKC, perfect for a day trip 🚗. Besides hiking trails (great for nature lovers! 🥾), you can get up close to American bison. Even better—nearby restaurants sell bison burgers if you want to try something unique 🦬. 2. Honey Lee Ranch If you want to experience real cowboy life, come to Oklahoma and go horseback riding here 🐎! It’s a fun, authentic way to feel the Western spirit of the state. #Oklahoma #OklahomaFood #UnderratedTravel #StudyInUSA #NorthAmericaTravel #LesserKnownDestinations