Prairiefire Grille — Restaurant in Elk City

I had the salmon and my wife had the shrimp tortellini. She said the shrimp was a bit overcooked and the sauce was thin and shrimpy tasting, but I liked it. My salmon was a little overcooked also and some bites were dry, but it was very tasty. My wife and I both enjoyed the smashed potatoes and chocolate cake (separately 😉). The fried green tomatoes were acceptable but not particularly noteworthy except for the raspberry pepper (jalapeño?) dipping sauce served with them that added a nice flare. Also the bar tender did an excellent job mixing my blackberry margarita and grasshopper.

I feel like this place is struggling to come into its own. Both the hostess and our waitress seemed on edge and barely cracked a smile (though I saw a waitress at another table smile every time I saw her approach her table, so apparently smiling is not prohibited 😊). When my wife asked to substitute the salad that came with her dish for a baked yam, our waitress said that we would be upcharged,which we agreed to. What actually happened is that we were charged the full price for the side as though it were ordered separately, my wife did not receive a salad or a discount on her main course, and she only received HALF of a baked yam! When I asked our waitress for a drink recommendation to pair with my salmon, she seemed lost and unprepared to answer the question. My salad was served nicely presented with an artful drizzle of house made raspberry vinaigrette, and then the waitress unceremoniously plopped down a bucket full of pre-packaged club crackers next to it. These things suggest the indecisiveness of the restaurant's character and direction. The bar thinks it's at the Cheesecake Factory. The kitchen is straining to catch up with the bar (and it's very close). And the front of the house thinks they work at Cracker Barrel. With a little more finesse in the kitchen and some attention to the front of the house, this place could become something truly special. I hope...

The Wifey and I have been traveling (driving) all over the South from Phoenix to Beaufort, SC for almost 3 months. (We've done this kind of trip a couple times over the past 4 years). We have eaten at dozens of restaurants along the ways. That, and I have consumed more steak (restaurant and at home) in the past 30 years than an NFL football teams convention at an all you can eat steak buffet. All that to say, we stopped for the night in Elk City and found this kinda dumpy "Grill" with a pot-holed parking lot and road construction in front of it. Hell, why not? We were hungry, lost, on dark streets and we love "local" and have eaten at sketchier looking places... The interior (it is a remodeled old train station), is cool, you wouldn't guess by the exterior). And the food (and waitstaff!), OMG!!! We ordered an appetizer plate, the 14oz. ribeye (medium rare, of course), sweet potato and a caesar salad, wine, chocolate cake and pecan cobbler. We both independently commented almost at the same time that this was the best steak and meal we've had since we can remember in our travels. I'd have to say it was the best restaurant steak I've had in years (and we've had 75.00 ribeyes at Capital Grille in Phoenix... they didn't touch this). The chocolate cake was good and is enough for two (not the best, says my wife The Chocolate Cake Queen, but good.) The pecan cobbler...(I'm the Cobbler King) well, I asked the (great, attentive, friendly) waitress if I'd be escorted out if I licked the bottom of the dish in public. I wasn't. Anyway.... if you need to stop somewhere between OKC and Amarillo to stay or eat, stop here! I plan to in the...

Visit: 01/22/2021 Occassion: Engagement dinner

When they were closed, it looked like an old abandoned train station but when they open, the ambiance is very nice. Can dress casual or formal. The staff are very hard workers that go all out for the customers, with a smile, and for an amazing job! I did notice they are working on an outside dining area for the spring and summer months so that is something nice coming in the near future.

I tried the Salmon Tacos but since I don't like goat cheese, I asked for cheese options and selected provolone cheese not melted and it was just perfect. Blackened salmon parts gave it good flavor while the rest of the salmon with ingredients complimented very well. I do wish they gave three tacos for the price or a lot more rice as the side because rice is very cheap and I dislike when places are cheap with their rice. I had a side of okra that was very yummy and almost ordered two sides of okra. They are whole okra fried which many don't serve and I always look for whole okra when I cook it.

My buddies got steaks and I tried a piece and you cannot go wrong with a bone-in ribeye here.

Just an fyi, yes the waitresses are pretty women. But do not take your date there and look at them. Don't be the sleeze. Be a gentleman. Besides if you have a gal, she should be all you gaze upon. Me, I am single so relax. Lol.

They are very busy so be patient as the wait is well worth it.

Tip them WELL! They deserve it. If you are unable to, then try to not demand so much. In this day we know many struggle but still want to help local businesses thrive. They will be grateful for...