Lorena — Restaurant in Oklahoma City

Update: it's not any better! So clearly, whomever is managing this place isn't listening. The chicken and dumplings were thick as snot. That isn't the way they are supposed to be! The salad, ummmm what? That's an entree salad? The burger? My aunt that can't cook could have done better. The service was mediocre at best. What is is going to take to make this restaurant run efficiently? I'm sad to say that this is going to crash and burn if someone doesn't step in. I'm usually a champion for the OKC restaurant scene but this is a major disappointment. Our first visit to Lorena in Oklahoma City left much to be desired, primarily due to shockingly slow service. Arriving at 4:10 PM, we were prepared for a relaxing early dinner, but what ensued was a drawn-out and disappointing experience.

The initial sign of trouble was the glacial pace of service. Despite observing at least four other patrons being served and leaving before us, our appetizer didn't arrive until a staggering 47 minutes after we were seated. While the pickled okra fritters with garden ranch, when it finally appeared, offered a delightful contrast of a crisp exterior and tender inside, the lengthy wait significantly dampened our enthusiasm. The cup of chicken and dumplings were not authentic southern chicken and dumplings, take it from someone who's grandmother had it down to a fine art. The dish was disappointing.

The main courses eventually trickled out, with the final entree arriving at 5:18 PM – over an hour after our arrival. Adding to the disappointment, the salad that was ordered never materialized. The steak, accompanied by rice and fritters, and the fried chicken, served with mashed potatoes and green beans, were overshadowed by the preceding delays and the missing component of our order. The fried chicken was a bit dry, and not as crispy on the outside as one would expect, refer to Mini's fried chicken in the movie "The Help."

It was evident that the restaurant was struggling with staffing. We observed only one bartender attempting to manage the entire bar area, with no visible support. More concerning was the apparent lack of proactive management. Instead of assisting their team and ensuring customer satisfaction, the managers seemed content to observe the chaos, allowing the already strained staff to falter and the customers to suffer the consequences.

While the pickled okra fritters offered a momentary bright spot, the inexcusably slow service, the missing dish, and the apparent lack of managerial support made for a thoroughly unpleasant dining experience at Lorena. It's difficult to recommend Lorena until some of these challenges...

We were excited to try some place new. But quickly realized, they are too new and don’t have the kinks worked out yet. We were offered biscuits upon being seated (we were told it was their version of table bread). Come to find out they cost $8. They were a bit dry. The apple butter and blueberry compote was good. Fried green tomatoes were mediocre. We both ordered the Lorena breakfast. I had asked for one pancake rather than the biscuit and gravy it was served with (since we received the breakfast biscuits) I didn’t want another biscuits. I was told that was not possible. The breakfast potatoes with the meals were cut too large therefore fairly undercooked. My scrambled eggs had shells in them. I appreciate the fresh cracked eggs, but they should be cracking them in a side bowl before cooking to avoid shells. My husband did order a side of grits to have with his meal and said that they were cooked perfectly and absolutely delicious. (He mixed them in with his over medium eggs). Gravy on the biscuit served with meal was minimal and cold. A mimosa flight was the drink special. $25 for the bottle along with 3 small carafes of juices. Would have excepted fresh juices at a restaurant if this caliber rather than cocktail juices. They were the typical OJ, cranberry and pineapple options. When I mentioned my eggs having shells in them to the server, he did offer to bring me a new plate to scrape them onto so that I could eat the rest of my meal and they would cook fresh eggs. Under the circumstances, I kindly declined. Having already tried the breakfast potatoes and having shells in my eggs, I simply wasn’t impressed. We ordered a bowl of chicken and dumplings to go for our mom, hopefully it’s more delicious than our meals were. Overall, I don’t think we will be back any time soon. Maybe in a year after they get their kinks worked out. No discount was asked for or offered regarding the egg matter. Upon receiving our bill, a $5 discount was applied. Overall total for the biscuits, app, mimosa flight and 2...

Five for service and atmosphere. This was a very chill place to dine (and we were there for almost two hours because we were sampling a lot of things). Our server was amazing and hilarious. Very attentive (and did I say she was entertaining as well).

Most of the appetizers were good and some were stellar. Here's my take on them in order of excellence: the pimento cheese dip, the okra fritters, the deviled eggs, and the fried green tomatoes. The spiced saltines that came with the pimento cheese should be offered as an appetizer themselves. Delicious. The sauce with the fritters was great. The deviled eggs were solid like Grandma would make. The fried green tomatoes were good (with another great sauce).

Our table tried the catfish, the shrimp and grits (with pork belly), and the quail with the mac 'n cheese. I only sampled the catfish and I would totally order that again. Actually, I saw the fried chicken being delivered to another table and that is what I would order definitely.

The desserts were great. Tried the banana pudding and the angel food cake. The strawberry Nestle's Quick sauce was beautiful as was the chocolate butter cream. (The picture does not do that sauce justice. It was a beautiful pale pink.)

In my opinion the appetizers and the desserts made this meal. Oh, and the Fig and Folly cocktail!!!! Order that first! It was a sweeter and more citrusy Old...