JW Cobbs — Restaurant in Ponca City

Today I've ended up in Ponca city. I checked google and found this place down the street from my hotel. The ratings were high so I came in with high expectations.

I pull into the parking lot and I expected something different. I walk in, and it looks like one of those diners in a small town that have mediocre food. I'm sorry, I immediately passed judgment. I was quickly greeted and told where i could sit. Visited wed oct 9 at 630 pm. I don't know who my server is, but she couldn't be older than 16 or 17. I was up in the corner on the platform.

Ya'll, I opened the menu and I saw things I've never seen on a menu before. If you follow me on google, you know I've traveled the country. It all sounded delicious. That is, except the sour cream and raisin pie they had for dessert. Sorry, i try a lot of foods and am willing, but I guess even I have my limits.

I ordered the chicken fried steak since I've been on the quest to find the best this week and have been very disappointed.

Ya'll, this place has got the best chicken (country) fried steak I've ever had. Thats it, I'm moving to Ponca city. My momma will be mad at me but where has this place been all my life???

The carrots were perfectly cooked and yes, i had sauteed mushrooms because, why not? It just keeps getting better and better.

The server didn't offer me dessert. How insulting. Always offer the fat guy dessert. They had cherry cream pie. I was curious.

Heavenly. Dude, I told you, I'm movin to Oklahoma. Bye michigan!

The staff all seems friendly. I can't give this place enough stars. Dude. I'll be talking about this place for a week! 🤣

Very goos visit, thank you for the delicious dinner. And affordable too!!

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We planned our whole trip from Wichita to be in ponca City at 11:30am to eat ribs at JW Cobbs. Imagine our surprise when we ordered them and minutes later was told it would be 2 hours before any ribs would be done!

It was bad enough the restaurant was a hot mess with dirty tables everywhere and we had to sit down at one before it was even cleaned off.

Five waitresses running around without mask on and no one cleaning.

Good management would of been better prepared, good management would of apologized and offered a discount or alternative.

But NO! Just a deer in headlights look with no remorse.

Unacceptable!

So we left & went to Danny'sBBQ headquarters where they took covid precautions (not ridiculous but wore mask)

Was very clean and nicely decorated! Needless to say their BBQ far out passed Cobbs and they just earned our business for our next trip.

My guess is JW Cobbs is an old-time restaurant with old-time customers who have lived in Ponca City for years and people go because they have a connection there

I predict Danny's BBQ will outlast Cobbs because when they're regular clientele is dead and gone Danny's BBQ will still be earning new customers. Because they know how to run a business and keep their clientele happy. As the rest of us will not put up with such...

My family's favorite place to eat when we go to Ponca. The prices are fantastic for the portions provided, the service is consistent and friendly while never too pushy, and the location is homey and perfect for catching a bite on our way back North.

The menu is HUGE and it feels like there is always something new to try. They carry all of the American classics, plus a bunch of southern dishes and original options. It often takes us quite a few minutes with the menu to decide what we're having. I highly recommend trying the chicken fried chicken at least once, either as the dinner platter or as any of their chicken sandwiches. The breasts they use are have breaded and HUGE, and could easily be shared between two individuals. The all-you-can-eat smoked meat bar on Friday nights are always hot and delicious, not overpriced, but very good crowded; come before it begins, after 6:30ish, or just be mentally prepare to have to wait for a table.

The building and parking lot are both small and old, but everything else makes up for any discomfort this may bring. There is a reason there are ALWAYS cars in the lot. Next time you're looking for a place to stop for a bite in Ponca, definitely check...