The Oklahoman 2012 Readers Poll Conundrum!

The NBA playoffs are starting, a new convention center is fixing to be built, there’s a huge resurgence in the arts – but another step to being a “Big League City” is our choices. We need to recognize our local jewels, not just a “prop-in-a-box” substitute. We need to realize that all these chains are good, but not GREAT or LOCAL.

The final five in the Oklahoman reader’s favorites poll in the Italian Restaurant category are Carino’s Italian, Olive Garden, Papa Dio’s (local and great), Primo’s (local), and Zio’s. Where are the local, tantalizing, taste bud-busters with family recipes like Custino’s, Vito’s, Benvenutti’s, Bella Vista, Bellini’s, Café Pranza, Meiki’s Italian, or Othello’s?

I challenge you to go try these LOCALS and then see the chains in Cleveland, Little Rock, or Mobile are the same as they are here. Our locals are each distinctive in food, location, and service. I personally have different dishes that are favorites at each place, like the Veal Marsala at Café Pranza or Vito’s dish of Shrimp Spendini.

Not only do we need to support our local restaurants, but realize their taxes and profits stay here. These people have always been super to step up and help in local fund-raising efforts and events. If you haven’t tried these hometown places, then I challenge you to do so in the near future.

Drum roll, please! Last but not least is Nomad II on N. May, with typical Italian fare plus the Jack Sussy’s pizza recipes. The fried pepperoni pizza or the Fleetwood Combo are just as they were in 1965. I guess we all have our very favorite pizza… but this is mine.

Remember, I just challenged you to lick your chops local and flavorful – and you’ll need one arm free for all the leftovers you carry home!

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