Navigating Norman

Follow me while I explore Norman, OK.

[navigatingnorman]

Pizza Shuttle

Price: $$

Location: 

1506 W Lindsey St.  or 1000 E Alameda St.  or 3205 W Robinson St.

Website: pizzashuttle.biz

Pizza Shuttle is a pizza place/Italian cuisine restaurant. There are three different Pizza Shuttle locations in Norman. There's one on Lindsay, Robinson, and Alameda.

Pizza Shuttle has been serving pizza to Norman since 1981, so I figured they must have been doing something right.

I ordered a large, 13” pepperoni pizza and my total was $9.25. I was surprised that the pizza sauce had a slight sweet flavor to it. The pizza was really good, just not what I had expected.

Pizza Shuttle is the perfect place for college students. Not only because of their cheap prices, but also because they’re open till 2am Sun.-Wed. and 3am Thurs.-Sat.

Their large pizza cost as much as a Papa Johns’ pizza would cost with a coupon. But pizza isn’t the only thing that Pizza Shuttle serves. They offer a variety of other dishes.

They have subs, wings, salads, and pasta. I went with a friend who ordered the Chicken Parmesan sub and he assured me that it was delicious.

Pizza Shuttle is known for their fast delivery service. They have a $3 delivery charge and a minimum order price of $8.

However, you can also order your food for carryout or dine-in. There are a few tables inside Pizza Shuttle where you can eat. The walls are decorated in Oklahoma sports memorabilia and license plates.

The inside of Pizza Shuttle isn’t that impressive, but I think it’d be a great place to hang out with friends and grab something to eat.

Pizza Shuttle is a great place to get pizza if you’re up late or just want their fast delivery service. Next time I go I’m going to order Hot Mozzarella Pockets (I saw some one eating them and they looked amazing), just imagine Hot Pocket, but even better.

Hint: Call 405-364-4440 to order now! 

[navigatingnorman]

Guestroom Records

Price: varies 

Location: 125 East Main Street

Website: guestroom-records.com

Guestroom Records is a record shop conveniently located on Main Street, next to Syrup. Upon walking into the store I immediately wished that I owned a record player.

There was row after row of used vinyl records, CDs, and cassette tapes. In addition, they had new CDs and vinyl records for sale.

Guestroom Records was born in Norman and has since expanded to another two locations, one in OKC and another in Louisville.

The store had an industrial feel, with concrete floors and an exposed celling. The walls were covered various band posters.

My favorite thing about Guestroom Records is how much they support local artists. They had a specific bin dedicated to local artists CDs and vinyl records.

They even support artists other than musicians. There were paintings by Steve Keene for sale on the walls for $25.

I found two vinyl records that I really liked. The first was the Meet the Brady Bunch record, for obvious nostalgic reasons.

The second was Iggy Azalea’s new record The New Classic. When I think about vinyl records I think of them as a dying commodity, so it was nice to see new music being produced on vinyl.

There were tons of concert posters in various bins for $2. They were a pain to sort through, but they had an interesting selection to choose from.

On the front windows of the store there were flyers displaying upcoming shows in Norman. Near the entrance there was a shelf of used record players for sale. There was also a wall dedicated to Guestroom Records’ merchandise, such as shirts and coffee mugs.

Guestroom Records is a great place to visit for any music enthusiast. I consider it crucial to any tour around Norman.

Hint: Grab a stack of posters and sit on the couch at the front of the store to sort through them. The couch looks ratty, but it's comfortable...well more comfortable than the floor. 

[navigatingnorman]

Lemon Tree

Price: $$

Location: 924 West Main St

Website: lemontreeok.com

Lemon Tree is a Mediterranean Fusion Cuisine restaurant. A couple of my friends and I went to eat at Lemon Tree for lunch on a Friday.

Lemon Tree is located on West Main Street next to Bookends, which I reviewed earlier on this blog.

The restaurant wasn’t busy and there was only one waitress, which initially made me nervous that the food wasn’t going to be good.

The restaurant had plenty of space and a distinctly Mediterranean feel. The floors were tiled and the colors vibrant.

The Lemon Tree’s main menu items were gyros, kebabs, and an array of appetizers.

My table ordered the chicken borek for our appetizer. The chicken borek were hot flaky pastries filled with chicken, potatoes, and onion. They were served with plain yogurt for dipping.

The chicken borek was surprisingly delicious! It was hot, but flavorful and the yogurt was the perfect dipping sauce.

I ordered the chicken kebab for my main course. It came with a side salad or tabuli. I opted for the salad.

While the salad was good, my chicken kebab was sensational. There were two chicken kebabs laid over white rice. It was served with pita bread slices and plain yogurt.

The sole waitress was very attentive and helpful. The tables’ food came out promptly and I was impressed by everything that I ate.

Next time I go to Lemon Tree I think I’ll skip the appetizer, so I’ll have room try one of their desserts. The baklava, a Mediterranean dessert with sweet-crusted walnuts and chocolate syrup, seemed particularly appealing.

I think that Lemon Tree is a great restaurant, but the location doesn’t give it the traffic it deserves. If you’re looking for something a little different, but still delicious then Lemon Tree is the place.

Hint: Grab some of the green candies by the register on your way out. They are delicious! (I grabbed like 7)

[navigatingnorman]

Crimson & Whipped Cream 

Price: $$

Location: 331 White Street

Website: http://crimsonbakery.com

Crimson & Whipped Cream is a bakery and coffee shop located on Campus Corner. The inside of the shop is visible from the street through a massive glass window.

The chic vibe given off from the outside continues once inside. Crimson is an interesting blend of modern and hipster.

The floor is stained textured concrete and a room-length mirror dominates one wall. There are stainless steel chairs and marble countertops.

Although Crimson has a high-end look, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable. The menu is written in chalk and Mason jar light fixtures hang over the counter and booths.

I told the barista I was looking for a drink without coffee and she suggested the black tea passion fruit. I requested the tea be served cold and took a seat at the bar. The tea was bitterer than I expected, but it was still refreshing.

From the bar, the kitchen is visible through a glass window, allowing customers to see the bakers in action. And as I sat at the bar drinking my tea I craved one of the many baked goods I could see in the display case.

The cinnamon chip scone won out, but the red velvet cupcakes were a close second. I’m a sucker for anything cinnamon and in this case it was the right choice.

The scone was very sugary, but exactly what I wanted. Next time I’ll request it be served warm and hopefully it’ll be even better.

The back of the shop is a more comfortable environment. There is a couch and a couple of armchairs and a shelf containing a number of board games. There is also a photo booth in the back, near the restrooms.

Crimson’s main draw is their upscale venue and baked goods. It’s worth ditching Starbucks for Crimson’s cinnamon chip scones alone.

Hint: chocolatecrackle is the Wi-Fi password, which comes on the bottom of your receipt.

[navigatingnorman]

The Earth - Deli & Cafe

Price: $5-$9

Location: 309 S Flood Ave.

Website: www.theearth.com

The Earth is a deli and cafe that specializes in organic products. If you're a fan of healthy and environmentally conscious food establishments then The Earth is for you. 

Orders are placed at the bar, where you can also sit. In addition, there is inside and patio seating. 

The Earth has a variety of menu items, but its main categories for lunch are soup & salads, sandwiches, and smoothies. The smoothies looked delicious and they are made right in front of you, with fresh and organic produce. 

I was surprised to see cooks come out from behind the counter to grab fresh fruit and veggies off the shelves to cook meals with. 

Although I was tempted to get a smoothie, their nachos caught my eye. The nachos are made with organic blue corn tortilla chips and cheese. I added chili to mine for an extra $1.99 and it was definitely worth it. 

The chili included carrots, beans, onions, corn, and meat. However, there is a vegan option if that's your thing.

The chips were seasoned perfectly and the chili was especially good. I've never had chili with carrots, but they blended in perfectly with the chili. The Earth can make even nachos taste healthy and satisfying. 

When I walked into The Earth it felt like I was stepping into hipster/hippie central. Most of the customers were young and had an alternative style.

Instead of detracting from the atmosphere the people made the The Earth even more light and happy. Everyone there, especially the employees, seemed to be in a good mood. And that good mood was contagious. 

Beside the restaurant section of The Earth, there are a myriad of organic products for sale. They have it all, from organic toothpaste to natural soda.

If you want a traditional meal I wouldn't suggest The Earth. But if you're looking for something new and healthy then The Earth was made for you. 

If you end up going to The Earth you'll have to keep an eye out, because a tree obstructs the view of their sign. However, once you find The Earth, parking is especially easy since they have their own parking lot behind the building. There is also a bike rack by the back patio. 

Overall, The Earth was an excellent restaurant that provided exceptional food and a venue that was an adventure to explore.  

[navigatingnorman]

Pickleman’s

Location: 759 Asp Ave.

Price: $5-$12 (most) 

Website: www.picklemans.com

Pickleman’s is a gourmet cafe. It’s located on Campus Corner, right next to Crooked Crust. They have a variety of menu items, but their two biggest staples are toasted sandwiches and pizzas. 

 If I’ve learned anything from “Navigating Norman”, it’s that you should always ask employees what to order. They know the business best and usually appreciate being recognized as more than a servant.

So I asked an employee, who was making pizzas, what I should order. 

He said that their specialty isn’t on the menu, but that it’s called the Truth pizza. When I told him I was interested he said, “Okay, you can have the half-truth or the whole-truth.” 

Obviously, I got the whole-truth.

Whole pizzas are 12 inches wide. The Truth pizza is topped with barbecue chicken, blue cheese, mozzarella cheese, buffalo sauce, and BBQ sauce. The crust was thin and crispy. 

My friend and I split the $12 pizza and we were both full by the end of the meal. The pizza was much spicier than I thought it would be, but I still enjoyed it, even if I did drink about four glasses of water. 

I also had one of their chocolate chip cookies, which are made fresh daily. It was the perfect consistency—soft and gooey. 

There are a few barstools and a lot of booths to sit at. I went around 8 o’clock at night and there were only a handful of people inside. 

Pickleman’s isn’t unique or fancy like some of the other places on Campus Corner, but they do have good food. Good food, coupled with quality service and a clean venue, make Pickleman’s a place worth visiting.

Tip: Get the Truth Pizza, but only if you like spicy food. 

[navigatingnorman]

Second Wind - Coffeehouse

Location: 564 Buchanan Ave.

Price: No Prices - Just Donations 

Website: thesecondwind.com

The Second Wind is a non-profit coffeehouse located on OU's Campus Corner. I wanted to visit, because I was intrigued by the idea that there were no set prices. Of course I could've been a horrible person and got my drink for free, but the pressure to be a good person was too overwhelming.

 Instead, I paid $5 for my iced chai (more than I'd pay elsewhere) and sat on one of their many comfy couches. 

When my drink was ready they brought it out to me in a mason jar. The drink was good, but I was more impressed by Second Wind's venue than I was their product. 

Second wind has a very homey feel. It's like stepping into a community living room. There were people studying, reading, and chatting. It was fairly busy for one in the afternoon. 

There were hardwood floors and fairy lights hanging from the exposed celling beams. The aroma of coffee and the soft lighting created a relaxing environment that was comfortable to hang out in. 

There is local artwork for sell on the walls. Most of the artwork is abstract, but there were a couple of funny paintings like the Urban Cowboys (pictured below). 

When I asked an employee what the proceeds of the business go to, she told me that most of the revenue goes to keeping the place open. When there is extra money it's used for campus ministries. 

Second Wind host a variety of events such as Open Mike Nights and benefit concerts. 

If I'm going to pay for coffee, it makes me feel better knowing that the proceeds are funding a good cause rather than a corporate business. The Second Wind is a comfortable and local alternative to Starbucks. I enjoyed my time there and would definitely go back. 

Hint: The Wi-Fi password is espresso. 

[navigatingnorman]

The Diner 

Location: 213 E. Main St.

Price: $5-$8

Website: normandiner.com 

I was a little skeptical about eating at a place called plainly, The Diner. It seemed like a good place to go if I wanted some mediocre food. 

But my friends repeatedly reassured me that I wouldn't be disappointed. They weren't lying.

The food was anything but mediocre. Savory. Greasy. Creative. Mouthwatering. But definitely not mediocre.

My friends and I walked in and were quickly seated in one of the four-person booths along the wall. The neon lights along the ceiling and the bluesy background music fit the 50s diner vibe perfectly. 

My waitress, Rita, suggested that I try the Southside Burger.

As strange as it would seem from this blog, I actually don't like to try new foods. I find a reliable order and stick to it. Since starting this blog I've learned that you should trust your waiter. They know what they're serving and I haven't been let down yet. 

So I ordered the Southside Burger and loved it. The Southside Burger has a large slice of grilled ham stacked on a beef patty, topped with a slice of american cheese and BBQ sauce. Typically it comes with pickles and mayo but I opted out of those.

The combination of the beef and ham was heavenly. The meats came together with the BBQ sauce to create a sweet and flavorful burger. 

The Diner serves both breakfast and lunch all day. They are open Monday-Friday from 6:30am-2pm and Saturday and Sunday from 7am-2pm. 

One of my favorite aspects of The Diner is that the kitchen is open to the seating area. You're able to watch the cook and the restaurant is filled with a mouthwatering aroma. 

The Diner felt homey and relaxed. The atmosphere coupled with the delicious food and efficient service makes Diner a must-visit restaurant. 

Hint: The Diner has daily specials that are worth checking out. 

[navigatingnorman]

Bookends

Location: 920 W Main St 

Price: Varied (most $4-$8)

Website: facebook.com/pages/Bookends/111573475550165

Today I wanted to buy a book and I ended up at a used bookstore called Bookends.

Bookends is located on 920 West Main Street, across from Norman High School. Try not to make the mistake of going to 920 East Main Street, like I did.

As I walked in, the comforting smell of old books hit me. I took in the grey carpet and wall-to-wall bookshelves. I already knew I was going to like the place.

Behind a desk, covered in books, sat Bookends’ lone employee, Diana.

Diana gave me the low-down before I began to wander around the store.

"Bookends accepts cash or check. The non-fiction is located on the bookshelves on the walls while most of the fiction is located in the center shelves.

Paper backs are half the retail price unless otherwise stated."

My favorite aspect of Bookends is their trade-in service. People can bring in a bag of used books and they’ll evaluate them for in-store credit.

Each book is worth a percentage of what the store thinks the resale price will be. Hardbacks are given 1/3 the estimated sell price and paperbacks are given 1/4 the price. 

The filing was a little scattered and they were behind on processing trade-ins, but rather than be annoyed, I enjoyed the adventure of searching for the perfect book.

I limited myself to only one book because I’m a poor college student, but there were quite I few that I had my eye on. In the end I went with Wolfsbane and Mistletoe. I don’t know why I decided to buy a Christmas-themed werewolf book a month before Halloween, but that’s what happened. 

When we talked, Diana expressed her concern for the survival of the store, saying, "I hope we can stay open for a few more years. People aren't reading books anymore. They're reading e-books now.”

I told her that I’m a Professional Writing major and that I prefer reading hardcopies. She replied, “We hope that there are enough people like you to keep us in business."

So if you're like me and enjoy reading books the old-fashioned way, stop by Bookends and grab yourself something to read. 

[navigatingnorman]

Syrup. 

Location: 123 Main St.

Price: $$ (most meals $7-$9)

Website: syrupbreakfast.com

Today I went to Syrup with a girl. The Ben Howard background music in combination with breakfast food made Syrup the perfect date location. 

I ordered the Nompton, which is described as an Oklahoma breakfast. It includes eggs, a half stack of pancakes with powdered sugar, bacon or sausage, and skillet potatoes.

At the suggestion of our waiter, I substituted my pancakes for the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. The pancakes had a cinnamon swirl running through them and were covered in sugary streusel. They were extremely sweet but completely delicious.

Syrup is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 7am to 2pm. Breakfast is Syrup’s main draw but they have some interesting lunch options too.

I saw someone walk by with the Snacker and it was mouth-watering to behold. The Snacker is a sandwich with grilled ham and Tillamook cheddar cheese on Texas toast, covered with a light touch of basil.

The only thing about Syrup that annoys me is how early they close. However, starting September 2 they will be open from 5pm to 10pm on Tuesday and Saturdays. They are dubbing this promotion as coffee and crepe nights.

All the waiters were warm and friendly. They had helpful suggestions when I was trying to decide what to order and they were quick to refill our coffee mugs.

Besides the food and the hospitality, the business’ purpose attracted me. Syrup’s mission is to impact the city of Norman and societies around the world. According to their website, Syrup is currently in he process of developing two projects in third world African countries.

I would recommend Syrup to anyone who loves to relax, eat breakfast food, and support a good cause all at the same time.

Helpful Hint: the Wi-Fi password is serveblessimpact. 

[navigatingnorman]

Crooked Crust 

Price: 

Whole pizzas are 16" - Unlimited Toppings for no extra $

1/4 of any pizza & 1 drink - $7.00

1/2 of any pizza & 2 drinks - $12.00

Any whole pizza - $16.00

Location: 757 Asp Avenue (Campus Corner)

Website: http://crookedcrust.com

I’m a lover a pizza. Any kind will do. I like pizza in all shapes, sizes, and varieties. Frozen? Yes. Square? Yes. Greasy? Yes, please. My mailbox is filled with half a dozen different pizza places begging me to come back.

However, sometimes you find a particular pizza that shocks your taste buds. The first time this happened I was in Chicago trying Chicago-style pizza for the first time. And it happened again today when I ate at Crooked Crust.

When I walked in Crooked Crust it felt like I was going into the grown-up version of Chuck E. Cheese’s—minus the crappy pizza and creepy mouse. The walls were painted a bright red and cartoon murals covered the walls. My favorite and the funniest mural on display was the Mona Cheesa.

After much deliberation my friend and I decided to split a whole pepperoni pizza. I was disappointed that we didn’t try any number of interesting pizzas on the menu. I know that the next time I go, I’ll be having the Spicy Meatball pizza—meatballs, cherry peppers, mozzarella cheese and sauce.

But sometimes simple is pizza is the best kind of pizza and 15-minutes later Crooked Crust proved that.

I sat down at our two person booth and dug into this delicious thin crust pizza, covered in a copious amount of cheese, topped with crispy pepperonis and seasoned to perfection. 

I usually don’t prefer thin crust but this pizza changed my mind. It had just the right ratio of sauce to cheese and the crust was crisp, not tough.

The only trouble you may have when eating at Crooked Crust is trying to find a parking spot. While conveniently located on Campus Corner, Crooked Crust doesn't offer much in way of parking. My friend and I had to visit Hurts Donuts for some pre-meal doughnut holes, so we could park in their parking lot and then had to sneak past the security guard to eat at Crooked Crust.

Crooked Crust is open until 3 a.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so it's perfect for late night munchies and daytime meals alike. If you’re looking to have your taste buds rocked and your wallet unharmed, then Crooked Crust is the place for you. 

[navigatingnorman]

Hurt's Donut Company

Location: 746 Asp Avenue

Prices:

Glazed Donuts $1 Classic Donuts $1.50 Specialty Donuts $2  Maple Bacon Bars $3

Website: https://www.facebook.com/HurtsDonutCompany

I went to Hurts Donut Company today and enjoyed one of the most delicious donuts of my life. Hurts offers a variety of donuts but the one that captured my stomach and my soul was the Jesus donut. The Jesus donut is a caked donut, covered in white icing and topped with cinnamon sugar and caramel drizzle. Long story short: I saw the light.

Hurts Donut is located on Campus Corner, right next to Chimy’s. The Jesus donut is the one for me, but there is a donut for every craving you could possibly have.

Hurts has classic donuts such as original glazed and caked, but what makes the place unique is their specialty donuts. A couple of specialty donuts immediately caught my attention: the Grape Balls of Fire—an original donut with grape icing, topped with a fireball candy—and the Maple Bacon donut—a maple Long John covered with bits of bacon. I haven't tried them yet, but I've heard from reliable sources (my friends) that they are great.

Hurts is open 24/7 and is always there to fill the donut void in your life.  If you buy a collectors cup for $2—like I did—you can get free refills whenever you come in. Every time I've been to Hurts, the employees are attentive and knowledgeable about what’s on each donut. This is helpful when you're trying to choose between a nerd or cosmic brownie donut. 

There is a variety of seating available: couches, barstools, bleachers, and tables. The inside of Hurts has an industrial look, with some exposed brick walls and steel beams on the ceiling. They have a big screen TV that played SpongeBob SquarePants while I was there. The atmosphere is light-hearted and laid-back. How could it not be when everyone is enjoying delicious donuts? 

My one complaint was that if I wanted water I had to buy a bottle. There are no water cups.

However, I was happy to see that Hurts has free Wi-Fi. After asking for the Wi-Fi password an employee made me put my head in a cardboard box with eyeholes and a mouth. I was confused until I realized that the password was hidden on the inside. If you want to save yourself from mild humiliation, the password is LogCabin200.

I would recommend this place to anyone that has a craving for something sweet and is looking to try something new.

Bonus Fact: My favorite phrase to hear while at Hurts is, “I’ll take a Jesus please.”

[navigatingnorman]

Tarahumara's Mexican Cafe & Cantina

Location: 702 N Porter Ave

Price: $$ (most meals between $8-$12) 

Website: http://m.mainstreethub.com/tarahumaras

My friends and I went to Tarahumara's for lunch after church on Sunday. As expected for a weekend lunch, the wait lasted 30-minutes.

When we were sat, the table was already filled with chips, queso, salsa, and fresh tortillas. The menu consists of typical Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes, such as enchiladas, burritos, chimichangas, and tacos. I ordered the #2, a chicken enchilada, covered in sour cream sauce, and hard beef taco. After a small deliberation, I opted for double rice as my side. All my food was good, but the taco meat was the standout for me. The meat was flavorful and juicy, but not overly greasy.

In addition to the wonderful food, the atmosphere at Tarahumara's was fun and relaxed. The walls were painted a vibrant yellow and filled with various Mexican artworks. There were a couple of mounted TVs showing various sports. For a while, an older man played guitar and sang Spanish songs. The live music added to the experience and it was subtle enough that it didn't interrupt conversation.

Although I didn't indulge, there was a bar that had a constant outflow of various beers and colorful margaritas. The customer service from the beginning of the meal to the end was excellent. The waiter paid just the right amount of attention to our table. Our waters were always full and the queso and salsa dishes were refilled throughout the meal. And when we requested the check and to-go boxes, the waiter quickly brought both.

The only downside to my visit was the initial wait time, besides that it was the perfect dining experience. I would recommend Tarahumara's to anyone who is craving a fun environment and tasty Mexican food. It's a great place to catch up with friends or have a business meeting, because the environment is social, but not too loud to hold a conversation.

Your only problem at Tarahumara's will be eating too much chips and salsa before your food comes. 

p.s. If you want a laugh their twitter, @TarahumarasOK, is filled with funny posts and customer interactions.