The real and imaginative adventures of Dennis Spielman

Tag: Oklahoma City Page 8 of 60

Tacos from La Cocina de Doña Nena in Oklahoma City

Mexican Food with Cristela Carrizales

Cristela Carrizales guest hosts this episode of Uncovering Oklahoma as she takes us to three of her favorite Mexican restaurants in Oklahoma City’s south side. Join us as we visit La Cocina de Doña Nena, Churros Meoqui, and Super Tortas El Chavo.

La Cocina de Doña Nena

The family matriarch who kickstarted the legacy by setting up a table outside her house and selling her homemade dishes, is honored through the name of La Cocina de Doña Nena. Her culinary skills were so magical that everything she touched turned into a crowd-pleaser. All her tacos would be sold out within an hour, and her food was cherished by all. The family migrated from Chalchihuites, Zacatecas, Mexico, 25 years ago. Today, the street stand continues in Zacatecas, managed by her daughter, selling the same food as their Oklahoma restaurant.

Churros Meoqui

Churros Meoqui is renowned for their namesake treat, churros, which are long, deep-fried dough morsels coated in sugar and cinnamon. Churros Meoqui takes pride in its innovative churro offerings, with five unique fillings, including caramel, strawberry, chocolate, cheesecake, and vanilla. The caramel-filled churro is their most popular, captivating customers’ hearts. They continually innovate their offerings, recently adding “healthier” options like fruit-filled churros. Not limited to churros, they serve delectable treats such as a churro with ice cream, churros with fruits, and the elote en vaso, a popular street food made of heated corn with chili, mayonnaise, butter, and cheese served in a cup. In addition, they have a unique potato-on-a-stick dish made using a custom gadget developed by the family, offering a delightful snack. Churros Meoqui’s commitment to innovation and variety is evident in their unique churro offerings and delightful snacks, making it a must-visit destination for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Super Tortas El Chavo

Known far and wide for its specialty tortas, large Mexican sandwiches filled with every kind of meat imaginable. You see families at Super Tortas El Chavo sharing tortas big as their faces, filled with beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayonnaise, and choice meats including weenie, salchicha, steak, chorizo, and pastor. Their exclusive bread, nowhere else to be found, gives these hefty sandwiches their unique size and character. But it’s not just tortas here; they also serve dishes such as gorditas and huaraches. The huarache, a dish whose base resembles a sandal made of corn masa, is loaded with refried beans, your choice of meat, lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream, and cheese. Whether you’re in the mood for something hearty and filling or something a little lighter, Super Tortas El Chavo has got you covered.


You can watch the latest episode of Uncovering Oklahoma early by subscribing to The Show Starts Now, an Oklahoma-based streaming service. Your subscription there will help me continue this series and create more content. Special thanks to my superstar supporters on Patreon: Revovle Productions, The Keller-Kenton Family, and Christopher Lloyd.

Spiked. A Coffee Concept

While Brittani Hunter may claim to be a coffee enthusiast, the truth is that she stumbled into the world of coffee while taking an entrepreneurship course in college. Brittani found a niche in the saturated market of coffee shops, coupling her passion for the community and coffee into a single brand – Spiked, a Coffee Concept.

Spiked is more than just a coffee shop; it’s a safe space for the community. You never know who you might run into while sipping your drink – the mayor, city officials, or just regular people doing positive things for the city. And speaking of drinks, Brittani has created unique concoctions you won’t find anywhere else. Her go-to drink is the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Americano, a beverage initially intended as a seasonal drink but kept year-round due to its popularity among customers.

The 7-UP Cake from Spiked

The beverages and food served at Spiked also carry a familial legacy. Most pastries, including the always-available 7-UP Cake, are lovingly prepared by Brittani’s grandmother, affectionately known as Mother Pearl. Thus, each visit to Spiked offers customers a taste of her family’s kitchen.

So why should you choose Spike? Well, for one, they’ll spike your coffee with your choice of liquor. But more importantly, your purchase will directly impact the community. So come on in and grab a drink. You never know who you might run into or what delicious treats you will find.

Cosmic Callback at Factory Obscura

Open now through July 31, COSMIC CALLBACK: AN ILLUMINATED INTERLUDE takes you on a sound and light odyssey through the heart of a star and back again. Created by a team of 10 local artists, this new experience features an original soundscape accompanied by light and projections. Participants are invited to get comfortable on soft-sculpture seating, and gaze upward toward the cosmos.

COSMIC CALLBACK is a Factory Obscura collaboration, with contributions from: Amber Rae Black, Lindsey Cox, Emma Difani, Jaiye Farrell, Tammy Greenman, Barney Karper, Kelsey Karper, Hugh Meade, Dan Moyer, and Nikolas Thompson.

Photo by Dennis Spielman of a person standing looking inside the star at the Cosmic Callback experience.

COSMIC CALLBACK is open for general admission during regular Mix-Tape hours through July 31, 2023, at 25 NW 9th St in Downtown Oklahoma City. Tickets are $8 for General Admission, $6 for Kids 12 & under, and free for Children 3 & under. Save $2 when you bundle your tickets with the Mix-Tape experience. Admission is free for Mix-Tape Members!

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.factoryobscura.com

People gathered around for gaming night in a D&D lounge

The Kobold Lounge

The Kobold Lounge in Oklahoma City is a unique community hub designed for tabletop gaming enthusiasts. Originating from a private Dungeons & Dragons group, the lounge has evolved over the past five years into an all-inclusive venue for various tabletop games, including Magic the Gathering, Monsters vs. Heroes, and board games such as Monopoly and Risk.

One of the lounge’s distinguishing features is its wealth of resources available for players. These include books and materials for crafting game maps, fostering an environment conducive to creativity and communal play. The lounge also boasts state-of-the-art technology with its virtual tabletops, allowing players to utilize digital, moving maps for an immersive gaming experience.

The Kobold Lounge also offers classes that teach newcomers the basics of playing D&D – from character creation to combat and group interaction – making it a welcoming space for both beginners and veteran gamers. The owner invites everyone to come to The Kobold Lounge and experience the joy of tabletop gaming in a warm, inclusive environment.

The Brothers Size

In the Louisiana bayou, big brother Ogun Size is hardworking and steady. Younger brother Oshoosi is just out of prison and aimless. Elegba, Oshoosi’s old prison-mate, is a mysterious complication. Flights of poetry, music, dance and West African mythology combine in a contemporary tale that explores the tenuousness of freedom and the need to belong somewhere, to something, to someone.

I worked with the Oklahoma City Repertory Theater to create this series of promotional videos for their production of The Brothers Size.

Watch The Brothers Size at Oklahoma Contemporary April 27 – May 7, 2023.

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