My Favorite Stillwater Eats

This post is partly inspired by my husband's new blog - which I encourage all to read. The link is under "My Friends & Family" list. He takes things we have spent money on and reviews it. This post, however, is just a list of my favorite places to eat at in Stillwater. So, if you are from Stillwater I hope you enjoy it and if you ever come to Stillwater to visit I hope this gives you a good idea of what's to eat!

At first glance people think Stillwater only has pizza and hamburger places - but if you delve a little deeper you will find a plethora of dining experiences. Here are my favorites for every category I can think of:

1. Cafe Bella - one of my all-time favorite places in Stillwater. It's a little Greek cafe on Main street. Their food is fresh and made-to-order. It is a lighter menu with sandwiches and salads, which makes me feel healthy. I highly recommend the Falafel or the Pick Two option - all of their sandwiches are great and I love their greek salad. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting. They also have really good cheesecake. There is a wait for your food - even when you are the only people there... but for me it is well worth it.

2. El Vaquero/El Tapatio - great Mexican food. Both are owned by the same people and have the exact same menu. So your choice is between a nicer, traditional Spanish Hacienda or a hole-in-the wall-spring-break type atmosphere. Chips and salsa are complementary to your meal. Everything I have tried on the menu I have liked - you really can't go wrong.

3. Golden Dragon - my favorite Chinese place. The food is very flavorful. It is also the only place in Stillwater that serves Mushu - which is one of my favorite dishes ever! The food is plentiful so I recommend splitting a plate or at least be prepared to have leftovers for lunch the next day.

4. Joseppi's - the only Italian restaraunt in Stillwater. The food is rather mediocre but you do get free bread fresh from the oven. I would recommend the Chicken Marsala, Ravioli, or Tortellini dishes. On Wednesday's they have $5 pizza night which is always fun. Besides it is part of the famous Joe's trio - so I had to give them some recognition.

5. Hideaway - best place for pizza. You just can't go wrong with so many topping choices. They have everything from artichoke hearts to your classical pepperoni. Their canadian bacon is hands down the best in town! If you go at lunch the prices are a little cheaper - you can get a side salad and mini pizza (your choice of topping) for about $6.50, if I remember correctly. My personal favorite is the Aubrey & Whitney special (yes, it's one we made up) - order fresh tomato with smoked turkey and olive oil & garlic sauce. They also serve decent sub sandwiches for all of you non-pizza lovers out there.
Also a close second is Swicks' Pizza - a little cheaper and a whole lot cheesier! Swicks has thicker crusts and a rather good selection in toppings as well. While you are waiting for your pizza go play glow-in-the-dark miniature golf!

6. Goldies - my favorite hamburger place. I mean - it has a pickle bar! All you can eat complementary pickles! Their cheese fries are oh so good and oh so fattening - definitely split among a group of friends. They have great hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and good-ole, southern cookin' dinners. If you don't feel like clogging your arteries they have a selection of salads, baked potatoes, and soups that are rather tasty. And did I mention the pickle bar!

7. Bad Brad's Bar-b-que - ask anyone in Stillwater what the best barbeque is and they will most likely say Bad Brad's. I will agree - great barbeque, wonderful potato salad, and everything is served on styrofoam plates. How great is that? So, roll up your sleeves and dump the barbeque sauce on!

And who said Stillwater only had hamburger and pizza joints? There are lot's of great cooking out there - you just have to find it! If you liked these places you might also enjoy: Thai Cafe, Kyoto's, McAllister's, Red Rock Cafe, Curly's, Cherokee Strip, and El Jalisco.