Bibbs Smokehouse puts out the fire

Local BBQ joint says goodbye in social media post

After almost a year of restaurant musical chairs, Bibbs Smokehouse announced it had ceased operations yesterday.

Chuck Bibbs opened Bandee’s BBQ for Provisions Concepts in 2021 but was long gone before that concept closed a year later. By then, Bibbs had already partnered with Ronshene Smith to open Bibbs Smokehouse at Denver Corner in east Norman. Once home to a grocery store and bait shop, Bibbs built an enthusiastic audience but in late August last year announced the barbecue joint was vacating to embark on a major expansion.

Bibbs and Smith then took over the space long held by The Mantel in Bricktown. Bibbs Smokehouse and Catering opened Sept. 1, but by early February it had gone dark. Bibbs wasn’t done, though. He had a new location in Midwest City in the former Spencer’s Smokehouse at 9900 NE 23^rd St.

Yesterday, Bibbs announced on social media that it was shuttering all locations, but I’m unaware of any operating besides the one in Midwest City. Bibbs did let some folks know that gift certificates from a radio giveaway would be honored by the station.

Bibbs joins Dan’s Ol’ Time Diner in darkening its dining room and Yokozuna among recent closings. McNellie’s Group closed its Yokozuna location in Chisholm Creek two weeks ago. Holding down the east corner of Tract 30 since 2016, the Tulsa-based concept shut down with a social media announcement just after the holiday. …

Chalkboard Kitchen is now open in The Ambassador Hotel. The Tulsa-based restaurant will serve the Coury hotel guests under the direction of veteran local chef Gayland Toriello. …

The Ambassador isn’t the only Oklahoma hotel making over its restaurant space. Of course, The Skirvin Hilton recently made a high-profile change from Park Avenue Grill to Perle Mesta. Coming soon to the Tulsa Hyatt Regency Hotel is The Avery Kitchen & Bar, replacing The Daily Grill. Partnering with The McNellie’s Group, the name is a nod to Cyrus Avery, Father of Route 66. 

The month-long renovations began this week, and details about the new menu are still to come, but it will no doubt offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a brand-new bar program. The hotel won’t be ready to unveil the new dining room until August, but guests who visit before then will get a sneak preview in make-shirt environs while the transition unfolds. Look for a grand opening party and new menu release is slated in late September. …

Aurora opens for breakfast service on Friday at 8 a.m. in its new home in the Plaza District. Moving just a few doors west in the former Mexican Radio space, chef Jerrod Driskill will serve breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner and a full bar is available at this mashup of the previous iteration of this concept and Social Deck and Dining. Social was the first concept from Shared Plate Hospitality owners Jamie and Jordan Winteroth. The property remains with the company, which will use it as a catering kitchen and special event space. …

Speaking of Mexican Radio, it’s new home at 1215 N Walker Ave. hosted a hiring event earlier this week. The former Louie’s space will be brimming with tacos and Dole Whip Margaritas before August is over, if all goes according to plan. …

On Wednesday, I attended a premiere screening of the new Discover Oklahoma production, Routes. The episode we screened on Wednesday featured chefs Andrew Black, Jeff Chanchaleune and Tabb Singleton. The cinematography and editing are sublime. The only bad part was an inarticulate boob in a blue jacket blabbering too much. Congratulations to the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and VI Marketing and Branding on everything else about it!

Check out this teaser for the first episode, airing next month. …

Make Plans

This week has already seen two amazing culinary events go down, and premium subscribers will be able to read all about, but before we go there I wanted to highlight a couple of events coming up next week.

First on Monday, Nonesuch hosts chef Byron Gomez of sister restaurant Bruto in Denver. The event scratches the surface of what joining the group that won the 2024 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur means for Nonesuch. Gomez, a native of Costa Rica, moved to the U.S. as a child, growing up of and on in New York City. Now based in Denver, he expresses brutalist cooking ideas at Bruto as executive chef for owners Kelly and Erika Whitaker.

I’m attending that sold-out event and plan to skip meals altogether Tuesday in order to make room for Wednesday’s “Culinary Symphony” at The Tasting Room with chefs Kurt Fleischfresser and guests Josh Valentine and Caleb Stangroom. The trio promises a collaboration  aimed at creating a culinary masterpiece conveyed through a multi-course dinner. Tickets are still available here.