Dan's Ol' Time Diner has gone dark

Future uncertain for legendary south OKC onion-burger and Coca-Cola haunt

Once upon a time, folks who lived in south Oklahoma City believed to gain true south-sider status it took eating a fried-onion burger from Dan’s Ol’ Time Diner.

Unless something changes, membership to that club might be closed forever. Dan’s, one of Oklahoma City’s longest operating onion burger joints closed last week. However, faint hope that this goodbye is a “see you later” rather than a “so long” flickers.

Dan’s, 8433 S Western Ave., vacated it’s home of 40 years little over a week ago. Dan's was founded by Dan Dunsmore back in 1982. It's resided at 84th and S Western for all but two of its 42 years. 

Dunsmore grew up in Tulsa, so he thought selling coneys would work just down I-44. He tried them in three different locations until a fateful trip to El Reno. After five months in his third spot, a friend took him to Johnnie’s Hamburgers and Coney in El Reno. It was Dan’s first fried-onion burger, but far from the last.

He quickly switched onion burgers and hand-cut fries, often often topped off with a frozen Snickers bar.

Those onions paid off in more than burgers.

"Dan was slicing onions, and we just started talking. We hit it right off,” his widow, Annie, told Oklahoma Today in 1995. The couple were married for barely a year when brain cancer claimed Dan at the age of 40 in 1994.

"He had the most beautiful laugh, and he made everyone who came here welcome. ”

Annie kept the business going after Dan’s passing and eventually married again. Her second husband, Dwayne Newton, was general manager of Dan’s the last couple years.

Known for burgers sized to cover all hunger-levels, Dan’s served tater tots, fresh-cut fries and onion rings, too. It also had the traditional old-time condiment bar. Never a beauty pageant burger, Dan’s didn’t scrimp on the texture and flavor Oklahomans have come to expect from a fried-onion burger. 

But onion burger were only half the story. Dan’s was home to an astounding Coca-Cola paraphernalia collection. Dan, who passed away at the age of 40 from brain cancer in April of 1994, was an enthusiastic collector of both Coke and Pepsi products; however, at the diner it was all Coke. He left behind a collection that's decked out the double-sized dining room with close to a dozen vintage Coke machines, numerous cans, bottles, and knick-knacks from marketing campaigns of yesteryear. 

Sources who’ve spoken to the Newtons were told they are looking for a new space to lease to continue Dan’s legacy, but until there’s confirmation that’s just gossip we all hope comes true.

Oh, and if it does can we get those fries with frozen Snickers back on the menu???

Snacks from the news counter

Chef Kevin Lee’s ascent toward television stardom continues on Tuesday when his appearance on Bobby Flay’s Triple Threat airs, and if you want to help raise the roof with Oklahoma City’s white-hot chef tickets are now available. …

Looks like Tequila Chulo’s will open Aug. 6. …

Tamashii Ramen House is adding a new bar to its Edmond location and will celebrate it hosting a pop-up with Suzuki Ramen of Shizuoka Japan, who will take up residence there from July 31st to August 4th. Tickets available here.

When we said goodbye to Discover Oklahoma last year, it was to make way for a new approach to featuring Oklahoma culture. Next month, we’ll see those changes when a new story-driven docuseries called Routes premieres.

Chefs Andrew Black, Jeff Chanchaleune and Tabb Singleton are among those the new show will feature. Was more than happy to go camera to support it. . Here’s a trailer to whet your appetite.