Packard's will shutter in two weeks
UMI property leaving Midtown just as Alma arrives; Raven replaces VZDs and Spark expands to 3
If it’s Monday, that means the news following a quiet and relaxing Father’s Day weekend in Food Doodland.
The big news? Packard’s New American Kitchen will close its doors for good following service on June 30, the busineess announced over social media on Saturday. The Urban Management Inc. concept opened in 2013, featuring a full commercial bakery, farm-to-table menu and spectacular rooftop bar.
The kitchen has been home to culinary talents like Mitchell Dunzy, Chris McKenna and Brianna Shear and played host to the annual Chefs Giving dinner to support the Homeless Alliance.
UMI’s foundation was laid by Robert Ross and Rusty Loeffler when they opened the first-ever Interurban restaurant (The Interurban Eating House) way back in 1976 inside the Norman Depot. Interurban expanded into Texas, reaching all the way to Austin through a franchisee.
After opening Packard’s, UMI opened Hunny Bunny Biscuit Co., and Terminal Commons in the Wheeler District. Terminal Commons closed, but Hunny Bunny has grown into three locations. Interurban Restaurants extend into Ardmore, Chickasha, and Tulsa.
Packard’s is the third restaurant in Midtown to close in recent months. Ludivine, two blocks west of Packard’s, closed at the end of 2023. Nic’s Place, across the street to the east, closed at the end of May.
The news is not all bad in Midtown. Alma, from 2021 James Beard semifinalist Zach Hutton, will open on Friday in the former Ludivine space.
Spark no longer just in the Park
The Social Order Dining Collective expands its interests tomorrow with the opening of a third Spark location. The restaurant group launched the burger and shake restaurant in Scissortail Park in 2020. A second location opened in Chisholm’s Creek’s Market Street last month. The new spot is in Nichols Hills, occupying half the building that replaced Mamasita’s.
Spark is all about burgers, some of the best in town, but it also features pink fries, a chicken salad sandwich, a fried chicken sandwich, and a foot-long corndog. The custard is divine as are the frozen club specials, which come in peach, pineapple-jalapeno, and grapefruit?
The new spot has the least impressive park area, but the coolest interior. Check it out for yourself on Tuesday.
Out of the ashes of VZD’s steps Raven
The long dark VZD’s space has reopened – kinda. Raven is a new concept from Timothy Abell, formerly a chef for A Good Egg Dining and most recently general manager at The Joinery.
VZD’s ended a run of close to half a century about a year ago. There was talk of it moving to The Shoppes at Northpark that never came to fruition. VZD’s claim to fame was built on a long, illustrious history as a music venue, bar and grill. The former drug store was home base for the fledgling Flaming Lips in the early 1990s and hosted numerous iconic acts through the 1970s and 80s.
Right now, Raven is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. serving breakfast and lunch, but will soon add dinner service.