8 Restaurants In Sallisaw (OK) That Locals Love For Food & Vibes!

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Last updated on January 19, 2023 by Wandering our World

Sallisaw might be a small town in Oklahoma, but it sure is big on flavors! This place has a diverse dining scene full of interesting local and international culinary delights.

From Asian restaurants to Mexican and from BBQ to fried chicken and even shaved ice. Whatever you could possibly want and desire, Sallisaw seems to have!

So, without further ado, here are the top restaurants in Sallisaw that you should check out when you are next in the region.

Bon appetit!

Full rack of BBQ grilled pork spare ribs on a marble board
Photo for illustrative purposes only (iStock.com/Vladimir Mironov)

The Best Restaurants In Sallisaw: Food Worth Waiting For!

1. Roma Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

The tastes and flavors of Italy from the comfort of Sallisaw, perfect for date night or a family get-together!

There’s nothing quite like Italian food, especially on vacation when the carbs don’t matter! So, if you’re looking for the perfect Italian experience in Sallisaw, then we highly recommend trying out Roma Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria – it’s one of the best restaurants in town and the locals love it.

Their interior has a classic and timeless vibe with some arched walkways, amazing flower arrangements, and stunning thematic artwork on the walls.

The place is always neat, tidy and clean which is a testament to how hard the staff works to keep it that way. All in all, it’s a homey aesthetic and will make you feel like you’re dining in Nonna’s kitchen rather than in a restaurant – and that kind of comfort is hard to come by!

As far as their food is concerned, they have all the Italian favorites that make your mouth water, from Lasagna to Fettuccine Alfredo, and from Spaghetti to Calzones. They also have a children’s menu that has a lot of child-friendly meals, which can be a real blessing!

Plus, why not pair a white or red wine to complement your meal. Just ask your server for their extensive wine list.

Roma Italian is closed on Mondays, but they are open all other days of the week, mostly from 11 am to 9 pm.

Address: 1600 W Tatham Ave, Sallisaw, OK

Italian pastas with different kinds of sauce
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Roxiller

2. Blue Ribbon Diner

Classic American Diner with a traditional interior, amazing food and professional service!

If you frequented diners as a child with your family, then Blue Ribbon Diner is sure to bring back many fond memories of spending Sunday brunch together with everyone at the table.

It just feels nostalgic and warm. So whether you’re local or a tourist who’s just passing through, you’ll definitely be making some memories at this place!

The restaurant is done up in hues of blue, with many decorative elements making the space an interesting place to dine in, including a beautiful horse racing mural which takes center stage on one of the feature walls.

Whether you choose to sit in a booth or at a table, you’ll be served with the same zeal and zest that the restaurant’s servers are known for, so sit back and enjoy one of the best meals you’ll have in Sallisaw.

Known for its breakfast, this is a great place to start your day. Load up on their omelets, hashbrowns, pancakes, French toast, waffles, and other breakfast delights.

Blue Ribbon Diner is open seven days a week from 6 am to 9 pm, so just go whenever you need a little pick me up!

Address: 1720 W Cherokee Ave, Sallisaw, OK.

3. El Toro Mexican Restaurant

Traditional Mexican food served in one of the best interiors in Sallisaw! Enjoy the atmosphere and the exceptional service.

El Toro Mexican Restaurant is arguably the city’s best Mexican place. It’s that’s not just recommended by locals but usually appreciated by those passing through town too, which explains the popularity and rush that can accumulate here during mealtimes.

It’s conveniently located right in the heart of town, so it’s unmissable and might we say, irresistible!

This brightly colored and festive restaurant will perk you right up, especially, if you’re nearing the end of your trip and are getting the blues about going back home. In that case, this is just the place you want to come to! From colorful walls to stunning decorations and ornaments, they’ve really poured their heart and soul into setting the place up and it shows.

Their menu is comprehensive and full of everyone’s favorite Mexican dishes. Their Fajitas in particular, are supremely popular, so check those out. Finish the meal by ordering one of their desserts, all of which come highly recommended.

Plus, their Horchata is the preferred beverage of choice to complement the food, so get a helping of that too!

El Toro is another restaurant that’s open seven days a week! Check them out between the hours of 10:30 am to 9 pm every single day.

Address: 2610 E Cherokee Ave, Sallisaw, OK.

Mexican food, many dishes of the cuisine of Mexico, flat lay, shot from the top on a vibrant blue background, forming a frame with a place for text. Nachos, quesadillas, guacamole, burritos etc
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Plateresca

4. Ruger’s Grill

Featuring some of the best burgers and steaks in town, Ruger’s Grill has a laidback atmosphere and friendly staff!

If you’re always on the lookout for places that make a mean burger then Ruger’s Grill will become one of your favorite restaurants in Sallisaw.

Not only are they known for their burgers and sandwiches but they also have a whole array of other menu items that your family can enjoy. Simply put, everyone will be happy with a trip to Rugers!

Ruger’s Grill has a very rustic aesthetic with exposed stone walls, a neutral color theme, and many plants scattered all along the restaurant for that pop of color. They have a lot of seating options to choose from, so no matter how busy they get, they should always have enough space to cater to everyone.

Apart from their tasty burgers, which you must try, they also have great steaks, seafood, and appetizers that the whole family is bound to enjoy.

If you also have someone in your party that likes to keep mealtimes healthy and light then their soups and salads will make the perfect choice for them, so make sure to check those out as well.

And for early risers, Ruger’s serves breakfast from 6 am to 11 am, so if you’re looking for new breakfast spots in town this could be it.

Ruger’s is open every days of the week, from 6 am to 8 pm, making it a reliable place to go to for any meal.

Address: 118 E Cherokee Ave, Sallisaw, OK.

Top view of home made tasty burgers on wooden table.
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Kesu01

5. Asian Star

Asian food with a local twist served in a thematic restaurant with the kind staff and owners!

Asian food on vacation just puts us in a happy mood, so if you’re like us and enjoy the exotic flavors and seasoning that only Asian food has, then you’re in for a real treat.

That’s because Sallisaw has Asian Star, which serves up some of the best Chinese and Japanese food you’ll find in the entire region!

Asian Star might not be much to write home about in terms of interior, but they sure know how to make up for it with what they serve! So, don’t judge the place too quickly.

That being said, it’s still a cozy-looking restaurant with bright walls, thematic artwork, and dim lighting.

Their Chicken with Broccoli, Sweet & Sour Pork, Wonton Soup, and Spring Rolls are some of the best dishes that they serve, but they have many more options to choose from too!

Asian Star is closed on Saturdays but open all other days of the week from 11 am to 9 pm, so catch them then!

Address: 902 W Ruth Ave, Sallisaw, OK

Asian food display
iStock.com/SeventyFour

6. Charlie’s Chicken & BBQ

Mouthwatering Fried Chicken & BBQ served in a quirky-themed restaurant with a fantastic atmosphere!

Comfort foods on a vacation can make or break a place we think, and lucky for you Sallisaw has some of the best comfort food around. Charlie’s Chicken & BBQ is just the place to have juicy fried chicken and tender BBQ. What more could you ask for?

This restaurant has a great aesthetic because of the colors it uses, but they also have great big bay windows that let in a lot of light. So even if its cold outside you can still get a booth by the windows and soak up some sun while you enjoy your meal.

Charlie’s has daily specials that are worth looking into, but the good thing is they’ll always have their signature chicken that’s served with a choice of 2 of their amazing sides, a freshly baked dinner roll, and a drink. Sounds good!

Charlie’s is open from 10 pm to 8 pm every day, so make sure you fit the place into your busy schedule because it’s one of the best in town!

Address: 720 W Cherokee Ave, Sallisaw, OK

almond crusted chicken tenders with ketchup on a wood background. toning. selective Focus
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/nata_vkusidey

7. Grizzlies Shaved Ice

Local stall selling yummy milkshakes, shaved Ice, and flavored juices, just what the doctor ordered!

If you ever had shaved ice as a child, then you will remember how good it was and how uncommon it is to find it now. However, Sallisaw has a stall that sells the most delicious milkshakes, juices, and shaved ice cups in town called Grizzlies Shaved Ice.

It’s the perfect pick-me-up after a long day, or just a fun snack to enjoy in between sightseeing and shopping!

The tiny stall has a lot of character and is somewhat of a town landmark. During the holidays they deck it up real nice and pretty, full of holiday decorations and seasonal cheer. It’s a treat to see it during that time of the year, but regardless of when you’re in town definitely drop by and grab one of your favorite childhood treats.

Their Pina Colada, Banana, Cherry, Grape, and Green Apple flavors are amongst the most popular choices according to locals. However, they have a large range of other flavors that you can ask for at the window.

The same goes for their shakes, any flavor combination you desire can probably be whipped up by their baristas, so tell them whatever you want and enjoy when they create!

Grizzlies Shaved Ice is only closed on Sundays, they are open all other days from noon to 7 pm.

Address: 311 W Iola Ave, Sallisaw, OK

Shave Ice different flavors
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/nodramallama

8. Wildhorse Mountain BBQ

The most delicious BBQ in the town, come for the food, and stay for the company!

We saved one of the best restaurants in Sallisaw for last, Wildhorse Mountain BBQ. If you’re a meat lover and are looking to indulge in some of the best, slow-roasted, juicy and tender BBQ in Oklahoma then this place will surely rank highly on your places to go. It has everything from great food to an awesome vibe and has been a part of town since the 60s!

It might not be much to appreciate from the outside but the inside has a great vibe and character to it. It has a timeless, rustic feel to it, and is a much-loved part of the community. You’ll certainly feel part of the family at Wildhorse Mountain BBQ.

It’s completely your choice how you want to enjoy the meat here: you can eat it on its own with some sides by paying for it by the pound, or you can have different combinations of meats in sandwiches.

But we’d recommend trying the plates, a sandwich and some sides so you get to enjoy all that the place has to offer. They also have free refills on drinks, so you never have to pace yourself!

Wildhorse Mountain BBQ is closed only on Mondays and is open for business from 11 am to 6 pm all other days of the week.

Address: Kerr Blvd, Sallisaw, OK

That’s everything, guys! All our favorite restaurants in Sallisaw, OK. If you’re ever in the area, you’ll know where to go!

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  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.