Locally-Owned Eating Spots in Norman

 Delicious food abounds in Norman (just south of the OKC metro), and it’s available in a variety of price points and styles. In fact, it’s fair to say no matter what type of food you enjoy or how much you want to pay, your chance of finding something scrumptious in this town is amazingly good. Although a tremendous number of well-known chains have opened eateries in Norman, this article is focused on some of the best known—and loved—locally owned spots. In addition to being home grown, every place found below has been listed among the top 15 eating places for Norman on TripAdvisor. MOST AFFORDABLE   Ozzie’s Diner 1700 Lexington Ave. Norman, OK 73069-8433 405-364-9835 HOURS: Sun. 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Mon. – Sat. 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.   Located on the grounds of the University of Oklahoma Max Westheimer Airport, Ozzie’s Diner is known for its $6.39 All-You-Can-Eat breakfast. Their breakfast menu includes eggs, grits, biscuits and gravy, toast, hash browns, light and airy pancakes, and their fan-favorite: the hearty, peppery skillet home fries and onions. Their patty melt and roadhouse chicken fry are among their most popular lunch and dinner fare. They now offer free WiFi to guests.     MODERATELY PRICED Juan Del Fuego 223 34th Ave. SW Norman, OK 73072-4843 405-310-2030 HOURS: Tues. – Sun. 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.   Family owned and operated, Juan del Fuego serves traditional American breakfast and lunch with an Authentic Mexican flair! The emphasis is on authentic, so don’t come expecting Tex-Mex. Some of the more popular dishes include their Tamales and Eggs, Relleno Omelet and Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas all served with homemade sauce!  This is a vegetarian-friendly spot. Das Boot Camp German Restaurant and Bar 229 East Main St. Norman, OK 73069 405-701-3748 HOURS: Sun. – Tues. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Wed. – Sat. 11 a.m. to midnight.   All the German specialties at Das Boot Camp are made from scratch, and nothing on the menu costs more than $12.00. In addition to a full bar, they offer handcrafted beer from Royal Bavaria Brewery in Moore, OK. The daily lunch special runs $7.99 and there are food, beer and drink specials available as well. Established in 2012, they are located in historic downtown Norman.   Ray’s Smokehouse BBQ 1514 W Lindsey St. Norman, OK 73069-4302 405-329-4040 HOURS: Sun. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Following a successful football career with the New York Jets, Darrol Ray returned to the home of his college football success and opened Ray’s Smokehouse BBQ. Listed as the number-one restaurant by TripAdvisor, Ray’s is known for its tender brisket, St. Louis style ribs and such homemade delights as collard greens, fried mac-and-cheese and cake.  Tarahumara’s Mexican Café and Cantina 702 N Porter Ave. Norman, OK 73071-6401 405-360-8070 HOURS: Sun. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. A family-style, Tex-Mex Restaurant, Tarahumara’s stays busy throughout the week. It’s vegetarian friendly and has vegan and gluten-free options. Unlike many Tex-Mex restaurants it offers mole dishes, and customer reviews often praise the excellent and friendly service.   Legend’s Restaurant 1313 W Lindsey St. Norman, OK 73069-4309 405-329-8888 HOURS: Sun. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Mon. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. A casually up-scale family-owned restaurant, Legend’s has been a popular place to eat for 51 years. Its broad menu offers specialty salads, sandwiches, fresh seafood, pastas, steaks, fowl, pork, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes. They also offer two house-made soups and eight to ten house-made desserts daily.   El Toro Chino 2801 36th Ave. NW Norman, OK 73072-2434 405-701-8676 HOURS: Sun. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Mon. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Offering the unusual fusion of Latin and Asian food, El Toro Chino offers its patrons an adventure in food. They combine innovative recipes and the freshest ingredients in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. They also offer expertly-crafted cocktails.     FINE DINING Benvenuti’s Ristorante 105 W Main St Norman, OK 73069-1308 405-310-5271 HOURS: Sun. – Sat. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Offering old-world Italian with a new-world twist, Benvenuti’s utilizes seasonal ingredients sourced both locally and internationally. They pride themselves on offering the finest selection of local and organically grown produce as well as naturally raised chicken, pork, beef, lamb and veal to provide foods free of antibiotics, hormones and pesticides.  Their pasta is handmade daily in-house from the finest Italian wheat, and they house one of the largest wine collections in the region. Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast and Restaurant 7820 E State Highway 9 Norman, OK 73026-3968 405-447-0202 HOURS: Tues. – Sat. 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., by reservation Preparing and serving a wide variety of continental cuisine, Whispering Pines also offers freshly baked bread, rich original soups and homemade palate-cleansing sorbet between courses. In addition, they have a full bar of fine wines and spirits.