Okarche                    8/14/99                      163 mi
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Another free weekend (almost, a free Saturday anyway) and a chance to continue my search for the culinary essence of Oklahoma. BBQ hasn't been paying off much lately. I've been to Jamal's, Rib Crib, Jack's and ET's (twice). Leo's had potential but the smoke was so thick in the restuarant (actually an old, unremodelled gas station while the old place is being remodelled) that the subsequent headache ruined the experience. And Sprigg's had the best rub so far, but eating in an un-airconditioned place when its 100 plus outside also is distracting. I returned to the reviews section of the local city rag and read that Eischen's Bar is a time-less, small-town, award winning family bar.

Okarche is a small town and an easy 25 mile ride out of town along Rte 3, otherwise know as Northwest Highway. I got there about noon and cars and trucks were pulling in for lunch. The place has atmosphere and claims to be the oldest bar in the state (not counting it burned down a few years ago). It's poorly lit inside, and a long bar stretches with burly men wearing CAT hats and bib overalls. Beer bottles are two and three deep, and some customers have to strain to reach them over their bellies. Tables for eating customers are to the left, and around an L to the right. The menu is on a wall, and has about seven items including chicken (their specialty), BBQ sandwich, chili, frito pie. I'm tempted to try a few items but find that the chicken can only be ordered whole.

The waitress brings me the fried chicken in a paper bucket, accompanied by 5 slices of white bread in a paper bucket, and a third bucket with piles of sliced raw onions and alum sour pickle slices. My plate is a piece of thin butcher block paper, and no utensils. My coke is in a can and a cup of ice. I started in on the two wings. The coating is tasty and the chicken cooked nicely. Two legs, a thigh and a breast and I'm thinking take-out. But I've had portions of BBQ ribs and chopped beef bigger, so I take my time and finish off all eight pieces. Funny, ribs and chicken have something in common, sticky fingers. So a trip to the men's room is in order to wash off before paying the bill. I must say, the bathroom was one of the dirtiest this side of a gas station. Overall I must say I like the extra crispy at Ketucky Fried better, but Eischen's may in fact be the essence of Oklahoma.

With the day young and the sky blue I can't turn home just yet. I continue north up the same road (which has become Hwy 81) and pass through Kingfisher. This town has the same name as the county, and I love the name because of the bird. Main street is neat and clean. Many painting on building of people long gone and past buildings and streets in prime repair. The countryside consists of farms and oil rigs. Nothing dramatic in scope or smell. I travel to and through Enid. The town center has the typical county buildings and park areas. At 45,000 people its one of Oklahoma's bigger cities (8th). Thus I feel compelled to see the Enid-Woodring Municipal airport. The bathroom was much nicer than Eischen's and the building not much bigger. They have only one airline: Bigsky; and only one route: Enid - Ponca City - Dallas.