The Oklahoma Today Podcast

Have you tried escargot before? Our host Ben hadn't . . . until he came to visit Alain Jeu at his new Oklahoma City restaurant Le Parisien. The iconic French snail dish stands out on the menu, but it is just one item on a long list of rich and cheesy creations right off the cobblestone streets of Paris. Ben gives it a taste test and learns more about what brought Jeu, a Los Angeles-based Frechman, to Oklahoma to start a restaurant. 

Also on this week's episode, the editors share some of their other favorite international eats across the state, and podvents takes us to Rush Springs in honor of the state vegetable (fruit?). You won't want to miss it!

Fans of the 2022 installment of the Predator film franchise Prey will not want to miss this year's Holba' Pisachi' Native Film Festival in Sulphur. The festival, now in its eleventh year at the Chickasaw Cultural Center, brings both producer Jhane Myers and lead actress Amber Midthunder to southern Oklahoma for the screening of the film. In addition to Prey, the film festival will present a variety of documentary, short, and feature film screenings August 7-8 inside the Anoli' Theater. Film professional panels and mixers will also make the event valuable to those interested in learning more about the film industry. Fran Parchcorn, the Chickasaw Cultural Center's director of special events, joins this week's show to give more details on this must-see Oklahoma film event.

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss the ways they seek refreshment on a hot summer day, and podvents is off to see the Wizard. You won't want to miss it!

The drive-thru sushi, hibachi, and bento box options at Oishii Express in The Village in northwest Oklahoma City is unlike most other roadside options diners have come to expect. The concept by Chef Ling Chi Wong (who also started Takaramono in OKC's Plaza District) opened earlier this year and has been greeted by great fanfare. Particularly popular are their sushi push pops—a clever contraption that features a sushi in a tube with a thin cylinder containing a wasabi-soy sauce mixture. Chef Chi joins this week's show to talk about his inventive new concept and where he plans on taking it in the future.

Also on this week's show, the editors give their own million dollar Oklahoma business ideas (Braums, if you're watching, take notes). And podvents tells us where to celebrate the National Day of the Cowboy this year. You won't want to miss it!

With the Summer of Route 66 in full swing, Gathering Place in Tulsa is celebrating the centennial with a different kind of kicks. The Get Your Kicks shoe art competition pits more than twenty local area artists against each other to see who can create the most appealing work of art from a blank white tennis shoe. The results are quite impressive, and currently on display at Gathering Place's boathouse where viewers can vote on their favorite to win a prize for a lucky artist. The shoes will remain on display through July 18, when the large community park will hold its Route 66 Centennial Celebration. Cheryl Christensen, vice president of operations at Gathering Place, joins the Oklahoma Today Show this week to tell us about how the shoe art competition came together and what we have to look forward to at the park's Route 66 celebration this weekend.

Also on this week's show, the editors discuss the best places for families to check out during summer vacation, and podvents tells us about not one, but two Oklahoma peach festivals to visit this week. You won't want to miss it!

For those who have not been to MAHT in Oklahoma City yet, get in line now because there is a wait! Chef Kevin Lee's new American-style steakhouse with Korean flare in the Uptown 23rd District is as delicious as it is popular. Lee became a hot commodity locally with the buzz around the Birdie's Korean-style steakhouse in north Oklahoma City and grew in profile nationally with regular appearances on Food Network shows like Tournament of Champions and Guy's Grocery Games. Chef Lee is our special guest on this week's episode, where he details his long grind to culinary stardom and desire to use his platform to shed light on other good local food.

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss which Oklahoma chef they would like catering for their next party (we can dream, right?!) and podvents let's us know where to celebrate Christmas in July. You won't want to miss it!

A longstanding tradition in Enid is the annual July 4 concert by Enid Symphony Orchestra, with gorgeous accompaniment by a spectacular fireworks display. As the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence from England, the ESO is preparing an extra special production, titled The Night Sousa Came to Town. American composer and conductor John Phillip Sousa, known for his military marches, performed several times in Enid back in the day. Enid Symphony Orchestra's artistic director Douglas Newell joins the Oklahoma Today Show in our home studio this week to talk about the annual July 4 performance and his company's deep connection to the Enid community. 

Also on this week's show, the editors discuss what Oklahoma attraction they believe every American should see at least once, and podvents lets you know where to spot fireworks this week (there are a lot of options). You won't want to miss it!

For travelers across Route 66, Meadow Gold Mack's in Tulsa is a must-stop. The twenty-foot-tall Bunyan-esque fiberglass muffler man out front is more than enough reason on its own, but head inside to see a collection of gifts and collectibles both quintessentially Oklahoma and unlike much else you'll encounter along your travels. Owner Mary Beth Babcock, Oklahoma Today's 2011 Oklahoman of the Year, is one of the key personalities to meet along the Mother Road. On this week's episode, we let Mary Beth show us around this shop of wonder with the kind of charm and cool that only she can muster. 

Also on this week's episode, the editors share their favorite places to check out while in Tulsa, and podvents puts some heat on blacksmithing. You won't want to miss it!

The Oklahoma Today Show is continuing its year-long celebration of the Route 66 centennial with a visit to an Oklahoma City boutique named, simply, Route 66. Owned and managed by Jeanette Koenig, the store inside the 50 Penn Place shopping center has been selling Mother Road and travel themed art and merchandise, among other carefully curated items like soaps and lavender, for years. We spoke with Koenig to gain some insight into the vision behind this fun shop full of character. Stay tuned after the interview to hear about a special Route 66 giveaway!

 

Also on this week's show, the editors discuss must-play songs on any summer road trip playlist, and podvents lets us know where in Oklahoma we can catch a monster-sized catfish with no rod required. You won't want to miss it!

Much of this show's time and energy this year has been dedicated to honoring the hundredth birthday of The Mother Road, Route 66. This time, we are tipping our cap to a different sort of centennial. The historic Kumback Lunch in Perry observed its triple-digit birthday in April. In its day, the classic diner has seen everything from a legendary visit by Pretty Boy Floyd to the capture of Timothy McVeigh and plenty of community ups and downs. Shae Boschee, who recently purchased Kumback with her husband Scott, joins the show to talk about what the historic milestone means to the Perry community.

Also on this week, the editors share some of their other favorite Oklahoma diners, and podvents welcomes the return of deadCenter Film Festival. You won't want to miss it!

The El Reno onion burger is one of Oklahoma's greatest contributions to the American culinary landscape, and no trip down Route 66 is complete without trying at least one. The town of El Reno has no shortage of options, but Sid's Diner is one that is known worldwide for this regional burger variety. Adam Hall, owner of Sid's Diner, joins the show today to teach Ben and I Ate Oklahoma's Greg Elwell (who wrote a great story on the history and present of El Reno's burger culture in the May-June 2026 issue of Oklahoma Today magazine) how to make their very own authentic onion burgers.

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss every burger's best friend: fries, and podvents kicks off its Sunday shoes at the Footloose Festival. You won't want to miss it!