Oklahoma City KEY - Cover Story

Normally you don’t find honkytonks and great steaks under the same roof – not until now
anyway. Leave it to Country Star legend Toby Keith to create a restaurant that offers great food and the best live music in Oklahoma City. Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill celebrated its grand opening last month to throngs of waiting guests. Located at 310 Johnny Bench Drive, the restaurant shares the name of Keith’s famous track, “I Love This Bar”, on his 2003 Album of the Year, Shock’N Y’all.

The Oklahoma native and Country Music Entertainer of the Year partnered with Hal Smith Restaurant Group to build the restaurant along the canal in lower Bricktown. With 12,000 square feet and seating for 450 guests, the restaurant’s emphasis is on great food and live American music.

The one-of-a-kind décor includes over 100 items of Keith’s own memorabilia including clothing from his videos and various signed items. Ross Crain, proprietor for the Bricktown eatery, describes the one-of-kind décor. “We spent a considerable amount of time finding just the right pieces to convey the feeling of a good old-fashioned, kick back place. In addition to Toby’s pieces, we’ve included Ford pickup beds and converted them into benches and original murals from a local artist.” And it wouldn’t be a honky-tonk without a few steers horns mounted on the wall. With 12 flat screens mounted, 6 of which are located on the patio, live music is streamed throughout the venue.

Located at the crossroads of I-35 and I-40 in Bricktown, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill plans to host a variety of touring acts as they pass through Oklahoma City.

“The live entertainment that comes through here will be all kinds of American music,” Keith said. “We’re at one of the major crossings in the United States - at I-40 and I-35 - so when touring acts come out of Nashville or L.A., or going north and south, we catch them right here on Tuesday and Wednesday night and bring some top-notch entertainment to town.”

Governor Brad Henry expressed his excitement about the new venue and commented on the continued growth of Oklahoma City’s Bricktown, “It is a great day for Oklahoma. We are so pleased that Toby Keith, who could have put this particular honky-tonk
anywhere in the United States, decided to put it right here in Oklahoma.”

“The whole concept reflects my passion for Oklahoma and where everyone will feel comfortable,” said Toby Keith. “We're going to make sure that we have the best food in town, and I’m going to see to it.”

Everything on the menu has been taste-tested by Keith. The menu features Oklahoma comfort foods such as fried okra and chicken-fried steak, as well as prime rib sold by the once (8-ounce minimum), sandwiches, salads and the “Baddest Steaks on the Boulevard.” Desserts include homemade pies. One of restaurants signature drinks is the bright blue Cabo Wabo Margarita featuring rock singe Sammy Hagar’s tequila.

From rock, rhythm and blues to bluegrass and country, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, will offer a variety of music. Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill opens daily at 3:00 p.m. Food is served until 10:00 p.m. After 10:00 p.m., guests must be 21 or older and are charged a $5 cover on evenings with live music.

Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill is located at 310 Johnny Bench Drive,, in the historic Bricktown Entertainment District. Be sure to take a menu as a souvenir or buy a T-shirt or a bottle of the restaurants custom barbecue sauce. For more information call 405-231-0254.

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