I believe you and I have talked about this before, but one of the worst ways to travel for leisure is the United States Interstate System. While they're more convenient and definitely faster when you have to get somewhere, you often end up missing out on the best parts of your journey.

I've spent two decades cruising around Southwest Oklahoma. Getting to know new places and learning interesting tales and histories. As a side-effect of all that travel, I've discovered most of the great restaurants that are scattered all over rural SWOK and figured you might like to know about them too.

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Of course, you have to remember that like comedy or movies, we might not agree on what constitutes a delicious meal. I learned that last time I created one of these Good-Eats lists and included the absolutely insanely good Allsups gas station burrito. I stand by it being the best thing you can eat at 2 AM on a long drive... but some people differ.

If you do find yourself without weekend plans this season, pick a place and go experience it. Take it all in too. The drive, the scenery, the small "stop-sign" towns along the way. If you see something interesting, pull over and check it out. Snap some pics. Pick up a souvenir. Just because we're not jet-setting off to Spain doesn't mean you can't become a traveler... You just have to travel even if it's just an hour or two drive off into the wild great plains yonder.

For the sake of your sanity and your appetite, please, get lost in SWOK.

15 More Amazing Southwest Oklahoma Hole-In-The-Wall Eats

It's far too easy to be lulled into thinking the same old chain restaurants are the "good" places to eat across Southwest Oklahoma. You won't find a single franchise on this list. It's all locally owned, locally run, sometimes a little run down, but you'll agree the meals are outstanding when you walk away with a belly full of the good stuff.

In no particular order, here are another fifteen amazing local Southwest Oklahoma eats, and be sure to check out the O.G. 15 Amazing SWOK Hole-In-The-Wall Eats right here when you're done...

Gallery Credit: Kelso

Oklahoma Restaurants People Swear Are Worth The Drive

Eating out is entertainment. Sometimes it's you and your better half, other times you'll drag the family along with you. Either/or, if you've got time to kill and want to sample the best Oklahoma offers, here are the restaurants' everyone swears are worth every moment in the car to and from.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

More Restaurants Oklahomans Swear Are Worth The Drive

The Sooner State sure isn't short on good eats. From the best BBQ you'll find in America, to the worldly tastes of exotics with an Oklahoma spin... Here are more of the best restaurants Okies swear are worth the drive for.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

Ten Iconic Oklahoma Restaurants You Have To Try

I think it's fair to say that each state probably has its own legends when it comes to restaurants. Pennsylvania has cheesesteaks, New York has wings and pizza, Texas has Franklin BBQ and Tex-Mex, etc...

Oklahoma is no different.

Birthed into statehood as a cattle state, there's no shortage of beef on any menu here, but there's a little room for chicken and fries too. Here are the absolute, hands down, best restaurants, in no particular order, everyone has to try in The Sooner State.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

9 Chain Restaurants Founded In Oklahoma

While some Oklahoma original restaurants are obvious and common knowledge, there are a few that will likely surprise you having a start in the Sooner State. At least, they were shockers to me. Whether you want burgers, BBQ, pizza, breakfast, or Tex-Mex, the tastes of Oklahoma stretch far beyond our border.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

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