Gripado’s (click on “Blog” to see their menu) has long been on my list of Claremore Best Bets. I love the place, but I tend to forget they are there (and I will stop that right now). After trying to eat a late supper at a couple places tonight, unsuccessfully since one closed at 8 PM and the other at 7:30, we happened by Gripado’s, thrilled to find it open late. 

Tonight’s meal didn’t fail to impress, and I can heartily recommend the Italian bruschetta (the distinction is necessary, as they also serve the Greek variety) and the chicken parmesan. Jeane had the ham, peas, and bowtie pasta, which I have previously enjoyed. 

Adding to the ambiance tonight was a young keyboardist—Michael Womack—who played tasteful and appropriate music. It all added up to a great experience. We highly recommend them. And, since they also do double duty as a donut shop, you buy tomorrow’s breakfast tonight. 

We even did a live report from the scene. You can hear the piano in the background.

The Oologah Lake Leader is one fine paper. I differ 180 degrees with John and Faith Wylie, publishers, politically. However, they put out an excellent paper. I also count them as friends, and I admire their journalistic work from NW Rogers County. In a day and age when newspapers are losing their share of the market, the Leader is the only newpaper I subscribe to. How I wish Claremore’s paper was on par with what Oloogah has.

They have an online version, but it is not archived. However, the Leader has recently added an online PDF version of the paper. Go check it out at www.oologah.net.

I am not really sure why, but the Hammett House never really made it into the list of places we frequent in Claremore. I used to go there for lunch occasionally when I worked nearby, but we had really not been there in a couple years. I really don’t know why, as I am always bemoaning the huge lack of non-chain, non-fast food dining establishments in Claremore. Our absence from Hammet House was our great misfortune.

We have recently begun dining there again, and we probably go at least once a week now. The food is great. Portions are extremely satisfying (I have yet to have room for dessert). The place is clean. The service is excellent. Bill and Linda Biard are present and working in their own establishment (which probably has everything to do with the above attributes). It’s a nice place for a very well prepared sit-down meal in Claremore, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Prices are great, too. Four of us ate tonight for around $40, and none of us could finish our meals. And if you’re a chicken liver fan, like my father-in-law, I have two words for you: half order. The FIL ordered the half order and was sure it was a full order when they brought them out. The waitress confirmed it was indeed a half order. It was a huge platter overflowing with hot, crisp, crunchy livers (if that’s your thing, and it is not mine). The liver fans at our table had rave reviews.

I can vouch for the prime rib, the pamper-fried chicken fried steak, and pork chops. My regular is the pork chops, which are two large, thick-cut, boneless pork chops that are pamper-fried perfectly, juicy but not bloody, and certainly not dry as shoe leather like most places fix pork. The sides are always hot and delicious, too.

Give them a try; I know you will be greatly pleased. And remember, you have to consciously save room for dessert if you are goning to have any kind of chance at getting any fo their famous pies or Apple Delights down. I added Hammett House to my Best Bets page a while back, but I thought they really deserved a post of their own. You can visit their web site by clicking the link above (or on my Best Bets page). The only vacancy on their site are their hours of operation, which are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 AM-9 PM; Sunday, 11 AM-8 PM; Closed Mondays.