The Press is a neighborhood American and Southwestern comfort food restaurant located at 1610 N Gatewood Ave in the historic Plaza District of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Operating inside a renovated two-story brick firehouse and vintage print-shop building just north of NW 16th Street, the restaurant reimagines regional Oklahoma, Tex-Mex, and Southern staples with scratch-made sauces, slow-braised meats, and a creative craft bar program. Travelers and locals gather here for hearty skillet comfort dishes, lively weekend brunches, and rooftop or streetside patio dining in one of Oklahoma City’s most walkable arts corridors.
What to Expect at The Press
Stepping inside The Press, diners enter an industrial-warm room defined by original exposed red brick walls, high timber rafters, warm Edison-style lighting, and mid-century wood booths. The layout spans a bustling main-floor dining room anchored by a full-service bar, an upstairs loft seating area, and outdoor patio spaces that catch the energy of the Plaza District. Because the building originally housed a historic neighborhood fire station before becoming a local printing facility, architectural details like wide front bays and heavy masonry give the dining room an unmistakably grounded Oklahoma City character.
The kitchen centers its menu on Southwestern and Oklahoma comfort classics built for sharing or hearty solo meals. Starters open with oversized hand-breaded mozzarella sticks ($14.00 for six large sticks with house ranch and marinara), waffle-fry nachos piled with slow-cooked meats and queso, and crisp fried pickles. Main plates showcase chicken-fried steak and chicken-fried chicken smothered in peppered cream gravy, pot roast mac and cheese, green-chile pork stew, and hatch-chile burgers, alongside vegetarian and vegan comfort adaptations such as crispy chicken-fried portobello mushrooms. On weekends, the brunch menu draws crowds across the city with red-or-green-sauce chilaquiles topped with farm eggs cooked to order, fluffy biscuits and gravy, and house cocktails like the Cheap Sunglasses and scratch Bloody Marys.
- Southwestern Chicken-Fried Plates: Hand-battered chicken-fried beef steak, chicken breast, or portobello mushroom served with house cream gravy and classic comfort sides.
- Weekend Brunch & Chilaquiles: Served Saturday and Sunday mornings with crisp tortilla chips simmered in salsa, topped with queso fresco, crema, and eggs cooked to order.
- Oversized Shareable Starters: Crowd-pleasing appetizers including the six-piece jumbo Mozzarella Sticks ($14.00) with marinara and ranch, plus loaded waffle-fry nachos.
- Full Craft Bar & Local Taps: A playful cocktail menu featuring house creations like the Cheap Sunglasses, seasonal margaritas, brunch mimosas, and Oklahoma craft beers on draft.
- Historic Two-Story Brick Setting: Ground-floor booth seating, a lively bar counter, upper-level dining for groups, and dog-friendly outdoor patio tables along N Gatewood Avenue.
The Press at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1610 N Gatewood Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Plaza District (NW 16th Street Corridor) |
| Operating Hours | Monday–Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | $$ (Appetizers $10–$15; Mains & Brunch Plates $14–$24) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | EMBARK Bus Route 008 (N Classen Blvd) & Route 007 (N Pennsylvania Ave); free Plaza District public parking lots and street spaces |
| Official Website & Phone | thepressokc.com | +1 405-208-7739 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Friday evenings, Saturday nights, and Sunday brunch between 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM are the busiest windows at The Press, especially during the Plaza District’s monthly LIVE! on the Plaza block party held on the second Friday of each month. Booking a table in advance through the official website is strongly recommended for weekend meals or groups of four or more, while weekday lunches and early afternoon happy hours offer easy walk-in seating at the bar or main dining room. Drivers can utilize the free public parking lot directly behind the NW 16th Street commercial strip or curb spaces along N Gatewood Avenue and N Indiana Avenue. Travelers using public transit can ride EMBARK bus routes along N Pennsylvania Avenue or N Classen Boulevard and walk 5 to 8 minutes into the district. The ground-floor entrance, main dining room, outdoor patio, and restrooms are step-free and wheelchair accessible, though the upper loft level is reached via an interior staircase.
Because The Press sits steps north of the main NW 16th Street promenade, it pairs naturally with an afternoon or evening exploring the Plaza District. Directly around the corner, visitors can browse the outdoor aerosol murals of the Plaza Walls rotating street-art alley, catch an evening musical or play at Lyric Theatre at the Plaza, or shop independent Oklahoma makers and vintage racks at Bad Granny’s Bazaar and Out on a Limb Boutique. For dessert after dinner, walk two minutes down NW 16th Street to Roxy’s Ice Cream Social for small-batch scoops or Pie Junkie for handmade sweet and savory pies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours and best times to dine at The Press?
The Press is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. For the shortest wait times without a reservation, visit on weekday afternoons between 1:30 PM and 5:00 PM, or arrive right at 10:00 AM on Sunday for weekend brunch.
What is the typical price range and are reservations required?
Dining falls into the moderate $$ tier, with oversized starters like the six-piece mozzarella sticks priced at $14.00 and most sandwiches, comfort skillets, and entrees ranging from $14.00 to $24.00. Walk-ins are welcome daily, but advance online reservations are recommended for Friday and Saturday dinners and weekend brunch.
How much time should I budget for a meal at The Press?
Plan to spend 60 to 90 minutes for a full sit-down meal with appetizers, main plates, and craft cocktails. If you are pairing dinner with shopping along NW 16th Street and viewing the Plaza Walls murals, allow 2.5 to 3 hours in the neighborhood.
Is The Press wheelchair accessible and suitable for families or vegetarians?
Yes, the ground-floor dining room, bar, patio, and accessible restrooms feature step-free entry from N Gatewood Avenue, though travelers using mobility devices should request a downstairs table when booking. The casual dress code, hearty comfort dishes, and dedicated vegetarian options—such as chicken-fried portobello mushrooms and meatless nachos—make it welcoming for families and mixed-diet groups alike.
When planning your Oklahoma City travel guide or browsing verified american restaurant in Oklahoma City, pair this stop with standout local spots including The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City, The Capital Grille, Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City, Autograph Collection, and The Mule (0.2 km away).
