McNellie's Midtown

This place is insane. Midtown already needs another bar just to bleed off some of the capacity.

I was just thinking that the popularity of McNellie's is likely to lead to plenty of other spots in the immediate area.

Well, 1492 has a bar and Cafe Do Brasil across the street has the rooftop bar. I imagine the bar crowd will bar hop in this area.

Yeah it really is developing into a nightlife district. Enough to rival Barmuda if not Bricktown.

A buddy and I had lunch here last Friday. Place was packed. We had to sit at 2 of the 4 remaining seats at the bar as all the tables in the whole place were taken. It's pretty much seat yourself even though they have a "hostess" stand. I had the St. Patty's burger with Pub Fries and my colleague had the grilled chicken sandwich. I enjoyed the burger and the fries were decent. The burger came on some excellent marble rye bread. I hear the sweet potato fries are a must, but I'm not big on sweet foods so I opted out. The service was lacking to say the least and they clearly did not have enough help and the service we did get was fairly rude and seemed to be the trend. I don't know if it was that way because they were short staffed or what, but they seemed to be slow with everyone and fairly blunt and rude. Prices were a little high for lunch, I suggest they do a lunch menu with smaller portions. I'll definitely be going back, but I hope the service does improve. Either way, I'm sure the place will be a hit, just because of the bar.

Hi,

My husband and I lunched there yesterday. It was great, love the atmosphere. Sat on the second floor. I had the grilled chicken club and sweet potato fries and it was really great. Really good for bar food! T had the chili cheeseburger and he said it was great too. Good service, wow those wait units have to climb lots of stairs, kudos to them! This place is a winner and instant classic! Can't wait to drink my way through the list.

kim

I ate dinner there with some friends last night. I think the bottom floor is 21+ but the 2nd floor was open to everyone. I had the grilled cheese with tomato and bacon. It was excellent. I tried one of their mixed beers called a "Raspberry Cream." It was a hoegaarden with a shot of something in it that turned it pink. Really good. I'm going to go back and try the "Irish Lunch Special," you get a bowl of potato leek soup, bread, and a 12 oz. Guinness for $5.50. Fantastic deal, I think.

the pink in the Raspberry Cream is a Belgian raspberry beer called Lindermann's Framboise. It's delicious.

Framboise! That's what it was. I'll have to steal a beer list next time. It's massive.

Had late lunch on Sunday.
not crowded at all.
we sat on the 2nd floor, near the windows.
Our waiter must have had a shift change, as he disappeared and the guys in my group were getting thirsty and grumbly! A waitress took over and she was very helpful and pleasant.

our group shared an order of sweet potato fries. They were not HOT and came with ranch. I would prefer them fresh out of the fryer!
We shared an appetizer of the European Cheese & Seasonal Fruit Platter.
VERY SATISFYING, even though pricey (12.95).

I had the St. Patty Melt and tabouli - it was good.
Husb had the St. Patty Melt & Seasonal Veggies. The veggies were green beans (his fav!) BUT they were frozen and not cooked long enough to taste good. he didn't eat much of them.

We spent more than we would like for a couple of beers & burgers, but if they start having a BEER SPECIAL or meal we will make a regular stop.

I love the interior.

oh, I found it ODD that the restroom smelled horribly of old cigarette smoke. I understand the smoking area is on the 3red floor (it was closed during our visit, opens at 4pm?) but the ventilation needs work!

After their 'grand opening' in July, they'll start having burger wednesdays ($3 burgers from 5-10) and their certain pint nights where you get to keep a glass with the purchase of one 'insert beer name here'.

I ate lunch there today with some co-workers. Two of us ordered the fish & chips. Granted, I've had better in London but I haven't had better in OKC. They were very good.

One of the other guys got the open-faced chili cheeseburger and said it was outstanding. The fourth member of our party ordered their version of a shepards pie. He didn't comment (he was to busy eating) but it looked VERY good.

Service was excellent and I loved the atmosphere. Also, our waitress advised us that they'd be starting a "beer college" that included beer tastings which would be open to the public. She wasn't sure what kind of charge would be involved or a timeframe but we signed up for the newsletter.

Overall I was quite impressed. I'll definately go back.

KUDOS
Meatloaf / meatloaf sandwich is outstanding. One of the best things on the menu.

CONCERNS
Staff doesn't know the beer menu very well (yet). I ordered a couple of beers (draft) I'm very familiar with and I'm confident they didn't bring what I ordered. Not a big problem - I'm sure it will continue to improve.

The McNellie's Building in OKC has more character than the McNellie's Building in Tulsa.

The Tulsa location will always be special because it was his first building, but I think this location might turn out to be his best restaraunt by far. The third floor has amazing potential.

Unfortunately, I'll never step foot up there as long as they allow smoking.

I know they are actively working on banning smoking in all indoor businesses in OK, so I'm hopeful that change will come soon.

^^^

As a functioning asthmatic, I begrudgingly agree. It would have been nice to have some sort of rooftop patio for all the smokers.

But I'll have to game up and allow my lungs to take a pounding and enjoy some some of the many, many Scotches they have available.

I agree! Smoking should banned in all public places. It would be better if no one smoked anymore but a ban would have immediate positive benefits for the employees of these types of establishments.

I tried to go back to McNellies last friday night and passed on the 45 min plus wait for a table. We had dinner at Irma's and it was delish! It looks parking be an ongoing issue for this neighborhood.

parking will indeed be at a premium. I've resigned to hitting lunch at 11 AM or 1 PM... otherwise the parking is insane. As it is at Irma's and such.

Maybe the best thing to do is park behind Cafe de Brasil and walk across the street. If the wait is too long then go to Brasil or Irma's and finish the night with a pint at McNellie's

Don't forget Prairie Thunder has some really nice lunch options as well.

As far as the parking, it seems the little garage behind Plaza Court is not being used as much as it should be. Not only by the McNellie's patrons but also those that go to the Y.

But it's true, there is plenty of parking across the street.

I try to walk when it is not to hot and also when I plan on having a few pints.

I ride my bike when I go to the Y. I park my bike on the parking deck and one huge drawback is that it is hard to tell when it is full and then good luck turning around! I have seen people parking at the EMSA parking lot in the evenings and weekends.

Haven't seen this posted yet, but they have a dedicated website for the OKC location, complete with menu, specials and beer guide. Also has several photos of the interior:

McNellies - Oklahoma City

LOVE that beer--they also serve it at Mahogany..

I had the Lindemanns raspberry at Prohibition Room when they opened. They also have the Peche. Both are very good. Fruity but not too sweet.

I've been several times now and it just seems to get better every time. The staff and bartenders seem very knowledgeable about the beer selection now, and the food is fantastic. I found a pretty cool video interview with the chef, Steven:

NewsOK.tv

Also, the website (mcnelliesokc.com) now lists its pint night schedule for the next 2 months on the home page. During these nights they let you come in and order the featured beer, then you get to keep the specialized mug for that beer when you're done. I haven't gone to one yet but a friend of mine said they're pretty crazy and that they run out of the pint glasses pretty quick. Have to say I'm excited for Left Hand Sawtooth night on August 11th!