Restaurants
Far North
Current

no



Address: 5516 W. Memorial
Phone: (405) 470-5577
Hours:
Development:
Status: Opened May 2014
Links:
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/tommysitalianamericangrill)
Yelp (http://www.yelp.com/biz/tommys-italian-american-grill-oklahoma-city)
Urban Spoon (http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/46/1824323/restaurant/Suburban-Northside/Tommys-Italian-American-Grill-Oklahoma-City)


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/tommyswiki1.jpg


Information & Latest News
3/5/14: Tommy's to return (http://newsok.com/tommys-italian-in-oklahoma-city-returns-this-spring/article/3939799)
7/8/13: $500,000 building permit (http://www.okc.gov/Access/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=Permits&TabName=Permits&capID1=13BRE&capID2=00000&capID3=07104&agencyCode=OKC&IsToShowInspection=) for 6,100 square foot structure
Gallery

Any update on what the name of the place going in between charlestons and earls will be?

Tommy's Italian-American Grill.

Owned by Tommy Byrd of Bellini's fame. Also operated a restaurant by that same name in Northpark Mall for a while.

When is this place scheduled to open?

Looking forward to Tommy's returning to OKC, this should be good if it lives up to it's past expectations. Bellini's usually delivers as well. Wish the location wasn't so far on the outskirts of town, but I'm in the area frequently anyways.

Yeah, glad to hear Tommy is back. Hoping he can catch some of the magic of the original Bellini's, before it sold the first time. Tommy's at Northpark was good too (excellent chicken lasagna), but the OG Bellini's from the early-mid nineties was for a time the best restaurant in OKC.

This project is moving along; note the 2nd level outdoor bar:


We are an upscale, casual dining concept featuring pasta, steaks, pizza, seafood, specialty sandwiches & salads. We are looking for quality people who want to work in a quality environment.



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/restaurants-bars/6877d1393768345-tommys-italian-american-grill-tommys1.jpg



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The have their sign up and look to be open in late April:

https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1/1939703_1449703485262185_1612865551_n.jpg

Urbanspoon (http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/46/1824323/restaurant/Suburban-Northside/Tommys-Italian-American-Grill-Oklahoma-City)
Yelp (http://www.yelp.com/biz/tommys-italian-american-grill-oklahoma-city)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/tommysitalianamericangrill)
Dave Cathey Article (http://newsok.com/tommys-italian-in-oklahoma-city-returns-this-spring/article/3939799) on News OKC

I noticed Tommy's on Memorial East of MacArthur is open. I have not been there yet, nor did I have a chance to try the original.

I hope to give them a try soon but am giving them a few weeks to iron out the initial issues. I don't really have a go-to Italian restaurant in OKC right now. It seems like they are all pretty inconsistent, kind of like our BBQ.

The original was very good.

This restaurant is now open and is getting very good reviews on both Yelp and Urban Spoon.

Come on OKCTalk Street Team, get over there and take some photos and give us impressions!

This restaurant is now open and is getting very good reviews on both Yelp and Urban Spoon.

Come on OKCTalk Street Team, get over there and take some photos and give us impressions!

I saw some less than glowing reviews also but I'm chalking those up to opening day yips. Plan to go try it myself soon.

It's odd to me when a new entity decides they need a facebook page and then basically ignores their own ability to post images, etc.
If a new business is wanting a social media presence, there really isn't a good reason for there to be more images at yelp than on its own site.

I suppose they are going for a soft opening until they get their feet.

They don't even have a website yet.

I took the family last week. Sorry don't have any pics. The service was predictably slow, but the food was fantastic.

Doesn't appear that they make their own pasta, but the bolognese sauce on my dish was fantastic.

The patio wasn't open yet, but it looked like it might be a double decker patio. I'm looking forward to that being open.

Oh, and the owner came to our table and personally talked with us about how our dinner and experience was.

Some photos from their Facebook page:



https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/10346617_1483918605174006_304049704188690368_n.jpg


https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/v/t1.0-9/10330253_1483918648507335_8572396180703126661_n.jp g?oh=bc7e8cb6020816a51cc52a83457c8602&oe=5400BCAE&__gda__=1409791483_b203195fd367239465c47973dede37d 3


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We ate there last week. They have a lot of the original menu items along with some new ones. Everything we had at our table was good. My friend actually ordered a burger. It looked fantastic and he said it was.
The service was slow but that was mainly the fault of the kitchen as our server was doing all he could.
I think if you were a fan of the old Tommy's you'll enjoy the new one as well.

Mid and I tried Tommy's out for lunch today, and I was a very happy camper :) We split the brushcetta, which had pesto on it and was salty and garlicky and pretty yummy (and will be better in the coming months with the opportunity to get better tomatoes, I'm sure). I had the pollo linguine carbonara thing (cream sauce, bacon, grilled chicken) and it was very tasty. The chicken was juicy and had a nice grill char on it. Mid had the burger and seemed to enjoy it very much.

I look forward to going back and getting the white pizza. It was my favorite thing at the original Tommy's.

Service was fine, though the place wasn't very busy as it was still kind of early. Mid's water ran out and the manager refilled it, but after that our waters were filled the whole time. The table next to us bogarted the waiter we shared a little bit, so I didn't begrudge him being a little slow. Some diners are just overly chatty ;) The manager came by twice to make sure we were happy with the food and service. So no problems for us; however, I don't notice slow/bad service unless it's ridiculously slow/bad.

I wonder how all of the pizza joints next to each other will work out. You have Hideaway, Tommy's with their brick oven pizza, and Revolve (a new concept in brick oven pizza making) about to open all pretty much right next to each other.

I can't see all three making it at that location.

If Tommy's is the same as the old Tommy's or Bellini's, it's not a pizza place. It's an upscale Italian restaurant that happens to have pizza available on the menu. Big difference. I doubt it will compete with the other two in any significant way, though it's fair to say the other two will complete with one another.

Had it for dinner with my wife a couple of nights ago.

Great food and great service. My wife had the pecan crusted salmon and it was just perfect. Good portions.

They do not have a drinks and beer menu yet but are working on it. The wine menu is a little low on Cabs but still nice.

Took my mom to dinner here tonight. We had the bruschetta and a bbq pizza. The bruschetta was really good, but the pizza was under-cooked. I'll go back, but I don't think I'll be getting the pizza again.

Service and ambiance was an A+

Went last night as well. Service and staff were great. Got skirt steak for app which was in a salty caramel sauce. Interesting but very good. Wife got pasta dish with every seafood known to man in it. She loved it. I got the florentine pizza and it was great too. Didn't get dessert but the cheesecake looked serious. Will def be back

I wonder how all of the pizza joints next to each other will work out. You have Hideaway, Tommy's with their brick oven pizza, and Revolve (a new concept in brick oven pizza making) about to open all pretty much right next to each other.

I can't see all three making it at that location.


If Tommy's is the same as the old Tommy's or Bellini's, it's not a pizza place. It's an upscale Italian restaurant that happens to have pizza available on the menu. Big difference. I doubt it will compete with the other two in any significant way, though it's fair to say the other two will complete with one another.

THIS, that's like going to McDonald's for the Filet'O Fish and saying it's a seafood restaurant. If you're going to Tommy's get pasta!

THIS, that's like going to McDonald's for the Filet'O Fish and saying it's a seafood restaurant. If you're going to Tommy's get pasta!Don't you be talking down on the Filet'O Fish now. That is my main item of choice when I visit the grounds of a McDonald's ;)

Dave Cathey's update.

A whole new world: Tommy's Italian American Grill reboots amid new dining environs in north Oklahoma City | News OK (http://newsok.com/a-whole-new-world-tommys-italian-american-grill-reboots-amid-new-dining-environs-in-north-oklahoma-city/article/5358756)

Can't wait to try it out. The old tommys used to be one of my favorite restaurants.

Don't you be talking down on the Filet'O Fish now. That is my main item of choice when
I visit the grounds of a McDonald's ;)
Same here!

Yeah, glad to hear Tommy is back. Hoping he can catch some of the magic of the original Bellini's, before it sold the first time. Tommy's at Northpark was good too (excellent chicken lasagna), but the OG Bellini's from the early-mid nineties was for a time the best restaurant in OKC.

It was great, and very lively, but the fact that was our best restaurant speaks to the improvement we've seen overall in our dining scene.

It was great, and very lively, but the fact that was our best restaurant speaks to the
improvement we've seen overall in our dining scene.
I can't tell you how many gigs I played at Tommy's on NW 122nd. There were many
who came just to hear the band which included some of the best talent in the US.

Seriously. Amos Cunningham, Benny Garcia, Denise Smith, Jack Robbins, Jimmy
Wilson and many others. I was fortunate to play with them. Yes, they were locals
but were/are revered for their contributions.

I took Prunette to a gig and it was the first time I realized they served food.

Hopefully the atmosphere will include Jazz!

I can't tell you how many gigs I played at Tommy's on NW 122nd. There were many
who came just to hear the band which included some of the best talent in the US.

Seriously. Amos Cunningham, Benny Garcia, Denise Smith, Jack Robbins, Jimmy
Wilson and many others. I was fortunate to play with them. Yes, they were locals
but were/are revered for their contributions.

I took Prunette to a gig and it was the first time I realized they served food.

Hopefully the atmosphere will include Jazz!

What years did you play there? I was a cook there (and Bellini's Norman, OKC) from ~97-2000.

What years did you play there? I was a cook there (and Bellini's Norman, OKC) from
~97-2000.
90's and 00's. Not sure of the exact dates. It was mostly with Amos Cunningham and
Denise Smith.

Don't know how new of news this is, but they now have their rooftop patio open:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CE_mTYXUsAAyJ13.jpg

Great picture Pete. I thinks it's been open for about two or three months now at least. On some nights it's packed and others it can be quite but with some nice spring weather I can see it being a great spot.

Ate there tonight.

I had a ceasar salad to start (quite good) then the spaghetti and hot Italian sausage. The entree was okay; the sausage was just served split open on top of the pasta and didn't have much flavor and zero bite. The sauce was nothing special.

My dining companion had the chicken lasagna which was quite good and made with an alfredo sauce.

They weren't very busy at all and that concerns me a bit. I'd go back but try something different. The atmosphere is nice but still comfortable.

Ate there tonight.

I had a ceasar salad to start (quite good) then the spaghetti and hot Italian sausage. The entree was okay; the sausage was just served split open on top of the pasta and didn't have much flavor and zero bite. The sauce was nothing special.

My dining companion had the chicken lasagna which was quite good and made with an alfredo sauce.

They weren't very busy at all and that concerns me a bit. I'd go back but try something different. The atmosphere is nice but still comfortable.

I ate there once. It was decent, but not great. I agree on the flavor and bite as that was one of the things I noticed. The biggest issue for me is its priced quite high for what you get. Zio's is comparable quality and is more reasonably priced. I don't mind paying higher prices if the food is worth it but for me, Tommy's didn't do it. It does have a great atmosphere however.

What do you think is the best Italian restaurant in OKC?

What do you think is the best Italian restaurant in OKC?

I'm partial to Vito's or Papa Dios. Haven't tried Tommys yet.

I'm partial to Vito's or Papa Dios. Haven't tried Tommys yet.

+1 for Vito's. I know some people also like Gabriella's (or the one that's by the cowboy museum)

For those of you who have not been, try Bella Vista on the south side. Nothing to look at and the service isn't great, but the food is amazing.

For those of you who have not been, try Bella Vista on the south side. Nothing to look at and the service isn't great, but the food is amazing.

I have never tried Bella Vista but this is the standard review I see for them.... The food has to be really amazing for people to put up with some of the complaints I've heard about the service.

One thing I forgot to mention about Tommy's...

There are basically two separate sides of the restaurant.

Not realizing this, we were seated in the area with the bar and with several TV's. When I was leaving, I noticed there was a bigger, nicer room with a counter surrounding a wood-fired pizza oven. In this sort of restaurant, I'd much rather not have TV's in the room and will know better next time.

I think because they were slow they seated everyone in the one smaller room but if I was to go back, I'd request the other one.

There is also an outdoor patio and rooftop deck which might be nicer in good weather, however you'd just be overlooking parking lots and the Kilpartrick Turnpike.

I have been here quite a few times. I always enjoy myself and the food is usually great!

I'm not much on dessert, but I took my girlfriend there for wine and dessert after dinner one night and felt the desert was lacking. Has anyone else tried their dessert?

For those of you who have not been, try Bella Vista on the south side. Nothing to look at and the service isn't great, but the food is amazing.

Confirmed. Which is weird cause their menu is really big. Some may say there are too many options.

The OG Tommy's in Northpark used to have a really great chicken lasagna. I'll have to make it up there sometime to check the one at this location vs the old one. Of course, as Pete sometimes points out, no way that it will be a fair comparison...memories always taste better!

We ate at Tommy's for a work celebration lunch a week and a half ago - my first time. Everyone at least liked what they had. The waiter pointed out that lunch service has been slow lately, and the restaurant as a whole is much less busy than when they opened. I'm not sure how long it can sustain itself...

It's a higher-end restaurant in an auto-centric, low-density area... I bet their customer pool is limited, which hurts them. I, for one, would probably never suggest it for a date night w/ my wife because it would be a nearly 25 minute drive from our house in Lincoln Terrace. Plenty of great establishments in the core.

There are a ton of restaurants right there, including Charleston's, Interurban, Revolve, Hideaway and more coming.

It's nice space and they do a pretty good job but I'm afraid that location with all the competition (nearby and elsewhere) means that they really need to be outstanding in order to draw people in then have them come back.

They also made a pretty big investment in that building.

There are a ton of restaurants right there, including Charleston's, Interurban, Revolve, Hideaway and more coming.

It's nice space and they do a pretty good job but I'm afraid that location with all the competition (nearby and elsewhere) means that they really need to be outstanding in order to draw people in then have them come back.

They also made a pretty big investment in that building.

I agree. I think it would make it if the food was outstanding, but you can't run a high-end restaurant in a low-density area like that with so much competition and have mediocre food. There is no reason for me to drive out there when there are so many better options that are closer. Even when I lived nearby, I didn't think the food there was worth the cost. I would usually just go to Carino's, or go downtown and go to Zio's.

As I mentioned in an above post I worked at Tommys in Northpark and for Bellinis, and I ate there a few months after they opened. I was really disappointed in the menu, it seems like he got rid of some of the old favorites, and the ones he kept there were changes to them that I didn't like. The prices went up a lot as well, and spent a lot more than what I wanted to. My friend and I was disappointed in the taste and felt really cramped in the restaurant. It was a real drive for me to get there as well, living South of Norman. Needless to say I won't be back, there are a lot more and better options out there.

I agree. I think it would make it if the food was outstanding, but you can't run a high-end restaurant in a low-density area like that with so much competition and have mediocre food. There is no reason for me to drive out there when there are so many better options that are closer. Even when I lived nearby, I didn't think the food there was worth the cost. I would usually just go to Carino's, or go downtown and go to Zio's.

Not to mention Bravo's, which I think is better than Zio's.

...

What do you think is the best Italian restaurant in OKC?

Vito's, Moni's, or Gabriella's, but there are a few we haven't tried yet. Vito's is the best out of those 3, IMO.

For those of you who have not been, try Bella Vista on the south side. Nothing to look at and the service isn't great, but the food is amazing.

Look, I know that taste is incredibly subjective, but I simply cannot agree. I went there last night. There were two other parties there. Both of them raved about their meals to the FOH (who I think was a part owner). We never smelled anything good (or bad) when we came in. We were seated in crappy seats that were uncomfortable. The decor was horrendous (Robert Irvine would have a fun time dissing it). The service was OK, but the food -- it was incredibly disappointing. No taste or flavor. My wife got the linguine with white clam sauce and I got the sausage cacciatore. The dishes we absolutely swimming in un-drained noodles. The sausage (which their menu claimed was trucked down from Chicago) was tasteless. The clams (which their menu claimed were sauteed in a white wine sauce) were flavorless and clearly from a can. Incredibly disappointing. I do a pretty good job cooking Italian cuisine, so I have pretty high expectations when I go out (I mean, if I can do it, it must be easy). Bella Vista did NOT come close to meeting any of my expectations.

Look, I know that taste is incredibly subjective, but I simply cannot agree. I went there last night. There were two other parties there. Both of them raved about their meals to the FOH (who I think was a part owner). We never smelled anything good (or bad) when we came in. We were seated in crappy seats that were uncomfortable. The decor was horrendous (Robert Irvine would have a fun time dissing it). The service was OK, but the food -- it was incredibly disappointing. No taste or flavor. My wife got the linguine with white clam sauce and I got the sausage cacciatore. The dishes we absolutely swimming in un-drained noodles. The sausage (which their menu claimed was trucked down from Chicago) was tasteless. The clams (which their menu claimed were sauteed in a white wine sauce) were flavorless and clearly from a can. Incredibly disappointing. I do a pretty good job cooking Italian cuisine, so I have pretty high expectations when I go out (I mean, if I can do it, it must be easy). Bella Vista did NOT come close to meeting any of my expectations.

This is a mom and pop business so more than likely, the FOH was Dina who along with her husband Milt own and run the place. Milt does the cooking. Sorry it was disappointing as we absolutely love Bella Vista but like you said, taste is subjective. I agree that the décor would drive Irvine nuts and the service is slow but prices are excellent and portions are more than plentiful I get the lasagna or baked ziti and have never soggy noodles. My kids love the food and love Milt and Dina with our meal always starting with hugs and ending with hugs as our kids have grown up eating there.

Back to Tommy's, I hope it lasts, because I don't want to see places near my home starting turning over so soon (although I know it's inevitable). We've only eaten there once, a post church lunch with a little one. Thought it was good but maybe too fancy for us to go back to with her (now 5). When we've had date nights we haven't considered it. Would like to check it out in the spring when the patio is open.

Been there twice, and didn't care for it either time. Theres better Italian out there , I'm always in search of a new place to eat, I'll usually give a place a few times and after that I generally won't go back. I'm a big fan of Pepperoni Grill and think it would be a good fit for that spot, they are having a great success on their recent expansion to Edmond. Great food , good service, and a fair price.

I have not tried Tommys yet but it's on my to due list. Flips is my favorite Italian joint.

This may have been mentioned somewhere else, but I noticed that a Bricktown Brewery location is going into the old Tommy’s on Memorial. “Coming soon” sign is up.

I live really close by Tommy's. I didn't realize it went under. Ate there only once when it opened up. Bricktown Brewery. MEH!

It didn't go under. It's been a few months but the owner is retaking over his original concept of Bellinis. Good for both sites in my opinion.
https://newsok.com/article/5628164/bellinis-demise-greatly-exaggerated

I saw that Tommy Byrd Rest. Group sold the real estate for $2.425 mill. Interested to hear the timing on the opening of the Bricktown Brewery.

I'm partial to Vito's or Papa Dios. Haven't tried Tommys yet.

My wife and I recently tried Papa Dios for the first time.
I'm not sure why is it so popular. The ambience was nice. But the food was olive garden level.
And I think something was wrong with my wife's alfredo sauce. I tried a bite and it tasted like straight sour cream

My wife and I recently tried Papa Dios for the first time.
I'm not sure why is it so popular. The ambience was nice. But the food was olive garden level.
And I think something was wrong with my wife's alfredo sauce. I tried a bite and it tasted like straight sour cream

Sorry that was your experience. We go often and really have never had a bad meal there. Definitely a huge jump up from Olive Garden. Olive Garden pasta is always over cooked and sauces without much flavor. Not so at Papa Dios. Good ambiance and service too.