Trust me. There is little to blog about on an interstate highway. Miles and miles of highway with semi-trucks in front of you, semi-trucks behind you, and even semi-trucks beside you. (BUT, there are no stop signs, traffic lights, or reduce speed signs either.) Still I find the interstate boring, and I am easily lulled to sleep along such roads. On our trip home from Edmond, Oklahoma, I begged Ever-Lovin’ to please take another route than I35. I knew we were going to visit the Chickasaw Cultural Center, but I wanted to see more little towns along the way. Sweet Mother of Pearl, Ever-Lovin’ agreed, and we were on our way to small town adventures.
After consulting the trusty Oklahoma state map, we decided to take Highway 77. Highway 77 runs parallel to I35, but it goes through the little towns, and the trucks aren’t crowding the roads.
A few miles down the road from Norman, Oklahoma (The home of OU – Oklahoma University) in the little (I heard it was growing) town of Noble we found our first stopping place. Listen to this. You can’t get to Noble on the interstate. I do love it! My kind of place. It was almost two o’clock, and stomachs were beginning to growl. There on Main Street in Noble, Oklahoma was a big sign painted on the side of a brick building for Kendall’s Restaurant. A smaller sign boasted being featured on Red Dirt Dining – Must be an Oklahoma thing. I think it is a TV show out of Oklahoma City. Hoping for something better than mud pies, we thought Kendall’s was worth a try.
As we entered the restaurant, I thought it pretty cute. Old building, memorabilia covering the walls (lots of famous and not so famous folks have eaten here), guitars and posters everywhere. One framed article from Southern Living featured Kendall’s Restaurant. So we stumbled upon a little gem. Made my day!
Evidently this restaurant’s claim to fame is their cinnamon rolls, and down home country cooking. I ordered chicken fried steak, and it was pretty good. It was real meat and was hand breaded. Green beans were okay with added onion and flavorings, but the mashed potatoes were from a box and very disappointing. Still the chicken fried steak was good.
Ever-Lovin’ ordered a chopped steak, and he liked the added onions in the meat. Ugh! I hate that big mound of potatoes in this picture. And they weren’t even good. Sorry! (For the record, Ever-Lovin’ did not object to the potatoes as much as I did.)
The next time I visit Kendall’s, (yes, I would go back) I think I will order the hamburger. They looked so good!
Then came the cinnamon rolls. They were sweet, gooey, and good. You can buy them frozen by the half dozen to take home.
This restaurant is popular. Even at 2:00 on a Saturday afternoon it was busy. You need to know. They do not take credit cards. You need cash. Remember that green paper you keep in your billfold. That is what you must have to pay your bill in this restaurant. Also, do not try to go on Sunday or Monday because they will be closed. Now you know!
No longer hungry (actually stuffed to the gills), we were off to find more adventure or at least diversion. True confession. We did go through several (okay more than several) very little communities with no hope of adventure. Then we came to Purcell, Oklahoma – The Heart of Oklahoma. This area is pretty. It is Quarter Horse country. As we drove down Highway 77, I could see a town area to the left. We turned, and in the space of one block, I could see no less than three antique malls. Be still my heart, this is my kind of place!
The malls were fairly typical with good prices. I found a silver-plated pastry server ($4.95) and an old wooden stirrup ($16.00). Pretty good if I might say so myself!
On September 1st Purcell will host their Loose Caboose Festival. I love the name – Loose Caboose. It sounds like a fun local celebration. The antique stores are certainly looking forward to this day.
All in all, Purcell, Oklahoma is a charming town with friendly people. It is worth a stop.
Wishing you adventures.
Blessings to you and yours,