Norman Spots
Norman Spots
Leigh McBride
All my favorite places for the best OU experience
*DISCLAIMER* I am old and some of my places might not be ~cool~ for the young college kids these days, but all are fun for the young dumb and broke
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Casual Breakfast
The Diner
@leighmcbride
Cute little place in downtown Norman with decent food cooked the old school way
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La Baguette Bakery & Cafe
@leighmcbride
Got this brought to the theta house sometimes - great pastries, cakes, etc.
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Einstein Bros. Bagels
@leighmcbride
Solid and easy to get to bc it’s on OU campus - in the athletic dorms
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Nice Brunch
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Interurban Restaurant
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Only went here once but good vibes - Oklahoma people love this place
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Casual Lunch
Fuzzy's Taco Shop
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Not like other fuzzy’s - always packed, in the middle of campus corner so always poppin, great bar in the back for gameday
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Bison Witches Bar & Deli
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Closer to downtown norman, off Main Street. Cute little place with good Sammy’s if you want to get away from campus
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Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe
@leighmcbride
Solid for a quick lunch right on campus corner, nothing super special but great locations
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The Mont
@leighmcbride
If you want the ultimate OU experience, this is IT. Get a swirl, enjoy the vibe, this place is what I miss most about Norman.
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The Garage Burgers & Beer
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Our traditional Saturday hangover lunch - in downtown norman, great burgers
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Nice Lunch
Scratch Kitchen & Cocktails
@leighmcbride
This place has it all - our go-to birthday dinner spot, take your parents when they visit, or a date. In downtown norman
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Pub W
@leighmcbride
On the other side of I-35, our little secret spot to get away from campus! Reminds you that there are actual adults that live in Norman - and the food is great
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Penny Hill Bar and Char
@leighmcbride
Trivia and drinks - so fun. Come here for munchies and drinkies and fun
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Louie's Grill & Bar
@leighmcbride
Right on campus corner, great food, might see football coaches eating lunch, easy to walk to
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Casual Dinner
The Garage Burgers & Beer
@leighmcbride
Our traditional Saturday hangover lunch - in downtown norman, great burgers
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Tea Cafe On the Corner
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I could eat the chicken fried rice every day. A Norman MUST. 99% responsible for my freshman 30
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Tarahumara's Méxican Cafe & Cantina
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Another Norman tradition - service is unbelievably fast, food is great, and not far from campus. I LOVE this place
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Happy Garden
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My favorite Norman trashy Chinese takeout. Our tradition on nights the Theta house cook was off duty
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Victoria's Pasta Shop
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My first experience with homemade pasta. Cute little shop for a casual bite on campus corner
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Hideaway Pizza
@leighmcbride
All the Oklahomans rave about this place, great place to bring guests on campus corner for casual dinner
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Fuzzy's Taco Shop
@leighmcbride
Not like other fuzzy’s - always packed, in the middle of campus corner so always poppin, great bar in the back for gameday
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The Mont
@leighmcbride
If you want the ultimate OU experience, this is IT. Get a swirl, enjoy the vibe, this place is what I miss most about Norman.
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Nicer Dinner with fun vibes
The Winston
@leighmcbride
Very good for dinner or beer and apps. Great place to take a date or your parents, next to neighborhood Jam in downtown notman
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Scratch Kitchen & Cocktails
@leighmcbride
This place has it all - our go-to birthday dinner spot, take your parents when they visit, or a date. In downtown norman
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Pub W
@leighmcbride
On the other side of I-35, our little secret spot to get away from campus! Reminds you that there are actual adults that live in Norman - and the food is great
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Othello's Italian Restaurant
@leighmcbride
Sweet little Italian place that’s been in Norman since your parents went to OU - bring your fam for some OU memorabilia on the wall and a great atmosphere
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Gaberino's Homestyle Italian
@leighmcbride
Great food, off campus and probably not as crowded as othello’s - owned by locals
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Gameday Spots
The Porch
@leighmcbride
Best view of campus on the rooftop - this is THE place for gameday or a night out. Lots of memories here (and a few nights i don’t remember well)
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O'Connell's Irish Pub & Grille
@leighmcbride
A classic stop - more sit-down-and-chat kind of place than a late night bar but great if that’s your thing
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The Mont
@leighmcbride
If you want the ultimate OU experience, this is IT. Get a swirl, enjoy the vibe, this place is what I miss most about Norman.
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Logie's On The Corner
@leighmcbride
My favorite bar on campus corner - we always ended up here at the end of the night. Come here to dance around and mingle
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Happy Hour
The Mont
@leighmcbride
If you want the ultimate OU experience, this is IT. Get a swirl, enjoy the vibe, this place is what I miss most about Norman.
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Library Bar & Grill
@leighmcbride
Cute small little place for beer and apps - our Friday afternoon go to spot
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Das Boot Camp
@leighmcbride
Off campus - come here to get German beer and sit around with your friends
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The Porch
@leighmcbride
Best view of campus on the rooftop - this is THE place for gameday or a night out. Lots of memories here (and a few nights i don’t remember well)
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Logie's On The Corner
@leighmcbride
My favorite bar on campus corner - we always ended up here at the end of the night. Come here to dance around and mingle
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Maverick's
@leighmcbride
The artist formerly known as diamond dawgs - if they still have a wonder boy you MUST get one
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The Winston
@leighmcbride
Very good for dinner or beer and apps. Great place to take a date or your parents, next to neighborhood Jam in downtown notman
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If you want to party…
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Logie's On The Corner
@leighmcbride
My favorite bar on campus corner - we always ended up here at the end of the night. Come here to dance around and mingle
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The Deli
@leighmcbride
Don’t go here in your heels - it’s hot, crowded, and best live mysic on campus corner
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The Porch
@leighmcbride
Best view of campus on the rooftop - this is THE place for gameday or a night out. Lots of memories here (and a few nights i don’t remember well)
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Campus Corner
@leighmcbride
If you want to go out, here it is - I put this on there generally bc every time I turn around there’s a new bar I don’t know about
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Study Spots
Bizzell Memorial Library
@leighmcbride
Classic - bottom floor for group study, silent in the great reading room, or go get a cubby to be alone. This was my home
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University of Oklahoma College of Law
@leighmcbride
Even for undergrads - maybe you’ll meet an aspiring lawyer and get your MRS Drgree
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Oklahoma Memorial Union
@leighmcbride
The great Hall is cozy and there’s tons of food/coffee, also great for outdoor study on a beautiful day
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Michael F. Price College of Business
@leighmcbride
Best couches on campus, and great place to do group work
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Coffee
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Second Wind Coffeehouse
@leighmcbride
On campus corner- owl coffee is better but this place is much closer to campus
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Treats
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Hurts Donut Company
@leighmcbride
Not my vibe but people always got these at 2am after the bars and swore by it!
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Braum's Ice Cream & Dairy Store
@leighmcbride
This one’s for the Oklahomans - if you don’t know what this is then it’s a MUST! Burgers and ice cream is unbelievable
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Classic 50's Drive-In
@leighmcbride
Sorority girl tradition - amazing milkshakes and Sprittles! Come here for a cute lil date and sit outside
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Tea Cafe On the Corner
@leighmcbride
I could eat the chicken fried rice every day. A Norman MUST. 99% responsible for my freshman 30
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Places to take the parents
Legend's Restaurant
@leighmcbride
Old people of norman only - but your parents will love all the old OU stuff. Live piano is also romantic af
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Benvenuti's Ristorante
@leighmcbride
Nicest restaurant in Norman - perfect for a nice date or someone’s rich parents
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Scratch Kitchen & Cocktails
@leighmcbride
This place has it all - our go-to birthday dinner spot, take your parents when they visit, or a date. In downtown norman
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Redrock Canyon Grill
@leighmcbride
Great food and atmosphere! Not as nice as benvenutis but nicer than charlestons
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Charleston's Restaurant
@leighmcbride
Always solid and close to campus. Great service and great food, just not local to Norman
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Othello's Italian Restaurant
@leighmcbride
Sweet little Italian place that’s been in Norman since your parents went to OU - bring your fam for some OU memorabilia on the wall and a great atmosphere
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Gaberino's Homestyle Italian
@leighmcbride
Great food, off campus and probably not as crowded as othello’s - owned by locals
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Shopping
Tulips Home & Gift
@leighmcbride
Cute little gifty-gifts, take your home-decor-loving aunt and she’ll have a hay day
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Balfour of Norman
@leighmcbride
Anything OU you could ever want, also have some sorority stuff for your little
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Blush
@leighmcbride
Not even sure if this place is around anymore, but cute little trendy gameday outfits to match the youngins
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Occasions
@leighmcbride
My favorite store in Norman - nice home decor for your mom or all your friends who get a ring by spring
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Cayman's Clothiers Inc
@leighmcbride
Fancy-pancy store that I love where the cheapest thing in there is over your budget. BUT, great for nice gifts
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Apothem
@leighmcbride
More OU stuff on campus corner to take your grandma to get a “OU Granny” sticker
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Other things to do
Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
@leighmcbride
If there’s a game and you don’t actually go to the game, you missed out. Whatever the cost it’s worth it!
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Riversport Rapids
@leighmcbride
In OKC - SO fun to go rafting with your friends. And the pricing is reasonable for college kiddos
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Bricktown
@leighmcbride
Get away from campus and come hangout! Good bars and restaurants, or just go walk around
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Riverwind Casino
@leighmcbride
When in Oklahoma do as the Oklahomans do! This place also has great concerts so be on the lookout
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Remington Park
@leighmcbride
Great time in OKC - gamble, watch horses, and pretend you’re at the derby
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National Weather Center (NWC)
@leighmcbride
I swear it’s not lame - it’s where the whole country gets their weather updates. Book in advance for a lil tour
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* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leigh McBride
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