Meers Longhorn Burgers at Meers Store and Restaurant

Wow, what a great burger joint we discovered in the southwestern part of Oklahoma near Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. This place is located in an old gold mining town called Meers and is pretty much all that's left of the town. Meers Burgers are quite famous in its parts and as we discovered from the many articles hanging around that it's actually famous nationwide. Several newspapers and foodies have been there and trumped it, even including the New York Times, Travelocity Editor's Pick, Tulsa World, made a list on Man Vs. Food, and has been included in a documentary.

Getting to Meers Store and Restaurant is half the fun. Traveling just a little over an hour southwest from Oklahoma City on I-44, you'll head to Lawton. Hungry patrons will find it located in a little spot in the country near the Wichita Mountains, which is hidden but easy to find. You'll discover the fun decor which makes you feel like you've stepped back in time going out for a bite with your grandpa. Meers is a place where people can put their business cards up for those who made need your services or where military members hit up the doors with their "zaps" from their squadron. My husband, a retired Air Force pilot, noticed a sticker from his New York squadron zapped proudly on the men's room door.

When you look at the menu you'll notice that everything is made to order. Served in gold panning plates, the HUGE longhorn burgers are cooked well done and the "cowboy burgers" include mustard. However, for all of you ketchup lovers who eat "yankee burgers" or the mayo burgers which are "sissy burgers," you can order them up also. Our family ordered BBQ brisket, a Meers longhorn burger, a chili cheese dog and even cheese fries. They were served with several sides of potato salad, cole slaw, beans and a hot roll. Everything was delicious. Our drinks were served in glass mason jars which my daughters thought were cool and wanted to take home. We really didn't have room for dessert but when we found out they have IBC root bear floats and cherry cobbler a' la mode made with real homemade ice-cream and served in giant bowls, we HAD to have some. We left with full tummies and headed for a drive up to the top of Mount Scott in the Wichita Mountains. My kids had a great time at Meers Store and Restaurant and I'm sure we'll return again.

www.meersstore.com

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

POPS with Pops by Shelly Perkins Photography

If you live in this great state of Oklahoma or are fortunate enough to travel through, I must suggest you head out to old Route 66 in Arcadia for an afternoon. It's only five miles off of I-35, so you can make a quick stop and get back on the interstate if you're headed North or South.

My husband and I had a great family day with two of our daughters and my father at Pops. The girls said let's take "Pops to Pops today!" What a great idea. I know I'm sounding like a commercial right now, but it's a great place to grab a good ole' burger at a good price and have some fun with the family. There are so many types of sodas to choose from (Yes, I said Soda...living in New York for a time keeps the 'Soda' word in my vocabulary. LOL) Of course you can't take a trip without taking the infamous tourist photo in front of the 60 foot soda pop bottle, so don't forget your camera.

After you have a meal at Pop's, head a little farther East on Route 66 to check out the Round Barn. My kids loved standing in the middle listening to their voices echo. Downstairs is a little museum with an old timer who is pretty interesting to speak to and will share stories of the old round barn if you just ask. This summer is going by so quick and I want to make memories with my children they will remember.




Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com