This Retro Oklahoma Steakhouse Is Famous for a Salad Bar People Still Talk About

Set on the quiet streets of Pawnee, Oklahoma, this dining landmark has built a reputation that stretches far beyond the town. Click’s Steakhouse has become a pilgrimage site for travelers craving thick cuts of meat and a legendary salad bar that draws visitors from Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and beyond.

This retro gem in the heart of Oklahoma’s prairie country feels like stepping back into a simpler time, where generous portions and honest cooking still reign supreme. The downtown setting radiates old-school charm, with historic storefronts and wide sidewalks that whisper tales of the past.

Inside Click’s, the atmosphere hums with friendly chatter, clinking silverware, and the unmistakable aroma of perfectly grilled beef. What truly sets this steakhouse apart is the sprawling salad bar that has achieved near-mythical status among regulars and first-timers alike.

Loaded with both cold fixings and hot comfort food staples, it’s a feast that could easily stand on its own. But pair it with a juicy ribeye or tender filet, and you’ve got a meal worth every mile of the journey.

A Salad Bar That Became a Legend

Walk into Click’s and you’ll immediately spot the star attraction sprawling across the dining room like a buffet sent from heaven. The salad bar at this Pawnee institution isn’t just a side act.

It’s a full production that keeps people talking long after they’ve loosened their belts and headed home.

Fresh greens, crisp vegetables, and all the classic toppings you’d expect are just the beginning. What makes this setup unforgettable is the surprising lineup of hot dishes tucked alongside the usual suspects.

Fried chicken, meatloaf, tamales, and even frog legs make regular appearances, turning a simple salad stop into a culinary adventure.

Regulars know to pace themselves because the salad bar comes with every entree, and it’s all you can eat. First-timers often make the rookie mistake of loading up too early, only to realize they still have a massive steak on the way.

The variety changes slightly depending on the day, but the quality stays consistent.

Steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, and small steak filets round out the hot side, making it easy to build an entire meal without ever ordering from the menu. The salad bar alone has earned Click’s a 4.7-star rating from nearly 1,700 reviews, with countless mentions praising its freshness and abundance.

It’s the kind of spread that makes you want to cancel dinner plans and stay all afternoon.

Stepping Into Small-Town Oklahoma Charm

Pawnee might not be on every traveler’s radar, but that’s exactly what makes it special. This tiny Oklahoma town sits about an hour west of Tulsa, tucked into the rolling prairie landscape that defines this part of the state.

The population hovers around a few thousand, and the pace of life moves at a speed that feels refreshingly unhurried.

Historic downtown Pawnee provides the perfect backdrop for Click’s Steakhouse, with brick buildings and old-fashioned storefronts lining Harrison Street. The restaurant itself occupies a spot that feels central to the community, a gathering place where locals and visitors share tables and stories.

There’s a certain authenticity to Pawnee that you won’t find in bigger cities.

No corporate chains dominate the skyline here, just honest businesses run by people who know their neighbors by name. The drive to Click’s takes you through scenic countryside, with wide-open fields and big skies that seem to stretch forever.

If you’re coming from Tulsa, take Highway 412 west and exit at Stonewolf Casino, then head north for about ten minutes.

The journey itself becomes part of the experience, a chance to disconnect from the hustle and reconnect with the slower rhythms of rural Oklahoma. By the time you pull into Pawnee, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back to a time when Sunday drives and family dinners were the highlights of the week.

Retro Vibes That Feel Like Home

Click’s doesn’t try to be trendy, and that’s precisely why people love it. The interior exudes a throwback charm that transports diners to an era when steakhouses were about hearty meals and comfortable surroundings, not Instagram-worthy decor.

The tables and chairs might not be cutting-edge modern, but they’re sturdy and welcoming, the kind of furniture that has hosted countless family celebrations and anniversary dinners.

Wood paneling, simple lighting, and unpretentious decor create an atmosphere that feels genuine and lived-in. There’s no pretense here, no attempt to impress with fancy design elements.

Instead, the focus stays squarely on the food and the people enjoying it.

Some reviewers have mentioned that the furniture could use an update, but most agree that the old-school setup adds to the charm rather than detracting from it. The dining room buzzes with energy during peak hours, filled with the sounds of laughter, conversation, and satisfied diners comparing notes on their meals.

It’s the kind of place where you can show up in jeans and boots and feel perfectly at ease.

Families gather in booths, couples celebrate special occasions, and solo travelers strike up conversations with friendly strangers at neighboring tables. The retro atmosphere isn’t manufactured or staged.

It’s simply the result of decades of serving good food in a space that has remained true to its roots, a rare find in an age of constant renovation and reinvention.

Steaks That Draw Crowds From Miles Away

People don’t drive an hour or more just for the salad bar, as impressive as it is. They come for steaks that have earned Click’s a reputation as one of Oklahoma’s best-kept secrets.

The menu features all the classic cuts you’d expect from a serious steakhouse, including ribeyes, filets, T-bones, porterhouses, and sirloins that arrive cooked to order and seasoned to perfection.

Multiple reviewers rave about the filet mignon, with one declaring it the best they’ve had anywhere in the country. The ribeyes get equally enthusiastic praise, with diners appreciating the generous portions and quality beef.

Click’s doesn’t mess around with complicated preparations or trendy flavor profiles.

The approach here is straightforward: source good meat, season it well, and cook it right. That simplicity allows the natural flavor of the beef to shine through without unnecessary distractions.

The porterhouse and T-bone options satisfy those who want a substantial cut with both strip and tenderloin sections.

For couples or families looking to share, the sirloin for two has become a popular choice, offering excellent value and plenty of meat to go around. Every steak comes with a trip to the legendary salad bar plus your choice of side, typically a baked potato, fries, or another classic accompaniment.

The portions are massive, with many diners taking home leftovers despite their best efforts to clean their plates. It’s the kind of meal that sticks with you, both in memory and in satisfying fullness.

Service That Makes You Feel Like Family

Great food matters, but so does the way it’s delivered. Click’s has built its reputation not just on what comes out of the kitchen, but on the warmth and attentiveness of the people serving it.

The waitstaff here consistently earn praise for being friendly, helpful, and genuinely invested in making sure every guest has a positive experience.

One reviewer shared a story about their mother forgetting what side dish she ordered, and the waitress took the initiative to remind her without being asked. That kind of thoughtful service reflects a culture of hospitality that permeates the entire operation.

The current owners, a young couple named Tanner and Amber, have clearly made staff morale a priority.

One employee enthusiastically told a customer that they were the best bosses he’d ever worked for and that he loved his job. That kind of genuine enthusiasm shows up in the dining experience.

Servers move through the room with efficiency and good humor, checking on tables without hovering, refilling drinks before they’re empty, and offering recommendations when asked.

Even during busy weekend rushes, the staff maintains a calm professionalism that keeps things running smoothly. For a small-town restaurant, Click’s manages to deliver service that rivals much larger establishments.

The team strikes that perfect balance between attentive and unobtrusive, making sure you have everything you need while giving you space to enjoy your meal and conversation. It’s hospitality done right, the Oklahoma way.

A Community Gathering Place

Click’s occupies a special place in Pawnee’s social fabric, serving as more than just a restaurant. It’s a community hub where locals celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and all the other milestones that mark a life well-lived.

On any given evening, you’ll find multigenerational families sharing tables, old friends catching up over coffee and pie, and newcomers being welcomed into the fold.

The restaurant’s longevity in a small town speaks volumes about its importance to the local culture. Places like this become woven into the community’s identity, creating memories that span decades and generations.

Kids who grew up eating at Click’s bring their own children, continuing traditions and creating new stories.

The atmosphere reflects this deep connection, with a warmth that goes beyond professional hospitality into genuine care for the people walking through the door. During peak hours, the energy in the dining room crackles with life, filled with the comfortable buzz of people who know they’re exactly where they want to be.

Even visitors from out of town pick up on this special quality.

Several reviews mention feeling welcomed despite being first-timers, experiencing that famous Oklahoma friendliness in action. The staff treats everyone like regulars, whether you’ve been coming for thirty years or just discovered the place on a road trip.

That sense of belonging transforms a simple meal into something more meaningful, a connection to place and people that’s increasingly rare in our fast-paced world. Click’s reminds us that the best restaurants do more than feed bodies.

They nourish souls and strengthen communities.

The New Generation Takes the Reins

Every beloved institution faces a crucial test when ownership changes hands. Click’s passed that test with flying colors when young couple Tanner and Amber took over the restaurant.

Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel or impose trendy changes, they’ve honored the traditions that made Click’s special while bringing fresh energy and attention to detail.

Long-time customers have noticed improvements in consistency and service without losing the essential character that drew them in the first place. That’s a delicate balance that many new owners fail to achieve, but Tanner and Amber seem to understand instinctively what matters.

Their commitment to quality shows up in everything from the freshness of the salad bar to the training and morale of the staff.

The enthusiastic employee who declared them the best bosses he’d ever worked for wasn’t just being polite. That kind of genuine appreciation reflects a management style that values people and creates a positive work environment.

Happy employees translate directly into better customer experiences, a truth that Click’s new owners clearly understand. They’ve also maintained the restaurant’s reputation for value, resisting the temptation to dramatically raise prices or cut portion sizes.

Instead, they’ve focused on refining what already worked while addressing any weak points. The result is a restaurant that feels both timeless and vital, honoring its past while building toward a bright future.

For a historic Oklahoma steakhouse to thrive under new leadership is no small achievement. It requires vision, humility, and deep respect for what came before.

Tanner and Amber have demonstrated all three.

Making the Journey Part of the Adventure

Getting to Click’s requires some effort, especially if you’re coming from Tulsa, Oklahoma City, or other distant points. But that journey becomes part of the appeal rather than an obstacle.

The drive through Oklahoma’s prairie landscape offers a welcome escape from urban congestion and a chance to appreciate the state’s understated beauty.

Highway 412 cuts through rolling countryside where cattle graze and oil pumps nod rhythmically against big skies. As you get closer to Pawnee, the landscape takes on a timeless quality that makes you feel like you’ve traveled back several decades.

The exit at Stonewolf Casino provides a clear landmark, and the final ten-minute drive north into town builds anticipation nicely.

By the time you pull onto Harrison Street and spot Click’s, you’ve already shifted into a different mindset, one more receptive to the slower pace and genuine hospitality waiting inside. Many reviewers specifically mention that the restaurant is worth the drive, a telling endorsement in an age when convenience often trumps quality.

The fact that people willingly travel an hour or more speaks to Click’s unique appeal.

Some visitors make it a regular pilgrimage, building the trip into monthly or quarterly traditions. Others discover it by accident while exploring Oklahoma’s backroads and become instant converts.

The journey also allows you to work up a proper appetite, ensuring you’ll arrive ready to tackle that legendary salad bar and whatever steak you’ve been dreaming about. Consider taking the scenic route and making a day of it, exploring Pawnee and the surrounding area before settling in for your meal.