What Are We Ready For?
I grew up in Edmond and remember the days when the Chili’s on Broadway Extension was the place to eat on a Friday night. Reflecting on that late-’90s excitement makes me realize how far we’ve come. “There’s nothing to eat here” is no longer an excuse. But too many of us are taking Broadway Extension right out of town instead of enjoying our own growing culinary scene.
Oklahoma City neighbors, we know how you picture us up here in Edmond: rolling through the drive through of a Chick-fil-A with our big SUVs before driving off to our next kid-centric activity. I happen to have a big SUV and kids, and statistics say you’re not wrong about the Chick-fil-A. For its size, Edmond has some of the busiest Chick-fil-As in the nation. Plus, we have three of them. I get the appeal. Before you can even look up from the app, there’s a cheerful person in a red shirt handing you a bag and saying, “My pleasure!” But what do those lines wrapped around the drive-thru say about us?
If you talk to Edmond residents, we’re likely to say we want more than Chick-fil-A — we say we want local, fresh, thoughtful food. Nevertheless, while the franchises thrive, locally owned restaurants struggle.
In the past few years, several formerly OKC-only food establishments decided to open Edmond locations, because so many of their customers called it home. Surprisingly, we Edmondites haven’t consistently followed these businesses to our own neighborhoods. Why are we willing to drive to OKC for dining choices, but won’t patronize the same spot down the street from our house? Is it out of routine or something more intentional?
Statistically speaking, we can afford it — according to the Edmond Economic Development Authority, the rate of people moving to Edmond and the amount of disposable income residents possess indicate that we do, in fact, have the financial capacity to support more diverse, local restaurants. But one business owner told me that although many Edmond people can afford to spend more on food, that doesn’t mean they will. Is this out of habit? Is it on principle? The restaurant in question adjusted its pricing because of it, but for some Edmond restaurants that wasn’t enough. Restaurants struggle for many reasons, especially following a pandemic and recession, but community neglect doesn’t help.
If every penny counts — and it does — you should spend your pennies where you live. It’s actually cheaper to eat in Edmond, due to a lower sales tax rate than the rest of the metro. Your tax dollars are also more crucial here. Edmond doesn’t levy property tax but relies instead on sales tax to fund things like public safety, parks, and art — all reasons why people want to live here. Still, many are jumping on I-35 and breezing right past the businesses that fund these vital pieces of our community. It’s backwards. If you want to live in a nice city, you have to shop and dine in your city.
“If you talk to Edmond residents, we all say we want more than Chick-fil-A — we say we want local, fresh, thoughtful food. But what do those lines wrapped around the drive-thru say about us?”
Not all is bleak for Edmond restaurants. In fact, the EEDA reported that sales tax revenue from restaurants is up 50 percent over the last five years. Edmond has restaurants representing culinary traditions from more than 30 countries. It can be daunting to branch out and try something new, but I encourage you to find a restaurant representing a culture that’s not your own and make it “your place.”
Edmond has also been the birthplace of some up-and-coming franchises, like Bee Healthy Cafe and Bondi Bowls, which started small in Edmond and now have multiple locations. Perhaps someday our Chick-fil-A loyalty will be transferred to one of these convenient, homegrown spots.
Even though I’ve been frank about my concerns, I love this city and our food. I get several messages a week asking about what to do or where to eat in Edmond. I’m happy to answer them. Recent issues of this magazine have covered several spots in Edmond. When I wrote for edibleOKC eight years ago, Edmond mentions were rare. Edmond is an innovative city, known for its public art program and for encouraging entrepreneurs and creatives. Are we ready to support the art that chefs bring to the table? Don’t we want a restaurant so unique it could only be found here? I do! Have we proven we take care of what we have in a way that suggests we are ready for more? I’m not sure.
I’d never suggest dining only in Edmond or abstaining from chains and franchises. I’m suggesting that you evaluate your attitude toward a dining experience. Savor each bite and eat for the pure joy of eating. Broaden your palate; get curious, ask questions. Instead of driving south with the skyline in view, be a tourist in your own town. Park your car and walk; ride your bike to dinner. Try a cuisine you’ve never had. When you choose to dine where you live, you’re making an investment — not only in a local business, but in your own community.
