Veg Out! - Oso On Paseo
Everyone loves a good patio, and one of the newest restaurants in OKC has a great one. Oso on Paseo or “Bear on a stroll”, is the Paseo District’s new hot spot, with creative Mexican food and fruity drinks. They opened the doors in October, so this will be the first full patio season at Oso.
Created as an homage to El Chirito, the original Mexican restaurant in OKC, which was located in the Paseo and spun off into the El Chico chain, Oso is bringing Mexican food back to the District. They worked with Architect Wade Scaramucci on the design, and they loved his ideas so much that it shifted the plans from a street taco place, to a more modern, yet casual atmosphere.
Oso is very vegetarian friendly, as the clientele it serves demands vegetarian and vegan options. Enchiladas, nachos, quesadillas, burritos, and of course tacos are all listed on the menu as vegetarian or vegan choices. One secret option is the rice cooked in vegan broth. It is not listed on the menu, but be sure to ask for it. Chefs Ryan Parrot and Chris McKenna both agree that their favorite things on the menu are the vegetarian and vegan tacos. According to McKenna, the trick with vegan and vegetarian options is good, fresh produce and seasoning. “You use canned produce on a vegetarian item, it isn’t going to taste good.” They enjoy the challenge of making vegetarian options delicious, as they say some of their items that contain meat are almost like cheating. “We put burnt ends, Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce, and a friend pickle on a taco. Of course that tastes good”, said Parrot. “The unique and exciting combinations of flavors are really on our vegetarian tacos.”
The goal with Oso was to create an indoor/outdoor space. The same concrete tile and throw pillows are inside and out. The patio is open if it is over 40 degrees, as they have heaters to keep customers warm. They also have the misting diff users to get you through the summer heat. Their full menu is served on the patio, which actually has more seating than the inside of the restaurant. The soon-to-be iconic blue bear or “Oso”, stands on the patio and is a favorite spot for photos. He will soon be joined by two other bears at various spots at the restaurant.
Oso has a happy hour Monday through Friday from 2-5, when you can get half-price baja-tiki style cocktails, as well as half-price queso, salsa, and tater tots. All four taco sauces are made in house and are gluten-free. I like the Habanero and Serrano sauces, but watch out for the Roja salsa, as it contains chicken broth.
I suggest planning your next happy hour for the patio at Oso and ordering either the Montezuma cocktail served in a fresh pineapple, or the Vallarta Colada, served in a coconut. Durros arrive when you sit down, which are fried pinwheel pasta. They are a nice change from the typical chips and salsa. Add in some vegetarian or vegan tacos, and you are set!
Oso on Paseo, 603 NW 28th Street, Oklahoma City
