Thanks to all who have followed along with me on Instagram at @okcveggie! To celebrate the account reaching 1,000 followers, I’ve partnered with some of my favorite restaurants in the OKC area to deliver one grand prize winner $100 worth of gift cards (you can enter the contest on Instagram here).

Thanks to the The Jones Assembly, Neighborhood JAM, S&B’s Burger Joint and Wheelhouse Pizza Kitchen for participating in this giveaway and for each generously donating a $25 gift card! Below, I’ve highlighted some of my favorite vegetarian dishes at each local eatery.

THE JONES ASSEMBLY - CACIO E PEPE

For the uninitiated, "Cacio e Pepe" means "cheese and pepper" in several central Italian dialects. As the name suggests, the ingredients of the dish are very simple and include only black pepper, Pecorino Romano cheese and pasta. When preparing the dish, some of the hot cooking water is left with the pasta; the heat melts the cheese, while the starches in the water help bind the pepper and cheese to the pasta. 

I honestly have never had Cacio e Pepe elsewhere, but I feel that the recipe at The Jones Assembly certainly does the dish justice. It's rich, it's simple and it's beautiful. Absolutely spot-on. Usually can't quite finish it, but I damn well try.

THE JONES ASSEMBLY - ELOTES PIZZA

Holy moly. This just might be my new favorite pizza! The Elotes Pizza at Jones comes with char-grilled corn, whipped goat cheese, chili powder, cilantro, jalapeño and chile lime aioli and is pure perfection. Super light too. Highly recommend! It’s available on both their lunch and dinner menus, btw.

NEIGHBORHOOD JAM - BREAKFAST TACOS

When I want something simple but hella delicious at JAM, I got for the Breakfast Tacos: three corn tortillas with scrambled eggs, guacamole, cotija cheese, crème fraîche, green chile hollandaise and pico for $9. Served with a dollop of pickled onions in the middle of the plate, these tacos are flavorful and much more filling than they appear. I added a side of black beans (I don't know what they do to these beans, but they're better than any other black beans) and ranchero sauce, because I famously like to cover everything in sauce. Seriously can’t go wrong with these!

NEIGHBORHOOD JAM - EGG SALAD SANDWICH

There’s just something so comforting about a classic Egg Salad Sandwich. JAM serves theirs quite traditionally, with just the right mix of mustard and mayo. It’s hard to pass up all the delicious breakfast offerings, but sometimes a tasty sandwich really hits the spot. Suggest adding a side salad or their incredible black beans!

S&B’S BURGER JOINT - THE FIRE BURGER

I’ve been eating at S&B’s for years, and what I like most about them is that they created a really great veggie burger and have stuck with it. It has fantastic flavor, is just the right combo of crispy and crumbly, and is available in both slider size and full-size. Can’t go wrong.

While they have tons of great options, I personally love The Fire Burger—roasted green chiles, sharp cheddar, fried onions & chipotle ranch (I sometimes add grilled mushrooms and avocado to it, too). There’s a bunch going on with this burger, but all the toppings work together to form one glorious production.

S&B’S BURGER JOINT - PEPPER JACK CHEESE CUBES

I’m a total sucker for fried cheese curds + tasty honey mustard, and this starter features both in spades. The honey mustard is house-made, and I like that S&B’s went with pepper jack rather than the Okie favorite of Watonga cheddar (adds a bit of a needed kick). Now to share or not to share…that’s the real question.

WHEELHOUSE PIZZA KITCHEN - MUSHROOM MOLLY

Please note that Wheelhouse Pizza Kitchen is permanently closed as of December 2018.

If the slices-of-the-day at Wheelhouse don’t pique your interest, then I highly suggest going for the 10” gluten free option. A go-to for me is the  Mushroom Molly: Parmesan white sauce, mushrooms, caramelized onions, spinach and herbed goat cheese. The crust is super light and crispy, and the pizza has a truly delicious and kinda decadent flavor. I can eat the whole thing and feel full but not stuffed. Definitely recommend!

WHEELHOUSE PIZZA KITCHEN - CHEESE PIZZA

Please note that Wheelhouse Pizza Kitchen is permanently closed as of December 2018.

Sometimes you just need plain ol’ cheese pizza in your life—and a slice of this childhood favorite at Wheelhouse won’t let you down. The crust is floppy-yet-crunchy (a very rare feat) and the price is pretty nice at $3.79. This slice combines three cheeses—brick cheese, romano and mozzarella—and even features some grated Parmesan sprinkles on top. The marinara sauce is fairly mild, so I suggest adding a side of it (or of their spicy vodka sauce) for dipping.