Been back to Scratch a few times since my original review, and I've not had a bad dish. Last night, I went with a couple of friends from school and we had the arancini for an appetizer, followed by steaks with mac n cheese and the veggie of the day, which was green beans with mushrooms and tomatoes. The arancini is served with roasted corn, green chiles, and a chipotle mole. It's a combination of the classic Italian rice ball with some great Mexican flavors. Loved the crispy rice ball with the rich mole sauce. To eat, I had the NY strip. It was prepared to a perfect medium rare, and the peppercorn brandy sauce is ridiculous. I could drink this stuff, it's peppery, but also smooth. Just a perfect balance of flavors and it goes very well with the spice crusted NY strip. The sides were winners as well. I couldn't believe how big the mac n cheese is. For $7, you get an enormous dish, there were three of us, we all had seconds, and we still didn't finish it. The topping is nice and crunchy, and there is a lot of pancetta. It adds a lot of flavor and some good crunch. Consistent and some great flavor combinations. Scratch hasn't let me down so far, a great addition to downtown Norman.
(5)
Anissa B.
I can't say enough good things about this place! Great service, amazing food. The Pancetta Mac n cheese is totally totally worth the extra $4. Also the spinach dip is amazing. The coffee encrusted pork is yummy as is the pancetta wrapped chicken. It's casual enough for jeans but also can be a nice anniversary place. We always make reservations so we don't have to wait but it's never crazy crowded. Love it and think everyone should try it!
(5)
Elizabeth J.
Continue to love this place. I think my friends are annoyed at me asking to go there so often. BUT SERIOUSLY. Our last experience was so nice. We were really just there to hang out, enjoy some drinks, and play Cards Against Humanity. I think we made friends with some of the waiters and bless them for putting up with us. We'll be back, with our card game.
I cannot say enough good things about Scratch. I've been there with friends several times and it is a great place. The atmosphere is lively and fun. The chocolate cake is really good, I've gotten it twice. They are very helpful if you have food allergies and need an item left off an entree. The staff is very attentive and friendly. We had Jackson as our waiter and he did a great job selecting cocktails for us to try out. The drinks were great. One of the great local places in Norman to grab dinner and drinks!
(5)
Christopher F.
The service is just too damned slow, and it's not the wait staff's fault. The food is so-so, but overpriced. And if you want to order a cocktail, try calling ahead before you leave. In fact, call the order in, then mow the lawn, take a shower, do your taxes, arrive at the restaurant, place your food order and then your drink MIGHT arrive in time for your dinner. But that's only because the kitchen is so slow to get food to the table. I've been to Scratch a number of times, because I thought they were going through growing pains and learning how to get their act together. But after a couple years, I will say now most of the food I've had there is overpriced and uninspired. The concept is very good and the decor is trendy and cool. The execution is just sorely lacking. But if you go, try the Caesar salad--it's large, with home-made croutons, the perfect amount of dressing, and then hit with some lemon zest that really makes it sing. It's one of the best Caesars I've ever had. Also, the mac and cheese is on the kid's menu and it's fantastic. Sprinkled throughout with crispy pancetta, you'll want to keep this one on the rotation. It's great for adults. My wife and I sometimes get a Caesar each and split the mac and cheese for a Sunday night dinner. Everything else is hum-drum. The bbq pulled pork sandwich is expensive and underperforms. Very little flavor. We like our meats smoked in Oklahoma, and this tastes boiled. The BLT has moments of greatness, but has a strange "whang" at the end. Brunch is pretty tasty, but save up for it. Without booze, two of you will still be out over $30. So for what you get, and for the college-town ambiance the place has, matched with very, very slow service, it's overpriced. And now for the craft cocktails. Hey, I'm all about the craft cocktail. But these take just too damned long to make, which backs up the bar and nobody can actually get more than one drink. Two drops of this, a fresh squeeze of that, three more drops of this other thing, then a wafting, a shake, a drizzle, a chant over it, dry aging, a steam, and then a smoke cleansing before the damned thing is Baptized and brought out to your table, only to find that you have paid the tab, had the drink removed from the order, and have arrived home and are halfway through movie night. Open letter to Scratch: speed up the bar and you will make more money. Your profits are in the alcohol. Open letter to Everyone Else: Take a pillow and a blanket. You're going to be there a while.
(2)
Eric S.
It's pretty good but the prices are not justified in my opinion. Worth going to every few months.
(4)
Lisa N.
When my husband and I went there on Sunday we had to wait 20 minutes. They only have one small seat inside so we had to stand outside and wait. Then it took 50 minutes to get our food. They did comp our bill, but I'm not sure if it was worth it. I personally didn't think the food was anything spectacular.
Absolutely love Scratch - great service and great food. Try their homemade ketchup and get a cocktail :)
(4)
Jennifer W.
A quaint place with gourmet quality food at a reasonable price. I had the filet, med rare, and it was cooked to perfection. The mash potatoes were absolutely heavenly! One of those "hole in the wall" places that's more like a "diamond in the rough". Their cocktail list is so expansive I just let the waiter pick for me. Telling him what I like, and I don't regret it one bit. It was exactly to my liking and not too weak or too strong. I will definitely be going there again! All this said, I should say it's not a place to plan to go take the family out to. The price is reasonable for the quality you're getting, but a little too pricey for a family outing. This is more the perfect place to take a date or spend an anniversary without the kids. It does have a kids menu, but unless your kid has a more refined palet than most it may be best to hold off for that special night.
(5)
J W.
For overpriced food, Admittedly good cocktails, but slow, slow service.
(2)
Amy M.
EVERYTHING made by "Scratch!" All condiments and sauces made in house, breads home baked fresh daily, meat butchered whole, local and organic vegetables & anything else on the menu home made! Nothing frozen, no preservatives, high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors! So hard to find such quality food in a restaurant setting. And I almost forgot the cocktails!! Fresh juice squeezed every morning and all syrups and house liquors made at the bar. Try this place for a quick $10 lunch, family dinner (great kids menu as well,) date night, live music on the patio, or their famous Saturday and Sunday brunch, you'll never go back!!
(5)
Michael A.
My wife enjoyed a nice date night dinner at Scratch. I ordered the hawaiian pulled pork sandwich that was both spicy and delicious. It came with a side of fries that were good but the only problem I had is that they have no ketchup. A bit odd but ok I guess. My wife had a salad and a side of mac and cheese. She enjoyed the salad and I had a bite of the mac and cheese. Super good. The drink selection was great and my wife enjoyed a few different cocktails. The prices were good for the quality. This might become my spot for drinks and appetizers.
(4)
Sydney M.
Everything (down to the ketchup and sauces) are made from scratch and are locally sourced. The food is mega delicious and fresh and you have to try one of their cocktails. Their cocktail menu is extensive and they have some of their own concoctions that are very good.
(5)
Julia M.
Such a hip, low-key artsy type of atmosphere. Several vegan options and local produce. Best veggie burger I've had in Oklahoma. Really awesome veggie quinoa bowl, too. And strong drink to boot! Love hanging out here.
(5)
Mary R.
Scratch has a great Sunday brunch. I have not had any other meals at Scratch but can vouch for the brunch. If you have a sweet tooth, order the Cinnamon Rum French Toast. The mimosas are fabulous as they include an orange liqueur in addition to champagne and orange juice.
(5)
Veronica F.
While the atmosphere, service, and music was wonderful, I just don't see myself coming here again. I give them a 3* rather than a 2* because it might be just me, but I didn't like the food (and the prices were a bit steep). We gave a quick glance at the cocktail list, but quickly decided against it since the most frugal we were allowed to be was an average of $9.50. For dinner, I decided to go for the Smoked BLT on Sourdough with thick cut bacon. The menu mentioned that you could get avocado instead of bacon at no additional charge, so I asked about adding avocado to my sandwich. A dolla fiddy! Really? For that price I could buy two of my own whole avocados! Pack a paring knife, and I'd be good to go. My boyfriend asked if I wanted to swap halves of our sandwiches, but I declined since his order (the grass-fed flank steak on whole wheat hoagie) didn't whet my appetite. I took three bites of my sandwich before deciding to go ahead and take up his offer to swap; the bacon was just really hard to get a bite of - not really chewy, but not soft either. BF said the the flank was cooked well; I almost couldn't swallow it. After three bites of his and another bite of mine, I decided I just didn't want anymore sandwiches. Luckily, we had also ordered the vegetable side of the day (asparagus, red pepper, and broccolettes). They were yummy, but not worth $6. If only there had been more veggies. One of the pros about this restaurant, though it doesn't affect me much, is that they are pretty Gluten-free and vegetarian friendly. Our waiter provided excellent service, especially considering that he had only been there a week. He asked me halfway through how I liked everything, and I honestly replied that I did not like either sandwich. He apologized and informed me that he had to let the manager know. When the manager came by our table, he apologized that I wasn't completely happy with my dining experience, and said that they had taken my sandwich off our ticket Even without my sandwich, our bill was $20 before tip.
(3)
Nick N.
Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Decor & Style: 5/5 Only been here once but the first impression was excellent. Tried the Veggie Quinoa Bowl (SPICY TOMATO SAUCE, FRESH VEGETABLES // VEGAN). This dish was very flavorful! I even enjoyed the broccoli in it and wanted to lick the dish clean. It is very hard to make flavorful Quinoa but the tomato based sauce made up for it. I am definitely coming here again just for this dish. Decor was very nice; bricked walls, gray pillars, wooden tables, and a contemporary look all around. Service was great. She was a little too nice! Was here for lunch but it looks like a trendy bar at night. Will be back for lunch and a night out.
(5)
Brennah J.
I was excited to try scratch at first, but now having gone, I won't recomend going here. While they did have food to accommodate my eating needs, the quality was subpar. For a fifteen dollar burger I expect my money's worth and didn't feel like I got it, it was dry, and favor less. On a good note, the side of vegetables I ordered was excellent. The service was okay up until our server implied that we didn't look like we could afford our meal. Overall it's a trendy atmosphere, nice location, but food that doesn't deliver. I won't be going back.
(2)
Levi B.
Food was good, service was poor, we had brunch, first the coffee came out cold had to get a fresh cup, the food was really good, if you use sugar substitute they only have trulia, at the end it took forever to get the meal paid for, our waitress was terrible.
(2)
Stacy J.
Everything was so great and made from scratch! Our server Christina was super helpful about what to order. We loved the artichoke dip and southwest salad to start. The pancetta wrapped chicken and veggies were incredible. Great atmosphere. Try this place!
(5)
Martin H.
Don't come on busy nights because the restaurant can't handle the crowds.The food is generally great,but i find table service really pretty poor.I suggest if you can sit at the bar where the service is the best.I wouldn't post comment like this if this hasn't been an ongoing problem.I hate to drive to OKC for dinner...Maybe this is just a problem when you live in a college town....They mix the best cocktails in town and have a good wines by the glass list , but they hire inexperience college waitstaff for the tables...
(3)
John W.
Simply put, this was one of the best meals I've had. The service was impeccable, and the ambiance superb. Highly recommended to anyone in Norman.
(5)
Jennifer A.
Went for brunch and loved it. The vegetarian eggs Benedict were fantastic and the biscuits...oh my!
(5)
Tiffany W.
I give 5 stars because we need more restaurants like this on Oklahoma in general. I am very pleased with this place. I love their drink, Sooner Cobbler. I am IN LOVE with their pork mac and cheese!! Our waiter was so great!! I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Lindsey E.
Have been here for Brunch before, but decided to try it out for dinner. Original, creative cocktails, and great atmosphere for a date night. We split the peppercorn NY Strip and the coffee encrusted pork tenderloin. Phenomenal to say the least, and the service was superb. We will be back!
(5)
Allison G.
Great cocktails and great, high quality, locally sourced (I think) food all made in house- hence the name "Scratch". So glad Norman has this kind of dining option since normally is so heavy on the crap chain-restaurants that line Ed Noble Pkwy, etc.
(5)
John H.
Let me start by saying that Scratch has great cocktails and a great atmosphere. I'm just not sure that I their food is as good as I want it to be. I had the pork tenderloin and please don't take this as complaining because it was ok...but it was just ok. I just feel like it should have been a little better, and that was essentially my wife's take as well on what she had. I do want to say that the bread budding my wife ordered for desert was EXCELLENT! So I think this would be a great place for desert and cocktails, but just maybe not the best place for a nice dinner which is what they are trying to be.
Things I love about Scratch: -the cocktails are amazing, I love the Sparrow Bee -the French fries and spicy ketchup are the best -they cook meat and fish perfectly to my taste -they serve great coffee -the vegetable sides are fresh and flavorful -the flank steak is always delicious -the house salad is filling and makes me feel like I'm eating something healthy Things I don't like about Scratch: -the water glasses are too small -there is no ice in the water -they serve cucumber water -sometimes there is a long wait on cocktails and food It can be expensive, but to me it's worth it to pay for great quality product. Something is obviously not perfect about their business plan because so many people just aren't appreciating Scratch for what it is. The very first time I went to Scratch, there was some confusion about the special. The chef came out to talk to me and ended up making me a salmon dish that wasn't on the menu. It was the most perfectly cooked piece of salmon I have ever had anywhere! (I've eaten at some great restaurants!) I love and appreciate what Scratch is trying to do. I will continue to eat and drink here and support them in living up to their full potential.
(4)
Destiny S.
This place is absolutely amazing! great food, great atmosphere, great cocktails, there was nothing about this place that wasn't top notch!
(5)
Tina B.
Today I wanted to try a new place to eat lunch and decided on Scratch. They boast fresh food and scratch made drinks. I enjoyed the veggies & quinoa and had a seasonal sangria but for the price, I'm not sure it was worth it.
(3)
Lynn L.
Perfect lunch today at Scratch! Definitely a yes, go! Veggie burger as flavorful as any I have ever had. French fries, thin, crisp.
(5)
Samantha C.
I've left bad reviews of this place in the past but just recently gave it another chance and really liked it. Amazing cocktails, good service, and the food was finally good...had a burger and fries.
(4)
Richard C.
This place is a hidden gem in Norman. From the craft cocktails to the specials, everything is made here. We had the pork chop special, flank steak, lamb, and the pancetta chicken, all we're spectacular. We are foodies from OKC, but will definitely come to Norman again for this. Very similar food and atmosphere to Ludivine.
(5)
William P.
I ate there the other day ......you would not know they were open from the street,,,,,the food was very good,,,as were the drinks and desserts,,,,would recommend this place in a heart beat
(5)
Lance V.
We have been to Scratch a number of times, almost every time we visit Norman. Food is always very good. That is, if you can actually get some food.... Went for brunch with family today and had a horrible service experience. The first service nightmare warning sign was the 10-15 minute wait for a table, while half the tables in the restaurant were empty. Finally, on to a table. Where's the waitress? Oh, there she is 10 minutes later. Water, tea and coffee brought reasonably soon after beverage order placed. Okay, we decided what we all want to order for food about 15 minutes ago. Is our waitress on another coffee break? Finally stops by table, and wonders if we are ready to order. Well, I better order pretty quickly or I'm going to hit retirement age and you'll have to give me an AARP discount! Order placed. Fast forward one hour, yes one hour. "We are short people in the Kitchen, I'm really sorry". "Your order will be out soon, wait it could be more like 10-15 minutes". Shortly thereafter manager comes out with different story, "somehow your order got screwed up in the system, we will get right on it. I'm taking 50% off your bill". Seems to me you should be paying me to eat here at this point. and given different stories, somebody's lying. 10 minutes later food comes out to the table next to us that came in at least 30 minutes after. We get up and walk. If you don't have 3 hours for a meal, you should probably avoid Scratch. Dear Scratch, please hire some adult supervision.
(1)
Nicole L.
This is an updated review (though my previous post was also quite positive). DOG FRIENDLY PATIO! Just went here last night with my guy and our puppy - they were so welcoming and even brought our pup a big bowl of water without me even needing to request it! Their patio is charming and perfect for outside dining here! I especially loved that we were far from forgotten (which can happen when you choose patio seating). Their mac 'n cheese is heavenly! A must-order! I've had lots of items on their menu and have never not liked a dish or a drink. This place is a solid choice when in Norman and wanting to eat local and fresh!
(5)
Kevin G.
I frequent this place, and it never disappoints. The menu, atmosphere, and cocktails are always on point, but recent renovations and an updated menu has pushed Scratch to the top of the list as far as go-to dinner locations are concerned. I mostly go for dinner, but their lunch specials are also pretty delicious. The waitstaff is pretty friendly and super helfpul, too, and the bartenders know their stuff. All in all, Scratch is an excellent dining destination.
(5)
Theresa J.
Wow! The food is great, the service was excellent, cocktails are on trend, and love the atmosphere! So glad Norman has this little gem. :-)
(5)
Jenni S.
Just came across this place today on an excursion to Norman with a girlfriend. I thought the place looked intriguing and cute so we decided to give it a try. And it was a pleasant surprise! The waitstaff was super friendly and the drink menu was adorable. I ordered the French 75 for my drink and it was fabulous, not over-syruped like you can get at other places that try and do these old school, super trendy drinks. For lunch I had the small caesar salad and the side of mac & cheese. Both were larger than what I would call a small or side, but that was alright by me. The caesar salad was amazing with homemade dressing and orange zest which I have never had on a salad before and I found to be absolutely delicious. Everyone should do this on their caesar salads. The mac & cheese was alright, but I would have to recommend that they lighten up on the bread crumb crust. When you put too much on it dries out the pasta and no one wants dry mac & cheese. But the pancetta was a fantastic addition. Overall it was wonderful and I would recommend this place to anyone that is venturing to Norman for the day or lives there and is looking for a upscale place to have lunch. I will definitely be going back the next time I am in town.
(4)
Toi K.
This was my first time here and I wasn't impressed. Everything we ordered took forever from the drinks to the food. When the food finally came it was good but the poor service offset the taste for me. Our waitress was not attentive at all. My southwest salad was 99 percent lettuce and 1 percent veggies. My daughter got a burger asked for ketchup and had half the buyer eaten before she was brought a tiny bowl of ketchup. It was way too loud for conversation without talking loudly and having to as people to repeat what they said. Overall let down for our group of people.
(1)
Courtney S.
The food here is pretty awesome! Everything is made from scratch, hence the name, and it all absolutely delicious. I went with a group of girlfriends, one of whom has a gluten allergy, and not only were there PLENTY of gluten-free options, they were all seriously delicious. We started with the sweet potato gnocchi (which I could have eaten LOADS of it was so good) and some cocktails. All their cocktails are made from scratch as well...they make all their own juices, bitters, and syrups! I had the Of the Older Fashioned, which was super yummy. I tried to drink my whiskey neat, so am always apprehensive of additives, but this was really delicious, without being overly sweet. For my main course, I had the flank steak, which was absolutely perfectly cooked and incredibly tender. We had the fresh veggies as well as the sauteed broccolini as sides. They were fabulous as well! I had a bite of their moonshine apple pie as well, which was a party for my tastebuds. It melted in my mouth! I've heard wonderful things about their brunch, and can't wait to try that next!
(5)
Scarlet L.
Yes. It was A-OK restaurant. The cocktails was good, but nothing was like "WOW". I like the idea of the restaurant to cook everything from scracth. But overall, I think they do need to work a lot harder with the details of the food. Let's start with the appetizers: I like crab and quinoa. But the quinoa crab cake was not a good combo. It was pretty dry. There was not a lot of crab and I couldn't taste the crab. The spinach and arugula was actually better than the crab cake. Chicken legs were OK...like Buffalo Wild Wings Smoke salmon cups was again: too dry...It needs some kick out of it. The creme cheese was good. Other than that, it didn't leave me any memories. OK....quite a disappointing start...honestly... However, The entree was better with a rack of lamb and the grass-feed flank steak. Anyway, if you have a good fresh cut of meat...just some sea salt and pepper...you can make a fabulous dinner already...So I have to admit the the flank steak cut was fresh. The lamb was pretty good but their tomato sauce was A-OK....It does need some kick with some wine, spices, garlic, butter (in my opinion). It was not that polished. The sides was decent, especially with the roasted broccolini. Herbed potato au gratin was basically baked harsh-brown... Anyway, I enjoyed the dinner with good company...and any A-OK good can taste better with a glass of wine...
(3)
Nicole B.
Although everything appears to be made from Scratch. The food was bland and flavorless. We had the tenderloin eggs bennadict with chipotle hollandaise and the scratch burger. We also had the crab cakes and tried 3 different cocktails. Far too expensive to not be very good. Extremely over priced. The food tasted like it was prepared by a home cook with fair cooking skills. Apparently they don't season anything. Our server Mandy, was very helpful, cheerful and informative but did mention she had only been there for 3 days. The building was beautiful and the setting was super cute. Crab cakes were bland and tiny with a $14 price tag. Pretty much the only thing we enjoyed was the fresh fruit that was complimentary and the French fries. The homemade ketchup was okay but frankly I've had better tasting burgers and ketchup at Wattaburger! If you like fresh ingredients but have no taste buds this is the place for you. Don't be fooled by the reviews stating that this place has good cocktails. The cocktails were average at best and very small with an inflated price. The steak was a cheap cut of meat and was flavorless. We will not be going back unless they fire their chief and completely revamp the menu. We were very excited to try Scratch out and very disappointed with the food and drinks.
(2)
Sarah M.
Only thing I can say about this place is that it is inconsistent. Order the same dish on 2 different days and get 2 plates of wildly different quality. Pretty expensive menu and not a lot of options. Some of the cocktails are good but the wine pours are, like the food, very inconsistent. Desserts are okay but the house made ice cream is not good at all. The recipe is far too dense and overly sweet. Only 1 vegetarian dish. Not satisfying. Save your money go elsewhere!
(3)
l k.
Exterior, advertising, drinks menu, spiffy dressed staff...all are stylish and sophisticated like a trendy SF up and coming hotspot. These things are good. Unfortunately, falls down and skins its knees on the interior decor. Please paint the grey swirls away (for the love of all that is holy). Please discretely dispose of the decor in the bathroom. Please update the ceiling fans ( modernfan.com , bigassfans.com ). Please either strip the black chairs or paint the plain ones. Staff was fantastically friendly. The eggs Benedict were ridiculously good. The exterior really is beautiful. Now take the final step bringing the interiors up to snuff with the rest of your awesomeness. You're almost there! (I wouldn't normally critique the decor if the food is good, but Scratch is most definitely presenting itself as a hip alternative to the surroundings, so the details of that presentation become open for review.)
(3)
Michael M.
Scratch is an extraordinary restaurant equal to any place in LA or New York. They really understand food here and use fresh local ingredients to create memorable dishes. Their herbed potato au gratin might be the best potatoes I've had. Ever. The coffee-encrusted roasted pork tenderloin was something I'll be craving again and again. We had excellent service. And martinis. Worth a trip and watch for their second branch opening in OKC soon.
(5)
Connie M.
Ok so I was very excited about this new edition to Norman but honestly the service was awful and the food-well I could have made it better at home. I got the flank steak because they were out of salmon and my hubby got the coffee crusted pork tenderloin. Steak was fatty and pork was so peppery. They brought out half of our order. $80 later not a happy camper. Will be not be back
(2)
Maggie C.
Delicious! Can't wait to eat there again. Try the Sakura cocktail.
(5)
Brekke P.
Strange service. Real chatty waitress at first then gone. Entrees do NOT come with sides and are real pricey. If you don't cook it is probably really cool, however if you do don't bother eating. ... Have a beverage! Trendy but not fun. Great at on the wall though.
(1)
Kalani L.
The food is pretty good (if not a bit expensive) but they also serve cucumber water and that's just not what I'm about
(3)
Heather O.
Excellent cocktails! Salad was just average. 4 tasteless shrimp added for $7.00. Asked for some bread and it was sandwich buns??!!!
(4)
Sue K.
We went to this restaurant simply because we drove by and noticed it. Wow! We were in for a real treat. The old building with exposed bricks adds a delightful ambiance. For older folks like me, it became a little hard to hear when the place got busy. The real surprise was the food. Everything is made from scratch using the freshest ingredients. I am highly allergic to alcohol so I had to order my rack of lamb without its usual sauce. The waitress informed us most of their dishes are cooked in wine but they were happy to accommodate me. It was amazingly delicious. My partner had the Pancetta chicken and it was incredible! Seriously, this food was worth the higher price we paid. I highly recommend this place. This was truly fine dining!
(5)
Megan D.
Excellent service, concept, atmosphere and food. One of my new favorite places! Do not miss the angus filet... So good!
(5)
J Jason B.
My dad took us here for my birthday. I didn't hate it but I felt bad for Dad, who probably hoped for more than a $14 flank steak flopped on a plain white room temperature plate. Even if he didn't, I was still embarrassed for him. It says quite clearly on the menu if you want a side like mac n' cheese it will be $7 extra, but at least throw a brotha' a piece of kale garnish or something! I had something parmigiana, which was okay, lacked zing. My girlfriend had a veggie BLT type sandwich with a tomato chutney or something that we all agreed was a fantastic sauce. Yes, in hindsight I guess it wasn't an awesome meal if all we could rave about was GF's sandwich sauce... Ambience also left a lot to be desired, that place is a noisy barn. When I pay what they charge for a meal I expect a lot more than thoughtfully sourced ingredients. I want garnish, nice flatware, and a few plush objects placed thoughtfully around the space to knock down some of the sound waves. Conversation is not impossible with a good amount of effort put into speaking loud and clearly, and pointing your ear toward whoever is talking. Dessert I hear is fantastic but they were out so...that sucks. Did I mention it was my birthday? Cocktails were, without exception, fantastic. The bar was done by an expert. They have at their disposal a fabulous selection of spirits and mixers. Their house cocktails are intriguing and tasty and include geeky classics, popular exotics, and original twists. I keep saying I'm going to go back and work my way through the rest of the list, but honestly it's been 3 months and I haven't found an excuse to get back here :( C'est la vie.
(3)
Brad K.
Scratch is the best thing to come to Norman in a very long time. The waitstaff is so friendly and helpful. The food wafts with aromas. The cocktails blow your mind. We have tried the steak, lamb, salmon and sides like shoestring potatoes, mac and cheese, Caesar salad, etc. and all of them have been prepared with subtlety and care. They call their cocktails, craft cocktails, and that's because each one is concocted like a work of art. They are both a beauty to behold and to savor. Scratch is the real thing - good food, good service and drinks to match.
(5)
Joy M.
I was on a liquid diet for most of the afternoon to late evening on a lovely Friday. So, in classic Joy fashion, I drove from my work summer party to Norman just to kick it with a buddy of mine I hadn't seen in ages. I suggested Scratch because it's new and I wanted to try a couple of their side dishes. I ended up ordering a chicken ceasar salad and shoe string fries. Wa wahhhh. I guess the liquid diet wanted less of the good stuff! Cocktails? You betcha I had one! We both ordered something with absinthe. I can't for the life of me remember the names, but mine was fizzy and maybe called Death In The Afteroon. My friend ordered Sazerac (I think) and the absinthe was poured more on the heavy side. The dim lighting prevented me from taking pictures. Atmosphere = a mix of hipster meets dark gastro pub. The bathrooms are located next to the kitchen without a separating wall. You get to see the chefs and wait staff in action if you have to wait. Food? The dressing on the salad is light and refreshing. Standard garlic and anchovie flavors were not very prevalent, which might be good thing for those who typically don't like ceasars.. Fries were my fav- super crispy and thin with just enough seasoning. Easily sharable and I image it working great with a cold brew!!
(3)
Margaret R.
The four of us that went to lunch at Scratch really liked the food that we had, so I'm a bit perplexed about the other reviews of this place. Our service was very good and with the understanding that Scratch actually makes things from scratch, I was prepared to wait, but it didn't really seem to take all that long. We started with the sweet potato gnocch which had the tine marks of the fork when they were made and it comes with a great tomato sauce. The french onion soup was not like any other french onion soup I've had. It was so rich with the carmalized onions and port, it could really be a sauce for a steak. It came with a little crostini which had a bit of cheese on top and it could have been a bigger piece of bread to help mop up the lovely soup, but I can't complain about the flavor. The side of mac and cheese was big enough for 4 people. It was creamy and rich with little cubes of crisp pancetta on top. The side of broccolini and asparagus had thinly sliced roasted red bell pepper which made it a tasty and pretty plate. I had heard that the BLT was very good and I don't usually go out and order a sandwich at a place like this, but the apple brandy tomato relish and the thick toasted sourdough bread just aren't things I keep around my house. The thick peppered bacon was very good and we asked for avocado to be added to it so it was hearty and filling. The cocktails are all hand crafted with freshly made juices and are a real treat. I had a bellini since I love St Germaine and it was made with peach puree, sparkling wine and bitters. Yum. We shared a slice of the moonshine apple pie, which is just loaded with apples. It was not the sweet and sticky type of apple pie so it suited me perfectly. I do have to say that I hate hard chairs, so I asked to sit against the wall where there is a padded bench. I thought everyone in the restaurant business knew that the way to turn tables quickly was to have uncomfortable seating and I don't think this is that type of restaurant.
(4)
Jonathan F.
am very happy to have this place in norman! it's style and service is a perfect fit for the downtown arts district and is quickly growing in popularity. i went the second night they were open and the service was a little rough, but i've been here 7-8 times since and it's been perfect every time. my favorite lunch item is the blt. the bacon is amazing the way they prepare it and the bread is thick and cushiony with a great crisp on the outside. for dinner i love the flank steak. the mac and cheese is great side to split (or go like me and refuse to share with anyone!) trey is almost always at the bar (glasses and fedora) and does a great job, and the owner has been here every time i've come in ensuring quality control! norman should be happy to have this place for sure!!!
(5)
Teddy Jack E.
I've been back to Scratch a number of times since I first left a negative review. In shirt it's completely transformed. The drinks are probably the best in town and the food is excellent. Go.
(4)
Melissa S.
I'm so glad that Scratch is on the Norman restaurant scene. I think the more places like this that open up will just elevate our whole dining world in Norman beyond the chains of I-35. They've got a little work to do on the food, which is totally respectable for a brand-new restaurant. I'm sure they will work out the kinks. They are really working on being a force in the cocktail world, and I hope that their list grows beyond the 6-8 drinks currently listed. I tried the Sooner Cobbler which was very refreshing. The Whiskey Sour on the other hand, is the greatest Whiskey Sour you will ever have. I will be returning for that drink soon. Good luck Scratch!
(3)
Ridge D.
Its a good, it's semi-unique, but it can use some improvement. The service was not very fast which was surprising considering the were the only one of two tables there and there were two waitresses. I'll echo what the other reviews said about this place being to hipster. But to be real, this is Norman. I hope they do something about improving the service and possibly changing the menu to include more uhhhhhh...non-explanation necessary options.
(4)
David K.
3rd try is a charm. Dig their take on French toast for brunch. Kyle Reid playing in the background live is a nice touch. The Old Fashion was decent as well...
(3)
Justin S.
Atmosphere is a little too DIY but I love the Keisha Register photos on the walls. Appetizers/sides are great, with large portion sizes. The entrees were good, but didn't come with sides which definitely pumps up your check. Cocktails are excellent and strong, but very small and pricey, around $8 for a 8 oz cocktail. Overall I like this restaurant and will go here a few times a year, but it is a tad pricey it won't be in my regular rotation. I like some of the interesting food pairings. Get the chicken sandwich, it's very good.
(3)
Jason H.
Trendy, loud, slow (it took 50 minutes for flank steak and pasta). I don't plan on EVER returning.
(1)
Constant C.
Maybe we had a lucky night the one time I've been, but all 6 of us were duly impressed. The mixed drinks were interesting and tasty to start things out with. We ordered to share (with plenty of GF options) so we each ordered something different: 2 flank steaks, lamb, fish, pork tenderloin and filet of beef. The pork and lamb won the taste competition unanimously. For sides we all split a shoestring fry (fantastic and more than enough for all), mac and cheese my fellow diners carried on over, and broccolini/asparagus, which was just okay. Our waitress couldn't have been sweeter and professionally attentive. Sure it was a little pricier than a chain, but the meats are all quality meats, the sauces are made in house, and that does not come cheap. I'll be back when I'm back in town.
(3)
Matt M.
Best restaurant in Norman. Cocktail program and food menu are as close to Brooklyn (my adopted home) as Norman (my childhood home) gets. 5 stars in OK but deserving of 4 stars in Brooklyn. Prices are a bit higher than a typical Norman restaurant. Cocktail program has a lengthy list of the classics but also an adopted list with a few unique additions. One cocktail included a brown buttered spirit in homage of Eben Freeman, my favorite barman in NYC. Food was cocked perfectly. Ordered the lamb medium rare - it came medium rare! Pork tenderloin had a delicious peppery bark. Sides were very rich but delicious (we had the Mac & cheese and potatoes au gratin). Service was friendly but perhaps a bit too casual.
(5)
Michelle G.
This is one of my favorite places for dinner in Norman. The staff is incredibly friendly, and the food is consistently delicious and fresh. The house salad is absolutely amazing, and the quinoa and veggie bowl is my new go to comfort food. I usually go early in the evenings and it is quiet, and relaxed. My 3 year old son requests this for our dining out night every time.
(5)
Jessica W.
Excellent service and good ambiance, but the food is overpriced for what you get. The crusted portabello in my portabello vegetarian pasta was excellent, but it was accompanied by an underwhelming little pile of bland rigatoni. No veggies in the pasta, no cheese, very little sauce, and no spices, apparently. It was a pretty disappointing meal once I got past the mushroom. What's up with the segregated vegetarian/non-vegetarian menus? Just add the veggie options to the regular menu--they're not contagious, you know. And vegetarians tend to be pretty good at reading descriptions and identifying animal parts.
(3)
Karin M.
I love a good local restaurant so I was super excited that Scratch was an option for brunch today! My buddy and I got there just before noon as we were on table lockdown duty. That was accomplished very easily, since the place was virtually empty (red flag). We were seated next to a beautiful art installation and surrounded by the ugliest faux painted pillars you could imagine. The chairs were a mismatch of random home dining room styles, it was cute without being kitschy, but the tables look like they were purchased at a fire sale from a Sizzler that had closed its doors. So cheap and boring and ugly. It looked like someone who had been to lots of really beautiful, clean, modern restaurants and tried to recreate it, but lacked the talent and budget to execute. We ordered drinks promptly, they had my summer crush a Hemingway, and settled in to wait for our friends|drinks. And then we waited some more. And then a little while more. Finally our drinks arrived, and they were wonderful. My drink was excellent, I could have had a thousand, though at $8 a pop I would have gone bankrupt long before then. Personally I wouldn't have served it in a martini glass, but I'm not going to knock them for that. My buddy got the Sooner Cobbler and while he liked it, it wasn't what he expected. It's supposed to have blackberries in it, per the menu description and it didn't. I'm sure they were originally shaken in the drink and then strained out or some such thing, but what they advertised wasn't what was served. Our friends arrived shortly got settled in with their babies and such and ordered drinks. There were some bellinis, a beer, a couple of mimosas and a few more Sooner Cobblers ordered. And here is where the wheels fell off. The drinks took so long. We are all great friends and haven't brunched in a while so we were very excited and happy to be with each other and even with the happiness that comes with being with your friends we were all getting agitated with how long it was taking. The drinks started to trickle in one or two at a time. The excuses for why they weren't coming deluged us. There is only one bartender. He's making the drinks in the order they come in. We make our own puree and we are out. One of our dining companions waited 30+ minutes for a drink. Another friend actually cancelled the drink as it hadn't come before our plates were cleared. Yes, you read that right. She ordered a bellini and it didn't come until after we ordered, were served, ate & had our table bussed. Our server actually came by with more excuses late in the meal and our friend told her not to even worry about it anymore. We were almost done eating and there was no point. Whilst waiting for our tabs two bellinis showed up so she and her husband drank them. They were room temperature, texturally off and didn't taste good. Back to our friends settling in: We ordered, a not so painless process. Someone wanted to sub bacon for sausage and was told Scratch doesn't do substitutions, le sigh. I'm not sure if the food came out in a timely manner, at that point we were all so bothered by the drink situation, as some people still hadn't gotten theirs, that we had lost any sense of what was an appropriate wait time. It didn't seem too long for the food, but we may have just been desensitized at that point. I ordered the migas. It was a lovely portion, looked pretty on the plate and tasted great! My buddy got the cinnamon toast and really liked it. My neighbor got the eggs benedict, which I had seen a picture of. I thought it was odd that the picture showed a trio of bennies and she was only served two, but I was deeply disturbed by how brown her potatoes were. Not like they had been overcooked, rather that someone had peeled and grated this potato yesterday and it had browned overnight. Extremely unappealing. She liked hers save for the pounds of arugula she had to wade through. Someone made the mistake of ordering the quinoa crabcakes. Which should be called cold quinoa cakes. Another tablemate ordered the 3 egg plate the eggs were poached pretty nicely, a hair over, but 99% well cooked, so bravo to that! It came with a protein and a side of toast that didn't actually make it to the table until it was requested. Our service was abominable. Having spent far too many years on 2.13 + tips I totally get what the job is. Our server didn't. She continually made excuses for how long the drinks were taking. Don't make excuses, don't place blame; just apologize and fix it. If you can't fix it get your manager on it. She actually went from being inept to rude by the end of the meal, which is inexcusable. She also charged my friend for the bellini that she canceled and the Sooner Cobbler that took 30+ minutes to make. We never got a table visit from management despite the issues we were having. It was a sour experience. I hope they get an experienced manager in there to work these issues out.
(2)
Amanda C.
Finally made it here. Not sure what took me so long. I cannot wait to come back. I love to taste food as opposed to the preservatives. The staff were wonderful, ambience was relaxing, food was fabulous.
(5)
Wesley J.
This place has got some issues to work out. I tried to have dinner there Saturday and every else in my party received their food except me. Thought it would be coming out but come to find out later that they were out of my choice. Probably will not be going back.
(1)
Elise P.
Gave this place another try and still feel pretty much the same. This time I sat at the bar and there were definitely some improvements though. First, the bartenders were great. They were friendly and informative, without being overbearing or intrusive on conversation. While the cocktails do take a little while to make, it's because they're really intricate. Perhaps a touch too intricate, but they were delicious. I suggest the Sooner Cobbler, The Sparrow Bee, or the Old Fashioned. Second, there were more people in the restaurant, which improved the ambiance. It still comes off a bit stiff and too bare, but with more people it wasn't as quiet or awkward. However, the food still didn't seem to wow. I had the salmon cups appetizer and it was a touch under "ok." You get three big "cups," which are strange cracker-like vessels for a large portion of herbed cream cheese, a decent serving of slightly-overcooked salmon, a touch of a sriracha-like sauce and a little bit of avocado. But the cracker was pretty stale and flavorless. And the amount of cream cheese was overbearing. It would be much better as a smoked salmon appetizer on a crostini or something. Since their menu is fairly small, there just weren't a lot of appetizers that made me want to stay at the bar for more drinks. If this place could switch to separate lunch & dinner menus, adding more small plates to keep bar patrons, I think it could do well. But there are still kinks to be worked out. I would go back for drinks, but I'd be careful not to go hungry (though I'll still give dinner a chance at some point).
(3)
B K.
The service is the best thing this place has going for it. The cocktail menu is fun and something Norman could use more of. The food is very mediocre. We've given it a few chances for dinner and most everything is pretty bland, especially for the price. I recommend going for drinks and a variety of apps and sides (you can't screw up Mac n cheese). The flank steak sandwich and roasted veggies are probably the best things we've ordered. Definitely avoid the quinoa crab cakes- more like quinoa cakes. Also, for beer, they only serve local which isn't terrible unless you want more than a couple.
(3)
C G.
one of our favorite places in Norman. Unbelievable craft cocktails. sometimes I feel they get a little heavy handed with their awesome bitters but that is a nit. you will have drinks here that you will find nowhere else. Food is very tasty! If you are ordering steak, surprisingly, go with the flank over the mignon. The best thing on the menu is the PANCETTA WRAPPED CHICKEN BREAST // BASIL, SUN-DRIED TOMATO, PARMESAN, THYME PAN JUS. However, some nights they offer a "cut" special - a special beef cut- and always get that but they don't offer it as much as they used to. I have been here many times and never disappointed. Make sure you check out the two walls of photograph portraits. If you want the table that is a little elevated over the other tables , ask for Table 100. The do have a patio that we have not been able to sit on due to weather but can't wait for it!
(4)
Kristen R.
A much needed restaurant in a slowly changing market. The menu items have unique flavors, such as the lemon/lime/rosemary infused water and the ALT (avocado, lettuce, tomato) sandwich with herbs I still haven't figured out but that are delicious. The quinoa crab cakes are brilliant. The decor is a little more upscale than casual, and the art decorating the walls is by local artists. The service is incredibly friendly, and they even have a vegetarian/vegan menu that is provided upon request. Can't wait to try their brunch menu.
(5)
Jennifer S.
Food isn't great. Sauces and fries are excellent. Server brought us the wrong entree and a drink we didn't order, but did have to pay for. Not a great night, and the bill was breathtaking.
(2)
Blayke H.
Went on a Monday. It was not crowded, which was nice. The photography installation of The Wallpaper Project (which I like), was a bad choice because it feels like 100 hipsters are staring at you while you eat. My wife ordered a glass of wine, and I ordered their version of an Old Fashioned. The wine was meh, and the old fashioned tasted like it was mixed by someone who had read about alcoholic beverages, but had never actually consumed or made one before. Overpriced at 8$. We got an appetizer, The artichoke dip, which is served cold, bland, and with wheat-pita that tastes like sawdust. Surprised to find that the entrees are in the 12-20+$ range and come alone. No sides. Sides can be ordered, but are overportioned and 6-7$ apiece for them, so your 14$ meal just became a 21$ meal. If you want. I ordered the flank steak, and my wife ordered the chicken breast. Hers was mediocre at best, and not worth 14$, especially with no sides. The flank steak was tiny, and precut (which annoys me because I'm an adult and can cut my own steak thankyouverymuchmom) which is only done as an illusion to make it look bigger. It was seasoned with what can only be described as black pepper and Lowry's. I seriously had a steak that tasted identical to that at Waffle House once while I was hung over. We decided to share a side and got the Au Gratin potatoes. They were incredibly bland, and tasted like no one had bothered to wash them off or even peel them, so they tasted almost raw and a bit like dirt. I informed one of the staff and all she said was "Sorry. Can I get you something else?" No offer to take it off the ticket or comp me a dessert or anything. That being the standard industry wide. So I asked for a to go box thinking at least my dog will like it. When we got the ticket, they had removed the items off of the ticket, so I felt a little bad about getting the to go box, but no one explained that they were going to do that so I don't feel that bad. The waitress we had was very nice, if not a little inexperienced. ALL of the waitstaff looked like they were asked when they got hired, "Can you dress like a hipster? Good that's your uniform." I tipped pretty well, but 2 drinks, one appetizer, and 1 entree still cost me 50$ We had to go somewhere else afterwards to get me something I could eat. Great way to spend my birthday :( Run away. Run like zombie sharks are after you.
(1)
Konrad R.
We were out here visiting my parents for Christmas, and were thrilled to discover that Norman has a cocktail bar, and a good one at that. We wound up going here three times during our visit--twice for cocktails and once for dinner (and cocktails). Each visit was terrific. The bartenders were very friendly and knowledgable, and every cocktail we had was well done and reasonably priced (ask for a Captain Truman). Dinner was wonderful; my steak was easily the best I've eaten since I was in Chile, and the au gratin potatoes were flavorful and creamy, while simultaneously not too filling. I have no idea how anyone could think they were underwhelming. My partner had the pancetta-wrapped chicken, which he says was wonderful (I was too full of steak to eat any). Serving sizes were reasonable for the price (unless you're used to Golden Corral). The decor was modern and hip without being too overbearing, as was the music. Our service was very friendly and didn't rush us ( we stayed for nearly two hours)--why go to a restaurant like this if you want to rush your meal? (That's what Arby's is for.) I really can't say enough good things about this place; it's comparable to any of the places we've been in DC, where we live, except cheaper. Really hoping this place lasts, because it's something to look forward to when I visit my parents.
(5)
Sharon W.
I wish my chicken legs were quite a bit warmer. The cocktails were fantastic. Would like to try it again when they have a full menu with the chef here.
(3)
Jeni S.
We love Scratch! The drinks are amazing, especially the Older Fashioned and the Sooner Cobbler, because the Bar staff has already perfected what they do. The service is open and friendly (Michael took care of us last night) and knowledgeable about the menu. Ordering the daily special has always turned out great, the house salad has tons of veggies and a perfect vinegarette, pancetta mac and cheese is a must have, tasty veggie side is also a favorite, and the steaks are always perfectly done. The fries are good but I would like to see them offered with a specialty sauce, the sandwich experience could be improved upon, and I am not a fan of the faux finish on the walls so I give it 4 out of 5 stars with potential to go 5 star as it settles in as a Norman staple.
(4)
M L.
I wanted to like this place, but it proves to be yet another restaurant that is "trendy enough" for Norman, Oklahoma, and little else. Like several other newer eateries (Syrup, Local), Scratch trades on its exterior to draw in customers (an exterior which, truth be told, could have benefitted from the advice of an architect who knew a bit about sound and reverb). The food is mediocre at best, certainly not worth the time spent going out. The place actually reminded me of a cafeteria, full of cafeteria fare (albeit dressed up with breadcrumbs or aioli) and older patrons. I should also mention that Scratch makes basically no effort to cater to vegetarians. The drinks, on the other hand, are excellent, and make the place worth trying. It's clear that this is their area of expertise. Final word: Scratch could be an stellar bar, but is succeeding at becoming a rather forgettable restaurant.
(1)
Hunter R.
Think farm to table. With local flavor. And that includes the wait staff. I have seen some seriously badass tattoos in there and I love it. Beyond that. The food is fantastic. I have been in twice for breakfast. Once I had a bourbon style pancake that just made my taste buds dance and was so delicious I didn't know what to do with myself. The other time I had a French toast meal that was ultimately dry and left me feeling like I was chewing on dried up bark without any flavor. Needless t say I was gravely disappointed that time. I have also been in for lunch for a simple burger and fries. Now there is a lot of ways you can make a burger. And not all are the same. And we're talking classic burger here. None of that fancy new age crap; but they do that too if you want. But it was still one of the best tasting burgers I have had and the fries were fantastic. I will certainly be going back for another burger and to try some of the other lunch meals.
(5)
Shay B.
Scratch is a nice place, but it was pricey and the food a little bland. I'm glad I was in Norman to go to OU's art museum, because I would've been sorely disappointed if I trekked down for average fare. I was intrigued by their menu before coming, though, since it appears they have a bit of a Tex-Mex flair in terms of sauces, spicing, etc. The chipotle hollandaise on my eggs benedict was not as flavorful as I had hoped. And speaking of that eggs benedict, bonus points for a dish that was easily veg-ized (just take the meat off!) since it was one of their recommended dishes to do so. But I still paid $13 for it, which was the same price as the regular dish. This is something that's very inconsistent across restaurants, and most of the time, I ignore paying the same, but it was just more noticeable since I've found better eggs benedict cheaper, elsewhere. The ambiance was nice, even though it was definitely that commercialized rustic that everyone and their mother loves here in Oklahoma. The wait staff were attentive and friendly as well. While I don't see myself coming back, it's definitely not the worst spot to eat at in Norman.
(3)
Maxwell N.
I won't go super into depth as the main thing I want to point out is that I love cocktails. I get cocktails every city I travel too. From resorts in Mexico, to Baco Mercat in LA and the cocktails at scratch are on par with any cocktail I've had. They care so much about the cocktails, the menu is always changing and the bartenders all have their own specialties. I don't always eat when I go to scratch, but I think about their cocktails any time I want a drink. If you go to the bar, ask "captain" for his recommendation.
(5)
Geoffrey L.
Possibly the best food in Norman, OK! The potions were awesome! Now if you want a cheap meal then go to a cheap place! You get what you pay for here and you the beast good and drinks in Norman! Do not judge this place till you try it for yourself! The owner and staff are willing to make and get whatever you want! If it on the menu or not they will make you happy! This is adult food and drinks in an adult atmosphere! Clare the waitress was awesome again please try this place when in Norman, OK!
(5)
Heather M.
Amazing fresh food and atmosphere! Everything is delish!!! Cheese platter, black angus filet, mixed veggies and peanut butter chocolate tart. Yum!
(5)
Cristina O.
I was nervous about Scratch. The reviews here are mixed, it seems either people love it or hate it. I am all for the local food movement, so I prepared for the price given the "from-scratch" quality. We didn't have any of the aforementioned issues on our lunch trip. We were greeted and seated and our server Conner very friendly, striking up conversation not just about the menu but about our lunch meeting. He went over the menu with us and explained everything. Two of us ordered the Scratch burger with fries and homemade spicy ketchup. I got mine on the homemade Hawaiian sweet roll, which was bomb. It was the texture of a denser croissant. I will say, it was a bit too much bread. I ended up taking off the top and eating the rest open faced. The char flavor on the burger was OUTSTANDING. Couldn't really taste the sharp cheddar and it could've used a touch more garlic aioli, but that could be personal preference. The fries are nice and crunchy and I was sold on the scratch ketchup. Everyone else at the table said it was "vinegary" but I could drink vinegar so I'm fine with it! My coworker got the California Girl sandwich. She wasn't a fan, I unfortunately didn't try it. She didn't really like the fries either. I will say, bonus points, they don't have honey mustard but they made her some! We shared the peanut butter tart for dessert and it was soooooo good. They buy freshly ground peanuts for it and everything else is made in house. Lord have mercy it was good. Our food came out quickly, no complaint there and it wasn't overly crowded so it wasn't loud. Yeah, it's pricey. But for a lot of us that support this movement it's quality over quantity. My $12 meal was plenty filling, I could've just eaten half my burger and taken the other half to go (the bread would've held up).
(5)
Annie T.
Repeatedly my favorite place in norman. Went in on a Thursday and had a wonderful girls night dinner with one of my best friends. Major kudos to our server Robin for leading us through the menu! We both started with a scratch grapefruit cocktail and two appetizers. I've had most of the apps but I think the arancini and sooner state board win! Splurge on the cheese board, it's worth it! If you don't eat it all take your fancy cheese to go like I did! Between my friend and I we got the California girl sandwich and the coffee crusted pork loin! The pork was perfectly cooked! The California girl is grilled chicken on a wheat bun with guacamole, sprouts and and provolone. It comes with fries. I think I single handedly ate all of my friend's fries! I have a soft spot for fries and Scratch's shoestring fries are perfection. We enjoyed our meals with a pimm's cup. Scratch has an incredible list of "scratch" cocktails but I just can't get over their classic pimms. It is a star above the rest! Another fabulous scratch experience. Thank you to Robin for her service and thanks to Amy and Brady for having us!
(5)
Angela S.
This was the first time for us to visit. The waitress was great and had good recommendations. I started with the vonD cocktail. It did seem small, like others noted, but it packed a punch! I made it last all meal long and I was quite relaxed by the end. I had the pork loin and it was great. My friend got the big juicy steak au poivre. He loved it. Basically licked the plate. The fresh veggies were well made and very fresh. Our favorite was dessert. The pumpkin cheesecake was great but the apple pie-man! So good! It's the best!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Scott H.
Been back to Scratch a few times since my original review, and I've not had a bad dish. Last night, I went with a couple of friends from school and we had the arancini for an appetizer, followed by steaks with mac n cheese and the veggie of the day, which was green beans with mushrooms and tomatoes. The arancini is served with roasted corn, green chiles, and a chipotle mole. It's a combination of the classic Italian rice ball with some great Mexican flavors. Loved the crispy rice ball with the rich mole sauce. To eat, I had the NY strip. It was prepared to a perfect medium rare, and the peppercorn brandy sauce is ridiculous. I could drink this stuff, it's peppery, but also smooth. Just a perfect balance of flavors and it goes very well with the spice crusted NY strip. The sides were winners as well. I couldn't believe how big the mac n cheese is. For $7, you get an enormous dish, there were three of us, we all had seconds, and we still didn't finish it. The topping is nice and crunchy, and there is a lot of pancetta. It adds a lot of flavor and some good crunch. Consistent and some great flavor combinations. Scratch hasn't let me down so far, a great addition to downtown Norman.
(5)Anissa B.
I can't say enough good things about this place! Great service, amazing food. The Pancetta Mac n cheese is totally totally worth the extra $4. Also the spinach dip is amazing. The coffee encrusted pork is yummy as is the pancetta wrapped chicken. It's casual enough for jeans but also can be a nice anniversary place. We always make reservations so we don't have to wait but it's never crazy crowded. Love it and think everyone should try it!
(5)Elizabeth J.
Continue to love this place. I think my friends are annoyed at me asking to go there so often. BUT SERIOUSLY. Our last experience was so nice. We were really just there to hang out, enjoy some drinks, and play Cards Against Humanity. I think we made friends with some of the waiters and bless them for putting up with us. We'll be back, with our card game.
(5)Dakota W.
Really enjoyed the Restaurant it was very clean and the staff was both knowledgeable and very friendly. Made a reservation for a large group for breakfast on Sunday morning and the table was ready and really nice. Food was excellent and very fresh we really enjoyed the bowl of fruit we received before our entrées. Thanks for an excellent experience.
(5)Mandy M.
I cannot say enough good things about Scratch. I've been there with friends several times and it is a great place. The atmosphere is lively and fun. The chocolate cake is really good, I've gotten it twice. They are very helpful if you have food allergies and need an item left off an entree. The staff is very attentive and friendly. We had Jackson as our waiter and he did a great job selecting cocktails for us to try out. The drinks were great. One of the great local places in Norman to grab dinner and drinks!
(5)Christopher F.
The service is just too damned slow, and it's not the wait staff's fault. The food is so-so, but overpriced. And if you want to order a cocktail, try calling ahead before you leave. In fact, call the order in, then mow the lawn, take a shower, do your taxes, arrive at the restaurant, place your food order and then your drink MIGHT arrive in time for your dinner. But that's only because the kitchen is so slow to get food to the table. I've been to Scratch a number of times, because I thought they were going through growing pains and learning how to get their act together. But after a couple years, I will say now most of the food I've had there is overpriced and uninspired. The concept is very good and the decor is trendy and cool. The execution is just sorely lacking. But if you go, try the Caesar salad--it's large, with home-made croutons, the perfect amount of dressing, and then hit with some lemon zest that really makes it sing. It's one of the best Caesars I've ever had. Also, the mac and cheese is on the kid's menu and it's fantastic. Sprinkled throughout with crispy pancetta, you'll want to keep this one on the rotation. It's great for adults. My wife and I sometimes get a Caesar each and split the mac and cheese for a Sunday night dinner. Everything else is hum-drum. The bbq pulled pork sandwich is expensive and underperforms. Very little flavor. We like our meats smoked in Oklahoma, and this tastes boiled. The BLT has moments of greatness, but has a strange "whang" at the end. Brunch is pretty tasty, but save up for it. Without booze, two of you will still be out over $30. So for what you get, and for the college-town ambiance the place has, matched with very, very slow service, it's overpriced. And now for the craft cocktails. Hey, I'm all about the craft cocktail. But these take just too damned long to make, which backs up the bar and nobody can actually get more than one drink. Two drops of this, a fresh squeeze of that, three more drops of this other thing, then a wafting, a shake, a drizzle, a chant over it, dry aging, a steam, and then a smoke cleansing before the damned thing is Baptized and brought out to your table, only to find that you have paid the tab, had the drink removed from the order, and have arrived home and are halfway through movie night. Open letter to Scratch: speed up the bar and you will make more money. Your profits are in the alcohol. Open letter to Everyone Else: Take a pillow and a blanket. You're going to be there a while.
(2)Eric S.
It's pretty good but the prices are not justified in my opinion. Worth going to every few months.
(4)Lisa N.
When my husband and I went there on Sunday we had to wait 20 minutes. They only have one small seat inside so we had to stand outside and wait. Then it took 50 minutes to get our food. They did comp our bill, but I'm not sure if it was worth it. I personally didn't think the food was anything spectacular.
(4)Matthieu D.
My favorite restaurant in town! The quality of the servings justify the price. I'm French, so we enjoy making good meals out "scratch" and they go far enough to please your taste buds. I would recommend it to anyone who has not been there yet. From entrées to deserts, it is my kind of good eats!
(5)Casey D.
Absolutely love Scratch - great service and great food. Try their homemade ketchup and get a cocktail :)
(4)Jennifer W.
A quaint place with gourmet quality food at a reasonable price. I had the filet, med rare, and it was cooked to perfection. The mash potatoes were absolutely heavenly! One of those "hole in the wall" places that's more like a "diamond in the rough". Their cocktail list is so expansive I just let the waiter pick for me. Telling him what I like, and I don't regret it one bit. It was exactly to my liking and not too weak or too strong. I will definitely be going there again! All this said, I should say it's not a place to plan to go take the family out to. The price is reasonable for the quality you're getting, but a little too pricey for a family outing. This is more the perfect place to take a date or spend an anniversary without the kids. It does have a kids menu, but unless your kid has a more refined palet than most it may be best to hold off for that special night.
(5)J W.
For overpriced food, Admittedly good cocktails, but slow, slow service.
(2)Amy M.
EVERYTHING made by "Scratch!" All condiments and sauces made in house, breads home baked fresh daily, meat butchered whole, local and organic vegetables & anything else on the menu home made! Nothing frozen, no preservatives, high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors! So hard to find such quality food in a restaurant setting. And I almost forgot the cocktails!! Fresh juice squeezed every morning and all syrups and house liquors made at the bar. Try this place for a quick $10 lunch, family dinner (great kids menu as well,) date night, live music on the patio, or their famous Saturday and Sunday brunch, you'll never go back!!
(5)Michael A.
My wife enjoyed a nice date night dinner at Scratch. I ordered the hawaiian pulled pork sandwich that was both spicy and delicious. It came with a side of fries that were good but the only problem I had is that they have no ketchup. A bit odd but ok I guess. My wife had a salad and a side of mac and cheese. She enjoyed the salad and I had a bite of the mac and cheese. Super good. The drink selection was great and my wife enjoyed a few different cocktails. The prices were good for the quality. This might become my spot for drinks and appetizers.
(4)Sydney M.
Everything (down to the ketchup and sauces) are made from scratch and are locally sourced. The food is mega delicious and fresh and you have to try one of their cocktails. Their cocktail menu is extensive and they have some of their own concoctions that are very good.
(5)Julia M.
Such a hip, low-key artsy type of atmosphere. Several vegan options and local produce. Best veggie burger I've had in Oklahoma. Really awesome veggie quinoa bowl, too. And strong drink to boot! Love hanging out here.
(5)Mary R.
Scratch has a great Sunday brunch. I have not had any other meals at Scratch but can vouch for the brunch. If you have a sweet tooth, order the Cinnamon Rum French Toast. The mimosas are fabulous as they include an orange liqueur in addition to champagne and orange juice.
(5)Veronica F.
While the atmosphere, service, and music was wonderful, I just don't see myself coming here again. I give them a 3* rather than a 2* because it might be just me, but I didn't like the food (and the prices were a bit steep). We gave a quick glance at the cocktail list, but quickly decided against it since the most frugal we were allowed to be was an average of $9.50. For dinner, I decided to go for the Smoked BLT on Sourdough with thick cut bacon. The menu mentioned that you could get avocado instead of bacon at no additional charge, so I asked about adding avocado to my sandwich. A dolla fiddy! Really? For that price I could buy two of my own whole avocados! Pack a paring knife, and I'd be good to go. My boyfriend asked if I wanted to swap halves of our sandwiches, but I declined since his order (the grass-fed flank steak on whole wheat hoagie) didn't whet my appetite. I took three bites of my sandwich before deciding to go ahead and take up his offer to swap; the bacon was just really hard to get a bite of - not really chewy, but not soft either. BF said the the flank was cooked well; I almost couldn't swallow it. After three bites of his and another bite of mine, I decided I just didn't want anymore sandwiches. Luckily, we had also ordered the vegetable side of the day (asparagus, red pepper, and broccolettes). They were yummy, but not worth $6. If only there had been more veggies. One of the pros about this restaurant, though it doesn't affect me much, is that they are pretty Gluten-free and vegetarian friendly. Our waiter provided excellent service, especially considering that he had only been there a week. He asked me halfway through how I liked everything, and I honestly replied that I did not like either sandwich. He apologized and informed me that he had to let the manager know. When the manager came by our table, he apologized that I wasn't completely happy with my dining experience, and said that they had taken my sandwich off our ticket Even without my sandwich, our bill was $20 before tip.
(3)Nick N.
Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Decor & Style: 5/5 Only been here once but the first impression was excellent. Tried the Veggie Quinoa Bowl (SPICY TOMATO SAUCE, FRESH VEGETABLES // VEGAN). This dish was very flavorful! I even enjoyed the broccoli in it and wanted to lick the dish clean. It is very hard to make flavorful Quinoa but the tomato based sauce made up for it. I am definitely coming here again just for this dish. Decor was very nice; bricked walls, gray pillars, wooden tables, and a contemporary look all around. Service was great. She was a little too nice! Was here for lunch but it looks like a trendy bar at night. Will be back for lunch and a night out.
(5)Brennah J.
I was excited to try scratch at first, but now having gone, I won't recomend going here. While they did have food to accommodate my eating needs, the quality was subpar. For a fifteen dollar burger I expect my money's worth and didn't feel like I got it, it was dry, and favor less. On a good note, the side of vegetables I ordered was excellent. The service was okay up until our server implied that we didn't look like we could afford our meal. Overall it's a trendy atmosphere, nice location, but food that doesn't deliver. I won't be going back.
(2)Levi B.
Food was good, service was poor, we had brunch, first the coffee came out cold had to get a fresh cup, the food was really good, if you use sugar substitute they only have trulia, at the end it took forever to get the meal paid for, our waitress was terrible.
(2)Stacy J.
Everything was so great and made from scratch! Our server Christina was super helpful about what to order. We loved the artichoke dip and southwest salad to start. The pancetta wrapped chicken and veggies were incredible. Great atmosphere. Try this place!
(5)Martin H.
Don't come on busy nights because the restaurant can't handle the crowds.The food is generally great,but i find table service really pretty poor.I suggest if you can sit at the bar where the service is the best.I wouldn't post comment like this if this hasn't been an ongoing problem.I hate to drive to OKC for dinner...Maybe this is just a problem when you live in a college town....They mix the best cocktails in town and have a good wines by the glass list , but they hire inexperience college waitstaff for the tables...
(3)John W.
Simply put, this was one of the best meals I've had. The service was impeccable, and the ambiance superb. Highly recommended to anyone in Norman.
(5)Jennifer A.
Went for brunch and loved it. The vegetarian eggs Benedict were fantastic and the biscuits...oh my!
(5)Tiffany W.
I give 5 stars because we need more restaurants like this on Oklahoma in general. I am very pleased with this place. I love their drink, Sooner Cobbler. I am IN LOVE with their pork mac and cheese!! Our waiter was so great!! I can't wait to go back!
(5)Lindsey E.
Have been here for Brunch before, but decided to try it out for dinner. Original, creative cocktails, and great atmosphere for a date night. We split the peppercorn NY Strip and the coffee encrusted pork tenderloin. Phenomenal to say the least, and the service was superb. We will be back!
(5)Allison G.
Great cocktails and great, high quality, locally sourced (I think) food all made in house- hence the name "Scratch". So glad Norman has this kind of dining option since normally is so heavy on the crap chain-restaurants that line Ed Noble Pkwy, etc.
(5)John H.
Let me start by saying that Scratch has great cocktails and a great atmosphere. I'm just not sure that I their food is as good as I want it to be. I had the pork tenderloin and please don't take this as complaining because it was ok...but it was just ok. I just feel like it should have been a little better, and that was essentially my wife's take as well on what she had. I do want to say that the bread budding my wife ordered for desert was EXCELLENT! So I think this would be a great place for desert and cocktails, but just maybe not the best place for a nice dinner which is what they are trying to be.
(3)Sara J.
Scratch just didn't do it for me. My Husband and I went there last night and were not impressed, though the ambiance of the restaurant indicates that they want you to be impressed. You get the impression that they're trying too hard to be trendy and hipster, when instead they should be putting their efforts into the service. Also, while the décor is nice, it's a bunch of hard bare surfaces so the noise level is awful. My Husband and I had a very conversation-less dinner date because we didn't want to have to scream at each other over dinner. We first ordered a glass of wine each. Apparently cocktails are their thing and they use fresh squeezed juices and nectars that they apparently run down to the tropics and milk from the tree themselves while you wait, but we're really not hard liquor people, so we ordered wine. The wait time was about the same as if we'd ordered cocktails containing juices extracted from the tropics just for us. We surmised they must be fermenting the grapes while we waited. Finally the waitress came by, sans wine, but we did take the opportunity to order our food, lest we miss her again. We began win the Arancini. We enjoyed that very much. It's like delightful little fried puffs of risotto and corn, but it is fried without being greasy or leaving that fryer-grease aftertaste in your mouth. If you do make it by Scratch, I would recommend it, though order early because the wait time for food is extreme. For dinner my Husband had the flank steak and I had the Portobello Parmesan. Nothing on the menu really appealed to me. Also, the entrees are served by themselves, you order the sides separately, so if you're in my Husband's position and you order a steak and the person you're with orders pasta, you're stuck ordering a family-sized side for yourself if you want a side. This is a common steakhouse arrangement, but one that my Husband and I hate. My pasta was good, although, to be honest, it's nothing I couldn't have made myself at home, and I am no Mario Vitale. It was standard grocery store whole wheat elbow macaroni in a tomato sauce that resembles a tomato paste more than a marinara (though it was still very good). The Portobello was fried, but was like the Arancini and it wasn't greasy or soggy and didn't leave a fryer-grease aftertaste. It was a tasty but simple meal. I have no idea what part of it could have caused our food to take the 50 minutes that it did to arrive. My Husband ordered the flank steak. He did want sides so he ordered both the au gratin potatoes and the broccolini, asparagus and roasted red peppers. He said that his steak was cold. The sides were huge, of course, but he wanted something to go with his steak. The potatoes were very good and had a nice flavor. The veggies were okay, though they were nothing earth-moving. The roasted red peppers did bear a striking resemblance to the store bought jarred roasted red peppers - which I think are delicious, so I take no issue with, though, again, I am not sure what portion of that could have taken the 50 minutes. We had a 6:30 reservation and were trying to make it to an 8:20 movie. We didn't make the movie. Given the average quality of the food, it really wasn't worth the excessive noise or wait times. If they tried half as hard to provide good timely service as they do to create a trendy hipster ambiance, they might get a few more stars out of me, but we're not there yet by any means.
(2)Ashleigh B.
Things I love about Scratch: -the cocktails are amazing, I love the Sparrow Bee -the French fries and spicy ketchup are the best -they cook meat and fish perfectly to my taste -they serve great coffee -the vegetable sides are fresh and flavorful -the flank steak is always delicious -the house salad is filling and makes me feel like I'm eating something healthy Things I don't like about Scratch: -the water glasses are too small -there is no ice in the water -they serve cucumber water -sometimes there is a long wait on cocktails and food It can be expensive, but to me it's worth it to pay for great quality product. Something is obviously not perfect about their business plan because so many people just aren't appreciating Scratch for what it is. The very first time I went to Scratch, there was some confusion about the special. The chef came out to talk to me and ended up making me a salmon dish that wasn't on the menu. It was the most perfectly cooked piece of salmon I have ever had anywhere! (I've eaten at some great restaurants!) I love and appreciate what Scratch is trying to do. I will continue to eat and drink here and support them in living up to their full potential.
(4)Destiny S.
This place is absolutely amazing! great food, great atmosphere, great cocktails, there was nothing about this place that wasn't top notch!
(5)Tina B.
Today I wanted to try a new place to eat lunch and decided on Scratch. They boast fresh food and scratch made drinks. I enjoyed the veggies & quinoa and had a seasonal sangria but for the price, I'm not sure it was worth it.
(3)Lynn L.
Perfect lunch today at Scratch! Definitely a yes, go! Veggie burger as flavorful as any I have ever had. French fries, thin, crisp.
(5)Samantha C.
I've left bad reviews of this place in the past but just recently gave it another chance and really liked it. Amazing cocktails, good service, and the food was finally good...had a burger and fries.
(4)Richard C.
This place is a hidden gem in Norman. From the craft cocktails to the specials, everything is made here. We had the pork chop special, flank steak, lamb, and the pancetta chicken, all we're spectacular. We are foodies from OKC, but will definitely come to Norman again for this. Very similar food and atmosphere to Ludivine.
(5)William P.
I ate there the other day ......you would not know they were open from the street,,,,,the food was very good,,,as were the drinks and desserts,,,,would recommend this place in a heart beat
(5)Lance V.
We have been to Scratch a number of times, almost every time we visit Norman. Food is always very good. That is, if you can actually get some food.... Went for brunch with family today and had a horrible service experience. The first service nightmare warning sign was the 10-15 minute wait for a table, while half the tables in the restaurant were empty. Finally, on to a table. Where's the waitress? Oh, there she is 10 minutes later. Water, tea and coffee brought reasonably soon after beverage order placed. Okay, we decided what we all want to order for food about 15 minutes ago. Is our waitress on another coffee break? Finally stops by table, and wonders if we are ready to order. Well, I better order pretty quickly or I'm going to hit retirement age and you'll have to give me an AARP discount! Order placed. Fast forward one hour, yes one hour. "We are short people in the Kitchen, I'm really sorry". "Your order will be out soon, wait it could be more like 10-15 minutes". Shortly thereafter manager comes out with different story, "somehow your order got screwed up in the system, we will get right on it. I'm taking 50% off your bill". Seems to me you should be paying me to eat here at this point. and given different stories, somebody's lying. 10 minutes later food comes out to the table next to us that came in at least 30 minutes after. We get up and walk. If you don't have 3 hours for a meal, you should probably avoid Scratch. Dear Scratch, please hire some adult supervision.
(1)Nicole L.
This is an updated review (though my previous post was also quite positive). DOG FRIENDLY PATIO! Just went here last night with my guy and our puppy - they were so welcoming and even brought our pup a big bowl of water without me even needing to request it! Their patio is charming and perfect for outside dining here! I especially loved that we were far from forgotten (which can happen when you choose patio seating). Their mac 'n cheese is heavenly! A must-order! I've had lots of items on their menu and have never not liked a dish or a drink. This place is a solid choice when in Norman and wanting to eat local and fresh!
(5)Kevin G.
I frequent this place, and it never disappoints. The menu, atmosphere, and cocktails are always on point, but recent renovations and an updated menu has pushed Scratch to the top of the list as far as go-to dinner locations are concerned. I mostly go for dinner, but their lunch specials are also pretty delicious. The waitstaff is pretty friendly and super helfpul, too, and the bartenders know their stuff. All in all, Scratch is an excellent dining destination.
(5)Theresa J.
Wow! The food is great, the service was excellent, cocktails are on trend, and love the atmosphere! So glad Norman has this little gem. :-)
(5)Jenni S.
Just came across this place today on an excursion to Norman with a girlfriend. I thought the place looked intriguing and cute so we decided to give it a try. And it was a pleasant surprise! The waitstaff was super friendly and the drink menu was adorable. I ordered the French 75 for my drink and it was fabulous, not over-syruped like you can get at other places that try and do these old school, super trendy drinks. For lunch I had the small caesar salad and the side of mac & cheese. Both were larger than what I would call a small or side, but that was alright by me. The caesar salad was amazing with homemade dressing and orange zest which I have never had on a salad before and I found to be absolutely delicious. Everyone should do this on their caesar salads. The mac & cheese was alright, but I would have to recommend that they lighten up on the bread crumb crust. When you put too much on it dries out the pasta and no one wants dry mac & cheese. But the pancetta was a fantastic addition. Overall it was wonderful and I would recommend this place to anyone that is venturing to Norman for the day or lives there and is looking for a upscale place to have lunch. I will definitely be going back the next time I am in town.
(4)Toi K.
This was my first time here and I wasn't impressed. Everything we ordered took forever from the drinks to the food. When the food finally came it was good but the poor service offset the taste for me. Our waitress was not attentive at all. My southwest salad was 99 percent lettuce and 1 percent veggies. My daughter got a burger asked for ketchup and had half the buyer eaten before she was brought a tiny bowl of ketchup. It was way too loud for conversation without talking loudly and having to as people to repeat what they said. Overall let down for our group of people.
(1)Courtney S.
The food here is pretty awesome! Everything is made from scratch, hence the name, and it all absolutely delicious. I went with a group of girlfriends, one of whom has a gluten allergy, and not only were there PLENTY of gluten-free options, they were all seriously delicious. We started with the sweet potato gnocchi (which I could have eaten LOADS of it was so good) and some cocktails. All their cocktails are made from scratch as well...they make all their own juices, bitters, and syrups! I had the Of the Older Fashioned, which was super yummy. I tried to drink my whiskey neat, so am always apprehensive of additives, but this was really delicious, without being overly sweet. For my main course, I had the flank steak, which was absolutely perfectly cooked and incredibly tender. We had the fresh veggies as well as the sauteed broccolini as sides. They were fabulous as well! I had a bite of their moonshine apple pie as well, which was a party for my tastebuds. It melted in my mouth! I've heard wonderful things about their brunch, and can't wait to try that next!
(5)Scarlet L.
Yes. It was A-OK restaurant. The cocktails was good, but nothing was like "WOW". I like the idea of the restaurant to cook everything from scracth. But overall, I think they do need to work a lot harder with the details of the food. Let's start with the appetizers: I like crab and quinoa. But the quinoa crab cake was not a good combo. It was pretty dry. There was not a lot of crab and I couldn't taste the crab. The spinach and arugula was actually better than the crab cake. Chicken legs were OK...like Buffalo Wild Wings Smoke salmon cups was again: too dry...It needs some kick out of it. The creme cheese was good. Other than that, it didn't leave me any memories. OK....quite a disappointing start...honestly... However, The entree was better with a rack of lamb and the grass-feed flank steak. Anyway, if you have a good fresh cut of meat...just some sea salt and pepper...you can make a fabulous dinner already...So I have to admit the the flank steak cut was fresh. The lamb was pretty good but their tomato sauce was A-OK....It does need some kick with some wine, spices, garlic, butter (in my opinion). It was not that polished. The sides was decent, especially with the roasted broccolini. Herbed potato au gratin was basically baked harsh-brown... Anyway, I enjoyed the dinner with good company...and any A-OK good can taste better with a glass of wine...
(3)Nicole B.
Although everything appears to be made from Scratch. The food was bland and flavorless. We had the tenderloin eggs bennadict with chipotle hollandaise and the scratch burger. We also had the crab cakes and tried 3 different cocktails. Far too expensive to not be very good. Extremely over priced. The food tasted like it was prepared by a home cook with fair cooking skills. Apparently they don't season anything. Our server Mandy, was very helpful, cheerful and informative but did mention she had only been there for 3 days. The building was beautiful and the setting was super cute. Crab cakes were bland and tiny with a $14 price tag. Pretty much the only thing we enjoyed was the fresh fruit that was complimentary and the French fries. The homemade ketchup was okay but frankly I've had better tasting burgers and ketchup at Wattaburger! If you like fresh ingredients but have no taste buds this is the place for you. Don't be fooled by the reviews stating that this place has good cocktails. The cocktails were average at best and very small with an inflated price. The steak was a cheap cut of meat and was flavorless. We will not be going back unless they fire their chief and completely revamp the menu. We were very excited to try Scratch out and very disappointed with the food and drinks.
(2)Sarah M.
Only thing I can say about this place is that it is inconsistent. Order the same dish on 2 different days and get 2 plates of wildly different quality. Pretty expensive menu and not a lot of options. Some of the cocktails are good but the wine pours are, like the food, very inconsistent. Desserts are okay but the house made ice cream is not good at all. The recipe is far too dense and overly sweet. Only 1 vegetarian dish. Not satisfying. Save your money go elsewhere!
(3)l k.
Exterior, advertising, drinks menu, spiffy dressed staff...all are stylish and sophisticated like a trendy SF up and coming hotspot. These things are good. Unfortunately, falls down and skins its knees on the interior decor. Please paint the grey swirls away (for the love of all that is holy). Please discretely dispose of the decor in the bathroom. Please update the ceiling fans ( modernfan.com , bigassfans.com ). Please either strip the black chairs or paint the plain ones. Staff was fantastically friendly. The eggs Benedict were ridiculously good. The exterior really is beautiful. Now take the final step bringing the interiors up to snuff with the rest of your awesomeness. You're almost there! (I wouldn't normally critique the decor if the food is good, but Scratch is most definitely presenting itself as a hip alternative to the surroundings, so the details of that presentation become open for review.)
(3)Michael M.
Scratch is an extraordinary restaurant equal to any place in LA or New York. They really understand food here and use fresh local ingredients to create memorable dishes. Their herbed potato au gratin might be the best potatoes I've had. Ever. The coffee-encrusted roasted pork tenderloin was something I'll be craving again and again. We had excellent service. And martinis. Worth a trip and watch for their second branch opening in OKC soon.
(5)Connie M.
Ok so I was very excited about this new edition to Norman but honestly the service was awful and the food-well I could have made it better at home. I got the flank steak because they were out of salmon and my hubby got the coffee crusted pork tenderloin. Steak was fatty and pork was so peppery. They brought out half of our order. $80 later not a happy camper. Will be not be back
(2)Maggie C.
Delicious! Can't wait to eat there again. Try the Sakura cocktail.
(5)Brekke P.
Strange service. Real chatty waitress at first then gone. Entrees do NOT come with sides and are real pricey. If you don't cook it is probably really cool, however if you do don't bother eating. ... Have a beverage! Trendy but not fun. Great at on the wall though.
(1)Kalani L.
The food is pretty good (if not a bit expensive) but they also serve cucumber water and that's just not what I'm about
(3)Heather O.
Excellent cocktails! Salad was just average. 4 tasteless shrimp added for $7.00. Asked for some bread and it was sandwich buns??!!!
(4)Sue K.
We went to this restaurant simply because we drove by and noticed it. Wow! We were in for a real treat. The old building with exposed bricks adds a delightful ambiance. For older folks like me, it became a little hard to hear when the place got busy. The real surprise was the food. Everything is made from scratch using the freshest ingredients. I am highly allergic to alcohol so I had to order my rack of lamb without its usual sauce. The waitress informed us most of their dishes are cooked in wine but they were happy to accommodate me. It was amazingly delicious. My partner had the Pancetta chicken and it was incredible! Seriously, this food was worth the higher price we paid. I highly recommend this place. This was truly fine dining!
(5)Megan D.
Excellent service, concept, atmosphere and food. One of my new favorite places! Do not miss the angus filet... So good!
(5)J Jason B.
My dad took us here for my birthday. I didn't hate it but I felt bad for Dad, who probably hoped for more than a $14 flank steak flopped on a plain white room temperature plate. Even if he didn't, I was still embarrassed for him. It says quite clearly on the menu if you want a side like mac n' cheese it will be $7 extra, but at least throw a brotha' a piece of kale garnish or something! I had something parmigiana, which was okay, lacked zing. My girlfriend had a veggie BLT type sandwich with a tomato chutney or something that we all agreed was a fantastic sauce. Yes, in hindsight I guess it wasn't an awesome meal if all we could rave about was GF's sandwich sauce... Ambience also left a lot to be desired, that place is a noisy barn. When I pay what they charge for a meal I expect a lot more than thoughtfully sourced ingredients. I want garnish, nice flatware, and a few plush objects placed thoughtfully around the space to knock down some of the sound waves. Conversation is not impossible with a good amount of effort put into speaking loud and clearly, and pointing your ear toward whoever is talking. Dessert I hear is fantastic but they were out so...that sucks. Did I mention it was my birthday? Cocktails were, without exception, fantastic. The bar was done by an expert. They have at their disposal a fabulous selection of spirits and mixers. Their house cocktails are intriguing and tasty and include geeky classics, popular exotics, and original twists. I keep saying I'm going to go back and work my way through the rest of the list, but honestly it's been 3 months and I haven't found an excuse to get back here :( C'est la vie.
(3)Brad K.
Scratch is the best thing to come to Norman in a very long time. The waitstaff is so friendly and helpful. The food wafts with aromas. The cocktails blow your mind. We have tried the steak, lamb, salmon and sides like shoestring potatoes, mac and cheese, Caesar salad, etc. and all of them have been prepared with subtlety and care. They call their cocktails, craft cocktails, and that's because each one is concocted like a work of art. They are both a beauty to behold and to savor. Scratch is the real thing - good food, good service and drinks to match.
(5)Joy M.
I was on a liquid diet for most of the afternoon to late evening on a lovely Friday. So, in classic Joy fashion, I drove from my work summer party to Norman just to kick it with a buddy of mine I hadn't seen in ages. I suggested Scratch because it's new and I wanted to try a couple of their side dishes. I ended up ordering a chicken ceasar salad and shoe string fries. Wa wahhhh. I guess the liquid diet wanted less of the good stuff! Cocktails? You betcha I had one! We both ordered something with absinthe. I can't for the life of me remember the names, but mine was fizzy and maybe called Death In The Afteroon. My friend ordered Sazerac (I think) and the absinthe was poured more on the heavy side. The dim lighting prevented me from taking pictures. Atmosphere = a mix of hipster meets dark gastro pub. The bathrooms are located next to the kitchen without a separating wall. You get to see the chefs and wait staff in action if you have to wait. Food? The dressing on the salad is light and refreshing. Standard garlic and anchovie flavors were not very prevalent, which might be good thing for those who typically don't like ceasars.. Fries were my fav- super crispy and thin with just enough seasoning. Easily sharable and I image it working great with a cold brew!!
(3)Margaret R.
The four of us that went to lunch at Scratch really liked the food that we had, so I'm a bit perplexed about the other reviews of this place. Our service was very good and with the understanding that Scratch actually makes things from scratch, I was prepared to wait, but it didn't really seem to take all that long. We started with the sweet potato gnocch which had the tine marks of the fork when they were made and it comes with a great tomato sauce. The french onion soup was not like any other french onion soup I've had. It was so rich with the carmalized onions and port, it could really be a sauce for a steak. It came with a little crostini which had a bit of cheese on top and it could have been a bigger piece of bread to help mop up the lovely soup, but I can't complain about the flavor. The side of mac and cheese was big enough for 4 people. It was creamy and rich with little cubes of crisp pancetta on top. The side of broccolini and asparagus had thinly sliced roasted red bell pepper which made it a tasty and pretty plate. I had heard that the BLT was very good and I don't usually go out and order a sandwich at a place like this, but the apple brandy tomato relish and the thick toasted sourdough bread just aren't things I keep around my house. The thick peppered bacon was very good and we asked for avocado to be added to it so it was hearty and filling. The cocktails are all hand crafted with freshly made juices and are a real treat. I had a bellini since I love St Germaine and it was made with peach puree, sparkling wine and bitters. Yum. We shared a slice of the moonshine apple pie, which is just loaded with apples. It was not the sweet and sticky type of apple pie so it suited me perfectly. I do have to say that I hate hard chairs, so I asked to sit against the wall where there is a padded bench. I thought everyone in the restaurant business knew that the way to turn tables quickly was to have uncomfortable seating and I don't think this is that type of restaurant.
(4)Jonathan F.
am very happy to have this place in norman! it's style and service is a perfect fit for the downtown arts district and is quickly growing in popularity. i went the second night they were open and the service was a little rough, but i've been here 7-8 times since and it's been perfect every time. my favorite lunch item is the blt. the bacon is amazing the way they prepare it and the bread is thick and cushiony with a great crisp on the outside. for dinner i love the flank steak. the mac and cheese is great side to split (or go like me and refuse to share with anyone!) trey is almost always at the bar (glasses and fedora) and does a great job, and the owner has been here every time i've come in ensuring quality control! norman should be happy to have this place for sure!!!
(5)Teddy Jack E.
I've been back to Scratch a number of times since I first left a negative review. In shirt it's completely transformed. The drinks are probably the best in town and the food is excellent. Go.
(4)Melissa S.
I'm so glad that Scratch is on the Norman restaurant scene. I think the more places like this that open up will just elevate our whole dining world in Norman beyond the chains of I-35. They've got a little work to do on the food, which is totally respectable for a brand-new restaurant. I'm sure they will work out the kinks. They are really working on being a force in the cocktail world, and I hope that their list grows beyond the 6-8 drinks currently listed. I tried the Sooner Cobbler which was very refreshing. The Whiskey Sour on the other hand, is the greatest Whiskey Sour you will ever have. I will be returning for that drink soon. Good luck Scratch!
(3)Ridge D.
Its a good, it's semi-unique, but it can use some improvement. The service was not very fast which was surprising considering the were the only one of two tables there and there were two waitresses. I'll echo what the other reviews said about this place being to hipster. But to be real, this is Norman. I hope they do something about improving the service and possibly changing the menu to include more uhhhhhh...non-explanation necessary options.
(4)David K.
3rd try is a charm. Dig their take on French toast for brunch. Kyle Reid playing in the background live is a nice touch. The Old Fashion was decent as well...
(3)Justin S.
Atmosphere is a little too DIY but I love the Keisha Register photos on the walls. Appetizers/sides are great, with large portion sizes. The entrees were good, but didn't come with sides which definitely pumps up your check. Cocktails are excellent and strong, but very small and pricey, around $8 for a 8 oz cocktail. Overall I like this restaurant and will go here a few times a year, but it is a tad pricey it won't be in my regular rotation. I like some of the interesting food pairings. Get the chicken sandwich, it's very good.
(3)Jason H.
Trendy, loud, slow (it took 50 minutes for flank steak and pasta). I don't plan on EVER returning.
(1)Constant C.
Maybe we had a lucky night the one time I've been, but all 6 of us were duly impressed. The mixed drinks were interesting and tasty to start things out with. We ordered to share (with plenty of GF options) so we each ordered something different: 2 flank steaks, lamb, fish, pork tenderloin and filet of beef. The pork and lamb won the taste competition unanimously. For sides we all split a shoestring fry (fantastic and more than enough for all), mac and cheese my fellow diners carried on over, and broccolini/asparagus, which was just okay. Our waitress couldn't have been sweeter and professionally attentive. Sure it was a little pricier than a chain, but the meats are all quality meats, the sauces are made in house, and that does not come cheap. I'll be back when I'm back in town.
(3)Matt M.
Best restaurant in Norman. Cocktail program and food menu are as close to Brooklyn (my adopted home) as Norman (my childhood home) gets. 5 stars in OK but deserving of 4 stars in Brooklyn. Prices are a bit higher than a typical Norman restaurant. Cocktail program has a lengthy list of the classics but also an adopted list with a few unique additions. One cocktail included a brown buttered spirit in homage of Eben Freeman, my favorite barman in NYC. Food was cocked perfectly. Ordered the lamb medium rare - it came medium rare! Pork tenderloin had a delicious peppery bark. Sides were very rich but delicious (we had the Mac & cheese and potatoes au gratin). Service was friendly but perhaps a bit too casual.
(5)Michelle G.
This is one of my favorite places for dinner in Norman. The staff is incredibly friendly, and the food is consistently delicious and fresh. The house salad is absolutely amazing, and the quinoa and veggie bowl is my new go to comfort food. I usually go early in the evenings and it is quiet, and relaxed. My 3 year old son requests this for our dining out night every time.
(5)Jessica W.
Excellent service and good ambiance, but the food is overpriced for what you get. The crusted portabello in my portabello vegetarian pasta was excellent, but it was accompanied by an underwhelming little pile of bland rigatoni. No veggies in the pasta, no cheese, very little sauce, and no spices, apparently. It was a pretty disappointing meal once I got past the mushroom. What's up with the segregated vegetarian/non-vegetarian menus? Just add the veggie options to the regular menu--they're not contagious, you know. And vegetarians tend to be pretty good at reading descriptions and identifying animal parts.
(3)Karin M.
I love a good local restaurant so I was super excited that Scratch was an option for brunch today! My buddy and I got there just before noon as we were on table lockdown duty. That was accomplished very easily, since the place was virtually empty (red flag). We were seated next to a beautiful art installation and surrounded by the ugliest faux painted pillars you could imagine. The chairs were a mismatch of random home dining room styles, it was cute without being kitschy, but the tables look like they were purchased at a fire sale from a Sizzler that had closed its doors. So cheap and boring and ugly. It looked like someone who had been to lots of really beautiful, clean, modern restaurants and tried to recreate it, but lacked the talent and budget to execute. We ordered drinks promptly, they had my summer crush a Hemingway, and settled in to wait for our friends|drinks. And then we waited some more. And then a little while more. Finally our drinks arrived, and they were wonderful. My drink was excellent, I could have had a thousand, though at $8 a pop I would have gone bankrupt long before then. Personally I wouldn't have served it in a martini glass, but I'm not going to knock them for that. My buddy got the Sooner Cobbler and while he liked it, it wasn't what he expected. It's supposed to have blackberries in it, per the menu description and it didn't. I'm sure they were originally shaken in the drink and then strained out or some such thing, but what they advertised wasn't what was served. Our friends arrived shortly got settled in with their babies and such and ordered drinks. There were some bellinis, a beer, a couple of mimosas and a few more Sooner Cobblers ordered. And here is where the wheels fell off. The drinks took so long. We are all great friends and haven't brunched in a while so we were very excited and happy to be with each other and even with the happiness that comes with being with your friends we were all getting agitated with how long it was taking. The drinks started to trickle in one or two at a time. The excuses for why they weren't coming deluged us. There is only one bartender. He's making the drinks in the order they come in. We make our own puree and we are out. One of our dining companions waited 30+ minutes for a drink. Another friend actually cancelled the drink as it hadn't come before our plates were cleared. Yes, you read that right. She ordered a bellini and it didn't come until after we ordered, were served, ate & had our table bussed. Our server actually came by with more excuses late in the meal and our friend told her not to even worry about it anymore. We were almost done eating and there was no point. Whilst waiting for our tabs two bellinis showed up so she and her husband drank them. They were room temperature, texturally off and didn't taste good. Back to our friends settling in: We ordered, a not so painless process. Someone wanted to sub bacon for sausage and was told Scratch doesn't do substitutions, le sigh. I'm not sure if the food came out in a timely manner, at that point we were all so bothered by the drink situation, as some people still hadn't gotten theirs, that we had lost any sense of what was an appropriate wait time. It didn't seem too long for the food, but we may have just been desensitized at that point. I ordered the migas. It was a lovely portion, looked pretty on the plate and tasted great! My buddy got the cinnamon toast and really liked it. My neighbor got the eggs benedict, which I had seen a picture of. I thought it was odd that the picture showed a trio of bennies and she was only served two, but I was deeply disturbed by how brown her potatoes were. Not like they had been overcooked, rather that someone had peeled and grated this potato yesterday and it had browned overnight. Extremely unappealing. She liked hers save for the pounds of arugula she had to wade through. Someone made the mistake of ordering the quinoa crabcakes. Which should be called cold quinoa cakes. Another tablemate ordered the 3 egg plate the eggs were poached pretty nicely, a hair over, but 99% well cooked, so bravo to that! It came with a protein and a side of toast that didn't actually make it to the table until it was requested. Our service was abominable. Having spent far too many years on 2.13 + tips I totally get what the job is. Our server didn't. She continually made excuses for how long the drinks were taking. Don't make excuses, don't place blame; just apologize and fix it. If you can't fix it get your manager on it. She actually went from being inept to rude by the end of the meal, which is inexcusable. She also charged my friend for the bellini that she canceled and the Sooner Cobbler that took 30+ minutes to make. We never got a table visit from management despite the issues we were having. It was a sour experience. I hope they get an experienced manager in there to work these issues out.
(2)Amanda C.
Finally made it here. Not sure what took me so long. I cannot wait to come back. I love to taste food as opposed to the preservatives. The staff were wonderful, ambience was relaxing, food was fabulous.
(5)Wesley J.
This place has got some issues to work out. I tried to have dinner there Saturday and every else in my party received their food except me. Thought it would be coming out but come to find out later that they were out of my choice. Probably will not be going back.
(1)Elise P.
Gave this place another try and still feel pretty much the same. This time I sat at the bar and there were definitely some improvements though. First, the bartenders were great. They were friendly and informative, without being overbearing or intrusive on conversation. While the cocktails do take a little while to make, it's because they're really intricate. Perhaps a touch too intricate, but they were delicious. I suggest the Sooner Cobbler, The Sparrow Bee, or the Old Fashioned. Second, there were more people in the restaurant, which improved the ambiance. It still comes off a bit stiff and too bare, but with more people it wasn't as quiet or awkward. However, the food still didn't seem to wow. I had the salmon cups appetizer and it was a touch under "ok." You get three big "cups," which are strange cracker-like vessels for a large portion of herbed cream cheese, a decent serving of slightly-overcooked salmon, a touch of a sriracha-like sauce and a little bit of avocado. But the cracker was pretty stale and flavorless. And the amount of cream cheese was overbearing. It would be much better as a smoked salmon appetizer on a crostini or something. Since their menu is fairly small, there just weren't a lot of appetizers that made me want to stay at the bar for more drinks. If this place could switch to separate lunch & dinner menus, adding more small plates to keep bar patrons, I think it could do well. But there are still kinks to be worked out. I would go back for drinks, but I'd be careful not to go hungry (though I'll still give dinner a chance at some point).
(3)B K.
The service is the best thing this place has going for it. The cocktail menu is fun and something Norman could use more of. The food is very mediocre. We've given it a few chances for dinner and most everything is pretty bland, especially for the price. I recommend going for drinks and a variety of apps and sides (you can't screw up Mac n cheese). The flank steak sandwich and roasted veggies are probably the best things we've ordered. Definitely avoid the quinoa crab cakes- more like quinoa cakes. Also, for beer, they only serve local which isn't terrible unless you want more than a couple.
(3)C G.
one of our favorite places in Norman. Unbelievable craft cocktails. sometimes I feel they get a little heavy handed with their awesome bitters but that is a nit. you will have drinks here that you will find nowhere else. Food is very tasty! If you are ordering steak, surprisingly, go with the flank over the mignon. The best thing on the menu is the PANCETTA WRAPPED CHICKEN BREAST // BASIL, SUN-DRIED TOMATO, PARMESAN, THYME PAN JUS. However, some nights they offer a "cut" special - a special beef cut- and always get that but they don't offer it as much as they used to. I have been here many times and never disappointed. Make sure you check out the two walls of photograph portraits. If you want the table that is a little elevated over the other tables , ask for Table 100. The do have a patio that we have not been able to sit on due to weather but can't wait for it!
(4)Kristen R.
A much needed restaurant in a slowly changing market. The menu items have unique flavors, such as the lemon/lime/rosemary infused water and the ALT (avocado, lettuce, tomato) sandwich with herbs I still haven't figured out but that are delicious. The quinoa crab cakes are brilliant. The decor is a little more upscale than casual, and the art decorating the walls is by local artists. The service is incredibly friendly, and they even have a vegetarian/vegan menu that is provided upon request. Can't wait to try their brunch menu.
(5)Jennifer S.
Food isn't great. Sauces and fries are excellent. Server brought us the wrong entree and a drink we didn't order, but did have to pay for. Not a great night, and the bill was breathtaking.
(2)Blayke H.
Went on a Monday. It was not crowded, which was nice. The photography installation of The Wallpaper Project (which I like), was a bad choice because it feels like 100 hipsters are staring at you while you eat. My wife ordered a glass of wine, and I ordered their version of an Old Fashioned. The wine was meh, and the old fashioned tasted like it was mixed by someone who had read about alcoholic beverages, but had never actually consumed or made one before. Overpriced at 8$. We got an appetizer, The artichoke dip, which is served cold, bland, and with wheat-pita that tastes like sawdust. Surprised to find that the entrees are in the 12-20+$ range and come alone. No sides. Sides can be ordered, but are overportioned and 6-7$ apiece for them, so your 14$ meal just became a 21$ meal. If you want. I ordered the flank steak, and my wife ordered the chicken breast. Hers was mediocre at best, and not worth 14$, especially with no sides. The flank steak was tiny, and precut (which annoys me because I'm an adult and can cut my own steak thankyouverymuchmom) which is only done as an illusion to make it look bigger. It was seasoned with what can only be described as black pepper and Lowry's. I seriously had a steak that tasted identical to that at Waffle House once while I was hung over. We decided to share a side and got the Au Gratin potatoes. They were incredibly bland, and tasted like no one had bothered to wash them off or even peel them, so they tasted almost raw and a bit like dirt. I informed one of the staff and all she said was "Sorry. Can I get you something else?" No offer to take it off the ticket or comp me a dessert or anything. That being the standard industry wide. So I asked for a to go box thinking at least my dog will like it. When we got the ticket, they had removed the items off of the ticket, so I felt a little bad about getting the to go box, but no one explained that they were going to do that so I don't feel that bad. The waitress we had was very nice, if not a little inexperienced. ALL of the waitstaff looked like they were asked when they got hired, "Can you dress like a hipster? Good that's your uniform." I tipped pretty well, but 2 drinks, one appetizer, and 1 entree still cost me 50$ We had to go somewhere else afterwards to get me something I could eat. Great way to spend my birthday :( Run away. Run like zombie sharks are after you.
(1)Konrad R.
We were out here visiting my parents for Christmas, and were thrilled to discover that Norman has a cocktail bar, and a good one at that. We wound up going here three times during our visit--twice for cocktails and once for dinner (and cocktails). Each visit was terrific. The bartenders were very friendly and knowledgable, and every cocktail we had was well done and reasonably priced (ask for a Captain Truman). Dinner was wonderful; my steak was easily the best I've eaten since I was in Chile, and the au gratin potatoes were flavorful and creamy, while simultaneously not too filling. I have no idea how anyone could think they were underwhelming. My partner had the pancetta-wrapped chicken, which he says was wonderful (I was too full of steak to eat any). Serving sizes were reasonable for the price (unless you're used to Golden Corral). The decor was modern and hip without being too overbearing, as was the music. Our service was very friendly and didn't rush us ( we stayed for nearly two hours)--why go to a restaurant like this if you want to rush your meal? (That's what Arby's is for.) I really can't say enough good things about this place; it's comparable to any of the places we've been in DC, where we live, except cheaper. Really hoping this place lasts, because it's something to look forward to when I visit my parents.
(5)Sharon W.
I wish my chicken legs were quite a bit warmer. The cocktails were fantastic. Would like to try it again when they have a full menu with the chef here.
(3)Jeni S.
We love Scratch! The drinks are amazing, especially the Older Fashioned and the Sooner Cobbler, because the Bar staff has already perfected what they do. The service is open and friendly (Michael took care of us last night) and knowledgeable about the menu. Ordering the daily special has always turned out great, the house salad has tons of veggies and a perfect vinegarette, pancetta mac and cheese is a must have, tasty veggie side is also a favorite, and the steaks are always perfectly done. The fries are good but I would like to see them offered with a specialty sauce, the sandwich experience could be improved upon, and I am not a fan of the faux finish on the walls so I give it 4 out of 5 stars with potential to go 5 star as it settles in as a Norman staple.
(4)M L.
I wanted to like this place, but it proves to be yet another restaurant that is "trendy enough" for Norman, Oklahoma, and little else. Like several other newer eateries (Syrup, Local), Scratch trades on its exterior to draw in customers (an exterior which, truth be told, could have benefitted from the advice of an architect who knew a bit about sound and reverb). The food is mediocre at best, certainly not worth the time spent going out. The place actually reminded me of a cafeteria, full of cafeteria fare (albeit dressed up with breadcrumbs or aioli) and older patrons. I should also mention that Scratch makes basically no effort to cater to vegetarians. The drinks, on the other hand, are excellent, and make the place worth trying. It's clear that this is their area of expertise. Final word: Scratch could be an stellar bar, but is succeeding at becoming a rather forgettable restaurant.
(1)Hunter R.
Think farm to table. With local flavor. And that includes the wait staff. I have seen some seriously badass tattoos in there and I love it. Beyond that. The food is fantastic. I have been in twice for breakfast. Once I had a bourbon style pancake that just made my taste buds dance and was so delicious I didn't know what to do with myself. The other time I had a French toast meal that was ultimately dry and left me feeling like I was chewing on dried up bark without any flavor. Needless t say I was gravely disappointed that time. I have also been in for lunch for a simple burger and fries. Now there is a lot of ways you can make a burger. And not all are the same. And we're talking classic burger here. None of that fancy new age crap; but they do that too if you want. But it was still one of the best tasting burgers I have had and the fries were fantastic. I will certainly be going back for another burger and to try some of the other lunch meals.
(5)Shay B.
Scratch is a nice place, but it was pricey and the food a little bland. I'm glad I was in Norman to go to OU's art museum, because I would've been sorely disappointed if I trekked down for average fare. I was intrigued by their menu before coming, though, since it appears they have a bit of a Tex-Mex flair in terms of sauces, spicing, etc. The chipotle hollandaise on my eggs benedict was not as flavorful as I had hoped. And speaking of that eggs benedict, bonus points for a dish that was easily veg-ized (just take the meat off!) since it was one of their recommended dishes to do so. But I still paid $13 for it, which was the same price as the regular dish. This is something that's very inconsistent across restaurants, and most of the time, I ignore paying the same, but it was just more noticeable since I've found better eggs benedict cheaper, elsewhere. The ambiance was nice, even though it was definitely that commercialized rustic that everyone and their mother loves here in Oklahoma. The wait staff were attentive and friendly as well. While I don't see myself coming back, it's definitely not the worst spot to eat at in Norman.
(3)Maxwell N.
I won't go super into depth as the main thing I want to point out is that I love cocktails. I get cocktails every city I travel too. From resorts in Mexico, to Baco Mercat in LA and the cocktails at scratch are on par with any cocktail I've had. They care so much about the cocktails, the menu is always changing and the bartenders all have their own specialties. I don't always eat when I go to scratch, but I think about their cocktails any time I want a drink. If you go to the bar, ask "captain" for his recommendation.
(5)Geoffrey L.
Possibly the best food in Norman, OK! The potions were awesome! Now if you want a cheap meal then go to a cheap place! You get what you pay for here and you the beast good and drinks in Norman! Do not judge this place till you try it for yourself! The owner and staff are willing to make and get whatever you want! If it on the menu or not they will make you happy! This is adult food and drinks in an adult atmosphere! Clare the waitress was awesome again please try this place when in Norman, OK!
(5)Heather M.
Amazing fresh food and atmosphere! Everything is delish!!! Cheese platter, black angus filet, mixed veggies and peanut butter chocolate tart. Yum!
(5)Cristina O.
I was nervous about Scratch. The reviews here are mixed, it seems either people love it or hate it. I am all for the local food movement, so I prepared for the price given the "from-scratch" quality. We didn't have any of the aforementioned issues on our lunch trip. We were greeted and seated and our server Conner very friendly, striking up conversation not just about the menu but about our lunch meeting. He went over the menu with us and explained everything. Two of us ordered the Scratch burger with fries and homemade spicy ketchup. I got mine on the homemade Hawaiian sweet roll, which was bomb. It was the texture of a denser croissant. I will say, it was a bit too much bread. I ended up taking off the top and eating the rest open faced. The char flavor on the burger was OUTSTANDING. Couldn't really taste the sharp cheddar and it could've used a touch more garlic aioli, but that could be personal preference. The fries are nice and crunchy and I was sold on the scratch ketchup. Everyone else at the table said it was "vinegary" but I could drink vinegar so I'm fine with it! My coworker got the California Girl sandwich. She wasn't a fan, I unfortunately didn't try it. She didn't really like the fries either. I will say, bonus points, they don't have honey mustard but they made her some! We shared the peanut butter tart for dessert and it was soooooo good. They buy freshly ground peanuts for it and everything else is made in house. Lord have mercy it was good. Our food came out quickly, no complaint there and it wasn't overly crowded so it wasn't loud. Yeah, it's pricey. But for a lot of us that support this movement it's quality over quantity. My $12 meal was plenty filling, I could've just eaten half my burger and taken the other half to go (the bread would've held up).
(5)Annie T.
Repeatedly my favorite place in norman. Went in on a Thursday and had a wonderful girls night dinner with one of my best friends. Major kudos to our server Robin for leading us through the menu! We both started with a scratch grapefruit cocktail and two appetizers. I've had most of the apps but I think the arancini and sooner state board win! Splurge on the cheese board, it's worth it! If you don't eat it all take your fancy cheese to go like I did! Between my friend and I we got the California girl sandwich and the coffee crusted pork loin! The pork was perfectly cooked! The California girl is grilled chicken on a wheat bun with guacamole, sprouts and and provolone. It comes with fries. I think I single handedly ate all of my friend's fries! I have a soft spot for fries and Scratch's shoestring fries are perfection. We enjoyed our meals with a pimm's cup. Scratch has an incredible list of "scratch" cocktails but I just can't get over their classic pimms. It is a star above the rest! Another fabulous scratch experience. Thank you to Robin for her service and thanks to Amy and Brady for having us!
(5)Angela S.
This was the first time for us to visit. The waitress was great and had good recommendations. I started with the vonD cocktail. It did seem small, like others noted, but it packed a punch! I made it last all meal long and I was quite relaxed by the end. I had the pork loin and it was great. My friend got the big juicy steak au poivre. He loved it. Basically licked the plate. The fresh veggies were well made and very fresh. Our favorite was dessert. The pumpkin cheesecake was great but the apple pie-man! So good! It's the best!
(5)