Tried Hefner Grill for the first time this week. I really wanted to like it as it has a great location, but I'm not a fan. We started off with the crab dip and it was good, but there wasn't anything truly special about it to make it stand out from any other crab dip I've eaten. We then moved on to dinner; I ordered the seafood enchiladas and my husband ordered the ribs. The enchiladas were good, but came with a side of chips and salsa, which was really odd and WAY too much food. The ancho chile cream sauce was super flavorful and truly made the dish shine. My husband liked his ribs but, just like the crap dip, there was nothing special about them to make them stand out. The service was ok, but a little spotty. I hate looking at dirty dishes once I've eaten and our server just left them sitting there while we tabbed out. I still had half a glass of wine and it was hard to enjoy with the dishes just sitting there. Overall, if you're looking for a great view and want to enjoy a glass of wine with friends then this is the place for you. If you want to enjoy a great meal, I recommend that you look elsewhere.
Fish tacos were great. Lots of fish although a bit too much breading. Squash Rockefeller was very good.
(4)
Trang N.
My friend and I came here at 6pm on a Thursday evening and it was packed!! We decided to try the bar and had to squeeze into a long table with some nice patrons. Sadly, we'd missed happy hour. (1/2 priced appetizers!!!) We had the crab dip, gumbo and a few drinks. The crab dip was very good, but the gumbo was awesome!! It was not too salty like most other restaurants. They also serve it with rice on top so the consistency was perfect when you mixed in the rice. This is the best gumbo I've had!! Let's not forget about the atmosphere! There was a live jazz band! Mix that with a perfect sunset off Lake Hefner and you couldn't ask for more!!
(4)
Jasmine B.
I had the crab cakes there. They were just ok. For $15 I would have thought they would have been bigger than what they were. The flavor was a little bland bit can't really expect much from okc seafood. Kind of disappointed.
(3)
Joe S.
Wonderful restaurant right on the shores of Lake Hefner. The hospitality was evident as soon as we walked in. We were seated promptly and taken to a booth looking out at the gorgeous Lake Hefner. All the wait staff was extremely attentive and friendly. Our waiter gave us some good information about the specials which helped us to order the perfect lunch. The restaurant is so beautiful and right on the waters edge. You can eat on the patio or in booths looking out at the water. Even the beautiful bar area has a great view. Our meal was delicious and I am so looking forward to a Sunday Brunch here.
(5)
Sixpack Y.
They supposed to be known for oysters, when we showed up there, no one told us about they were out of oysters. We ordered the most expensive champagne they got and oyster at the same time. Half the champagne was half gone, the waitress came and told us they were out of oyster and she did not know until she placed the order at kitchen. We said we were here for the oyster which they are known for! The food was very blow average. Fish was over grilled, the enchilada did not taste any sea food. The real joke is, when we got the check, we getting charged for the oysters that we did not get! We were mad and told the manager that was an insult. She said sorry for the missed communication that you had with our waitress. We been out of oysters for a few days now. (That was your missed commutation to your employee since our waitress did not know until she placed the order). She giving us a ten dollar off voucher for the NEXT meal. Hell NO! No one is going back there even its free. The tone of the manager blonde lady does not sound like she is been apologetic at all. I don't say this very often. Not only bad food, bad service, this place does not know how to run a business. Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.
(1)
Hollie P.
Awesome Food! Love the Crab Cakes! Salmon is Awesome. Great Atmosphere and Service. If you can sit on the patio at sunset it's unbelievable. The fish tacos are the bomb! One of my favorite places for date night with hubby.
(5)
Marcel H.
Visited Hefner Grill for the first time during the week for lunch. The outside of the restaurant looks nice and the view from inside is very pleasing. I had the blackened Tilapia and a Caesar salad. The salad was wonderful! The Tilapia comes out with some sort of sauce on it. It is not noted in their menu. I try to stay away from sugar and I think the sauce had sugar in it. The Tilapia was good, but not what I call a true Blackened one. I would not eat this again. Much better versions and restaurants that serve this type of food. Vegetables seemed just ok. Staff was friendly and our waiter was nice. Service was ok and then it took a really long time to pay our bill. Not sure why that was. The interior of the restaurant to me seems a little dated. While I see the decor they are trying for, they need to spend a little money upgrading the interior. I noticed booths that are in need of repair and the outside deck is pretty dirty! It seems to me this restaurant is trying to be an upscale place. Prices are not bad, but they need to improve food taste for me to back. I also thought the menu seemed limited to me. Next time I'm in OKC I will try one of the other lake restaurants.
(3)
Lynn B.
Invited to an 80th birthday party for a church member and although the food was geared toward older people, it was very delectable. A great environment for a party. Service was excellent.
(5)
Victoria N.
The happy hour here is awesome ! 1/2 off all appetizers and 1/2 off domestic beers. It's 3-6 pm. Their calamari is good . Oysters and ahi tuna were okay .
(4)
Willie W.
My wife and I decided to give this restaurant to try this weekend. Let me start off by saying that I was blown away by the Jazz Band. I am a huge fan of piano music while you dine or have a drink, it reminds me of how restaurants use to be back in the 50s and 60s. The restaurant ambience was very nice very middle scale but not to upscale at all. We started off with a calamari appetizer which was very good in the sauce was great as well. For our main meal my wife ordered the shrimp platter and I ordered the fillet steak meal. The food was so so the steak was okay but could have been cooked a little bit better. The potatoes that came with it were absolutely great and vegetables were great as well. To be completely honest with you I think that I like Hefner grill mainly because of the ambiance and not exactly for the food not to say that the food isn't good at all but this visit wasn't a particularly great with the food we ordered. Overall this was a ok experience but hopefully down the line as we continue to visit this restaurant the food gets better and the Jazz Band keeps playing.
(4)
Lara C.
I really like the atmosphere of this place. There is usually some live jazzy music and most of the tables have a view of the lake. An absolutely wonderful place to watch the sunset. But sometime the food is hit or miss. On Mother's Day we went and fabulous food. But I returned last weekend and it just wasn't the same. The very first time I went we ordered four apps to share and had cocktails and everything was great but the service was just a little off. Definitely worth trying! Hoping you have a fabulous experience.
I went there today with my wife and some friends and it was great! I got the pepper crusted tuna....it was amazing! My wife had a Tabasco Caesar salad that she said was very good. Our friends got the California burger and the fish tacos and they both looked great! We got some calamari for an appetizer and it was good as well! And you can't beat the VIEW! We sat outside looking at the lake! When you go, ask to sit in Ryan's section. He waited on us and did a great job!
(5)
Sarah K.
This is classy restaurant all the way around - atmosphere, food, and service! They have an AMAZING waterfront view in a majority of their indoor and outdoor seating. They have live jazz during weekend evenings and for sunday brunch and their service is consistently top notch. Great restaurant for all occasions! The Baltimore Crab dip is a guilty pleasure - warm, gooey goodness! And the tabasco cesar salad is one of my boyfriend's favorites. The pork chop is huge, hearty, perfectly grilled portion for larger appetites and I love the tilapia with shrimp on top (the seasoning is the best part).
(4)
Vishal S.
Service is always the key even if the food sucks , in this case the food was ok but the service was great. I had the enchilada with shrimp and it was pretty decent, the only thing is after dinner I had the icky stomach burps of my meal. But the service was great !
(4)
Erin B.
Today was such a gorgeous day, my husband and I decided to go have dinner on a patio by the lake. Since we had never been to Hefner Grill, and saw the good reviews, we thought it would be the perfect place. When we arrived, we asked to sit outside and were informed that the patio was full. Ok. That's fine, we arrived just after work, so we had some time to kill before we were truly hungry for dinner. We asked for the wait time. It was at this point when the 4 hostesses/waitresses panicked and started saying, oh we don't know people sit out there for a long time and there's just no telling, and eventually, we don't guarantee wait times for the patio. Chill! That's fine!! We're thinking, we're laid back. We're okay to wait 20 min to an hour, and if takes way too long, we'll just find some place else. So after all the panicking we discovered, yes, we can wait for a table. They just don't know how long. It's cool, man. We're cool. So just after our wine was ordered at the bar, the buzzer went off. We hadn't even finalized our tab. That was nice and fast! The evening was off to a good start. We sat down outside and a waitress came to our table to tell us she wasn't our waitress. She was awkward. I think she came to at least help out with a drink order, but then saw we already had some and panicked. Lots of panicking. Eventually our waiter came by. He was super slick and had a bit too many airs about him for my taste, but was friendly enough. We ordered the crab dip because you know, we were sitting on a lake and it seemed festive. The patio atmosphere is awesome. You can here subtle music, and the tables aren't crammed together so that you can actually enjoy yourself. The crab dip was lackluster to say the least. It tasted like microwaved cream cheese, with a little bit of canned crab thrown in. The waiter stopped by with a bottle of Tabasco and said, this makes it awesome. I don't know about that, but it did make it edible. It finally had some depth of flavor to make it worth eating. My husband had the seafood enchiladas. He said they were good, but not amazing. I didn't try them myself, but he said that the seafood kinda got lost in the enchilada, so the end result was just some weird texture with a good sauce. Meh. I, on the other hand, hit the motherload. I ordered the new porter chicken salad. I was fiending for some vegetables and this salad seemed to have so many! I got a bit dizzy reading all of the ingredients (mixed greens, chicken, corn, tomatoes, cashews, mangoes, apples, asparagus, eggs, etc) but since it was listed as a favorite, I figured it had to be fantastic. Boy was I wrong. Always trust the dizzy feeling. The first thing I said after putting the first few forkfuls in my mouth was, "this salad is wacky." And really, that was the best word I could come up with. It really was-- wacky. Flavors, textures, it was all over the place. And not in a good way. I stopped halfway through and I just couldn't torture my poor tastebuds any more. Go home, salad, you're drunk. Bottom line: I would go back to have drinks on the patio. I would skip the appetizers and even food. I think, maybe, if I stuck with a normal burger or fish and chips I might be okay?? I just don't know. I really don't trust the place anymore, unless it comes out of a sealed bottle. Side note: the list of ingredients in the salad was so dang long that I had to go on their website to remember what all was going on. (I mean, I love a party in my mouth, but that was one of those parties where it's pretty tame, but then there's that girl dancing on the table and you're wondering what planet am I on.) I saw that it had a LOCATIONS tab in order to pull up the menu and I was all like, no!! Please don't make others do this elsewhere!! And then I saw the drop down menu only included one location. SMH. Props for ambition, yo.
(2)
Kristin H.
I have never felt so rushed through a meal! When three couples go out to dinner on a Friday night, unless they tell you they are in a hurry, you can assume they plan to stay longer than an hour. The server was nice, but seemed to be in a terrible hurry every time she came to the table. The kitchen sent out 3 courses within about 30 minutes - what??? Our soups & salads came before we finished the appetizer, then food runners starting serving our main course while all our soup & salad dishes were still on the table -- one guest had only just started to eat his salad! In what restaurant world is that ok? Before we finished the main course, the server asked if we wanted dessert. We said we didn't know yet... and then she brought us a check while we were still eating! We just let it sit there. When we were ready, we flagged down our server and ordered desserts & after-dinner drinks. She quickly updated our bill, so we went ahead and paid, and then we never saw her again even though we stayed quite sometime afterwards visiting. All our water glasses sat empty until we left. Aside from that... My husband and I had drinks at the bar waiting for the others to show up, and one of the bartenders was pretty good while the other did a lot more talking than bartending. Neither of them were very attentive after we got our drinks & app. I shouldn't have to wave & holler "excuse me" to get another drink at such a small bar. Waiting for a booth overlooking the lake was definitely worth it. The view was beautiful, and the booth created an intimate feel in a busy restaurant. However, as another reviewer noted, there were a lot of dead bugs in the bottom of the lampshades hanging over the table - yuck. The food was just ok. Nothing stood out as excellent. What did stand out was the horribly burnt creme brulee! I would have sent it back, but it was another couple who ordered it, and they didn't want to bother. I saw a photo posted by someone else several months ago that show the same blackened brulee that we got, so clearly, this is a problem! Management needs to train the waiters and bartenders on proper service (timing and attentiveness), and the head chef needs to do a major quality check on the food going out of the kitchen. I would go back for the view, but not with expectations of a great meal.
(3)
Liz H.
Aaaaaaaamazing. We had a wait staff that made sure our drinks were always full. Our hostess was totally sweet. The decor is so fun & creative. The view of the lake is vast & the large windows are romantic. The haddock was perfect, and i had the best veggie blend ever. My husband chose fries (of course) but they were seasoned so well they were irresistible! And the servings were well worth $13/ea.
(5)
Scott W.
First try at HG. Very disappointing. Windows looking out over the lake are filthy. Light fixtures were full of bugs and stained. Service was great. Food was sub par. Too bad.
(2)
Ethan H.
I haven't been out here in at least a year, but we decided on a whim for dinner. I highly recommend the seafood enchiladas!! Amazing taste and excellently prepared. Our server was attentive, the live music was great, and the atmosphere just a tad different, but perfect for the restaurant. Do no leave without ordering the most amazingly delicious key lime pie this side of the lake. See what I did there? Good eats, indeed.
(5)
Thomas O.
It was a dark and stormy day........... It really was yesterday when had our monthly lunch outing. But it really did not matter because I could not ask for more pleasant and joyful company than Robin and Heather. We have been having windy horizontal rains here for the last few days and the lawns are all lush. We went to the Hefner Grill which affords a grand view of Lake Hefner waters even as they were riled up by the rains. Another winner.. Service was well timed and thoughtful. The food was tastefully presented and deliciously prepared. We all noshed on a Spinach Artichoke Dip and Tortilla chips. A delight. Robin had the Newporter Chicken Salad, sauced with a tomato honey lime vinaigrette, and loaded down with bacon apples eggs cashews corn cheese mango and asparagus. Oh, and chicken too. Heather had Paul's Pasta with chicken or shrimp. Its Linguine in a spicy red sauce plus asparagus artichokes and mushrooms. I opted for the Seafood Enchiladas in white ancho cream sauce, loaded with shrimp scallops calamari and crab. Along with them came the rice and red beans, guacamole and green salad. There was a continual resupply of salsa and tortilla chips as well as our drink selections..... Well with this bountiful larder we lunched a mere three hours chatting of cabbages and kings and many things before the rains subsided... For our next go I'll try to select some ethnic menu site just to spice things up a tad....
(4)
Kelly S.
Beautiful view from the patio. Friendly staff. Fast service. Had the Asian salad, spinach salad, pizza and a burger. All were pretty good.
(3)
Bebe L.
We love the carb cake & shrimp cocktail & oysters here it's taste real fresh and the foods is not that bad. Last time I order lobster bisque is a little cold. Not really satisfied. But everything else is good, good services and great view of the lake.
(4)
Mosca M.
Food great. Service was way slow. Like WAY SLOW. I still give it 4 stars. Even the kids loved it! MGMT was great & all blame goes to the waiter. At the end of the day I love the food and will return often.
(4)
Steve B.
We dined at the Hefner Grill last Saturday night. When we arrived, I stopped by the men's room to wash my hands. While there, a kitchen employee emerged from a stall and came over to wash his hands. 3 seconds of water, no soap, and that was it. I was not real wild about the thought of him handling my food. We had drinks in the bar and really enjoyed the live jazz. Justin Echols is an amazing musician. From there we were seated and enjoyed a reasonably good meal. I had the cedar plank salmon, which was very appealing in presentation and over all pretty good. Still trying to get over the men's room issue. The 30 minutes of a crying toddler did not add a positive to the evening, but that is the fault of the parents and not the restaurant. Our server was a great guy and attentive. He was apologetic for the toddler even without us saying a word. All in all, a good experience. Would I go there for dinner without the live jazz? Not sure on that one, given the hygiene issues of the kitchen staff. The hosts could be a bit friendlier and a little more organized. It seemed as though we were putting them out by showing up. I experienced the same attitude while having a business lunch there Thursday. The host wanted to seat 7 of us, all men, in a booth. We asked for a table instead and she did not seem to happy about pushing two tables together.
(3)
Cheri Y.
Hefner grill, I ate your meal, Hefner grill, your enchilada made me ill! Hefner grill will make you puke for real... Hefner grill what a bad ordeal! Eat at Hefner grill & what do you do... enchilada potty poo, enchilada where's the loo? We showed up at this place was seated in a booth. We order a coke & one glass of wine. We got the water & the glass of wine that came, it was like half had been drank already. There was like literally two sips of wine in the bottom of the $11 glass. Then the waitress took our appetizer order of oysters St. Charles. The waitress says "it will be a little while bc he has to make those" ok. Well, what does he not "make" the rest of the menu?! What does that mean?? I should have gotten up & left right then when that red flag presented itself, but I didn't unfortunately. Like a train reck I had to stay to watch this disaster unfold. My hubby had to ask three time for his coke. He finally got his coke with the appetizer of oysters. They were 6 oysters fried & presented on a little bed of creamed spinach in their shell, topped with Sriracha sauce & aioli. The aioli was overkill & too rich so I scrapped most of it off but the oysters were good we both liked them. We ate three each, hubby found a piece of shell in the last one he ate & spit it out. Yuck. We order the bone in pork loin & the seafood enchiladas. The enchiladas were suppose to have shrimp, scallop, fish, & mushroom in them. What we got was a bone in pork loin that was slightly overcooked but hot off the grill. The only thing we got that was eatable. The garlic mashed potatoes & veg. that came with it was completely cold. The garlic mashed potatoes were so over whipped into a starchy paste that I could have hung wallpaper with them! Revolting. This is NOT an accident, this is clearly Inexperienced kitchen staff. The enchilada plate that came was vomitous. It was the biggest plate of slop I have ever been served in my life. Everything on the plate was cold except the cream sauce that was on top & it was way too rich. This dish had a side of red beans & rice that was completely cold & a scoop of guac, some kind of disgusting flavored sour cream & pico?! All on the same plate! I don't know who thought this dish up but mexican seafood enchiladas & Cajun red beans & rice do NOT pair nicely together. That pairs together like two left shoes. I dug my fork around in the seafood enchiladas trying to find some seafood. There was NO scallops at all & I found three tiny shrimp that were literally tadpole size! I have never seen shrimp this tiny in a restaurant in my life. It was more like fish bait. My diamond stud earring are bigger! I found some fish pieces & two pieces of mushroom. It was mostly, cheese, tortillas & overly rich cream. I ate a couple bites, it was disgusting. The worst dish I have ever had in my life. My hubby & I both ate the oysters & he was fine after. I was the only one that ate any of the enchiladas. We asked for the check & left. The drive to my flat is 7 miles away. I didn't even make it home b4 I was sick as a dog. Congratulations Hefner grill! Not only have you made it to the top of my list of the absolute WORST restaurant I have ever been to in my life. I had plenty of time to make up a song about your restaurant while laying on the bathroom floor vomiting. Hope you enjoy it! Hefner grill, I ate your meal, Hefner grill, your enchilada made me ill! Hefner grill will make you puke for real... Hefner grill what a bad ordeal. Eat at Hefner grill & what do you do... enchilada potty poo, enchilada where's the loo? Won't return EVER!
(1)
Courtney S.
We came here on Valentine's Day, so I'm not sure how well my review speaks to a "normal" night at this restaurant. Being Valentine's Day, the place was, of course, packed! We had reservations, but had to wait a few minutes for our table to be ready. When they took us to the table, it wasn't set. For some reason, that always bothers me. If you're going to make me wait because "your table isn't ready," at least make it ready before you seat me, right? Anyway, despite being very busy, our waitress was very nice. I've been on Atkins in preparation for my upcoming wedding, so she was able to answer all my questions about what was in certain dishes, checked with the kitchen on a few things, and took my order (eliminating some items, adding others). They were very accommodating. The whiskey pours were generous, albeit a little more on the pricey side compared to some other places we've dined at, so I didn't mind the couple extra bucks. My only true complaint was that the food came out super fast. I understand it's probably one of the busiest days for restaurants, but we barely were able to finish our appetizer and the entree was already in front of us. I like having a good 10 minutes in between courses to digest. The last thing that bothered me: our dinner plates were cleared, the waitress asked (while holding our dinner plates) if we wanted dessert. We said no, and it our check was handed to us. It was like they were telling us to get out so they could get the next table started. I really do understand the stress on restaurants on a day like Valentines, but I felt like I was getting kicked out, like they couldn't get us out fast enough! I'm sure I'll be back at some point...the food was good...but I don't like being rushed, and I definitely felt rushed!
(3)
Meg G.
We eat here often for the live music, good service, and the fact that they are very accommodating of dietary limitations or restrictions. They prepare my food as I request and never make me feel like I'm putting them out. Drinks are good too! We love the lake view and the menu has something for everyone.
(5)
Scarlet L.
I often go here for business lunch. LOVE IT! I always request to sit by the lake. The view is breath-taking. There is something about the water which always soothes our souls. and jazz! They always have jazz music on or live jazz music. The restaurant does give us a very classy 1950s American feel, which I like. I do think Americans should keep it classy like 1950s or 1960s. For starters, I love their crab cakes with the buttery sauce and crawfish. Their grilled pork chop is my husband's favorite. It is cooked to perfection. The texture of the meat does taste similar to a steak. The sauce is perfect to go with it with a top of mushroom. But my favorite is the pepper crusted tuna. The tuna is sushi graded so you should eat it as medium rare. The pepper is not too strong to empower the taste of the fish. The fish is blended well with the wasabi sauce. Yum! I normally switch back and forth the pepper crusted tuna or the Mediterranean tuna salad. About the salad, the portion is HUGE. I have to admit that I get really turned off when the plate is put down on the table and the salad is bigger than my head. So I can only have a few bites and that's it. Other than that, I wish they have glazed carrots like Charleston's and they do need to improve on the quality of the creme brulee.
(5)
Jeff M.
I discovered recently that Hefner Grill is one of the many restaurants under the umbrella of the Hal Smith Restaurant Group. Some of the restaurants are pretty impressive (e.g. Upper Crust, The Garage) while others are about as exciting as a box of butter knives (e.g. TK's I Heart This Bar & Grill, Charleston's, Mama Roja, Wes Welker's, etc.). Hefner Grill would fall more into the former category as long as you pick the right items. It is possible to go there, spend a large amount of money and walk away disappointed. It is also possible to spend not a large amount of money and walk away thinking that it's a place you would enjoy returning to very soon. First off, avoid the items with the "HG" stamped next to it. They're referred to as being the "Hefner Grill Favorites" but I can't figure out if they're favorites because they're the more expensive items on the menu, or they jacked up the prices on the stuff that people kept buying because the descriptions sounded good. Either way, they're not my favorites and I have been consistently disappointed when I've eaten them. There are other items on the menu that are better, and cheaper. The HG Blackened Tilapia is one of the cheaper HG options, but the scallop tastes old, and the brown butter sauce has a weird sour taste. But enough about the unimpressive food. The Fish Tacos are pretty yum, and the Catfish Platter is a safe bet. If there's one fish that landlocked Oklahoman restaurants can't mess up, it seems to be catfish. The Baby Back Ribs are pretty good, and the price isn't bad either. The sandwiches are all good and filling, while the rainbow trout was better tasting than the tilapia (for me). Even for a lunch menu, you get quite a bit of food, which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on the person. If you have any choice in the matter (and you don't care about silly things like BMI, body fat percentage, and triglycerides), get the garlic mashed potatoes as one of your sides. Mmmmmmmm complex carbohydrates that really aren't that complex. If you're a special kind of fattie, get the shoe string fries AND garlic mashed potatoes. All of the sides are good (with the mashed potatoes being several kinds of good), although I'm deciding not to try the Squash Rockefeller because it's an HG and I'm tired of being disappointed by what Hefner Grill touts as being delicious. I've mentioned it before but the desserts are kind of insane. If I see you eating the 6-layer chocolate cake alone, I'm going to assume you're trying to eat your feelings from getting dumped/divorced (I'm sorry for your loss), losing your job (you no longer have a steady income stream and you decide to spend $9 on dessert? That doesn't seem smart), or you're out for a last hurrah before joining the Biggest Loser. I like to make up stories for strangers in restaurants. Great date restaurant with recessed and secluded booths to allow for private conversations and canoodling (please don't). When the weather is nice, you can sit outside and enjoy the view of Oklahoma's 30th largest man-made lake. Well, they're all man-made so I guess that's an unnecessary qualifier.
(4)
Barb A.
I've eaten here twice. Both times had the spinach and artichoke dip. So yummy! Catfish is very good also. The view is awesome!!
(5)
John R.
We will be returning. There is no doubt about it. Setting: Great views, quiet restaurant around dinner time and even live music. The meal: Outstanding. My steak wasn't quite done enough but waiter took it back and had it fixed with no issues. It was juicy and didn't have all the gristle on it like cheaper cuts of meat do. The mashed potatoes were awesome. My wife ordered the tilapia and enjoyed it. Their crab cakes are delicious. The drinks: Margaritas were a little (ok a lot) heavy on the triple sec. Informed the staff and they were replaced at no charge. The staff: Waiter was friendly, attentive and not overbearing like some of the other restaurants out there. He always seemed to appear when you needed him to and wasn't hovering the entire meal (this earned him an extra tip). The price: Kind of pricy when you add in an appetizer, salad, drinks, and the two main courses. Out the door with tip just over $100. Can't wait to try their brunch menu! If anyone knows whether their patio is pet friendly, let me know!
(5)
Melissa D.
I was looking for a place to get a good breakfast. Not the typical Oklahoma southern flair with biscuits and gravy, I was craving something different coming from SF, and I was craving a Bloody Mary! I found Hefner Grill on Yelp and decided to check it out. I was seated promptly since I arrived around 11:30 and they had just opened at 11:00 on Saturday. However, I was a bit disappointed to learn they only serve Brunch on Sunday. I was able to order a Bloody Mary, so I had to stay! I ordered the California Burger, NOT because I'm from California but because it sounded good. It arrived with a generous helping of the thin fries, cooked to perfection! The "burger" was great, although I may prefer a bun instead of the Texas Toast type bread it's served on. The view was nice, definitely helped satisfy my need to be near the water. I sat inside, since we've had such crazy weather lately, it's still pretty chilly outside. I would definitely go back in warmer weather for some lakeside ambiance. The service was very good, waiter was attentive yet not overbearing. They offer free wifi as well, always a plus! The music is nice, jazz. I've been so disappointed at some of the restaurants I've been into here and the music is uncomfortably loud and not really in tune with the environment of the restaurant. I will definitely return! This could be my new go-to place while I'm here, great job all around. How refreshing.
(4)
Mike K.
Had Sunday brunch there today 6/14/2015. My food was cold an when they replaced it the sausage and hash browns were also cold again. Service was sub par. Waiter had little personality, don't think he want to be there. Wont be back. : ( I was there before and it has gone downhill. The sad part was my Daughter brought me there for Father's Day!
(1)
Amir P.
The staff are very friendly and helpful. The view is fantastic. The steak is delicious and cooked as ordered. The beer is ice cold. I honestly can't ask for any more than that. The menu is not exactly mind-blowingly creative, but so far, from what I've tasted, they know what they are doing. Overall, I'd recommend this place as a great place to take a client out to lunch or dinner, or just to go out with friends.
(4)
Patrick W.
The Missus and I decided to come here on a whim with another couple. Plus, we're big fans of the Sunday brunch! :) In short, this place is absolutely phenomenal. I had their traditional breakfast plate...biscuits, sausage, and hash browns. Let me just say that their hash browns are hands down the best I have ever eaten. The flavor was intense, but not overwhelming. Their sausage wasn't crispy, which is usually an issue for me, and their gravy complimented their biscuits beautifully. The atmosphere was wonderful. There wasn't a crowd and our waitress did a fantastic job of checking on our table without being a burden. Overall, the restaurant was exceptionally clean and organized. In all honesty, this just may be my new favorite brunch destination in Oklahoman City. The food was spectacular, the service was great, and the price was very fair. Also, you can't beat the breathtaking view of Hefner Lake whilst sipping on a mimosa and enjoying a delicious breakfast.
(4)
Amy G.
Hefner Grill is such a nice space. I had Sunday brunch there and was happy to find that they also offer their full lunch menu in addition to a concise brunch menu. Mimosas are $3, win! I requested a table with lake view in my reservation and was so happy that HG honored the request. It was our first time there and my partner commented that it felt like we were somewhere else. Instead of white sands or a rock cliff or something, the "red dirt" kept us pretty firmly planted in reality, though. The six of us all ordered something different, from salads, to brunch and lunch options. We were all happy, including the kiddos. This was, so far, my favorite brunch in OKC, so much so that we stayed for 2.5 hours. Really, the food, service, drinks, and view were wonderful. We ordered the six layer chocolate cake and the key lime pie desserts, which was ridiculous, but the kiddos got to take the leftovers home. I can't wait to go back here for date night.
(5)
Emily A.
Tonight we had crab dip, the chilean sea bass and the rib eye, both the specials. Lukas was our waiter and he was so awesome. They had a lot of people working im sure bc of vday but he never had to wait long for anything. The food was amazing! Fish was so tender and my hubs rib eye was cooked perfect. Thanks hefner grill for making our vday dinner fantastic!!!!!
(5)
Bekah M.
Great view, great service, great Ahi Tuna! I went in with no idea what I wanted to eat, but spied the Ahi Salad and ordered that paired with the recommended gumbo. The gumbo was great, hearty, spicy and a great consistency. I ordered the tuna medium. My bad, since it was sushi grade I should have ordered it raw, but the salad was still wonderful! Light and refreshing and filling! Will be back to explore the rest of the menu.
(5)
Jada E.
Went here for the first time tonight, and I loved it! First of all, there was a man singing and playing live jazz music on the piano. The atmosphere was very nice and romantic. I had the tilapia with steamed vegetables, and potatoes instead of rice. It was delicious! The steamed veggies were cooked just right and not overcooked. The sauce on the tilapia was excellent, and the potatoes were creamy and seasoned just right. The portion size was large, so I had to bring half of the plate home. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a great meal in OKC!
(5)
Julie S.
We came here at the perfect time on Saturday night - during a home OU game! We came with my parents and were so impressed. The place was quiet but not dead, and were pleasantly surprised to walk in and find live jazz music and a very cool ambience. Why does this place never register on my radar? What had kept me away for so long? I'd been here before, a few years ago for a scene-y private party hosted by some local so-and-sos. That event was packed, wall to wall with VIPs and wannabees and I just remember being over it. So I must have blocked it out. Not cool, JP, because this place is great. Our waiter was fantastic. The food was wonderful. We split the special, a perfectly seared filet atop a crisp crab cake, along with a sauce and some shrimp. Garlic mashed potatoes, something I normally have no problem turning down, seemed exceptionally flavorful. We also had a side salad to start, and we ordered an extra salad as well which made the meal more than enough, even though we split. Everything was top shelf. We also split the decadent chocolate cake (shared among four people) and we loved it, though we were a bit too full to truly relish it. I would come back for a nice glass of Cab Sav and that cake. For the combination of the scenery, the atmosphere (live music but not so loud that you can't visit), the service, the food and the presentation, I'm not sure, but this may trump Red Rock for me now. (Gasp!) If this place would serve the Red Rock Little House Salad I would probably switch teams! I'd give a fifth star with an improved wine list. Was I missing the wine booklet? There were only a few wines in each category available, by bottle or glass, at least on the menu I was looking at. And they wines I saw were not on par with the food. They will bring you a taste of anything, which is very nice, but I would have preferred more selection. The bartender looked to be pouring some excellent cocktails so I might go that route next time, and there will definitely be a next time.
(4)
Mandy R.
3.5 star rounded up. Have come here several times when visiting family in OKC. The views of the lake are fantastic, and the atmosphere is nice. The live music could be toned down a bit though. It's far too loud for a restaurant. Over the visits, I've had the spinach and artichoke dip, the crab cakes, side salads (house and ceasar -- the ceasar is super tangy!), the fried chicken, the pork chop, and fish and chips. Apparently they have wonderful crab dip, but haven't had it. Everything I've tried here has been good, but not amazing or anything. We mostly keep coming back because of the views, the convenience (on the way from the airport to the house), and because it's not bad food or anything. The wine list is decent (not sure about the beer list as I haven't really looked). Get reservations if you'll be there on Friday or Saturday, and be prepared to have some trouble parking (there are 3-4 popular restaurants that share the parking lot).
(4)
Robin E.
This place is starting to grow on me. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed my time here. I had family in OKC for the first time. We came here (because my favorite place next door had a 75 minute wait). We were seated instantly and next to the lake too! The food was good. The service slow. The atmosphere pleasant. I will be back to try eating on the deck. Each time, the stars go higher!
(3)
Kimberly G.
I ate at Hefner Grill years ago when it was still Pearl's Lakeside and hadn't been back until this visit. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that many of my favorite dishes, including the Pecan Crusted Trout and Cedar Plank Salmon (original recipe) were still being offered. My husband and I were seated immediately and got a lakeside table inside. The waiter was prompt. Every time our drinks were halfway empty he was there with a refill. Our calamari appetizer was fresh and still quite hot. Many times I've ordered an appetizer and it shows up lukewarm from sitting out under the lamps. Since it had been a while I ordered what I considered a safe option, the Fish & Chips. Delicious! The batter was crisp but the fish was still moist and tender and the beer batter made it reminiscent of an old family recipe. The fries are actually pommes frites which are my favorite style as they are always crisp. We decided to share a key lime pie for dessert. Be advised this is NOT a single serving. It is meant to be shared. It's not a traditional key lime pie but rather a cheesecake. It is divine. You must have some even if you take it home to savor later.
(4)
Warren B.
One of my new fav restaurant. They have the best shrimp with pasta. Great cocktails. Mostly seafood but do have pork, chicken and steak. Hidden treasure. Will be returning very soon.
(5)
Kevin L.
Hefner Grill is just great. Like really just wonderful. Coming from CA, I'm very picky with my food especially my more pricey food. Hefner grill has amazing quality and taste of food for dare I say cheap prices. Compared to many other "fancy" or upscale places like Mahogany, Hefner Grill prices are much cheaper, averaging $15-$20 an entree. The view of Lake Hefner is great and reservations aren't that hard to get because the restaurant is huge. They have a live band some days and it's always busy which gives it a nice modern feel to accompany the great decor. Now let's talk food: Mediterranean Ahi Tuna Salad ($16) - Oh man, my fiancee just went nuts for this. First off, it's a great blend of veggies with a wonderful dressing and there is ahi tuna! Seared to perfection, the tuna is fresh and tastes great. Sirloin Steak ($19) - nice big steak seasoned well and grilled perfectly just the way I ordered it. Bonus, the garlic mash potatoes are great. Grilled Bone In Pork Chop ($17) - Honestly, this is the most worth it upscale dish I probably have ever ordered. Absolutely AMAZING. Great mustard blend rub that doesn't have an overpowering mustard taste. The pork chop is wonderfully cooked. I could go on about this dish for days. Get this. Thank me later. Service - wonderful, quick, checked up on us a lot, but not too much (sometimes a fine line) Pros: - Great food, like really FANTASTIC food - Reasonable prices ($15-$20 per entree) - Good service - Great atmosphere - Nice View Cons: - Expensive appetizers - Parking (although free) can be hard to find sometimes
(5)
Nick S.
Kind of a Jekyll and Hyde place. Some things I love and some are just okay. It's a great bar good at happy hour, some meals are pedestrian, and some are a naive surprise. It's a suburbia bar, it's nice and you won't go wrong here. I like it, just didn't knock me out with anything.
(3)
Anna F.
Purely based on my brunch experiences, Hefner Grill is definitely five stars! I love the modern fanciness of the restaurant, complete with a live piano player to accompany your meal. The have a nice, concise brunch menu with all of the usual items such as eggs benedict, breakfast enchiladas, and other breakfast platters. I most recently tried the southwest eggs benedict with a yummy roasted pepper hollandaise and a corn muffin instead of the traditional English muffin. It was perfect! They also have wonderful cheesy biscuits which come with all of the brunch meals. I really like the herb hash browns which I don't believe I've seen anywhere else. You get a lot for your money here and I guarantee you won't leave any less than full!
(5)
Dirk H.
We can not stop eating brunch here. It is the best in town. Southern eggs Benedict. The bar area is open seating so no wait.
(5)
Frannie P.
A delicious brunch with impeccable service! Ryan, our server, was fantastic. Food was yummy and drinks were great. For the quality of food and service, I thought the prices were very reasonable. Had a booth facing the lake and really enjoyed the view! Highly recommend.
(5)
Enrique O.
I made a reservation at 7, was sat for a party of 8 after 7:30, more like 7:45. I took 8 of the people I grew up with. This review is for my food only! We ordered drinks when we first sat down, they took a minimum of 20 minutes, and my perfect margarita that I ordered an extra shot that came in a cocktail mix container was served with no glass to pour it into, and no extra shot, that took a minimum of 5 extra minutes to get a glass for my beverage and my extra shot. I ordered the steak rare, they asked me to cut it and check it when I was served, it wasn't rare, he offered to replace it, I didn't wanna wait again for their mistakes I was hungry and everything took long, I didn't give him the steak back, I ate it, very tough and loaded with fat. The prices were high and my steak wasn't good. I won't go back period. The staff took forever, never apologized for all the wrong, the man that gave me the steak looked as if he could care less and knew it was over cooked.
(1)
Ethan A.
Delicious! Stopped for a quick appetizer and drink, wasn't expecting much. Bar was clean and modern but some of the booths are looking a bit worn. They did not have any sort of cocktail menu which may be a first for me..? The cocktail was fine, but nothing special. The chicken quesadilla on the other hand was outstanding! Perhaps the best I've ever had! Wonderful fresh smokey flavors with fresh guacamole and salsa. The Caesar salad was also quite good. Prices were fair, especially taking the ambiance and location next to the (empty lake) into account. Next time I'm in OKC I'll be back!
(4)
Cecily D.
Yummy ill post my desert later.
(4)
James P.
Cool place right on the water. Tried the Crab Dip (Great) Chicken Sandwich (Good) for lunch. I'd come back!
(4)
Tami B.
On August 3, 2014, we had my mother's 80th birthday party in the private dining room - great views of the lake from this room! First the mechanics: Paul Englund and his staff were most accommodating. The air conditioning was broken but they had several fans set up to keep the room cool. We had a visual presentation which they did everything they could to make sure ran smoothly - even though there were a couple of glitches. Our party ran over time a little bit and they were courteous and professional about scooting us along so they could prep for their next party. We had two servers (wish I could remember their names) who were perfect. They were warm, friendly and professional and they were able to get their job done without disrupting the presentations being made. Secondly the food: Because we didn't have too many people, we were able to order off the menu. Those who ordered brunch items were served cold food. Those who order other fare seemed to have theirs served at the proper temperature. I think everyone was mostly pleased with their selections. I still don't know how they pull off serving everybody at the same time. The servers kept the beverages coming throughout the entire party. The overall experience was close to perfect. The reasons I cannot give five stars are the mechanical glitches and the cold brunch foods. Job well done Hefner Grill!
(4)
Jeff F.
Average food+ Poor service+ Empty tea glass= 10% tip and a no return.
(2)
Susan M.
Great atmosphere and neat place, but service and food was just average. We had the calamari, oysters, fish enchiladas and tuna. The appetizers were good but the meals were just average. The atmosphere was worth going, but I just simply expected more from the food itself.
(3)
John F.
Hefner Grill is a particularly outstanding place to dine for its price point. An average entree is about $16 or so and the quality is what you'd easily pay $10 more for elsewhere in Oklahoma City. There are many reasons why this is a great place to eat. The quality of the food is particularly and consistently outstanding. The seafood is fresh, meats are high quality, and sides are very tasty. For our children we ordered quesadillas and they looked amazing. The location is unique -- overlooking Lake Hefner with boats floating by, it is not your typical land-locked location in the midwest. The service is also consistently exceptional. They use a blended model where you have a primary server yet other servers do very well pitching in to help each other, so you never go wanting for anything. Desserts are also super. The key-lime pie is gigantic -- and sharable with generous portions for 2 and ample to share for more. The chocolate cake is also very good. Many places have chocolate desserts that are "all hat and no cattle" with redi-whip or some such nonsense squirted around the sides to make it look more impressive. Not here. This is a 6 layer chocolate cake that could easily be split 2, 3, or 4 ways. Awesome. My father-in-law, who is quite particular about restaurants, raved that his trout was the best he has had in years. He is also consistently nice to wait staff, but I have never heard him stop a waitress at the end of the meal to say "you have provided us with outstanding service this evening and we appreciate it very much." He said it here. This is a great place to have a very high quality dinner without paying the over-the-top price. If I could change anything, I probably would separate the bar area from the eating area more cleanly -- however, you can't have everything. Hefner Grill is one of my very favorites. Bravo!
I really enjoy the ahi tuna appetizer because it is served with an amazing wasabi aioli but the fish isn't very high quality, and they have a few decent wines by the bottle such as A to Z. Also.. love the view, it's one of our favorite places to go to especially to dine al fresco.
(3)
Tiffany M.
I can only vouch for their Sunday brunch but I am certainly a fan. A perfect place to bring company to or first time OKC visitors. The prices are very well in line with other restaurants, and the view is priceless. We enjoyed a carafe of mimosa (because whats brunch with a mimosa??) and this time we split the Southern Eggs Benedict and a side of biscuit and gravy. The Southern Eggs Benedict is a monster! Corn cakes , ham, fried green tomato , guac a mole topped with perfect poached egg and hollandaise sauce! My husband has eaten this entire dish on his own but we found splitting it suited us well today. It of course comes with lovely herbed hash browns and some cheese breed. The biscuit and gravy priced at only 3 with a giant split biscuit and their gravy has andouille sausage right up our alley. Our server was very friendly and attentive ( I tend to suck down the water after going out the night before gotta rehydrate ya know?) The atmosphere is great as well there is a live jazz pianist and we really enjoy just taking our time sipping mimosa looking out at the lake.
(4)
John M.
This is among my top three fav spots in OKC. Never had a bad meal here: quite the opposite. The most recent visit was for Sunday brunch and I chose the Breakfast Enchiladas. It was every bit as delicious as I thought it might be. Across time, I've had nearly all their seafood specialties, and they are great! The Cedar Plank Salmon is the best in town. From the gumbo to blackened Catfish to Red Beans & Rice, each of the cajun specialties are perfect. The view is unparalleled, although yes we do need for Lake Hefner to refill. As much as a fan as ever.
(5)
Laura M.
I went to Hefner Grill with my best girl friend for brunch a couple of weeks ago. I am new to the city and hadn't been to Lake Hefner and really enjoyed the view! It was almost like a getaway :-p We both ordered mimosas, and I ordered the Southern Benedict, which had corn muffins on bottom in addition to guacamole (my fav!), fried green tomatoes, ham, and of course nicely poached eggs & hollandaise. The breakfast potatoes and side muffin were also excellent. The food was reasonably priced for the quality and ambiance of the restaurant... there was also a piano player :-) Would highly recommend!
(5)
Jack S.
The crab dip, fish tacos and pork chop are all really good. The wife and I like to take people from out of town here because the view is beautiful. The service is definitely hit or miss though.
(4)
Errol R.
Our dining experience was great. The steak was as good as it gets-a fillet. The Cesar salad was a little spicy for me. I had to stop about half way through eating it as my mouth was peppered out, about then our meal arrived and I didn't need any more salad.
(4)
Shane B.
It was excellent had lobster and fillet good atmosphere live music.
(4)
Addison G.
Great restaurant and great atmosphere. I always reserve a lake table ahead of time. Especially if you are going for dinner. I know everyone in OKC is crazy about Eischens fried chicken but you can order pan-fried chicken here. It's not on the menu but it's the best you'll have! Their brunch is awesome too if you hit it right after church.
(4)
Deena S.
When i went there with my family, we sat outside on a patio that was actually OVER the water so as your sitting, you feel like your on a boat deck. A man was playing the piano inside that people could also hear sitting outside on the speaker. the food was amazing, and the over all atmosphere was so relaxing. Rees Associates is the company that designed this restaurant and their office is actually right next door. i think they did an amazing job. the lay out is beautiful.
(5)
Sherri C.
Sunday brunch was good but not great. Eggs Chesapeake (crabcake benedict for East Coasters) was not the best I've had. Crabcakes were tiny and hinted at being pre-made & frozen--just OK. One egg had a completely cooked yolk while the other was runny, as I would have preferred in a poached egg. Hubby had a Southern benedict with biscuit, fried green tomatos and the poached eggs--the tomatos were spot on, but his eggs were also inconsistent. Our guests each had standard eggs Benedict which they agreed were good, but not great. All in all, a lot of food on all the plates, with an above average hash brown "cake", and biscuit on the side. None of us finished the entire plate. The coffee is excellent as was hubby's "perfect Bloody Mary." The view of the lake was also excellent from our seats & being water lovers, it made the experience for us. I might or might not go back.
(3)
Nicole T.
First time to Hefner, but had a beautiful evening with family!! I ordered steak and veggies which was delicious. On the water, so great view and nice wine list.
(4)
Katie R.
We ate in the back room for a rehearsal dinner - the salmon was excellent!! Great drinks, great food, and a great view!
(4)
Savanna F.
Nice atmosphere. Priced okay. I had the pecan crusted trout but I was disappointed because it was fish batter with huge chunks of unground pecans. Calamari wasn't very good.
(2)
Marcel H.
Visited Hefner Grill for the first time during the week for lunch. The outside of the restaurant looks nice and the view from inside is very pleasing. I had the blackened Tilapia and a Caesar salad. The salad was wonderful! The Tilapia comes out with some sort of sauce on it. It is not noted in their menu. I try to stay away from sugar and I think the sauce had sugar in it. The Tilapia was good, but not what I call a true Blackened one. I would not eat this again. Much better versions and restaurants that serve this type of food. Vegetables seemed just ok. Staff was friendly and our waiter was nice. Service was ok and then it took a really long time to pay our bill. Not sure why that was. The interior of the restaurant to me seems a little dated. While I see the decor they are trying for, they need to spend a little money upgrading the interior. I noticed booths that are in need of repair and the outside deck is pretty dirty! It seems to me this restaurant is trying to be an upscale place. Prices are not bad, but they need to improve food taste for me to back. I also thought the menu seemed limited to me. Next time I'm in OKC I will try one of the other lake restaurants.
(3)
Lynn B.
Invited to an 80th birthday party for a church member and although the food was geared toward older people, it was very delectable. A great environment for a party. Service was excellent.
(5)
Thomas O.
It was a dark and stormy day........... It really was yesterday when had our monthly lunch outing. But it really did not matter because I could not ask for more pleasant and joyful company than Robin and Heather. We have been having windy horizontal rains here for the last few days and the lawns are all lush. We went to the Hefner Grill which affords a grand view of Lake Hefner waters even as they were riled up by the rains. Another winner.. Service was well timed and thoughtful. The food was tastefully presented and deliciously prepared. We all noshed on a Spinach Artichoke Dip and Tortilla chips. A delight. Robin had the Newporter Chicken Salad, sauced with a tomato honey lime vinaigrette, and loaded down with bacon apples eggs cashews corn cheese mango and asparagus. Oh, and chicken too. Heather had Paul's Pasta with chicken or shrimp. Its Linguine in a spicy red sauce plus asparagus artichokes and mushrooms. I opted for the Seafood Enchiladas in white ancho cream sauce, loaded with shrimp scallops calamari and crab. Along with them came the rice and red beans, guacamole and green salad. There was a continual resupply of salsa and tortilla chips as well as our drink selections..... Well with this bountiful larder we lunched a mere three hours chatting of cabbages and kings and many things before the rains subsided... For our next go I'll try to select some ethnic menu site just to spice things up a tad....
(4)
Kelly S.
Beautiful view from the patio. Friendly staff. Fast service. Had the Asian salad, spinach salad, pizza and a burger. All were pretty good.
(3)
Steve B.
We dined at the Hefner Grill last Saturday night. When we arrived, I stopped by the men's room to wash my hands. While there, a kitchen employee emerged from a stall and came over to wash his hands. 3 seconds of water, no soap, and that was it. I was not real wild about the thought of him handling my food. We had drinks in the bar and really enjoyed the live jazz. Justin Echols is an amazing musician. From there we were seated and enjoyed a reasonably good meal. I had the cedar plank salmon, which was very appealing in presentation and over all pretty good. Still trying to get over the men's room issue. The 30 minutes of a crying toddler did not add a positive to the evening, but that is the fault of the parents and not the restaurant. Our server was a great guy and attentive. He was apologetic for the toddler even without us saying a word. All in all, a good experience. Would I go there for dinner without the live jazz? Not sure on that one, given the hygiene issues of the kitchen staff. The hosts could be a bit friendlier and a little more organized. It seemed as though we were putting them out by showing up. I experienced the same attitude while having a business lunch there Thursday. The host wanted to seat 7 of us, all men, in a booth. We asked for a table instead and she did not seem to happy about pushing two tables together.
(3)
Jed B.
Fish tacos were great. Lots of fish although a bit too much breading. Squash Rockefeller was very good.
(4)
Sherri C.
Sunday brunch was good but not great. Eggs Chesapeake (crabcake benedict for East Coasters) was not the best I've had. Crabcakes were tiny and hinted at being pre-made & frozen--just OK. One egg had a completely cooked yolk while the other was runny, as I would have preferred in a poached egg. Hubby had a Southern benedict with biscuit, fried green tomatos and the poached eggs--the tomatos were spot on, but his eggs were also inconsistent. Our guests each had standard eggs Benedict which they agreed were good, but not great. All in all, a lot of food on all the plates, with an above average hash brown "cake", and biscuit on the side. None of us finished the entire plate. The coffee is excellent as was hubby's "perfect Bloody Mary." The view of the lake was also excellent from our seats & being water lovers, it made the experience for us. I might or might not go back.
(3)
Savanna F.
Nice atmosphere. Priced okay. I had the pecan crusted trout but I was disappointed because it was fish batter with huge chunks of unground pecans. Calamari wasn't very good.
(2)
Tiffany M.
I can only vouch for their Sunday brunch but I am certainly a fan. A perfect place to bring company to or first time OKC visitors. The prices are very well in line with other restaurants, and the view is priceless. We enjoyed a carafe of mimosa (because whats brunch with a mimosa??) and this time we split the Southern Eggs Benedict and a side of biscuit and gravy. The Southern Eggs Benedict is a monster! Corn cakes , ham, fried green tomato , guac a mole topped with perfect poached egg and hollandaise sauce! My husband has eaten this entire dish on his own but we found splitting it suited us well today. It of course comes with lovely herbed hash browns and some cheese breed. The biscuit and gravy priced at only 3 with a giant split biscuit and their gravy has andouille sausage right up our alley. Our server was very friendly and attentive ( I tend to suck down the water after going out the night before gotta rehydrate ya know?) The atmosphere is great as well there is a live jazz pianist and we really enjoy just taking our time sipping mimosa looking out at the lake.
(4)
Deena S.
When i went there with my family, we sat outside on a patio that was actually OVER the water so as your sitting, you feel like your on a boat deck. A man was playing the piano inside that people could also hear sitting outside on the speaker. the food was amazing, and the over all atmosphere was so relaxing. Rees Associates is the company that designed this restaurant and their office is actually right next door. i think they did an amazing job. the lay out is beautiful.
(5)
Nicole T.
First time to Hefner, but had a beautiful evening with family!! I ordered steak and veggies which was delicious. On the water, so great view and nice wine list.
(4)
Katie R.
We ate in the back room for a rehearsal dinner - the salmon was excellent!! Great drinks, great food, and a great view!
(4)
Courtney S.
We came here on Valentine's Day, so I'm not sure how well my review speaks to a "normal" night at this restaurant. Being Valentine's Day, the place was, of course, packed! We had reservations, but had to wait a few minutes for our table to be ready. When they took us to the table, it wasn't set. For some reason, that always bothers me. If you're going to make me wait because "your table isn't ready," at least make it ready before you seat me, right? Anyway, despite being very busy, our waitress was very nice. I've been on Atkins in preparation for my upcoming wedding, so she was able to answer all my questions about what was in certain dishes, checked with the kitchen on a few things, and took my order (eliminating some items, adding others). They were very accommodating. The whiskey pours were generous, albeit a little more on the pricey side compared to some other places we've dined at, so I didn't mind the couple extra bucks. My only true complaint was that the food came out super fast. I understand it's probably one of the busiest days for restaurants, but we barely were able to finish our appetizer and the entree was already in front of us. I like having a good 10 minutes in between courses to digest. The last thing that bothered me: our dinner plates were cleared, the waitress asked (while holding our dinner plates) if we wanted dessert. We said no, and it our check was handed to us. It was like they were telling us to get out so they could get the next table started. I really do understand the stress on restaurants on a day like Valentines, but I felt like I was getting kicked out, like they couldn't get us out fast enough! I'm sure I'll be back at some point...the food was good...but I don't like being rushed, and I definitely felt rushed!
(3)
Meg G.
We eat here often for the live music, good service, and the fact that they are very accommodating of dietary limitations or restrictions. They prepare my food as I request and never make me feel like I'm putting them out. Drinks are good too! We love the lake view and the menu has something for everyone.
(5)
Scarlet L.
I often go here for business lunch. LOVE IT! I always request to sit by the lake. The view is breath-taking. There is something about the water which always soothes our souls. and jazz! They always have jazz music on or live jazz music. The restaurant does give us a very classy 1950s American feel, which I like. I do think Americans should keep it classy like 1950s or 1960s. For starters, I love their crab cakes with the buttery sauce and crawfish. Their grilled pork chop is my husband's favorite. It is cooked to perfection. The texture of the meat does taste similar to a steak. The sauce is perfect to go with it with a top of mushroom. But my favorite is the pepper crusted tuna. The tuna is sushi graded so you should eat it as medium rare. The pepper is not too strong to empower the taste of the fish. The fish is blended well with the wasabi sauce. Yum! I normally switch back and forth the pepper crusted tuna or the Mediterranean tuna salad. About the salad, the portion is HUGE. I have to admit that I get really turned off when the plate is put down on the table and the salad is bigger than my head. So I can only have a few bites and that's it. Other than that, I wish they have glazed carrots like Charleston's and they do need to improve on the quality of the creme brulee.
(5)
Tami B.
On August 3, 2014, we had my mother's 80th birthday party in the private dining room - great views of the lake from this room! First the mechanics: Paul Englund and his staff were most accommodating. The air conditioning was broken but they had several fans set up to keep the room cool. We had a visual presentation which they did everything they could to make sure ran smoothly - even though there were a couple of glitches. Our party ran over time a little bit and they were courteous and professional about scooting us along so they could prep for their next party. We had two servers (wish I could remember their names) who were perfect. They were warm, friendly and professional and they were able to get their job done without disrupting the presentations being made. Secondly the food: Because we didn't have too many people, we were able to order off the menu. Those who ordered brunch items were served cold food. Those who order other fare seemed to have theirs served at the proper temperature. I think everyone was mostly pleased with their selections. I still don't know how they pull off serving everybody at the same time. The servers kept the beverages coming throughout the entire party. The overall experience was close to perfect. The reasons I cannot give five stars are the mechanical glitches and the cold brunch foods. Job well done Hefner Grill!
(4)
Susan M.
Great atmosphere and neat place, but service and food was just average. We had the calamari, oysters, fish enchiladas and tuna. The appetizers were good but the meals were just average. The atmosphere was worth going, but I just simply expected more from the food itself.
(3)
Cheri Y.
Hefner grill, I ate your meal, Hefner grill, your enchilada made me ill! Hefner grill will make you puke for real... Hefner grill what a bad ordeal! Eat at Hefner grill & what do you do... enchilada potty poo, enchilada where's the loo? We showed up at this place was seated in a booth. We order a coke & one glass of wine. We got the water & the glass of wine that came, it was like half had been drank already. There was like literally two sips of wine in the bottom of the $11 glass. Then the waitress took our appetizer order of oysters St. Charles. The waitress says "it will be a little while bc he has to make those" ok. Well, what does he not "make" the rest of the menu?! What does that mean?? I should have gotten up & left right then when that red flag presented itself, but I didn't unfortunately. Like a train reck I had to stay to watch this disaster unfold. My hubby had to ask three time for his coke. He finally got his coke with the appetizer of oysters. They were 6 oysters fried & presented on a little bed of creamed spinach in their shell, topped with Sriracha sauce & aioli. The aioli was overkill & too rich so I scrapped most of it off but the oysters were good we both liked them. We ate three each, hubby found a piece of shell in the last one he ate & spit it out. Yuck. We order the bone in pork loin & the seafood enchiladas. The enchiladas were suppose to have shrimp, scallop, fish, & mushroom in them. What we got was a bone in pork loin that was slightly overcooked but hot off the grill. The only thing we got that was eatable. The garlic mashed potatoes & veg. that came with it was completely cold. The garlic mashed potatoes were so over whipped into a starchy paste that I could have hung wallpaper with them! Revolting. This is NOT an accident, this is clearly Inexperienced kitchen staff. The enchilada plate that came was vomitous. It was the biggest plate of slop I have ever been served in my life. Everything on the plate was cold except the cream sauce that was on top & it was way too rich. This dish had a side of red beans & rice that was completely cold & a scoop of guac, some kind of disgusting flavored sour cream & pico?! All on the same plate! I don't know who thought this dish up but mexican seafood enchiladas & Cajun red beans & rice do NOT pair nicely together. That pairs together like two left shoes. I dug my fork around in the seafood enchiladas trying to find some seafood. There was NO scallops at all & I found three tiny shrimp that were literally tadpole size! I have never seen shrimp this tiny in a restaurant in my life. It was more like fish bait. My diamond stud earring are bigger! I found some fish pieces & two pieces of mushroom. It was mostly, cheese, tortillas & overly rich cream. I ate a couple bites, it was disgusting. The worst dish I have ever had in my life. My hubby & I both ate the oysters & he was fine after. I was the only one that ate any of the enchiladas. We asked for the check & left. The drive to my flat is 7 miles away. I didn't even make it home b4 I was sick as a dog. Congratulations Hefner grill! Not only have you made it to the top of my list of the absolute WORST restaurant I have ever been to in my life. I had plenty of time to make up a song about your restaurant while laying on the bathroom floor vomiting. Hope you enjoy it! Hefner grill, I ate your meal, Hefner grill, your enchilada made me ill! Hefner grill will make you puke for real... Hefner grill what a bad ordeal. Eat at Hefner grill & what do you do... enchilada potty poo, enchilada where's the loo? Won't return EVER!
(1)
Rachel F.
Tried Hefner Grill for the first time this week. I really wanted to like it as it has a great location, but I'm not a fan. We started off with the crab dip and it was good, but there wasn't anything truly special about it to make it stand out from any other crab dip I've eaten. We then moved on to dinner; I ordered the seafood enchiladas and my husband ordered the ribs. The enchiladas were good, but came with a side of chips and salsa, which was really odd and WAY too much food. The ancho chile cream sauce was super flavorful and truly made the dish shine. My husband liked his ribs but, just like the crap dip, there was nothing special about them to make them stand out. The service was ok, but a little spotty. I hate looking at dirty dishes once I've eaten and our server just left them sitting there while we tabbed out. I still had half a glass of wine and it was hard to enjoy with the dishes just sitting there. Overall, if you're looking for a great view and want to enjoy a glass of wine with friends then this is the place for you. If you want to enjoy a great meal, I recommend that you look elsewhere.
I have never felt so rushed through a meal! When three couples go out to dinner on a Friday night, unless they tell you they are in a hurry, you can assume they plan to stay longer than an hour. The server was nice, but seemed to be in a terrible hurry every time she came to the table. The kitchen sent out 3 courses within about 30 minutes - what??? Our soups & salads came before we finished the appetizer, then food runners starting serving our main course while all our soup & salad dishes were still on the table -- one guest had only just started to eat his salad! In what restaurant world is that ok? Before we finished the main course, the server asked if we wanted dessert. We said we didn't know yet... and then she brought us a check while we were still eating! We just let it sit there. When we were ready, we flagged down our server and ordered desserts & after-dinner drinks. She quickly updated our bill, so we went ahead and paid, and then we never saw her again even though we stayed quite sometime afterwards visiting. All our water glasses sat empty until we left. Aside from that... My husband and I had drinks at the bar waiting for the others to show up, and one of the bartenders was pretty good while the other did a lot more talking than bartending. Neither of them were very attentive after we got our drinks & app. I shouldn't have to wave & holler "excuse me" to get another drink at such a small bar. Waiting for a booth overlooking the lake was definitely worth it. The view was beautiful, and the booth created an intimate feel in a busy restaurant. However, as another reviewer noted, there were a lot of dead bugs in the bottom of the lampshades hanging over the table - yuck. The food was just ok. Nothing stood out as excellent. What did stand out was the horribly burnt creme brulee! I would have sent it back, but it was another couple who ordered it, and they didn't want to bother. I saw a photo posted by someone else several months ago that show the same blackened brulee that we got, so clearly, this is a problem! Management needs to train the waiters and bartenders on proper service (timing and attentiveness), and the head chef needs to do a major quality check on the food going out of the kitchen. I would go back for the view, but not with expectations of a great meal.
(3)
Liz H.
Aaaaaaaamazing. We had a wait staff that made sure our drinks were always full. Our hostess was totally sweet. The decor is so fun & creative. The view of the lake is vast & the large windows are romantic. The haddock was perfect, and i had the best veggie blend ever. My husband chose fries (of course) but they were seasoned so well they were irresistible! And the servings were well worth $13/ea.
(5)
Scott W.
First try at HG. Very disappointing. Windows looking out over the lake are filthy. Light fixtures were full of bugs and stained. Service was great. Food was sub par. Too bad.
(2)
Joe S.
Wonderful restaurant right on the shores of Lake Hefner. The hospitality was evident as soon as we walked in. We were seated promptly and taken to a booth looking out at the gorgeous Lake Hefner. All the wait staff was extremely attentive and friendly. Our waiter gave us some good information about the specials which helped us to order the perfect lunch. The restaurant is so beautiful and right on the waters edge. You can eat on the patio or in booths looking out at the water. Even the beautiful bar area has a great view. Our meal was delicious and I am so looking forward to a Sunday Brunch here.
(5)
Anna F.
Purely based on my brunch experiences, Hefner Grill is definitely five stars! I love the modern fanciness of the restaurant, complete with a live piano player to accompany your meal. The have a nice, concise brunch menu with all of the usual items such as eggs benedict, breakfast enchiladas, and other breakfast platters. I most recently tried the southwest eggs benedict with a yummy roasted pepper hollandaise and a corn muffin instead of the traditional English muffin. It was perfect! They also have wonderful cheesy biscuits which come with all of the brunch meals. I really like the herb hash browns which I don't believe I've seen anywhere else. You get a lot for your money here and I guarantee you won't leave any less than full!
(5)
Dirk H.
We can not stop eating brunch here. It is the best in town. Southern eggs Benedict. The bar area is open seating so no wait.
(5)
Frannie P.
A delicious brunch with impeccable service! Ryan, our server, was fantastic. Food was yummy and drinks were great. For the quality of food and service, I thought the prices were very reasonable. Had a booth facing the lake and really enjoyed the view! Highly recommend.
(5)
Enrique O.
I made a reservation at 7, was sat for a party of 8 after 7:30, more like 7:45. I took 8 of the people I grew up with. This review is for my food only! We ordered drinks when we first sat down, they took a minimum of 20 minutes, and my perfect margarita that I ordered an extra shot that came in a cocktail mix container was served with no glass to pour it into, and no extra shot, that took a minimum of 5 extra minutes to get a glass for my beverage and my extra shot. I ordered the steak rare, they asked me to cut it and check it when I was served, it wasn't rare, he offered to replace it, I didn't wanna wait again for their mistakes I was hungry and everything took long, I didn't give him the steak back, I ate it, very tough and loaded with fat. The prices were high and my steak wasn't good. I won't go back period. The staff took forever, never apologized for all the wrong, the man that gave me the steak looked as if he could care less and knew it was over cooked.
(1)
Emily A.
Tonight we had crab dip, the chilean sea bass and the rib eye, both the specials. Lukas was our waiter and he was so awesome. They had a lot of people working im sure bc of vday but he never had to wait long for anything. The food was amazing! Fish was so tender and my hubs rib eye was cooked perfect. Thanks hefner grill for making our vday dinner fantastic!!!!!
(5)
Bekah M.
Great view, great service, great Ahi Tuna! I went in with no idea what I wanted to eat, but spied the Ahi Salad and ordered that paired with the recommended gumbo. The gumbo was great, hearty, spicy and a great consistency. I ordered the tuna medium. My bad, since it was sushi grade I should have ordered it raw, but the salad was still wonderful! Light and refreshing and filling! Will be back to explore the rest of the menu.
(5)
Jeff F.
Average food+ Poor service+ Empty tea glass= 10% tip and a no return.
(2)
Hollie P.
Awesome Food! Love the Crab Cakes! Salmon is Awesome. Great Atmosphere and Service. If you can sit on the patio at sunset it's unbelievable. The fish tacos are the bomb! One of my favorite places for date night with hubby.
(5)
Bebe L.
We love the carb cake & shrimp cocktail & oysters here it's taste real fresh and the foods is not that bad. Last time I order lobster bisque is a little cold. Not really satisfied. But everything else is good, good services and great view of the lake.
(4)
Mosca M.
Food great. Service was way slow. Like WAY SLOW. I still give it 4 stars. Even the kids loved it! MGMT was great & all blame goes to the waiter. At the end of the day I love the food and will return often.
(4)
Sixpack Y.
They supposed to be known for oysters, when we showed up there, no one told us about they were out of oysters. We ordered the most expensive champagne they got and oyster at the same time. Half the champagne was half gone, the waitress came and told us they were out of oyster and she did not know until she placed the order at kitchen. We said we were here for the oyster which they are known for! The food was very blow average. Fish was over grilled, the enchilada did not taste any sea food. The real joke is, when we got the check, we getting charged for the oysters that we did not get! We were mad and told the manager that was an insult. She said sorry for the missed communication that you had with our waitress. We been out of oysters for a few days now. (That was your missed commutation to your employee since our waitress did not know until she placed the order). She giving us a ten dollar off voucher for the NEXT meal. Hell NO! No one is going back there even its free. The tone of the manager blonde lady does not sound like she is been apologetic at all. I don't say this very often. Not only bad food, bad service, this place does not know how to run a business. Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.
(1)
Victoria N.
The happy hour here is awesome ! 1/2 off all appetizers and 1/2 off domestic beers. It's 3-6 pm. Their calamari is good . Oysters and ahi tuna were okay .
(4)
Ethan H.
I haven't been out here in at least a year, but we decided on a whim for dinner. I highly recommend the seafood enchiladas!! Amazing taste and excellently prepared. Our server was attentive, the live music was great, and the atmosphere just a tad different, but perfect for the restaurant. Do no leave without ordering the most amazingly delicious key lime pie this side of the lake. See what I did there? Good eats, indeed.
(5)
Trang N.
My friend and I came here at 6pm on a Thursday evening and it was packed!! We decided to try the bar and had to squeeze into a long table with some nice patrons. Sadly, we'd missed happy hour. (1/2 priced appetizers!!!) We had the crab dip, gumbo and a few drinks. The crab dip was very good, but the gumbo was awesome!! It was not too salty like most other restaurants. They also serve it with rice on top so the consistency was perfect when you mixed in the rice. This is the best gumbo I've had!! Let's not forget about the atmosphere! There was a live jazz band! Mix that with a perfect sunset off Lake Hefner and you couldn't ask for more!!
(4)
Jasmine B.
I had the crab cakes there. They were just ok. For $15 I would have thought they would have been bigger than what they were. The flavor was a little bland bit can't really expect much from okc seafood. Kind of disappointed.
(3)
Amir P.
The staff are very friendly and helpful. The view is fantastic. The steak is delicious and cooked as ordered. The beer is ice cold. I honestly can't ask for any more than that. The menu is not exactly mind-blowingly creative, but so far, from what I've tasted, they know what they are doing. Overall, I'd recommend this place as a great place to take a client out to lunch or dinner, or just to go out with friends.
(4)
Ethan A.
Delicious! Stopped for a quick appetizer and drink, wasn't expecting much. Bar was clean and modern but some of the booths are looking a bit worn. They did not have any sort of cocktail menu which may be a first for me..? The cocktail was fine, but nothing special. The chicken quesadilla on the other hand was outstanding! Perhaps the best I've ever had! Wonderful fresh smokey flavors with fresh guacamole and salsa. The Caesar salad was also quite good. Prices were fair, especially taking the ambiance and location next to the (empty lake) into account. Next time I'm in OKC I'll be back!
(4)
Cecily D.
Yummy ill post my desert later.
(4)
Jeff M.
I discovered recently that Hefner Grill is one of the many restaurants under the umbrella of the Hal Smith Restaurant Group. Some of the restaurants are pretty impressive (e.g. Upper Crust, The Garage) while others are about as exciting as a box of butter knives (e.g. TK's I Heart This Bar & Grill, Charleston's, Mama Roja, Wes Welker's, etc.). Hefner Grill would fall more into the former category as long as you pick the right items. It is possible to go there, spend a large amount of money and walk away disappointed. It is also possible to spend not a large amount of money and walk away thinking that it's a place you would enjoy returning to very soon. First off, avoid the items with the "HG" stamped next to it. They're referred to as being the "Hefner Grill Favorites" but I can't figure out if they're favorites because they're the more expensive items on the menu, or they jacked up the prices on the stuff that people kept buying because the descriptions sounded good. Either way, they're not my favorites and I have been consistently disappointed when I've eaten them. There are other items on the menu that are better, and cheaper. The HG Blackened Tilapia is one of the cheaper HG options, but the scallop tastes old, and the brown butter sauce has a weird sour taste. But enough about the unimpressive food. The Fish Tacos are pretty yum, and the Catfish Platter is a safe bet. If there's one fish that landlocked Oklahoman restaurants can't mess up, it seems to be catfish. The Baby Back Ribs are pretty good, and the price isn't bad either. The sandwiches are all good and filling, while the rainbow trout was better tasting than the tilapia (for me). Even for a lunch menu, you get quite a bit of food, which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on the person. If you have any choice in the matter (and you don't care about silly things like BMI, body fat percentage, and triglycerides), get the garlic mashed potatoes as one of your sides. Mmmmmmmm complex carbohydrates that really aren't that complex. If you're a special kind of fattie, get the shoe string fries AND garlic mashed potatoes. All of the sides are good (with the mashed potatoes being several kinds of good), although I'm deciding not to try the Squash Rockefeller because it's an HG and I'm tired of being disappointed by what Hefner Grill touts as being delicious. I've mentioned it before but the desserts are kind of insane. If I see you eating the 6-layer chocolate cake alone, I'm going to assume you're trying to eat your feelings from getting dumped/divorced (I'm sorry for your loss), losing your job (you no longer have a steady income stream and you decide to spend $9 on dessert? That doesn't seem smart), or you're out for a last hurrah before joining the Biggest Loser. I like to make up stories for strangers in restaurants. Great date restaurant with recessed and secluded booths to allow for private conversations and canoodling (please don't). When the weather is nice, you can sit outside and enjoy the view of Oklahoma's 30th largest man-made lake. Well, they're all man-made so I guess that's an unnecessary qualifier.
(4)
Barb A.
I've eaten here twice. Both times had the spinach and artichoke dip. So yummy! Catfish is very good also. The view is awesome!!
(5)
John R.
We will be returning. There is no doubt about it. Setting: Great views, quiet restaurant around dinner time and even live music. The meal: Outstanding. My steak wasn't quite done enough but waiter took it back and had it fixed with no issues. It was juicy and didn't have all the gristle on it like cheaper cuts of meat do. The mashed potatoes were awesome. My wife ordered the tilapia and enjoyed it. Their crab cakes are delicious. The drinks: Margaritas were a little (ok a lot) heavy on the triple sec. Informed the staff and they were replaced at no charge. The staff: Waiter was friendly, attentive and not overbearing like some of the other restaurants out there. He always seemed to appear when you needed him to and wasn't hovering the entire meal (this earned him an extra tip). The price: Kind of pricy when you add in an appetizer, salad, drinks, and the two main courses. Out the door with tip just over $100. Can't wait to try their brunch menu! If anyone knows whether their patio is pet friendly, let me know!
(5)
Melissa D.
I was looking for a place to get a good breakfast. Not the typical Oklahoma southern flair with biscuits and gravy, I was craving something different coming from SF, and I was craving a Bloody Mary! I found Hefner Grill on Yelp and decided to check it out. I was seated promptly since I arrived around 11:30 and they had just opened at 11:00 on Saturday. However, I was a bit disappointed to learn they only serve Brunch on Sunday. I was able to order a Bloody Mary, so I had to stay! I ordered the California Burger, NOT because I'm from California but because it sounded good. It arrived with a generous helping of the thin fries, cooked to perfection! The "burger" was great, although I may prefer a bun instead of the Texas Toast type bread it's served on. The view was nice, definitely helped satisfy my need to be near the water. I sat inside, since we've had such crazy weather lately, it's still pretty chilly outside. I would definitely go back in warmer weather for some lakeside ambiance. The service was very good, waiter was attentive yet not overbearing. They offer free wifi as well, always a plus! The music is nice, jazz. I've been so disappointed at some of the restaurants I've been into here and the music is uncomfortably loud and not really in tune with the environment of the restaurant. I will definitely return! This could be my new go-to place while I'm here, great job all around. How refreshing.
(4)
Mike K.
Had Sunday brunch there today 6/14/2015. My food was cold an when they replaced it the sausage and hash browns were also cold again. Service was sub par. Waiter had little personality, don't think he want to be there. Wont be back. : ( I was there before and it has gone downhill. The sad part was my Daughter brought me there for Father's Day!
(1)
Jada E.
Went here for the first time tonight, and I loved it! First of all, there was a man singing and playing live jazz music on the piano. The atmosphere was very nice and romantic. I had the tilapia with steamed vegetables, and potatoes instead of rice. It was delicious! The steamed veggies were cooked just right and not overcooked. The sauce on the tilapia was excellent, and the potatoes were creamy and seasoned just right. The portion size was large, so I had to bring half of the plate home. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a great meal in OKC!
(5)
Patrick W.
The Missus and I decided to come here on a whim with another couple. Plus, we're big fans of the Sunday brunch! :) In short, this place is absolutely phenomenal. I had their traditional breakfast plate...biscuits, sausage, and hash browns. Let me just say that their hash browns are hands down the best I have ever eaten. The flavor was intense, but not overwhelming. Their sausage wasn't crispy, which is usually an issue for me, and their gravy complimented their biscuits beautifully. The atmosphere was wonderful. There wasn't a crowd and our waitress did a fantastic job of checking on our table without being a burden. Overall, the restaurant was exceptionally clean and organized. In all honesty, this just may be my new favorite brunch destination in Oklahoman City. The food was spectacular, the service was great, and the price was very fair. Also, you can't beat the breathtaking view of Hefner Lake whilst sipping on a mimosa and enjoying a delicious breakfast.
(4)
Amy G.
Hefner Grill is such a nice space. I had Sunday brunch there and was happy to find that they also offer their full lunch menu in addition to a concise brunch menu. Mimosas are $3, win! I requested a table with lake view in my reservation and was so happy that HG honored the request. It was our first time there and my partner commented that it felt like we were somewhere else. Instead of white sands or a rock cliff or something, the "red dirt" kept us pretty firmly planted in reality, though. The six of us all ordered something different, from salads, to brunch and lunch options. We were all happy, including the kiddos. This was, so far, my favorite brunch in OKC, so much so that we stayed for 2.5 hours. Really, the food, service, drinks, and view were wonderful. We ordered the six layer chocolate cake and the key lime pie desserts, which was ridiculous, but the kiddos got to take the leftovers home. I can't wait to go back here for date night.
(5)
James P.
Cool place right on the water. Tried the Crab Dip (Great) Chicken Sandwich (Good) for lunch. I'd come back!
We came here at the perfect time on Saturday night - during a home OU game! We came with my parents and were so impressed. The place was quiet but not dead, and were pleasantly surprised to walk in and find live jazz music and a very cool ambience. Why does this place never register on my radar? What had kept me away for so long? I'd been here before, a few years ago for a scene-y private party hosted by some local so-and-sos. That event was packed, wall to wall with VIPs and wannabees and I just remember being over it. So I must have blocked it out. Not cool, JP, because this place is great. Our waiter was fantastic. The food was wonderful. We split the special, a perfectly seared filet atop a crisp crab cake, along with a sauce and some shrimp. Garlic mashed potatoes, something I normally have no problem turning down, seemed exceptionally flavorful. We also had a side salad to start, and we ordered an extra salad as well which made the meal more than enough, even though we split. Everything was top shelf. We also split the decadent chocolate cake (shared among four people) and we loved it, though we were a bit too full to truly relish it. I would come back for a nice glass of Cab Sav and that cake. For the combination of the scenery, the atmosphere (live music but not so loud that you can't visit), the service, the food and the presentation, I'm not sure, but this may trump Red Rock for me now. (Gasp!) If this place would serve the Red Rock Little House Salad I would probably switch teams! I'd give a fifth star with an improved wine list. Was I missing the wine booklet? There were only a few wines in each category available, by bottle or glass, at least on the menu I was looking at. And they wines I saw were not on par with the food. They will bring you a taste of anything, which is very nice, but I would have preferred more selection. The bartender looked to be pouring some excellent cocktails so I might go that route next time, and there will definitely be a next time.
(4)
Mandy R.
3.5 star rounded up. Have come here several times when visiting family in OKC. The views of the lake are fantastic, and the atmosphere is nice. The live music could be toned down a bit though. It's far too loud for a restaurant. Over the visits, I've had the spinach and artichoke dip, the crab cakes, side salads (house and ceasar -- the ceasar is super tangy!), the fried chicken, the pork chop, and fish and chips. Apparently they have wonderful crab dip, but haven't had it. Everything I've tried here has been good, but not amazing or anything. We mostly keep coming back because of the views, the convenience (on the way from the airport to the house), and because it's not bad food or anything. The wine list is decent (not sure about the beer list as I haven't really looked). Get reservations if you'll be there on Friday or Saturday, and be prepared to have some trouble parking (there are 3-4 popular restaurants that share the parking lot).
(4)
Robin E.
This place is starting to grow on me. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed my time here. I had family in OKC for the first time. We came here (because my favorite place next door had a 75 minute wait). We were seated instantly and next to the lake too! The food was good. The service slow. The atmosphere pleasant. I will be back to try eating on the deck. Each time, the stars go higher!
(3)
Kimberly G.
I ate at Hefner Grill years ago when it was still Pearl's Lakeside and hadn't been back until this visit. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that many of my favorite dishes, including the Pecan Crusted Trout and Cedar Plank Salmon (original recipe) were still being offered. My husband and I were seated immediately and got a lakeside table inside. The waiter was prompt. Every time our drinks were halfway empty he was there with a refill. Our calamari appetizer was fresh and still quite hot. Many times I've ordered an appetizer and it shows up lukewarm from sitting out under the lamps. Since it had been a while I ordered what I considered a safe option, the Fish & Chips. Delicious! The batter was crisp but the fish was still moist and tender and the beer batter made it reminiscent of an old family recipe. The fries are actually pommes frites which are my favorite style as they are always crisp. We decided to share a key lime pie for dessert. Be advised this is NOT a single serving. It is meant to be shared. It's not a traditional key lime pie but rather a cheesecake. It is divine. You must have some even if you take it home to savor later.
(4)
Warren B.
One of my new fav restaurant. They have the best shrimp with pasta. Great cocktails. Mostly seafood but do have pork, chicken and steak. Hidden treasure. Will be returning very soon.
(5)
Kevin L.
Hefner Grill is just great. Like really just wonderful. Coming from CA, I'm very picky with my food especially my more pricey food. Hefner grill has amazing quality and taste of food for dare I say cheap prices. Compared to many other "fancy" or upscale places like Mahogany, Hefner Grill prices are much cheaper, averaging $15-$20 an entree. The view of Lake Hefner is great and reservations aren't that hard to get because the restaurant is huge. They have a live band some days and it's always busy which gives it a nice modern feel to accompany the great decor. Now let's talk food: Mediterranean Ahi Tuna Salad ($16) - Oh man, my fiancee just went nuts for this. First off, it's a great blend of veggies with a wonderful dressing and there is ahi tuna! Seared to perfection, the tuna is fresh and tastes great. Sirloin Steak ($19) - nice big steak seasoned well and grilled perfectly just the way I ordered it. Bonus, the garlic mash potatoes are great. Grilled Bone In Pork Chop ($17) - Honestly, this is the most worth it upscale dish I probably have ever ordered. Absolutely AMAZING. Great mustard blend rub that doesn't have an overpowering mustard taste. The pork chop is wonderfully cooked. I could go on about this dish for days. Get this. Thank me later. Service - wonderful, quick, checked up on us a lot, but not too much (sometimes a fine line) Pros: - Great food, like really FANTASTIC food - Reasonable prices ($15-$20 per entree) - Good service - Great atmosphere - Nice View Cons: - Expensive appetizers - Parking (although free) can be hard to find sometimes
(5)
Nick S.
Kind of a Jekyll and Hyde place. Some things I love and some are just okay. It's a great bar good at happy hour, some meals are pedestrian, and some are a naive surprise. It's a suburbia bar, it's nice and you won't go wrong here. I like it, just didn't knock me out with anything.
(3)
John F.
Hefner Grill is a particularly outstanding place to dine for its price point. An average entree is about $16 or so and the quality is what you'd easily pay $10 more for elsewhere in Oklahoma City. There are many reasons why this is a great place to eat. The quality of the food is particularly and consistently outstanding. The seafood is fresh, meats are high quality, and sides are very tasty. For our children we ordered quesadillas and they looked amazing. The location is unique -- overlooking Lake Hefner with boats floating by, it is not your typical land-locked location in the midwest. The service is also consistently exceptional. They use a blended model where you have a primary server yet other servers do very well pitching in to help each other, so you never go wanting for anything. Desserts are also super. The key-lime pie is gigantic -- and sharable with generous portions for 2 and ample to share for more. The chocolate cake is also very good. Many places have chocolate desserts that are "all hat and no cattle" with redi-whip or some such nonsense squirted around the sides to make it look more impressive. Not here. This is a 6 layer chocolate cake that could easily be split 2, 3, or 4 ways. Awesome. My father-in-law, who is quite particular about restaurants, raved that his trout was the best he has had in years. He is also consistently nice to wait staff, but I have never heard him stop a waitress at the end of the meal to say "you have provided us with outstanding service this evening and we appreciate it very much." He said it here. This is a great place to have a very high quality dinner without paying the over-the-top price. If I could change anything, I probably would separate the bar area from the eating area more cleanly -- however, you can't have everything. Hefner Grill is one of my very favorites. Bravo!
(5)
Willie W.
My wife and I decided to give this restaurant to try this weekend. Let me start off by saying that I was blown away by the Jazz Band. I am a huge fan of piano music while you dine or have a drink, it reminds me of how restaurants use to be back in the 50s and 60s. The restaurant ambience was very nice very middle scale but not to upscale at all. We started off with a calamari appetizer which was very good in the sauce was great as well. For our main meal my wife ordered the shrimp platter and I ordered the fillet steak meal. The food was so so the steak was okay but could have been cooked a little bit better. The potatoes that came with it were absolutely great and vegetables were great as well. To be completely honest with you I think that I like Hefner grill mainly because of the ambiance and not exactly for the food not to say that the food isn't good at all but this visit wasn't a particularly great with the food we ordered. Overall this was a ok experience but hopefully down the line as we continue to visit this restaurant the food gets better and the Jazz Band keeps playing.
(4)
Lara C.
I really like the atmosphere of this place. There is usually some live jazzy music and most of the tables have a view of the lake. An absolutely wonderful place to watch the sunset. But sometime the food is hit or miss. On Mother's Day we went and fabulous food. But I returned last weekend and it just wasn't the same. The very first time I went we ordered four apps to share and had cocktails and everything was great but the service was just a little off. Definitely worth trying! Hoping you have a fabulous experience.
I went there today with my wife and some friends and it was great! I got the pepper crusted tuna....it was amazing! My wife had a Tabasco Caesar salad that she said was very good. Our friends got the California burger and the fish tacos and they both looked great! We got some calamari for an appetizer and it was good as well! And you can't beat the VIEW! We sat outside looking at the lake! When you go, ask to sit in Ryan's section. He waited on us and did a great job!
(5)
Vishal S.
Service is always the key even if the food sucks , in this case the food was ok but the service was great. I had the enchilada with shrimp and it was pretty decent, the only thing is after dinner I had the icky stomach burps of my meal. But the service was great !
(4)
Sarah K.
This is classy restaurant all the way around - atmosphere, food, and service! They have an AMAZING waterfront view in a majority of their indoor and outdoor seating. They have live jazz during weekend evenings and for sunday brunch and their service is consistently top notch. Great restaurant for all occasions! The Baltimore Crab dip is a guilty pleasure - warm, gooey goodness! And the tabasco cesar salad is one of my boyfriend's favorites. The pork chop is huge, hearty, perfectly grilled portion for larger appetites and I love the tilapia with shrimp on top (the seasoning is the best part).
(4)
Juju G.
I really enjoy the ahi tuna appetizer because it is served with an amazing wasabi aioli but the fish isn't very high quality, and they have a few decent wines by the bottle such as A to Z. Also.. love the view, it's one of our favorite places to go to especially to dine al fresco.
(3)
Tiffany M.
I can only vouch for their Sunday brunch but I am certainly a fan. A perfect place to bring company to or first time OKC visitors. The prices are very well in line with other restaurants, and the view is priceless. We enjoyed a carafe of mimosa (because whats brunch with a mimosa??) and this time we split the Southern Eggs Benedict and a side of biscuit and gravy. The Southern Eggs Benedict is a monster! Corn cakes , ham, fried green tomato , guac a mole topped with perfect poached egg and hollandaise sauce! My husband has eaten this entire dish on his own but we found splitting it suited us well today. It of course comes with lovely herbed hash browns and some cheese breed. The biscuit and gravy priced at only 3 with a giant split biscuit and their gravy has andouille sausage right up our alley. Our server was very friendly and attentive ( I tend to suck down the water after going out the night before gotta rehydrate ya know?) The atmosphere is great as well there is a live jazz pianist and we really enjoy just taking our time sipping mimosa looking out at the lake.
(4)
John M.
This is among my top three fav spots in OKC. Never had a bad meal here: quite the opposite. The most recent visit was for Sunday brunch and I chose the Breakfast Enchiladas. It was every bit as delicious as I thought it might be. Across time, I've had nearly all their seafood specialties, and they are great! The Cedar Plank Salmon is the best in town. From the gumbo to blackened Catfish to Red Beans & Rice, each of the cajun specialties are perfect. The view is unparalleled, although yes we do need for Lake Hefner to refill. As much as a fan as ever.
(5)
Laura M.
I went to Hefner Grill with my best girl friend for brunch a couple of weeks ago. I am new to the city and hadn't been to Lake Hefner and really enjoyed the view! It was almost like a getaway :-p We both ordered mimosas, and I ordered the Southern Benedict, which had corn muffins on bottom in addition to guacamole (my fav!), fried green tomatoes, ham, and of course nicely poached eggs & hollandaise. The breakfast potatoes and side muffin were also excellent. The food was reasonably priced for the quality and ambiance of the restaurant... there was also a piano player :-) Would highly recommend!
(5)
Jack S.
The crab dip, fish tacos and pork chop are all really good. The wife and I like to take people from out of town here because the view is beautiful. The service is definitely hit or miss though.
(4)
Errol R.
Our dining experience was great. The steak was as good as it gets-a fillet. The Cesar salad was a little spicy for me. I had to stop about half way through eating it as my mouth was peppered out, about then our meal arrived and I didn't need any more salad.
(4)
Shane B.
It was excellent had lobster and fillet good atmosphere live music.
(4)
Addison G.
Great restaurant and great atmosphere. I always reserve a lake table ahead of time. Especially if you are going for dinner. I know everyone in OKC is crazy about Eischens fried chicken but you can order pan-fried chicken here. It's not on the menu but it's the best you'll have! Their brunch is awesome too if you hit it right after church.
(4)
Deena S.
When i went there with my family, we sat outside on a patio that was actually OVER the water so as your sitting, you feel like your on a boat deck. A man was playing the piano inside that people could also hear sitting outside on the speaker. the food was amazing, and the over all atmosphere was so relaxing. Rees Associates is the company that designed this restaurant and their office is actually right next door. i think they did an amazing job. the lay out is beautiful.
(5)
Sherri C.
Sunday brunch was good but not great. Eggs Chesapeake (crabcake benedict for East Coasters) was not the best I've had. Crabcakes were tiny and hinted at being pre-made & frozen--just OK. One egg had a completely cooked yolk while the other was runny, as I would have preferred in a poached egg. Hubby had a Southern benedict with biscuit, fried green tomatos and the poached eggs--the tomatos were spot on, but his eggs were also inconsistent. Our guests each had standard eggs Benedict which they agreed were good, but not great. All in all, a lot of food on all the plates, with an above average hash brown "cake", and biscuit on the side. None of us finished the entire plate. The coffee is excellent as was hubby's "perfect Bloody Mary." The view of the lake was also excellent from our seats & being water lovers, it made the experience for us. I might or might not go back.
(3)
Nicole T.
First time to Hefner, but had a beautiful evening with family!! I ordered steak and veggies which was delicious. On the water, so great view and nice wine list.
(4)
Katie R.
We ate in the back room for a rehearsal dinner - the salmon was excellent!! Great drinks, great food, and a great view!
(4)
Savanna F.
Nice atmosphere. Priced okay. I had the pecan crusted trout but I was disappointed because it was fish batter with huge chunks of unground pecans. Calamari wasn't very good.
(2)
Erin B.
Today was such a gorgeous day, my husband and I decided to go have dinner on a patio by the lake. Since we had never been to Hefner Grill, and saw the good reviews, we thought it would be the perfect place. When we arrived, we asked to sit outside and were informed that the patio was full. Ok. That's fine, we arrived just after work, so we had some time to kill before we were truly hungry for dinner. We asked for the wait time. It was at this point when the 4 hostesses/waitresses panicked and started saying, oh we don't know people sit out there for a long time and there's just no telling, and eventually, we don't guarantee wait times for the patio. Chill! That's fine!! We're thinking, we're laid back. We're okay to wait 20 min to an hour, and if takes way too long, we'll just find some place else. So after all the panicking we discovered, yes, we can wait for a table. They just don't know how long. It's cool, man. We're cool. So just after our wine was ordered at the bar, the buzzer went off. We hadn't even finalized our tab. That was nice and fast! The evening was off to a good start. We sat down outside and a waitress came to our table to tell us she wasn't our waitress. She was awkward. I think she came to at least help out with a drink order, but then saw we already had some and panicked. Lots of panicking. Eventually our waiter came by. He was super slick and had a bit too many airs about him for my taste, but was friendly enough. We ordered the crab dip because you know, we were sitting on a lake and it seemed festive. The patio atmosphere is awesome. You can here subtle music, and the tables aren't crammed together so that you can actually enjoy yourself. The crab dip was lackluster to say the least. It tasted like microwaved cream cheese, with a little bit of canned crab thrown in. The waiter stopped by with a bottle of Tabasco and said, this makes it awesome. I don't know about that, but it did make it edible. It finally had some depth of flavor to make it worth eating. My husband had the seafood enchiladas. He said they were good, but not amazing. I didn't try them myself, but he said that the seafood kinda got lost in the enchilada, so the end result was just some weird texture with a good sauce. Meh. I, on the other hand, hit the motherload. I ordered the new porter chicken salad. I was fiending for some vegetables and this salad seemed to have so many! I got a bit dizzy reading all of the ingredients (mixed greens, chicken, corn, tomatoes, cashews, mangoes, apples, asparagus, eggs, etc) but since it was listed as a favorite, I figured it had to be fantastic. Boy was I wrong. Always trust the dizzy feeling. The first thing I said after putting the first few forkfuls in my mouth was, "this salad is wacky." And really, that was the best word I could come up with. It really was-- wacky. Flavors, textures, it was all over the place. And not in a good way. I stopped halfway through and I just couldn't torture my poor tastebuds any more. Go home, salad, you're drunk. Bottom line: I would go back to have drinks on the patio. I would skip the appetizers and even food. I think, maybe, if I stuck with a normal burger or fish and chips I might be okay?? I just don't know. I really don't trust the place anymore, unless it comes out of a sealed bottle. Side note: the list of ingredients in the salad was so dang long that I had to go on their website to remember what all was going on. (I mean, I love a party in my mouth, but that was one of those parties where it's pretty tame, but then there's that girl dancing on the table and you're wondering what planet am I on.) I saw that it had a LOCATIONS tab in order to pull up the menu and I was all like, no!! Please don't make others do this elsewhere!! And then I saw the drop down menu only included one location. SMH. Props for ambition, yo.
(2)
Hollie P.
Awesome Food! Love the Crab Cakes! Salmon is Awesome. Great Atmosphere and Service. If you can sit on the patio at sunset it's unbelievable. The fish tacos are the bomb! One of my favorite places for date night with hubby.
(5)
Rachel F.
Tried Hefner Grill for the first time this week. I really wanted to like it as it has a great location, but I'm not a fan. We started off with the crab dip and it was good, but there wasn't anything truly special about it to make it stand out from any other crab dip I've eaten. We then moved on to dinner; I ordered the seafood enchiladas and my husband ordered the ribs. The enchiladas were good, but came with a side of chips and salsa, which was really odd and WAY too much food. The ancho chile cream sauce was super flavorful and truly made the dish shine. My husband liked his ribs but, just like the crap dip, there was nothing special about them to make them stand out. The service was ok, but a little spotty. I hate looking at dirty dishes once I've eaten and our server just left them sitting there while we tabbed out. I still had half a glass of wine and it was hard to enjoy with the dishes just sitting there. Overall, if you're looking for a great view and want to enjoy a glass of wine with friends then this is the place for you. If you want to enjoy a great meal, I recommend that you look elsewhere.
It was a dark and stormy day........... It really was yesterday when had our monthly lunch outing. But it really did not matter because I could not ask for more pleasant and joyful company than Robin and Heather. We have been having windy horizontal rains here for the last few days and the lawns are all lush. We went to the Hefner Grill which affords a grand view of Lake Hefner waters even as they were riled up by the rains. Another winner.. Service was well timed and thoughtful. The food was tastefully presented and deliciously prepared. We all noshed on a Spinach Artichoke Dip and Tortilla chips. A delight. Robin had the Newporter Chicken Salad, sauced with a tomato honey lime vinaigrette, and loaded down with bacon apples eggs cashews corn cheese mango and asparagus. Oh, and chicken too. Heather had Paul's Pasta with chicken or shrimp. Its Linguine in a spicy red sauce plus asparagus artichokes and mushrooms. I opted for the Seafood Enchiladas in white ancho cream sauce, loaded with shrimp scallops calamari and crab. Along with them came the rice and red beans, guacamole and green salad. There was a continual resupply of salsa and tortilla chips as well as our drink selections..... Well with this bountiful larder we lunched a mere three hours chatting of cabbages and kings and many things before the rains subsided... For our next go I'll try to select some ethnic menu site just to spice things up a tad....
(4)
Kelly S.
Beautiful view from the patio. Friendly staff. Fast service. Had the Asian salad, spinach salad, pizza and a burger. All were pretty good.
(3)
Bebe L.
We love the carb cake & shrimp cocktail & oysters here it's taste real fresh and the foods is not that bad. Last time I order lobster bisque is a little cold. Not really satisfied. But everything else is good, good services and great view of the lake.
(4)
Jed B.
Fish tacos were great. Lots of fish although a bit too much breading. Squash Rockefeller was very good.
(4)
Joe S.
Wonderful restaurant right on the shores of Lake Hefner. The hospitality was evident as soon as we walked in. We were seated promptly and taken to a booth looking out at the gorgeous Lake Hefner. All the wait staff was extremely attentive and friendly. Our waiter gave us some good information about the specials which helped us to order the perfect lunch. The restaurant is so beautiful and right on the waters edge. You can eat on the patio or in booths looking out at the water. Even the beautiful bar area has a great view. Our meal was delicious and I am so looking forward to a Sunday Brunch here.
(5)
Mosca M.
Food great. Service was way slow. Like WAY SLOW. I still give it 4 stars. Even the kids loved it! MGMT was great & all blame goes to the waiter. At the end of the day I love the food and will return often.
(4)
Kristin H.
I have never felt so rushed through a meal! When three couples go out to dinner on a Friday night, unless they tell you they are in a hurry, you can assume they plan to stay longer than an hour. The server was nice, but seemed to be in a terrible hurry every time she came to the table. The kitchen sent out 3 courses within about 30 minutes - what??? Our soups & salads came before we finished the appetizer, then food runners starting serving our main course while all our soup & salad dishes were still on the table -- one guest had only just started to eat his salad! In what restaurant world is that ok? Before we finished the main course, the server asked if we wanted dessert. We said we didn't know yet... and then she brought us a check while we were still eating! We just let it sit there. When we were ready, we flagged down our server and ordered desserts & after-dinner drinks. She quickly updated our bill, so we went ahead and paid, and then we never saw her again even though we stayed quite sometime afterwards visiting. All our water glasses sat empty until we left. Aside from that... My husband and I had drinks at the bar waiting for the others to show up, and one of the bartenders was pretty good while the other did a lot more talking than bartending. Neither of them were very attentive after we got our drinks & app. I shouldn't have to wave & holler "excuse me" to get another drink at such a small bar. Waiting for a booth overlooking the lake was definitely worth it. The view was beautiful, and the booth created an intimate feel in a busy restaurant. However, as another reviewer noted, there were a lot of dead bugs in the bottom of the lampshades hanging over the table - yuck. The food was just ok. Nothing stood out as excellent. What did stand out was the horribly burnt creme brulee! I would have sent it back, but it was another couple who ordered it, and they didn't want to bother. I saw a photo posted by someone else several months ago that show the same blackened brulee that we got, so clearly, this is a problem! Management needs to train the waiters and bartenders on proper service (timing and attentiveness), and the head chef needs to do a major quality check on the food going out of the kitchen. I would go back for the view, but not with expectations of a great meal.
(3)
Liz H.
Aaaaaaaamazing. We had a wait staff that made sure our drinks were always full. Our hostess was totally sweet. The decor is so fun & creative. The view of the lake is vast & the large windows are romantic. The haddock was perfect, and i had the best veggie blend ever. My husband chose fries (of course) but they were seasoned so well they were irresistible! And the servings were well worth $13/ea.
(5)
Scott W.
First try at HG. Very disappointing. Windows looking out over the lake are filthy. Light fixtures were full of bugs and stained. Service was great. Food was sub par. Too bad.
(2)
Ethan H.
I haven't been out here in at least a year, but we decided on a whim for dinner. I highly recommend the seafood enchiladas!! Amazing taste and excellently prepared. Our server was attentive, the live music was great, and the atmosphere just a tad different, but perfect for the restaurant. Do no leave without ordering the most amazingly delicious key lime pie this side of the lake. See what I did there? Good eats, indeed.
(5)
Erin B.
Today was such a gorgeous day, my husband and I decided to go have dinner on a patio by the lake. Since we had never been to Hefner Grill, and saw the good reviews, we thought it would be the perfect place. When we arrived, we asked to sit outside and were informed that the patio was full. Ok. That's fine, we arrived just after work, so we had some time to kill before we were truly hungry for dinner. We asked for the wait time. It was at this point when the 4 hostesses/waitresses panicked and started saying, oh we don't know people sit out there for a long time and there's just no telling, and eventually, we don't guarantee wait times for the patio. Chill! That's fine!! We're thinking, we're laid back. We're okay to wait 20 min to an hour, and if takes way too long, we'll just find some place else. So after all the panicking we discovered, yes, we can wait for a table. They just don't know how long. It's cool, man. We're cool. So just after our wine was ordered at the bar, the buzzer went off. We hadn't even finalized our tab. That was nice and fast! The evening was off to a good start. We sat down outside and a waitress came to our table to tell us she wasn't our waitress. She was awkward. I think she came to at least help out with a drink order, but then saw we already had some and panicked. Lots of panicking. Eventually our waiter came by. He was super slick and had a bit too many airs about him for my taste, but was friendly enough. We ordered the crab dip because you know, we were sitting on a lake and it seemed festive. The patio atmosphere is awesome. You can here subtle music, and the tables aren't crammed together so that you can actually enjoy yourself. The crab dip was lackluster to say the least. It tasted like microwaved cream cheese, with a little bit of canned crab thrown in. The waiter stopped by with a bottle of Tabasco and said, this makes it awesome. I don't know about that, but it did make it edible. It finally had some depth of flavor to make it worth eating. My husband had the seafood enchiladas. He said they were good, but not amazing. I didn't try them myself, but he said that the seafood kinda got lost in the enchilada, so the end result was just some weird texture with a good sauce. Meh. I, on the other hand, hit the motherload. I ordered the new porter chicken salad. I was fiending for some vegetables and this salad seemed to have so many! I got a bit dizzy reading all of the ingredients (mixed greens, chicken, corn, tomatoes, cashews, mangoes, apples, asparagus, eggs, etc) but since it was listed as a favorite, I figured it had to be fantastic. Boy was I wrong. Always trust the dizzy feeling. The first thing I said after putting the first few forkfuls in my mouth was, "this salad is wacky." And really, that was the best word I could come up with. It really was-- wacky. Flavors, textures, it was all over the place. And not in a good way. I stopped halfway through and I just couldn't torture my poor tastebuds any more. Go home, salad, you're drunk. Bottom line: I would go back to have drinks on the patio. I would skip the appetizers and even food. I think, maybe, if I stuck with a normal burger or fish and chips I might be okay?? I just don't know. I really don't trust the place anymore, unless it comes out of a sealed bottle. Side note: the list of ingredients in the salad was so dang long that I had to go on their website to remember what all was going on. (I mean, I love a party in my mouth, but that was one of those parties where it's pretty tame, but then there's that girl dancing on the table and you're wondering what planet am I on.) I saw that it had a LOCATIONS tab in order to pull up the menu and I was all like, no!! Please don't make others do this elsewhere!! And then I saw the drop down menu only included one location. SMH. Props for ambition, yo.
(2)
Marcel H.
Visited Hefner Grill for the first time during the week for lunch. The outside of the restaurant looks nice and the view from inside is very pleasing. I had the blackened Tilapia and a Caesar salad. The salad was wonderful! The Tilapia comes out with some sort of sauce on it. It is not noted in their menu. I try to stay away from sugar and I think the sauce had sugar in it. The Tilapia was good, but not what I call a true Blackened one. I would not eat this again. Much better versions and restaurants that serve this type of food. Vegetables seemed just ok. Staff was friendly and our waiter was nice. Service was ok and then it took a really long time to pay our bill. Not sure why that was. The interior of the restaurant to me seems a little dated. While I see the decor they are trying for, they need to spend a little money upgrading the interior. I noticed booths that are in need of repair and the outside deck is pretty dirty! It seems to me this restaurant is trying to be an upscale place. Prices are not bad, but they need to improve food taste for me to back. I also thought the menu seemed limited to me. Next time I'm in OKC I will try one of the other lake restaurants.
(3)
Lynn B.
Invited to an 80th birthday party for a church member and although the food was geared toward older people, it was very delectable. A great environment for a party. Service was excellent.
(5)
Victoria N.
The happy hour here is awesome ! 1/2 off all appetizers and 1/2 off domestic beers. It's 3-6 pm. Their calamari is good . Oysters and ahi tuna were okay .
(4)
Jeff M.
I discovered recently that Hefner Grill is one of the many restaurants under the umbrella of the Hal Smith Restaurant Group. Some of the restaurants are pretty impressive (e.g. Upper Crust, The Garage) while others are about as exciting as a box of butter knives (e.g. TK's I Heart This Bar & Grill, Charleston's, Mama Roja, Wes Welker's, etc.). Hefner Grill would fall more into the former category as long as you pick the right items. It is possible to go there, spend a large amount of money and walk away disappointed. It is also possible to spend not a large amount of money and walk away thinking that it's a place you would enjoy returning to very soon. First off, avoid the items with the "HG" stamped next to it. They're referred to as being the "Hefner Grill Favorites" but I can't figure out if they're favorites because they're the more expensive items on the menu, or they jacked up the prices on the stuff that people kept buying because the descriptions sounded good. Either way, they're not my favorites and I have been consistently disappointed when I've eaten them. There are other items on the menu that are better, and cheaper. The HG Blackened Tilapia is one of the cheaper HG options, but the scallop tastes old, and the brown butter sauce has a weird sour taste. But enough about the unimpressive food. The Fish Tacos are pretty yum, and the Catfish Platter is a safe bet. If there's one fish that landlocked Oklahoman restaurants can't mess up, it seems to be catfish. The Baby Back Ribs are pretty good, and the price isn't bad either. The sandwiches are all good and filling, while the rainbow trout was better tasting than the tilapia (for me). Even for a lunch menu, you get quite a bit of food, which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on the person. If you have any choice in the matter (and you don't care about silly things like BMI, body fat percentage, and triglycerides), get the garlic mashed potatoes as one of your sides. Mmmmmmmm complex carbohydrates that really aren't that complex. If you're a special kind of fattie, get the shoe string fries AND garlic mashed potatoes. All of the sides are good (with the mashed potatoes being several kinds of good), although I'm deciding not to try the Squash Rockefeller because it's an HG and I'm tired of being disappointed by what Hefner Grill touts as being delicious. I've mentioned it before but the desserts are kind of insane. If I see you eating the 6-layer chocolate cake alone, I'm going to assume you're trying to eat your feelings from getting dumped/divorced (I'm sorry for your loss), losing your job (you no longer have a steady income stream and you decide to spend $9 on dessert? That doesn't seem smart), or you're out for a last hurrah before joining the Biggest Loser. I like to make up stories for strangers in restaurants. Great date restaurant with recessed and secluded booths to allow for private conversations and canoodling (please don't). When the weather is nice, you can sit outside and enjoy the view of Oklahoma's 30th largest man-made lake. Well, they're all man-made so I guess that's an unnecessary qualifier.
(4)
Barb A.
I've eaten here twice. Both times had the spinach and artichoke dip. So yummy! Catfish is very good also. The view is awesome!!
(5)
John R.
We will be returning. There is no doubt about it. Setting: Great views, quiet restaurant around dinner time and even live music. The meal: Outstanding. My steak wasn't quite done enough but waiter took it back and had it fixed with no issues. It was juicy and didn't have all the gristle on it like cheaper cuts of meat do. The mashed potatoes were awesome. My wife ordered the tilapia and enjoyed it. Their crab cakes are delicious. The drinks: Margaritas were a little (ok a lot) heavy on the triple sec. Informed the staff and they were replaced at no charge. The staff: Waiter was friendly, attentive and not overbearing like some of the other restaurants out there. He always seemed to appear when you needed him to and wasn't hovering the entire meal (this earned him an extra tip). The price: Kind of pricy when you add in an appetizer, salad, drinks, and the two main courses. Out the door with tip just over $100. Can't wait to try their brunch menu! If anyone knows whether their patio is pet friendly, let me know!
(5)
Mandy R.
3.5 star rounded up. Have come here several times when visiting family in OKC. The views of the lake are fantastic, and the atmosphere is nice. The live music could be toned down a bit though. It's far too loud for a restaurant. Over the visits, I've had the spinach and artichoke dip, the crab cakes, side salads (house and ceasar -- the ceasar is super tangy!), the fried chicken, the pork chop, and fish and chips. Apparently they have wonderful crab dip, but haven't had it. Everything I've tried here has been good, but not amazing or anything. We mostly keep coming back because of the views, the convenience (on the way from the airport to the house), and because it's not bad food or anything. The wine list is decent (not sure about the beer list as I haven't really looked). Get reservations if you'll be there on Friday or Saturday, and be prepared to have some trouble parking (there are 3-4 popular restaurants that share the parking lot).
(4)
Robin E.
This place is starting to grow on me. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed my time here. I had family in OKC for the first time. We came here (because my favorite place next door had a 75 minute wait). We were seated instantly and next to the lake too! The food was good. The service slow. The atmosphere pleasant. I will be back to try eating on the deck. Each time, the stars go higher!
(3)
Kimberly G.
I ate at Hefner Grill years ago when it was still Pearl's Lakeside and hadn't been back until this visit. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that many of my favorite dishes, including the Pecan Crusted Trout and Cedar Plank Salmon (original recipe) were still being offered. My husband and I were seated immediately and got a lakeside table inside. The waiter was prompt. Every time our drinks were halfway empty he was there with a refill. Our calamari appetizer was fresh and still quite hot. Many times I've ordered an appetizer and it shows up lukewarm from sitting out under the lamps. Since it had been a while I ordered what I considered a safe option, the Fish & Chips. Delicious! The batter was crisp but the fish was still moist and tender and the beer batter made it reminiscent of an old family recipe. The fries are actually pommes frites which are my favorite style as they are always crisp. We decided to share a key lime pie for dessert. Be advised this is NOT a single serving. It is meant to be shared. It's not a traditional key lime pie but rather a cheesecake. It is divine. You must have some even if you take it home to savor later.
(4)
Warren B.
One of my new fav restaurant. They have the best shrimp with pasta. Great cocktails. Mostly seafood but do have pork, chicken and steak. Hidden treasure. Will be returning very soon.
(5)
Sixpack Y.
They supposed to be known for oysters, when we showed up there, no one told us about they were out of oysters. We ordered the most expensive champagne they got and oyster at the same time. Half the champagne was half gone, the waitress came and told us they were out of oyster and she did not know until she placed the order at kitchen. We said we were here for the oyster which they are known for! The food was very blow average. Fish was over grilled, the enchilada did not taste any sea food. The real joke is, when we got the check, we getting charged for the oysters that we did not get! We were mad and told the manager that was an insult. She said sorry for the missed communication that you had with our waitress. We been out of oysters for a few days now. (That was your missed commutation to your employee since our waitress did not know until she placed the order). She giving us a ten dollar off voucher for the NEXT meal. Hell NO! No one is going back there even its free. The tone of the manager blonde lady does not sound like she is been apologetic at all. I don't say this very often. Not only bad food, bad service, this place does not know how to run a business. Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.
(1)
Courtney S.
We came here on Valentine's Day, so I'm not sure how well my review speaks to a "normal" night at this restaurant. Being Valentine's Day, the place was, of course, packed! We had reservations, but had to wait a few minutes for our table to be ready. When they took us to the table, it wasn't set. For some reason, that always bothers me. If you're going to make me wait because "your table isn't ready," at least make it ready before you seat me, right? Anyway, despite being very busy, our waitress was very nice. I've been on Atkins in preparation for my upcoming wedding, so she was able to answer all my questions about what was in certain dishes, checked with the kitchen on a few things, and took my order (eliminating some items, adding others). They were very accommodating. The whiskey pours were generous, albeit a little more on the pricey side compared to some other places we've dined at, so I didn't mind the couple extra bucks. My only true complaint was that the food came out super fast. I understand it's probably one of the busiest days for restaurants, but we barely were able to finish our appetizer and the entree was already in front of us. I like having a good 10 minutes in between courses to digest. The last thing that bothered me: our dinner plates were cleared, the waitress asked (while holding our dinner plates) if we wanted dessert. We said no, and it our check was handed to us. It was like they were telling us to get out so they could get the next table started. I really do understand the stress on restaurants on a day like Valentines, but I felt like I was getting kicked out, like they couldn't get us out fast enough! I'm sure I'll be back at some point...the food was good...but I don't like being rushed, and I definitely felt rushed!
(3)
Steve B.
We dined at the Hefner Grill last Saturday night. When we arrived, I stopped by the men's room to wash my hands. While there, a kitchen employee emerged from a stall and came over to wash his hands. 3 seconds of water, no soap, and that was it. I was not real wild about the thought of him handling my food. We had drinks in the bar and really enjoyed the live jazz. Justin Echols is an amazing musician. From there we were seated and enjoyed a reasonably good meal. I had the cedar plank salmon, which was very appealing in presentation and over all pretty good. Still trying to get over the men's room issue. The 30 minutes of a crying toddler did not add a positive to the evening, but that is the fault of the parents and not the restaurant. Our server was a great guy and attentive. He was apologetic for the toddler even without us saying a word. All in all, a good experience. Would I go there for dinner without the live jazz? Not sure on that one, given the hygiene issues of the kitchen staff. The hosts could be a bit friendlier and a little more organized. It seemed as though we were putting them out by showing up. I experienced the same attitude while having a business lunch there Thursday. The host wanted to seat 7 of us, all men, in a booth. We asked for a table instead and she did not seem to happy about pushing two tables together.
(3)
Amir P.
The staff are very friendly and helpful. The view is fantastic. The steak is delicious and cooked as ordered. The beer is ice cold. I honestly can't ask for any more than that. The menu is not exactly mind-blowingly creative, but so far, from what I've tasted, they know what they are doing. Overall, I'd recommend this place as a great place to take a client out to lunch or dinner, or just to go out with friends.
(4)
Cheri Y.
Hefner grill, I ate your meal, Hefner grill, your enchilada made me ill! Hefner grill will make you puke for real... Hefner grill what a bad ordeal! Eat at Hefner grill & what do you do... enchilada potty poo, enchilada where's the loo? We showed up at this place was seated in a booth. We order a coke & one glass of wine. We got the water & the glass of wine that came, it was like half had been drank already. There was like literally two sips of wine in the bottom of the $11 glass. Then the waitress took our appetizer order of oysters St. Charles. The waitress says "it will be a little while bc he has to make those" ok. Well, what does he not "make" the rest of the menu?! What does that mean?? I should have gotten up & left right then when that red flag presented itself, but I didn't unfortunately. Like a train reck I had to stay to watch this disaster unfold. My hubby had to ask three time for his coke. He finally got his coke with the appetizer of oysters. They were 6 oysters fried & presented on a little bed of creamed spinach in their shell, topped with Sriracha sauce & aioli. The aioli was overkill & too rich so I scrapped most of it off but the oysters were good we both liked them. We ate three each, hubby found a piece of shell in the last one he ate & spit it out. Yuck. We order the bone in pork loin & the seafood enchiladas. The enchiladas were suppose to have shrimp, scallop, fish, & mushroom in them. What we got was a bone in pork loin that was slightly overcooked but hot off the grill. The only thing we got that was eatable. The garlic mashed potatoes & veg. that came with it was completely cold. The garlic mashed potatoes were so over whipped into a starchy paste that I could have hung wallpaper with them! Revolting. This is NOT an accident, this is clearly Inexperienced kitchen staff. The enchilada plate that came was vomitous. It was the biggest plate of slop I have ever been served in my life. Everything on the plate was cold except the cream sauce that was on top & it was way too rich. This dish had a side of red beans & rice that was completely cold & a scoop of guac, some kind of disgusting flavored sour cream & pico?! All on the same plate! I don't know who thought this dish up but mexican seafood enchiladas & Cajun red beans & rice do NOT pair nicely together. That pairs together like two left shoes. I dug my fork around in the seafood enchiladas trying to find some seafood. There was NO scallops at all & I found three tiny shrimp that were literally tadpole size! I have never seen shrimp this tiny in a restaurant in my life. It was more like fish bait. My diamond stud earring are bigger! I found some fish pieces & two pieces of mushroom. It was mostly, cheese, tortillas & overly rich cream. I ate a couple bites, it was disgusting. The worst dish I have ever had in my life. My hubby & I both ate the oysters & he was fine after. I was the only one that ate any of the enchiladas. We asked for the check & left. The drive to my flat is 7 miles away. I didn't even make it home b4 I was sick as a dog. Congratulations Hefner grill! Not only have you made it to the top of my list of the absolute WORST restaurant I have ever been to in my life. I had plenty of time to make up a song about your restaurant while laying on the bathroom floor vomiting. Hope you enjoy it! Hefner grill, I ate your meal, Hefner grill, your enchilada made me ill! Hefner grill will make you puke for real... Hefner grill what a bad ordeal. Eat at Hefner grill & what do you do... enchilada potty poo, enchilada where's the loo? Won't return EVER!
(1)
Melissa D.
I was looking for a place to get a good breakfast. Not the typical Oklahoma southern flair with biscuits and gravy, I was craving something different coming from SF, and I was craving a Bloody Mary! I found Hefner Grill on Yelp and decided to check it out. I was seated promptly since I arrived around 11:30 and they had just opened at 11:00 on Saturday. However, I was a bit disappointed to learn they only serve Brunch on Sunday. I was able to order a Bloody Mary, so I had to stay! I ordered the California Burger, NOT because I'm from California but because it sounded good. It arrived with a generous helping of the thin fries, cooked to perfection! The "burger" was great, although I may prefer a bun instead of the Texas Toast type bread it's served on. The view was nice, definitely helped satisfy my need to be near the water. I sat inside, since we've had such crazy weather lately, it's still pretty chilly outside. I would definitely go back in warmer weather for some lakeside ambiance. The service was very good, waiter was attentive yet not overbearing. They offer free wifi as well, always a plus! The music is nice, jazz. I've been so disappointed at some of the restaurants I've been into here and the music is uncomfortably loud and not really in tune with the environment of the restaurant. I will definitely return! This could be my new go-to place while I'm here, great job all around. How refreshing.
(4)
Patrick W.
The Missus and I decided to come here on a whim with another couple. Plus, we're big fans of the Sunday brunch! :) In short, this place is absolutely phenomenal. I had their traditional breakfast plate...biscuits, sausage, and hash browns. Let me just say that their hash browns are hands down the best I have ever eaten. The flavor was intense, but not overwhelming. Their sausage wasn't crispy, which is usually an issue for me, and their gravy complimented their biscuits beautifully. The atmosphere was wonderful. There wasn't a crowd and our waitress did a fantastic job of checking on our table without being a burden. Overall, the restaurant was exceptionally clean and organized. In all honesty, this just may be my new favorite brunch destination in Oklahoman City. The food was spectacular, the service was great, and the price was very fair. Also, you can't beat the breathtaking view of Hefner Lake whilst sipping on a mimosa and enjoying a delicious breakfast.
(4)
Jasmine B.
I had the crab cakes there. They were just ok. For $15 I would have thought they would have been bigger than what they were. The flavor was a little bland bit can't really expect much from okc seafood. Kind of disappointed.
(3)
Jack S.
The crab dip, fish tacos and pork chop are all really good. The wife and I like to take people from out of town here because the view is beautiful. The service is definitely hit or miss though.
(4)
Errol R.
Our dining experience was great. The steak was as good as it gets-a fillet. The Cesar salad was a little spicy for me. I had to stop about half way through eating it as my mouth was peppered out, about then our meal arrived and I didn't need any more salad.
(4)
Meg G.
We eat here often for the live music, good service, and the fact that they are very accommodating of dietary limitations or restrictions. They prepare my food as I request and never make me feel like I'm putting them out. Drinks are good too! We love the lake view and the menu has something for everyone.
(5)
Scarlet L.
I often go here for business lunch. LOVE IT! I always request to sit by the lake. The view is breath-taking. There is something about the water which always soothes our souls. and jazz! They always have jazz music on or live jazz music. The restaurant does give us a very classy 1950s American feel, which I like. I do think Americans should keep it classy like 1950s or 1960s. For starters, I love their crab cakes with the buttery sauce and crawfish. Their grilled pork chop is my husband's favorite. It is cooked to perfection. The texture of the meat does taste similar to a steak. The sauce is perfect to go with it with a top of mushroom. But my favorite is the pepper crusted tuna. The tuna is sushi graded so you should eat it as medium rare. The pepper is not too strong to empower the taste of the fish. The fish is blended well with the wasabi sauce. Yum! I normally switch back and forth the pepper crusted tuna or the Mediterranean tuna salad. About the salad, the portion is HUGE. I have to admit that I get really turned off when the plate is put down on the table and the salad is bigger than my head. So I can only have a few bites and that's it. Other than that, I wish they have glazed carrots like Charleston's and they do need to improve on the quality of the creme brulee.
(5)
Trang N.
My friend and I came here at 6pm on a Thursday evening and it was packed!! We decided to try the bar and had to squeeze into a long table with some nice patrons. Sadly, we'd missed happy hour. (1/2 priced appetizers!!!) We had the crab dip, gumbo and a few drinks. The crab dip was very good, but the gumbo was awesome!! It was not too salty like most other restaurants. They also serve it with rice on top so the consistency was perfect when you mixed in the rice. This is the best gumbo I've had!! Let's not forget about the atmosphere! There was a live jazz band! Mix that with a perfect sunset off Lake Hefner and you couldn't ask for more!!
(4)
John F.
Hefner Grill is a particularly outstanding place to dine for its price point. An average entree is about $16 or so and the quality is what you'd easily pay $10 more for elsewhere in Oklahoma City. There are many reasons why this is a great place to eat. The quality of the food is particularly and consistently outstanding. The seafood is fresh, meats are high quality, and sides are very tasty. For our children we ordered quesadillas and they looked amazing. The location is unique -- overlooking Lake Hefner with boats floating by, it is not your typical land-locked location in the midwest. The service is also consistently exceptional. They use a blended model where you have a primary server yet other servers do very well pitching in to help each other, so you never go wanting for anything. Desserts are also super. The key-lime pie is gigantic -- and sharable with generous portions for 2 and ample to share for more. The chocolate cake is also very good. Many places have chocolate desserts that are "all hat and no cattle" with redi-whip or some such nonsense squirted around the sides to make it look more impressive. Not here. This is a 6 layer chocolate cake that could easily be split 2, 3, or 4 ways. Awesome. My father-in-law, who is quite particular about restaurants, raved that his trout was the best he has had in years. He is also consistently nice to wait staff, but I have never heard him stop a waitress at the end of the meal to say "you have provided us with outstanding service this evening and we appreciate it very much." He said it here. This is a great place to have a very high quality dinner without paying the over-the-top price. If I could change anything, I probably would separate the bar area from the eating area more cleanly -- however, you can't have everything. Hefner Grill is one of my very favorites. Bravo!
(5)
Emily A.
Tonight we had crab dip, the chilean sea bass and the rib eye, both the specials. Lukas was our waiter and he was so awesome. They had a lot of people working im sure bc of vday but he never had to wait long for anything. The food was amazing! Fish was so tender and my hubs rib eye was cooked perfect. Thanks hefner grill for making our vday dinner fantastic!!!!!
(5)
Bekah M.
Great view, great service, great Ahi Tuna! I went in with no idea what I wanted to eat, but spied the Ahi Salad and ordered that paired with the recommended gumbo. The gumbo was great, hearty, spicy and a great consistency. I ordered the tuna medium. My bad, since it was sushi grade I should have ordered it raw, but the salad was still wonderful! Light and refreshing and filling! Will be back to explore the rest of the menu.
(5)
Jada E.
Went here for the first time tonight, and I loved it! First of all, there was a man singing and playing live jazz music on the piano. The atmosphere was very nice and romantic. I had the tilapia with steamed vegetables, and potatoes instead of rice. It was delicious! The steamed veggies were cooked just right and not overcooked. The sauce on the tilapia was excellent, and the potatoes were creamy and seasoned just right. The portion size was large, so I had to bring half of the plate home. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a great meal in OKC!
(5)
Cecily D.
Yummy ill post my desert later.
(4)
Juju G.
I really enjoy the ahi tuna appetizer because it is served with an amazing wasabi aioli but the fish isn't very high quality, and they have a few decent wines by the bottle such as A to Z. Also.. love the view, it's one of our favorite places to go to especially to dine al fresco.
(3)
Enrique O.
I made a reservation at 7, was sat for a party of 8 after 7:30, more like 7:45. I took 8 of the people I grew up with. This review is for my food only! We ordered drinks when we first sat down, they took a minimum of 20 minutes, and my perfect margarita that I ordered an extra shot that came in a cocktail mix container was served with no glass to pour it into, and no extra shot, that took a minimum of 5 extra minutes to get a glass for my beverage and my extra shot. I ordered the steak rare, they asked me to cut it and check it when I was served, it wasn't rare, he offered to replace it, I didn't wanna wait again for their mistakes I was hungry and everything took long, I didn't give him the steak back, I ate it, very tough and loaded with fat. The prices were high and my steak wasn't good. I won't go back period. The staff took forever, never apologized for all the wrong, the man that gave me the steak looked as if he could care less and knew it was over cooked.
(1)
Tami B.
On August 3, 2014, we had my mother's 80th birthday party in the private dining room - great views of the lake from this room! First the mechanics: Paul Englund and his staff were most accommodating. The air conditioning was broken but they had several fans set up to keep the room cool. We had a visual presentation which they did everything they could to make sure ran smoothly - even though there were a couple of glitches. Our party ran over time a little bit and they were courteous and professional about scooting us along so they could prep for their next party. We had two servers (wish I could remember their names) who were perfect. They were warm, friendly and professional and they were able to get their job done without disrupting the presentations being made. Secondly the food: Because we didn't have too many people, we were able to order off the menu. Those who ordered brunch items were served cold food. Those who order other fare seemed to have theirs served at the proper temperature. I think everyone was mostly pleased with their selections. I still don't know how they pull off serving everybody at the same time. The servers kept the beverages coming throughout the entire party. The overall experience was close to perfect. The reasons I cannot give five stars are the mechanical glitches and the cold brunch foods. Job well done Hefner Grill!
(4)
Susan M.
Great atmosphere and neat place, but service and food was just average. We had the calamari, oysters, fish enchiladas and tuna. The appetizers were good but the meals were just average. The atmosphere was worth going, but I just simply expected more from the food itself.
(3)
James P.
Cool place right on the water. Tried the Crab Dip (Great) Chicken Sandwich (Good) for lunch. I'd come back!
(4)
Laura M.
I went to Hefner Grill with my best girl friend for brunch a couple of weeks ago. I am new to the city and hadn't been to Lake Hefner and really enjoyed the view! It was almost like a getaway :-p We both ordered mimosas, and I ordered the Southern Benedict, which had corn muffins on bottom in addition to guacamole (my fav!), fried green tomatoes, ham, and of course nicely poached eggs & hollandaise. The breakfast potatoes and side muffin were also excellent. The food was reasonably priced for the quality and ambiance of the restaurant... there was also a piano player :-) Would highly recommend!
(5)
Jeff F.
Average food+ Poor service+ Empty tea glass= 10% tip and a no return.
(2)
Ethan A.
Delicious! Stopped for a quick appetizer and drink, wasn't expecting much. Bar was clean and modern but some of the booths are looking a bit worn. They did not have any sort of cocktail menu which may be a first for me..? The cocktail was fine, but nothing special. The chicken quesadilla on the other hand was outstanding! Perhaps the best I've ever had! Wonderful fresh smokey flavors with fresh guacamole and salsa. The Caesar salad was also quite good. Prices were fair, especially taking the ambiance and location next to the (empty lake) into account. Next time I'm in OKC I'll be back!
(4)
Kevin L.
Hefner Grill is just great. Like really just wonderful. Coming from CA, I'm very picky with my food especially my more pricey food. Hefner grill has amazing quality and taste of food for dare I say cheap prices. Compared to many other "fancy" or upscale places like Mahogany, Hefner Grill prices are much cheaper, averaging $15-$20 an entree. The view of Lake Hefner is great and reservations aren't that hard to get because the restaurant is huge. They have a live band some days and it's always busy which gives it a nice modern feel to accompany the great decor. Now let's talk food: Mediterranean Ahi Tuna Salad ($16) - Oh man, my fiancee just went nuts for this. First off, it's a great blend of veggies with a wonderful dressing and there is ahi tuna! Seared to perfection, the tuna is fresh and tastes great. Sirloin Steak ($19) - nice big steak seasoned well and grilled perfectly just the way I ordered it. Bonus, the garlic mash potatoes are great. Grilled Bone In Pork Chop ($17) - Honestly, this is the most worth it upscale dish I probably have ever ordered. Absolutely AMAZING. Great mustard blend rub that doesn't have an overpowering mustard taste. The pork chop is wonderfully cooked. I could go on about this dish for days. Get this. Thank me later. Service - wonderful, quick, checked up on us a lot, but not too much (sometimes a fine line) Pros: - Great food, like really FANTASTIC food - Reasonable prices ($15-$20 per entree) - Good service - Great atmosphere - Nice View Cons: - Expensive appetizers - Parking (although free) can be hard to find sometimes
(5)
Nick S.
Kind of a Jekyll and Hyde place. Some things I love and some are just okay. It's a great bar good at happy hour, some meals are pedestrian, and some are a naive surprise. It's a suburbia bar, it's nice and you won't go wrong here. I like it, just didn't knock me out with anything.
(3)
Anna F.
Purely based on my brunch experiences, Hefner Grill is definitely five stars! I love the modern fanciness of the restaurant, complete with a live piano player to accompany your meal. The have a nice, concise brunch menu with all of the usual items such as eggs benedict, breakfast enchiladas, and other breakfast platters. I most recently tried the southwest eggs benedict with a yummy roasted pepper hollandaise and a corn muffin instead of the traditional English muffin. It was perfect! They also have wonderful cheesy biscuits which come with all of the brunch meals. I really like the herb hash browns which I don't believe I've seen anywhere else. You get a lot for your money here and I guarantee you won't leave any less than full!
(5)
Dirk H.
We can not stop eating brunch here. It is the best in town. Southern eggs Benedict. The bar area is open seating so no wait.
(5)
Frannie P.
A delicious brunch with impeccable service! Ryan, our server, was fantastic. Food was yummy and drinks were great. For the quality of food and service, I thought the prices were very reasonable. Had a booth facing the lake and really enjoyed the view! Highly recommend.
(5)
Willie W.
My wife and I decided to give this restaurant to try this weekend. Let me start off by saying that I was blown away by the Jazz Band. I am a huge fan of piano music while you dine or have a drink, it reminds me of how restaurants use to be back in the 50s and 60s. The restaurant ambience was very nice very middle scale but not to upscale at all. We started off with a calamari appetizer which was very good in the sauce was great as well. For our main meal my wife ordered the shrimp platter and I ordered the fillet steak meal. The food was so so the steak was okay but could have been cooked a little bit better. The potatoes that came with it were absolutely great and vegetables were great as well. To be completely honest with you I think that I like Hefner grill mainly because of the ambiance and not exactly for the food not to say that the food isn't good at all but this visit wasn't a particularly great with the food we ordered. Overall this was a ok experience but hopefully down the line as we continue to visit this restaurant the food gets better and the Jazz Band keeps playing.
(4)
Lara C.
I really like the atmosphere of this place. There is usually some live jazzy music and most of the tables have a view of the lake. An absolutely wonderful place to watch the sunset. But sometime the food is hit or miss. On Mother's Day we went and fabulous food. But I returned last weekend and it just wasn't the same. The very first time I went we ordered four apps to share and had cocktails and everything was great but the service was just a little off. Definitely worth trying! Hoping you have a fabulous experience.
I went there today with my wife and some friends and it was great! I got the pepper crusted tuna....it was amazing! My wife had a Tabasco Caesar salad that she said was very good. Our friends got the California burger and the fish tacos and they both looked great! We got some calamari for an appetizer and it was good as well! And you can't beat the VIEW! We sat outside looking at the lake! When you go, ask to sit in Ryan's section. He waited on us and did a great job!
(5)
Sarah K.
This is classy restaurant all the way around - atmosphere, food, and service! They have an AMAZING waterfront view in a majority of their indoor and outdoor seating. They have live jazz during weekend evenings and for sunday brunch and their service is consistently top notch. Great restaurant for all occasions! The Baltimore Crab dip is a guilty pleasure - warm, gooey goodness! And the tabasco cesar salad is one of my boyfriend's favorites. The pork chop is huge, hearty, perfectly grilled portion for larger appetites and I love the tilapia with shrimp on top (the seasoning is the best part).
(4)
John M.
This is among my top three fav spots in OKC. Never had a bad meal here: quite the opposite. The most recent visit was for Sunday brunch and I chose the Breakfast Enchiladas. It was every bit as delicious as I thought it might be. Across time, I've had nearly all their seafood specialties, and they are great! The Cedar Plank Salmon is the best in town. From the gumbo to blackened Catfish to Red Beans & Rice, each of the cajun specialties are perfect. The view is unparalleled, although yes we do need for Lake Hefner to refill. As much as a fan as ever.
(5)
Addison G.
Great restaurant and great atmosphere. I always reserve a lake table ahead of time. Especially if you are going for dinner. I know everyone in OKC is crazy about Eischens fried chicken but you can order pan-fried chicken here. It's not on the menu but it's the best you'll have! Their brunch is awesome too if you hit it right after church.
(4)
Vishal S.
Service is always the key even if the food sucks , in this case the food was ok but the service was great. I had the enchilada with shrimp and it was pretty decent, the only thing is after dinner I had the icky stomach burps of my meal. But the service was great !
Hefner Grill is such a nice space. I had Sunday brunch there and was happy to find that they also offer their full lunch menu in addition to a concise brunch menu. Mimosas are $3, win! I requested a table with lake view in my reservation and was so happy that HG honored the request. It was our first time there and my partner commented that it felt like we were somewhere else. Instead of white sands or a rock cliff or something, the "red dirt" kept us pretty firmly planted in reality, though. The six of us all ordered something different, from salads, to brunch and lunch options. We were all happy, including the kiddos. This was, so far, my favorite brunch in OKC, so much so that we stayed for 2.5 hours. Really, the food, service, drinks, and view were wonderful. We ordered the six layer chocolate cake and the key lime pie desserts, which was ridiculous, but the kiddos got to take the leftovers home. I can't wait to go back here for date night.
(5)
Julie S.
We came here at the perfect time on Saturday night - during a home OU game! We came with my parents and were so impressed. The place was quiet but not dead, and were pleasantly surprised to walk in and find live jazz music and a very cool ambience. Why does this place never register on my radar? What had kept me away for so long? I'd been here before, a few years ago for a scene-y private party hosted by some local so-and-sos. That event was packed, wall to wall with VIPs and wannabees and I just remember being over it. So I must have blocked it out. Not cool, JP, because this place is great. Our waiter was fantastic. The food was wonderful. We split the special, a perfectly seared filet atop a crisp crab cake, along with a sauce and some shrimp. Garlic mashed potatoes, something I normally have no problem turning down, seemed exceptionally flavorful. We also had a side salad to start, and we ordered an extra salad as well which made the meal more than enough, even though we split. Everything was top shelf. We also split the decadent chocolate cake (shared among four people) and we loved it, though we were a bit too full to truly relish it. I would come back for a nice glass of Cab Sav and that cake. For the combination of the scenery, the atmosphere (live music but not so loud that you can't visit), the service, the food and the presentation, I'm not sure, but this may trump Red Rock for me now. (Gasp!) If this place would serve the Red Rock Little House Salad I would probably switch teams! I'd give a fifth star with an improved wine list. Was I missing the wine booklet? There were only a few wines in each category available, by bottle or glass, at least on the menu I was looking at. And they wines I saw were not on par with the food. They will bring you a taste of anything, which is very nice, but I would have preferred more selection. The bartender looked to be pouring some excellent cocktails so I might go that route next time, and there will definitely be a next time.
(4)
Shane B.
It was excellent had lobster and fillet good atmosphere live music.
(4)
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Address :9201 Lake Hefner Pkwy
Oklahoma City, OK, 73120
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Rachel F.
Tried Hefner Grill for the first time this week. I really wanted to like it as it has a great location, but I'm not a fan. We started off with the crab dip and it was good, but there wasn't anything truly special about it to make it stand out from any other crab dip I've eaten. We then moved on to dinner; I ordered the seafood enchiladas and my husband ordered the ribs. The enchiladas were good, but came with a side of chips and salsa, which was really odd and WAY too much food. The ancho chile cream sauce was super flavorful and truly made the dish shine. My husband liked his ribs but, just like the crap dip, there was nothing special about them to make them stand out. The service was ok, but a little spotty. I hate looking at dirty dishes once I've eaten and our server just left them sitting there while we tabbed out. I still had half a glass of wine and it was hard to enjoy with the dishes just sitting there. Overall, if you're looking for a great view and want to enjoy a glass of wine with friends then this is the place for you. If you want to enjoy a great meal, I recommend that you look elsewhere.
(2)Esther L.
Didn't know but today they had a live band! But seriously I love this place. The oysters are always plump and the freshest Oklahoma can probably get. My mother and I love their crab cakes!! It's literally the best in Oklahoma city. Their entrée are decent. The appetizers here are what I usually come here for. Today I had the fish taco. It was decent..slaw was crunchy but the fish was slightly burnt but no matter the ambiance was great and entertaining and the company was always good. No review can be completed without mentioning their dessert. Their key lime is AMAZING! The creme Brule is decent but their key lime is out of this world! !! For 8$ it's a serious good deal. I would say a party of 4 or 5 is enough for just one of these pie.
(4)Jed B.
Fish tacos were great. Lots of fish although a bit too much breading. Squash Rockefeller was very good.
(4)Trang N.
My friend and I came here at 6pm on a Thursday evening and it was packed!! We decided to try the bar and had to squeeze into a long table with some nice patrons. Sadly, we'd missed happy hour. (1/2 priced appetizers!!!) We had the crab dip, gumbo and a few drinks. The crab dip was very good, but the gumbo was awesome!! It was not too salty like most other restaurants. They also serve it with rice on top so the consistency was perfect when you mixed in the rice. This is the best gumbo I've had!! Let's not forget about the atmosphere! There was a live jazz band! Mix that with a perfect sunset off Lake Hefner and you couldn't ask for more!!
(4)Jasmine B.
I had the crab cakes there. They were just ok. For $15 I would have thought they would have been bigger than what they were. The flavor was a little bland bit can't really expect much from okc seafood. Kind of disappointed.
(3)Joe S.
Wonderful restaurant right on the shores of Lake Hefner. The hospitality was evident as soon as we walked in. We were seated promptly and taken to a booth looking out at the gorgeous Lake Hefner. All the wait staff was extremely attentive and friendly. Our waiter gave us some good information about the specials which helped us to order the perfect lunch. The restaurant is so beautiful and right on the waters edge. You can eat on the patio or in booths looking out at the water. Even the beautiful bar area has a great view. Our meal was delicious and I am so looking forward to a Sunday Brunch here.
(5)Sixpack Y.
They supposed to be known for oysters, when we showed up there, no one told us about they were out of oysters. We ordered the most expensive champagne they got and oyster at the same time. Half the champagne was half gone, the waitress came and told us they were out of oyster and she did not know until she placed the order at kitchen. We said we were here for the oyster which they are known for! The food was very blow average. Fish was over grilled, the enchilada did not taste any sea food. The real joke is, when we got the check, we getting charged for the oysters that we did not get! We were mad and told the manager that was an insult. She said sorry for the missed communication that you had with our waitress. We been out of oysters for a few days now. (That was your missed commutation to your employee since our waitress did not know until she placed the order). She giving us a ten dollar off voucher for the NEXT meal. Hell NO! No one is going back there even its free. The tone of the manager blonde lady does not sound like she is been apologetic at all. I don't say this very often. Not only bad food, bad service, this place does not know how to run a business. Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.
(1)Hollie P.
Awesome Food! Love the Crab Cakes! Salmon is Awesome. Great Atmosphere and Service. If you can sit on the patio at sunset it's unbelievable. The fish tacos are the bomb! One of my favorite places for date night with hubby.
(5)Marcel H.
Visited Hefner Grill for the first time during the week for lunch. The outside of the restaurant looks nice and the view from inside is very pleasing. I had the blackened Tilapia and a Caesar salad. The salad was wonderful! The Tilapia comes out with some sort of sauce on it. It is not noted in their menu. I try to stay away from sugar and I think the sauce had sugar in it. The Tilapia was good, but not what I call a true Blackened one. I would not eat this again. Much better versions and restaurants that serve this type of food. Vegetables seemed just ok. Staff was friendly and our waiter was nice. Service was ok and then it took a really long time to pay our bill. Not sure why that was. The interior of the restaurant to me seems a little dated. While I see the decor they are trying for, they need to spend a little money upgrading the interior. I noticed booths that are in need of repair and the outside deck is pretty dirty! It seems to me this restaurant is trying to be an upscale place. Prices are not bad, but they need to improve food taste for me to back. I also thought the menu seemed limited to me. Next time I'm in OKC I will try one of the other lake restaurants.
(3)Lynn B.
Invited to an 80th birthday party for a church member and although the food was geared toward older people, it was very delectable. A great environment for a party. Service was excellent.
(5)Victoria N.
The happy hour here is awesome ! 1/2 off all appetizers and 1/2 off domestic beers. It's 3-6 pm. Their calamari is good . Oysters and ahi tuna were okay .
(4)Willie W.
My wife and I decided to give this restaurant to try this weekend. Let me start off by saying that I was blown away by the Jazz Band. I am a huge fan of piano music while you dine or have a drink, it reminds me of how restaurants use to be back in the 50s and 60s. The restaurant ambience was very nice very middle scale but not to upscale at all. We started off with a calamari appetizer which was very good in the sauce was great as well. For our main meal my wife ordered the shrimp platter and I ordered the fillet steak meal. The food was so so the steak was okay but could have been cooked a little bit better. The potatoes that came with it were absolutely great and vegetables were great as well. To be completely honest with you I think that I like Hefner grill mainly because of the ambiance and not exactly for the food not to say that the food isn't good at all but this visit wasn't a particularly great with the food we ordered. Overall this was a ok experience but hopefully down the line as we continue to visit this restaurant the food gets better and the Jazz Band keeps playing.
(4)Lara C.
I really like the atmosphere of this place. There is usually some live jazzy music and most of the tables have a view of the lake. An absolutely wonderful place to watch the sunset. But sometime the food is hit or miss. On Mother's Day we went and fabulous food. But I returned last weekend and it just wasn't the same. The very first time I went we ordered four apps to share and had cocktails and everything was great but the service was just a little off. Definitely worth trying! Hoping you have a fabulous experience.
(3)R B.
Had early dinner here last night. Beautiful restaurant, friendly staff. Shrimp bisque was awesome but crab cakes were so-so. Out of all our meals, fish n chips were the way to go. Desserts (key lime pie and creme brûlée) were just fair. Will probably go back but for brunch next time.
(3)Kyle D.
I went there today with my wife and some friends and it was great! I got the pepper crusted tuna....it was amazing! My wife had a Tabasco Caesar salad that she said was very good. Our friends got the California burger and the fish tacos and they both looked great! We got some calamari for an appetizer and it was good as well! And you can't beat the VIEW! We sat outside looking at the lake! When you go, ask to sit in Ryan's section. He waited on us and did a great job!
(5)Sarah K.
This is classy restaurant all the way around - atmosphere, food, and service! They have an AMAZING waterfront view in a majority of their indoor and outdoor seating. They have live jazz during weekend evenings and for sunday brunch and their service is consistently top notch. Great restaurant for all occasions! The Baltimore Crab dip is a guilty pleasure - warm, gooey goodness! And the tabasco cesar salad is one of my boyfriend's favorites. The pork chop is huge, hearty, perfectly grilled portion for larger appetites and I love the tilapia with shrimp on top (the seasoning is the best part).
(4)Vishal S.
Service is always the key even if the food sucks , in this case the food was ok but the service was great. I had the enchilada with shrimp and it was pretty decent, the only thing is after dinner I had the icky stomach burps of my meal. But the service was great !
(4)Erin B.
Today was such a gorgeous day, my husband and I decided to go have dinner on a patio by the lake. Since we had never been to Hefner Grill, and saw the good reviews, we thought it would be the perfect place. When we arrived, we asked to sit outside and were informed that the patio was full. Ok. That's fine, we arrived just after work, so we had some time to kill before we were truly hungry for dinner. We asked for the wait time. It was at this point when the 4 hostesses/waitresses panicked and started saying, oh we don't know people sit out there for a long time and there's just no telling, and eventually, we don't guarantee wait times for the patio. Chill! That's fine!! We're thinking, we're laid back. We're okay to wait 20 min to an hour, and if takes way too long, we'll just find some place else. So after all the panicking we discovered, yes, we can wait for a table. They just don't know how long. It's cool, man. We're cool. So just after our wine was ordered at the bar, the buzzer went off. We hadn't even finalized our tab. That was nice and fast! The evening was off to a good start. We sat down outside and a waitress came to our table to tell us she wasn't our waitress. She was awkward. I think she came to at least help out with a drink order, but then saw we already had some and panicked. Lots of panicking. Eventually our waiter came by. He was super slick and had a bit too many airs about him for my taste, but was friendly enough. We ordered the crab dip because you know, we were sitting on a lake and it seemed festive. The patio atmosphere is awesome. You can here subtle music, and the tables aren't crammed together so that you can actually enjoy yourself. The crab dip was lackluster to say the least. It tasted like microwaved cream cheese, with a little bit of canned crab thrown in. The waiter stopped by with a bottle of Tabasco and said, this makes it awesome. I don't know about that, but it did make it edible. It finally had some depth of flavor to make it worth eating. My husband had the seafood enchiladas. He said they were good, but not amazing. I didn't try them myself, but he said that the seafood kinda got lost in the enchilada, so the end result was just some weird texture with a good sauce. Meh. I, on the other hand, hit the motherload. I ordered the new porter chicken salad. I was fiending for some vegetables and this salad seemed to have so many! I got a bit dizzy reading all of the ingredients (mixed greens, chicken, corn, tomatoes, cashews, mangoes, apples, asparagus, eggs, etc) but since it was listed as a favorite, I figured it had to be fantastic. Boy was I wrong. Always trust the dizzy feeling. The first thing I said after putting the first few forkfuls in my mouth was, "this salad is wacky." And really, that was the best word I could come up with. It really was-- wacky. Flavors, textures, it was all over the place. And not in a good way. I stopped halfway through and I just couldn't torture my poor tastebuds any more. Go home, salad, you're drunk. Bottom line: I would go back to have drinks on the patio. I would skip the appetizers and even food. I think, maybe, if I stuck with a normal burger or fish and chips I might be okay?? I just don't know. I really don't trust the place anymore, unless it comes out of a sealed bottle. Side note: the list of ingredients in the salad was so dang long that I had to go on their website to remember what all was going on. (I mean, I love a party in my mouth, but that was one of those parties where it's pretty tame, but then there's that girl dancing on the table and you're wondering what planet am I on.) I saw that it had a LOCATIONS tab in order to pull up the menu and I was all like, no!! Please don't make others do this elsewhere!! And then I saw the drop down menu only included one location. SMH. Props for ambition, yo.
(2)Kristin H.
I have never felt so rushed through a meal! When three couples go out to dinner on a Friday night, unless they tell you they are in a hurry, you can assume they plan to stay longer than an hour. The server was nice, but seemed to be in a terrible hurry every time she came to the table. The kitchen sent out 3 courses within about 30 minutes - what??? Our soups & salads came before we finished the appetizer, then food runners starting serving our main course while all our soup & salad dishes were still on the table -- one guest had only just started to eat his salad! In what restaurant world is that ok? Before we finished the main course, the server asked if we wanted dessert. We said we didn't know yet... and then she brought us a check while we were still eating! We just let it sit there. When we were ready, we flagged down our server and ordered desserts & after-dinner drinks. She quickly updated our bill, so we went ahead and paid, and then we never saw her again even though we stayed quite sometime afterwards visiting. All our water glasses sat empty until we left. Aside from that... My husband and I had drinks at the bar waiting for the others to show up, and one of the bartenders was pretty good while the other did a lot more talking than bartending. Neither of them were very attentive after we got our drinks & app. I shouldn't have to wave & holler "excuse me" to get another drink at such a small bar. Waiting for a booth overlooking the lake was definitely worth it. The view was beautiful, and the booth created an intimate feel in a busy restaurant. However, as another reviewer noted, there were a lot of dead bugs in the bottom of the lampshades hanging over the table - yuck. The food was just ok. Nothing stood out as excellent. What did stand out was the horribly burnt creme brulee! I would have sent it back, but it was another couple who ordered it, and they didn't want to bother. I saw a photo posted by someone else several months ago that show the same blackened brulee that we got, so clearly, this is a problem! Management needs to train the waiters and bartenders on proper service (timing and attentiveness), and the head chef needs to do a major quality check on the food going out of the kitchen. I would go back for the view, but not with expectations of a great meal.
(3)Liz H.
Aaaaaaaamazing. We had a wait staff that made sure our drinks were always full. Our hostess was totally sweet. The decor is so fun & creative. The view of the lake is vast & the large windows are romantic. The haddock was perfect, and i had the best veggie blend ever. My husband chose fries (of course) but they were seasoned so well they were irresistible! And the servings were well worth $13/ea.
(5)Scott W.
First try at HG. Very disappointing. Windows looking out over the lake are filthy. Light fixtures were full of bugs and stained. Service was great. Food was sub par. Too bad.
(2)Ethan H.
I haven't been out here in at least a year, but we decided on a whim for dinner. I highly recommend the seafood enchiladas!! Amazing taste and excellently prepared. Our server was attentive, the live music was great, and the atmosphere just a tad different, but perfect for the restaurant. Do no leave without ordering the most amazingly delicious key lime pie this side of the lake. See what I did there? Good eats, indeed.
(5)Thomas O.
It was a dark and stormy day........... It really was yesterday when had our monthly lunch outing. But it really did not matter because I could not ask for more pleasant and joyful company than Robin and Heather. We have been having windy horizontal rains here for the last few days and the lawns are all lush. We went to the Hefner Grill which affords a grand view of Lake Hefner waters even as they were riled up by the rains. Another winner.. Service was well timed and thoughtful. The food was tastefully presented and deliciously prepared. We all noshed on a Spinach Artichoke Dip and Tortilla chips. A delight. Robin had the Newporter Chicken Salad, sauced with a tomato honey lime vinaigrette, and loaded down with bacon apples eggs cashews corn cheese mango and asparagus. Oh, and chicken too. Heather had Paul's Pasta with chicken or shrimp. Its Linguine in a spicy red sauce plus asparagus artichokes and mushrooms. I opted for the Seafood Enchiladas in white ancho cream sauce, loaded with shrimp scallops calamari and crab. Along with them came the rice and red beans, guacamole and green salad. There was a continual resupply of salsa and tortilla chips as well as our drink selections..... Well with this bountiful larder we lunched a mere three hours chatting of cabbages and kings and many things before the rains subsided... For our next go I'll try to select some ethnic menu site just to spice things up a tad....
(4)Kelly S.
Beautiful view from the patio. Friendly staff. Fast service. Had the Asian salad, spinach salad, pizza and a burger. All were pretty good.
(3)Bebe L.
We love the carb cake & shrimp cocktail & oysters here it's taste real fresh and the foods is not that bad. Last time I order lobster bisque is a little cold. Not really satisfied. But everything else is good, good services and great view of the lake.
(4)Mosca M.
Food great. Service was way slow. Like WAY SLOW. I still give it 4 stars. Even the kids loved it! MGMT was great & all blame goes to the waiter. At the end of the day I love the food and will return often.
(4)Steve B.
We dined at the Hefner Grill last Saturday night. When we arrived, I stopped by the men's room to wash my hands. While there, a kitchen employee emerged from a stall and came over to wash his hands. 3 seconds of water, no soap, and that was it. I was not real wild about the thought of him handling my food. We had drinks in the bar and really enjoyed the live jazz. Justin Echols is an amazing musician. From there we were seated and enjoyed a reasonably good meal. I had the cedar plank salmon, which was very appealing in presentation and over all pretty good. Still trying to get over the men's room issue. The 30 minutes of a crying toddler did not add a positive to the evening, but that is the fault of the parents and not the restaurant. Our server was a great guy and attentive. He was apologetic for the toddler even without us saying a word. All in all, a good experience. Would I go there for dinner without the live jazz? Not sure on that one, given the hygiene issues of the kitchen staff. The hosts could be a bit friendlier and a little more organized. It seemed as though we were putting them out by showing up. I experienced the same attitude while having a business lunch there Thursday. The host wanted to seat 7 of us, all men, in a booth. We asked for a table instead and she did not seem to happy about pushing two tables together.
(3)Cheri Y.
Hefner grill, I ate your meal, Hefner grill, your enchilada made me ill! Hefner grill will make you puke for real... Hefner grill what a bad ordeal! Eat at Hefner grill & what do you do... enchilada potty poo, enchilada where's the loo? We showed up at this place was seated in a booth. We order a coke & one glass of wine. We got the water & the glass of wine that came, it was like half had been drank already. There was like literally two sips of wine in the bottom of the $11 glass. Then the waitress took our appetizer order of oysters St. Charles. The waitress says "it will be a little while bc he has to make those" ok. Well, what does he not "make" the rest of the menu?! What does that mean?? I should have gotten up & left right then when that red flag presented itself, but I didn't unfortunately. Like a train reck I had to stay to watch this disaster unfold. My hubby had to ask three time for his coke. He finally got his coke with the appetizer of oysters. They were 6 oysters fried & presented on a little bed of creamed spinach in their shell, topped with Sriracha sauce & aioli. The aioli was overkill & too rich so I scrapped most of it off but the oysters were good we both liked them. We ate three each, hubby found a piece of shell in the last one he ate & spit it out. Yuck. We order the bone in pork loin & the seafood enchiladas. The enchiladas were suppose to have shrimp, scallop, fish, & mushroom in them. What we got was a bone in pork loin that was slightly overcooked but hot off the grill. The only thing we got that was eatable. The garlic mashed potatoes & veg. that came with it was completely cold. The garlic mashed potatoes were so over whipped into a starchy paste that I could have hung wallpaper with them! Revolting. This is NOT an accident, this is clearly Inexperienced kitchen staff. The enchilada plate that came was vomitous. It was the biggest plate of slop I have ever been served in my life. Everything on the plate was cold except the cream sauce that was on top & it was way too rich. This dish had a side of red beans & rice that was completely cold & a scoop of guac, some kind of disgusting flavored sour cream & pico?! All on the same plate! I don't know who thought this dish up but mexican seafood enchiladas & Cajun red beans & rice do NOT pair nicely together. That pairs together like two left shoes. I dug my fork around in the seafood enchiladas trying to find some seafood. There was NO scallops at all & I found three tiny shrimp that were literally tadpole size! I have never seen shrimp this tiny in a restaurant in my life. It was more like fish bait. My diamond stud earring are bigger! I found some fish pieces & two pieces of mushroom. It was mostly, cheese, tortillas & overly rich cream. I ate a couple bites, it was disgusting. The worst dish I have ever had in my life. My hubby & I both ate the oysters & he was fine after. I was the only one that ate any of the enchiladas. We asked for the check & left. The drive to my flat is 7 miles away. I didn't even make it home b4 I was sick as a dog. Congratulations Hefner grill! Not only have you made it to the top of my list of the absolute WORST restaurant I have ever been to in my life. I had plenty of time to make up a song about your restaurant while laying on the bathroom floor vomiting. Hope you enjoy it! Hefner grill, I ate your meal, Hefner grill, your enchilada made me ill! Hefner grill will make you puke for real... Hefner grill what a bad ordeal. Eat at Hefner grill & what do you do... enchilada potty poo, enchilada where's the loo? Won't return EVER!
(1)Courtney S.
We came here on Valentine's Day, so I'm not sure how well my review speaks to a "normal" night at this restaurant. Being Valentine's Day, the place was, of course, packed! We had reservations, but had to wait a few minutes for our table to be ready. When they took us to the table, it wasn't set. For some reason, that always bothers me. If you're going to make me wait because "your table isn't ready," at least make it ready before you seat me, right? Anyway, despite being very busy, our waitress was very nice. I've been on Atkins in preparation for my upcoming wedding, so she was able to answer all my questions about what was in certain dishes, checked with the kitchen on a few things, and took my order (eliminating some items, adding others). They were very accommodating. The whiskey pours were generous, albeit a little more on the pricey side compared to some other places we've dined at, so I didn't mind the couple extra bucks. My only true complaint was that the food came out super fast. I understand it's probably one of the busiest days for restaurants, but we barely were able to finish our appetizer and the entree was already in front of us. I like having a good 10 minutes in between courses to digest. The last thing that bothered me: our dinner plates were cleared, the waitress asked (while holding our dinner plates) if we wanted dessert. We said no, and it our check was handed to us. It was like they were telling us to get out so they could get the next table started. I really do understand the stress on restaurants on a day like Valentines, but I felt like I was getting kicked out, like they couldn't get us out fast enough! I'm sure I'll be back at some point...the food was good...but I don't like being rushed, and I definitely felt rushed!
(3)Meg G.
We eat here often for the live music, good service, and the fact that they are very accommodating of dietary limitations or restrictions. They prepare my food as I request and never make me feel like I'm putting them out. Drinks are good too! We love the lake view and the menu has something for everyone.
(5)Scarlet L.
I often go here for business lunch. LOVE IT! I always request to sit by the lake. The view is breath-taking. There is something about the water which always soothes our souls. and jazz! They always have jazz music on or live jazz music. The restaurant does give us a very classy 1950s American feel, which I like. I do think Americans should keep it classy like 1950s or 1960s. For starters, I love their crab cakes with the buttery sauce and crawfish. Their grilled pork chop is my husband's favorite. It is cooked to perfection. The texture of the meat does taste similar to a steak. The sauce is perfect to go with it with a top of mushroom. But my favorite is the pepper crusted tuna. The tuna is sushi graded so you should eat it as medium rare. The pepper is not too strong to empower the taste of the fish. The fish is blended well with the wasabi sauce. Yum! I normally switch back and forth the pepper crusted tuna or the Mediterranean tuna salad. About the salad, the portion is HUGE. I have to admit that I get really turned off when the plate is put down on the table and the salad is bigger than my head. So I can only have a few bites and that's it. Other than that, I wish they have glazed carrots like Charleston's and they do need to improve on the quality of the creme brulee.
(5)Jeff M.
I discovered recently that Hefner Grill is one of the many restaurants under the umbrella of the Hal Smith Restaurant Group. Some of the restaurants are pretty impressive (e.g. Upper Crust, The Garage) while others are about as exciting as a box of butter knives (e.g. TK's I Heart This Bar & Grill, Charleston's, Mama Roja, Wes Welker's, etc.). Hefner Grill would fall more into the former category as long as you pick the right items. It is possible to go there, spend a large amount of money and walk away disappointed. It is also possible to spend not a large amount of money and walk away thinking that it's a place you would enjoy returning to very soon. First off, avoid the items with the "HG" stamped next to it. They're referred to as being the "Hefner Grill Favorites" but I can't figure out if they're favorites because they're the more expensive items on the menu, or they jacked up the prices on the stuff that people kept buying because the descriptions sounded good. Either way, they're not my favorites and I have been consistently disappointed when I've eaten them. There are other items on the menu that are better, and cheaper. The HG Blackened Tilapia is one of the cheaper HG options, but the scallop tastes old, and the brown butter sauce has a weird sour taste. But enough about the unimpressive food. The Fish Tacos are pretty yum, and the Catfish Platter is a safe bet. If there's one fish that landlocked Oklahoman restaurants can't mess up, it seems to be catfish. The Baby Back Ribs are pretty good, and the price isn't bad either. The sandwiches are all good and filling, while the rainbow trout was better tasting than the tilapia (for me). Even for a lunch menu, you get quite a bit of food, which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on the person. If you have any choice in the matter (and you don't care about silly things like BMI, body fat percentage, and triglycerides), get the garlic mashed potatoes as one of your sides. Mmmmmmmm complex carbohydrates that really aren't that complex. If you're a special kind of fattie, get the shoe string fries AND garlic mashed potatoes. All of the sides are good (with the mashed potatoes being several kinds of good), although I'm deciding not to try the Squash Rockefeller because it's an HG and I'm tired of being disappointed by what Hefner Grill touts as being delicious. I've mentioned it before but the desserts are kind of insane. If I see you eating the 6-layer chocolate cake alone, I'm going to assume you're trying to eat your feelings from getting dumped/divorced (I'm sorry for your loss), losing your job (you no longer have a steady income stream and you decide to spend $9 on dessert? That doesn't seem smart), or you're out for a last hurrah before joining the Biggest Loser. I like to make up stories for strangers in restaurants. Great date restaurant with recessed and secluded booths to allow for private conversations and canoodling (please don't). When the weather is nice, you can sit outside and enjoy the view of Oklahoma's 30th largest man-made lake. Well, they're all man-made so I guess that's an unnecessary qualifier.
(4)Barb A.
I've eaten here twice. Both times had the spinach and artichoke dip. So yummy! Catfish is very good also. The view is awesome!!
(5)John R.
We will be returning. There is no doubt about it. Setting: Great views, quiet restaurant around dinner time and even live music. The meal: Outstanding. My steak wasn't quite done enough but waiter took it back and had it fixed with no issues. It was juicy and didn't have all the gristle on it like cheaper cuts of meat do. The mashed potatoes were awesome. My wife ordered the tilapia and enjoyed it. Their crab cakes are delicious. The drinks: Margaritas were a little (ok a lot) heavy on the triple sec. Informed the staff and they were replaced at no charge. The staff: Waiter was friendly, attentive and not overbearing like some of the other restaurants out there. He always seemed to appear when you needed him to and wasn't hovering the entire meal (this earned him an extra tip). The price: Kind of pricy when you add in an appetizer, salad, drinks, and the two main courses. Out the door with tip just over $100. Can't wait to try their brunch menu! If anyone knows whether their patio is pet friendly, let me know!
(5)Melissa D.
I was looking for a place to get a good breakfast. Not the typical Oklahoma southern flair with biscuits and gravy, I was craving something different coming from SF, and I was craving a Bloody Mary! I found Hefner Grill on Yelp and decided to check it out. I was seated promptly since I arrived around 11:30 and they had just opened at 11:00 on Saturday. However, I was a bit disappointed to learn they only serve Brunch on Sunday. I was able to order a Bloody Mary, so I had to stay! I ordered the California Burger, NOT because I'm from California but because it sounded good. It arrived with a generous helping of the thin fries, cooked to perfection! The "burger" was great, although I may prefer a bun instead of the Texas Toast type bread it's served on. The view was nice, definitely helped satisfy my need to be near the water. I sat inside, since we've had such crazy weather lately, it's still pretty chilly outside. I would definitely go back in warmer weather for some lakeside ambiance. The service was very good, waiter was attentive yet not overbearing. They offer free wifi as well, always a plus! The music is nice, jazz. I've been so disappointed at some of the restaurants I've been into here and the music is uncomfortably loud and not really in tune with the environment of the restaurant. I will definitely return! This could be my new go-to place while I'm here, great job all around. How refreshing.
(4)Mike K.
Had Sunday brunch there today 6/14/2015. My food was cold an when they replaced it the sausage and hash browns were also cold again. Service was sub par. Waiter had little personality, don't think he want to be there. Wont be back. : ( I was there before and it has gone downhill. The sad part was my Daughter brought me there for Father's Day!
(1)Amir P.
The staff are very friendly and helpful. The view is fantastic. The steak is delicious and cooked as ordered. The beer is ice cold. I honestly can't ask for any more than that. The menu is not exactly mind-blowingly creative, but so far, from what I've tasted, they know what they are doing. Overall, I'd recommend this place as a great place to take a client out to lunch or dinner, or just to go out with friends.
(4)Patrick W.
The Missus and I decided to come here on a whim with another couple. Plus, we're big fans of the Sunday brunch! :) In short, this place is absolutely phenomenal. I had their traditional breakfast plate...biscuits, sausage, and hash browns. Let me just say that their hash browns are hands down the best I have ever eaten. The flavor was intense, but not overwhelming. Their sausage wasn't crispy, which is usually an issue for me, and their gravy complimented their biscuits beautifully. The atmosphere was wonderful. There wasn't a crowd and our waitress did a fantastic job of checking on our table without being a burden. Overall, the restaurant was exceptionally clean and organized. In all honesty, this just may be my new favorite brunch destination in Oklahoman City. The food was spectacular, the service was great, and the price was very fair. Also, you can't beat the breathtaking view of Hefner Lake whilst sipping on a mimosa and enjoying a delicious breakfast.
(4)Amy G.
Hefner Grill is such a nice space. I had Sunday brunch there and was happy to find that they also offer their full lunch menu in addition to a concise brunch menu. Mimosas are $3, win! I requested a table with lake view in my reservation and was so happy that HG honored the request. It was our first time there and my partner commented that it felt like we were somewhere else. Instead of white sands or a rock cliff or something, the "red dirt" kept us pretty firmly planted in reality, though. The six of us all ordered something different, from salads, to brunch and lunch options. We were all happy, including the kiddos. This was, so far, my favorite brunch in OKC, so much so that we stayed for 2.5 hours. Really, the food, service, drinks, and view were wonderful. We ordered the six layer chocolate cake and the key lime pie desserts, which was ridiculous, but the kiddos got to take the leftovers home. I can't wait to go back here for date night.
(5)Emily A.
Tonight we had crab dip, the chilean sea bass and the rib eye, both the specials. Lukas was our waiter and he was so awesome. They had a lot of people working im sure bc of vday but he never had to wait long for anything. The food was amazing! Fish was so tender and my hubs rib eye was cooked perfect. Thanks hefner grill for making our vday dinner fantastic!!!!!
(5)Bekah M.
Great view, great service, great Ahi Tuna! I went in with no idea what I wanted to eat, but spied the Ahi Salad and ordered that paired with the recommended gumbo. The gumbo was great, hearty, spicy and a great consistency. I ordered the tuna medium. My bad, since it was sushi grade I should have ordered it raw, but the salad was still wonderful! Light and refreshing and filling! Will be back to explore the rest of the menu.
(5)Jada E.
Went here for the first time tonight, and I loved it! First of all, there was a man singing and playing live jazz music on the piano. The atmosphere was very nice and romantic. I had the tilapia with steamed vegetables, and potatoes instead of rice. It was delicious! The steamed veggies were cooked just right and not overcooked. The sauce on the tilapia was excellent, and the potatoes were creamy and seasoned just right. The portion size was large, so I had to bring half of the plate home. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a great meal in OKC!
(5)Julie S.
We came here at the perfect time on Saturday night - during a home OU game! We came with my parents and were so impressed. The place was quiet but not dead, and were pleasantly surprised to walk in and find live jazz music and a very cool ambience. Why does this place never register on my radar? What had kept me away for so long? I'd been here before, a few years ago for a scene-y private party hosted by some local so-and-sos. That event was packed, wall to wall with VIPs and wannabees and I just remember being over it. So I must have blocked it out. Not cool, JP, because this place is great. Our waiter was fantastic. The food was wonderful. We split the special, a perfectly seared filet atop a crisp crab cake, along with a sauce and some shrimp. Garlic mashed potatoes, something I normally have no problem turning down, seemed exceptionally flavorful. We also had a side salad to start, and we ordered an extra salad as well which made the meal more than enough, even though we split. Everything was top shelf. We also split the decadent chocolate cake (shared among four people) and we loved it, though we were a bit too full to truly relish it. I would come back for a nice glass of Cab Sav and that cake. For the combination of the scenery, the atmosphere (live music but not so loud that you can't visit), the service, the food and the presentation, I'm not sure, but this may trump Red Rock for me now. (Gasp!) If this place would serve the Red Rock Little House Salad I would probably switch teams! I'd give a fifth star with an improved wine list. Was I missing the wine booklet? There were only a few wines in each category available, by bottle or glass, at least on the menu I was looking at. And they wines I saw were not on par with the food. They will bring you a taste of anything, which is very nice, but I would have preferred more selection. The bartender looked to be pouring some excellent cocktails so I might go that route next time, and there will definitely be a next time.
(4)Mandy R.
3.5 star rounded up. Have come here several times when visiting family in OKC. The views of the lake are fantastic, and the atmosphere is nice. The live music could be toned down a bit though. It's far too loud for a restaurant. Over the visits, I've had the spinach and artichoke dip, the crab cakes, side salads (house and ceasar -- the ceasar is super tangy!), the fried chicken, the pork chop, and fish and chips. Apparently they have wonderful crab dip, but haven't had it. Everything I've tried here has been good, but not amazing or anything. We mostly keep coming back because of the views, the convenience (on the way from the airport to the house), and because it's not bad food or anything. The wine list is decent (not sure about the beer list as I haven't really looked). Get reservations if you'll be there on Friday or Saturday, and be prepared to have some trouble parking (there are 3-4 popular restaurants that share the parking lot).
(4)Robin E.
This place is starting to grow on me. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed my time here. I had family in OKC for the first time. We came here (because my favorite place next door had a 75 minute wait). We were seated instantly and next to the lake too! The food was good. The service slow. The atmosphere pleasant. I will be back to try eating on the deck. Each time, the stars go higher!
(3)Kimberly G.
I ate at Hefner Grill years ago when it was still Pearl's Lakeside and hadn't been back until this visit. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that many of my favorite dishes, including the Pecan Crusted Trout and Cedar Plank Salmon (original recipe) were still being offered. My husband and I were seated immediately and got a lakeside table inside. The waiter was prompt. Every time our drinks were halfway empty he was there with a refill. Our calamari appetizer was fresh and still quite hot. Many times I've ordered an appetizer and it shows up lukewarm from sitting out under the lamps. Since it had been a while I ordered what I considered a safe option, the Fish & Chips. Delicious! The batter was crisp but the fish was still moist and tender and the beer batter made it reminiscent of an old family recipe. The fries are actually pommes frites which are my favorite style as they are always crisp. We decided to share a key lime pie for dessert. Be advised this is NOT a single serving. It is meant to be shared. It's not a traditional key lime pie but rather a cheesecake. It is divine. You must have some even if you take it home to savor later.
(4)Warren B.
One of my new fav restaurant. They have the best shrimp with pasta. Great cocktails. Mostly seafood but do have pork, chicken and steak. Hidden treasure. Will be returning very soon.
(5)Kevin L.
Hefner Grill is just great. Like really just wonderful. Coming from CA, I'm very picky with my food especially my more pricey food. Hefner grill has amazing quality and taste of food for dare I say cheap prices. Compared to many other "fancy" or upscale places like Mahogany, Hefner Grill prices are much cheaper, averaging $15-$20 an entree. The view of Lake Hefner is great and reservations aren't that hard to get because the restaurant is huge. They have a live band some days and it's always busy which gives it a nice modern feel to accompany the great decor. Now let's talk food: Mediterranean Ahi Tuna Salad ($16) - Oh man, my fiancee just went nuts for this. First off, it's a great blend of veggies with a wonderful dressing and there is ahi tuna! Seared to perfection, the tuna is fresh and tastes great. Sirloin Steak ($19) - nice big steak seasoned well and grilled perfectly just the way I ordered it. Bonus, the garlic mash potatoes are great. Grilled Bone In Pork Chop ($17) - Honestly, this is the most worth it upscale dish I probably have ever ordered. Absolutely AMAZING. Great mustard blend rub that doesn't have an overpowering mustard taste. The pork chop is wonderfully cooked. I could go on about this dish for days. Get this. Thank me later. Service - wonderful, quick, checked up on us a lot, but not too much (sometimes a fine line) Pros: - Great food, like really FANTASTIC food - Reasonable prices ($15-$20 per entree) - Good service - Great atmosphere - Nice View Cons: - Expensive appetizers - Parking (although free) can be hard to find sometimes
(5)Nick S.
Kind of a Jekyll and Hyde place. Some things I love and some are just okay. It's a great bar good at happy hour, some meals are pedestrian, and some are a naive surprise. It's a suburbia bar, it's nice and you won't go wrong here. I like it, just didn't knock me out with anything.
(3)Anna F.
Purely based on my brunch experiences, Hefner Grill is definitely five stars! I love the modern fanciness of the restaurant, complete with a live piano player to accompany your meal. The have a nice, concise brunch menu with all of the usual items such as eggs benedict, breakfast enchiladas, and other breakfast platters. I most recently tried the southwest eggs benedict with a yummy roasted pepper hollandaise and a corn muffin instead of the traditional English muffin. It was perfect! They also have wonderful cheesy biscuits which come with all of the brunch meals. I really like the herb hash browns which I don't believe I've seen anywhere else. You get a lot for your money here and I guarantee you won't leave any less than full!
(5)Dirk H.
We can not stop eating brunch here. It is the best in town. Southern eggs Benedict. The bar area is open seating so no wait.
(5)Frannie P.
A delicious brunch with impeccable service! Ryan, our server, was fantastic. Food was yummy and drinks were great. For the quality of food and service, I thought the prices were very reasonable. Had a booth facing the lake and really enjoyed the view! Highly recommend.
(5)Enrique O.
I made a reservation at 7, was sat for a party of 8 after 7:30, more like 7:45. I took 8 of the people I grew up with. This review is for my food only! We ordered drinks when we first sat down, they took a minimum of 20 minutes, and my perfect margarita that I ordered an extra shot that came in a cocktail mix container was served with no glass to pour it into, and no extra shot, that took a minimum of 5 extra minutes to get a glass for my beverage and my extra shot. I ordered the steak rare, they asked me to cut it and check it when I was served, it wasn't rare, he offered to replace it, I didn't wanna wait again for their mistakes I was hungry and everything took long, I didn't give him the steak back, I ate it, very tough and loaded with fat. The prices were high and my steak wasn't good. I won't go back period. The staff took forever, never apologized for all the wrong, the man that gave me the steak looked as if he could care less and knew it was over cooked.
(1)Ethan A.
Delicious! Stopped for a quick appetizer and drink, wasn't expecting much. Bar was clean and modern but some of the booths are looking a bit worn. They did not have any sort of cocktail menu which may be a first for me..? The cocktail was fine, but nothing special. The chicken quesadilla on the other hand was outstanding! Perhaps the best I've ever had! Wonderful fresh smokey flavors with fresh guacamole and salsa. The Caesar salad was also quite good. Prices were fair, especially taking the ambiance and location next to the (empty lake) into account. Next time I'm in OKC I'll be back!
(4)Cecily D.
Yummy ill post my desert later.
(4)James P.
Cool place right on the water. Tried the Crab Dip (Great) Chicken Sandwich (Good) for lunch. I'd come back!
(4)Tami B.
On August 3, 2014, we had my mother's 80th birthday party in the private dining room - great views of the lake from this room! First the mechanics: Paul Englund and his staff were most accommodating. The air conditioning was broken but they had several fans set up to keep the room cool. We had a visual presentation which they did everything they could to make sure ran smoothly - even though there were a couple of glitches. Our party ran over time a little bit and they were courteous and professional about scooting us along so they could prep for their next party. We had two servers (wish I could remember their names) who were perfect. They were warm, friendly and professional and they were able to get their job done without disrupting the presentations being made. Secondly the food: Because we didn't have too many people, we were able to order off the menu. Those who ordered brunch items were served cold food. Those who order other fare seemed to have theirs served at the proper temperature. I think everyone was mostly pleased with their selections. I still don't know how they pull off serving everybody at the same time. The servers kept the beverages coming throughout the entire party. The overall experience was close to perfect. The reasons I cannot give five stars are the mechanical glitches and the cold brunch foods. Job well done Hefner Grill!
(4)Jeff F.
Average food+ Poor service+ Empty tea glass= 10% tip and a no return.
(2)Susan M.
Great atmosphere and neat place, but service and food was just average. We had the calamari, oysters, fish enchiladas and tuna. The appetizers were good but the meals were just average. The atmosphere was worth going, but I just simply expected more from the food itself.
(3)John F.
Hefner Grill is a particularly outstanding place to dine for its price point. An average entree is about $16 or so and the quality is what you'd easily pay $10 more for elsewhere in Oklahoma City. There are many reasons why this is a great place to eat. The quality of the food is particularly and consistently outstanding. The seafood is fresh, meats are high quality, and sides are very tasty. For our children we ordered quesadillas and they looked amazing. The location is unique -- overlooking Lake Hefner with boats floating by, it is not your typical land-locked location in the midwest. The service is also consistently exceptional. They use a blended model where you have a primary server yet other servers do very well pitching in to help each other, so you never go wanting for anything. Desserts are also super. The key-lime pie is gigantic -- and sharable with generous portions for 2 and ample to share for more. The chocolate cake is also very good. Many places have chocolate desserts that are "all hat and no cattle" with redi-whip or some such nonsense squirted around the sides to make it look more impressive. Not here. This is a 6 layer chocolate cake that could easily be split 2, 3, or 4 ways. Awesome. My father-in-law, who is quite particular about restaurants, raved that his trout was the best he has had in years. He is also consistently nice to wait staff, but I have never heard him stop a waitress at the end of the meal to say "you have provided us with outstanding service this evening and we appreciate it very much." He said it here. This is a great place to have a very high quality dinner without paying the over-the-top price. If I could change anything, I probably would separate the bar area from the eating area more cleanly -- however, you can't have everything. Hefner Grill is one of my very favorites. Bravo!
(5)Jeff H.
My wife and I finally had an evening without the kids so we were looking for someplace that we hadn't been. It was a beautiful evening so we decided to head over to the lake and take in some scenery while dining. Upon entering we were greeted very warmly, not only by the hostess, but by every member of the staff that we passed on the way to our table. We were seated at one of the tables facing the lake and had a gorgeous view. The waitress was very accommodating and knowledgeable of both the menu and specials. I decided to go with the New York strip covered in shrimp, crawfish, and a delicious sauce. The steak was cooked perfectly as were the shrimp and crawfish, and the sauce melded it all together quite nicely. For sides, I had garlic mashed potatoes, which were average, and a garden salad. Only complaint was that the bleu cheese dressing was slightly blasé. I did request an orange wedge with my iced tea instead of a lemon wedge and was pleased to find out that they had them. It may seem minor, but most of the time I can't get orange wedges. My wife ordered blackened chicken, which wasn't on the menu, along with shoestring fries. She said it had a good taste but wasn't quite blackened enough. Fries were wonderful, and trust me, she is a French fry connoisseur. All in all a great experience for the both of us. Will be back! PS: What's with the burlap ceiling? Odd.
(4)Juju G.
I really enjoy the ahi tuna appetizer because it is served with an amazing wasabi aioli but the fish isn't very high quality, and they have a few decent wines by the bottle such as A to Z. Also.. love the view, it's one of our favorite places to go to especially to dine al fresco.
(3)Tiffany M.
I can only vouch for their Sunday brunch but I am certainly a fan. A perfect place to bring company to or first time OKC visitors. The prices are very well in line with other restaurants, and the view is priceless. We enjoyed a carafe of mimosa (because whats brunch with a mimosa??) and this time we split the Southern Eggs Benedict and a side of biscuit and gravy. The Southern Eggs Benedict is a monster! Corn cakes , ham, fried green tomato , guac a mole topped with perfect poached egg and hollandaise sauce! My husband has eaten this entire dish on his own but we found splitting it suited us well today. It of course comes with lovely herbed hash browns and some cheese breed. The biscuit and gravy priced at only 3 with a giant split biscuit and their gravy has andouille sausage right up our alley. Our server was very friendly and attentive ( I tend to suck down the water after going out the night before gotta rehydrate ya know?) The atmosphere is great as well there is a live jazz pianist and we really enjoy just taking our time sipping mimosa looking out at the lake.
(4)John M.
This is among my top three fav spots in OKC. Never had a bad meal here: quite the opposite. The most recent visit was for Sunday brunch and I chose the Breakfast Enchiladas. It was every bit as delicious as I thought it might be. Across time, I've had nearly all their seafood specialties, and they are great! The Cedar Plank Salmon is the best in town. From the gumbo to blackened Catfish to Red Beans & Rice, each of the cajun specialties are perfect. The view is unparalleled, although yes we do need for Lake Hefner to refill. As much as a fan as ever.
(5)Laura M.
I went to Hefner Grill with my best girl friend for brunch a couple of weeks ago. I am new to the city and hadn't been to Lake Hefner and really enjoyed the view! It was almost like a getaway :-p We both ordered mimosas, and I ordered the Southern Benedict, which had corn muffins on bottom in addition to guacamole (my fav!), fried green tomatoes, ham, and of course nicely poached eggs & hollandaise. The breakfast potatoes and side muffin were also excellent. The food was reasonably priced for the quality and ambiance of the restaurant... there was also a piano player :-) Would highly recommend!
(5)Jack S.
The crab dip, fish tacos and pork chop are all really good. The wife and I like to take people from out of town here because the view is beautiful. The service is definitely hit or miss though.
(4)Errol R.
Our dining experience was great. The steak was as good as it gets-a fillet. The Cesar salad was a little spicy for me. I had to stop about half way through eating it as my mouth was peppered out, about then our meal arrived and I didn't need any more salad.
(4)Shane B.
It was excellent had lobster and fillet good atmosphere live music.
(4)Addison G.
Great restaurant and great atmosphere. I always reserve a lake table ahead of time. Especially if you are going for dinner. I know everyone in OKC is crazy about Eischens fried chicken but you can order pan-fried chicken here. It's not on the menu but it's the best you'll have! Their brunch is awesome too if you hit it right after church.
(4)Deena S.
When i went there with my family, we sat outside on a patio that was actually OVER the water so as your sitting, you feel like your on a boat deck. A man was playing the piano inside that people could also hear sitting outside on the speaker. the food was amazing, and the over all atmosphere was so relaxing. Rees Associates is the company that designed this restaurant and their office is actually right next door. i think they did an amazing job. the lay out is beautiful.
(5)Sherri C.
Sunday brunch was good but not great. Eggs Chesapeake (crabcake benedict for East Coasters) was not the best I've had. Crabcakes were tiny and hinted at being pre-made & frozen--just OK. One egg had a completely cooked yolk while the other was runny, as I would have preferred in a poached egg. Hubby had a Southern benedict with biscuit, fried green tomatos and the poached eggs--the tomatos were spot on, but his eggs were also inconsistent. Our guests each had standard eggs Benedict which they agreed were good, but not great. All in all, a lot of food on all the plates, with an above average hash brown "cake", and biscuit on the side. None of us finished the entire plate. The coffee is excellent as was hubby's "perfect Bloody Mary." The view of the lake was also excellent from our seats & being water lovers, it made the experience for us. I might or might not go back.
(3)Nicole T.
First time to Hefner, but had a beautiful evening with family!! I ordered steak and veggies which was delicious. On the water, so great view and nice wine list.
(4)Katie R.
We ate in the back room for a rehearsal dinner - the salmon was excellent!! Great drinks, great food, and a great view!
(4)Savanna F.
Nice atmosphere. Priced okay. I had the pecan crusted trout but I was disappointed because it was fish batter with huge chunks of unground pecans. Calamari wasn't very good.
(2)Marcel H.
Visited Hefner Grill for the first time during the week for lunch. The outside of the restaurant looks nice and the view from inside is very pleasing. I had the blackened Tilapia and a Caesar salad. The salad was wonderful! The Tilapia comes out with some sort of sauce on it. It is not noted in their menu. I try to stay away from sugar and I think the sauce had sugar in it. The Tilapia was good, but not what I call a true Blackened one. I would not eat this again. Much better versions and restaurants that serve this type of food. Vegetables seemed just ok. Staff was friendly and our waiter was nice. Service was ok and then it took a really long time to pay our bill. Not sure why that was. The interior of the restaurant to me seems a little dated. While I see the decor they are trying for, they need to spend a little money upgrading the interior. I noticed booths that are in need of repair and the outside deck is pretty dirty! It seems to me this restaurant is trying to be an upscale place. Prices are not bad, but they need to improve food taste for me to back. I also thought the menu seemed limited to me. Next time I'm in OKC I will try one of the other lake restaurants.
(3)Lynn B.
Invited to an 80th birthday party for a church member and although the food was geared toward older people, it was very delectable. A great environment for a party. Service was excellent.
(5)Thomas O.
It was a dark and stormy day........... It really was yesterday when had our monthly lunch outing. But it really did not matter because I could not ask for more pleasant and joyful company than Robin and Heather. We have been having windy horizontal rains here for the last few days and the lawns are all lush. We went to the Hefner Grill which affords a grand view of Lake Hefner waters even as they were riled up by the rains. Another winner.. Service was well timed and thoughtful. The food was tastefully presented and deliciously prepared. We all noshed on a Spinach Artichoke Dip and Tortilla chips. A delight. Robin had the Newporter Chicken Salad, sauced with a tomato honey lime vinaigrette, and loaded down with bacon apples eggs cashews corn cheese mango and asparagus. Oh, and chicken too. Heather had Paul's Pasta with chicken or shrimp. Its Linguine in a spicy red sauce plus asparagus artichokes and mushrooms. I opted for the Seafood Enchiladas in white ancho cream sauce, loaded with shrimp scallops calamari and crab. Along with them came the rice and red beans, guacamole and green salad. There was a continual resupply of salsa and tortilla chips as well as our drink selections..... Well with this bountiful larder we lunched a mere three hours chatting of cabbages and kings and many things before the rains subsided... For our next go I'll try to select some ethnic menu site just to spice things up a tad....
(4)Kelly S.
Beautiful view from the patio. Friendly staff. Fast service. Had the Asian salad, spinach salad, pizza and a burger. All were pretty good.
(3)Steve B.
We dined at the Hefner Grill last Saturday night. When we arrived, I stopped by the men's room to wash my hands. While there, a kitchen employee emerged from a stall and came over to wash his hands. 3 seconds of water, no soap, and that was it. I was not real wild about the thought of him handling my food. We had drinks in the bar and really enjoyed the live jazz. Justin Echols is an amazing musician. From there we were seated and enjoyed a reasonably good meal. I had the cedar plank salmon, which was very appealing in presentation and over all pretty good. Still trying to get over the men's room issue. The 30 minutes of a crying toddler did not add a positive to the evening, but that is the fault of the parents and not the restaurant. Our server was a great guy and attentive. He was apologetic for the toddler even without us saying a word. All in all, a good experience. Would I go there for dinner without the live jazz? Not sure on that one, given the hygiene issues of the kitchen staff. The hosts could be a bit friendlier and a little more organized. It seemed as though we were putting them out by showing up. I experienced the same attitude while having a business lunch there Thursday. The host wanted to seat 7 of us, all men, in a booth. We asked for a table instead and she did not seem to happy about pushing two tables together.
(3)Jed B.
Fish tacos were great. Lots of fish although a bit too much breading. Squash Rockefeller was very good.
(4)Sherri C.
Sunday brunch was good but not great. Eggs Chesapeake (crabcake benedict for East Coasters) was not the best I've had. Crabcakes were tiny and hinted at being pre-made & frozen--just OK. One egg had a completely cooked yolk while the other was runny, as I would have preferred in a poached egg. Hubby had a Southern benedict with biscuit, fried green tomatos and the poached eggs--the tomatos were spot on, but his eggs were also inconsistent. Our guests each had standard eggs Benedict which they agreed were good, but not great. All in all, a lot of food on all the plates, with an above average hash brown "cake", and biscuit on the side. None of us finished the entire plate. The coffee is excellent as was hubby's "perfect Bloody Mary." The view of the lake was also excellent from our seats & being water lovers, it made the experience for us. I might or might not go back.
(3)Savanna F.
Nice atmosphere. Priced okay. I had the pecan crusted trout but I was disappointed because it was fish batter with huge chunks of unground pecans. Calamari wasn't very good.
(2)Tiffany M.
I can only vouch for their Sunday brunch but I am certainly a fan. A perfect place to bring company to or first time OKC visitors. The prices are very well in line with other restaurants, and the view is priceless. We enjoyed a carafe of mimosa (because whats brunch with a mimosa??) and this time we split the Southern Eggs Benedict and a side of biscuit and gravy. The Southern Eggs Benedict is a monster! Corn cakes , ham, fried green tomato , guac a mole topped with perfect poached egg and hollandaise sauce! My husband has eaten this entire dish on his own but we found splitting it suited us well today. It of course comes with lovely herbed hash browns and some cheese breed. The biscuit and gravy priced at only 3 with a giant split biscuit and their gravy has andouille sausage right up our alley. Our server was very friendly and attentive ( I tend to suck down the water after going out the night before gotta rehydrate ya know?) The atmosphere is great as well there is a live jazz pianist and we really enjoy just taking our time sipping mimosa looking out at the lake.
(4)Deena S.
When i went there with my family, we sat outside on a patio that was actually OVER the water so as your sitting, you feel like your on a boat deck. A man was playing the piano inside that people could also hear sitting outside on the speaker. the food was amazing, and the over all atmosphere was so relaxing. Rees Associates is the company that designed this restaurant and their office is actually right next door. i think they did an amazing job. the lay out is beautiful.
(5)Nicole T.
First time to Hefner, but had a beautiful evening with family!! I ordered steak and veggies which was delicious. On the water, so great view and nice wine list.
(4)Katie R.
We ate in the back room for a rehearsal dinner - the salmon was excellent!! Great drinks, great food, and a great view!
(4)Courtney S.
We came here on Valentine's Day, so I'm not sure how well my review speaks to a "normal" night at this restaurant. Being Valentine's Day, the place was, of course, packed! We had reservations, but had to wait a few minutes for our table to be ready. When they took us to the table, it wasn't set. For some reason, that always bothers me. If you're going to make me wait because "your table isn't ready," at least make it ready before you seat me, right? Anyway, despite being very busy, our waitress was very nice. I've been on Atkins in preparation for my upcoming wedding, so she was able to answer all my questions about what was in certain dishes, checked with the kitchen on a few things, and took my order (eliminating some items, adding others). They were very accommodating. The whiskey pours were generous, albeit a little more on the pricey side compared to some other places we've dined at, so I didn't mind the couple extra bucks. My only true complaint was that the food came out super fast. I understand it's probably one of the busiest days for restaurants, but we barely were able to finish our appetizer and the entree was already in front of us. I like having a good 10 minutes in between courses to digest. The last thing that bothered me: our dinner plates were cleared, the waitress asked (while holding our dinner plates) if we wanted dessert. We said no, and it our check was handed to us. It was like they were telling us to get out so they could get the next table started. I really do understand the stress on restaurants on a day like Valentines, but I felt like I was getting kicked out, like they couldn't get us out fast enough! I'm sure I'll be back at some point...the food was good...but I don't like being rushed, and I definitely felt rushed!
(3)Meg G.
We eat here often for the live music, good service, and the fact that they are very accommodating of dietary limitations or restrictions. They prepare my food as I request and never make me feel like I'm putting them out. Drinks are good too! We love the lake view and the menu has something for everyone.
(5)Scarlet L.
I often go here for business lunch. LOVE IT! I always request to sit by the lake. The view is breath-taking. There is something about the water which always soothes our souls. and jazz! They always have jazz music on or live jazz music. The restaurant does give us a very classy 1950s American feel, which I like. I do think Americans should keep it classy like 1950s or 1960s. For starters, I love their crab cakes with the buttery sauce and crawfish. Their grilled pork chop is my husband's favorite. It is cooked to perfection. The texture of the meat does taste similar to a steak. The sauce is perfect to go with it with a top of mushroom. But my favorite is the pepper crusted tuna. The tuna is sushi graded so you should eat it as medium rare. The pepper is not too strong to empower the taste of the fish. The fish is blended well with the wasabi sauce. Yum! I normally switch back and forth the pepper crusted tuna or the Mediterranean tuna salad. About the salad, the portion is HUGE. I have to admit that I get really turned off when the plate is put down on the table and the salad is bigger than my head. So I can only have a few bites and that's it. Other than that, I wish they have glazed carrots like Charleston's and they do need to improve on the quality of the creme brulee.
(5)Tami B.
On August 3, 2014, we had my mother's 80th birthday party in the private dining room - great views of the lake from this room! First the mechanics: Paul Englund and his staff were most accommodating. The air conditioning was broken but they had several fans set up to keep the room cool. We had a visual presentation which they did everything they could to make sure ran smoothly - even though there were a couple of glitches. Our party ran over time a little bit and they were courteous and professional about scooting us along so they could prep for their next party. We had two servers (wish I could remember their names) who were perfect. They were warm, friendly and professional and they were able to get their job done without disrupting the presentations being made. Secondly the food: Because we didn't have too many people, we were able to order off the menu. Those who ordered brunch items were served cold food. Those who order other fare seemed to have theirs served at the proper temperature. I think everyone was mostly pleased with their selections. I still don't know how they pull off serving everybody at the same time. The servers kept the beverages coming throughout the entire party. The overall experience was close to perfect. The reasons I cannot give five stars are the mechanical glitches and the cold brunch foods. Job well done Hefner Grill!
(4)Susan M.
Great atmosphere and neat place, but service and food was just average. We had the calamari, oysters, fish enchiladas and tuna. The appetizers were good but the meals were just average. The atmosphere was worth going, but I just simply expected more from the food itself.
(3)Cheri Y.
Hefner grill, I ate your meal, Hefner grill, your enchilada made me ill! Hefner grill will make you puke for real... Hefner grill what a bad ordeal! Eat at Hefner grill & what do you do... enchilada potty poo, enchilada where's the loo? We showed up at this place was seated in a booth. We order a coke & one glass of wine. We got the water & the glass of wine that came, it was like half had been drank already. There was like literally two sips of wine in the bottom of the $11 glass. Then the waitress took our appetizer order of oysters St. Charles. The waitress says "it will be a little while bc he has to make those" ok. Well, what does he not "make" the rest of the menu?! What does that mean?? I should have gotten up & left right then when that red flag presented itself, but I didn't unfortunately. Like a train reck I had to stay to watch this disaster unfold. My hubby had to ask three time for his coke. He finally got his coke with the appetizer of oysters. They were 6 oysters fried & presented on a little bed of creamed spinach in their shell, topped with Sriracha sauce & aioli. The aioli was overkill & too rich so I scrapped most of it off but the oysters were good we both liked them. We ate three each, hubby found a piece of shell in the last one he ate & spit it out. Yuck. We order the bone in pork loin & the seafood enchiladas. The enchiladas were suppose to have shrimp, scallop, fish, & mushroom in them. What we got was a bone in pork loin that was slightly overcooked but hot off the grill. The only thing we got that was eatable. The garlic mashed potatoes & veg. that came with it was completely cold. The garlic mashed potatoes were so over whipped into a starchy paste that I could have hung wallpaper with them! Revolting. This is NOT an accident, this is clearly Inexperienced kitchen staff. The enchilada plate that came was vomitous. It was the biggest plate of slop I have ever been served in my life. Everything on the plate was cold except the cream sauce that was on top & it was way too rich. This dish had a side of red beans & rice that was completely cold & a scoop of guac, some kind of disgusting flavored sour cream & pico?! All on the same plate! I don't know who thought this dish up but mexican seafood enchiladas & Cajun red beans & rice do NOT pair nicely together. That pairs together like two left shoes. I dug my fork around in the seafood enchiladas trying to find some seafood. There was NO scallops at all & I found three tiny shrimp that were literally tadpole size! I have never seen shrimp this tiny in a restaurant in my life. It was more like fish bait. My diamond stud earring are bigger! I found some fish pieces & two pieces of mushroom. It was mostly, cheese, tortillas & overly rich cream. I ate a couple bites, it was disgusting. The worst dish I have ever had in my life. My hubby & I both ate the oysters & he was fine after. I was the only one that ate any of the enchiladas. We asked for the check & left. The drive to my flat is 7 miles away. I didn't even make it home b4 I was sick as a dog. Congratulations Hefner grill! Not only have you made it to the top of my list of the absolute WORST restaurant I have ever been to in my life. I had plenty of time to make up a song about your restaurant while laying on the bathroom floor vomiting. Hope you enjoy it! Hefner grill, I ate your meal, Hefner grill, your enchilada made me ill! Hefner grill will make you puke for real... Hefner grill what a bad ordeal. Eat at Hefner grill & what do you do... enchilada potty poo, enchilada where's the loo? Won't return EVER!
(1)Rachel F.
Tried Hefner Grill for the first time this week. I really wanted to like it as it has a great location, but I'm not a fan. We started off with the crab dip and it was good, but there wasn't anything truly special about it to make it stand out from any other crab dip I've eaten. We then moved on to dinner; I ordered the seafood enchiladas and my husband ordered the ribs. The enchiladas were good, but came with a side of chips and salsa, which was really odd and WAY too much food. The ancho chile cream sauce was super flavorful and truly made the dish shine. My husband liked his ribs but, just like the crap dip, there was nothing special about them to make them stand out. The service was ok, but a little spotty. I hate looking at dirty dishes once I've eaten and our server just left them sitting there while we tabbed out. I still had half a glass of wine and it was hard to enjoy with the dishes just sitting there. Overall, if you're looking for a great view and want to enjoy a glass of wine with friends then this is the place for you. If you want to enjoy a great meal, I recommend that you look elsewhere.
(2)Esther L.
Didn't know but today they had a live band! But seriously I love this place. The oysters are always plump and the freshest Oklahoma can probably get. My mother and I love their crab cakes!! It's literally the best in Oklahoma city. Their entrée are decent. The appetizers here are what I usually come here for. Today I had the fish taco. It was decent..slaw was crunchy but the fish was slightly burnt but no matter the ambiance was great and entertaining and the company was always good. No review can be completed without mentioning their dessert. Their key lime is AMAZING! The creme Brule is decent but their key lime is out of this world! !! For 8$ it's a serious good deal. I would say a party of 4 or 5 is enough for just one of these pie.
(4)Kristin H.
I have never felt so rushed through a meal! When three couples go out to dinner on a Friday night, unless they tell you they are in a hurry, you can assume they plan to stay longer than an hour. The server was nice, but seemed to be in a terrible hurry every time she came to the table. The kitchen sent out 3 courses within about 30 minutes - what??? Our soups & salads came before we finished the appetizer, then food runners starting serving our main course while all our soup & salad dishes were still on the table -- one guest had only just started to eat his salad! In what restaurant world is that ok? Before we finished the main course, the server asked if we wanted dessert. We said we didn't know yet... and then she brought us a check while we were still eating! We just let it sit there. When we were ready, we flagged down our server and ordered desserts & after-dinner drinks. She quickly updated our bill, so we went ahead and paid, and then we never saw her again even though we stayed quite sometime afterwards visiting. All our water glasses sat empty until we left. Aside from that... My husband and I had drinks at the bar waiting for the others to show up, and one of the bartenders was pretty good while the other did a lot more talking than bartending. Neither of them were very attentive after we got our drinks & app. I shouldn't have to wave & holler "excuse me" to get another drink at such a small bar. Waiting for a booth overlooking the lake was definitely worth it. The view was beautiful, and the booth created an intimate feel in a busy restaurant. However, as another reviewer noted, there were a lot of dead bugs in the bottom of the lampshades hanging over the table - yuck. The food was just ok. Nothing stood out as excellent. What did stand out was the horribly burnt creme brulee! I would have sent it back, but it was another couple who ordered it, and they didn't want to bother. I saw a photo posted by someone else several months ago that show the same blackened brulee that we got, so clearly, this is a problem! Management needs to train the waiters and bartenders on proper service (timing and attentiveness), and the head chef needs to do a major quality check on the food going out of the kitchen. I would go back for the view, but not with expectations of a great meal.
(3)Liz H.
Aaaaaaaamazing. We had a wait staff that made sure our drinks were always full. Our hostess was totally sweet. The decor is so fun & creative. The view of the lake is vast & the large windows are romantic. The haddock was perfect, and i had the best veggie blend ever. My husband chose fries (of course) but they were seasoned so well they were irresistible! And the servings were well worth $13/ea.
(5)Scott W.
First try at HG. Very disappointing. Windows looking out over the lake are filthy. Light fixtures were full of bugs and stained. Service was great. Food was sub par. Too bad.
(2)Joe S.
Wonderful restaurant right on the shores of Lake Hefner. The hospitality was evident as soon as we walked in. We were seated promptly and taken to a booth looking out at the gorgeous Lake Hefner. All the wait staff was extremely attentive and friendly. Our waiter gave us some good information about the specials which helped us to order the perfect lunch. The restaurant is so beautiful and right on the waters edge. You can eat on the patio or in booths looking out at the water. Even the beautiful bar area has a great view. Our meal was delicious and I am so looking forward to a Sunday Brunch here.
(5)Anna F.
Purely based on my brunch experiences, Hefner Grill is definitely five stars! I love the modern fanciness of the restaurant, complete with a live piano player to accompany your meal. The have a nice, concise brunch menu with all of the usual items such as eggs benedict, breakfast enchiladas, and other breakfast platters. I most recently tried the southwest eggs benedict with a yummy roasted pepper hollandaise and a corn muffin instead of the traditional English muffin. It was perfect! They also have wonderful cheesy biscuits which come with all of the brunch meals. I really like the herb hash browns which I don't believe I've seen anywhere else. You get a lot for your money here and I guarantee you won't leave any less than full!
(5)Dirk H.
We can not stop eating brunch here. It is the best in town. Southern eggs Benedict. The bar area is open seating so no wait.
(5)Frannie P.
A delicious brunch with impeccable service! Ryan, our server, was fantastic. Food was yummy and drinks were great. For the quality of food and service, I thought the prices were very reasonable. Had a booth facing the lake and really enjoyed the view! Highly recommend.
(5)Enrique O.
I made a reservation at 7, was sat for a party of 8 after 7:30, more like 7:45. I took 8 of the people I grew up with. This review is for my food only! We ordered drinks when we first sat down, they took a minimum of 20 minutes, and my perfect margarita that I ordered an extra shot that came in a cocktail mix container was served with no glass to pour it into, and no extra shot, that took a minimum of 5 extra minutes to get a glass for my beverage and my extra shot. I ordered the steak rare, they asked me to cut it and check it when I was served, it wasn't rare, he offered to replace it, I didn't wanna wait again for their mistakes I was hungry and everything took long, I didn't give him the steak back, I ate it, very tough and loaded with fat. The prices were high and my steak wasn't good. I won't go back period. The staff took forever, never apologized for all the wrong, the man that gave me the steak looked as if he could care less and knew it was over cooked.
(1)Emily A.
Tonight we had crab dip, the chilean sea bass and the rib eye, both the specials. Lukas was our waiter and he was so awesome. They had a lot of people working im sure bc of vday but he never had to wait long for anything. The food was amazing! Fish was so tender and my hubs rib eye was cooked perfect. Thanks hefner grill for making our vday dinner fantastic!!!!!
(5)Bekah M.
Great view, great service, great Ahi Tuna! I went in with no idea what I wanted to eat, but spied the Ahi Salad and ordered that paired with the recommended gumbo. The gumbo was great, hearty, spicy and a great consistency. I ordered the tuna medium. My bad, since it was sushi grade I should have ordered it raw, but the salad was still wonderful! Light and refreshing and filling! Will be back to explore the rest of the menu.
(5)Jeff F.
Average food+ Poor service+ Empty tea glass= 10% tip and a no return.
(2)Hollie P.
Awesome Food! Love the Crab Cakes! Salmon is Awesome. Great Atmosphere and Service. If you can sit on the patio at sunset it's unbelievable. The fish tacos are the bomb! One of my favorite places for date night with hubby.
(5)Bebe L.
We love the carb cake & shrimp cocktail & oysters here it's taste real fresh and the foods is not that bad. Last time I order lobster bisque is a little cold. Not really satisfied. But everything else is good, good services and great view of the lake.
(4)Mosca M.
Food great. Service was way slow. Like WAY SLOW. I still give it 4 stars. Even the kids loved it! MGMT was great & all blame goes to the waiter. At the end of the day I love the food and will return often.
(4)Sixpack Y.
They supposed to be known for oysters, when we showed up there, no one told us about they were out of oysters. We ordered the most expensive champagne they got and oyster at the same time. Half the champagne was half gone, the waitress came and told us they were out of oyster and she did not know until she placed the order at kitchen. We said we were here for the oyster which they are known for! The food was very blow average. Fish was over grilled, the enchilada did not taste any sea food. The real joke is, when we got the check, we getting charged for the oysters that we did not get! We were mad and told the manager that was an insult. She said sorry for the missed communication that you had with our waitress. We been out of oysters for a few days now. (That was your missed commutation to your employee since our waitress did not know until she placed the order). She giving us a ten dollar off voucher for the NEXT meal. Hell NO! No one is going back there even its free. The tone of the manager blonde lady does not sound like she is been apologetic at all. I don't say this very often. Not only bad food, bad service, this place does not know how to run a business. Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.
(1)Victoria N.
The happy hour here is awesome ! 1/2 off all appetizers and 1/2 off domestic beers. It's 3-6 pm. Their calamari is good . Oysters and ahi tuna were okay .
(4)Ethan H.
I haven't been out here in at least a year, but we decided on a whim for dinner. I highly recommend the seafood enchiladas!! Amazing taste and excellently prepared. Our server was attentive, the live music was great, and the atmosphere just a tad different, but perfect for the restaurant. Do no leave without ordering the most amazingly delicious key lime pie this side of the lake. See what I did there? Good eats, indeed.
(5)Trang N.
My friend and I came here at 6pm on a Thursday evening and it was packed!! We decided to try the bar and had to squeeze into a long table with some nice patrons. Sadly, we'd missed happy hour. (1/2 priced appetizers!!!) We had the crab dip, gumbo and a few drinks. The crab dip was very good, but the gumbo was awesome!! It was not too salty like most other restaurants. They also serve it with rice on top so the consistency was perfect when you mixed in the rice. This is the best gumbo I've had!! Let's not forget about the atmosphere! There was a live jazz band! Mix that with a perfect sunset off Lake Hefner and you couldn't ask for more!!
(4)Jasmine B.
I had the crab cakes there. They were just ok. For $15 I would have thought they would have been bigger than what they were. The flavor was a little bland bit can't really expect much from okc seafood. Kind of disappointed.
(3)Amir P.
The staff are very friendly and helpful. The view is fantastic. The steak is delicious and cooked as ordered. The beer is ice cold. I honestly can't ask for any more than that. The menu is not exactly mind-blowingly creative, but so far, from what I've tasted, they know what they are doing. Overall, I'd recommend this place as a great place to take a client out to lunch or dinner, or just to go out with friends.
(4)Ethan A.
Delicious! Stopped for a quick appetizer and drink, wasn't expecting much. Bar was clean and modern but some of the booths are looking a bit worn. They did not have any sort of cocktail menu which may be a first for me..? The cocktail was fine, but nothing special. The chicken quesadilla on the other hand was outstanding! Perhaps the best I've ever had! Wonderful fresh smokey flavors with fresh guacamole and salsa. The Caesar salad was also quite good. Prices were fair, especially taking the ambiance and location next to the (empty lake) into account. Next time I'm in OKC I'll be back!
(4)Cecily D.
Yummy ill post my desert later.
(4)Jeff M.
I discovered recently that Hefner Grill is one of the many restaurants under the umbrella of the Hal Smith Restaurant Group. Some of the restaurants are pretty impressive (e.g. Upper Crust, The Garage) while others are about as exciting as a box of butter knives (e.g. TK's I Heart This Bar & Grill, Charleston's, Mama Roja, Wes Welker's, etc.). Hefner Grill would fall more into the former category as long as you pick the right items. It is possible to go there, spend a large amount of money and walk away disappointed. It is also possible to spend not a large amount of money and walk away thinking that it's a place you would enjoy returning to very soon. First off, avoid the items with the "HG" stamped next to it. They're referred to as being the "Hefner Grill Favorites" but I can't figure out if they're favorites because they're the more expensive items on the menu, or they jacked up the prices on the stuff that people kept buying because the descriptions sounded good. Either way, they're not my favorites and I have been consistently disappointed when I've eaten them. There are other items on the menu that are better, and cheaper. The HG Blackened Tilapia is one of the cheaper HG options, but the scallop tastes old, and the brown butter sauce has a weird sour taste. But enough about the unimpressive food. The Fish Tacos are pretty yum, and the Catfish Platter is a safe bet. If there's one fish that landlocked Oklahoman restaurants can't mess up, it seems to be catfish. The Baby Back Ribs are pretty good, and the price isn't bad either. The sandwiches are all good and filling, while the rainbow trout was better tasting than the tilapia (for me). Even for a lunch menu, you get quite a bit of food, which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on the person. If you have any choice in the matter (and you don't care about silly things like BMI, body fat percentage, and triglycerides), get the garlic mashed potatoes as one of your sides. Mmmmmmmm complex carbohydrates that really aren't that complex. If you're a special kind of fattie, get the shoe string fries AND garlic mashed potatoes. All of the sides are good (with the mashed potatoes being several kinds of good), although I'm deciding not to try the Squash Rockefeller because it's an HG and I'm tired of being disappointed by what Hefner Grill touts as being delicious. I've mentioned it before but the desserts are kind of insane. If I see you eating the 6-layer chocolate cake alone, I'm going to assume you're trying to eat your feelings from getting dumped/divorced (I'm sorry for your loss), losing your job (you no longer have a steady income stream and you decide to spend $9 on dessert? That doesn't seem smart), or you're out for a last hurrah before joining the Biggest Loser. I like to make up stories for strangers in restaurants. Great date restaurant with recessed and secluded booths to allow for private conversations and canoodling (please don't). When the weather is nice, you can sit outside and enjoy the view of Oklahoma's 30th largest man-made lake. Well, they're all man-made so I guess that's an unnecessary qualifier.
(4)Barb A.
I've eaten here twice. Both times had the spinach and artichoke dip. So yummy! Catfish is very good also. The view is awesome!!
(5)John R.
We will be returning. There is no doubt about it. Setting: Great views, quiet restaurant around dinner time and even live music. The meal: Outstanding. My steak wasn't quite done enough but waiter took it back and had it fixed with no issues. It was juicy and didn't have all the gristle on it like cheaper cuts of meat do. The mashed potatoes were awesome. My wife ordered the tilapia and enjoyed it. Their crab cakes are delicious. The drinks: Margaritas were a little (ok a lot) heavy on the triple sec. Informed the staff and they were replaced at no charge. The staff: Waiter was friendly, attentive and not overbearing like some of the other restaurants out there. He always seemed to appear when you needed him to and wasn't hovering the entire meal (this earned him an extra tip). The price: Kind of pricy when you add in an appetizer, salad, drinks, and the two main courses. Out the door with tip just over $100. Can't wait to try their brunch menu! If anyone knows whether their patio is pet friendly, let me know!
(5)Melissa D.
I was looking for a place to get a good breakfast. Not the typical Oklahoma southern flair with biscuits and gravy, I was craving something different coming from SF, and I was craving a Bloody Mary! I found Hefner Grill on Yelp and decided to check it out. I was seated promptly since I arrived around 11:30 and they had just opened at 11:00 on Saturday. However, I was a bit disappointed to learn they only serve Brunch on Sunday. I was able to order a Bloody Mary, so I had to stay! I ordered the California Burger, NOT because I'm from California but because it sounded good. It arrived with a generous helping of the thin fries, cooked to perfection! The "burger" was great, although I may prefer a bun instead of the Texas Toast type bread it's served on. The view was nice, definitely helped satisfy my need to be near the water. I sat inside, since we've had such crazy weather lately, it's still pretty chilly outside. I would definitely go back in warmer weather for some lakeside ambiance. The service was very good, waiter was attentive yet not overbearing. They offer free wifi as well, always a plus! The music is nice, jazz. I've been so disappointed at some of the restaurants I've been into here and the music is uncomfortably loud and not really in tune with the environment of the restaurant. I will definitely return! This could be my new go-to place while I'm here, great job all around. How refreshing.
(4)Mike K.
Had Sunday brunch there today 6/14/2015. My food was cold an when they replaced it the sausage and hash browns were also cold again. Service was sub par. Waiter had little personality, don't think he want to be there. Wont be back. : ( I was there before and it has gone downhill. The sad part was my Daughter brought me there for Father's Day!
(1)Jada E.
Went here for the first time tonight, and I loved it! First of all, there was a man singing and playing live jazz music on the piano. The atmosphere was very nice and romantic. I had the tilapia with steamed vegetables, and potatoes instead of rice. It was delicious! The steamed veggies were cooked just right and not overcooked. The sauce on the tilapia was excellent, and the potatoes were creamy and seasoned just right. The portion size was large, so I had to bring half of the plate home. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a great meal in OKC!
(5)Patrick W.
The Missus and I decided to come here on a whim with another couple. Plus, we're big fans of the Sunday brunch! :) In short, this place is absolutely phenomenal. I had their traditional breakfast plate...biscuits, sausage, and hash browns. Let me just say that their hash browns are hands down the best I have ever eaten. The flavor was intense, but not overwhelming. Their sausage wasn't crispy, which is usually an issue for me, and their gravy complimented their biscuits beautifully. The atmosphere was wonderful. There wasn't a crowd and our waitress did a fantastic job of checking on our table without being a burden. Overall, the restaurant was exceptionally clean and organized. In all honesty, this just may be my new favorite brunch destination in Oklahoman City. The food was spectacular, the service was great, and the price was very fair. Also, you can't beat the breathtaking view of Hefner Lake whilst sipping on a mimosa and enjoying a delicious breakfast.
(4)Amy G.
Hefner Grill is such a nice space. I had Sunday brunch there and was happy to find that they also offer their full lunch menu in addition to a concise brunch menu. Mimosas are $3, win! I requested a table with lake view in my reservation and was so happy that HG honored the request. It was our first time there and my partner commented that it felt like we were somewhere else. Instead of white sands or a rock cliff or something, the "red dirt" kept us pretty firmly planted in reality, though. The six of us all ordered something different, from salads, to brunch and lunch options. We were all happy, including the kiddos. This was, so far, my favorite brunch in OKC, so much so that we stayed for 2.5 hours. Really, the food, service, drinks, and view were wonderful. We ordered the six layer chocolate cake and the key lime pie desserts, which was ridiculous, but the kiddos got to take the leftovers home. I can't wait to go back here for date night.
(5)James P.
Cool place right on the water. Tried the Crab Dip (Great) Chicken Sandwich (Good) for lunch. I'd come back!
(4)Jeff H.
My wife and I finally had an evening without the kids so we were looking for someplace that we hadn't been. It was a beautiful evening so we decided to head over to the lake and take in some scenery while dining. Upon entering we were greeted very warmly, not only by the hostess, but by every member of the staff that we passed on the way to our table. We were seated at one of the tables facing the lake and had a gorgeous view. The waitress was very accommodating and knowledgeable of both the menu and specials. I decided to go with the New York strip covered in shrimp, crawfish, and a delicious sauce. The steak was cooked perfectly as were the shrimp and crawfish, and the sauce melded it all together quite nicely. For sides, I had garlic mashed potatoes, which were average, and a garden salad. Only complaint was that the bleu cheese dressing was slightly blasé. I did request an orange wedge with my iced tea instead of a lemon wedge and was pleased to find out that they had them. It may seem minor, but most of the time I can't get orange wedges. My wife ordered blackened chicken, which wasn't on the menu, along with shoestring fries. She said it had a good taste but wasn't quite blackened enough. Fries were wonderful, and trust me, she is a French fry connoisseur. All in all a great experience for the both of us. Will be back! PS: What's with the burlap ceiling? Odd.
(4)Julie S.
We came here at the perfect time on Saturday night - during a home OU game! We came with my parents and were so impressed. The place was quiet but not dead, and were pleasantly surprised to walk in and find live jazz music and a very cool ambience. Why does this place never register on my radar? What had kept me away for so long? I'd been here before, a few years ago for a scene-y private party hosted by some local so-and-sos. That event was packed, wall to wall with VIPs and wannabees and I just remember being over it. So I must have blocked it out. Not cool, JP, because this place is great. Our waiter was fantastic. The food was wonderful. We split the special, a perfectly seared filet atop a crisp crab cake, along with a sauce and some shrimp. Garlic mashed potatoes, something I normally have no problem turning down, seemed exceptionally flavorful. We also had a side salad to start, and we ordered an extra salad as well which made the meal more than enough, even though we split. Everything was top shelf. We also split the decadent chocolate cake (shared among four people) and we loved it, though we were a bit too full to truly relish it. I would come back for a nice glass of Cab Sav and that cake. For the combination of the scenery, the atmosphere (live music but not so loud that you can't visit), the service, the food and the presentation, I'm not sure, but this may trump Red Rock for me now. (Gasp!) If this place would serve the Red Rock Little House Salad I would probably switch teams! I'd give a fifth star with an improved wine list. Was I missing the wine booklet? There were only a few wines in each category available, by bottle or glass, at least on the menu I was looking at. And they wines I saw were not on par with the food. They will bring you a taste of anything, which is very nice, but I would have preferred more selection. The bartender looked to be pouring some excellent cocktails so I might go that route next time, and there will definitely be a next time.
(4)Mandy R.
3.5 star rounded up. Have come here several times when visiting family in OKC. The views of the lake are fantastic, and the atmosphere is nice. The live music could be toned down a bit though. It's far too loud for a restaurant. Over the visits, I've had the spinach and artichoke dip, the crab cakes, side salads (house and ceasar -- the ceasar is super tangy!), the fried chicken, the pork chop, and fish and chips. Apparently they have wonderful crab dip, but haven't had it. Everything I've tried here has been good, but not amazing or anything. We mostly keep coming back because of the views, the convenience (on the way from the airport to the house), and because it's not bad food or anything. The wine list is decent (not sure about the beer list as I haven't really looked). Get reservations if you'll be there on Friday or Saturday, and be prepared to have some trouble parking (there are 3-4 popular restaurants that share the parking lot).
(4)Robin E.
This place is starting to grow on me. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed my time here. I had family in OKC for the first time. We came here (because my favorite place next door had a 75 minute wait). We were seated instantly and next to the lake too! The food was good. The service slow. The atmosphere pleasant. I will be back to try eating on the deck. Each time, the stars go higher!
(3)Kimberly G.
I ate at Hefner Grill years ago when it was still Pearl's Lakeside and hadn't been back until this visit. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that many of my favorite dishes, including the Pecan Crusted Trout and Cedar Plank Salmon (original recipe) were still being offered. My husband and I were seated immediately and got a lakeside table inside. The waiter was prompt. Every time our drinks were halfway empty he was there with a refill. Our calamari appetizer was fresh and still quite hot. Many times I've ordered an appetizer and it shows up lukewarm from sitting out under the lamps. Since it had been a while I ordered what I considered a safe option, the Fish & Chips. Delicious! The batter was crisp but the fish was still moist and tender and the beer batter made it reminiscent of an old family recipe. The fries are actually pommes frites which are my favorite style as they are always crisp. We decided to share a key lime pie for dessert. Be advised this is NOT a single serving. It is meant to be shared. It's not a traditional key lime pie but rather a cheesecake. It is divine. You must have some even if you take it home to savor later.
(4)Warren B.
One of my new fav restaurant. They have the best shrimp with pasta. Great cocktails. Mostly seafood but do have pork, chicken and steak. Hidden treasure. Will be returning very soon.
(5)Kevin L.
Hefner Grill is just great. Like really just wonderful. Coming from CA, I'm very picky with my food especially my more pricey food. Hefner grill has amazing quality and taste of food for dare I say cheap prices. Compared to many other "fancy" or upscale places like Mahogany, Hefner Grill prices are much cheaper, averaging $15-$20 an entree. The view of Lake Hefner is great and reservations aren't that hard to get because the restaurant is huge. They have a live band some days and it's always busy which gives it a nice modern feel to accompany the great decor. Now let's talk food: Mediterranean Ahi Tuna Salad ($16) - Oh man, my fiancee just went nuts for this. First off, it's a great blend of veggies with a wonderful dressing and there is ahi tuna! Seared to perfection, the tuna is fresh and tastes great. Sirloin Steak ($19) - nice big steak seasoned well and grilled perfectly just the way I ordered it. Bonus, the garlic mash potatoes are great. Grilled Bone In Pork Chop ($17) - Honestly, this is the most worth it upscale dish I probably have ever ordered. Absolutely AMAZING. Great mustard blend rub that doesn't have an overpowering mustard taste. The pork chop is wonderfully cooked. I could go on about this dish for days. Get this. Thank me later. Service - wonderful, quick, checked up on us a lot, but not too much (sometimes a fine line) Pros: - Great food, like really FANTASTIC food - Reasonable prices ($15-$20 per entree) - Good service - Great atmosphere - Nice View Cons: - Expensive appetizers - Parking (although free) can be hard to find sometimes
(5)Nick S.
Kind of a Jekyll and Hyde place. Some things I love and some are just okay. It's a great bar good at happy hour, some meals are pedestrian, and some are a naive surprise. It's a suburbia bar, it's nice and you won't go wrong here. I like it, just didn't knock me out with anything.
(3)John F.
Hefner Grill is a particularly outstanding place to dine for its price point. An average entree is about $16 or so and the quality is what you'd easily pay $10 more for elsewhere in Oklahoma City. There are many reasons why this is a great place to eat. The quality of the food is particularly and consistently outstanding. The seafood is fresh, meats are high quality, and sides are very tasty. For our children we ordered quesadillas and they looked amazing. The location is unique -- overlooking Lake Hefner with boats floating by, it is not your typical land-locked location in the midwest. The service is also consistently exceptional. They use a blended model where you have a primary server yet other servers do very well pitching in to help each other, so you never go wanting for anything. Desserts are also super. The key-lime pie is gigantic -- and sharable with generous portions for 2 and ample to share for more. The chocolate cake is also very good. Many places have chocolate desserts that are "all hat and no cattle" with redi-whip or some such nonsense squirted around the sides to make it look more impressive. Not here. This is a 6 layer chocolate cake that could easily be split 2, 3, or 4 ways. Awesome. My father-in-law, who is quite particular about restaurants, raved that his trout was the best he has had in years. He is also consistently nice to wait staff, but I have never heard him stop a waitress at the end of the meal to say "you have provided us with outstanding service this evening and we appreciate it very much." He said it here. This is a great place to have a very high quality dinner without paying the over-the-top price. If I could change anything, I probably would separate the bar area from the eating area more cleanly -- however, you can't have everything. Hefner Grill is one of my very favorites. Bravo!
(5)Willie W.
My wife and I decided to give this restaurant to try this weekend. Let me start off by saying that I was blown away by the Jazz Band. I am a huge fan of piano music while you dine or have a drink, it reminds me of how restaurants use to be back in the 50s and 60s. The restaurant ambience was very nice very middle scale but not to upscale at all. We started off with a calamari appetizer which was very good in the sauce was great as well. For our main meal my wife ordered the shrimp platter and I ordered the fillet steak meal. The food was so so the steak was okay but could have been cooked a little bit better. The potatoes that came with it were absolutely great and vegetables were great as well. To be completely honest with you I think that I like Hefner grill mainly because of the ambiance and not exactly for the food not to say that the food isn't good at all but this visit wasn't a particularly great with the food we ordered. Overall this was a ok experience but hopefully down the line as we continue to visit this restaurant the food gets better and the Jazz Band keeps playing.
(4)Lara C.
I really like the atmosphere of this place. There is usually some live jazzy music and most of the tables have a view of the lake. An absolutely wonderful place to watch the sunset. But sometime the food is hit or miss. On Mother's Day we went and fabulous food. But I returned last weekend and it just wasn't the same. The very first time I went we ordered four apps to share and had cocktails and everything was great but the service was just a little off. Definitely worth trying! Hoping you have a fabulous experience.
(3)R B.
Had early dinner here last night. Beautiful restaurant, friendly staff. Shrimp bisque was awesome but crab cakes were so-so. Out of all our meals, fish n chips were the way to go. Desserts (key lime pie and creme brûlée) were just fair. Will probably go back but for brunch next time.
(3)Kyle D.
I went there today with my wife and some friends and it was great! I got the pepper crusted tuna....it was amazing! My wife had a Tabasco Caesar salad that she said was very good. Our friends got the California burger and the fish tacos and they both looked great! We got some calamari for an appetizer and it was good as well! And you can't beat the VIEW! We sat outside looking at the lake! When you go, ask to sit in Ryan's section. He waited on us and did a great job!
(5)Vishal S.
Service is always the key even if the food sucks , in this case the food was ok but the service was great. I had the enchilada with shrimp and it was pretty decent, the only thing is after dinner I had the icky stomach burps of my meal. But the service was great !
(4)Sarah K.
This is classy restaurant all the way around - atmosphere, food, and service! They have an AMAZING waterfront view in a majority of their indoor and outdoor seating. They have live jazz during weekend evenings and for sunday brunch and their service is consistently top notch. Great restaurant for all occasions! The Baltimore Crab dip is a guilty pleasure - warm, gooey goodness! And the tabasco cesar salad is one of my boyfriend's favorites. The pork chop is huge, hearty, perfectly grilled portion for larger appetites and I love the tilapia with shrimp on top (the seasoning is the best part).
(4)Juju G.
I really enjoy the ahi tuna appetizer because it is served with an amazing wasabi aioli but the fish isn't very high quality, and they have a few decent wines by the bottle such as A to Z. Also.. love the view, it's one of our favorite places to go to especially to dine al fresco.
(3)Tiffany M.
I can only vouch for their Sunday brunch but I am certainly a fan. A perfect place to bring company to or first time OKC visitors. The prices are very well in line with other restaurants, and the view is priceless. We enjoyed a carafe of mimosa (because whats brunch with a mimosa??) and this time we split the Southern Eggs Benedict and a side of biscuit and gravy. The Southern Eggs Benedict is a monster! Corn cakes , ham, fried green tomato , guac a mole topped with perfect poached egg and hollandaise sauce! My husband has eaten this entire dish on his own but we found splitting it suited us well today. It of course comes with lovely herbed hash browns and some cheese breed. The biscuit and gravy priced at only 3 with a giant split biscuit and their gravy has andouille sausage right up our alley. Our server was very friendly and attentive ( I tend to suck down the water after going out the night before gotta rehydrate ya know?) The atmosphere is great as well there is a live jazz pianist and we really enjoy just taking our time sipping mimosa looking out at the lake.
(4)John M.
This is among my top three fav spots in OKC. Never had a bad meal here: quite the opposite. The most recent visit was for Sunday brunch and I chose the Breakfast Enchiladas. It was every bit as delicious as I thought it might be. Across time, I've had nearly all their seafood specialties, and they are great! The Cedar Plank Salmon is the best in town. From the gumbo to blackened Catfish to Red Beans & Rice, each of the cajun specialties are perfect. The view is unparalleled, although yes we do need for Lake Hefner to refill. As much as a fan as ever.
(5)Laura M.
I went to Hefner Grill with my best girl friend for brunch a couple of weeks ago. I am new to the city and hadn't been to Lake Hefner and really enjoyed the view! It was almost like a getaway :-p We both ordered mimosas, and I ordered the Southern Benedict, which had corn muffins on bottom in addition to guacamole (my fav!), fried green tomatoes, ham, and of course nicely poached eggs & hollandaise. The breakfast potatoes and side muffin were also excellent. The food was reasonably priced for the quality and ambiance of the restaurant... there was also a piano player :-) Would highly recommend!
(5)Jack S.
The crab dip, fish tacos and pork chop are all really good. The wife and I like to take people from out of town here because the view is beautiful. The service is definitely hit or miss though.
(4)Errol R.
Our dining experience was great. The steak was as good as it gets-a fillet. The Cesar salad was a little spicy for me. I had to stop about half way through eating it as my mouth was peppered out, about then our meal arrived and I didn't need any more salad.
(4)Shane B.
It was excellent had lobster and fillet good atmosphere live music.
(4)Addison G.
Great restaurant and great atmosphere. I always reserve a lake table ahead of time. Especially if you are going for dinner. I know everyone in OKC is crazy about Eischens fried chicken but you can order pan-fried chicken here. It's not on the menu but it's the best you'll have! Their brunch is awesome too if you hit it right after church.
(4)Deena S.
When i went there with my family, we sat outside on a patio that was actually OVER the water so as your sitting, you feel like your on a boat deck. A man was playing the piano inside that people could also hear sitting outside on the speaker. the food was amazing, and the over all atmosphere was so relaxing. Rees Associates is the company that designed this restaurant and their office is actually right next door. i think they did an amazing job. the lay out is beautiful.
(5)Sherri C.
Sunday brunch was good but not great. Eggs Chesapeake (crabcake benedict for East Coasters) was not the best I've had. Crabcakes were tiny and hinted at being pre-made & frozen--just OK. One egg had a completely cooked yolk while the other was runny, as I would have preferred in a poached egg. Hubby had a Southern benedict with biscuit, fried green tomatos and the poached eggs--the tomatos were spot on, but his eggs were also inconsistent. Our guests each had standard eggs Benedict which they agreed were good, but not great. All in all, a lot of food on all the plates, with an above average hash brown "cake", and biscuit on the side. None of us finished the entire plate. The coffee is excellent as was hubby's "perfect Bloody Mary." The view of the lake was also excellent from our seats & being water lovers, it made the experience for us. I might or might not go back.
(3)Nicole T.
First time to Hefner, but had a beautiful evening with family!! I ordered steak and veggies which was delicious. On the water, so great view and nice wine list.
(4)Katie R.
We ate in the back room for a rehearsal dinner - the salmon was excellent!! Great drinks, great food, and a great view!
(4)Savanna F.
Nice atmosphere. Priced okay. I had the pecan crusted trout but I was disappointed because it was fish batter with huge chunks of unground pecans. Calamari wasn't very good.
(2)Erin B.
Today was such a gorgeous day, my husband and I decided to go have dinner on a patio by the lake. Since we had never been to Hefner Grill, and saw the good reviews, we thought it would be the perfect place. When we arrived, we asked to sit outside and were informed that the patio was full. Ok. That's fine, we arrived just after work, so we had some time to kill before we were truly hungry for dinner. We asked for the wait time. It was at this point when the 4 hostesses/waitresses panicked and started saying, oh we don't know people sit out there for a long time and there's just no telling, and eventually, we don't guarantee wait times for the patio. Chill! That's fine!! We're thinking, we're laid back. We're okay to wait 20 min to an hour, and if takes way too long, we'll just find some place else. So after all the panicking we discovered, yes, we can wait for a table. They just don't know how long. It's cool, man. We're cool. So just after our wine was ordered at the bar, the buzzer went off. We hadn't even finalized our tab. That was nice and fast! The evening was off to a good start. We sat down outside and a waitress came to our table to tell us she wasn't our waitress. She was awkward. I think she came to at least help out with a drink order, but then saw we already had some and panicked. Lots of panicking. Eventually our waiter came by. He was super slick and had a bit too many airs about him for my taste, but was friendly enough. We ordered the crab dip because you know, we were sitting on a lake and it seemed festive. The patio atmosphere is awesome. You can here subtle music, and the tables aren't crammed together so that you can actually enjoy yourself. The crab dip was lackluster to say the least. It tasted like microwaved cream cheese, with a little bit of canned crab thrown in. The waiter stopped by with a bottle of Tabasco and said, this makes it awesome. I don't know about that, but it did make it edible. It finally had some depth of flavor to make it worth eating. My husband had the seafood enchiladas. He said they were good, but not amazing. I didn't try them myself, but he said that the seafood kinda got lost in the enchilada, so the end result was just some weird texture with a good sauce. Meh. I, on the other hand, hit the motherload. I ordered the new porter chicken salad. I was fiending for some vegetables and this salad seemed to have so many! I got a bit dizzy reading all of the ingredients (mixed greens, chicken, corn, tomatoes, cashews, mangoes, apples, asparagus, eggs, etc) but since it was listed as a favorite, I figured it had to be fantastic. Boy was I wrong. Always trust the dizzy feeling. The first thing I said after putting the first few forkfuls in my mouth was, "this salad is wacky." And really, that was the best word I could come up with. It really was-- wacky. Flavors, textures, it was all over the place. And not in a good way. I stopped halfway through and I just couldn't torture my poor tastebuds any more. Go home, salad, you're drunk. Bottom line: I would go back to have drinks on the patio. I would skip the appetizers and even food. I think, maybe, if I stuck with a normal burger or fish and chips I might be okay?? I just don't know. I really don't trust the place anymore, unless it comes out of a sealed bottle. Side note: the list of ingredients in the salad was so dang long that I had to go on their website to remember what all was going on. (I mean, I love a party in my mouth, but that was one of those parties where it's pretty tame, but then there's that girl dancing on the table and you're wondering what planet am I on.) I saw that it had a LOCATIONS tab in order to pull up the menu and I was all like, no!! Please don't make others do this elsewhere!! And then I saw the drop down menu only included one location. SMH. Props for ambition, yo.
(2)Hollie P.
Awesome Food! Love the Crab Cakes! Salmon is Awesome. Great Atmosphere and Service. If you can sit on the patio at sunset it's unbelievable. The fish tacos are the bomb! One of my favorite places for date night with hubby.
(5)Rachel F.
Tried Hefner Grill for the first time this week. I really wanted to like it as it has a great location, but I'm not a fan. We started off with the crab dip and it was good, but there wasn't anything truly special about it to make it stand out from any other crab dip I've eaten. We then moved on to dinner; I ordered the seafood enchiladas and my husband ordered the ribs. The enchiladas were good, but came with a side of chips and salsa, which was really odd and WAY too much food. The ancho chile cream sauce was super flavorful and truly made the dish shine. My husband liked his ribs but, just like the crap dip, there was nothing special about them to make them stand out. The service was ok, but a little spotty. I hate looking at dirty dishes once I've eaten and our server just left them sitting there while we tabbed out. I still had half a glass of wine and it was hard to enjoy with the dishes just sitting there. Overall, if you're looking for a great view and want to enjoy a glass of wine with friends then this is the place for you. If you want to enjoy a great meal, I recommend that you look elsewhere.
(2)Esther L.
Didn't know but today they had a live band! But seriously I love this place. The oysters are always plump and the freshest Oklahoma can probably get. My mother and I love their crab cakes!! It's literally the best in Oklahoma city. Their entrée are decent. The appetizers here are what I usually come here for. Today I had the fish taco. It was decent..slaw was crunchy but the fish was slightly burnt but no matter the ambiance was great and entertaining and the company was always good. No review can be completed without mentioning their dessert. Their key lime is AMAZING! The creme Brule is decent but their key lime is out of this world! !! For 8$ it's a serious good deal. I would say a party of 4 or 5 is enough for just one of these pie.
(4)Thomas O.
It was a dark and stormy day........... It really was yesterday when had our monthly lunch outing. But it really did not matter because I could not ask for more pleasant and joyful company than Robin and Heather. We have been having windy horizontal rains here for the last few days and the lawns are all lush. We went to the Hefner Grill which affords a grand view of Lake Hefner waters even as they were riled up by the rains. Another winner.. Service was well timed and thoughtful. The food was tastefully presented and deliciously prepared. We all noshed on a Spinach Artichoke Dip and Tortilla chips. A delight. Robin had the Newporter Chicken Salad, sauced with a tomato honey lime vinaigrette, and loaded down with bacon apples eggs cashews corn cheese mango and asparagus. Oh, and chicken too. Heather had Paul's Pasta with chicken or shrimp. Its Linguine in a spicy red sauce plus asparagus artichokes and mushrooms. I opted for the Seafood Enchiladas in white ancho cream sauce, loaded with shrimp scallops calamari and crab. Along with them came the rice and red beans, guacamole and green salad. There was a continual resupply of salsa and tortilla chips as well as our drink selections..... Well with this bountiful larder we lunched a mere three hours chatting of cabbages and kings and many things before the rains subsided... For our next go I'll try to select some ethnic menu site just to spice things up a tad....
(4)Kelly S.
Beautiful view from the patio. Friendly staff. Fast service. Had the Asian salad, spinach salad, pizza and a burger. All were pretty good.
(3)Bebe L.
We love the carb cake & shrimp cocktail & oysters here it's taste real fresh and the foods is not that bad. Last time I order lobster bisque is a little cold. Not really satisfied. But everything else is good, good services and great view of the lake.
(4)Jed B.
Fish tacos were great. Lots of fish although a bit too much breading. Squash Rockefeller was very good.
(4)Joe S.
Wonderful restaurant right on the shores of Lake Hefner. The hospitality was evident as soon as we walked in. We were seated promptly and taken to a booth looking out at the gorgeous Lake Hefner. All the wait staff was extremely attentive and friendly. Our waiter gave us some good information about the specials which helped us to order the perfect lunch. The restaurant is so beautiful and right on the waters edge. You can eat on the patio or in booths looking out at the water. Even the beautiful bar area has a great view. Our meal was delicious and I am so looking forward to a Sunday Brunch here.
(5)Mosca M.
Food great. Service was way slow. Like WAY SLOW. I still give it 4 stars. Even the kids loved it! MGMT was great & all blame goes to the waiter. At the end of the day I love the food and will return often.
(4)Kristin H.
I have never felt so rushed through a meal! When three couples go out to dinner on a Friday night, unless they tell you they are in a hurry, you can assume they plan to stay longer than an hour. The server was nice, but seemed to be in a terrible hurry every time she came to the table. The kitchen sent out 3 courses within about 30 minutes - what??? Our soups & salads came before we finished the appetizer, then food runners starting serving our main course while all our soup & salad dishes were still on the table -- one guest had only just started to eat his salad! In what restaurant world is that ok? Before we finished the main course, the server asked if we wanted dessert. We said we didn't know yet... and then she brought us a check while we were still eating! We just let it sit there. When we were ready, we flagged down our server and ordered desserts & after-dinner drinks. She quickly updated our bill, so we went ahead and paid, and then we never saw her again even though we stayed quite sometime afterwards visiting. All our water glasses sat empty until we left. Aside from that... My husband and I had drinks at the bar waiting for the others to show up, and one of the bartenders was pretty good while the other did a lot more talking than bartending. Neither of them were very attentive after we got our drinks & app. I shouldn't have to wave & holler "excuse me" to get another drink at such a small bar. Waiting for a booth overlooking the lake was definitely worth it. The view was beautiful, and the booth created an intimate feel in a busy restaurant. However, as another reviewer noted, there were a lot of dead bugs in the bottom of the lampshades hanging over the table - yuck. The food was just ok. Nothing stood out as excellent. What did stand out was the horribly burnt creme brulee! I would have sent it back, but it was another couple who ordered it, and they didn't want to bother. I saw a photo posted by someone else several months ago that show the same blackened brulee that we got, so clearly, this is a problem! Management needs to train the waiters and bartenders on proper service (timing and attentiveness), and the head chef needs to do a major quality check on the food going out of the kitchen. I would go back for the view, but not with expectations of a great meal.
(3)Liz H.
Aaaaaaaamazing. We had a wait staff that made sure our drinks were always full. Our hostess was totally sweet. The decor is so fun & creative. The view of the lake is vast & the large windows are romantic. The haddock was perfect, and i had the best veggie blend ever. My husband chose fries (of course) but they were seasoned so well they were irresistible! And the servings were well worth $13/ea.
(5)Scott W.
First try at HG. Very disappointing. Windows looking out over the lake are filthy. Light fixtures were full of bugs and stained. Service was great. Food was sub par. Too bad.
(2)Ethan H.
I haven't been out here in at least a year, but we decided on a whim for dinner. I highly recommend the seafood enchiladas!! Amazing taste and excellently prepared. Our server was attentive, the live music was great, and the atmosphere just a tad different, but perfect for the restaurant. Do no leave without ordering the most amazingly delicious key lime pie this side of the lake. See what I did there? Good eats, indeed.
(5)Erin B.
Today was such a gorgeous day, my husband and I decided to go have dinner on a patio by the lake. Since we had never been to Hefner Grill, and saw the good reviews, we thought it would be the perfect place. When we arrived, we asked to sit outside and were informed that the patio was full. Ok. That's fine, we arrived just after work, so we had some time to kill before we were truly hungry for dinner. We asked for the wait time. It was at this point when the 4 hostesses/waitresses panicked and started saying, oh we don't know people sit out there for a long time and there's just no telling, and eventually, we don't guarantee wait times for the patio. Chill! That's fine!! We're thinking, we're laid back. We're okay to wait 20 min to an hour, and if takes way too long, we'll just find some place else. So after all the panicking we discovered, yes, we can wait for a table. They just don't know how long. It's cool, man. We're cool. So just after our wine was ordered at the bar, the buzzer went off. We hadn't even finalized our tab. That was nice and fast! The evening was off to a good start. We sat down outside and a waitress came to our table to tell us she wasn't our waitress. She was awkward. I think she came to at least help out with a drink order, but then saw we already had some and panicked. Lots of panicking. Eventually our waiter came by. He was super slick and had a bit too many airs about him for my taste, but was friendly enough. We ordered the crab dip because you know, we were sitting on a lake and it seemed festive. The patio atmosphere is awesome. You can here subtle music, and the tables aren't crammed together so that you can actually enjoy yourself. The crab dip was lackluster to say the least. It tasted like microwaved cream cheese, with a little bit of canned crab thrown in. The waiter stopped by with a bottle of Tabasco and said, this makes it awesome. I don't know about that, but it did make it edible. It finally had some depth of flavor to make it worth eating. My husband had the seafood enchiladas. He said they were good, but not amazing. I didn't try them myself, but he said that the seafood kinda got lost in the enchilada, so the end result was just some weird texture with a good sauce. Meh. I, on the other hand, hit the motherload. I ordered the new porter chicken salad. I was fiending for some vegetables and this salad seemed to have so many! I got a bit dizzy reading all of the ingredients (mixed greens, chicken, corn, tomatoes, cashews, mangoes, apples, asparagus, eggs, etc) but since it was listed as a favorite, I figured it had to be fantastic. Boy was I wrong. Always trust the dizzy feeling. The first thing I said after putting the first few forkfuls in my mouth was, "this salad is wacky." And really, that was the best word I could come up with. It really was-- wacky. Flavors, textures, it was all over the place. And not in a good way. I stopped halfway through and I just couldn't torture my poor tastebuds any more. Go home, salad, you're drunk. Bottom line: I would go back to have drinks on the patio. I would skip the appetizers and even food. I think, maybe, if I stuck with a normal burger or fish and chips I might be okay?? I just don't know. I really don't trust the place anymore, unless it comes out of a sealed bottle. Side note: the list of ingredients in the salad was so dang long that I had to go on their website to remember what all was going on. (I mean, I love a party in my mouth, but that was one of those parties where it's pretty tame, but then there's that girl dancing on the table and you're wondering what planet am I on.) I saw that it had a LOCATIONS tab in order to pull up the menu and I was all like, no!! Please don't make others do this elsewhere!! And then I saw the drop down menu only included one location. SMH. Props for ambition, yo.
(2)Marcel H.
Visited Hefner Grill for the first time during the week for lunch. The outside of the restaurant looks nice and the view from inside is very pleasing. I had the blackened Tilapia and a Caesar salad. The salad was wonderful! The Tilapia comes out with some sort of sauce on it. It is not noted in their menu. I try to stay away from sugar and I think the sauce had sugar in it. The Tilapia was good, but not what I call a true Blackened one. I would not eat this again. Much better versions and restaurants that serve this type of food. Vegetables seemed just ok. Staff was friendly and our waiter was nice. Service was ok and then it took a really long time to pay our bill. Not sure why that was. The interior of the restaurant to me seems a little dated. While I see the decor they are trying for, they need to spend a little money upgrading the interior. I noticed booths that are in need of repair and the outside deck is pretty dirty! It seems to me this restaurant is trying to be an upscale place. Prices are not bad, but they need to improve food taste for me to back. I also thought the menu seemed limited to me. Next time I'm in OKC I will try one of the other lake restaurants.
(3)Lynn B.
Invited to an 80th birthday party for a church member and although the food was geared toward older people, it was very delectable. A great environment for a party. Service was excellent.
(5)Victoria N.
The happy hour here is awesome ! 1/2 off all appetizers and 1/2 off domestic beers. It's 3-6 pm. Their calamari is good . Oysters and ahi tuna were okay .
(4)Jeff M.
I discovered recently that Hefner Grill is one of the many restaurants under the umbrella of the Hal Smith Restaurant Group. Some of the restaurants are pretty impressive (e.g. Upper Crust, The Garage) while others are about as exciting as a box of butter knives (e.g. TK's I Heart This Bar & Grill, Charleston's, Mama Roja, Wes Welker's, etc.). Hefner Grill would fall more into the former category as long as you pick the right items. It is possible to go there, spend a large amount of money and walk away disappointed. It is also possible to spend not a large amount of money and walk away thinking that it's a place you would enjoy returning to very soon. First off, avoid the items with the "HG" stamped next to it. They're referred to as being the "Hefner Grill Favorites" but I can't figure out if they're favorites because they're the more expensive items on the menu, or they jacked up the prices on the stuff that people kept buying because the descriptions sounded good. Either way, they're not my favorites and I have been consistently disappointed when I've eaten them. There are other items on the menu that are better, and cheaper. The HG Blackened Tilapia is one of the cheaper HG options, but the scallop tastes old, and the brown butter sauce has a weird sour taste. But enough about the unimpressive food. The Fish Tacos are pretty yum, and the Catfish Platter is a safe bet. If there's one fish that landlocked Oklahoman restaurants can't mess up, it seems to be catfish. The Baby Back Ribs are pretty good, and the price isn't bad either. The sandwiches are all good and filling, while the rainbow trout was better tasting than the tilapia (for me). Even for a lunch menu, you get quite a bit of food, which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on the person. If you have any choice in the matter (and you don't care about silly things like BMI, body fat percentage, and triglycerides), get the garlic mashed potatoes as one of your sides. Mmmmmmmm complex carbohydrates that really aren't that complex. If you're a special kind of fattie, get the shoe string fries AND garlic mashed potatoes. All of the sides are good (with the mashed potatoes being several kinds of good), although I'm deciding not to try the Squash Rockefeller because it's an HG and I'm tired of being disappointed by what Hefner Grill touts as being delicious. I've mentioned it before but the desserts are kind of insane. If I see you eating the 6-layer chocolate cake alone, I'm going to assume you're trying to eat your feelings from getting dumped/divorced (I'm sorry for your loss), losing your job (you no longer have a steady income stream and you decide to spend $9 on dessert? That doesn't seem smart), or you're out for a last hurrah before joining the Biggest Loser. I like to make up stories for strangers in restaurants. Great date restaurant with recessed and secluded booths to allow for private conversations and canoodling (please don't). When the weather is nice, you can sit outside and enjoy the view of Oklahoma's 30th largest man-made lake. Well, they're all man-made so I guess that's an unnecessary qualifier.
(4)Barb A.
I've eaten here twice. Both times had the spinach and artichoke dip. So yummy! Catfish is very good also. The view is awesome!!
(5)John R.
We will be returning. There is no doubt about it. Setting: Great views, quiet restaurant around dinner time and even live music. The meal: Outstanding. My steak wasn't quite done enough but waiter took it back and had it fixed with no issues. It was juicy and didn't have all the gristle on it like cheaper cuts of meat do. The mashed potatoes were awesome. My wife ordered the tilapia and enjoyed it. Their crab cakes are delicious. The drinks: Margaritas were a little (ok a lot) heavy on the triple sec. Informed the staff and they were replaced at no charge. The staff: Waiter was friendly, attentive and not overbearing like some of the other restaurants out there. He always seemed to appear when you needed him to and wasn't hovering the entire meal (this earned him an extra tip). The price: Kind of pricy when you add in an appetizer, salad, drinks, and the two main courses. Out the door with tip just over $100. Can't wait to try their brunch menu! If anyone knows whether their patio is pet friendly, let me know!
(5)Mandy R.
3.5 star rounded up. Have come here several times when visiting family in OKC. The views of the lake are fantastic, and the atmosphere is nice. The live music could be toned down a bit though. It's far too loud for a restaurant. Over the visits, I've had the spinach and artichoke dip, the crab cakes, side salads (house and ceasar -- the ceasar is super tangy!), the fried chicken, the pork chop, and fish and chips. Apparently they have wonderful crab dip, but haven't had it. Everything I've tried here has been good, but not amazing or anything. We mostly keep coming back because of the views, the convenience (on the way from the airport to the house), and because it's not bad food or anything. The wine list is decent (not sure about the beer list as I haven't really looked). Get reservations if you'll be there on Friday or Saturday, and be prepared to have some trouble parking (there are 3-4 popular restaurants that share the parking lot).
(4)Robin E.
This place is starting to grow on me. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed my time here. I had family in OKC for the first time. We came here (because my favorite place next door had a 75 minute wait). We were seated instantly and next to the lake too! The food was good. The service slow. The atmosphere pleasant. I will be back to try eating on the deck. Each time, the stars go higher!
(3)Kimberly G.
I ate at Hefner Grill years ago when it was still Pearl's Lakeside and hadn't been back until this visit. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that many of my favorite dishes, including the Pecan Crusted Trout and Cedar Plank Salmon (original recipe) were still being offered. My husband and I were seated immediately and got a lakeside table inside. The waiter was prompt. Every time our drinks were halfway empty he was there with a refill. Our calamari appetizer was fresh and still quite hot. Many times I've ordered an appetizer and it shows up lukewarm from sitting out under the lamps. Since it had been a while I ordered what I considered a safe option, the Fish & Chips. Delicious! The batter was crisp but the fish was still moist and tender and the beer batter made it reminiscent of an old family recipe. The fries are actually pommes frites which are my favorite style as they are always crisp. We decided to share a key lime pie for dessert. Be advised this is NOT a single serving. It is meant to be shared. It's not a traditional key lime pie but rather a cheesecake. It is divine. You must have some even if you take it home to savor later.
(4)Warren B.
One of my new fav restaurant. They have the best shrimp with pasta. Great cocktails. Mostly seafood but do have pork, chicken and steak. Hidden treasure. Will be returning very soon.
(5)Sixpack Y.
They supposed to be known for oysters, when we showed up there, no one told us about they were out of oysters. We ordered the most expensive champagne they got and oyster at the same time. Half the champagne was half gone, the waitress came and told us they were out of oyster and she did not know until she placed the order at kitchen. We said we were here for the oyster which they are known for! The food was very blow average. Fish was over grilled, the enchilada did not taste any sea food. The real joke is, when we got the check, we getting charged for the oysters that we did not get! We were mad and told the manager that was an insult. She said sorry for the missed communication that you had with our waitress. We been out of oysters for a few days now. (That was your missed commutation to your employee since our waitress did not know until she placed the order). She giving us a ten dollar off voucher for the NEXT meal. Hell NO! No one is going back there even its free. The tone of the manager blonde lady does not sound like she is been apologetic at all. I don't say this very often. Not only bad food, bad service, this place does not know how to run a business. Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.
(1)Courtney S.
We came here on Valentine's Day, so I'm not sure how well my review speaks to a "normal" night at this restaurant. Being Valentine's Day, the place was, of course, packed! We had reservations, but had to wait a few minutes for our table to be ready. When they took us to the table, it wasn't set. For some reason, that always bothers me. If you're going to make me wait because "your table isn't ready," at least make it ready before you seat me, right? Anyway, despite being very busy, our waitress was very nice. I've been on Atkins in preparation for my upcoming wedding, so she was able to answer all my questions about what was in certain dishes, checked with the kitchen on a few things, and took my order (eliminating some items, adding others). They were very accommodating. The whiskey pours were generous, albeit a little more on the pricey side compared to some other places we've dined at, so I didn't mind the couple extra bucks. My only true complaint was that the food came out super fast. I understand it's probably one of the busiest days for restaurants, but we barely were able to finish our appetizer and the entree was already in front of us. I like having a good 10 minutes in between courses to digest. The last thing that bothered me: our dinner plates were cleared, the waitress asked (while holding our dinner plates) if we wanted dessert. We said no, and it our check was handed to us. It was like they were telling us to get out so they could get the next table started. I really do understand the stress on restaurants on a day like Valentines, but I felt like I was getting kicked out, like they couldn't get us out fast enough! I'm sure I'll be back at some point...the food was good...but I don't like being rushed, and I definitely felt rushed!
(3)Steve B.
We dined at the Hefner Grill last Saturday night. When we arrived, I stopped by the men's room to wash my hands. While there, a kitchen employee emerged from a stall and came over to wash his hands. 3 seconds of water, no soap, and that was it. I was not real wild about the thought of him handling my food. We had drinks in the bar and really enjoyed the live jazz. Justin Echols is an amazing musician. From there we were seated and enjoyed a reasonably good meal. I had the cedar plank salmon, which was very appealing in presentation and over all pretty good. Still trying to get over the men's room issue. The 30 minutes of a crying toddler did not add a positive to the evening, but that is the fault of the parents and not the restaurant. Our server was a great guy and attentive. He was apologetic for the toddler even without us saying a word. All in all, a good experience. Would I go there for dinner without the live jazz? Not sure on that one, given the hygiene issues of the kitchen staff. The hosts could be a bit friendlier and a little more organized. It seemed as though we were putting them out by showing up. I experienced the same attitude while having a business lunch there Thursday. The host wanted to seat 7 of us, all men, in a booth. We asked for a table instead and she did not seem to happy about pushing two tables together.
(3)Amir P.
The staff are very friendly and helpful. The view is fantastic. The steak is delicious and cooked as ordered. The beer is ice cold. I honestly can't ask for any more than that. The menu is not exactly mind-blowingly creative, but so far, from what I've tasted, they know what they are doing. Overall, I'd recommend this place as a great place to take a client out to lunch or dinner, or just to go out with friends.
(4)Cheri Y.
Hefner grill, I ate your meal, Hefner grill, your enchilada made me ill! Hefner grill will make you puke for real... Hefner grill what a bad ordeal! Eat at Hefner grill & what do you do... enchilada potty poo, enchilada where's the loo? We showed up at this place was seated in a booth. We order a coke & one glass of wine. We got the water & the glass of wine that came, it was like half had been drank already. There was like literally two sips of wine in the bottom of the $11 glass. Then the waitress took our appetizer order of oysters St. Charles. The waitress says "it will be a little while bc he has to make those" ok. Well, what does he not "make" the rest of the menu?! What does that mean?? I should have gotten up & left right then when that red flag presented itself, but I didn't unfortunately. Like a train reck I had to stay to watch this disaster unfold. My hubby had to ask three time for his coke. He finally got his coke with the appetizer of oysters. They were 6 oysters fried & presented on a little bed of creamed spinach in their shell, topped with Sriracha sauce & aioli. The aioli was overkill & too rich so I scrapped most of it off but the oysters were good we both liked them. We ate three each, hubby found a piece of shell in the last one he ate & spit it out. Yuck. We order the bone in pork loin & the seafood enchiladas. The enchiladas were suppose to have shrimp, scallop, fish, & mushroom in them. What we got was a bone in pork loin that was slightly overcooked but hot off the grill. The only thing we got that was eatable. The garlic mashed potatoes & veg. that came with it was completely cold. The garlic mashed potatoes were so over whipped into a starchy paste that I could have hung wallpaper with them! Revolting. This is NOT an accident, this is clearly Inexperienced kitchen staff. The enchilada plate that came was vomitous. It was the biggest plate of slop I have ever been served in my life. Everything on the plate was cold except the cream sauce that was on top & it was way too rich. This dish had a side of red beans & rice that was completely cold & a scoop of guac, some kind of disgusting flavored sour cream & pico?! All on the same plate! I don't know who thought this dish up but mexican seafood enchiladas & Cajun red beans & rice do NOT pair nicely together. That pairs together like two left shoes. I dug my fork around in the seafood enchiladas trying to find some seafood. There was NO scallops at all & I found three tiny shrimp that were literally tadpole size! I have never seen shrimp this tiny in a restaurant in my life. It was more like fish bait. My diamond stud earring are bigger! I found some fish pieces & two pieces of mushroom. It was mostly, cheese, tortillas & overly rich cream. I ate a couple bites, it was disgusting. The worst dish I have ever had in my life. My hubby & I both ate the oysters & he was fine after. I was the only one that ate any of the enchiladas. We asked for the check & left. The drive to my flat is 7 miles away. I didn't even make it home b4 I was sick as a dog. Congratulations Hefner grill! Not only have you made it to the top of my list of the absolute WORST restaurant I have ever been to in my life. I had plenty of time to make up a song about your restaurant while laying on the bathroom floor vomiting. Hope you enjoy it! Hefner grill, I ate your meal, Hefner grill, your enchilada made me ill! Hefner grill will make you puke for real... Hefner grill what a bad ordeal. Eat at Hefner grill & what do you do... enchilada potty poo, enchilada where's the loo? Won't return EVER!
(1)Melissa D.
I was looking for a place to get a good breakfast. Not the typical Oklahoma southern flair with biscuits and gravy, I was craving something different coming from SF, and I was craving a Bloody Mary! I found Hefner Grill on Yelp and decided to check it out. I was seated promptly since I arrived around 11:30 and they had just opened at 11:00 on Saturday. However, I was a bit disappointed to learn they only serve Brunch on Sunday. I was able to order a Bloody Mary, so I had to stay! I ordered the California Burger, NOT because I'm from California but because it sounded good. It arrived with a generous helping of the thin fries, cooked to perfection! The "burger" was great, although I may prefer a bun instead of the Texas Toast type bread it's served on. The view was nice, definitely helped satisfy my need to be near the water. I sat inside, since we've had such crazy weather lately, it's still pretty chilly outside. I would definitely go back in warmer weather for some lakeside ambiance. The service was very good, waiter was attentive yet not overbearing. They offer free wifi as well, always a plus! The music is nice, jazz. I've been so disappointed at some of the restaurants I've been into here and the music is uncomfortably loud and not really in tune with the environment of the restaurant. I will definitely return! This could be my new go-to place while I'm here, great job all around. How refreshing.
(4)Patrick W.
The Missus and I decided to come here on a whim with another couple. Plus, we're big fans of the Sunday brunch! :) In short, this place is absolutely phenomenal. I had their traditional breakfast plate...biscuits, sausage, and hash browns. Let me just say that their hash browns are hands down the best I have ever eaten. The flavor was intense, but not overwhelming. Their sausage wasn't crispy, which is usually an issue for me, and their gravy complimented their biscuits beautifully. The atmosphere was wonderful. There wasn't a crowd and our waitress did a fantastic job of checking on our table without being a burden. Overall, the restaurant was exceptionally clean and organized. In all honesty, this just may be my new favorite brunch destination in Oklahoman City. The food was spectacular, the service was great, and the price was very fair. Also, you can't beat the breathtaking view of Hefner Lake whilst sipping on a mimosa and enjoying a delicious breakfast.
(4)Jasmine B.
I had the crab cakes there. They were just ok. For $15 I would have thought they would have been bigger than what they were. The flavor was a little bland bit can't really expect much from okc seafood. Kind of disappointed.
(3)Jack S.
The crab dip, fish tacos and pork chop are all really good. The wife and I like to take people from out of town here because the view is beautiful. The service is definitely hit or miss though.
(4)Errol R.
Our dining experience was great. The steak was as good as it gets-a fillet. The Cesar salad was a little spicy for me. I had to stop about half way through eating it as my mouth was peppered out, about then our meal arrived and I didn't need any more salad.
(4)Meg G.
We eat here often for the live music, good service, and the fact that they are very accommodating of dietary limitations or restrictions. They prepare my food as I request and never make me feel like I'm putting them out. Drinks are good too! We love the lake view and the menu has something for everyone.
(5)Scarlet L.
I often go here for business lunch. LOVE IT! I always request to sit by the lake. The view is breath-taking. There is something about the water which always soothes our souls. and jazz! They always have jazz music on or live jazz music. The restaurant does give us a very classy 1950s American feel, which I like. I do think Americans should keep it classy like 1950s or 1960s. For starters, I love their crab cakes with the buttery sauce and crawfish. Their grilled pork chop is my husband's favorite. It is cooked to perfection. The texture of the meat does taste similar to a steak. The sauce is perfect to go with it with a top of mushroom. But my favorite is the pepper crusted tuna. The tuna is sushi graded so you should eat it as medium rare. The pepper is not too strong to empower the taste of the fish. The fish is blended well with the wasabi sauce. Yum! I normally switch back and forth the pepper crusted tuna or the Mediterranean tuna salad. About the salad, the portion is HUGE. I have to admit that I get really turned off when the plate is put down on the table and the salad is bigger than my head. So I can only have a few bites and that's it. Other than that, I wish they have glazed carrots like Charleston's and they do need to improve on the quality of the creme brulee.
(5)Trang N.
My friend and I came here at 6pm on a Thursday evening and it was packed!! We decided to try the bar and had to squeeze into a long table with some nice patrons. Sadly, we'd missed happy hour. (1/2 priced appetizers!!!) We had the crab dip, gumbo and a few drinks. The crab dip was very good, but the gumbo was awesome!! It was not too salty like most other restaurants. They also serve it with rice on top so the consistency was perfect when you mixed in the rice. This is the best gumbo I've had!! Let's not forget about the atmosphere! There was a live jazz band! Mix that with a perfect sunset off Lake Hefner and you couldn't ask for more!!
(4)John F.
Hefner Grill is a particularly outstanding place to dine for its price point. An average entree is about $16 or so and the quality is what you'd easily pay $10 more for elsewhere in Oklahoma City. There are many reasons why this is a great place to eat. The quality of the food is particularly and consistently outstanding. The seafood is fresh, meats are high quality, and sides are very tasty. For our children we ordered quesadillas and they looked amazing. The location is unique -- overlooking Lake Hefner with boats floating by, it is not your typical land-locked location in the midwest. The service is also consistently exceptional. They use a blended model where you have a primary server yet other servers do very well pitching in to help each other, so you never go wanting for anything. Desserts are also super. The key-lime pie is gigantic -- and sharable with generous portions for 2 and ample to share for more. The chocolate cake is also very good. Many places have chocolate desserts that are "all hat and no cattle" with redi-whip or some such nonsense squirted around the sides to make it look more impressive. Not here. This is a 6 layer chocolate cake that could easily be split 2, 3, or 4 ways. Awesome. My father-in-law, who is quite particular about restaurants, raved that his trout was the best he has had in years. He is also consistently nice to wait staff, but I have never heard him stop a waitress at the end of the meal to say "you have provided us with outstanding service this evening and we appreciate it very much." He said it here. This is a great place to have a very high quality dinner without paying the over-the-top price. If I could change anything, I probably would separate the bar area from the eating area more cleanly -- however, you can't have everything. Hefner Grill is one of my very favorites. Bravo!
(5)Emily A.
Tonight we had crab dip, the chilean sea bass and the rib eye, both the specials. Lukas was our waiter and he was so awesome. They had a lot of people working im sure bc of vday but he never had to wait long for anything. The food was amazing! Fish was so tender and my hubs rib eye was cooked perfect. Thanks hefner grill for making our vday dinner fantastic!!!!!
(5)Bekah M.
Great view, great service, great Ahi Tuna! I went in with no idea what I wanted to eat, but spied the Ahi Salad and ordered that paired with the recommended gumbo. The gumbo was great, hearty, spicy and a great consistency. I ordered the tuna medium. My bad, since it was sushi grade I should have ordered it raw, but the salad was still wonderful! Light and refreshing and filling! Will be back to explore the rest of the menu.
(5)Jada E.
Went here for the first time tonight, and I loved it! First of all, there was a man singing and playing live jazz music on the piano. The atmosphere was very nice and romantic. I had the tilapia with steamed vegetables, and potatoes instead of rice. It was delicious! The steamed veggies were cooked just right and not overcooked. The sauce on the tilapia was excellent, and the potatoes were creamy and seasoned just right. The portion size was large, so I had to bring half of the plate home. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a great meal in OKC!
(5)Cecily D.
Yummy ill post my desert later.
(4)Juju G.
I really enjoy the ahi tuna appetizer because it is served with an amazing wasabi aioli but the fish isn't very high quality, and they have a few decent wines by the bottle such as A to Z. Also.. love the view, it's one of our favorite places to go to especially to dine al fresco.
(3)Enrique O.
I made a reservation at 7, was sat for a party of 8 after 7:30, more like 7:45. I took 8 of the people I grew up with. This review is for my food only! We ordered drinks when we first sat down, they took a minimum of 20 minutes, and my perfect margarita that I ordered an extra shot that came in a cocktail mix container was served with no glass to pour it into, and no extra shot, that took a minimum of 5 extra minutes to get a glass for my beverage and my extra shot. I ordered the steak rare, they asked me to cut it and check it when I was served, it wasn't rare, he offered to replace it, I didn't wanna wait again for their mistakes I was hungry and everything took long, I didn't give him the steak back, I ate it, very tough and loaded with fat. The prices were high and my steak wasn't good. I won't go back period. The staff took forever, never apologized for all the wrong, the man that gave me the steak looked as if he could care less and knew it was over cooked.
(1)Tami B.
On August 3, 2014, we had my mother's 80th birthday party in the private dining room - great views of the lake from this room! First the mechanics: Paul Englund and his staff were most accommodating. The air conditioning was broken but they had several fans set up to keep the room cool. We had a visual presentation which they did everything they could to make sure ran smoothly - even though there were a couple of glitches. Our party ran over time a little bit and they were courteous and professional about scooting us along so they could prep for their next party. We had two servers (wish I could remember their names) who were perfect. They were warm, friendly and professional and they were able to get their job done without disrupting the presentations being made. Secondly the food: Because we didn't have too many people, we were able to order off the menu. Those who ordered brunch items were served cold food. Those who order other fare seemed to have theirs served at the proper temperature. I think everyone was mostly pleased with their selections. I still don't know how they pull off serving everybody at the same time. The servers kept the beverages coming throughout the entire party. The overall experience was close to perfect. The reasons I cannot give five stars are the mechanical glitches and the cold brunch foods. Job well done Hefner Grill!
(4)Susan M.
Great atmosphere and neat place, but service and food was just average. We had the calamari, oysters, fish enchiladas and tuna. The appetizers were good but the meals were just average. The atmosphere was worth going, but I just simply expected more from the food itself.
(3)James P.
Cool place right on the water. Tried the Crab Dip (Great) Chicken Sandwich (Good) for lunch. I'd come back!
(4)Laura M.
I went to Hefner Grill with my best girl friend for brunch a couple of weeks ago. I am new to the city and hadn't been to Lake Hefner and really enjoyed the view! It was almost like a getaway :-p We both ordered mimosas, and I ordered the Southern Benedict, which had corn muffins on bottom in addition to guacamole (my fav!), fried green tomatoes, ham, and of course nicely poached eggs & hollandaise. The breakfast potatoes and side muffin were also excellent. The food was reasonably priced for the quality and ambiance of the restaurant... there was also a piano player :-) Would highly recommend!
(5)Jeff F.
Average food+ Poor service+ Empty tea glass= 10% tip and a no return.
(2)Ethan A.
Delicious! Stopped for a quick appetizer and drink, wasn't expecting much. Bar was clean and modern but some of the booths are looking a bit worn. They did not have any sort of cocktail menu which may be a first for me..? The cocktail was fine, but nothing special. The chicken quesadilla on the other hand was outstanding! Perhaps the best I've ever had! Wonderful fresh smokey flavors with fresh guacamole and salsa. The Caesar salad was also quite good. Prices were fair, especially taking the ambiance and location next to the (empty lake) into account. Next time I'm in OKC I'll be back!
(4)Kevin L.
Hefner Grill is just great. Like really just wonderful. Coming from CA, I'm very picky with my food especially my more pricey food. Hefner grill has amazing quality and taste of food for dare I say cheap prices. Compared to many other "fancy" or upscale places like Mahogany, Hefner Grill prices are much cheaper, averaging $15-$20 an entree. The view of Lake Hefner is great and reservations aren't that hard to get because the restaurant is huge. They have a live band some days and it's always busy which gives it a nice modern feel to accompany the great decor. Now let's talk food: Mediterranean Ahi Tuna Salad ($16) - Oh man, my fiancee just went nuts for this. First off, it's a great blend of veggies with a wonderful dressing and there is ahi tuna! Seared to perfection, the tuna is fresh and tastes great. Sirloin Steak ($19) - nice big steak seasoned well and grilled perfectly just the way I ordered it. Bonus, the garlic mash potatoes are great. Grilled Bone In Pork Chop ($17) - Honestly, this is the most worth it upscale dish I probably have ever ordered. Absolutely AMAZING. Great mustard blend rub that doesn't have an overpowering mustard taste. The pork chop is wonderfully cooked. I could go on about this dish for days. Get this. Thank me later. Service - wonderful, quick, checked up on us a lot, but not too much (sometimes a fine line) Pros: - Great food, like really FANTASTIC food - Reasonable prices ($15-$20 per entree) - Good service - Great atmosphere - Nice View Cons: - Expensive appetizers - Parking (although free) can be hard to find sometimes
(5)Nick S.
Kind of a Jekyll and Hyde place. Some things I love and some are just okay. It's a great bar good at happy hour, some meals are pedestrian, and some are a naive surprise. It's a suburbia bar, it's nice and you won't go wrong here. I like it, just didn't knock me out with anything.
(3)Anna F.
Purely based on my brunch experiences, Hefner Grill is definitely five stars! I love the modern fanciness of the restaurant, complete with a live piano player to accompany your meal. The have a nice, concise brunch menu with all of the usual items such as eggs benedict, breakfast enchiladas, and other breakfast platters. I most recently tried the southwest eggs benedict with a yummy roasted pepper hollandaise and a corn muffin instead of the traditional English muffin. It was perfect! They also have wonderful cheesy biscuits which come with all of the brunch meals. I really like the herb hash browns which I don't believe I've seen anywhere else. You get a lot for your money here and I guarantee you won't leave any less than full!
(5)Dirk H.
We can not stop eating brunch here. It is the best in town. Southern eggs Benedict. The bar area is open seating so no wait.
(5)Frannie P.
A delicious brunch with impeccable service! Ryan, our server, was fantastic. Food was yummy and drinks were great. For the quality of food and service, I thought the prices were very reasonable. Had a booth facing the lake and really enjoyed the view! Highly recommend.
(5)Willie W.
My wife and I decided to give this restaurant to try this weekend. Let me start off by saying that I was blown away by the Jazz Band. I am a huge fan of piano music while you dine or have a drink, it reminds me of how restaurants use to be back in the 50s and 60s. The restaurant ambience was very nice very middle scale but not to upscale at all. We started off with a calamari appetizer which was very good in the sauce was great as well. For our main meal my wife ordered the shrimp platter and I ordered the fillet steak meal. The food was so so the steak was okay but could have been cooked a little bit better. The potatoes that came with it were absolutely great and vegetables were great as well. To be completely honest with you I think that I like Hefner grill mainly because of the ambiance and not exactly for the food not to say that the food isn't good at all but this visit wasn't a particularly great with the food we ordered. Overall this was a ok experience but hopefully down the line as we continue to visit this restaurant the food gets better and the Jazz Band keeps playing.
(4)Lara C.
I really like the atmosphere of this place. There is usually some live jazzy music and most of the tables have a view of the lake. An absolutely wonderful place to watch the sunset. But sometime the food is hit or miss. On Mother's Day we went and fabulous food. But I returned last weekend and it just wasn't the same. The very first time I went we ordered four apps to share and had cocktails and everything was great but the service was just a little off. Definitely worth trying! Hoping you have a fabulous experience.
(3)R B.
Had early dinner here last night. Beautiful restaurant, friendly staff. Shrimp bisque was awesome but crab cakes were so-so. Out of all our meals, fish n chips were the way to go. Desserts (key lime pie and creme brûlée) were just fair. Will probably go back but for brunch next time.
(3)Kyle D.
I went there today with my wife and some friends and it was great! I got the pepper crusted tuna....it was amazing! My wife had a Tabasco Caesar salad that she said was very good. Our friends got the California burger and the fish tacos and they both looked great! We got some calamari for an appetizer and it was good as well! And you can't beat the VIEW! We sat outside looking at the lake! When you go, ask to sit in Ryan's section. He waited on us and did a great job!
(5)Sarah K.
This is classy restaurant all the way around - atmosphere, food, and service! They have an AMAZING waterfront view in a majority of their indoor and outdoor seating. They have live jazz during weekend evenings and for sunday brunch and their service is consistently top notch. Great restaurant for all occasions! The Baltimore Crab dip is a guilty pleasure - warm, gooey goodness! And the tabasco cesar salad is one of my boyfriend's favorites. The pork chop is huge, hearty, perfectly grilled portion for larger appetites and I love the tilapia with shrimp on top (the seasoning is the best part).
(4)John M.
This is among my top three fav spots in OKC. Never had a bad meal here: quite the opposite. The most recent visit was for Sunday brunch and I chose the Breakfast Enchiladas. It was every bit as delicious as I thought it might be. Across time, I've had nearly all their seafood specialties, and they are great! The Cedar Plank Salmon is the best in town. From the gumbo to blackened Catfish to Red Beans & Rice, each of the cajun specialties are perfect. The view is unparalleled, although yes we do need for Lake Hefner to refill. As much as a fan as ever.
(5)Addison G.
Great restaurant and great atmosphere. I always reserve a lake table ahead of time. Especially if you are going for dinner. I know everyone in OKC is crazy about Eischens fried chicken but you can order pan-fried chicken here. It's not on the menu but it's the best you'll have! Their brunch is awesome too if you hit it right after church.
(4)Vishal S.
Service is always the key even if the food sucks , in this case the food was ok but the service was great. I had the enchilada with shrimp and it was pretty decent, the only thing is after dinner I had the icky stomach burps of my meal. But the service was great !
(4)Jeff H.
My wife and I finally had an evening without the kids so we were looking for someplace that we hadn't been. It was a beautiful evening so we decided to head over to the lake and take in some scenery while dining. Upon entering we were greeted very warmly, not only by the hostess, but by every member of the staff that we passed on the way to our table. We were seated at one of the tables facing the lake and had a gorgeous view. The waitress was very accommodating and knowledgeable of both the menu and specials. I decided to go with the New York strip covered in shrimp, crawfish, and a delicious sauce. The steak was cooked perfectly as were the shrimp and crawfish, and the sauce melded it all together quite nicely. For sides, I had garlic mashed potatoes, which were average, and a garden salad. Only complaint was that the bleu cheese dressing was slightly blasé. I did request an orange wedge with my iced tea instead of a lemon wedge and was pleased to find out that they had them. It may seem minor, but most of the time I can't get orange wedges. My wife ordered blackened chicken, which wasn't on the menu, along with shoestring fries. She said it had a good taste but wasn't quite blackened enough. Fries were wonderful, and trust me, she is a French fry connoisseur. All in all a great experience for the both of us. Will be back! PS: What's with the burlap ceiling? Odd.
(4)Amy G.
Hefner Grill is such a nice space. I had Sunday brunch there and was happy to find that they also offer their full lunch menu in addition to a concise brunch menu. Mimosas are $3, win! I requested a table with lake view in my reservation and was so happy that HG honored the request. It was our first time there and my partner commented that it felt like we were somewhere else. Instead of white sands or a rock cliff or something, the "red dirt" kept us pretty firmly planted in reality, though. The six of us all ordered something different, from salads, to brunch and lunch options. We were all happy, including the kiddos. This was, so far, my favorite brunch in OKC, so much so that we stayed for 2.5 hours. Really, the food, service, drinks, and view were wonderful. We ordered the six layer chocolate cake and the key lime pie desserts, which was ridiculous, but the kiddos got to take the leftovers home. I can't wait to go back here for date night.
(5)Julie S.
We came here at the perfect time on Saturday night - during a home OU game! We came with my parents and were so impressed. The place was quiet but not dead, and were pleasantly surprised to walk in and find live jazz music and a very cool ambience. Why does this place never register on my radar? What had kept me away for so long? I'd been here before, a few years ago for a scene-y private party hosted by some local so-and-sos. That event was packed, wall to wall with VIPs and wannabees and I just remember being over it. So I must have blocked it out. Not cool, JP, because this place is great. Our waiter was fantastic. The food was wonderful. We split the special, a perfectly seared filet atop a crisp crab cake, along with a sauce and some shrimp. Garlic mashed potatoes, something I normally have no problem turning down, seemed exceptionally flavorful. We also had a side salad to start, and we ordered an extra salad as well which made the meal more than enough, even though we split. Everything was top shelf. We also split the decadent chocolate cake (shared among four people) and we loved it, though we were a bit too full to truly relish it. I would come back for a nice glass of Cab Sav and that cake. For the combination of the scenery, the atmosphere (live music but not so loud that you can't visit), the service, the food and the presentation, I'm not sure, but this may trump Red Rock for me now. (Gasp!) If this place would serve the Red Rock Little House Salad I would probably switch teams! I'd give a fifth star with an improved wine list. Was I missing the wine booklet? There were only a few wines in each category available, by bottle or glass, at least on the menu I was looking at. And they wines I saw were not on par with the food. They will bring you a taste of anything, which is very nice, but I would have preferred more selection. The bartender looked to be pouring some excellent cocktails so I might go that route next time, and there will definitely be a next time.
(4)Shane B.
It was excellent had lobster and fillet good atmosphere live music.
(4)