Isla’s Southern Kitchen – Review

It’s hard to get a better location for a restaurant than the corner of Archer and Elgin in downtown Tulsa. Located across the street from ONEOK Field, home of the Tulsa Drillers and FC Tulsa, and in the heart of downtown Tulsa, Isla’s Southern Kitchen is in a prime location for hungry locals and visitors. Isla’s Southern Kitchen is a relatively new addition to the Tulsa food scene. As you could probably guess from the name, their menu is southern cooking influenced. Think fried okra, gumbo, meatloaf, etc. Due to their location, Isla’s has some stiff competition with Fixins Soul Kitchen and Sweet Lisa’s also in downtown Tulsa and serving a similar menu. We’ve eaten at both places, and they are definitely worth the try. So how does Isla’s Southern Kitchen stack up?

The building that houses Isla’s is a new addition to downtown Tulsa. The restaurant itself is not even 2 years old.  However, upon entering the restaurant I could tell that those in charge (Justin Thompson Restaurant Group) really knew what they were doing when trying to make the most of the space and allow it to still provide a laid back “homey” vibe. The bar is located near the entrance, which is great if you’re eating alone and don’t want to draw a lot of attention to the fact that you came in alone. The ceilings are tall with beautiful chandeliers to catch the eye and class up the place without being too out-of-place. There are plenty of booths and single tables available and it didn’t feel like we were sitting on top of each other. Also, they have a private dining area upstairs that allows for privacy for events. A variety of music played lightly over the speakers to help keep the mood lively. I was impressed with the overall vibe inside.

“Best Darn Biscuits in Town”

We ordered two biscuits and according to them they are the “best darn biscuits in town”. These biscuits were an impressive size. My husband pointed out that the texture was similar to from-scratch cornbread. He wasn’t impressed with the biscuit consistency. However, I liked how light the biscuits were. They crumbled easily. They didn’t have a flavor that stood out, but there was something about them that I really enjoyed. I just can’t put my finger on it. The menu states they can be served with homemade jam and honey butter. We expected the honey butter to be a yummy combination. However, it was literally a honey cup and a butter cup. We were confused, but it wasn’t a deal breaker. You can also get your biscuits smothered in sausage gravy, country gravy, or Cajun seafood dip. The next time we stop by, I want to try the biscuits smothered in Cajun seafood dip.

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Libations Galore

What’s brunch without an alcoholic beverage? The bartender must have been feeling generous at the time of our visit. My glass was filled to the brim (our waiter was spilling my drink as he brought it over). That’s definitely not something to be disappointed about. The flavor was nice and a good blend of pineapple and strawberry. The drink was strong. My husband took a small sip and was feeling a buzz not long after. The mimosa was made with a frizzante bianco which was very soft. We weren’t the only ones who were feeling the drink. A table of ladies near us had a few brunch cocktails as well. They seemed to really enjoy them.

Cajun Seafood Benedict and Catfish Po Boy

For some reason I’ve been fixated on poached eggs. Scratch that…I know the reason. I watched Julie & Julia for the first time weeks ago and there’s a moment in the movie when Amy Adams’ character, Julie, learns how to poach an egg. So, I chose the Cajun seafood benedict. The dish is described as an English muffin, two poached eggs, spinach, smothered in signature Cajun seafood sauce with crawfish and shrimp. I really enjoyed this entrée, but I do have a few opinions. This sauce was very nice and had a plentiful amount of crawfish and shrimp. The spinach felt a little out of place. The bed of spinach was placed in between the muffin and the Cajun sauce, but it didn’t feel like it added anything to the dish other than a different texture from the other ingredients. The eggs were slightly over and didn’t provide the velvety and rich yolk that a poach egg could add to a benedict. However, there was enough creaminess to make the dish work. You can either get the home fries or the fresh fruit cup with your benedict. Since we were getting a side order of biscuits, I decided on the fresh fruit cup to lighten my meal up. The fruit was fresh and sweet.

My husband loves a good po’ boy. His favorite po’ boy is from a restaurant that unfortunately is no longer around. For quite some time he’s been taking a chance here and there at different restaurants, hoping to get a new favorite. When he noticed there was a catfish po’ boy option on the menu, he had to try it. The sandwich consisted of two fried catfish filets, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a hot mayo. My husband is not into spicy food. He did not seem to notice any heat from the hot mayo. Depending on your level of spice you prefer, this could be a good thing or bad thing. The sandwich was supposed to come with a side of slaw, but my husband did not receive any. Although he didn’t get the slaw, he still thoroughly enjoyed the catfish po’ boy and it is currently his favorite catfish po’ boy in Tulsa. He also got a side of mashed potatoes. Those were underwhelming and he wished it came with gravy.

Wrap-Up

It’s rare to see small businesses and restaurants with membership clubs. Isla’s has a Rewards Club that allows you to accumulate points right away. There is also Connor’s Corner that sells local products and Tulsa merchandise.

In my opinion Isla’s is a great spot to get brunch with family or friends. The brunch menu is available until 3pm daily. The prices are reasonable, with most brunch entrees being under $12. Also, my mimosa was only $8 with carafe’s available for $30. Could Isla’s Southern Kitchen make it to the list of best brunch spots in Tulsa? I think so. If you’re in the Tulsa downtown area and love an early dinner, Isla’s has a happy hour Mon. through Fri. from 2-6pm. My husband and I will have to return for a date night to get a feel for the evening ambiance.

If you’re in the mood for down home southern cooking and wondering where to eat in Tulsa, Isla’s is worth the try. They are located at 404 E. Archer St. in downtown Tulsa, across from ONEOK Field.