Home of the famous Oklahoma Onion Burger. This history goes back aways. Part of the all too familiar history of migrating folks just trying to survive. It has often been referred to at the 'Depression Burger'. This meal has stood the test of time, still remaining a favorite nationwide. Sid's Diner Listed as one of the Top 5 Burgers in the USA by Food Channel it is worthy of recognition. I am here for the historic 'onion burger'.
Located 23 miles west of the metropolitan Oklahoma City area just off I-40 on Choctaw Avenue it is not a difficult commute. The current owners opened the current location in 1989. Marty Hall can tell you everything about what it takes to run Sid’s Diner, all 860 square feet and 32 seats of it. “Its old school. It’s an old school diner,” he says. But other numbers have long since escaped Hall’s comprehension. The big one, he does know, is ’50’, 50 years of slingin’ hash and diner cooking.
Hall explains, “It’s really fulfilling to me to be able to fix something and give it to somebody to eat, and they enjoy it.” Marty got his first job at the old Johnnie’s burger joint in El Reno. He was a 13 -year-old dishwasher and professional onion peeler on his very
first day. “Boy. It was rough,” he recalls. “About 25 pounds of onions and I was crying.”
Marty did all right for himself in the burger business. He owned the Dairy Hut around the corner, then built this diner in 1989 and watched it become a national landmark. “It seems like the world is fascinated with Route 66,” he says. Hall named his diner Sid's to honor his father who passed away just before he opened in 1989.
They offer 5 levels of onion burger, salads, coney and chili dogs, patty melt, chili bowl, BLT, grilled cheese, and even Frito Chili Pie. The list of sides match the tastes of the menu. They do serve a very good breakfast menu as well, but we were here for the onions.
So, we visited during our most recent trip through Oklahoma. We drove over for lunch and a bit of shopping in OKC. It is packed for lunch so plan appropriately. I mean the line was out the door on our day. There is counter seating and 4 tables inside that seat 4 each, but also several outside tables covered or not.
Once seated I got the Double Meat 1/2 Burger with plenty o' onions and onion rings while Barb selected the Frito Chili Pie.
We enjoyed our meal very much. The food was excellent; Barb loved her chili pie and my burger was one of the best I have ever had. Meat was charbroiled to perfection with PLENTY O' Onions. I should have gotten a handmade shake, they looked delicious. Service was quite prompt considering the crowd. The price for our lunch was $18.23. Of course, a bigger venue would be nice, but you can't argue with success. Well worth the visit.
"Onion, meat, bun. That's all you need"
Maria Yagoda
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