Oklahoma Today Podcast: February 24, 2025

The Oklahoma State Meal—which became an official state symbol in the 1980s—is a legendary spread: chicken-fried steak, biscuits with sausage gravy, barbecue pork, cornbread, grits, okra, squash, corn, black-eyed peas, strawberries, and pecan pie. Isla's Southern Kitchen in Tulsa is currently the only restaurant in Oklahoma where diners can order the entire state meal. Though it comfortably feeds 2-4 people, Isla's does give brave (or foolish) souls the option to compete in the Oklahoma State Meal Challenge, in which a single diner racers to consume all the dishes in under forty-six minutes (Oklahoma is the 46th state). Today our host Ben Luschen, dubiously qualified for such an endeavor, takes the challenge head-on, with coaching provided by former Oklahoma Today Podcast host Greg Elwell. 

Also on this week's episode, the editors weigh in on what dishes they would like to see included in an updated version of the state meal, and podvents tells us where to go for fried oysters and town gossip. You won't want to miss it!

Catch up with back episodes of the Oklahoma Today Podcast here.

Written By

Ben Luschen

Luschen joined the *Oklahoma Today*’ staff as Research Editor in 2021 and currently works as the magazine's Web Editor, managing the website and social media fronts. His past *Oklahoma Today* stories have ranged in content from the state's bee and quail industries to its vibrant art and music scenes. Not adverse to a road trip, Luschen is always on the lookout for the next big adventure. He is never out of opinions about the current state of Oklahoma City Thunder basketball.