It’s easy for someone to claim that their state has the “best barbecue” in the country, but in Oklahoma it’s the truth. The meat in this state is usually considered to be a hybrid between several styles, including the use of sauces similar to Kansas City and Memphis, while meats tend to be heavily influenced by Texas. However, if you want some awesome meat that’s specifically an Oklahoma invention, go for the smoked-then-fried chicken.
According to the media, Oklahoma is filled with gun toting cowboys driving around in pickup trucks blasting banjo music. While Oklahoma certainly has its fair share of residents falling into this category, the people in Oklahoma are actually much more diverse than America is led to believe.
Expect cities to seemingly shutdown during Saturdays in the fall—everyone will be glued to their television screen watching the game. Whether they’re cheering for the Oklahoma Sooners or the Oklahoma State Cowboys, there are few states around the country with fans anywhere near this dedicated to the home teams.
A side effect of the rich history Oklahoma has in the farming and cattle industry, it’s always a huge deal when the rodeo comes to town. If you’ve never been to one before, this is one Oklahoma must-see.
The word “Sooner” is a reference to some of the original settlers that moved West to Oklahoma. With rules allowing people to claim their own land if they made the move after a certain date, lots of people crossed the border early in attempt to save the best spots for themselves, thus going “sooner” than the rest of the population.
They’ve got calf in them and they’re deep-fried, but the “calf fry” name is still pretty misleading when it comes to this regional treat. They’re actually sliced calf testicles and they’re similar to the better known dish called “Rocky Mountain Oysters.”
Most surveys claim that around 80 percent of Oklahomans are proudly affiliated with some sort of religion, meaning that if someone invites you to their church, it’s basically like they’re inviting you into their home. Turning them down is a quick way to come off as the rude transplant on your block.
Keep in mind that “deep-fried” is basically a food group in Oklahoma, mostly because cooking this way is guaranteed to make nearly anything taste better. Though battering a perfectly fine steak “fried chicken” style and throwing it in the fryer might seem odd to an outsider, it’s a big deal in the Sooner State. To make it even better, smother it in gravy.
Due to some strange alcohol laws, beer sold at the grocery store is limited to 3.2% alcohol content. If you’re looking for normal beer that hovers around 5%, you’ll have to go to a liquor store. Also, keep in mind that no booze can be sold on Sundays in this state.
This type fish that’s very popular in Oklahoma, the catfish found in this state is some of the best in the country. However, if you’re not used to preparing or eating it, be warned… they’re filled with tiny bones that will sometimes get missed during the filleting process. Nothing is worse than getting one of these sharp sticks stuck in your teeth.
While everyone in Oklahoma isn’t living their life on the wide open range, a lot of people still love to rock cowboy boots while they’re around town, especially if they’re getting dressed up for a special night. Everyone needs at least one good pair of boots in the wardrobe around here.
If someone says they’re headed to “the city”, it means they’re going to Oklahoma City. It’s the biggest city in the state with around 1.5 million residents in the metro area. The next closest city is Tulsa and its metro doesn’t even break a million.
When it comes to mainstream pro sports, everyone in Oklahoma is cheering for the OKC Thunder, led by Kevin Durant. You’ll see plenty of blue and orange around town thanks to this team.
For decades, Americans have been confusing the bison that roam the Oklahoman plains for buffalo. While these two animals look similar, buffalo are really only native species in Asia and Africa.
When it comes to the most popular tunes in the Sooner State, most people are bumping country music loud. With Oklahoma’s rich history as part of the Wild West, it’s easy to see why.
One huge perk of living in Oklahoma is that you never have to deal with crowds, with the exception of Oklahoma City (and it’s not even that bad there). There’s hardly any traffic, there’s no bumping into people on the sidewalk, and you rarely get stuck waiting long in lines. If you’re moving to Oklahoma from somewhere like New York City or Los Angeles, it will be a breath of fresh air.
Most of Oklahoma uses the term “coke” as a generic way of describing soda. It can get a little confusing at first when you order a Coca-Cola as a “coke” while you’re out to eat and the server’s response is “what type of Coke would you like?”
If you’re new to Oklahoma, consider investing in some great gear for snow, rain, and everything in between. The weather in the Sooner State is famous for mixing it up on a minutes notice and sometimes showing all four seasons in a single day.
Born in what’s now Oklahoma, Will Rogers was a Cherokee cowboy known for his vaudeville performances and acting abilities. People tend to be a little obsessed with him in the Sooner State. He is “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son,” after all.
Oklahoma might not have tons of huge cities or mountains, but what it does have are wide open spaces. With all the vast openness, the Sooner State is the perfect place to catch a sunset or gaze at the stars on a regular basis.
When it comes to America’s states, Oklahoma is constantly underrated. With tons of natural beauty, hearty home cooking, and some of the most goodhearted people in the country, the Sooner State is one place that’s super easy to call home. Like This Post? You’ll Definitely Love These:
