TULSA, Okla. –
Two pastors have opened a new restaurant in north Tulsa, offering some different meal options.
What is the Tulsa Food Court?
The Tulsa Food Court is a new to-go style eatery providing a wide variety of food for customers.
“There’s nothing like this in North Tulsa. There are other food places, but nothing of this concept,” said Scott Gordon, who is a minister and co-owner of the business.
The Tulsa Food Court is located near 46th Street North and Peoria. The business offers three separate menu options, all under one roof.
“We have Mr Wonderful Chicken and Waffles. We have a Clucky and Burkey, which is our exotic burger, and then we have Chipper Seafood and Southern,” said Ken Johnson, who goes by Chef Kenny J, co-owner of the venture.
Why is the Tulsa Food Court Significant?
The new Tulsa Food Court is open in what is commonly known as a food desert, according to Gordon, Johnson and customers.
“You know, they don’t have anything outside of standard stuff, the big chains. So, you know, we thought that they would enjoy loaded potatoes and filthy fries, and they’d be able to get chicken Alfredo, shrimp in the neighborhood. So it’s just something different, right?” said Johnson, who previously owned a restaurant in Bixby.
The owners believe they are giving customers what they have been missing: choices.
Who are the owners?
Scott Gordon and Ken Johnson are both ministers who have combined their talents outside the pulpit. Gordon has written 12 books and is a real estate investor. He owned the building for the business.
“I do a quite a bit of investment here in Tulsa, and so I bought this shopping center. I sat on this restaurant for about a year and thought, man, you know what? It would be nice to have a restaurant over here,” said Gordon.
He then partnered up with Johnson, who has experience with restaurants in Cleveland, Ohio and Bixby. Johnson is responsible for the flavorful menu.
“It makes me feel good that people love it, but I knew that they would, right? You know, I’m. I’m that guy. I taste food in my thoughts, and then I create recipes on paper that we can follow,” said Johnson.
Gordon says they are serving up food and faith, as this is an opportunity to serve and love others.
“I tell pastors all the time there’s more to the ministry than just inside the building. This is what ministry is. And believe it or not, you know, they don’t like it when I’m in the kitchen sometime because I give away probably more than we sell,” said Gordon.
What are the future plans?
The owners say they plan to add three more menu brands to the eatery. That would be the equivalent of six restaurant offerings, living up to its name: the Tulsa Food Court.
They are also working to open a south Tulsa location.
