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    Nelson's Buffeteria

    4.5 (138 reviews)
    InexpensiveBreakfast & Brunch
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    NELSON'S BUFFETERIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Nelson's Buffeteria

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    Salisbury steak green beans, mashed potatoes, brown gravy, and yeast roll
    Penny M.

    Amazing as usual had a Salisbury steak today mashed potatoes, green bean and a big yeast roll. Yum. Service was quick efficient we got our food sat down. They waited on this immediately. Great food great service family environment.!

    Nelson's iconic sign
    Daniel T.

    The only thing I'm upset about.... Is that it took me so long to go try out this Tulsa staple!! Some co workers and I decided to stop here for lunch and I'm so glad it was recommended because I will be going back. The atmosphere was lively and busy as you were greeted by a small band at the front door. After moving through the line, I was up to order. I had to go with a classic and what I heard Nelson's was known for, their chicken fried steak. The chicken fried steak was massive and delicious! Topped with some white gravy, I honestly wouldn't recommend going here with your mother because you might end up slapping her it's so good! I had the coleslaw which was a little sweeter to my liking, but still pretty good along with their rolls. I can't say enough about this place.... Go check it out... preferably without your momma!!

    Full Nelson.
    Glenn P.

    A rare find in this era of corporate chain restaurants. Nelson's reminds me of the coffee shops and cafes I went to with my parents and grandparents. Still family owned, Nelson's has a classic vibe and the food lives up to what you'd hope for in a classic cafe. I understand the lunch buffet is the big draw here. Service, food and coffee fill ups were perfect. Why 5 stars? This isn't a 5 star restaurant, but it meets every expectation you'd have of a cafe. Clean, attentive staff, simple yet perfectly prepared food. So, 5 stars for being exceptional at what it is, an old school. Family owned cafe.

    Awesome chicken fried chicken
    Wayne G.

    Super awesome historic restaurant since 1929! Loved the chicken fried chicken with mashed potatoes gravy corn green beans and rolls! Awesome service by Savannah! 10 stars bravo!

    Biscuit and gravy
    Dan C.

    Excellent breakfast. Bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, biscuit and gravy. Need to come back and try their lunch buffet. It looks pretty good. Your basic diner atmosphere. Prompt service. Reasonable prices.a

    Giant pancakes
    Ray N.

    This is the quintessential dirty and equally awesome diner you want for breakfast. I have only been in here once but I want to go back. It has this feel like a legit monster, the mail man, a steel mill operator and a state senator could all be eating scrambled eggs at the same time and at the same place 2 tables apart. It's rare in this day and age a spot draws all classes and delivers this filling and awesome breakfast to everyone. The day I came in I'm fairly certain my server was "medicated" but she still did very well. I'm not at all trying to be judgey but it's the vibe I got. Like I said she did a fine job but ya know, it fit the environment and I'm not even mad. My drink was never empty, my order came out as requested and I left full and a worthy tip was added to my bill, Any way, come in, eat, join a room full of others as they fuel up to tackle the day and enjoy being a part of dining with the folks that make it all happen every day.

    Sharon C.

    Stepping into Nelson's was like stepping into the past. That is except for the prices. It looked just like the diners I remember when I was a child. It was decorated with pictures of Nelson's in its early days. It's a very fun setting to dine in. It's called a buffeteria but the breakfast was just table service. We both got eggs, bacon, hash browns, and a huge biscuit and gravy. The food was delicious and plentiful. The service couldn't have better. Our server, Red, took excellent care of us. The other servers and manager also asked us if we needed anything. It's been years since I've been in a restaurant where servers not assigned to our table volunteered to do anything for us except tell our server. So often, I can't find my server and tell a server I need something. The response is always, "I will tell your server." At Nelson's I didn't have to even ask. The servers were asking all the tables if they needed anything. I left my glasses on the table. When I went back, I didn't even have to go in. As I stepped out of the car, Red ran out with my glasses. Can't wait to try their chicken fried steak for lunch.

    Spike S.

    Our timing today was perfect. We opened the front door to Nelson's Buffeteria at 11:00 on the money. The lunch buffet was out and the friendly personnel were ready to fill plates. We were in our booth eating at 11:05. The classic Oklahoma's favorite meal for me; Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, cream gravy and fried okra. My wife substituted mac and cheese for the okra. Both excellent meals. One of the top chicken fried steaks in Oklahoma. The restaurant is not fancy. It is functional and comfortable. The staff is friendly and hustles. Parking is a bitch. If you aren't is a spot by 11:30 "No Chicken Fried Steak for You!" Try again tomorrow. When we left it was tough to even get out. The lot was full, with cars circling bumper to bumper, competing for a spot.

    Full Nelson breakfast!

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    3 years ago

    Hello Great Food! You'll understand once you've been. Parking is fun and the Strolling Bones play on Friday

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    2 years ago

    Food was excellent. Service was great. Don't shy away because of location or atmosphere. A pleasant surprise.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Yumm! Need to get back there! The pandemic put a stop to buffets but they are back open!

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    2 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    I love the fried chicken served on Wednesdays as well as the mashed potatoes/gravy and green beans. Extremely good.

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Becky was amazing. Best bacon in town. I love this place. Tulsa classic. Tell Becky I sent you.

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    3 years ago

    Old school cafeteria vibes - great home cooking food. Can't go wrong with Nelson's!!!

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Hands down the best CFS in Tulsa. Friendly people, very clean and great atmosphere. If you leave hungry, that's your fault

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    13 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Very good home style cooking. They're famous for their dinner rolls. You'll enjoy this place.

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

    I've eaten there 3 times, and each time was amazing. My favorite has been their fried chicken. It was hot and crispy.

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    Page 2 of 4

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    The Avery

    The Avery

    4.0
    (63 reviews)
    7.0 mi
    $$

    I sat at the bar which was comfortable and clean. The bartender was very friendly and helpful when…read moreI asked a few questions about the menu. She kept my fountain drink full! I'm a keto dieter, and I will say that there are several tasty options to choose from. I will often get a burger with no bun, which is what I was craving today. This one went beyond my expectations! It was a hand-formed 8oz patty, and the chef was able to make it a perfect medium rare. It was delectably juicy, seasoned just right, and the cheese, peppers, onions and tomatoes topped it off perfectly. My salad had nice big slices of Parmesan cheese on top, and the lettuce was fresh and crisp, the dressing just right. Removing croutons is never a problem, but I appreciated that they happily left them off when they prepared the salad. If you're looking for keto options, you'll find many good choices here!

    I called down to place my order, and was put on hold by Whitney. When I got the restaurant, no one…read morewas there AND the place was EMPTY! When I advised that I had called and she placed me on hold but never came back. I told her that I was on hold long enough to brush my teeth and get dressed. She rolled her eyes. Never apologizing. While waiting on my food, a gentleman came up complaining about his service. She IMMEDIATELY apologized and adjusted his bill, then laughed and talked with him. I've been here before and had a wonderful conversation with the manager and hostess that was on duty. This time, was a bad experience. My order was two Ceaser salads with blackened shrimp. The food took FOREVER!!!! The customer service was DEFINITELY lacking! Whitney if you hate your job or certain folks, maybe do something else because life is WAY too short. Next time I'm here, I'll DoorDash if she's on duty. I will not go where I do NOT feel welcomed.

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    (her Britney Spears Dirty) martini

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    (her Britney Spears Dirty) martini
    The Vault

    The Vault

    4.0
    (742 reviews)
    6.7 mi
    $$
    Private events
    Locally owned & operated

    I went here with friends back in February for our first time and we all loved it. Both service and…read morefood were wonderful, and I thought the prices were very reasonable. I ordered apricot iced tea, the vegan fried chicken sandwich, and pineapple upside-down cake. I don't normally like chicken sandwiches that much, but this was really good. And the highlight was getting to choose any of the salads on the menu as the side salad that comes with it. I had the hearts of palm salad with vegan cheese instead of the usual parmesan. It was delicious! I also got to try the cauliflower wings and a bite of the Korean BBQ tofu sandwich. I liked that sandwich too, but not as much. I do like the way they fried the tofu, but it seemed different than what was described on the menu. It seemed just deep fried, but not battered. My only complaint is the layout of the building and the lack of directional signage. I didn't park in the parking lot, so I didn't know to enter from the back and I ended up on a long confusing walk both outside and inside the building before I finally reached the dining room.

    Dinner with family last night. Staying at a hotel a few blocks away. Great choice!…read more Variety of cocktails. Great slightly dirty chilled martini with lots of olives, as requested. Seated promptly without a reservation. Nice vibe, retro theme. Tyler, our server was wonderfully engaging, made good food recommendations, really appeared to be a good human, and made a good meal better ... Salmon cakes appetizer were a nice start, the salads were memorable -- fresh and refreshing -- and my crusted salmon was a completely satisfying entree and I loved the crunch (good portion size, great sauce, and accompaniments). And, Tyler made a great pot of coffee ... strong, rich flavor. I thought it was excellent value. Thanks Tyler!

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    Nelson's Buffeteria - breakfast_brunch - Updated August 2026

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