Recently I was part of a small group attending lunch at Lawton’s newest steakhouse, Santa Fe Cattle Co. The character of the restaurant is apparent before you even walk through the doors. The exterior décor of an old rusted truck and some cattle is just a preview of what’s to come. Entering I was surprised that even though it was the start of the busy lunch rush, there was not a wait. The friendly hostess was ready to seat us right away.
After informing the hostess that our group of nine wouldn’t feel comfortable squished in a corner booth we were seated at two tables about two feet apart. Disappointed that they wouldn’t allow us to push tables together to fit our group, I sat down and admired the surroundings. There appears to be a HUGE aluminum fan overhead. It’s odd and interesting at the same time. No competition for the peanut shells under foot though. Each table has peanuts to snack on while you wait. That’s just genius! What better way to kill the time than by throwing peanut shells on the floor. Glad my mother wasn’t in our group!
I was impressed by the prices on their lunch menu; affordable, hearty meals at a little lesser cost than the dinner menu. The chipper waitress took our drink orders and delivered them quickly. While waiting on my group to decide on their meals, I continued admiring the atmosphere. Beer boxes stacked high, cowgirl sign on the ladies room door, and wooden tables all add to the western feel. My absolute favorite thing is the beer bottle walls.
Chest high exposed brick walls, all uneven with beer bottles set into the mortar. What a wonderful idea! Oh, and then the waitress was back with her cheery self to take our orders. She told us the special of the day, which I had already decided to order, was the catfish. What a coincidence! Excited that my lunch might be at an even better price, I ask her what the price is for the special. She responds with smile that the special is still the menu price, just special that day. Okay!
Even though I had to pay the full lunch menu price, the fish was delicious! I never got less than halfway through my drink before the staff was there filling my glass. This marvelous basket of yeast rolls and cornbread (careful it had jalapenos) comes with the meal on every table, and they will bring more if you ask. I asked.
Overall, it was a wonderful lunch. The atmosphere added to the western flair the food had. I will definitely be visiting again, just probably with a smaller group so that we can all sit together.
