My grandparents, Margie and Mike Dennis, are the number-one food aficionados I know. If a new restaurant opens in the Oklahoma City area, they’ve probably already had supper there before the rest of town hears about it. They’re the kind of people for whom a mealtime is as much about the experience as it is the cuisine—though they are definitely passionate about the flavors involved. When they come to visit me in Birmingham, my favorite thing to do is show them new eateries or take them to old favorites (like their go-to here, Niki’s West).
This made it all the more challenging when my grandpa was diagnosed with celiac disease earlier this year. I can’t say it came as a shock—his mother had it and so do his daughters—but it was a life-changing moment nonetheless. All of a sudden, something that was a huge source of joy in my grandparents’ life became a challenge. People with celiac disease, a hereditary autoimmune disorder, have to eat a gluten-free diet. In the South, particularly in a state like Oklahoma, it can be really hard to find a down-home meal that isn’t enrobed in gluten. That’s where Cafe 75 came in like a miracle.
A Hidden Gem
Located on the main road through Mounds, a teeny town about 30 minutes from Tulsa, Cafe 75 has a menu that would make any mouth water. Hamburgers, hearty bowls of chili, and the statewide icon of chicken-fried steak all grace the tables here—and they can be made gluten free upon request. When my aunt found out she and my grandpa could happily (and safely) chow down on fried and breaded favorites, she couldn’t wait to get them both there. For my grandpa’s 79th birthday this year, they drove the 103 miles between their house and Mounds just to have a delicious and gluten-free celebration—complete with a slice of coconut cream pie for him.
Cafe 75 was opened in January 2023 by Karen and Kyle Rackley. It sits in a smaller space—a few counter stools and a handful of tables are the dine-in options. The slender building was formerly used as storage by its previous owner, who bought and resold overstock products. When the Rackleys purchased the property, it was full of decades-old items, some of which you can see on display in the restaurant today. Kyle says his favorite things they found inside were the vintage toys. “They have brought back so many vivid memories of my childhood, especially a couple of 1984 Godzillas,” he says.
Our Unforgettable Meal
I got the chance to join my grandparents on another trip there this spring. I was in Tulsa to babysit my nephew, and they drove over from OKC ostensibly to see me—but I have my suspicions that proximity to Cafe 75 was also a motivating factor. We arrived at the door right as they opened, and there were already two or three tables seated. Word has started to get out about Cafe 75, so much so that it’s a part of the decor. On a back wall of the joint, huge letters spell out “WHERE Y’ALL FROM?” and are accompanied by notecards inscribed with visitors’ hometowns…