Several well-known OKC restaurants closed their doors in late 2024 and early 2025, leaving behind some iconic real estate ripe for the taking.
Three spots on NW 23 Street and one in Midtown are now in the process of being transformed into new concepts. Plus, an additional NW 23 Street location that seemed to never quite make it off the launch pad now has a concept coming to land from a previous location.
What’s happening on NW 23 Street?
We’ve already told you about Kevin Lee’s lease on the space formerly occupied by The Drake. The chef announced recently that the concept going into the space will be called MAHT , the Korean word for flavor or taste. Lee has set a tentative completion date for construction and opening for late 2025.
However, Lee isn’t the only chef working on big things on NW 23 Street. Farther up the road at 1501 NW 23 St., in the space formerly occupied by Syrup. chef Richard Ly is bringing to life his own new concept, Kaizume by Awaji. Ly has not shared a timeline for his buildout of the space.
Finally, a few more blocks west at 2218 NW 23 St., a spot that gained a considerable following in its previous location off N. May Avenue is ready to give it a go. The site was previously the home of the ill-fated Mamacita’s Kitchen and Tequila Bar , but now Sushi Sonora Querida is preparing to open in the space on Tuesday…