From Parking Lot To World-Class Public Space In Tulsa

The George Kaiser Family Foundation shares the story of Guthrie Green: an amazing transformation of a contaminated truck loading facility in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma into a vibrant urban park that showcases the best of modern-day “green” technology.

A Tulsa Favorite Opens Anchor Restaurant Space At Guthrie Green

Matt and Brooke Kelley opened the casual but trendy Lucky’s Restaurant on Tulsa’s Historic Cherry Street nearly 10 years ago. Lucky’s quickly established a sterling reputation among locals. In the same vein as ‘Death in the Afternoon’ in St Louis’ Citygarden or Bryant Park Grill in New York’s Bryant Park, the Kelley’s opened a satellite location of their popular Lucky’s Restaurant in Guthrie Green called Lucky’s on the Green.

Lucky’s On The Green. Image Credit: Tulsa World.

Located on The Dock and rising above the parks green space, water features and stage, Lucky’s on the Green is perched in perfect positioning to watch a show, with Tulsa’s skyline painting the backdrop, or to just take in the beauty of the park. With its contemporary European design, it, at first, feels like a simple and cozy cafe, until the glass walls open to expand the experience to the great outdoors. The cafe also utilizes a modern kiosk system to place orders, food is picked up at one of two windows, depending on where your order was placed.

Overlooking the lawn, Lucky’s offers diners an elevated view of the park’s main stage. Images: Guthrie Green

The food is dubbedInternational Park Fare, all made from scratch and sourced locally and organic, when possible. Following one of the main themes of the park, Lucky’s helps “keep it green” with renewable or compostable packaging being used whenever possible.

Lucky’s on the Green’s specialty is the Bahn Mi, prepared with a pate of Arkansas rabbit, braised Berkshire pork belly, hoisin sauce, fresh vegetables and pickled red fresno peppers. Image Credit: Guthrie Green

Next: An Interview With Stanton Doyle Of The George Kaiser Family Foundation