This Old-School Oklahoma Steakhouse Is Legendary for Its Over-the-Top Salad Bar

Oklahoma
By Samuel Cole

Tucked away in the small town of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Click’s Steakhouse has been serving up incredible meals since 1968. While the steaks are absolutely fantastic, it’s the legendary salad bar that keeps people coming back for more.

This isn’t your average lettuce-and-tomatoes setup—Click’s has created something truly special that visitors travel from all over the state to experience.

A Family Legacy Spanning Generations

© Click’s Steakhouse

Walking through the doors of Click’s Steakhouse feels like stepping back in time to when restaurants were run by families who genuinely cared about every guest. The Click family opened this beloved establishment in 1968, and they’ve maintained the same commitment to quality and hospitality ever since.

Their dedication shows in every detail, from the warm greeting at the door to the carefully prepared meals.

Located on Harrison Street in Pawnee, the restaurant sits in a charming building that reflects its long history. The exterior might look modest, but inside you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone feel like family.

Locals know this place by heart, and visitors quickly understand why it’s earned such a loyal following over the decades.

What makes Click’s truly special is how they’ve resisted the temptation to modernize everything. Sure, they’ve updated where necessary, but the soul of the restaurant remains unchanged.

The family’s commitment to serving honest, delicious food in a friendly environment has kept Click’s thriving for over 50 years, making it an Oklahoma treasure worth celebrating.

The Salad Bar That Defies All Expectations

© Click’s Steakhouse

Forget everything you think you know about salad bars because Click’s version rewrites the entire rulebook. Stretching across a generous space, this salad station offers so many choices that first-time visitors often stand there in amazement, trying to figure out where to even begin.

The variety goes way beyond standard lettuce and dressing, featuring items you’d never expect to find at a steakhouse salad bar.

Fresh vegetables are just the starting point here. You’ll discover colorful peppers, crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and multiple types of lettuce to build your base.

Then comes the fun part—toppings and mix-ins that range from traditional to downright surprising. Cheese options, croutons, nuts, seeds, and fresh fruits all make appearances on this impressive spread.

The real showstopper is the sheer abundance of everything. Nothing looks picked over or sparse, even during busy dinner hours.

The staff constantly monitors and refills items to ensure every guest gets the full experience. Many people come to Click’s specifically for this salad bar, sometimes making it their entire meal because there’s just so much delicious food to choose from.

Fresh Ingredients Delivered Daily

© Click’s Steakhouse

Quality starts with sourcing, and Click’s takes this responsibility seriously by ensuring their salad bar features the freshest ingredients available. Every morning, deliveries arrive with crisp vegetables, ripe fruits, and other essential items that will make their way to the salad station.

The difference between fresh and not-so-fresh produce is obvious, and Click’s never compromises on this standard.

Tomatoes arrive firm and flavorful, lettuce comes in crisp and green, and peppers display vibrant colors that signal peak freshness. The restaurant’s commitment to quality means they won’t serve anything that doesn’t meet their high standards.

This dedication might cost more, but guests immediately taste the difference when they build their salads.

Seasonal items rotate through the salad bar, giving regular visitors something new to try throughout the year. Spring might bring tender asparagus, while summer showcases sweet corn and ripe melons.

Fall introduces heartier vegetables, and winter features fresh citrus options. This rotating selection keeps the salad bar interesting and ensures guests always have access to produce at its absolute best, making each visit feel like a new culinary adventure worth experiencing.

Homemade Dressings That Steal the Show

© Click’s Steakhouse

Store-bought dressings have no place at Click’s Steakhouse, where the kitchen prepares every single variety from scratch using time-tested recipes. These aren’t fancy gourmet concoctions with unpronounceable ingredients—they’re classic dressings made the right way, with real ingredients that actually taste like something.

Ranch lovers will find a creamy, herb-packed version that puts bottled brands to shame.

The selection typically includes ranch, thousand island, Italian, blue cheese, and several other popular choices that complement any salad combination. Each dressing has its own distinct personality, made with fresh herbs, quality oils, and carefully balanced seasonings.

The blue cheese contains actual chunks of cheese, not just flavoring, and the Italian dressing has a perfect tang that brightens up any vegetable combination.

Many guests ask if they can purchase bottles to take home, which speaks volumes about how good these dressings truly are. The kitchen staff guards their recipes carefully, though they’re happy to share general tips with curious diners.

Some people build their entire salad around their favorite dressing, loading up their plates specifically to showcase that beloved ranch or creamy thousand island flavor.

The Hot Food Section Nobody Expects

© Click’s Steakhouse

Just when you think the salad bar couldn’t possibly offer anything more, you discover the hot food section that completely changes the game. Click’s doesn’t just stop at cold salads and vegetables—they’ve expanded their legendary bar to include warm, comforting dishes that turn a simple salad stop into a complete meal.

Soups bubble away in large tureens, filling the air with mouthwatering aromas.

Depending on the day, you might find hearty chili, creamy potato soup, or classic chicken noodle among the hot offerings. The kitchen also includes other warm items like baked beans, seasoned vegetables, and sometimes even pasta dishes.

These additions make the salad bar incredibly versatile, allowing guests to create balanced meals that include both fresh and cooked elements.

Cold winter evenings bring especially grateful diners who appreciate starting their meal with a steaming bowl of soup before tackling the fresh vegetables. The hot section gets refreshed regularly, ensuring everything maintains proper temperature and quality.

This unexpected bonus elevates Click’s salad bar from impressive to absolutely extraordinary, giving guests even more reasons to visit this Oklahoma gem and experience everything it has to offer.

Dessert Options at the Salad Bar

© Click’s Steakhouse

Saving room for dessert takes on new meaning when you realize Click’s salad bar includes sweet treats alongside all the savory options. Fresh fruit cups, creamy puddings, and other dessert items occupy their own special section, tempting guests who thought they were just coming for vegetables.

The fruit selection alone deserves attention, featuring perfectly ripe melons, sweet pineapple chunks, and juicy berries when in season.

Pudding varieties might include chocolate, vanilla, or butterscotch, each one smooth and satisfying. Sometimes you’ll find fruit cobblers, gelatin desserts, or other sweet options that round out the incredible variety.

These desserts aren’t afterthoughts—they’re prepared with the same care and quality as everything else at Click’s.

Kids especially love discovering these sweet surprises at the salad bar, though adults appreciate them just as much. Having dessert included with your salad bar visit adds tremendous value and makes the whole experience feel even more special.

Some clever diners make multiple trips, starting with soup, moving to salad, then finishing with fresh fruit and pudding. The dessert section proves that Click’s truly thought of everything when designing their legendary salad bar experience.

The Steaks That Started It All

© Click’s Steakhouse

While the salad bar rightfully grabs headlines, Click’s built its reputation on seriously good steaks that keep meat lovers coming back for decades. Every cut gets hand-selected for quality, then aged and prepared using methods perfected over 50 years of operation.

Whether you prefer ribeye, sirloin, or filet mignon, the kitchen knows exactly how to cook it to your specifications.

Steaks arrive at your table sizzling hot, with perfect grill marks and seasoning that enhances rather than masks the natural beef flavor. The meat is tender, juicy, and cooked exactly as ordered—rare stays rare, medium comes out perfectly pink, and well-done never turns tough or dry.

Portion sizes are generous without being wasteful, giving diners substantial servings that satisfy hearty appetites.

Many guests follow a tried-and-true strategy: fill up a plate at the legendary salad bar, then settle in for a perfectly cooked steak as the main event. This combination creates an incredibly satisfying meal that showcases everything Click’s does well.

The steaks prove that while the salad bar might steal the spotlight, this restaurant earned its reputation through excellent beef prepared by people who truly understand their craft.

Small-Town Hospitality at Its Finest

© Click’s Steakhouse

Servers at Click’s don’t just take orders and deliver food—they genuinely care about making sure every guest enjoys their experience. This authentic small-town hospitality can’t be faked or trained into employees; it comes from a culture of kindness that the Click family has nurtured since day one.

Staff members greet regulars by name and make newcomers feel equally welcome within minutes of arriving.

Your server will happily explain how the salad bar works, recommend their favorite items, and make sure your drinks stay filled throughout the meal. They check on tables regularly without being intrusive, striking that perfect balance between attentive and overbearing.

When someone celebrates a birthday or anniversary, the whole staff joins in making the occasion special.

This level of service reflects the values of Pawnee itself, where neighbors look out for each other and strangers quickly become friends. The staff turnover at Click’s is remarkably low, with many employees working there for years or even decades.

Their experience and genuine warmth create an atmosphere that big-chain restaurants simply cannot replicate, making every meal feel like you’re dining with family rather than just eating at another restaurant.

Affordable Pricing That Surprises Everyone

© Click’s Steakhouse

Considering everything Click’s offers, first-time visitors often express shock when they see the bill and realize how reasonable the prices are. The salad bar alone could easily command premium pricing at urban restaurants, but Click’s keeps their costs fair and accessible to families and regular folks.

You’ll get an enormous amount of food without emptying your wallet, which seems almost impossible in today’s dining landscape.

Steak dinners come with salad bar access, making the overall value even better. Many restaurants charge separately for sides and extras, but Click’s includes the legendary salad bar with your entrée.

This means you’re essentially getting multiple courses for one reasonable price, which explains why the parking lot stays consistently full during dinner hours.

Families especially appreciate being able to take everyone out for a nice meal without breaking the budget. Kids can eat plenty from the salad bar, and adults get quality steaks at prices that seem stuck in a previous decade.

This commitment to affordable pricing reflects the restaurant’s values and their desire to serve the community rather than just maximize profits. Click’s proves that excellent food and fair prices can coexist beautifully.

Worth the Drive from Anywhere in Oklahoma

© Click’s Steakhouse

Pawnee might not be on everyone’s regular route, but Click’s Steakhouse gives people a compelling reason to make the journey from Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and beyond. The drive through Oklahoma’s countryside offers pleasant scenery, and arriving in this charming small town feels like a reward in itself.

Visitors from urban areas especially appreciate the change of pace and the authentic experience waiting at Click’s.

Regulars from larger cities often plan their trips around Click’s hours, making sure to arrive in time for dinner before the restaurant closes at 8 PM. Some people turn it into a day trip, exploring Pawnee’s historic downtown before settling in for their meal.

The restaurant’s reputation has spread far beyond the local area, with food bloggers and travel writers regularly featuring it in their Oklahoma recommendations.

Once you’ve experienced Click’s legendary salad bar and quality steaks, the drive stops feeling like an inconvenience and starts feeling like a pilgrimage. Many visitors become repeat customers who bring friends and family on subsequent trips, eager to share their discovery.

The journey to Pawnee becomes part of the overall experience, building anticipation for the memorable meal that awaits at this beloved Oklahoma institution.