SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 9 (2024): Revisiting Our Top Candy Picks, Good Soup & Happy Birthday Adam
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/31/2024 3:29:16 PM
Since it is Halloween today, I thought it would be fun and timely to run back some previous SKORDLE Halloween Candy Blogs from 2021 and 2022. I discuss many important topics related to candy preference, secretly stealing lots of c...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 8 (2024): Flamingo Lounge
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/23/2024 11:01:10 AM
If you haven’t had a burger at the Flamingo Lounge in Enid, you really need to because they are absolutely delicious! The Flamingo is located right at the main intersection of town (U.S. 81 and U.S. 412 or Van Buren and Garriott for th...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 7 (2024): Fun Facts on Win Streaks and Mr. Burger
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/16/2024 9:28:46 AM
SKORDLE has two MASSIVE Games of the Week on the SKORDLE.TV network for Week 7. Class 2A Division 1's fourth-ranked Marlow will be at #1 Washington and Class A Division 1 #1 Fairview will be at #2 Hooker. The winner of both games will ...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 6 (2024) Part I: Flour and Fennel
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/9/2024 9:11:25 AM
The Game of the Week this Friday night is Hooker at Cashion. For this week's installment of the Sampler Blog we revisit my column from Week 3 last year when I shared the excellence that is Flour and Fennel Pizza in Cashion. If you...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 6 (2024) Part II - REVISITING AUBURN 25 YEARS LATER
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 10/9/2024 9:05:24 AM
Great food experiences are often tied to core memories.We enjoyed a great meal as part of a bigger experience and often linked them together.Sometimes, sadly, that great memory inflates the actual quality of the meal.I can’t tell you how ma...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 5 (2024): Taco Stop in Ponca City
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/2/2024 10:41:55 AM
This week the Blackwell vs. Perry football game is on the SKORDLE PayDirt Pick’em Show as well as SKORDLE PayDirt. When these two schools meet, it must be one of, if not the only, Maroons vs. Maroons game in America and by all accounts a he...
Oklahoma State Fair Trip 2024 - Where is the Beef?
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/26/2024 8:28:01 AM
This past weekend my family made our annual trip to the Oklahoma State Fair. We go mainly to eat our favorite fair foods which are the corn dog and roasted corn. Funnel cake normally makes the rotation, especially for the kids, but for s...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 3 (2024): A TRIBUTE TO COACH GLOVER
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/17/2024 7:39:29 PM
There are times in life where no words are adequate to truly express what a person means to you. Moments of immense sadness normally tend to be tied to the loss of a loved one. That person can be a family member, a close friend or an i...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 2 (2024): RIBS
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/12/2024 8:52:39 AM
Simple question: Who doesn’t like ribs? Whether it's pork ribs (spare ribs, St. Louis ribs, baby back ribs) or beef ribs (dino ribs), ribs are a culinary staple for any BBQ lover. Pork ribs are pretty much a no-fail mission in BBQ...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 1 (2024): The Best Corn on the Cob You've Ever Had
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/3/2024 5:13:18 PM
We are finally here.It’s Week 1 of the Oklahoma High School football season and I know everyone is excited for everything that comes with Friday Night Lights. The college football season got going this past weekend and the NFL gets sta...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 10 (2023): Edge Craft Barbecue
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 11/2/2023 8:52:21 AM
Zach Edge used to run the pit at Maples BBQ in Oklahoma City. What started out as just a popular BBQ food truck gained a lot of traction and had locals buzzing about finding Central Texas BBQ right here in Oklahoma, so they built a bri...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 9 (2023): Revisiting a pair of past Samplers
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/26/2023 8:40:29 AM
Both of our SKORDLE Games of the Week will be just west of the Oklahoma City Metro area this FridayOne of them will see Crescent visit Minco and the other has Bethany making the trip to Blanchard. Both games promise to be excellent and...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 8 (2023): New Mexico Cuisine
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/19/2023 11:04:10 AM
Is it really Week 8 of the Oklahoma Prep Football Season? It doesn’t seem possible to be past Fall Break and heading down the home stretch of this season. The next three weeks will have plenty of massive district games as teams are fig...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 7 (2023): Mr. Burger in Guymon
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/11/2023 10:21:44 AM
On the drive home from our Spring Break ski trip, we randomly came across Mr. Burger in Guymon.This was not a planned or researched stop. My wife immediately says, “they used to have one of those Canadian (Texas) and they have awesome ...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 6 (2023): Texas BBQ in Dallas
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/4/2023 11:40:09 AM
We are past the halfway point of the Oklahoma high school football season and district play is full swing as teams are fighting for playoff position, which will begin about a month from now. It is also a big week for college football with t...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 5 (2023): The State Fair of Oklahoma
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/27/2023 9:05:52 AM
The family and I headed to the State Fair last Saturday afternoon for our annual food pilgrimage. We have improved our experience and efficiency every year and this year made it in and out in a little over 2 hours! For the second ...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 4 (2023) - Giuseppe's Revisited...Plus Notable Marlow Alumni
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/20/2023 11:01:54 AM
Week 4 of the Oklahoma High School Prep Football Season has one of our SKORDLE Game of the Week crews traveling to Marlow as the Outlaws host Pauls Valley. First of all...huge game. Both teams are undefeated and - once again - District 3A-2...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 3 (2023): Flour and Fennel Pizza
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/13/2023 10:26:22 AM
How great is it that we are at this point of the football season where we now have the high school, college and NFL seasons all rocking and rolling?! I hope everyone is enjoying all the football almost every night of the week now. ...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 2 (2023): Kumback Lunch
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/5/2023 3:54:53 PM
Week 1 is the books for Oklahoma Prep Football and now everyone is heading towards their 2nd (3rd if you played Week 0) game of this young season. With the SKORDLE GOTW crew heading to Tonkawa @ Perry this week, I thought this would be a gr...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 1 (2023): The Vintage Steakhouse
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 8/30/2023 11:45:37 AM
The Vintage SteakhouseThe high school football season gets fully under way this Friday with a full slate of games statewide from Class 6A down to Class C. It's always exciting to see which teams and players emerge during the season and who ...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 9 (2022): Celebration Restaurant
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/26/2022 2:03:23 PM
During Fall Break, I was in Dallas visiting my brothers and I had the pleasure of eating at Celebration Restaurant for the first time.I came away loving this place! Established in 1971, Celebration Restaurant has been serving patrons e...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 8 (2022): RIP to 3 of My Favorites
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/20/2022 2:22:56 PM
As I have done in the past, I'm going to link 2 of my previous blogs as a memorium or - you might say - a "rest in peace" to honor my fondness and appreciation of three of my favorite Oklahoma food places. It is absolutely tragic ...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 7 (2022): KC BBQ
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/11/2022 1:42:36 PM
While watching the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, I decided it was time share my recent trips to three of the most well-known BBQ places in KC. Kansas City is a prime American BBQ destination, right there with Texas, Nort...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 5 (2022): Blue & Gold Sausage
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/4/2022 3:00:46 PM
For Week 6, I will be discussing and celebrating the premier Oklahoma fundraising staple – Blue and Gold Sausage. By now almost every Oklahoma school and community has had the opportunity to buy their Blue and Gold Sausage from the loc...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 5 (2022): 1907 Barbecue
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/27/2022 2:11:00 PM
On the way home from Labor Day weekend at Grand Lake, I decided to stop at 1907 Barbecue in Tulsa and see what all the recent recognition and hype was all about. 1907 has had a growing positive following among BBQ lovers in past months...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 4 (2022) - The State Fair Food Tour
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/20/2022 2:55:01 PM
One of the first blogs I wrote for the Sampler was my annual State Fair of Oklahoma Food Tour. This has become somewhat of a tradition for me and so many other Oklahomans who go to the fair to eat the unhealthiest, but also most delici...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 3: Skyline Chili
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/13/2022 10:46:32 AM
I was fortunate enough last Spring Break to have the opportunity to make a quick trip to Cincinnati to visit my G-pop and Uncle Joe. While in Cincinnati, I had the opportunity to eat at the famous Skyline Chili for the first time ever ...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 2 (2022)
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/6/2022 3:01:15 PM
For years, anytime I would drive through Tulsa, I would always see the big Arnold’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers billboards scattered throughout town.Every time I did, I’d think to myself: “Man that really looks like a great burger.” Finally, o...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 1 (2022)
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 8/30/2022 3:27:44 PM
Oklahoma high school football is finally back in full swing this week with a full slate of games in all classes. There were some quality matchups last week in Week 0, but it sure will be nice to see all the teams in action from 6A down...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 10 (2021)
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 11/4/2021 8:05:09 AM
It is Week 10 of the 2021 Oklahoma high school football season, and playoffs are just around the corner. For the final installment of this season’s SKORDLE Sampler, I wanted to share my incredible experience at the world-renowned Mama’...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 9 (2021)
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/27/2021 7:57:23 AM
Halloween candy is fantastic and why exactly are these “fun sized” portions so awesome?I believe the answer lies somewhere in the combination between quantity and variety, where someone can sample and indulge in all their favorites. Ma...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 8 (2021)
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/22/2021 8:04:06 AM
I hope everyone had a great Fall Break in Oklahoma. My family spent our break at Disney World, the “Happiest Place on Earth” and we had a great time. All the parks have certain rides, experiences and themes about them that makes e...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 6 (2021)
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 10/5/2021 3:41:42 PM
The Great Burger DebateIf you watched the premier of the SKORDLE Pay Dirt Pick’Em Show last week, you may have seen the discussion about burgers in Oklahoma and specifically Onion Burgers and the Meers Burger. One could argue that thes...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 5 (2021)
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/28/2021 3:13:07 PM
In Edmond/North OKC metro, there is an incredible Mexican place that you must try if haven’t yet – Leonardo’s Mexican Grill located at 2125 NW 178th Street. Thanks to the encouragement and recommendation of SKORDLE Pay Dirt celebrity h...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 3 (2021)
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/14/2021 1:59:00 PM
Flamingo – The go-to Enid food stop for the SKORDLE crewIf you haven’t had a burger at the Flamingo Lounge in Enid, you really need to because they are absolutely delicious! The Flamingo is located right at the main intersection of tow...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 2 (2021)
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/6/2021 4:35:13 PM
Bedlam BBQOK it's Week 2 and it is time for me to point you towards some BBQ!Bedlam BBQ is located at 610 NE 50th Street, just north of the Capitol in OKC. The first time I went to Bedlam BBQ was with our friends who work nearby and ar...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 1 (2021)
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/2/2021 8:30:47 AM
Well, we are back! Another high school football season has already kicked off with some Week 0 games last week and we have full slate of Week 1 games this week. Good luck to all the players, coaches and teams in Oklahoma this year!&nbs...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 10 (2020)
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 11/5/2020 8:31:17 AM
By John Hardaway - I Even Eat BBQ on PizzaSomeplace I like to eat – Jo’s Famous PizzaJo’s Famous Pizza is one of my favorite pizza places in Oklahoma.I visit the Edmond location regularly and will continue to do so forever. It’s a great pla...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 8 (2020)
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 10/22/2020 9:02:39 AM
By John HardawayPaul Bunyan BreadThe format for this week’s blog will be a little different than in past weeks, as I will be telling you the story of Paul Bunyan Bread, why it was so great and how you can make it.You may be asking yourself ...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 6 (2020)
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 10/7/2020 7:38:27 AM
Someplace I like to eat - Thai Café Originally, we were supposed to be traveling to Hinton this Friday, but COVID had other plans, so now we will be traveling to Stillwater. This upcoming trip allowed me to highlight one of the tr...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 5 (2020)
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 10/1/2020 8:33:31 AM
By John Hardaway - I didn't talk about BBQ this timeSomeplace I like to eat...Missy’s Donuts, Bakery & Deli in GuthrieMissy’s Donuts is the best donut place in Oklahoma.Hands down.Living 15 minutes away, the proximity to Missy’s and its...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 4 (2020)
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 9/24/2020 8:31:51 AM
By John Hardaway - Missing the State Fair Someplace I like to eat - State Fair of OklahomaSadly, there was no State Fair this year. That means no annual food gorging pilgrimages for thousands of Oklahomans to indulge in all things...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 3 (2020)
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 9/16/2020 11:59:58 AM
By John Hardaway - YEAH I LIKE BBQ, SO WHATSomeplace I really like to eat AND someplace to eat if you’re going to the Game of the WeekTexlahoma BBQ121 E. Waterloo Road, Suite 8, Edmond, OK “Hey look!... it’s another BBQ place for the b...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 2 (2020)
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 9/9/2020 8:54:51 PM
By John Hardaway - Master of MeatloafSomeplace I really like to eat: Burger Shoppe – KingfisherIf you haven’t had the Burger Shoppe in Kingfisher, you owe it to yourself to check it out. It’s one of my favorite burger places to eat at ...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 1 (2020)
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 9/1/2020 3:33:26 PM
By John Hardaway - PURVEYOR OF GREAT BBQWell, here we are at Week 1 of the 2020 Oklahoma high school football season. A lot of things have changed since the last food blog as we all know very well, so trying to get back some of the nor...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Giuseppe's Italian Dining in Marlow
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 11/14/2019 8:18:38 PM
By Autumn DavenportFormer Marlow OutlawA little piece of Italy down in Southwestern Oklahoma. Marlow is the home Giuseppes’s Italian Dining in the heart of its historic Main Street. The restaurant is housed in an old bank building that...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Smoked Out BBQ
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 11/7/2019 8:10:06 AM
By John HardawayBBQ ExpertIn the mood for some really solid BBQ in the Northwest OKC? Then I highly suggest you check out Smoked Out BBQ on Northwest Expressway. Just look for the cool NEON GREEN signage outside. The Richards...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Halloween Candy
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 10/31/2019 8:28:45 AM
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 36.0px; font: 16.0px 'ITC Esprit'; color: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px 'ITC Esprit'; color: #000000} li.li2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 8.0px 0.0px; ...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Gabriella's Italian Grill & Pizzeria
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 10/24/2019 9:48:30 AM
By Jared RobisonGuest Contributor Foodie Unafraid of a Little Garlic“Where is the best Italian food you’ve ever eaten?”When asked this question, most people likely wouldn’t assume that answer to be Oklahoma City. But, I stand by my str...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - Greazy Steve's in Pond Creek
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 10/9/2019 11:32:49 AM
By Andy CampbellSkordle's #1 FanIf you’re craving beet burgers and quinoa, this probably isn’t the blog for you. However, if you want to eat the best Oklahoma style cooking in the state before watching Skordle’s Game of the Week betwee...
SKORDLE SAMPLER - El Vaquero in Stillwater (RIP)
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 10/3/2019 8:53:26 AM
In Memoriam: El VAQ (El Vaquero - Stillwater, OK) By John HardawayConsumer of White QuesoIn early September, “El Vaq” fans were shocked by the news of the sudden closing of the longtime Stillwater Mexican restaurant favorite. ...
SKORDLE SAMPLER: Cafe Bahnhof in Waynoka
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 9/27/2019 11:57:35 AM
(Ed. note: With regular contributor John Hardaway still recovering from his State Fair food coma, we called in a pinch hitter this week. We turned the Sampler over to Piedmont Athletic Director Layne Jones, an accomplished smoker of meats i...
SKORDLE SAMPLER: The State Fair of Oklahoma
by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway) 9/18/2019 11:49:50 AM
By John HardawayResident Fair Goer/Food ExpertThe No. 1 reason to go to the State Fair of Oklahoma is the food, closely followed by people watching and trying to conquer the rigged hoop shoot contest.When you walk in the fair and that first...
SKORDLE SAMPLER: The Flamingo Lounge in Enid
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 9/12/2019 9:01:51 AM
Week 2: Bethany at ChisholmBy John HardawayResident Pork Burger Griller/Food ExpertPerhaps the most important aspect of a football road trip beyond the game itself is food.“Where are we going to eat?” is usually the second question asked ri...
SKORDLE SAMPLER: Week 1 features Yukon's Green Chile Kitchen
by Ben Johnson (@BenJohnsonTUL) 9/5/2019 9:43:19 AM
Friday nights are here. Fall is around the corner. Food is never far from my mind no matter what time of year it is.There are the usual spots that people are familiar with. The ones that have a wait and the ones that seem to be closed every...
Skordle Sampler
by Michael Swisher (@michaelswisher) 8/27/2019 9:04:42 AM
(Ed. note: We here at Skordle fancy ourselves aficionados in many areas. Sports. Scores. Blogs. Podcasts. Food. Ah, yes. Food. We fry it. We grill eat. We smoke it. We bake it. We eat it. Judge us not by the ridiculousness of our weekly foo...



.