Anton's Craft Kitchen

This place has unbelievably high reviews, so I was excited to try it. What I learned was the reviews are literally unbelievable. I am convinced that the numerous glowing recommendations are either pai

The main and most notable feature at Anton's Craft Kitchen is Anton himself. The food is something I'd rate as "fine". It's certainly a unique spin on the various dishes he serves, which I haven't tasted but three of them when I ate here, but nothing was entirely out of wack with them as a whole.

His warm greeting set what was mostly a positive mood, albeit with what is usually an initial meeting instead being stretched to an extended visit before, during, and after the meal. It's nice when the owner and chef expresses interest in his customers, but at times his constant presence bordered on overwhelming. He insisted that we try his eggplant dip, with which we were enthusiastically coached with instructions on how to tear the bread and scoop. It's unusual to have such a pedantic instruction over one's meal. It was indeed a nice dip, but I don't think it's the best thing ever, which is how it appears to be presented as. Friends tell me that they've received it whether they've wanted it or not, upon offer.

I didn't get what I initially ordered as a main dish, as he offered instead—perhaps practically insisted—to allow me to have him make something, which he wouldn't reveal as a surprise. It was someone else's treat, so I agreed. It was a pasta dish with chicken and shrimp, with various sauteed vegetables. Everything tasted agreeable, even as it was slightly overwhelmed with something he calls "craft sauce", an unknown conglomeration of ingredients (not unlike a "special" or "secret" hamburger dressing) that culminates in a well-seasoned, savory topping that seems to festoon most every dish on the menu, if not all of them. Some items appear to be served with this sauce whether they need it or not.

Drink service (beer and the usual water) was slow, as his conversation went from this and that topic about his life and that of the restaurant. Many times, we had to acknowledge what he said, during his extended visits, with a mouth full of food.

I understand that many restaurant spaces are a work in progress, but it doesn't seem to have changed much at all since our party visited a short while back. The atmospheric music consisted of quiet piano pieces that seem more at home in an elevator or a waiting room, and it started to become a bit depressing more than halfway through our visit.

Clearly this restaurant is a passion project for the man, and visits seem to be slanted almost entirely towards his terms. I would recommend this place only if you wish a restaurant visit to be essentially a guided tour with a lot of flexibility with one's personal desires.

As an epilogue, I'd like to note the unusually high rating of 4.9 stars over 882 reviews, when the other restaurants considered among the very best in the city average roughly a 4.5 over a similar amount of documented experiences. The service and atmosphere at these other places, as well as the exotic fare available at many, leads me to question the legitimacy of many of these high ratings listed here.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 3

Stopped in to try this place. It was pretty empty on a Saturday around peak lunch time. It reminded me of an old Applebee's with some minor decor upgrades... The owner was energetic and overly familiar which can be an acquired taste. There was only one server who kept getting my drink order wrong. I had to repeatedly walk up to the counter for them to correct it. The food was decent, some dishes like the chicken parm was a small amount of over cooked noodles with chicken strips on top and sauce. Definitely not worth the money. The best thing was the eggplant dip. Which they barely give you any. The restaurant was cold and you could here the owner getting upset with his employees. Some people left because they're orders were taking too long. The burger buns were also burnt, beyond toasted. This is the second time I've tried to give this place a chance and I'm afraid it's the last. I can't recommend. I hope that it's a better experience for whomever gives this place a try.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Eggplant Dip, Garlic Flatbread

Amazing food and atmosphere. The owners are so kind and welcoming. Loved the spinach egg plant dip with garlic flatbread, onion burger with fries, and tiramisu. Definitely will be back multiple times!

OKC, do not sleep on this place!! The food is phenomenal, the staff is amazing. If you are looking for a place to eat, skip the chain restaurants and hit up Anton’s!

Unique food. Six ounce Steak was a little tough. Dessert was wonderful, especially the piano cake and the cheesecake.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Garlic Flatbread & Salad, Homemade Piano Cake, Chicago Style Cheesecake

Very dirty, terrible service, all of the food had the same flavor.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Alright food with truly horrendous atmosphere and grimey dishes. Eggplant Spinach dip looks like dog yack, but they won't let you leave until you try it. Unforgettable experience no matter how hard I try.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

I met my friend here for lunch. The owner, Anton, was fantastic! He greeted and seated us. Told us he would bring us an appetizer, and if we didn't enjoy it, we didn't pay for it. He brought the eggplant and spinach dip, which we had planned to try anyway, and it was delicious. I ordered a mixed drink and my friend asked what he recommended so he said he would surprise her. For our entree, she had the Jalapeno burger, and I had the mushroom and swiss. We both enjoyed them. My only complaints were the bun was a bit bigger than the burger and I would have preferred my fries crispier but overall it was tasty. My friend had the onion rings for her side, and she said they just seemed like frozen onion rings from the store. I personally think that if the fries and onion rings were made there from scratch, then the experience would have been 5 stars. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised and loved the interaction with Anton. He was very kind, funny, and proud of his food (as he should be). I can't wait to come back and try the dinner entrees as they all look fantastic!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Eggplant Dip, Burgers

A beautiful bold man was fantastic host delicious food, the best fried catfish i have ever had, and definitely a must visit if you are in the area.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fried Catfish, Eggplant Dip

Fantastic steak, fried catfish, salad, and eggplant dip. Perfect mashed potatoes. 10/10 must try!!! No pictures as my husband and I devoured it all ?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Complimentary Salad, Spinach & Eggplant Dip, Fried Catfish, Eggplant Dip

10/10 must try! Came here for the first time today and will be a regular stop for my Husband and I. Delicious steak, catfish, eggplant dip, and to die for mashed potato's. The service is incredible too.

This place is phenomenal! Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Eggplant Dip, Green Olive Chicken

Service was impeccable and the food was amazing. The eggplant and spinach dip is to die for! Will definitely be back very soon!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Garlic Flatbread & Salad, Chicken Parm, Spinach & Eggplant Dip

Delicious!!! Loved everything about my experience. ?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Green Olive Chicken