In this episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” Guy Fieri takes us to the small town of Okarche, Oklahoma, where he visits Eischen’s Bar, a restaurant with over 110 years of history and a weekly output of over 24,000 pieces of fried chicken. Known as one of the oldest bars in Oklahoma, Eischen’s offers a simple yet compelling menu that has locals and visitors alike raving.
A Century-Old Institution
Guy Fieri starts by setting the scene, reminiscing about the charm of small-town Middle America—farming, families, and a sense of community. Eischen’s Bar epitomizes this atmosphere, having been in operation for more than a century. Guy mentions that he was intrigued by an email from a fan recommending the restaurant, especially after learning about its legendary fried chicken.
The Legendary Fried Chicken
The star of the show is undoubtedly the fried chicken, a recipe that dates back to 1960. Created by George Eischen, the recipe has been passed down and remains unchanged, even after George’s passing in 1964. His brothers, Ed and Paul, continue to uphold the tradition, ensuring that every piece of chicken is cooked just as George would have wanted.
The Secret Recipe
Guy gets an exclusive look at the kitchen, where Ed walks him through the fried chicken preparation process. The chicken is dusted in a unique breading mix that includes wheat flour, cornmeal, salt, baking powder, sugar, paprika, and some secret spices. Ed stresses the importance of consistency, noting that the recipe hasn’t changed in decades.
“You’re the first person other than family in 40 some years to see anybody mix this,” Ed shares with Guy.
The chicken is then fried in eight electric fryers named Elsie, Wanda, Wheezy, Penelope, and Sandy. The fryers are set at a lower temperature of 330-350 degrees to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and remains tender and juicy. Guy gets to taste the chicken fresh out of the fryer, exclaiming:
“Man, it’s super tender and juicy. The skin turns into a nice crust because of the flour and the cornmeal, but boy, it’s good.”
A Family Tradition
Eischen’s Bar isn’t just about fried chicken; it’s about maintaining a family legacy. The brothers are strict about serving their chicken in whole birds, meaning you can’t just walk in and order all wings or all thighs. It’s about preserving the spirit of their brother George and the traditional way he did things.
The Perfect Pairing
The locals have their own way of enjoying the fried chicken, typically combining it with bread and butter pickles and raw onions. Guy tries this combination and finds it irresistible, describing it as a perfect balance of flavors.
A Menu With More to Offer
While the fried chicken is the main attraction, Eischen’s Bar offers other classic dishes like roast beef, fried okra, and Frito chili pie. Guy even gets a chance to look at their chili preparation, another legacy recipe from George Eischen. The chili involves a unique cooking method where the ground beef is mixed with water and then cooked slowly for 6-7 hours with a variety of spices and beans.
Guy tries some of the chili cheese nachos and finds them equally fantastic, noting that the chili has a rich, deep flavor that complements the crispy nachos perfectly.
A Must-Visit Destination
The episode wraps up with testimonials from loyal customers who drive from far and wide to enjoy Eischen’s legendary fried chicken. One couple mentions they drive an hour from Norman, Oklahoma, just for a taste.
“I thought my mother’s chicken was the best, but this is the best chicken I’ve ever had,” one patron states.
Guy Fieri ends the visit by thanking the fan who emailed him, making it clear that Eischen’s Bar is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves traditional, no-frills, incredibly delicious fried chicken.