Tulsa Restaurants Offer Community Thanksgiving Feasts

While a lot of places closed, some Tulsa establishments stayed open to serve those who needed a place to eat this Thanksgiving.

Folks at Frank's Cafe served up a Thanksgiving buffet to their regulars and waived the bill for the needy.

The owner said they've been giving out holiday meals to the homeless for 25 years.

"And a lot of them I can see, you know some of them say, ‘We haven't ate in a couple days,'" said owner Frank Al Chami. "There is no feeling equal to this feeling, when you do that every year. This is the best feeling I ever have."

And this year was the biggest crowd yet.

Frank said they served over 400 meals before they closed.

11/26/2009 Related Story: Tulsa Restaurant Owner Says "Thanks" On Thanksgiving Day

And just like the original Thanksgiving brought people together, the folks at Big Daddy's Barbecue said they hope their holiday feast promotes community togetherness.

"Big Daddy" himself, Johnnie Ball, started the North Tulsa tradition six years ago, and his children continue his legacy.

"For our community in north Tulsa, we're probably one of the few, if not the only, restaurant here in north Tulsa that continues to bring people together and just show love and show our appreciation for all the people coming out to Big Daddy's All-American Barbecue," said Rod Doyle Ball.

The restaurant served up macaroni and cheese, alongside the stuffing and mashed potatoes, to a hundred more people than last year.

11/23/2011 Related Story: Green Country Agencies Team Up To Provide Thanksgiving Meals To Needy