Total Express in Oklahoma City: Quick Breakfast and Lunch Counter with Affordable Plate Specials
Total Express is a counter-service diner on the north side of Oklahoma City that serves breakfast and lunch in a no-frills, cash-and-card environment with a reputation for low prices and made-to-order eggs and biscuits. The restaurant operates as a neighborhood spot rather than a destination venue, drawing regulars who value speed and value over ambiance.
What Total Express actually is
Total Express functions as a traditional breakfast and lunch counter with a compact menu focused on eggs, meat, toast, and simple sides. The operation is small, seating perhaps 20 people across a handful of tables and counter space, with a kitchen visible from the ordering area. There are no table servers; you order at the counter and receive your food when it is ready. The decor is utilitarian—basic furnishings, a chalkboard menu, straightforward signage. This is the kind of place where the chef knows regulars by name and the breakfast rush moves quickly because the menu does not change and the staff executes the same dishes all day.
Menu, pricing, and portion sizes
Breakfast plates run $6 to $9 and typically include two eggs prepared your way (scrambled, over easy, over medium), a choice of meat (bacon, sausage, or ham), toast or biscuit, and hash browns or home fries. Add-ons like cheese, extra bacon, or pancakes cost $1 to $2 each. Biscuits and gravy sit around $4 to $5 standalone. Lunch shifts toward sandwiches and light plates in a similar price band. Coffee is $1.50 to $2 per cup with free refills. Portions are full-size; a breakfast plate with eggs, meat, and sides is filling enough for most people to skip lunch. Total Express does not serve alcohol or specialty coffee drinks, making it a cash-and-go operation rather than a social lingering spot.
How it compares to other Oklahoma City breakfast spots
Oklahoma City has a range of breakfast venues across different price points and atmospheres. Ted's Cafe Escondido and Cattlemen's Steakhouse both serve breakfast but emphasize sit-down service and higher-end positioning; their breakfast plates run $12 to $18 and include table service. Breakfast Club on NW 23rd is a casual neighborhood diner with similar pricing to Total Express but slightly larger seating and a more social vibe. The Loaded Bowl serves modern breakfast bowls and avocado toast in a work-friendly cafe setting with prices in the $10 to $14 range. Total Express suits someone who wants a basic egg plate or biscuit at the lowest local price point and does not need Wi-Fi, a designer coffee, or a lingering environment. Choose Total Express for speed and budget; choose Breakfast Club if you want a similar neighborhood feel with slightly more seating and aesthetic detail; choose Cattlemen's or Ted's if you are willing to pay more for full table service and higher-end surroundings.
Who it suits and who it does not
Total Express works best for early risers who live or work nearby and want a quick, inexpensive breakfast before their day starts. Regulars rely on it because the quality is consistent and the price is low. It suits people who prefer straightforward food (eggs, meat, toast) without dietary complications or substitutions. It does not suit people seeking a trendy breakfast experience, specialty coffee, or dietary accommodation beyond standard egg preparations. Parents with young children might find the compact space and counter-service model challenging during rush periods.
What the first visit involves
Walk in during the morning rush (7 to 9 a.m.) and you will see the workflow clearly: stand at the counter, study the menu board, order and pay, then step aside to wait. Your food arrives within 5 to 10 minutes. During slower hours (mid-morning or lunch), you might place your order and receive it in 3 to 4 minutes. There is no table service, so you retrieve condiments and napkins yourself. Most people eat and leave within 20 minutes.
Hours, location, and logistics
Total Express operates Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., closed Sundays. Parking is street-side or in a small lot adjacent to the building; space is usually available except during the peak breakfast window (7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on weekdays). The location is accessible by car; public transit options are limited in this neighborhood. Confirm current hours before visiting, as small diners occasionally shift their schedules with staff availability.
Total Express fills a specific role in Oklahoma City's breakfast landscape: the no-compromise budget option for people who know what they want and do not need atmosphere to go with it.
