Smitty's Garage Burgers & Beer in Oklahoma City: Build-Your-Own Patties and Craft Beer by the Covell Location

Smitty's Garage Burgers & Beer is a casual burger restaurant where diners select their own patty weight, toppings, and sauce combination rather than ordering from a fixed menu. Located on Covell Avenue in Oklahoma City, it operates as a customization-focused counter-service spot aimed at burger enthusiasts who want control over their build rather than set signatures.

What Smitty's Garage actually is

The restaurant functions as a make-your-own-burger assembly line. Customers choose a patty size (typically ranging from quarter-pound to half-pound options), then move through stations to add cheese, produce, sauces, and specialty toppings before the burger is griddled. The Covell location seats roughly 40 to 50 people in a casual garage-themed dining room with high-top tables and automotive decor. Service is walk-up ordering with food brought to your table once cooked.

Patty styles, builds, and pricing

Smitty's offers both beef and plant-based patty options. Most beef patties fall in the 4 to 6 ounce range per side, and customers can stack multiples. Cheese choices typically include American, cheddar, Swiss, and pepper jack. Toppings span standard produce (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles) and premium additions like bacon, fried egg, and caramelized onions. Sauce selections usually include house mayo, mustard, ketchup, chipotle aioli, and sriracha. A basic quarter-pound burger with one cheese and two toppings runs around $9 to $11, while loaded half-pound doubles with premium toppings and specialty sauces reach $14 to $16. Fries and onion rings are $3 to $4. Beer pricing depends on selection; domestic drafts typically cost $4 to $6 per pint, and craft selections run $6 to $8. Verify current pricing before visiting, as menu item costs shift seasonally.

How Smitty's compares to other Oklahoma City burger spots

Smitty's differs from Cattlemen's Steakhouse, which emphasizes beef quality and upscale plating at $18 to $28 per burger. It also differs from Ted's Cafe Escondido, a fast-casual Mexican burger concept with preset combinations at $10 to $13. The Loaded Bowl offers grain bowls alongside a single burger option and prioritizes vegetarian customization over meat-focused builds. Smitty's niche is the interactive assembly model paired with a full beer list, making it closer to a brewpub in spirit than to a traditional burger chain. Choose Smitty's if you want control and variety; choose Ted's if you want speed and preset flavor profiles; choose Cattlemen's if you prioritize beef sourcing and full-service dining.

Who it suits and who it does not

Smitty's works well for groups with mixed dietary preferences because each person builds independently. It suits people who enjoy craft beer selection and want to pair it with food. It does not suit diners seeking quick takeout; the custom-build model requires a few minutes even during slow periods. It is not designed for fine dining or business meals, and the garage aesthetic and high-top seating skew toward casual gathering rather than intimate conversation.

What the first visit involves

Upon arrival, you join a short queue at the counter. A staff member walks you through patty options and size, then you move to the toppings and sauce station where you point to your selections. You provide your name or number, pay at the register, and sit down. Food arrives in 5 to 10 minutes. The beer menu is posted behind the bar; you can order a pint or flight after you sit, or ask staff about pairings with your burger build before you order food.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Smitty's Garage Covell operates Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; it is closed Sundays. Hours occasionally shift for holidays, so confirm ahead. The location has on-site parking in a small lot shared with nearby businesses. Street parking is available on Covell if the lot is full. The restaurant does not take phone reservations for groups but accommodates walk-ins up to capacity.

Smitty's fills a gap between fast-casual burger chains and upscale steakhouse burgers, offering enough control and beer depth to justify a repeat visit in Oklahoma City's burger landscape.