Penny Hill Deli Bar & Char in Oklahoma City: Smoked Meats and House-Made Charcuterie in Midtown

Penny Hill Deli Bar & Char is a counter-service deli and charcuterie shop in Oklahoma City's Midtown neighborhood that combines house-cured and smoked meats with composed sandwiches and small plates. It sits between a traditional Jewish delicatessen and a modern charcuterie bar, offering both familiar deli fare and smaller, meat-forward boards designed for grazing or sharing.

What Penny Hill Actually Is

The space functions as a hybrid: a deli counter where you order sandwiches alongside a standing bar where you can order charcuterie boards and small plates. Most customers order at the counter, grab a number, and eat at one of a handful of tables or the bar counter. The operation is built around house-cured and smoked proteins, which means turnover is deliberate and ingredients shift with production cycles rather than changing daily.

Menu, Pricing, and What to Order

Sandwiches anchor the menu and typically cost between $12 and $16, depending on protein choice and whether you add extras. The pastrami and smoked turkey are signatures. House-cured items rotate; the operation smokes brisket and other cuts in-house, so availability changes week to week. Charcuterie boards, which include a mix of house-cured meats, cheeses, and pickled vegetables, range from $18 for a two-person share to $35 for a larger format. A small plates menu offers items like smoked beef tongue, liverwurst, and head cheese alongside more conventional offerings. Beverages include beer and wine; most customers opt for beer to pair with the smoked and cured meats.

Unlike traditional Jewish delis in larger cities, Penny Hill does not operate a full soup or side-dish program. Sides, when available, are simple: pickles, mustards, and breads are curated rather than extensive. This reflects the shop's leaner operation and focus on the proteins themselves.

How It Compares to Other Oklahoma City Delis

Oklahoma City has few deli options that operate at this level. The Loaded Bowl, which opened nearby, offers sandwiches and prepared food but does not specialize in house-cured or smoked meats. Pearl's Punjabi Dhabha, a few blocks away, offers sandwiches and prepared foods but from a South Asian menu. For smoked meats, Cattlemen's Steakhouse and Elote Cafe operate at different price points and styles. Penny Hill's advantage is its dual focus: the deli counter satisfies a quick sandwich need, while the charcuterie boards and cured-meat focus appeal to diners interested in exploration and smaller plates. If you want a towering sandwich and sides in a traditional deli setting, you won't find that here. If you want house-cured and smoked meats in a casual setting where you can order a board or a sandwich, Penny Hill is the only comparable option in Midtown.

Who It Suits and Who It Doesn't

Penny Hill works best for people who appreciate cured and smoked meats on their own terms, without sauce or heavy accompaniment. It appeals to diners interested in charcuterie, professional cooks looking for sourcing ideas, and anyone curious about offal-forward or traditional butcher-shop cuisine. The counter-service format and standing-room option make it work for solo diners and quick visits. It does not suit diners who need a full meal with multiple sides, families with children seeking kid-friendly proteins, or anyone seeking comfort-food portion sizes. The noise level is moderate; the space is open and conversation-friendly but not quiet.

What the First Visit Involves

Walk in and expect to queue at the counter during lunch hours (12 to 1 p.m.). Study the board for current proteins available; not everything listed is in stock every day. Ask the person taking orders what is freshly smoked or cured that day; this guidance is reliable and often reveals items not obvious on the menu board. Order a single sandwich or a charcuterie board, or split both with a companion. Expect to wait 5 to 10 minutes while they slice and plate. Take a seat at the bar or one of the small tables, or walk out with your order. Beer is available; wine is limited.

Hours, Location, and Logistics

Penny Hill is located in the Midtown neighborhood on Northeast 23rd Street. Hours are typically Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday. Street parking is available. Verify hours before visiting, as kitchen-dependent operations sometimes adjust based on meat production cycles. There is no dedicated parking lot; on-street parking in Midtown fills during lunch service.

Penny Hill occupies a niche in Oklahoma City's deli landscape that previously went unfilled, offering house-cured meats and charcuterie in a casual, walkable setting. For diners in or passing through Midtown, it is the only place in the area where you can order a pastrami sandwich or a board of house-smoked brisket alongside a beer.