Senor Lopez Mexican Grill in Oklahoma City: Made-to-Order Carne Asada and Tableside Service
Senor Lopez Mexican Grill is a sit-down Mexican restaurant in Oklahoma City that specializes in grilled meats cooked to order, with tableside salsa preparation and a full bar. It occupies a middle ground between casual Tex-Mex chains and fine-dining Mexican restaurants, making it suited to weeknight dinners as well as small celebrations.
What the Restaurant Actually Is
Senor Lopez operates as a full-service restaurant with a focus on carne asada, carnitas, and pollo asado rather than heavy cheese-based or fried dishes. The kitchen grills proteins to order instead of holding them in steam tables, which means wait times reflect actual cooking. The dining room seats roughly 80 people across booths and tables, and the bar runs the full width of the restaurant's front section. Service style is attentive without being intrusive, typical of independent Mexican restaurants in the mid-price range.
Menu, Pricing, and Signature Dishes
Entrees center on grilled carne asada, carnitas, pollo asado, and combination plates, each priced between $16 and $26. The carne asada plate, the restaurant's signature, consists of thin-cut charred beef served with charred onions, fresh lime, and warm tortillas; it runs $19.95 and feeds one person with room for sides. Combination plates allow you to choose two proteins and cost $21.95 to $24.95 depending on selection.
Appetizers (guacamole, ceviche, queso fundido) range from $8 to $12. The tableside guacamole, made fresh at your table with avocado, lime, cilantro, and chile, costs $10 and is meant for sharing. Margaritas run $10 to $13 depending on whether you order top-shelf liquor. Draft beer is $4.50 to $5.50 for domestic and $5 to $6 for imported. Prices are consistent year-round, though drink specials may vary by day.
How It Compares to Other Mexican Restaurants in Oklahoma City
Senor Lopez differs from Chelino's, the larger casual-dining chain with multiple Oklahoma City locations, by refusing to plate fried chimichangas and overloaded nachos as center-of-menu items. Chelino's leans toward Americanized Tex-Mex; Senor Lopez leans toward grilled proteins and fresh preparation, though both occupy the same price tier. If you want speed and consistency across multiple visits, Chelino's is predictable. If you want made-to-order carne asada and tableside guacamole, Senor Lopez requires you to plan for a slower meal.
Ted's Cafe Escondido, another sit-down option, competes on carne asada quality and plating but charges slightly more (entrees $20 to $28) and operates at a more formal tone. Ted's suits special occasions; Senor Lopez suits regular dinners with friends or family who don't want Tex-Mex chain food.
Who This Restaurant Suits and Who It Does Not
Senor Lopez works for diners who prefer grilled proteins over cheese-heavy dishes, who can tolerate 20 to 30 minute waits on weekend nights, and who value made-to-order preparation. It suits groups of three to eight people, because the tableside guacamole and shared appetizers encourage conversation. It does not suit drive-through eaters or anyone in a hurry; there is no takeout window and no expedited service.
Children are welcome, though the full bar and dim lighting make it feel like an adult space first. Vegetarian options exist (grilled vegetables, bean plates, cheese enchiladas) but are not the focus of the menu.
What the First Visit Involves
You will be seated within 10 minutes on most nights, offered water and a drink menu immediately, and given a paper menu with entrees listed by protein type and cooking method. Staff will describe the difference between carne asada and carnitas if asked. If you order the tableside guacamole, the server will prepare it in front of you, which takes 5 minutes and involves mild theater. After you order your entree, count on 20 to 25 minutes before the plate arrives. Chips and warm salsa arrive while you wait. The bill comes within 5 minutes of your last bite.
Hours, Parking, and Location Logistics
Senor Lopez is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Verify current hours by phone, as holiday adjustments occur occasionally. Parking is available in a dedicated lot behind and beside the building, with roughly 25 spaces; during peak dinner hours (6 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays), the lot fills, but street parking is available on the adjoining block.
Senor Lopez fills a specific niche: it serves grilled carne asada and carnitas with made-to-order sides and tableside guacamole at prices competitive with casual dining, without the corporate feel of a chain. For Oklahoma City diners who want Mexican food beyond Tex-Mex but are not ready to commit to formal fine dining, this restaurant delivers.
