Broome's Fried Pies in Oklahoma City: Hand-Held Southern Comfort Food Built on a Three-Generation Recipe

A small-format Southern pastry shop on NW 23rd Street, Broome's Fried Pies makes one thing and does it consistently: individual-sized, deep-fried hand pies filled with meat, fruit, or vegetables and served warm. The business has operated since the 1980s as a family-run counter-service spot, fitting the working-lunch and quick-dinner demand of Oklahoma City's South Side rather than the sit-down restaurant model that dominates the region's Southern food scene.

What Broome's Actually Makes

Fried pies are a specific tradition within American Southern cooking, distinct from the baked pies and cobbler casseroles that appear in formal dining. Each pie is a folded pastry pocket, roughly the size of a large hand, sealed at the edges and submerged in hot oil until the exterior crisps. Broome's offers both savory and sweet versions: meat pies (typically filled with ground beef seasoned with onion and spice), vegetable pies (spinach and cheese being a standard), and fruit pies (peach and apple rotate with the season). The texture target is a golden-brown exterior that shatters slightly under tooth, with a warm filling that steams when bitten. This is distinct from the softer, cake-like texture of mass-produced fried pies found in convenience stores.

Menu, Pricing, and What to Order

Individual pies sell for approximately $3 to $4 each, with slight variation depending on filling. Meat pies and vegetable pies occupy the higher end of that range; fruit pies are priced similarly. Most customers buy between two and four pies per visit. Broome's also sells side items including biscuits and sandwiches, though the pies are the reason to visit. Confirm current prices and any seasonal offerings before going, as pricing can shift with ingredient costs.

The meat pie is the anchor order: it carries enough seasoning and beef to read as a complete hand-held meal. The vegetable pie works as a lighter option and is less common at competitors, making it worth trying if you prefer non-meat fillings. Fruit pies suit a quick dessert or breakfast addition but are smaller and less filling.

How Broome's Compares Locally

Southern fried-pie traditions survive in Oklahoma City at a handful of family-run spots and in limited quantity at some barbecue restaurants and soul-food takeouts. Broome's occupies the clearest Southern lineage and the most consistent execution in the city. Most other venues that serve fried pies treat them as a secondary item or seasonal special rather than a core product. Ted's Cafe and other regional chains offer a different model: larger, often dough-based empanada-style pockets with more emphasis on cheese and cheese-vegetable combos. Broome's leans into meat-forward fillings and a thinner, crispier pastry shell. If you want a genuine fried pie with historical Oklahoma City roots, Broome's is the primary choice; if you prefer a softer, more cheese-based hand pie, a regional cafe or Mexican market may suit you better.

Who This Works For and Who It Does Not

Broome's suits anyone looking for authentic Southern fried-pie work, lunchtime takeout, and budget-friendly eating. It works well for quick meals, lunch breaks, and people familiar with this tradition who want the real version. It does not suit fine-dining expectations, table service, or anyone uncomfortable with deep-fried food. The counter-service format means no seating and no wait staff; you order, pay, and leave with a paper bag.

First Visit Logistics

Walk in, scan the hand-written menu or menu board for available pies, order by filling type and quantity, pay cash or card, and receive your order in a paper container or bag within minutes. Eat immediately while warm, or take to your car or office. The shop is small, high-volume, and built for speed. There is street parking on NW 23rd; arrive during lunch hours (roughly 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) or early evening (5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) if you want a full selection and minimal wait.

Hours, Parking, and When to Visit

Broome's operates as a lunch and early-dinner spot, typically open from mid-morning through early evening, with reduced or closed hours on weekends. Confirm hours before visiting, as family-run restaurants sometimes adjust seasonally or for holidays. Street parking is available on NW 23rd. The location sits in a residential-commercial transition zone, so the neighborhood is accessible but not part of a dense downtown or tourist district. This isolation is part of why it remains a local institution rather than a city-wide destination.

Broome's Fried Pies holds its place in Oklahoma City because it maintains a recipe and technique that other fast-food and casual-dining venues have largely abandoned in favor of broader, less distinctive menus. For anyone seeking proof that fried pies are not a convenience-store gimmick, this is the visit.