Outback Food Store in Oklahoma City: International Groceries and Halal Meat in Midtown
Outback Food Store is an independent grocer on NW 23rd Street specializing in halal meat, African and Middle Eastern produce, and international pantry staples. It serves Oklahoma City's immigrant and diaspora communities while remaining accessible to anyone stocking a multicultural kitchen, and it operates at a significantly lower price point than conventional supermarkets for many staple proteins and vegetables.
What Outback Food Store actually is
The store occupies roughly 3,000 square feet in a mixed-use Midtown corridor and functions primarily as a specialty grocer rather than a full-service supermarket. Its inventory focuses on halal lamb, goat, beef, and poultry; fresh West African leafy greens like bitter leaf and African spinach; Middle Eastern breads baked on-site; dry goods including various rice and lentil varieties; and pantry items such as ghee, plantain flour, and specialty oils. The store also carries a limited selection of cleaning supplies and basic dry goods for convenience, but does not stock deli counters, prepared foods beyond bread, or a pharmacy. The butcher counter is the operational core; meat is USDA-inspected and labeled halal-certified, with a staff butcher who can custom-cut to order.
Pricing and services
Halal lamb shoulder typically runs $7.99 to $9.99 per pound, roughly $2 to $3 below prices at Whole Foods or comparable specialty retailers; goat meat is similarly priced at $8.99 to $10.99 per pound. Fresh chicken is $2.49 to $2.99 per pound. Bulk dry goods (rice, lentils, beans) are sold both in prepackaged quantities and by weight from bins, with 5-pound bags of basmati rice at $8.99 to $12.99 depending on grade. Fresh produce (plantains, okra, bitter leaf, cassava) costs 20 to 40 percent less than at Whole Foods or similar upscale markets. Custom butchering is free with purchase; the staff will debone, grind, or portion meat on request. The store does not accept most manufacturer coupons but occasionally runs in-store promotions on seasonal produce and bulk items. Hours and pricing on specialty items fluctuate with suppliers, so calling ahead for specific requests is practical.
How it compares to other Oklahoma City grocers
Outback Food Store fills a niche that Walmart and Kroger do not serve well. Both chains stock basic halal meat in some locations, but Outback's pricing on lamb and goat is lower, and its butcher can execute custom cuts that supermarket meat departments typically will not attempt. Whole Foods carries comparable halal proteins and African produce at 30 to 50 percent higher prices and with less staff familiarity with specialty cuts or preparation. For someone cooking West African, Middle Eastern, or South Asian cuisines regularly, Outback's combination of price and expertise makes repeat trips worthwhile; for conventional grocery shopping (cereal, dairy, frozen goods), a supermarket is more efficient. Sprouts Farmers Market, which has multiple Oklahoma City locations, overlaps on some organic produce and international dry goods but stocks far fewer halal meat options and does not have butcher customization.
Who it suits and who it does not
Outback serves home cooks preparing dishes that require halal meat, hard-to-find African greens, or bulk ethnic staples. It also works for anyone seeking to reduce grocery costs on proteins and fresh produce. It does not suit shoppers seeking one-stop convenience or a broad range of Western packaged goods; a trip here is supplemental to a primary supermarket stop, not a replacement. The staff speaks multiple languages and is patient with customers unfamiliar with ingredient names or cooking methods, making it practical for newcomers to a cuisine as well as seasoned cooks.
What to expect on a first visit
Walk-in traffic is steady but not overwhelming; a typical afternoon sees a dozen to twenty customers. The store layout is straightforward: fresh produce occupies the front and side walls, the butcher counter runs along one side, and dry goods and canned items fill center and back shelves. Most labels are in English, though some imported packages carry Arabic, French, or other language text. If you need something custom cut or have questions about ingredients, the staff will spend time explaining options. Most transactions are cash or debit; confirm card acceptance before assuming.
Hours, parking, and logistics
The store is open Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., though hours can shift seasonally or for holidays; calling ahead is wise if traveling during off-peak times. Street parking is available on NW 23rd and in a small shared lot. The store is accessible by car and near bus routes but not walkable from most residential areas of the city. No delivery or online ordering is currently offered.
Outback Food Store justifies its place in Oklahoma City's retail landscape because it makes halal and international staples affordable and accessible in a city where those ingredients are either unavailable or marked up substantially elsewhere. For the communities it serves and for adventurous home cooks, it is irreplaceable.
