One afternoon, coming out of a movie at Harkins, I was walking to my car parked in the lot clearly marked for Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill patrons only. I was pretty terrified that my vehicle would have a boot on its wheel—it’s the American way!—but that fear was temporarily waylaid as I noticed that next to the Moore country superstar’s eatery was a soon-to-be new food option under construction, a sign reading “KD’s Southern Cuisine– Coming Soon.”
Wow, I thought. Oklahoma City must really be growing as a progressive city on the world stage if Canadian alt-country singer k.d. lang is going to establish a downhome dining joint here. What a great way to provide an alternative for those of us who enjoy fine Southern eats in Bricktown, but without the hassle of supporting the dude who was actually inspired enough by the disposable receptacle that holds his beer to sit down to write a song about it.
When I tweeted out my excitement about this prospect, lang herself immediately replied back to say that she didn’t know anything about it but would “love to try it.” Mildly heartbroken, I was left with one question: who the Hell was K.D.? And what’s he got to do with Southern Cuisine?
After a little bit of research at my local public library (thanks, helpful Belle Isle staff!), I learned that it was Kevin Durant. You know…the star of Thunderstruck. Turns out that, in addition to acting, he’s also a much-beloved local basketball star some of the time, slam dunkin’ and double dribblin’ and air-ballin’ up and down the Chesapeake Arena for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Born in the great Southern state of Washington D.C., it would only make perfect sense for him to open a Southern-style eatery, filled with such great District of Columbia home-cooked classics like Chicken Liver Dip and Jambalaya. Yes, KD’s Southern Cuisine does all the faves and TLO head honcho Patrick and I were there to try it out, both our first times.