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“The Best Little Steakhouse in Oklahoma“
On almost any given evening over the last 50 years you can find people inside Ponca City’s favorite steakhouse, Rusty Barrell Supper Club, making special memories they will remember for the remainder of their lives. Talk to almost anyone who has lived here for very long and they will have at least one story which took place within the walls of this local treasure.
“The Rusty Barrell Supper Club is not just a restaurant,” says Shelley Arrott, President/CEO of the Chamber, “it’s a cornerstone of Ponca City’s cultural and social scene, embodying decades of shared memories and community gatherings.”
After having lived in several much larger cities, Rick Hancock moved back to Ponca City to take over his family’s business in 2016. Rick knew the Barrell was deeply-rooted in Ponca City, having been established in October of 1974 with seating for two dozen people. Rick’s family has owned it since 1976.
There are many in Ponca City who have been around from the very beginning. One such couple is Dick and Arleen Jacobson. Arleen talks about knowing the original couples who first opened the restaurant, Charles and Janice Perry and the Browns. She graduated from Po-Hi with Janice and remembers hearing about their dreams for Rusty Barrell before it opened. Charles built the grill that is still used today, while Janice ordered food and supplies and helped run the business.
Then, Bill and Judy Coddington purchased the restaurant in 1976. Judy was also a Po-Hi classmate of Arleen’s who had been her friend all through high school. The Jacobsons continue to be customers and celebrate anniversaries, birthdays and many days between at the steakhouse because it is a sentimental favorite. Arleen says, “I know Bill and Judy would be pleased with what Rick and Kim have done with the Barrell.”
Rick remembers the bringing together of two families when his mom married Bill, with each having four children. He says the day they got married, they immediately headed to one of the kids’ ballgames. Such is the life of a large, busy family.
There have also been ups and downs over the years. In thinking back, Rick remembers a time when his folks had to ask their staff if they would work the weekend without their Friday pay because there just wasn’t money in the bank to pay them that day, but they knew after the weekend they could do so on Monday. The staff didn’t agree to do so and left, and the entire family pitched in and worked to make a go of the weekend. All hands on deck!
Staffing isn’t the same problem now. If you go to the Rusty Barrell, chances are you see familiar faces from years past. Rick is thankful for a crew that has been with him for a long time and feels like family, maybe because many of them are related to one another. It says something very positive about a business when individuals want to bring their daughters or in-laws onboard along with them and patrons call in their reservations asking for waitstaff by name.
Arrott agrees that “the family-owned and operated restaurant’s importance lies in Rick and his team’s ability to elevate the restaurant through their unparalleled personal service and commitment to quality which brings people together from all walks of life, creating a sense of unity and belonging within Ponca City.”
Even the COVID-19 years didn’t completely set business at Rusty Barrell back. When the governor deemed many such businesses as nonessential for safety reasons, Rick knew he had decisions to make. He explains he decided to go by “faith not fear,” and instead of just sitting back, he began his most recent remodel and expansion.
Rusty Barrell’s remodel includes additional upstairs dinner seating for 42 people, which allows them not to have to turn so many away on weekends as they’ve had to in the past. It also includes the remarkable lounge area where people can sit while they wait for dinner or just enjoy themselves, even if not planning to dine that evening. The lounge offers a wonderful selection of drinks and Barrell Bite Appetizers in an atmosphere that is both cozy and classy at the same time.
When Rick discussed the remodel, he also talked about what he doesn’t want to change. One of the details is the Barrell has always kept the doorbell at its alley door and even added one for the street entry into the lounge with the remodel. When they opened, until September of 1984 when Oklahoma became the 49th state to allow liquor by the drink, patrons had to bring their own bottles which created a true club atmosphere. The law changed, but the atmosphere was too good to give up.
Another patron favorite is the salad bar. Rick even did a survey asking people if they would prefer ready made salads brought directly to the table., but he found 95% wanted to keep the salad bar. If you ask around town, after the excellent steaks, the perfect salad bar is next on the list of why the Rusty Barrell is so well-known and craved. Rick even mentioned the many times he’s either attempted to remove items or been unable to get them for a time, how that was enough to disgruntle long-time customers! (Baby corn, black olives, pepperoncini peppers, to name a few). We do like what we like, don’t we?
The truth of it is Rick and his family have always worked to give the best to Ponca City. Rick and Kim celebrated 44 years of marriage this past May, and it was a big decision for them to move home to take on the family business. “They knew the importance the Barrell holds within the community and they are making sure that it remains a place where cherished memories are formed, for visitors and long-time patrons alike
The Barrell has “a pivotal role in tourism and economic development by offering visitors a unique dining experience that reflects the local culture and hospitality and is a testament to Ponca City’s community life and history,” Arrott explains. “For this same reason, businesses across various sectors in Ponca City and surrounding areas choose The Rusty Barrell for client meetings and dinners because they recognize the unique ambiance of the speakeasy vibe and quality dining which encourages deeper exploration of our area.”
Rick also knew he wanted to be part of the overall community. His jobs before had always included travel, so he had never had the opportunity to serve the communities in which they had lived. In coming home, that changed. He knew the place to begin was the Chamber, and he became involved with Ponca City Leadership and the Chamber of Commerce. He is now Past President of the Chamber, where he serves businesses and people throughout this area. Rick laughs as he describes the Chamber as the “Hotel California” of Ponca City where “you can check out, but you can never leave.” However, he doesn’t see himself lessening that involvement. Rick enjoys giving back to the place that has meant so much to him, both growing up and now.
“I want to do as much as I can,” Rick emphasizes, “to make Ponca City the best place to live, work and play.” His involvement with the Chamber and his dedication to maintaining the history of the Rusty Barrell proves that..
Do you have a favorite memory from your time at the iconic Rusty Barrell? I do. My sweetheart proposed to me there at a romantic dinner table in the main downstairs area. Our 40th anniversary was this past June. The place has, of course, been very special to us ever since. You can make reservations by calling 580-765-6689 during their business hours, or online on their website rustybarrellsupperclub.com or their Facebook site to begin making memories of your own. You will not be disappointed.
Look where they began with room for 24 and where they are now — with an ability to serve up to 110 in the main dining areas, a banquet room that seats 40, and a lounge with an occupancy of 65. The memories that continue to be made within these growing walls are many. It seems Oklahoma’s best steakhouse isn’t so little anymore!
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