Service Station Print Story

The Service Station is unlike any other restaurant in Norman. Inside this classic burger joint, history and comfort mingle with the smells of delicious, freshly-cooked food.

Founded in 1978, the Service Station is located at 502 South Webster Ave. The building used to be an old gas station before it was converted into a restaurant, hence the establishment’s name. The restaurant takes pride in its history, and all the items on the menu are named after vehicles or car parts, from the VW Classic (a basic cheeseburger) to the Mustang (a French dip sandwich) to lug nuts (fried okra).

Kenton Johnson, the current owner of the service station, thinks the automobile names give character to the restaurant, but all the food choices at the Service Station can make the naming process challenging.

“The problem with having such a big menu is when we come up with a new item, what the heck are we supposed to name it now? Most of the cars are already taken,” said Johnson.

The Service Station’s interior is decorated with old gas station signs, license plates and ornaments from days gone by, giving the Station an aura that is seeped in American history and progress.

“The people who owned the place before us had an antique shop, so most of the things on the walls are from them,” said Johnson. “It gives the place some character.”

Seated amidst pieces of history, the customers enjoy a wide variety of food - from burgers and steaks to tilapia and shrimp - as they talk and are treated to excellent service.

Casey Holcomb is a chef at the Sevice Station, and he's worked in the kitchen for 3 years. He's an expert at preparing the wide range of food found on the Sation's menu, but he thinks the customers definitely have some favorites.

"Hamburgers and chicken sandwiches are popular, but we also do some higher-end specials," said Holcomb. "Steak and fish specials are big, too."

Holcomb's domain, the kitchen, is a fairly cramped space in the back of the restaurant that was added on to the building after it was converted from a gas staion. Freezers, boxes, stoves and all manner of equipment necessary to cater to the menu line the walls of the kitchen.

The Service Station is proud of the quality of its food, but the comfortable and friendly atmosphere is what keeps customers coming back according to the management and employees.

"Our clientelle is really loyal, we're just a little neighborhood bar," said Johnson. "Everybody kind of thinks of Cheers when they come in there. [We've got] a lot of the same kind of characters."

Taylor Sherrod, who has worked at the Service Station for 5 years, is a jack-of-all-trades at the restaurant. She is a waitress, bartender and assistant manager, but she says she loves every aspect of her job.

“It’s comfortable,” said Sherrod. “I like the people, I like the atmosphere. It's like family."

The combination of a dedicated staff, an historic yet homely feel and fresh, tasty food make the Service Station a unique stop for a casual diner or a local and dedicated Norman citizen. Johnson and the rest of the staff take the principles of a good, local business to heart, and it shows.

"You've got to take care of them," said Johnson. "The restaurant business is an easy business: good food, good service, that's all there is to it."