The Goose Sandies & Bar: Midtown's Sandwich Shop With a Full Bar and a Rooftop

The procession of patrons started blocks away. They came from Downtown, Midtown and parking garages near and far. I parked my bike and slipped into the parade of sandwich hunters. With our main quest energy engaged, we set off on this holy sandwich crusade.

Once inside, I noticed the regulars right away. People chatting with the staff like this was their local lunch haunt, because it is. That's the vibe the owners built on purpose. It's the kind of place that makes you feel a sense of belonging on your first visit, whether you've been in Midtown for twenty years or you're just passing through.

What To Expect When You Walk In

My buddy, Jerod, beat me there and we snagged our spot in line. The staff was operating like a well-oiled machine as they churned through a 15 person line in no time flat. At one point I heard an employee ask another to throw on the Dead Kennedys. Nobody blinked. That told me all I needed to know: I was where I needed to be.

The Goose sits at 1210 N Hudson in Midtown. They describe themselves as “a dive bar serving the best sandwiches in town.” Let me tell ya, they nailed the description. The clientele is clearly comfortable and at home in this carefully curated space. There's a full bar with draft beer, cocktails and their own house-brewed Wells Pale and Amber Lagers. 42 seats total, with a rooftop patio that stays open year round, so it fills up but never feels corporate or sterile. Oh yeah, did I mention the sandwiches?!?

The Food

It was hot enough on the rooftop to question our life choices, yet almost every seat was full. Inside wasn't any emptier. That's how amazing these sandwiches are. 🙌 Jerod had the house sandwich, the Goose, paired with a pint. I went with the Oklahoma Smashie, a side of cucumber salad and a Topo Chico in the bottle. Praise be.

My Oklahoma Smashie was everything a smash burger should be. Two beef patties, American cheese, grilled onion, pickles, their house Goose Sauce, potato bun. The cucumber salad was a good call if you want something lighter than fries and still feel like you're winning at life.

Jerod's sandwich, the Goose, is the shop's namesake and one of their most popular orders. It's their improvement on the classic Italian Sandie. They slice their own deli meats. In fact, most everything you'll taste is made by hand and in house. The bread and buns come from their sister spot, Duckie's Woodfire at 310 N Klein. This level of craftsmanship is a potent mixture of awesome and it shows in every bite.

A few other menu highlights worth knowing before you go:

• Mother Goose — a stacked version of the Goose with double mortadella, double capicola, pepperoni, salami, provolone, arugula, tomato, and basil spread on ciabatta
• The Hudson — gets mentioned constantly in reviews, and for good reason
• Whirligig — fried chicken sandwich with house-made hot honey
• Grilled cheese and tomato soup — a solid comfort food option if you're bringing kids

The Story Behind It

The Goose is owned by Nate Roberts, a fellow Veteran, alongside Stonecloud Brewing founder Joel Irby and designer Elizabeth Maxwell. All three have deep roots in Oklahoma's craft beer scene, which explains why the beer list here is pro level status.

From what Roberts has shared in local press, The Goose started simply. He and Irby wanted a real sandwich shop downtown, no gimmicks or shortcuts. They decided the fastest way to get one was to build it themselves. The name is a nod to Roberts' rescue husky, who's become an unofficial mascot around the place.

You can tell the kitchen staff cares about more than just getting orders out fast. The sandwiches are larger than life and a little on the messy side. This is the kind of lunch you lean over the plate to eat. That's clearly intentional, not an accident.

Why It's Worth Your Lunch Hour

We talk a lot on this blog about what makes a neighborhood worth living in. Local spots like The Goose are a big part of that answer. It's the kind of business that gives Midtown its character. It's a community built by people who actually live here and wanted something good to exist in their own backyard. That's not something you can manufacture with a chain restaurant.

If you're thinking about what it would be like to call this part of Oklahoma City home, stop in and grab a sandwich. Sit at the bar. Talk to whoever's next to you. You'll understand pretty quickly why people keep coming back.

If Midtown living is on your radar, reach out and we can talk through what's available in the area right now.

The Goose Sandies & Bar
1210 N Hudson Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73103
goosedeli.com