Popular Texas chain to open next to Land Run Monument in Lower Bricktown

The Truck Yard, a popular Texas-based chain of entertainment, restaurant and bar destinations, is going to add its first location along the canal in Lower Bricktown. 

The venue, along with plans for two hotels and an apartment tower on the west end of Lower Bricktown, if built, will complete a development first pitched by Randy Hogan in 1997 when the area was a largely abandoned industrial zone. 

Designs shared Wednesday with the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority show the venue will be built by the entrance to the Land Run Monument and will have seating for 394 outside and 181 inside. The Truck Yard will have its own restaurant and bar, a food truck court, dog-friendly beer garden, outdoor games, public art and live music. 

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“They can draw a thousand people on a weekend,” Hogan said. “Jason Boso, the operator of The Truck Yard, brings in different food trucks every day. It’s a real eclectic design with an outdoor setting, but also an inside area where they do a menu known for its cheesesteak sandwiches. We think it’s a way to bring in something fun.” 

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The design continues a more rustic feel on the east end of Lower Bricktown, which is anchored by Bass Pro Shops.  

“They tried to design it to give it an Oklahoma feel,” Hogan said. “Their signature at the entry are the cars sunk into the ground — car art — like what you see along I-40 going into Amarillo.” 

The Truck Yard, which has five locations in Texas, typically is open to all ages during the daytime and turns into a 21 and over venue after 9 p.m. Hogan said the Lower Bricktown operation will be kid friendly with outdoor games and other amenities. 

Construction is set to start in June 2022 with an opening one year later. Two hotel towers, totaling 220 and 174 rooms each, and a 150-unit condo tower, previously announced for the surface parking lot on the west end of the development, are still in design phase as rising material costs are evaluated. 

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Hogan said parking needs will be addressed with increased development and eliminated surface parking. 

The east lot, typically used for overflow parking, will be replaced with a 780-space garage that will be partially underground and partially above grade, with 300 spaces for public parking. 

The parking spaces will be retained by the Land Run Monument and Hogan said discussions are underway about adding gravel parking underneath the nearby elevated Oklahoma City Boulevard. More spaces might be freed up if boats are moved from the lot in front of Bass Pro Shops to the elevated underpass as well — a move that would protect the boats from hail storms. 

Mark Zitzow, a planner with Johnson & Associates, recently said the developments should not result in parking problems in Lower Bricktown. 

“A parking study done in 2020 shows a significant number of parking lots and garages that are under-utilized,” he said. “During non-event days it’s 30% occupied. We feel there is more than enough to address the parking needs of the development as well as for visitors.” 

Staff writer Steve Lackmeyer is a 31-year reporter, columnist and author who covers downtown Oklahoma City, related urban development and economics for The Oklahoman. Contact him at slackmeyer@oklahoman.com. Please support his work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.