Engaging the Community One Slice at a Time

Credit: Micah Paul

This week, I had the privilege of interviewing Bobby Oertel of Bobby O’s pizza. Founded on Dec 14 of this last year by Bobby Oertel, they sought to fill a pizza by the slice need in Tulsa. After some research on possible locations—including brookside--, Bobby chose their current location at 1502 E, 11th St on famous Route 66. Since December they’ve been changing the pizza game in Tulsa by finding new and unique ways to serve their local community with good food and a clean, green restaurant environment.

At first consideration, a Bobby O’s patron might assume that they do the minimum by simply donating pizzas or a portion of their profits to local charities, but those fail to scratch the surface of how Bobby O’s serves its community. Bobby informed me that, to date, Bobby O’s is the only restaurant in Oklahoma with two separate kitchens exclusively for dietary concerns - one serving gluten free pizza, and the other serving normal pizza. To Bobby, this is where he provides his service to the community. He is giving the guarantee of legitimately gluten free and vegan pizza by furnishing two separate kitchens.

By separating the kitchens, Bobby O’s is guaranteeing no cross contamination of its foods and can actively serve a greater community of patrons who have different dietary or lifestyle restrictions. On top of what he says is some of the best New York style thin crust pizza in Tulsa, Bobby O’s also provides a green conservation friendly restaurant environment. Bobby wants to “lead by example [and] encourage change among other restaurant owners.” They do this by choosing to eliminate to-go cups, straws, or any other non-biodegradable to-go options. They also provide a recycling option and compost as much of their waste as possible to better serve Tulsa.

In the end, every decision at Bobby O’s has been to invest in its community. In my interview with Bobby, he told me that “it wasn’t enough to come into town and make great pizza. On top of that, it needed to be a great location”. Through his business and the help of others, he can continue to rejuvenate the Meadow Gold District. Take a trip down to Bobby O’s and join the movement to support healthier practices and the continued growth of our beautiful city.