Tourism department suspends restaurant operations at state parks
WATONGA, Okla. (KFOR) – Taped to the front door of Roman Nose State Park was a sign that read “restaurant is closed until further notice.”
The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) announced Tuesday it was suspending operations immediately at all six of the Lookout Kitchen restaurant locations inside state parks.
The department said it was because operators of the restaurants had “repeated failures” to make monthly payments.
“Executive Director Zearley and staff are working with the Lookout Kitchen as the restaurant seeks to obtain contractual compliance,” said Lee Benson, chief communications and marketing officer for OTRD.
News 4 was there when one of the Lookout Kitchen restaurants opened for the first time in May 2023.
It took over after the state removed Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen restaurants from Oklahoma parks and launched an investigation into the business, claiming it took millions of dollars from the state.
OTRD attorneys sent a letter to Lookout Kitchen in May. It said the company had until July 7 to meet its contractual financial obligations. The letter claimed the department was owed $254,943.52 in past due monthly payments and another $500,000 for a “letter of credit.”
The state said the restaurant failed to meet that deadline. However, the Lookout Kitchen responded on social media Tuesday. It said it was “greatly disappointed” in OTRD and said it “fully complied with OTRD’s request.”
The Lookout Kitchen said it even “offered to pay the remaining balance in full as recently as yesterday (Monday).”
The restaurants were a convenience for families like the Reyes’ who were visiting Roman Nose State Park from Elk City. Now it was no longer an option for them.
“We would have to kind of bring our own stuff, you know, suck not to, you know, be tired of swimming all day and then have to cook our own stuff,” said Jaser Reyes.
The tourism department said it was actively working to minimize the disruption to park operations and was working to provide other food service options.