An authentic train car… Oklahoma’s best fried chicken strips… Homemade candy cheesecakes…
This is the experience of the Southern Belle Restaurant. The Southern Belle Restaurant is a 1905 model railcar that has been restored to a lovely little restaurant with the most amazing and savory home cooking. What is most surprising about this train car is the spaciousness and its ability to hold about 50 diners at one time. But the most amazing thing about this little jewel of a restaurant is the food. “The restaurant is most famous for its Southern Belle chicken.” The chicken is boneless strips that are marinated, breaded and deep fried and served with their famous house dipping sauce. On the menu you’ll find tasty steaks, burgers, fish, sandwiches and pork chops, all prepared in a down-home fashion. Of course, you’ll want to save room for dessert. A slice of delicious homemade pie is the perfect ending to a perfect meal. The Southern Belle restaurant is one dining experience you won’t want to miss.
Are you a train buff? The world is full of them, and many have been aware of the beautiful Sothern Belle, a passenger train of the Kansas City Southern Railway. Owned by Arthur Stillwell, the engines first came to Heavener in 1896, powered by coal and steam. The Southern Belle, known as the “Sweetheart of American trains,” beginning in September 1940 rolled on an established schedule between Kansas City and New Orleans, a distance of 868 miles, in 21 ½ hours. Many people were saddened when this passenger train with its luxurious journey was discontinued in November, 1969.
But some local train buffs resurrected and refurbished an actual passenger car of the Southern Belle, a car originally built in 1905, to become the Southern Belle Restaurant at Heavener, Oklahoma which still remains an important 100-mile “Division point” of the KCS Railway.
How did a rail car that once transported WWII troops come to rest next to Highway 59 in Heavener, Oklahoma, anyway? Restored to its 1940s elegance, it is now a mighty fine restaurant called the Southern Belle. True to its southern roots, the Southern Belle serves some of the best boneless fried chicken breast and "fixins" you have ever tasted.
We stopped at the Southern Belle for dinner while on a little road trip recently this month (July). I wanted you to know how much I appreciated the wonderful railroad car. It was so charmingly decorated. The Southern Belle Chicken was great at a reasonable price. The waitress was great also. It was a treat and a little bit of a dream I personally always have had. Congratulations and job well done. Debbie Quackenbush
It has been a while since I have visited Heavener, but when we are in the area The Southern Belle is a MUST. The food is delious and they have great service!! Linda Trollinger
Great food at a reasonable price. A reconditioned railroad passenger car of the 1920's. And as an added bonus you can visit the Heavener Rune Stone a gift from the Vikings circa 900 AD. Robert Leon Patton
This place has GREAT food and a wonderful atmosphere. Their desserts are out of this world good!!! Dottie Prince
Southern Belle is one of my favorite places to eat, especially their steak and shrimp. Verna Smith
Great Hamburger and Fries and I love the Railroad Car. Doug Thompson
It is a must if you are passing through Heavener! Burbur Duncan
Awesome food and atmosphere!! Shirley Chasteen-Morrison
UMMMM GOOD!!! Linda Earls Mattox
Love to eat here! Terry Waymire
Winner winner chicken dinner!!! Elisa Stacy
If it had been "fixings", id say no go....but then I noticed it was good old timey "FIXINS" and im saying yes go. Temple Jones
The Southern Belle strawberry pie is without a doubt the best I have ever tasted.... Some people think I come to the reunions to see friends.... Not even close, I come for the pie!!!!! Bud Thompson
Best mashed potatoes and gravy I have ever had. Great chicken fried steak too! Michael Martin
The catfish was excellent - crisp, not greasy in a tasty cornmeal batter. Splurged on white chocolate rasberry cheesecake which was well worth it. Served in an adorable refurbished old railcar atmosphere. Our 2nd visit was even better than I remembered the from the 1st. Ruth
Old railroad dining car turned into a fine restaurant. Good home-style cooking. Gary J.
Me and my wife stopped in for dinner a couple of weeks ago while camping at Cedar lake and I want to Thank you For the wonderful service and food at your restaurant. We try to come to that part of the state at least once a year and you are ...on my must go to list when we are. So if you would please tell all of your staff thank you and please keep up the wonderful work and service. It is really nice to go into a place and be treat as well as we was there. And if you ever give out the secret to that chicken please I want a copy :) Mark Floyd
So, Monday night was my first time to try here. We loved the service, food and atmosphere! When we are in town again, we plan on coming back! Thanks for such a good experience. Stacey Elledge Pope
We had lunch at the Southern Belle Today and I love the fish there..fried or grilled...and Pastor Barron had the Chicken strips...his favorite...Great place to eat! Pastor Barrons'
Just got back from a road trip, we did the Talimena Drive, which was gorgeous, took tons of pics and we ate some dang good food yesterday at Southern Belle Restaurant in Heavener, OK. We're all exhausted but it was such a great trip! We're definitely going to have to do more trips like this, especially around Oklahoma and maybe with more friends if they wanna go!! ♥ OH and for the record, quite surreal seeing a camel just wandering around a yard out in the country LOL! Heidi Davis
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