Lunch like it’s 1955.

Midway Grocery opened in 1926 as one of a string of stores offering groceries and gasoline to the local population. The Midway name came from being midway between Norman’s downtown business district and the affluent Faculty Heights neighborhood. Families loved the convenience of a nearby corner grocery. Their patronage helped keep it open through the years.

When Bob took over in 1985, the Midway was still a grocery store. He describes those early years as “Entrepreneurial with no cash,” but he had an undeniable vision. After several years of maintaining the charge accounts and meat butchering that began in the 1950s, Bob decided to take Midway in a new, very tasty direction.

Since then, the Midway has transitioned from a corner grocery featuring fresh sandwiches daily into a full menu deli that still carries soft drinks, chips and candy. 

The Midway’s sandwiches are legendary. Walk down the street and ask for a Vulcan and chances are you will be steered to the Midway. That is, if the person you ask doesn’t join you for one on the spot. 

The menu board is sprinkled with sandwiches named in honor of the person responsible for the winning combination. The Coach, the Governor’s Reuben, the Michael – each one concocted by a Midway customer. 

Bob’s better half, Maricha Thompson, is in on the fun. An accomplished chef, Maricha prepares two different soups – from scratch – each day of the week. But beware, the daily special is usually gone by the end of lunch. So get there early.

Maricha’s green chile stew has won awards, envy and applause. And her gumbo. Whoa! You’ll swear she can serve up heaven. Every day is another reason to come to the Midway.

Bill, the longest standing employee at the Midway – he’s been here since 1955 – makes Bill’s Famous Chili. It deserves its name.