One of Regina’s most iconic restaurants and caterers is celebrating the start of its 22nd year in business. Smokin’ Okies on Regina’s east side has been serving southern cuisine like chicken fried steak sandwichs, pork belly sandwiches, chicken fried steak and gravy, brisket sandwiches, and much more.
For owner Eric Johnson, it all started in his hometown of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, about one hour south of Oklahoma City where barbecue restaurants were commonplace. In fact, there are still three barbecue restaurants in the southern town of 6,000 people. Despite his love of the food and cooking, he hadn’t thought of opening a restaurant until his time with Schwan’s Frozen Food company had come to an end. In the 1980’s and early 90’s Johnson was working as a sales manager for the company when he was transferred to Saskatchewan in 1991 as part of an expansion into Canada.
“I was only going to be here for three to five years they said but I ended up staying,” explained Johnson who was with Schwan’s until 2000.
(Pictured: Eric Johnson)
Johnson received his first smoker in 1978 for Christmas, which he still owns yet, and his love of smoking meat and cooking meals had started.
“I’ve just always enjoyed cooking, I love cooking, and I guess I like to eat, too, and that must be why I’m always cooking,” Johnson chuckled.
It wasn’t long after his time at Schwan’s that he decided to take his love of smoking and cooking to the next level, by starting up a restaurant dedicated to the cuisine of his home State of Oklahoma. He says there have been a lot of highlights over the the past 21 years, but it’s his connections with the Saskatchewan Roughriders that stand out most for him.
“We used to do concessions at (old) Mosaic Stadium and we were there for about 15 years with our concession and our trailer and that was always a lot of fun, just the connection with the Roughriders,” said Johnson. “We had a lot of good times at the stadium with the football game and with the team. We fed the team a lot after practice and that was always fun.”
There was one particular former Roughrider player that Johnson really hit it off with, though. The late, great, and legendary George Reed.
“George Reed was a really good friendship of mine and I really miss him a lot, and interestingly enough we didn’t become friends over football, we just became friends over food,” noted Johnson who added he met Reed while catering an event for Rider alumni.
As Smokin’ Okies begins it’s 22nd year of business in the Queen city, he says his brisket is still the most requested item on his menu because he feels few would actually cook something like that for themselves. Pulled pork and his iconic macaroni and cheese are also widely sought after. Smokin’ Okies is also a supplier of Yoder Smokers and various pellets for smokers and occasionally hold classes for those wanting to learn more about the art of smoking meats.
(Pictured: Pork belly sandwich with mac and cheese)
His restaurant is adorned with pictures of famous athletes and performers who have visited over the years including fellow “okie,” as Johnson says, Garth Brooks who grew up not far from Johnson’s hometown of Pauls Valley. Word got back to Garth when he performed at Mosiac Stadium in 2019 that there was a restaurant dedicated to Oklahoma cuisine. It was long until Johnson got the call to cater a meal for the country music super star.
Business and life in general have been good for Johnson and his wife in Saskatchewan and, so far, there are no signs of slowing down.
“Not in the near future, but one of these days. I can’t work forever. I’m getting pretty old now,” laughed Johnson.
Smokin’ Okies is located at 2547 Quance Street.
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