Nelson's Buffeteria celebrates 90 years in Tulsa. See photos of the chicken-fried steak favorite through the years
The Rogers family is celebrating Nelson's Buffeteria's 90th birthday.
Nelson Rogers Sr. opened the original restaurant at 13 W. Fourth St. in 1929. The restaurant moved to 514 S. Boston Ave. (where Elote is today) in 1949, and Rogers Jr. and his wife, Suzanne, took over Nelson’s when Rogers Sr. died in 1979. They closed the restaurant in 2004 due to declining sales.
Suzanne revived Nelson’s Buffeteria in January 2012. Though it didn’t operate continuously since 1929, two siblings kept the name alive during part of the interim. Nelson Barry Rogers III, who goes by Barry, operated Nelson’s Ranch House on Third Street for a couple of years and later would join his brother, Steven Rogers, running Nelson’s Grill for a short time at a north Tulsa shooting range.
The family is all back together today. Though Nelson Rogers Jr. has retired, Suzanne continues as the matriarch of the restaurant which is now located at 4401 S. Memorial Drive.Â
Nelson's on Memorial
Suzanne Rogers (left) and her children Steven Rogers, Nelson Rogers III and Jody Rogers gather at Nelson's Buffeteria, 4401 S. Memorial Drive. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
Nelson's on Memorial
Allen Johnson, commonly known as "The Sign Man" from Nelson's Buffeteria, 4401 S. Memorial Drive, waves to passing drivers in Tulsa. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
Nelson's on Memorial
Stacy Moore, the head cook and a 40-year employee, started washing dishes at Nelson’s Buffeteria when he was 16 years old. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
Nelson's on Memorial
The dining area at Nelson's Buffeteria, 4401 S. Memorial Drive. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
Nelson's on Memorial
A neon sign hangs above the entrance to Nelson's Buffeteria, 4401 S. Memorial Drive. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
Nelson's downtown
The famous sign at Nelson's Buffeteria on Boston Avenue, December 15, 2003.
Nelson's downtown
Bob Fjeldsted, holding a guitar, interacts with Nelson’s Buffeteria diner Paul Ferlin as band mate Michael Johnson holds a fiddle. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World
Nelson's downtown
In this 2001 Tulsa World photo, Wayne Vivion (right) and the Round Up Boys play for the Friday lunch crowd at Nelson’s Buffeteria in downtown Tulsa. Vivion’s upright bass is the same one he used as a musician during World War II. Tulsa World file
Nelson's downtown
In this 2001 Tulsa World photo, Wayne Vivion (right) and the Round Up Boys play for the Friday lunch crowd at Nelson’s Buffeteria in downtown Tulsa. Vivion’s bass is the same one he used as a musician during World War II.  Tulsa World file
Nelson's downtown
Eddie Bagsby at Nelson's Buffeteria downtown.
Nelson's downtown
Some dishes on the menu.
Nelson's downtown
Nelson's in 2000.
Nelson's downtown
Nelson's in 2000.
Nelson's downtown
Waitress Billie Baldridge waits on tables at Nelson's Buffeteria in 2003.
Nelson's downtown
Chicken-fried steak at Nelson's Buffeteria.
Nelson's downtown
Nera Mae McCormick and Nelson Rogers unveil a mural at May 13, 1999 when Nelson's Buffeteria celebrated 70 years in business.
Nelson's downtown
Nelson's Buffeteria.
Nelson's downtown
Nera Mae McCormick and Nelson Rogers May 13, 1999 when the restaurant celebrated 70 years in business.
Nelson's downtown
Nelson Rogers Jr. took over operations of Nelson's Buffeteria from his father in 1976.