State suspends Lookout Kitchen’s operations at Robber’s Cave, statewide

The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department announced Tuesday the suspension of Lookout Kitchen’s operation of the state park restaurants.

OTRD took this action in response to Lookout’s repeated failures to make outstanding payments and fulfill other contractual obligations to the State. Accordingly, the state park restaurants will be closed until further notice.

Lookout Kitchen operated the restaurant at Robber’s Cave in Wilburton and in five other state parks —Beavers Bend in Broken Bow, Lake Murray in Ardmore, Roman Nose in Watonga, Quartz Mountain in Lone Wolf, and Sequoyah in Hulbert.

The department has made every effort to accommodate Lookout throughout the parties’ contractual relationship. On May 16, 2025, OTRD sent a formal notice to counsel for Lookout regarding its noncompliance and requested that these deficiencies be cured no later than July 7, 2025. Lookout failed to fully comply with this request.

OTRD always strives to create positive experiences for state park visitors. We are actively working to minimize disruptions to park operations and provide alternative food service options, such as “grab & go” sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. OTRD is also exploring opportunities for food trucks to be in service at impacted parks. Further updates will be provided as they become available.

In a statement, Lookout Kitchens said they were disappointed in the state’s decision:

We are greatly disappointed by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department’s (OTRD) decision to suspend The Lookout Kitchen’s operations and the characterization of recent events in their public statement.

The Lookout Kitchen fully complied with OTRD’s request made in their May 16 correspondence by providing all requested documentation. Additionally, OTRD had already received a major partial payment toward the amount they claimed was owed. Out of good faith and a desire to resolve the matter, The Lookout Kitchen even offered to pay the remaining balance in full as recently as yesterday. However, OTRD declined to accept that payment and gave no assurance that doing so would result in our continued operations.

We remain open to working collaboratively with OTRD and are hopeful that they will finally agree to a meeting — one they have been promising since November — to address these issues directly and in good faith.

Our commitment to serving Oklahoma’s state parks, their visitors, and local communities remains unchanged. We hope for a swift resolution that allows us to continue doing so.

Lookout Kitchen catering services are unaffected — we’re still booking and fulfilling all events as scheduled.