Tulsa::History: January 2019 Archives

White River Fish Market -- The Oklahoma Reviews

Interesting history of Tulsa's favorite fish restaurant:

"White River Fish Market was established in downtown Tulsa as a counter service fish market in 1932. The market began when Oran Fallis and his father were delivering produce from Oklahoma farms to stores in Arkansas. The Fallises would return to Oklahoma with an empty truck, until they realized that they could bring back product to sell from the White River. The two would set up a stand and sell the fish on the side of the road. Later in 1932, Oran and his dad rented a building in downtown Tulsa near First Street and Boston Avenue. The fish market was the only fresh fish wholesaler in the state of Oklahoma that was supplied by regional anglers....

"Upon his return from the war, he added a lunch counter in 1942 and began serving fried foods. The market would eventually evolve and grow into the iconic restaurant that it is today. In the mid-sixties urban renewal moved the fish market out of the downtown location to the spot where it continues to serve the best seafood in town, the state, and the entire region."