𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽 𝗕𝗕𝗤: 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆, 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗴𝗶𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿: 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽 𝗕𝗕𝗤: 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆, 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗴𝗶𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁.At 235 S Perkins Rd, Stillwater, OK. Is the location of Cherokee Strip BBQ. Not only has it been open in Stillwater since 1992, but it also has connections to Hennessey, OK. Brett and Erin Brownlee are the owners with Brett being an alum of Hennessey High School. But the connection doesn’t stop there. If you attended the 5 and 6 grades between 1966-1984 and played basketball, you had Brett’s mom Shirley Brownlee as your coach. Plus, she taught 6th-grade science. Now even though this story is about Cherokee Strip BBQ, I have to write about Brett’s early morning prep helper for many years, his mom. I will never refer to her as Shirley. In my world, she will always be Mrs. Brownlee. Her own family shared her with many. With her no-nonsense approach in the classroom and on the basketball court, many life lessons were taught. We also had Mr. Brownlee, aka High pockets as one of our biggest cheerleader. After retirement, the Brownlees were transplanted to Stillwater. For many, they were a big part of our journey growing up on Hennessey We would drive up to Cherokee Strip BBQ and see her red Volkswagen parked out front we knew we were getting great BBQ and an extra treat to visit. A few years ago, I caught a pose of Mrs Brownlee at a class reunion. I had the privilege of painting that pose that took me back to an old grade school gym on the corner of main in Hennessey. The gym was full of 5th and 6th girls spread out dribbling their basketballs. Mrs Brownlee was in the front of the group, pointing the direction she wanted us to move. She taught basic basketball. I got to deliver that watercolor to her, and it was my last visit with her. It was my gift! Brett told me even though his mom is driving her red Volkswagen thru the streets of heaven she is still with him every day at the restaurant. Her impact has stayed with many of us.I asked Brett what he wanted people to take away from eating at Cherokee Strip BBQ. What sets them apart? Answer- family-owned
, fresh quality products cooked daily with all the sides. We had to wrap up our visit, it was getting passed Brett’s bedtime. Five in the morning comes early. Not only does Cherokee Strip BBQ offer in house family atmosphere, catering is also an option just reach out at 405-377-2244. The bottom line is that they care about delivering the best! If you visit the restaurant, you might listen closely you may hear a Beep Beep from heaven!