For the past seven months, one question has followed DeNoya and Tony Crawford everywhere they go. “When is Spunkie’s coming back?” That wait ended July 25, when the beloved soul food restaurant opened inside Edmond’s Icehouse Project after a months-long hiatus that left loyal customer s wondering where they could once again find its turkey chops and fried catfish—not to mention the warm welcome that has become just as much a part of the experience as anything on the menu. For the Crawford family, however, the move represents far more than a new address. It is the latest chapter in a journey that has taken them from a food truck in Maryland to Oklahoma, through the challenges of operating at Penn Square Mall and finally into a space they can truly make their own. Spunkies catfish “We just want everyone to feel welcome,” DeNoya said. “That’s what Spunkie’s has always been.” And it’s true; that philosophy has guided the business from the beginning. It first opened as a food truck in Clarksburg, Maryland, in 2017 and quickly built a loyal following. When family health concerns brought the Crawfords back to Oklahoma in 2019, they packed up the truck and started over. Rather than struggle, the business found an audience almost immediately. Then came the pandemic. While dining rooms closed across the country, Spunkie’s mobile kitchen allowed them to continue serving families during one of the most uncertain periods the restaurant industry has ever faced. That flexibility not only kept the business afloat but helped establish a fiercely loyal customer base. That loyalty eventually followed the Crawfords into Penn Square Mall, where the restaurant spent three years introducing a new audience to its soul food classics. But despite the success, the Crawfords found themselves dreaming of something different. Room to host a community event. Room for live music. Easier access for customers. Most of all, they wanted a place they could truly call their own. Spunkies Patio The Icehouse Project, a family-friendly dining destination in downtown Edmond, offered exactly that. The restored plant has been reimagined as a food hall, bringing together local restaurants, craft beer and community events around a central courtyard. The move also returns the Crawfords to what they have always loved most about the business: building community. Ask them what makes Spunkie’s special, and the conversation quickly shifts from food to people. They’ll happily tell you about turkey chops, collard greens, fried fish or macaroni and cheese. Then there’s the peach cobbler, still made by DeNoya’s mother, who remains an active part of the business well into her 80s. Both Tony and DeNoya become animated when sharing stories about their employees or remembering special moments with customers. They remember customers by name and often know their regular orders before they reach the counter. They ask young employees about their grades. They show up to basketball games to cheer on student-athletes who stop by for dinner. Former customers become friends, and friends become family. That spirit extends well beyond the restaurant’s walls. Over the years, Spunkie’s has helped feed people experiencing homelessness; donated shoes and school supplies to local students; and looked for opportunities to give back wherever possible. During the pandemic, the Crawfords delivered meals to neighbors who were sick or unable to leave home, believing food was more than a business—it was a way to care for their community. Today, DeNoya says the response from the Edmond community has been overwhelmingly encouraging. Neighbors have stopped by just to introduce themselves and say how excited they are to have Spunkie’s in Edmond. Local and civic organizations have welcomed the restaurant, and excitement has steadily grown since the move was announced. That optimism feels especially fitting at the Icehouse Project, where families and friends can gather, choose from a variety of local restaurants, grab a beer from American Solera and share a meal in the courtyard. After months away, customers will once again be greeted by familiar faces, comforting food and the unmistakable feeling that they’re more than just another order. For the Crawford family, that’s always been the recipe. The fried chicken, collard greens and peach cobbler may bring people through the door, but the relationships are the real bread and butter. “We just love on everyone,” DeNoya said. “It doesn’t matter who you are.” To stay up-to-date on all things Spunkie’s, follow it on Facebook @spunkiessoulfoodtruck and on Instagram, @spunkies_soul_food. The post Finally Home appeared first on Oklahoma Gazette. ...read more read less