7 Strong Beliefs Oklahoma Natives Stand By

As an Oklahoman, there are plenty of things you've likely defended about our great state. Whether it's the food we enjoy or the football team we cheer on, we stand behind them no matter what.

We take living in Oklahoma seriously—by upholding the local traditions, businesses, and everyday habits that make up the Sooner State. With that, here are seven beliefs Oklahomans stand by forever and always.

1. No Ice Cream Is Better Than Braum's

Everything about Braum's Ice Cream is superior to other ice cream stores. If you've ever traveled out of state and paid $6 for one scoop of ice cream, then you really know what we are talking about. You can't beat the taste or the price. There are 20 locations throughout the state, so you're bound to find one close by.

2. Tornadoes Don't Stress Us Out

Unless we get a warning for an F-5 tornado, you'll often see Oklahomans on their porches, trying to get a good view of the twister, instead of holding up in their tornado shelters. We didn't get the name "tornado capital of the world" for nothing: the state sees more than 50 twisters per year, typically around the springtime.

3. We Take Our College Football Very Seriously

Saturdays in Oklahoma are for college football—no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Seriously, if you're out running errands around the time of a Sooners game, you will definitely find people glued to their phones to keep track of the score. If not, we're parked on the couch at home... probably yelling at the TV.

4. Mazzio's Pizza Is Supreme (Especially With Ranch)

For Oklahoma natives, this one feels like a no-brainer. No pizza shop can outshine our beloved Mazzio's Pizza & Wings: You can create your own custom pizza or choose from one of the shop's specialty pies. And of course, you can't forget a side of world-famous ranch dressing for dipping both your wings and pizza crust.

5. We Use Landmarks When Giving Directions

Forget north, south, left on Main Street, or right on Central Avenue. When in Oklahoma, the typical response when asking for directions is often, "It's next to Quiktrip," or "head towards the river." Of course, this may not seem super helpful to the tourists finding themselves lost, but to us locals, it's a perfectly valid—and efficient—way to get around.

6. Nothing Compares to Our Chicken-Fried Steak

This one might be the most controversial, especially since Texas is also known for this southern delicacy. But we stand by it: Our chicken-fried steak and mashed potatoes are top-tier. The best version of this meal is usually made in Grandma's kitchen—nothing beats homemade—but we have some pretty close seconds in Clanton's Cafe in Vinita and Red B Restaurant in Idabel.

7. Summer Is for the Water

Summers in Oklahoma can be quite hot, so everyone knows that lakes, rivers, and swimming holes are the place to be. We have many swimmable bodies of water in our state, like Broken Bow Lake in the southeastern part of the state, where we like to rent kayaks, boats, and fishing poles.

Did we miss any strong beliefs that Oklahomans hold? Beyond the fun facts, there are plenty of other amazing things about the Sooner State to discover. Plan a trip with Only In Your State's itinerary planner to explore the local sights.