Made famous by Ree Drummond, “The Pioneer Woman” from Food Network, The Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, welcomes 6,000 visitors a day. Here’s what you can expect when you visit “The Merc.”
To break up a road trip from northeastern Kansas to south Texas, we stopped at The Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Affectionately nicknamed “The Merc”, the destination restaurant, bakery, deli, and store is the brainchild of Food Network’s Ree Drummond.
Have You Visited the Pioneer Woman Mercantile?
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Who is Ree Drummond?
If you’re reading this article, you are likely already familiar with the American food celebrity behind the multi-million dollar Pioneer Woman empire. Leveraging her journalism degree from the University of Southern California, the mother of four started The Pioneer Woman blog back in 2006. Her original posts were about homeschooling her four children while living on a cattle ranch in rural Oklahoma with her hunky hubby, Ladd. About a year into her blogging career, Ree shared her first recipe, and the rest (as they say) is history.
Fun Fact: Ree often calls her fourth generation cowboy hubby, “The Marlboro Man.”
Where in the World is Pawhuska, Oklahoma?
Located in northern Oklahoma near the Osage Reservation, the town of Pawhuska is off the beaten path most road trippers take between the nearby Oklahoma cities of Tulsa or Oklahoma City.
- From Tulsa – If you’re visiting from Tulsa, Pawhuska is about 60 miles northwest via a series of state highways and other back roads.
- From Oklahoma City – To visit Pawhuska from Oklahoma City, it’s about 150 miles northeast. You can take I-35 north to Tonkawa, and then US-60 east to Pawhuska.
- From Wichita, Kansas – If you’re visiting Pawhuska from my home state, it’s about a 130 mile drive. Take I-35 south to Tonkawa and US-60 east to Pawhuska.
Here's what you can expect when you visit the Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma...
1. There is Limited Parking Near The Merc
The Pioneer Woman Mercantile welcomes about 6,000 visitors each day. That means the little town of Pawhuska temporarily doubles in population six days a week as visitors flock to The Merc. There are only so many places to park in the town of 3,500 people, so expect a short stroll down Main Street until you reach its intersection with Kihekah Avenue.
2. The Mercantile is Closed on Sundays
From 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, guests can visit The Pioneer Woman Mercantile restaurant, general store, and bakery, six days a week. On Saturdays, The Merc stays open an additional hour until 8:00 pm, but it is always closed on Sundays.
3. Expect a Long Wait for a Sit Down Meal at Ree Drummond's Restaurant
Because we’d heard about the legendary wait to sit down and enjoy a meal cooked up in The Pioneer Woman Mercantile kitchen, we arrived around 3:00 pm for a late lunch. The line fo a table at the Pioneer Woman Restaurant was out the door, snaking halfway down the block. But, that’s partially because the queue is designed to be entirely outdoors.
No matter how long the wait, the staff at The Pioneer Woman Restaurant works hard to make it comfortable and fun, from passing out bottled water on hot days to encouraging guests to create masterpieces with sidewalk chalk to asking trivia questions.
4. But There's a Faster Way to Dine
And here’s how.
If you’re in a hurry and can’t wait an hour (or three) to sit down and enjoy a meal at the Pioneer Woman Restaurant, then use this trick. Look for the sign to the Grab and Go line, and make your selection from a streamlined Pioneer Woman Mercantile menu. You’ll be forking delicious food into your mouth within minutes!
5. Ree Drummond's Mercantile Serves Amazing Food in Cowboy-Sized Portions
My daughters and I shared the pot roast meal from the Grab and Go menu at the Pioneer Woman Restaurant. The slow-braised beef pot roast with mashed potatoes and green beans was plenty of food for the three of us. Although it was probably the best pot roast I’ve ever had in my life, I wanted to be sure we left room for dessert and coffee upstairs in the bakery!
Sage Advice: Speaking of cowboys, don’t forget to visit the Lodge, the working ranch where Ree films her show.
6. The Store and Restaurant are in a Beautiful, Restored Building
With exposed brick walls, wood floors, and a wide staircase, the 100-year-old, two-story building that houses The Pioneer Woman Mercantile has been beautifully restored. You’ll find the restaurant and store on the main floor and the bakery with a large, open area with tables on the second floor. There is gorgeous photography throughout the Pioneer Woman Mercantile, whether framed on the walls or rotating through a slideshow on one of the mounted flat screens.
7. The Pioneer Woman Mercantile has Sparkling-Clean Restrooms
If you’re someone who won’t fully rate a restaurant until you’ve visited the restrooms to ensure they are clean and tidy (like me), then you’ll give The Merc two thumbs up. Just as impressive as the rest of the building are The Pioneer Woman Mercantile’s restrooms, so be sure you take advantage of the facilities before you get back on the road. I promise you, no gas station or rest stop anywhere in the state of Oklahoma can compete with these tidy bowls!
8. Unique Items at Reasonable Prices
The Pioneer Woman Mercantile store is full of the usual suspects — like Pioneer Woman cookbooks, kitchen gear, and home accessories. But it also includes fun and unique items like fun salt and pepper sets, baby cowboy chaps, and pretty butter dishes to keep in the fridge.
The Pioneer Woman Mercantile Store Address
Visit Ree Drummond’s restaurant and store at 532 Kihekah Ave in Pawhuska, Oklahoma
The Pioneer Woman Mercantile Hours
The Pioneer Woman Mercantile restaurant, General Store, and bakery are open daily, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday through Friday. On Saturday, the Merc is open an additional hour, from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Directions to The Pioneer Woman Mercantile from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Directions to The Pioneer Woman Mercantile from Tulsa, Oklahoma
Directions to The Pioneer Woman Mercantile from Wichita, Kansas
When is the Best Time to Visit the Mercantile in Pawhuska?
Because it is a popular place, it’s best to visit The Mercantile as close to opening hours as possible. Pioneer Woman Mercantile hours are typically 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, so that means starting your day early Monday through Saturday. The Merc stays open an extra hour on Saturdays, and be sure to note that the Mercantile is closed on Sundays.
Where to Stay When You Visit The Pioneer Woman Mercantile
There are several hotels near The Pioneer Woman Mercantile. Here are some of the best hotels near the Pioneer Woman Mercantile and other places to stay in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
Have You Visited the Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma?
What about you? Have you visited Ree Drummond’s place in Pawhuska? Did you enjoy a meal there, browse the General Store, or take home a unique find? Share your experience below in the comments section!
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Was in Bartlesville recently from California for a family wedding. Went to The Mercantile and it was everything and more of what people say. Ate breakfast and it was amazingly delicious. I had the Aunt Edna’s Breakfast. The pancakes can be cut with ease like you are cutting softened butter and they melted in your mouth with moist goodness. It was heaven. Our waitress Marty was so pleasant and personable it was like she was either a long lost friend or a very good relative. The store has a variety of items available and the bakery upstairs was dreamy. Definitely worth the trip and the time.
I’m so glad you had a wonderful time! Reading about those pancakes makes me want to jump in the car and head back right away!
This would be such a fun place to visit! Thank you for the helpful tips – it would certainly be a shame to show up on a Sunday! ????
True!
I’d never heard of Ree Drummond or of the whole Pioneer Woman thing (or the Merc). Great education on a really interesting person! The food looks awesome – I want to drive there just for the pot roast you talked about! 🙂
It was pretty amazing pot roast!
I have not heard of The Pioneer Woman or the chef who made it popular but the place does look appealing. Great tips about clean washroom and being closed on Sunday as well as the parking. If I ever make it to Oklahoma, I’ll sure visit here.
It’s definitely off the beaten path, even within Oklahoma, but a great experience if you find yourself in that corner of the world.
What a wonderful place to visit, we never made it to Oklahoma and it definitely looks like it would be a great place to experience Christmas. Does this area get snow at Christmas?
Looks like it has a bit of a foodie theme going on there, I think it will definitely be a place I would love to visit if and when I make it back to the USA, last time we didn’t manage to get off the beaten track as it was our first visit.
Pawhuska is a few hours south of Kansas City, so they probably get a few snowfalls a year. And the US is so big, it’s totally understandable that you didn’t get off the beaten track!
I love Ree Drummond and had no idea she had a Pioneer Village! The food sounds delicious and I love your advise to seek out the grab and go line. Who wants to wait 3 hours for lunch when they don’t need to? Your mention of baby chaps at the gift shop reminds me of my oldest. When he was three I tried to make him a set of chaps with cow patterned fur fabric LOL. These would have been much nicer!!!
I bet those were some cute chaps!
I have never been to the Pioneer Woman Mercantile, nice to know how to get food faster with the grab and go line instead of waiting hours. My husband lived in Oklahoma most of his life and his best friend lives in Pawhuska. We will have to go next time we visit.
You should definitely check it out. It’s hard to visit Pawhuska and miss the Merc! 🙂
I have not heard of the Pioneer Woman. I am wondering if this is local to the US only?
I love the inside of the historic building with the red brick and I bet the bakery would be a great spot with a ‘cowgirl’ coffee!
It’s definitely a US thing, but she’s quite popular here!
Having such a well designed shopping centre is a great idea to attract visitors to a small town and create jobs locally. The downside is the limited parking, it must be a bit annoying to have to look for a park. I guess it would be better to go there early in the morning!
I love how the Pioneer Woman has breathed new life into a historic old building in a small American town! Going early is a smart tip. We had to drive a bit when we visited, so didn’t have much choice. But now you’ve got me wondering how early people queue up to eat at her restaurant each morning!
Well, count me as one who has never heard of the Pioneer Woman or her blog or “empire”. Have to check it out now that I have read your post. The Mercantile sounds very very cool and since it has been ages since I’ve been to Oklahoma and Pawhuska, it’s time to think about another visit. 😉
This is so informative and helpful for anyone visiting the mercantile! Unfortunately I live in Europe so getting all the way to Oklahoma may be a distance, but if I’m ever in the area I know where to go!
Pawhuska, Oklahoma, is definitely off the beaten path for a European! But, if you every find yourself in the neighborhood, it’s a fun place to visit!
Thanks for the info. I only heard about this person when my daughter recommended a recipe from her. Interesting to hear that she has a mercantile.
The building is beautifully restored and the Pioneer Woman has done a ton to make the little town of Pawhuska a travel destination.
I love the Pioneer Woman and swear that I will make it out there one day! Thanks for the great tips! Especially being closed on Sunday!
The food alone is worth every mile traveled to get there!
This is a nice post full of useful information for anyone visiting the Merc. I recommend a stop there for anyone who likes the show or just likes good, old-fashioned down-home food.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Steve!