Taste Of Oklahoma: Spark's Growing Impact In The Oklahoma City Metro

Beginning with a single location in Oklahoma City's Scissortail Park, Spark has become known for its burgers and friendly atmosphere.

Graham Colton, a partner with the Social Order, who operates several restaurants in the area including the Jones Assembly, several Fuzzy's Taco Shop locations and Dave's Hot Chicken in Bricktown, said the idea with Spark was to create a happy feeling for guests each time they visit.

"We just wanted to spark joy," Colton said. "We want families to be here, we want families to hang out here and just feel a sense of joy."

Colton said the idea for Spark came in 2018, after answering a call to bid on a spot at Scissortail Park, which was then still under construction.

Despite being asked to bid for a cafe, Colton said they went against that plan, and ultimately created Spark.

Among their selection of burgers that brought them fame, guests are also fans of Spark's fries, specifically, the Pink Fries.

"It's just delicious," chef and Spark director of operations Kyle Toland said. "Not only does it add color, but it adds this kick to this sauce that I've never tasted anywhere."

Toland said familiarity is the philosophy at Spark.

"Something you would have gotten at a barbecue at home, that's a part of the DNA of what Spark is," Colton said. "Just the old fashioned great hamburger, cheeseburger, milkshake."

Known as custard at Spark, Colton said milkshakes are a serious business, and something that required the Spark team to travel to "scoop school."

"Some of the team members went to St. Louis to 'scoop school,' and became experts in the process of custard," Colton said. "It's a lot more in depth than you think."

However, custard isn't the only cool treat available, with Spark also serving frozen cocktails.

"The frozen cocktails at Spark are the best you've ever tasted," Colton said.

Colton said none of what they've done at Spark would've been possible, were it not thanks to the support from fellow Oklahomans.

That support has now led to the opening of two additional locations, one in Chisolm Creek that opened in May, and another in Nichols Hills that opened in June.

"We're just overwhelmed by how Spark has been welcomed in all these different communities, and it's just been incredible," Colton said. "We want to keep it going."

Spark has also become a beloved tradition at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, handing out an estimated 20,000 free cheeseburgers to participants since 2023.

"We're all from here," Colton said. "Couldn't ask for a better opportunity for us to give back and say thanks."

Spark plans to open a fourth location within the next year.