About Us

The long awaited rebirth of Iguana. What started out as a casual Nichols Hills restaurant, turned into a city full of fans and followers. Steve Mason, owner of Iguana, had made a very difficult decision to close the Nichols Hills location. Citing building and parking problems, the restaurant was in need of resurgence.

Setting his sights on the urban crawl, Steve waited until he felt the timing was right, and enlisted Robert Painter as a partner to get the project rolling. Affectionately known as “the little taco stand by the railroad tracks”, Iguana’s new location on 9th Street in downtown Oklahoma City’s Automobile Alley district, has been an instant hit. Gaining new customers and welcoming back the old with the classics from the Western Avenue location, as well as Chef Ryan Parrott’s nevoeau take on tex-mex cuisine.

Check out Iguana for lunch or dinner everyday, and don’t forget to ask for a ride in the black pearl.

Robert Painter

Robert Painter’s dream was to create a place where the masses would come to sit, relax, eat, and drink a bevy of tequila. As a result, The Iguana Mexican Grill has become one of the hottest downtown OKC restaurants earning him the nickname, “The Mayor of 9th Street.” The “Mayor” and the new Iguana opened its new doors on July 1, 2008. This new Iguana boasts 130 varieties of tequila, rustic and colorful decor, and enough fun from the music, wait staff, and patrons to always constitute an enjoyable visit. The new Iguana was born from his love of the original Iguana Lounge and Mexican Grill on Western where he waited tables beginning in 1996. However, the “Little Taco Stand” down by the railroad tracks is making its own name in the community with its various sponsorships including the deadCENTER Film Festival and the always fun Tornado Alley Roller Girls roller derby team, its party-style “Black Pearl Iguana Bus” and Painter’s personal philanthropic work.

Chef Ryan Parrott

Ryan Parrott began his cooking career at age 15. From this first job a passion and career was born. At the young age of 19 he was appointed the kitchen manager position at Tommy’s Italian in Northpark Mall. Deciding to seek more opportunities, he helped create the concept of the now closed Vineyard in Edmond. Yearning still to learn more, Ryan held positions at various other locally owned establishments that have included Petroleum Club, Switzer’s Lighthouse, Boulevard Steakhouse, and 501 Ranch Steakhouse. In 2000 he helped re-conceptualize The Mantel Wine Bar and Bistro in Bricktown. He stayed at The Mantel until coming to Deep Fork Grill with the new ownership group in June 2003. Looking for a change in his life, he decided to take another career turn, and Partner with Robert Painter and Steve Mason to bring back the Iguana Mexican Grill that opened in July 2008, and also has started his own catering company called Seasons, and a one table concept called Table ONE.

Chef Ryan has a straightforward no frills style of cooking. Focusing on flavor rather than flair, and technique rather than style. He is proud to be residing in Oklahoma City with his wife, and five children, and is deeply rooted with many charity organizations, including The Arts Council, March of Dimes, Regional Food Bank, Canterbury Choral Society, Harn Homestead, The YMCA, MS Society, and Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

Chef Lee Bennett

Sous Chef

Born in Oklahoma City I migrated to Europe after High school and then to California. This is where I took root and got started in the restaurant business. Starting as a dishwasher then later as a prep cook at a country club. AS I continued to hone my skills in various restaurants from cooking fast food to fine dining. As the lead cook in most restaurants, I was involved in all aspects of running the kitchens I worked in. I returned to Oklahoma to be closer to my family where I landed a job at Lucille’s in Mulhall, Oklahoma. After leaving Lucille’s, I went to work for Trattoria Il Centro where I held the position of sous chef. After 3 years there I then got the offer to come work at the Iguana Mexican Grill where I just love the environment and all the people who visit the restaurant.

Rebecca Daley

Fine Wines and Spirits Connoisseur
After having spent the last nine years of my life building my career in the restaurant business, I have earned the title, lovingly, as “bar fly”. This is a well deserved title. For most of those nine years I cocktail waitressed, bartended or managed a bar and since have fallen in love with what I do. My greatest passion is wine and I have worked at two of the finest wine bars in Oklahoma City where my knowledge of wine and other fine spirits grew. At those restaurants, my service skills also grew almost to a meticulous point. Some think that I am far to meticulous, but I do not think that is possible. It is just a fine attention to detail. After joining the Iguana team, my passion for wine carried over into a passion for tequila. My goal is to have one of the largest selections of fine tequila in the state, if not the country. But since Oklahoma cannot get all the tequilas available I will have to settle for the State. I enjoy educating people on the differences between the tequilas in an attempt to rid them of that tequila experience most had on their 21st birthdays that lead them to never want another drop so long as they live. We are a part of something amazing here at Iguana and I am blessed to work with and learn from some of the greatest in the trade. I hope that soon we can share our passions with you.