3 07, 2020

Food Network Champion Chef Opens Beavers Bend Restaurant

2022-10-12T16:58:03+00:00July 3rd, 2020|dfw travel, food|

Beavers Bend Food Network Champion Chef Tabb Singleton Update 7-3-20:

Chef Tabb Singleton returned to New Orleans for a few years, but is back in McCurtain County. His new concept is Phat Tabb’s BBQ in Idabel.

Idabel is a convenient pit stop for DFW visitors traveling to and from Beavers Bend State Park. Enjoy world-class BBQ on your next trip to Beavers Bend!Chef Tabb Singleton's Phat Tabb's BBQ

Pic of Chef Tabb Singleton's BBQ

Picture of Chef Tabb Singleton's BBQ

Picture of Chef Tabb Singleton's BBQ Chef Tabb Singleton's BBQ

Chef Tabb Singleton's sausage
Chef Tabb Singleton's sausage

The Moon Tower Bar and Grill, led by executive Chef Tabb Singleton, has opened to rave reviews near Beavers Bend State Park and Broken Bow Lake.

Tabb Singleton Beavers Bend chefSingleton, a native of Southeastern Oklahoma and former executive chef in New Orleans, won the Food Network’s “Chopped” in 2012 and was also crowned champion of  “Deep Fried Masters.”

The fame of winning these nationally televised shows skyrocketed his career.

“The process of getting on “Chopped” took about four-months. They (Food Network) had recruiters in the area checking restaurants out…a group came in to eat and I was running the restaurant for Emeril Lagasse, (world famous chef)) that night. They were sitting close to the kitchen. I had to tear into one of the line cooks verbally because he wasn’t doing what he was supposed to be doing, and they got a kick out of it,” Singleton said.

It had been Tabb’s long-time goal to appear on the Food Network. His dream would soon become a reality. Everything was about to change. That line cook’s blunder became a metamorphosis leading to millions realizing Tabb’s tremendous talent in the kitchen.

Chef Tabb Singleton was now a rock-star…the rest is history.

Suddenly, a guy from the tiny town of Idabel, OK was a celebrity and shooting a TV show in New York City. Everywhere he went, he was recognized.

Tabb says the fame of winning both shows led to a hectic life. It catapulted him into the limelight throughout the Crescent City and United States.

“We had a lot of people coming in to take a picture with me at the restaurant in New Orleans. I did a lot of autographs. When you win a national television show, you have everybody coming out of the woodwork,” he said.

Moon Tower Bar and Grill Broken Bow                                     Moon tower Bar and Grill

I toured Tabb’s beautiful new restaurant recently before his lunch-hour rush. The Moon Tower Bar and Grill has been open for a few months and it’s the talk of the town among locals and tourists. Tabb has dreams of opening restaurants in larger markets, but wants to keep a firm hold on the culinary scene near Broken Bow Lake.

“I love this area, it’s my home…this is the first place I want to get something started,”

Tabb’s tremendous success and fame in New Orleans made it difficult to leave, but he felt it was time to venture off and open his own restaurant. The lure of returning home to the lush forests of McCurtain County became a powerful force. A force he couldn’t resist.

He couldn’t turn down the opportunity to be the biggest fish in a huge tourist pond. Tabb now caters to two-million people visiting luxury cabins in Beavers Bend State Park annually. He’s the biggest game in a town that hosts millions of visitors every year.  No one in the area can legitimately say they’re able to compete with him, or compare resumes. He’s the king.

https://vimeo.com/149315297

The Moon Tower Bar and Grill features indoor and outdoor dining and has a beautiful amphitheater for live music.

Moon Tower Bar and GrillSingleton calls his menu “an open floor plan” and it’s constantly changing. “We do old classics and new stuff.” He was trained under famous chefs in the Bayou and boasted…”I throw in some Cajun!”

Fresh seafood is delivered several times weekly from his gulf coast connections and Chef Tabb is proud of the new flavors he’s creating in Beavers Bend. It ranges from upscale bar food to gourmet delicacies. The Ouachita Mountain region now features world-class dining.

Singleton attributes his success as a chef to “trial and error and the school of hard knocks.”

Here’s his advice for us that enjoy tinkering on the grill and smoker…

“I push people to experiment more than anything. If there’s a rub you see, try it. If  you don’t think you have enough salt, add more salt. Don’t be afraid to experiment.”

IMG_7743

Chef Tabb Singleton’s latest venture has been a huge hit with our guests at Mountain Vista Cabin. The Moon Tower Bar & Grill should be your first stop for cuisine when visiting Beavers Bend State Park. It’s located off Highway 259N, a couple of miles north of the Steven’s Gap Exit.

 There’s no doubt Chef Tabb Singleton will reign as king for many years around Broken Bow Lake. Welcome home Chef!

27 06, 2020

New Beavers Bend Book In The Works

2020-06-27T17:57:12+00:00June 27th, 2020|Beavers Bend Book|

Jerry Isbell and Bob Burke, Beavers Bend Book Authors

I’m writing a book with my lifelong friend and Oklahoma Hall of Fame Member, Bob Burke. We’re working on a catchy title, but it’ll focus on the history of Beavers Bend, Hochatown and the booming Beavers Bend economy.

It’s quite an honor to work on this project with Bob. Like me, he’s a native of Broken Bow, OK. Bob, a stellar attorney in OKC, has written more non-fiction books than anyone in history.

Summer Rush Since Spring

We’ve been in a mid-summer rush since March in Beavers Bend. People from DFW aren’t flying much, but still want to breathe the fresh Broken Bow Lake air. Mountain Vista Cabin has no openings until August. We have more people than ever on a waiting list this summer.

I’ll keep you updated on our book release date in 2021. Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @BeaversBend!

beavers bend vacations

16 06, 2020

Corps of Engineers Beavers Bend Water Release Statement

2023-05-01T21:39:14+00:00June 16th, 2020|Mountain Fork River Floating|

I contacted the Corps of Engineers about their generating policies on Mountain Fork River. I wanted to know why they generate on weekends. Generating impacts tourists and float businesses in Beavers Bend.  Their timely response is below.

Check the links below before planning a float trip on Mountain Fork River.

mountain fork river

Thank you for reaching out to us.

In most cases, the water manager provides a minimum and maximum release a week in advance, and SWPA plans their releases 2-3 days in advance based on power demands. SWPA may change releases on the day-of, if power demand shifts or if another project needs to be shut down and cannot produce hydropower. Also, we may alter releases day-of if there is downstream flooding.

Typically power demand on weekends is low, which is why there aren’t releases as often during weekends. When releases are done during weekends, particularly on holiday weekends, it is usually because Broken Bow is flooded. This can be checked on our website (http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/lowerred.basinpie.fp.html). If the project is in the flood pool, particularly if it’s over 5% and rain is expected the following week, we have to make releases for public safety.

One thing that confuses people is that we aren’t allowed to make “pre-releases,” meaning I can’t drop Broken Bow ahead of time because there is rain in the forecast. If I were to release ahead of time and then the rain fell slightly downstream I could contribute to flooding there. Another confusing thing is that sometimes we will have releases shut down while it’s raining and the pool is in flood stage. Typically that’s because projects downstream are flooding and we don’t want to contribute to further damage/danger there so we wait to release until downstream is done flooding.

Another reason we might make weekend releases is if there is a Swift Water Rescue Training or other special ops (like last weekend). These aren’t typically done on holiday weekends, but we do work with the firefighters’ schedule. Public safety, including preventing drowning, typically takes priority over canoeing or other recreational activity requiring low flow.

SWPA’s hydro schedule for weekends come out Friday and that they are tentative and subject to change due to power demands or changing flood risk conditions.

We understand that businesses and livelihoods are affected by releases, so please know that SWPA and the water manager do try to plan around busy days, but also keep in mind that Broken Bow was created for 1) flood control, 2) hydropower 3) water supply, as well as recreation and wildlife, so those first 3 purposes must be balanced, and may at any given point take priority.

Please feel free to reach back out to us if you have any further questions.

Stacey Reese
Public Affairs Specialist
Tulsa District

27 05, 2020

Enjoy This Office View In Beavers Bend

2020-05-27T16:00:27+00:00May 27th, 2020|Beavers Bend Cabin Real Estate|

We spent a few days with the chainsaw making Mountain Vista cabin’s property even better!

How’s this for an office view?

Beavers Bend Is Booming

Mountain Vista has no weekends available in June. We’re booked 20 out of the first 22 days in June.

Our loyal fan base has been booking in droves since the Covid-19 crisis emerged a few months ago. Many Mountain Vista cabin guests stay four to five times annually at our cabin.

 

Mountain Vista Cabin

Mountain Vista Cabin. Broken Bow, OK

Broken Bow Cabin Rental Tip

Many cabins are being built close together in Beavers Bend. Do your homework before booking a cabin near Broken Bow Lake. Checkout my tips about choosing a cabin in Broken Bow.

We don’t horse around at Mountain Vista. Reserve your summer cabin at BeaversBendVacations.com!

Picture of Jerry & Sherri Isbell with a horse

4 05, 2020

Beavers Bend Cranking During Covid Crisis

2023-03-02T20:39:54+00:00May 4th, 2020|Beavers Bend Covid|

Picture of Rolling Fork Takery Food Tray

Our good friends at Rolling Fork Takery opened curb service this weekend and were busy. Social media posts showed many tourists enjoying the area while social distancing.

Beavers Bend is getting back to normal…

Book Your Summer Dates At Mountain Vista

We had a tremendous April at Mountain Vista Cabin. DFW is our top market and less people are flying the airlines. Tourists are continuing to take three-hour getaways.

The great news for us is they’re flocking to the Broken Bow Lake area.

Collage of Mountain Vista Cabin

Great Fishing On Broken Bow Lake

 Picture of Broken Bow Lake

Broken Bow bass guide, Bryce Archey, tells me fishing is fantastic on the lake. Water temperature is in the low 70’s and he has a few opening in May.

Book your summer stay at Mountain Vista. These guests loved it!

Doug Warner and family visit Mountain Vista Cabin

KWTV’s David Payne Returns To Mountain Vista

David Payne, KWTV

Campfire at Mountain Vista

Picture of child at Mountain Vista Cabin property

27 04, 2020

May 2020 Beavers Bend Update

2022-10-24T13:51:26+00:00April 27th, 2020|Beavers Bend Cabin Rental Tips|

Sunset at Mountain Vista Cabin

Stunning sunsets at Mountain Vista Cabin

Scores of people are escaping the concrete jungle and visiting Beavers Bend. Our staff at Mountain Vista cabin is doing a fantastic job deep cleaning and sanitizing between guests.

Weekends In High Demand

Only two weekends remain available in May and summer dates will be filling soon. Our guests have enjoyed experiencing “Cabin Fever” at Mountain Vista during the recent Covid-19 situation.

Mountain Vista Sign

Do your homework before reserving a luxury cabin in Broken Bow. Many additions have lots of construction. You don’t want to hear loud sawing noises while on vacation. No need to worry about this at Mountain Vista!

Download The Beavers Bend App

Thousands of fans enjoy VIP offers with our app.

Broken Bow Cabin Rental Tips

  • Ask if you’ll hear highway noise at the cabin.
  • How close is the nearest cabin or business?
  • Is construction occurring nearby?

Picture of Jerry and Sherri Isbell

Join us on Twitter and Instagram

4 04, 2020

Beavers Bend Cabins COVD-19 Update

2022-10-24T13:51:25+00:00April 4th, 2020|Beavers Bend Covid Update|

Picture of Jerry Isbell and show dog at Beavers Bend State Park

Beavers Bend State Park/Broken Bow, OK Corona Virus Update

Currently, there is one Covid-19 case reported in McCurtain County. Several restaurants, retail stores and wineries have closed. Others are offering curb service.

Beavers Bend Camping Update

Beavers Bend State Park and Broken Bow Lake are open. Tent camping is prohibited.

RV campsites are available. Many are next to Mountain Fork River.

The pandemic has initiated many cabin inquires from DFW/OKC residents wanting to experience fresh air and seclusion in the  Kiamichi Mountains.

Picture of Mountain Vista Cabin's 50 mile view from the deck aerial picture of Mountain Vista Cabin

Our cleaning crew is taking all necessary precautions sanitizing Mountain Vista. Everything from door knobs to furniture and floors are receiving extra attention at our Broken Bow luxury cabin.

Follow us on Twitter & Instagram.

See our luxury cabin video tour at BeaversBendVacations.com

26 02, 2020

Beavers Bend State Park-A Great Shreveport/Bossier City Spring Break Destination

2023-03-02T20:39:54+00:00February 26th, 2020|Bossier City Spring Break, Shreveport Spring Break Destination|

 

Broken Bow Cabin Rental Tips

Mountain Vista-Broken Bow, OK

Shreveport/Bossier City Spring Break Destination

Shreveport/Bossier City Spring Break is approaching and luxury cabins in Broken Bow, OK should be on your getaway list!

There are thousands of vacation cabins near Beavers Bend State Park. Mountain Vista cabin is a oasis for ArkLaTex residents.

One of our favorite long-time visitors to Mountain Vista is KSLA anchor, Doug Warner. Doug has been a friend for years and loves relaxing in McCurtain County.

Doug Warner and family visit Mountain Vista Cabin

Doug Warner, KSLA anchor and family enjoying Mountain Vista Cabin in Beavers Bend

Unlike many cabins being built close together in our booming region, we have a large property that allows you to jaunt through the forest in solitude.

Collage of Mountain Vista Cabin

Mountain Vista cabin has a 50-mile deck view and three king bedrooms. Guests enjoy free firewood, s’mores kits and a soothing hot tub overlooking our beautiful property.

There are scores of restaurants in the area. Our top dining choice near Broken Bow Lake is Rolling Fork Takery.

Pictures of food from Rolling Fork Takery

Here are a few additional spring break tips when visiting Beavers Bend.

Shreveport and Bossier City residents should make their spring break cabin reservations soon. Cabins in Broken Bow fill quickly. March is one of the most popular months.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for information about visiting Broken Bow, OK.

Shreveport/Bossier City is under three-hours from Broken Bow Lake.

Beavers Bend Vacations Broken Bow

Sherri and I invite you to visit our vacation home, Mountain Vista cabin.

Water recreation in Beavers Bend Mountain Vista Cabin Deck View

Join us on Twitter and Instagram!

28 01, 2020

What Activities Are There For Kids In Beavers Bend?

2023-03-02T20:39:53+00:00January 28th, 2020|Activities for kids in Beavers Bend|

Picture of child at Mountain Vista Cabin property

We’re often asked about activities for kids in Beavers Bend and I don’t really understand why. A simple Google search of Beavers Bend State Park and Broken Bow Lake will tell you plenty.

Water recreation in Beavers Bend

I tell people if they’re looking for an arcade to occupy their kids, save your money and stay in the city. We have a massive property that’s great for hiking and exploring. One of our guests favorite activities at Mountain Vista cabin is hanging out at the fire pit . We provide free firewood and s’mores kits!

Children roasting s'mores at Mountain Vista cabin fire pit

5 Great Activities For Kids & Parents In Beavers Bend

jerry isbell

Spend a few minutes researching our area and you’ll see there are scores of great activities for kids near Beavers Bend State Park. It’s beautiful here! See our cabin video tour at BeaversBendVacations.com. 

 

3 01, 2020

Best Way To Rent Beavers Bend Luxury Cabins

2020-01-13T21:39:17+00:00January 3rd, 2020|How To Rent A Cabin In Beavers Bend|

There are many websites available for you to rent a Beavers Bend cabin. You can book from management companies, individual owners and sites like VRBO, Airbnb and Evolve.

Which is the best and most cost effective?

Many Beavers Bend cabin management companies are now advertising on VRBO. There were about 10 cabins on VRBO when we we began advertising there. Now it’s about 1,000.

It’s called vacation rental by owner…not vacation rental by management company. Management companies are flocking to the owners’ sites now.

The most cost effective way to rent a cabin in Broken Bow is from a website that doesn’t charge add-on fees. All third-party sites charge extra fees.

We never gouge guests with these charges at BeaversBendVacations.com.

Mountain Vista cabin pictures

Mountain Vista Broken Bow Oklahoma

 

Top Beavers Bend Cabin Rental Tips

  • If booking on Evolve, you’re dealing with people in Colorado. They don’t have a clue about the lay of the land in Beavers Bend.
  • VRBO, Airbnb and others charge additional fees. It’s often better to rent directly from an owner’s website. 
  • Many cabin management companies charge additional fees and don’t provide free firewood. Some only supply “Starter Kits” for things like trash bags. Look for these tactics. 
  • Third-party websites can provide ease of mind if you’re not familiar with a cabin, owner or management company. Helpful if you rely on reviews.
  • Research the proximity of your cabin to another and if there’s lots of highway noise

beavers bend cabin

 

There are many great cabin owners and management companies in Beavers Bend. Research them thoroughly. Do they return phone calls promptly?

Mountain Vista cabin is nestled in the Kiamichi Mountains near Beavers Bend State Park and Broken Bow Lake. We feature three king bedrooms, acres of seclusion and stunning 50-mile views.

Mountain Vista has been named “A Place To Stay in Oklahoma” by TravelOK. It’s been featured in the book “Treasures of Oklahoma.”

Download our Beavers Bend app for VIP offers.

Two-million visitors enjoy our area annually. You should too. It’s beautiful here!

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