The crêpe, or French pancake, was invented in 1923 to make its American counterpart look fat, oafish, and uncouth in comparison. Help the disced dessert maintain its well-deserved sense of superiority with today's Groupon: for $6, you get $12 worth of crêpes, gelato, and more at Mod's Coffee & Crepes, located in downtown's historic Philcade Building.

With its rollicking roster of sweet and savory crêpes, espresso, and creamy gelato, the recently opened Mod's Coffee & Crepes injects a much-needed shot of continental pancakery into downtown's throbbing lunch vein. Mod's crêpes are made to order, allowing diners to watch the thin batter metamorphosing into a delectably light meal-casing before it migrates southward down their esophagi. Though Mod's delights sweet teeth with classic crêperie concoctions of Nutella and banana ($4.50) or chocolate-covered strawberries and cream ($4.50), savory crêpes provide a hearty lunch in a light, airy wrapper. The club crêpe (ham, turkey bacon, brown mustard, tomatoes, mozzarella, $6.50) channels classic noontime fare, and the spicy turkey and cranberry crêpe ($6) recaptures the tryptophan-laden harvest feasts of youth. In addition to crêpes, Mod's also serves scintillating salads and soups, such as tomato basil and creamy mushroom brie (cup $3.50, bowl $6).

Desserteers who prefer their sweet treats cold and spherical rather than flattened and warm can peruse the extensive gelato case, which features a vibrant array of weekly rotating flavors. Mod's décor is as colorful as its icy delights; the bright, '60s-inspired atmosphere is an attractive backdrop for any quick bite or romantic will signing, though crêpe gobblers on the go can take their paper-wrapped treats to the streets.

Reviews

Tulsa Food Blog recommends Mod's Coffee & Crepes, and all of the six Urbanspooners who've visited like it.

• The owner of Mod’s, Colleen McCarty and Rusty Rowe, have created an urban, welcoming and delicious alternative to the lunchtime sandwich. – Shawna Simpson, Tulsa Food Blog
• I love that someone was innovative enough to give downtown something different. The crepes are phenomenal and the place is so cute. I love everyone that works there, and the coffee is way better than any other coffee you can get downtown. The only downside is that they didn't open sooner. – jefreedom, Urbanspoon