Where to Find Serious New York–Style Pizza in Oklahoma City

Empire Slice Pizza operates in Midtown Oklahoma City, in the same block as the Paseo Arts District, and serves Sicilian and New York–style slices to a neighborhood that has spent the last decade developing an actual dining scene instead of relying on chains. This guide covers what Empire does differently, how its pricing and format compare to other pizza options across the metro, and whether the trip is worth your time depending on what you actually want from a slice.

The Midtown Location and What It Means

Empire Slice occupies a narrow storefront on NW 23rd Street, the commercial spine of Midtown. This matters because Midtown has become the densest cluster of independent restaurants in Oklahoma City, which means Empire exists in a context where restaurant operators expect foot traffic from people willing to walk between venues. The neighborhood includes The Red Cup, Cafe Kacao, and several other spots that draw diners specifically to that corridor. Empire's location means you are not isolated; you can park once and hit multiple stops.

The storefront itself is small, with limited seating. Most customers order at the counter and eat standing or take slices to go. This is deliberate design. The setup prioritizes throughput and quick transactions over lingering, which keeps labor costs down and allows Empire to price slices lower than table-service pizza restaurants charge for comparable product.

Slice Format and Price Structure

Empire sells pizza by the slice rather than whole pies. A single slice runs approximately $3 to $4 depending on topping. A whole 18-inch pie costs roughly $12 to $16 for cheese or basic toppings, with each additional topping adding $0.75 to $1.50. This pricing sits below full-service pizzerias like The Loaded Bowl (which operates multiple Oklahoma City locations) but above freezer-aisle supermarket pizza. The price-to-quality jump between Empire and supermarket options is significant; the price difference versus table-service pizza houses is real but reflects format, not ingredient quality.

For comparison: a slice at a table-service pizzeria in Bricktown or downtown will typically cost $4 to $5 with table service, napkins, and the obligation to order a drink. Empire's slice is cheaper, faster, and expects less from you socially.

Hours matter for a slice operation. Empire closes early enough that it is not a late-night option. Verify current hours before planning an evening trip; slice shops in Oklahoma City have historically struggled with consistency around closing time.

The Actual Pizza

Empire's New York style means thin crust, light hand with sauce, and cheese that browns rather than staying pale and rubbery. The Sicilian offering is thicker, nearly focaccia-like, with more oil and a different crumb structure. Both styles benefit from using decent mozzarella and not overseasoning the sauce. Empire does this correctly. The crust has chew and some char; it does not taste like delivery pizza that has been sitting in a warming box.

The toppings rotate. Pepperoni is always available. Specials feature seasonal or ingredient-driven changes. This is restaurant-speak for "we buy what is good at the supplier, not what fits a corporate inventory list." It produces variation, which some customers find refreshing and others find inconvenient.

The meaningful difference between Empire and other slice options in Oklahoma City is not hype or trendiness. It is that Empire treats pizza crust as a technical problem worth solving. Most pizza in the Oklahoma City metro arrives from one of three sources: national chains with commissary dough, casual restaurants that source dough from a distributor, or high-end pizzerias with wood-fired ovens and $20 pies. Empire operates in a fourth category: a focused shop that makes its own dough, uses a standard deck oven, and optimizes for that specific combination. The result tastes different from the other three.

When to Choose Empire Over Alternatives

If you want to eat pizza standing up, walking through Midtown, for three to four dollars, Empire is the fastest path. If you want to order a whole pie and bring it home, Empire is competent but not your only option. If you are in Midtown specifically and hungry for lunch, Empire requires no planning and no reservation.

If you want a pizza experience built around atmosphere, drinks, dessert, or a place to stay for an hour, Empire is not it. The Red Cup, two blocks away, is a restaurant. Empire is a food transaction with good execution.

If you are comparing it to Sicilian pizza options in Oklahoma City, which are limited, Empire is one of the few places serving that style consistently. Most pizzerias in the metro focus on Neapolitan or New York thin crust exclusively.

If you want to understand what decent pizza crust tastes like without spending $20 and driving to a destination, Empire is instructive.

Practical Notes for Visiting

Parking on NW 23rd Street is street parking or nearby lots shared with other Midtown businesses. Come during midday hours (11 AM to 2 PM on weekdays) for the shortest wait. Weekends and evening hours draw crowds that can make a simple slice transaction take longer than you might expect.

Cash and card are both accepted, though cash is sometimes faster at a counter operation. Call ahead if you want a whole pie; the prep time is usually 15 to 20 minutes, but volume can extend that.

The neighborhood context is real. If you are only interested in pizza and will not patronize other Midtown spots, Empire alone does not justify a special trip from outside the area. If you are already in Midtown or live there, it is a useful alternative to chains and a better use of your lunch break than most quick options.