Falcone's Pizzeria in Oklahoma City: Coal-Fired Neapolitan Pizza in Midtown
Falcone's Pizzeria is a casual Neapolitan pizza restaurant in Oklahoma City's Midtown neighborhood, built around a wood-fired oven that reaches temperatures high enough to cook individual pizzas in 90 seconds. The menu centers on imported Italian ingredients, whole milk mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and dough fermented for 72 hours. Unlike fast-casual pizza chains, Falcone's operates as a sit-down restaurant with a small bar and focuses on traditional Italian technique rather than customization or speed.
What Falcone's Actually Is
Falcone's occupies a modest storefront designed around the visual centerpiece of its coal-fired oven, visible from most seating. The space holds roughly 40 seats across two areas: a main dining room and a smaller bar counter. The restaurant sources ingredients from Italy when possible, with dough made fresh daily and proofed cold for three days before service. Pies arrive at the table with char marks from the oven's deck and a crust that ranges from thin and crisp at the edge to slightly thicker and bread-like toward the center, the hallmark of Neapolitan style cooked at sustained heat.
Menu and Pricing
Pizzas run $18 to $28 depending on toppings. The Margherita, a benchmark pie with San Marzano tomato, fior di latte mozzarella, basil, and olive oil, costs $18. Signature builds include the Diavola (spicy salami and calabrian chili) at $22 and the Quattro Formaggi (gorgonzola, pecorino, smoked mozzarella, and fior di latte) at $24. Sides are limited to salads and Italian appetizers like burrata and prosciutto ($14 to $18). Calzones are available for $16 to $20. Beverages include Italian wine by the glass ($8 to $14) and beer; there is no full bar. Lunch and dinner pricing is identical. Confirm current prices by calling ahead, as menu updates and ingredient costs shift seasonally.
How Falcone's Compares to Other Oklahoma City Italian Options
Oklahoma City's Italian dining splits between casual red-sauce places and fine-dining restaurants with Italian influence. Picasso Cafe, located downtown, serves Northern Italian pasta dishes and risotto in a more formal setting with entrées in the $22 to $32 range. Cattlemen's Steakhouse in Heritage Hills includes Italian seafood dishes but centers on beef and fine dining. The Loaded Bowl, a farm-to-table restaurant on North 11th Street, incorporates Italian technique into a contemporary American menu but is not primarily Italian.
Falcone's differs in that it commits entirely to pizza and Neapolitan tradition. It suits diners who want traditional Italian pizza without the price point of fine dining and without the American-casual experience of chain pizza. Choose Falcone's for authentic Naples-style crust and imported toppings. Choose Picasso Cafe if you prefer pasta entrées and Northern Italian cooking. Choose Cattlemen's or other upscale restaurants if you want a full bar, table service formality, or a multi-course meal.
Who Fits Here and Who Doesn't
Falcone's works well for casual dinner dates, small groups, and families with children old enough to sit comfortably in a 90-second pizza experience. The menu is straightforward, and there are no complex flavor stories to explain. The setting is relaxed; no one expects a multi-hour meal. Pizza is shared easily.
The restaurant does not suit large private parties (seating is tight), diners seeking meat-heavy non-pizza entrées, or those who want a full bar experience. The wine list is modest, and the bar is staffed for beer and simple service, not craft cocktails. Vegetarians and those with dairy allergies will find options (pizza can be made without cheese), but the menu does not cater to them.
What the First Visit Involves
You will be seated at a table or the bar counter. A server will present the pizza menu and drink options, typically asking if you have eaten at Falcone's before and walking first-timers through the house specialties. Most diners order one to two pies to share, plus a salad or appetizer and a drink. Pies arrive hot and are cut into four or six slices. Expect 45 minutes to an hour from arrival to departure for a casual meal; longer if you linger over wine or conversation.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
Falcone's is open Tuesday through Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Mondays. Parking is available on the street and in a small lot shared with nearby businesses in Midtown; it is rarely full during service hours. The restaurant does not take reservations, so expect a short wait on Friday and Saturday evenings. Call ahead to confirm hours, as they may shift seasonally.
Falcone's fills a gap in Oklahoma City's Italian dining landscape by focusing on one thing well instead of padding a menu with directions the restaurant cannot execute at the same level. For anyone looking for proper Neapolitan pizza without traveling to the coasts, it is the primary choice in the city.
