Chris Pizza Chicago Style in Oklahoma City: Deep-Dish and Tavern-Cut in Midtown

Chris Pizza operates as a casual, counter-service pizzeria in Midtown Oklahoma City that specializes in two distinct Chicago styles: deep-dish pies baked in round cast-iron pans and thin, rectangular tavern-cut slices sold by the piece. The restaurant occupies a modest storefront and draws a steady mix of lunch crowds, families, and late-night diners seeking pizza that departs sharply from the New York-style default found elsewhere in the city.

What Chris Pizza Actually Is

The restaurant serves Chicago-style pizza in two formats. Deep-dish pies arrive in individual or shared sizes, with a thick, buttery crust that rises an inch or more, cheese layered directly on dough, and toppings and sauce on top. Tavern-cut pizzas come as thin, crispy rectangles divided into small squares, designed for quick consumption or takeout. Both styles rely on a different dough formula and baking method than the thin crust or Neapolitan approaches more common in Oklahoma City's pizza landscape.

Menu, Price Range, and Ordering

Deep-dish individual pies start around $10 to $12 for cheese and climb to $15 to $18 with added toppings such as pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, or vegetables. Larger deep-dish sizes suitable for sharing run $18 to $24. Tavern-cut slices sell for $2 to $3 per piece, making them an accessible option for solo diners or those sampling multiple toppings. Orders are placed at a counter; customers either eat in at a handful of tables or take food to go. Confirm current pricing by calling ahead, as ingredient costs shift seasonally.

Deep-dish pies require 25 to 30 minutes to bake. Tavern-cut rectangles are usually ready to serve immediately or within minutes, since they are cut from pans prepared throughout the day.

How It Compares to Other Oklahoma City Pizza Options

Andolinis Pizzeria, also in Midtown, emphasizes Neapolitan style with a wood-fired oven, thinner crust, and a shorter ingredient list focused on quality imports. Andolinis suits diners seeking a lighter, faster-eating pizza and an upscale casual setting. Chris Pizza's deep-dish takes longer, costs less, and prioritizes indulgence and fullness. For a more direct comparison within Chicago styles, Chris is one of few pizzerias in Oklahoma City offering both deep-dish and tavern-cut; most competitors do not attempt the second format. Ted's Cafe Escondido serves Okie-style thin crust in a different neighborhood, making it a geographic and style alternative rather than a direct rival.

Choose Chris Pizza for deep-dish comfort, for tavern-cut slices as an affordable solo meal, or for late-night eating when the restaurant extends hours past many sit-down competitors. Choose Andolinis if you prefer a lighter pie, want to linger over wine, or prioritize wood-fired tradition.

Who It Suits and Who It Does Not

Deep-dish pizza is heavy and rich; it suits appetites that favor full-bodied meals and does not suit those seeking a quick, light bite. Tavern-cut appeals to lunch-hour professionals and students because portions are small, cheap, and consumable in minutes. Families with mixed preferences benefit from the two-style offering: adults might order deep-dish while children pick up slices.

The counter-service format and limited seating do not suit large groups looking for a lingering, social meal. Those with a strong preference for thin-crust pizza or traditional wood-fired Neapolitan will find better fits elsewhere.

What a First Visit Involves

Walk in, study the menu board, and decide between deep-dish (which requires a wait) or tavern-cut (immediate or near-immediate). If ordering deep-dish, ask for a time estimate and decide whether to wait in the restaurant or return later. Pay at the counter. Tavern-cut buyers can select slices, pay, and leave within two minutes. Seating is first-come, first-served at shared tables; the space fills quickly during lunch and after 9 p.m.

Hours, Parking, and Logistics

Chris Pizza opens at 11 a.m. for lunch and stays open into late evening most days; verify exact closing time because hours vary by day of the week. Parking is available on street frontage and in a shared lot behind the Midtown storefront; spaces are usually available outside peak lunch hours (noon to 1 p.m.). The restaurant is accessible by car; it is also walkable from nearby Midtown businesses and residential streets. Confirm hours before traveling, especially on weekends or holidays.

Chris Pizza stands out in Oklahoma City for offering two distinct Chicago pizza formats that competing pizzerias do not both provide, and for pricing deep-dish pies and tavern-cut slices substantially below national chain equivalents.