Pizza King in Oklahoma City: Chicago-Style Deep Dish and Tavern Pizza
Pizza King is a Chicago-style pizzeria in Oklahoma City that splits its menu between thick, cheese-forward deep-dish pies and thinner tavern-cut squares, both baked in deck ovens. It operates as a full-service restaurant with beer and wine, positioning itself between casual takeout joints and upscale Neapolitan spots in the city's pizza landscape.
What Pizza King actually is
The restaurant specializes in two distinct styles under one roof. Deep-dish pizzas arrive in cast-iron pans with a buttery, crispy crust and generous cheese that reaches the rim; tavern-style pies are cut into small squares with a thin, crackly base and minimal toppings. The format lets customers order one deep-dish to split or grab a few tavern squares as appetizers. The space functions as a full restaurant, not a counter operation, with seated dining and table service.
Menu and pricing
Deep-dish pizzas start at $16 for a medium cheese and climb to $24-26 for large specialty builds. The tavern squares run $2.50 to $4 per piece depending on toppings, making them practical for sampling multiple flavors without committing to a full pie. Beer selection includes local Oklahoma breweries alongside national brands; wine is available by the glass. Confirm current prices with the restaurant, as food costs shift seasonally.
How Pizza King compares to other Oklahoma City pizza options
Pizza King's dual approach differs from single-style competitors. Cattlemen's Steakhouse in Stockyard City serves pizza but anchors itself to meat-forward entrees; Pizza King centers the pizza. Andolinis in Uptown offers Neapolitan-style pies with imported flour and San Marzano tomatoes, targeting a different customer (longer cook times, higher price point, wood-fired). The Loaded Bowl in Midtown bakes Sicilian-style rectangular pies with a thicker, airier crumb than Pizza King's tavern squares. Choose Pizza King if you want Chicago-style depth and the option to eat in a casual restaurant setting; pick Andolinis for wood-fired tradition; go Loaded Bowl for Sicilian breadiness.
Who it suits and who it does not
Pizza King works well for groups ordering one or two deep-dishes to share, diners wanting to sample several flavors via tavern squares, and customers seeking beer-friendly food in a seated environment. It suits lunch and dinner equally. It does not suit anyone avoiding dairy (cheese is central to the style) or seeking gluten-free options (no confirmation of GF crust availability). Solo diners may find a single deep-dish oversized but can order tavern squares as a lighter meal.
What the first visit involves
Arrive and expect a hostess-led seating process; no self-seating. A server brings water and menus listing the deep-dish options, specialty pies, and available tavern-square flavors. Order directly from your server. Deep-dish pizzas take 20-25 minutes; tavern squares arrive faster. The pies come to the table in cast iron or on a standard plate, and the server will offer plates and napkins. Eat deep-dish with a fork and knife; tavern squares are hand-held.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Pizza King operates daily for lunch and dinner; confirm exact hours with the restaurant, as hours can shift seasonally. Street parking and a dedicated lot serve the location. The restaurant has a full bar, so it holds an alcohol license. Takeout is available but not the primary model; the space and pacing are built for dine-in.
Pizza King fills a gap in Oklahoma City between casual takeout pizza and fine-dining Neapolitan spots, offering Chicago tradition with the comfort of a restaurant environment.
