Rick's Cafe in Oklahoma City: New York-Style Pizza and Casual Dining
Rick's Cafe serves New York-style pizza from a corner location in Oklahoma City, offering thin-crust pies, sandwiches, and salads in a casual, walk-in-friendly format that prioritizes quick service over dining ambiance.
What Rick's Cafe Actually Is
Rick's Cafe operates as a straightforward pizzeria focused on hand-tossed, New York-style crust rather than Neapolitan or Detroit styles. The kitchen stretches dough fresh and tops pies with standard red sauce, mozzarella, and available toppings. The space is compact and designed for carryout and quick counter seating, not lingering; most customers order at the counter, wait 8 to 12 minutes for a pie, and take it with them or eat standing up or at a handful of small tables.
Menu and Pricing
A large 14-inch pie with one topping runs approximately $14 to $16, with each additional topping adding $1.50 to $2. A large cheese pizza sits around $12 to $13. Rick's also sells by the slice during lunch and evening hours, priced per slice at roughly $2.50 to $3.50 depending on toppings. Sandwiches (Italian meats, cheesesteaks) range from $8 to $11. Salads and sides like garlic knots or wings round out the menu, typically $6 to $10. Prices can shift seasonally; confirm current rates before a large order.
How Rick's Compares to Other Oklahoma City Pizza
Rick's positions itself as a neighborhood pizza stop rather than a destination pizzeria. Pizzerias Like Goro or Picasso Cafe in Oklahoma City emphasize wood-fired ovens and artisanal ingredients, justifying higher price points ($18 to $24 per pie) and longer waits. Rick's trades craft for speed and affordability, appealing to families and office workers seeking a quick lunch rather than a specialized dining experience. For New York-style specifically, Rick's competes directly with other casual chains and independent shops; its thin crust and straightforward approach are familiar rather than innovative. If you want a premium, slow-cooked pizza experience, Goro or similar venues are the choice. If you need affordable, fast New York-style pizza in or near your neighborhood, Rick's delivers without pretension.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
Rick's suits anyone seeking quick, inexpensive pizza without table service or complex ordering. It works well for lunch breaks, takeout dinners, families with young children who need speed, and groups splitting a few pies before an event. It does not suit diners seeking intimate seating, table service, wine pairings, or artisanal pizza techniques. It is not a date-night venue or a showcase for specialty ingredients; the appeal is value and convenience.
What the First Visit Involves
Walk in and order at the counter. Menu is posted above or available on a printed list. Tell the staff your crust preference (thin is standard), size, and toppings. Payment happens at the register before the pie enters the oven. You receive a receipt or number and wait in the shop or nearby. Most pies are ready within 10 to 15 minutes. Grab your box, find a seat at one of the small tables inside, or take it with you. No reservations, no host, no waiter; the rhythm is intentionally simple.
Hours and Parking
Rick's typically opens at 11 a.m. for lunch and stays open until 9 or 10 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, with shorter hours on Sunday; exact hours shift seasonally and by day, so call ahead or check online before a visit. Parking is on-street or in a small lot adjacent to the shop, depending on the specific location within Oklahoma City. Street parking can fill during lunch hours.
Rick's Cafe fills a reliable gap in Oklahoma City's pizza landscape: it delivers consistent, affordable New York-style pizza in the time it takes to make a sandwich elsewhere, making it a practical stop for anyone who values speed and value over culinary innovation.
