This Oklahoma City Pizza Spot Got Dave Portnoy’s Attention For A Reason

A pizza place in Oklahoma City caught the attention of a national pizza critic for a reason that goes beyond social media buzz. What he found was a spot in the Plaza District where the slices are enormous, the crust hits that perfect balance between crispy and chewy, and the menu has enough personality to keep you coming back for more .

Since opening its doors, the spot has built a loyal following on New York-style pies that are big enough to fold, with a crispy undercarriage and a sauce that gets its own fanbase, especially the signature pink sauce that customers swear by .

Beyond the pizza, the atmosphere is what seals the deal, a casual, lived-in vibe with an outdoor patio that feels like a neighborhood secret .

You can grab a massive slice for lunch or swing by late at night when the shop stays open past midnight, because good pizza is not just for dinner anymore . It is the kind of place that makes you rethink what a pizza stop should be, and one visit is all it takes to understand the hype.

The Portnoy Buzz Feels Earned

I will be honest, I first walked in wondering whether the Dave Portnoy attention had inflated this place beyond reason, because that kind of spotlight can sometimes make a restaurant feel bigger than the actual experience. Instead, Empire Slice House felt grounded right away, like it knew exactly what it was doing and never needed to overexplain itself.

That confidence comes through before you even take a bite, and it sets the tone in a really satisfying way.

What impressed me most was that the national attention had not sanded off the local personality, which can happen when a place starts getting talked about far beyond its neighborhood. You still feel the Oklahoma City energy in the room, and that matters more than any score or internet clip ever could.

Hype may get you through the door, but personality is what makes you stay long enough to notice the details.

By the time I settled in, I stopped thinking about ratings and started thinking about why people here seem genuinely attached to the place. That is the real test, right?

When locals still love it after visitors start circling around, you know there is something solid underneath all the noise.

The Plaza District Setting Just Clicks

You know that feeling when a restaurant lands in exactly the right part of town for its personality? That is what happens here, because Empire Slice House at 1804 NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 fits the Plaza District like it grew out of the block itself.

Nothing about the setting feels accidental, and that makes the whole visit feel more natural from the start.

The surrounding area has that artsy, easygoing Oklahoma rhythm where you can wander a little, look around, and then slide into dinner without needing some grand plan. I like places that let the neighborhood do part of the storytelling, and this one really does.

The location adds context without stealing attention, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.

Once you are there, the spot feels like a corner hangout people actually use, not some polished version of one. That difference matters, because it changes how you settle into the meal.

Instead of feeling like you are checking off a must-see stop, you feel like you found a place you could return to without needing a special occasion.

The Slice Style Is The Real Deal

Here is the part that really got me, because plenty of places say they do New York style pizza, and then the slice shows up looking unsure of itself. Empire actually delivers that big, foldable, satisfying kind of slice that makes you instinctively tilt your wrist and lean forward a little.

It feels fun in the way good pizza should feel, not overly precious or stiff.

The crust has that chew you want without turning into a whole jaw workout, and the balance between sauce and cheese stays right where it should. I kept noticing how everything held together without feeling heavy, which sounds simple until you remember how often it goes wrong elsewhere.

There is a practiced ease to it that makes the whole thing seem effortless.

What I liked most was that the pizza still made sense in Oklahoma instead of trying too hard to imitate another city for the sake of bragging rights. It respects the style while feeling comfortable in its own skin.

That is why the slice stays in your memory after the meal, because it gives you exactly what you hoped for and a little more personality on top.

The Room Has Its Own Personality

The second you step inside, the room starts doing part of the talking, and I mean that in the best way. There is color everywhere, music energy in the air, and enough wall art to keep your eyes busy while you wait for your food.

It feels playful without tipping into gimmicky, which is a line a lot of themed places never quite figure out.

I loved how the space stayed casual even with all that visual personality, because nothing about it felt staged for social media first and actual diners second. You can sit down, get comfortable, and still feel like you are somewhere with a point of view.

That balance makes a huge difference when a restaurant wants to be memorable for more than just what is on the plate.

Honestly, the whole setup made me want to linger a little longer than planned, and that is usually a very good sign. Some rooms subtly hurry you along, even when nobody says a word.

This one does the opposite, letting you settle in and enjoy the background hum of conversations, movement, and all the little details that make a place feel alive.

The Specialty Pies Keep Things Interesting

If you are the kind of person who always stares at a pizza menu hoping for something beyond the usual lineup, this place is going to make you very happy. The specialty pies have enough personality to feel exciting, but they never drift into that chaotic territory where every topping is fighting for attention.

Everything sounds bold, then somehow tastes even more put together than expected.

I appreciate a menu that takes chances without forgetting that pizza is supposed to be comforting first, and Empire understands that really well. The combinations are playful, the names are memorable, and the overall effect feels confident rather than showy.

You get the sense that these pies were built by people who genuinely like flavor, not just novelty for novelty’s sake.

That matters because adventurous menus can sometimes feel like they are daring you to admire them instead of enjoy them. Here, the creative choices still land in a warm, familiar way, which makes trying something new feel low pressure.

You can order outside your usual comfort zone and still end up with a slice that feels easy, satisfying, and worth thinking about again later.

Do Not Skip The Garlic Knots

I know people say this all the time about side items, but please hear me out, because the garlic knots are not some throwaway extra sitting politely beside the main event. They come in with enough aroma to turn heads, and suddenly the table mood changes in a very immediate way.

Before you even reach for one, you already understand why people bring them up so often.

What works here is the texture, which stays soft and airy while still giving you a little pull when you tear one apart. The garlic flavor is generous without becoming overwhelming, and that dipping sauce rounds everything out exactly the way you want it to.

It is simple food done with enough care that you stop treating it like an afterthought.

I liked that they fit the whole spirit of the place, because they are comforting, a little indulgent, and best enjoyed when nobody is pretending to be too polished. This is the kind of thing you pass around the table and immediately start recommending to someone else.

By the end, it feels less like a side and more like part of the reason you came.

It Works For Almost Any Kind Of Visit

Some restaurants are clearly built for one kind of outing, and then they get awkward the second your plans shift even a little. Empire does not have that problem, which is part of why it feels so easy to recommend.

Whether you are dropping in hungry and curious or settling into a longer meal with people you actually like, the place adjusts without feeling forced.

I could see it working for a solo stop just as easily as a chatty group meal, because the energy stays lively without becoming overwhelming. There is enough movement to keep things fun, but not so much that you feel rushed out of your seat.

That middle ground is rare, and it makes the whole experience feel more human and less programmed.

What I enjoyed most was how little effort it took to feel comfortable there, because some popular spots make you work too hard for a relaxed meal. Here, the mood meets you where you are.

If you want a quick slice, that works, and if you want to settle in and let the conversation drift while the table fills up, that works just as well.

Ordering By The Slice Is A Gift

Let me just say it, being able to order by the slice is one of the smartest things about this whole place. Sometimes you are in the mood to commit to one pie, and sometimes you want to sample your way through a menu like a very curious friend with excellent priorities.

Empire makes that second option feel completely normal, which I deeply appreciate.

It changes the meal in a subtle but really fun way, because suddenly you are comparing textures, toppings, and moods instead of locking into one decision and wondering about the rest. I like restaurants that make indecision feel useful, and this one absolutely does.

The slice format turns the menu into something more playful without complicating the experience.

There is also something very welcoming about a place that lets you explore at your own pace, especially if it is your first visit and you want to get a feel for what they do best. You can follow your instincts, try something classic, try something louder, and build your own version of the meal.

That freedom is part of why the whole stop feels generous rather than rigid.

The Good Energy Ties It All Together

At the end of the day, what makes Empire Slice House worth talking about is not just one slice, one room, or one famous review. It is the overall feeling you carry out with you, which is harder to fake and easier to remember.

The place has that rare kind of good energy that makes the meal feel bigger than the individual parts.

I noticed it in the way the room moved, in the way the experience stayed relaxed, and in the way everything seemed to support the same easygoing identity. Nothing felt strained or overly curated, which made the whole visit more enjoyable.

In a city with plenty of places competing for attention, that kind of honest charm stands out fast.

If a friend asked me why this spot matters in Oklahoma, I would not launch into some dramatic speech about culinary destiny. I would just say it feels good to be there, and the pizza backs that feeling up.

Sometimes that is the strongest recommendation you can give, because the places you return to are usually the ones that make you feel welcome before, during, and after the meal.