There are a lot of pizza places in Oklahoma City, but few feel like as much of an experience as Empire Slice House.
Empire first opened in 2013 in a converted laundromat in the Plaza District and has grown into one of the city’s most recognizable pizza spots. Founded by Oklahoma native Rachel Cope and the 84 Hospitality Group, the restaurant built its reputation around big New York–style slices, loud music, and walls packed with pop-culture references.
Walk inside and it’s immediately clear this isn’t a quiet dinner place. The music is usually cranked up, the walls are covered with posters and references to movies, music, and comics, and there’s always a mix of people grabbing a quick slice or sitting down with friends.
I eat there a lot. Honestly, probably once or twice a month.
The Pizza
Empire does big, foldable New York-style slices, and the menu leans heavily into creative names and flavor combos.
One of my go-to slices is the Notorious P.I.G., which is basically a meat lover’s dream — pepperoni, Italian sausage, bacon, and Canadian bacon piled onto a giant slice. The name alone tells you the vibe they’re going for, but the flavor backs it up too.
Another one I usually grab is No Sleep Till Brooklyn, a nod to the Beastie Boys that fits perfectly with Empire’s music-and-pizza personality. Like most of their pies, it leans into bold flavors and toppings without trying to be overly fancy.
Honestly though, most of the menu is solid. The rotating slices mean there’s usually something new if you’ve been there a few times.
The Tattoo Deal
Empire might also have one of the most unusual loyalty programs in Oklahoma.
If you get one of their official Empire tattoo designs, you can get 50% off pizza for life. Yes, seriously.
The tattoo has to be one of their approved designs and at least a couple inches in size. Once you get it, you send them a photo and they issue a discount card that gives you half-price pizza (with some reasonable limits on how much you can order per day).
It’s one of those ideas that sounds ridiculous until you think about how often some people eat there. If you’re a regular, that tattoo could pay for itself pretty fast.
And honestly, it’s perfectly on-brand for the place.
Empire has always leaned into the fun, weird side of restaurant culture.
The Atmosphere
Beyond the pizza, the environment is a big part of why people keep coming back.
The walls are filled with pop-culture artwork, band posters, and random references that make the place feel like a mashup between a pizza shop and a music venue. It’s loud, colorful, and a little chaotic in a way that fits the Plaza District perfectly.
It’s the kind of place you can grab a quick slice after a show, meet friends for drinks, or just stop in for a casual dinner without making a big production out of it.
And when a place gets to the point where you’re eating there a couple times a month, that usually says something.
Empire just works.
Location & Info
Empire Slice House – Plaza District
1804 NW 16th St
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Empire Slice House – Mayfair Village
4723 N May Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Website:
Order Online:
They also have locations in Edmond, Tulsa, and Stillwater.
If you go, grab a slice of the Notorious P.I.G., look around at the walls for a minute, and decide for yourself if you’d be willing to get a tattoo for half-price pizza for life.
