I drove down 39th street on my way home from work this evening and noticed the old Seafood Restaurant across from SNU (I think it was Harbor House?) will be the site of the newest Falcones. Seems like a strange place since Papa Angelos is within walking distance.

I don't know, being that the only Falcone's I'll really eat at now is the May location and know many that will agree, it seems apparent that they've been expanding too fast. The quality of the food and service at the Edmond and Midwest City locations leave much to be desired, and they are usually understaffed or do not have enough experienced managerial oversight. The Bricktown location is somewhat of an exception because Danny seems to always be there, but the nothing beats the experience at the original location IMO.

But since they are all still in biz I guess things are working out OK for them...

Yep. Edmond is deserted these days.

so where do edmonites go to snag their pie these days?

Seem's like Jo's and Humble Pie are keeping their parking lots pretty full these days.

I guess I'm in a minority on this, but I've tried Falcone's a couple of times, and I just don't like it - NY authenticity notwithstanding.

First time, we grabbed one of the pepperoni calzones, and the thing was about 90% air and had maybe five pepperonis - and that's not an exaggeration, either. Okay, figured that was a mis-hit, an outlier; tried Falcone's again, picked up a basic Pepperoni pizza, and it was swimming in grease and had virtually no flavor at all. When my teenage son won't eat a pizza, and asks if I want the rest of his something's wrong. After we kept trying to figure out the "good" part of it, we at each other and said, "okay, this is twice, and its been a loser both times..."

Like I said, maybe I'm in a minority on this, but if Falcone's is truly represenative of NYC pizza, maybe I just don't like NYC pizza :sad

Yes, it's the old Harbour House restaurant (too bad HH is gone).

There is already a thread on this somewhere I believe. I read in the Gazette though awhile back. This is going to be there "Family Style" restaurant and not their typical pizza joint. They are going to have sit down/waiter style food served family style to feed a family of 4 for under $30. Such as probably a bowl of spaghetti, garlic knots, salad and drinks is how I picture it.

SoonerDave, don't rule NYC pizza out. Papa Angelo's in Bethany (and now Jones and El Reno, weird locations I know, and you'd think that's not very convenient of a commute to check up on) is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better NYC style than Falcones or anywhere else. Just read the reviews on here, UrbanSpoon, and that other OKC foodie website. Everyone pretty much says it is hands down the best. Having eaten there (and in NYC) on and off for the last 10-15 years, I whole-heartedly agree. I recommend the sausage pizza, but you can't go wrong either way.

i thought gaetano's closed... do you mean papa angelo's?

-M

i thought gaetano's closed... do you mean papa angelo's?

-M

Oops. Yep. Fixed. Gaetano's was good though.

Went to Papa Angelos for lunch yesterday. If you haven't been in the last few months they have moved a few doors to the south and have a much bigger place. Love the garlic knots.

...SoonerDave, don't rule NYC pizza out. Papa Angelo's in Bethany (and now Jones and El Reno, weird locations I know, and you'd think that's not very convenient of a commute to check up on) is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better NYC style than Falcones or anywhere else. .....

...I recommend the sausage pizza, but you can't go wrong either way.

Great tip, Metro....if I can remember to think about heading that way next time we have a family pizza outing, that's what I'll suggest. Only problem is that when we drive across town for pizza, my family likes to go to Hideaway (and I do too, for that matter)...so I've gotta do some arm-twisting....

BTW, I LOVE sausage pizza, so if there's one to try, that's what I'd prefer!!!

Ahhh....test-driving pizza....now THAT's a career I could sink my teeth into (forgive horrible joke).

I heard today that the new Falcones is supposed to open next week. Considering how long it seems to take other restaurants to open this one seemed to go really fast.

I heard today that the new Falcones is supposed to open next week. Considering how long it seems to take other restaurants to open this one seemed to go really fast.

Yes it is supposed to be open on Monday 8/17/2009.

Thats correct I drove by today. Also they are going to be serving breakfast, that should be interesting.

Also they are going to be serving breakfast, that should be interesting.

that does sound interesting. i've liked everything i've had at falcones, especially from the store on N.May...

breakfast pizza ain't tough ... lay down scrambled eggs as the sauce base, load it with sausages, bacon, other meats if you choose, some veggies, but only if you must, mix up a couple of different cheeses, not just the pizza standbys, then bake that sucker ...

Once it's cooked, let it cool just a speck, then slice it up and enjoy, especially enjoy by having your slices smothered with your favorite jams if you're a sweet tooth.

Breakfast pizza was a fav, especially for the early Sat staff mtgs, in a few different ff caves, long, long ago, in another lifetime far far away.

I was thinking gravy as a sauce base, not scrambled eggs....

never made one with a gravy sauce. I see where that could work, but it'd be more than a tad messier. Unless I suppose one likes to make the gravy thick enough to be chewy.

Using an egg base for the sauce, your typical breakfast pizza still resembles a pizza but all in all, it's just a real thin quiche.

Good blackberry jam makes it heavenly. Then again, good blackberry jam has that effect on almost everything.

And furthermore, I was wondering what an "Italian Breakfast" or "NYC breakfast" would be, or if they're just going to have standard breakfast fare.

I have been eating at Falcone's since it opened on May and I eat at the one in Bricktown at least once nearly every week. I think their pizza is mediocre and overpriced. Their pasta dishes are also overpriced for what you get but I love the sandwiches and connoli. The sandwiches are large enough for two people. I live in Bethany and hope the new location makes it. Their prices are pretty high for everything. They need to include a piece of bread and a salad with the pasta dishes. Some lasagne would be good too. Anyone remember Custino's? He had great lasagne. It is too bad they went out of business, I liked it as much or more than Falcone's.

Bigray in Ok

I used to go to Custino's in the old Taco Bell and Pasta Pizzazz on North May, I really liked those places for "quick" Italian food.

I have been eating at Falcone's since it opened on May and I eat at the one in Bricktown at least once nearly every week. I think their pizza is mediocre and overpriced. Their pasta dishes are also overpriced for what you get but I love the sandwiches and connoli. The sandwiches are large enough for two people. I live in Bethany and hope the new location makes it. Their prices are pretty high for everything. They need to include a piece of bread and a salad with the pasta dishes. Some lasagne would be good too. Anyone remember Custino's? He had great lasagne. It is too bad they went out of business, I liked it as much or more than Falcone's.

Bigray in Ok

The food is mediocre and overpriced, but you eat there once a week? :beaten_fi

I live in Bethany and hope the new location makes it. Their prices are pretty high for everything. They need to include a piece of bread and a salad with the pasta dishes. Some lasagne would be good too. Anyone remember Custino's? He had great lasagne. It is too bad they went out of business, I liked it as much or more than Falcone's.

Bigray in Ok

Another Bethanite here. I hope Falcones makes it too. I have to admit Ive never been to one, though I do love pizza so I'll probably give it a try. But if its as high priced as everyone sais it might be a one time visit.

What amazes me is that no business has been able to succeed at that location. Bethany does not have a lot of dining choices within the city limits, and even fewer in its downtown district. There is a university right across the street. Those two facts alone should mean a restaurant should do well there. Over-priced pizza might not be the way to go. I hope they take the location (across from SNU) into consideration.....as Im sure any business would and cater to the locals and the students.

Again folks, this is going to be their "family style" restaurant concept, not their typical pizza joint. I'm sure they'll have pizza too, but it won't be like the other Falcone's. I agree, nothing has succeeded long term in that spot, and having an even better Papa Angelo's two blocks away isn't going to help.

The food is mediocre and overpriced, but you eat there once a week? :beaten_fi

i was wondering the same thing.

is it just more fun to give poor reviews and play the amateur food critic? :LolLolLol

i've been in the food industry since 1986 and i try not to say anything about a place if i don't have anything nice to say. unless it is a health hazard. or a chain. :numchucks

Since the question was asked and I was chastised for not saying anything good about a restaurant and called an amateur restaurant critic, I eat at Falcone's once a week because I like the sandwiches and cannoli. I thought I made that clear in my original post. I went to the new Bethany location on opening night Monday and like some of the things they are doing. The menu is much more extensive than the other stores with a lot of entree and pasta dishes including steak and chicken dishes not offered at the other Falcone's. They do have lasagne as suggested and the pasta dishes come with a salad. The have some soups listed such as Italian Wedding Soup and Pasta ***ioli but none were available the first night. The breakfast menu has the standard egg, meat, and pancake combinations with some added twists. There is not a breakfast pizza but there is a breakfast calzone. The breakfast food is served anytime and is priced well.

Like a lot of new restaurants, they need to work out some of the service kinks. I think the crowd on the opening Monday Night was larger than anticipated and they did not have enough wait staff or kitchen help. This happens a lot at a busy restauarant opening. I hope this location is successful. Bethany does not have many full-service restaurants and has not supported them well in recent years.

Bigray in Ok
Amateur Restaurant Critic
Experienced Eater

Can they serve Wine?
Does Bethany have a law against alcohol in restaurants?

No wine without a license for it. Harbor House had a liquor and wine license so it's not against Bethany law. Haven't heard if Falcone's is getting one or not??

bigray, i believe we were just messing with you. your post was funny because you said a lot of the stuff was just ok and a couple of things were good, but you ate there all the time.

Thanks Jim, I am fairly new to this board and I do not know everyone's nuances. I have posted for years on Chowhound.com and have invested a lot of money in the OKC restaurant industry. My body shows it. On the alcohol question, the Falcone's in Bethany has beer and wine listed on the menu. Harbor House was the first restaurant I ever remember having a liquor license in Bethany. Bethany got its first liquor store in the late 90's at 39th and Rockwell. It has since closed and there is one at N.W. 36th and Rockwell next to 7-11. Bethany was founded by members of the Nazarene church which is very anti-alcohol. There is land in Bethany which has restrictive covenants prohibitinig the sale of alcohol or tobacco. I guess the property Falcone's sits on does not have one.

Bigray in Ok

I'm not a professional critic, but due to my profession I deal with food regularly.

I have tried Falcones - we were there on Sunday for breakfast. My sister ordered the breakfast calzone - it was awesome! I had a burger and fries and it was just as good. We were very pleased. We did have to wait about 15 minutes to be seated - not because they were busy, but because no one heard the door open (there's no "ding") and we didn't know where they were.

Now ... my favorite place to get pizza is Papa Angelo's. I love the pizza as well as the family atmosphere. I don't go really often, but I've gone often enough that they recognize me now and I always feel at home. I always get the supreme and an order of knots. Great pizza ... great people ... great atmosphere.

haven't been to the bethany falcone's yet, but we will. danny and his crew always do a great job.

did try papa angelo's tonight. completely different pizza from falcones (or anybody else in town, honestly). both are really good, just depends on what kind of pizza you are in the mood for. i'll give both of them my business, different type of products, so i don't even view them as competitors.

Whatever, they both claim to be authentic NYC style, and are similar, although I think Papa Angelo's does a MUCH better job on delivering quality and authenticity. Falcone's loses it in the crust, it's too thick and they don't give it enough attention like Angelo's does.

Falcone's in Edmond is now closed.

Perhaps this thread would be more appropriate, since the Bethany store is a different concept.

http://www.okctalk.com/food-restaurants/7951-falcones-7.html

Whatever, they both claim to be authentic NYC style, and are similar, although I think Papa Angelo's does a MUCH better job on delivering quality and authenticity. Falcone's loses it in the crust, it's too thick and they don't give it enough attention like Angelo's does.

whatever? i'll see your whatever, and i'll raise it with a "says you"...

2 different interpretations of NYC style. Angelo's crust is cracker crispy while Falcone's is foldably soft. both styles can be found in NYC, so both are viable.

like i said, just depends on which one you are in the mood for.

Whatever, they both claim to be authentic NYC style, and are similar, although I think Papa Angelo's does a MUCH better job on delivering quality and authenticity. Falcone's loses it in the crust, it's too thick and they don't give it enough attention like Angelo's does.

I've noticed their crust thickness to vary too much for me personally. When the May store originally opened, I loved it...it's still good, but with the above mentioned inconsistencies, it's not worth the drive from the Paseo.

Falcone's in Edmond is now closed.

thats because it sucked....bad. worst falcones ever.

We at there last night. It was fantastic! Pizza was better than any I have eaten in OKC with a crust that was light and crisp but full of flavor with topping that were fresh and high quality. Best tiramisu I have ever eaten except for Il Pialto in Santa Fe we ordered it to take home and the waiter dropped off two little scoops of spumoni for us to try-it was creamy and full of pistachios. Salad was generous and fresh. Linguine with clam sauce was excellent. The linguine was al dente and had not sat in hot water for ever like most. The waiter seemed flustered but he was very nice and got the order right and it was out quick. We are taking the family next weekend to try the Chicken Parmesan family dinner because it is super cheap. Bethany needs this restaurant so badly, I hope the locals will stop there rather than heading to Memorial or Bricktown, we need to save our gas!

I went Wednesday night and it was closed. There was mail in the mail box that had not been picked up and phone books sitting in fornt of the door. It appeared to me it has closed down.

Bigray in Ok

II guess I'm in a minority on this, but I've tried Falcone's a couple of times, and I just don't like it - NY authenticity notwithstanding.

Trust me, it is a poor representation of NY pizza, as someone who used to live there and visits regularly.

By the way, only tourists would go to Little Italy to get pizza. It's not there. The best slices in New York are in the Village, Lower East Side, Soho, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, etc.

Danny Falcone is a New Yorker, but that doesn't mean he can make good pizza. His pizza is OK, but it's not like the best -- or even average -- places to get a slice in NYC.

I went Wednesday night and it was closed. There was mail in the mail box that had not been picked up and phone books sitting in fornt of the door. It appeared to me it has closed down.

Bigray in Ok

Don't start rumors. I highly doubt it was closed down. I saw cars in the parking lot just a day or two before. I'm sure they were just closing early in prep for the snow/ice storm.

Trust me, it is a poor representation of NY pizza, as someone who used to live there and visits regularly.

By the way, only tourists would go to Little Italy to get pizza. It's not there. The best slices in New York are in the Village, Lower East Side, Soho, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, etc.

Danny Falcone is a New Yorker, but that doesn't mean he can make good pizza. His pizza is OK, but it's not like the best -- or even average -- places to get a slice in NYC.

Exactly. Heck, Papa Angelo's in Bethany has the best NYC pizza hands down.

Don't start rumors. I highly doubt it was closed down. I saw cars in the parking lot just a day or two before. I'm sure they were just closing early in prep for the snow/ice storm.

a friend from Yukon told me he thinks they are closed.

does anyone know if this is true or not?

Joe at Papa Angelo's told me they had closed

maybe they have, but let's not start rumors until we can verify. I'm not surprised if it is true though. Falcone's has been on the decline and nothing has lasted in that space.

I am not starting rumors. My post was made last week on Wednesday, not the day before the storm hit. I went by on Saturday and it was closed also. I am reporting what I saw, a closed restaurant. By the way, I just called the Falcone's on May and yes, the Bethany location is closed. It is not a rumor.

Bigray in Ok

I just called the Falcone's on May and yes, the Bethany location is closed. It is not a rumor.

thanks for calling and the verification.

Trust me, it is a poor representation of NY pizza, as someone who used to live there and visits regularly.

By the way, only tourists would go to Little Italy to get pizza. It's not there. The best slices in New York are in the Village, Lower East Side, Soho, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, etc.

Danny Falcone is a New Yorker, but that doesn't mean he can make good pizza. His pizza is OK, but it's not like the best -- or even average -- places to get a slice in NYC.

Who DOES have the best NYC-style pizza here in town? I've been wondering...

I'll put my vote in for Papa Angelos in Bethany.

Who DOES have the best NYC-style pizza here in town? I've been wondering...

Sbarro.

I think the biggest issue with Falcone's is consistency.

1st experience - 4 out of 10 (May)

2nd experience - 4 out of 10 (May)

3rd experience - 8 out of 10 (Bricktown)

4th experience - 7 out of 10 (May)

5th experience - 2 out of 10 (Bricktown)

I was done with Falcone's after my first 2 trips, but my son wanted a slice after the thunder game so I went back. Luckily Danny was on hand for the 3rd experience, and at that point it was probably the best NY pizza I had in Oklahoma. If Danny had his heart in his one place it could possibly be a solid 8 out of 10 (very good), but he seems to be more about making an empire than making quality.

Best pizza in OKC (from what I've tried):

1- Humble Pie - NY Style, far & away the best
2- Picasso Cafe - very surprised
3- The Wedge - hit or miss, go with the truffle
4- Papa Angelo's - not the best, but good, and always consistent. genuine NY pizzeria

Best pizza in OKC (from what I've tried):

1- Humble Pie - NY Style, far & away the best
2- Picasso Cafe - very surprised
3- The Wedge - hit or miss, go with the truffle
4- Papa Angelo's - not the best, but good, and always consistent. genuine NY pizzeria

I'd agree, but not in that order

1.) Papa Angelo's
2.) Humble Pie
3.) Picasso's/Wedge depending on your mood since slightly different tastes
4.) Takehome from Papa Murphys with creamy garlic sauce instead of tomato.

I think the biggest issue with Falcone's is consistency.

1st experience - 4 out of 10 (May)

2nd experience - 4 out of 10 (May)

3rd experience - 8 out of 10 (Bricktown)

4th experience - 7 out of 10 (May)

5th experience - 2 out of 10 (Bricktown)

I was done with Falcone's after my first 2 trips, but my son wanted a slice after the thunder game so I went back. Luckily Danny was on hand for the 3rd experience, and at that point it was probably the best NY pizza I had in Oklahoma. If Danny had his heart in his one place it could possibly be a solid 8 out of 10 (very good), but he seems to be more about making an empire than making quality.

I couldn't agree more! I've stopped going to the Midwest City location altogether which is close to my house (don't even get me started on that), and I only go to the Bricktown location when its busy (before Thunder games) and Danny is likely to be there overseeing. Other than that I usually go to May, and its typically a 7 out of 10, but on a taste scale the pizza is 10 out of 10 (if fresh). He just needs to focus! And probably hire more skilled management, or remain closed at non-busy time when he doesn't want to pay extra for good management. One bad experience, even on an off time, can ruin everything and turn customers away for good. I hate to say it, but the Bethany and Edmond closings were a very very good thing and I hope he's learned his lesson...

But I truly hope the May location can stay strong. That is some darn fine and authentic NY pizza. I'd deeply mourn if the whole operation ever went under.