It was when I drove by yesterday. Maybe it just helps create a 365 day space? I am pretty sure they have heaters and fans in there.

I like the shade in warmer weather I guess but they need to at least bring down the tent panels that are along the front sidewalk. Its much more enjoyable sitting out there while being able to see and be connected to street activity.

I like the shade in warmer weather I guess but they need to at least bring down the tent panels that are along the front sidewalk. Its much more enjoyable sitting out there while being able to see and be connected to street activity.

Good idea. I will try to tell the owner that next time I am in.

I assumed the tent was a winter-only thing. I guess it is still up?

It was up a couple of weeks ago...

I really miss the open air feel of the courtyard. Tent was nice in the winter. Time to go topless.

I really miss the open air feel of the courtyard. Tent was nice in the winter. Time to go topless.

It's always time to go topless :wink:

There is a patio in front of the building with seating that is topless if you wish. It is nice to have options sometimes.

There is a patio in front of the building with seating that is topless if you wish. It is nice to have options sometimes.

So people are topless ??? j/k

There is a patio in front of the building with seating that is topless if you wish. It is nice to have options sometimes.

That could be really great or really awful.

There is a patio in front of the building with seating that is topless if you wish. It is nice to have options sometimes.

That's like, four topless tables that are usually assumed by patrons, presumably with a better feel for the lay of second Friday, by the time I get there. Essentially zero options.

Maybe half the tent roof could be removed, if not the entire one, every now and then.

Good news. I was in the Plaza last night and walked by Empire. Side tent panels were down and there was a great connection between sidewalk/street and the side patio. :congrats:

They submitting permits for a permanent canopy that will be able to be enclosed for winter months

I'm with soonerguru. Tent is great in the winter. But spring summer and early fall, the completely open courtyard is an amazing setting.

I passed Empire yesterday on an errand. I admit my error if the canopy was this way Friday last, but I thought it looked okay without the side panels. Not great, but okay.

If the proposed canopy was rather high and well integrated with the structure, with variable coverage available on top, say, to me it would be perfect. But, it looked decently open as it was, and only slightly cut off.

Last night I passed by Empire and they were CLOSED, apparently for a remodel. The sign said they would re-open Wednesday. It looks like there was some activity inside, as the TV was on in the back. Does anyone know what's going on?

Not sure...
. But I really appreciate all that they have done. It's obvious they have been reinvesting money back into it to keep the place nice.

Someone stole the pink elephant: https://twitter.com/Mister_Sommer/status/509207052993191937

Someone stole the pink elephant: https://twitter.com/Mister_Sommer/status/509207052993191937

Lets hope it gets its own Twitter/Instagram account, travels the world (documented with photos) and then is promptly returned. Really don't want to hear someone stole it simply to smash it.

It was just a matter of time. They really need to anchor it down to avoid it happening again. I wish them the best luck in finding it soon.

This is why we can't have pink things...

Found: https://twitter.com/EmpireSliceOKC/status/509342859355750400

Glad she is found.. I like her she is a good mascot. did they ever find that marble monstrosity that was stolen from Anita Bryant?..lol.. that was a crazy story..

Lets hope it gets its own Twitter/Instagram account, travels the world (documented with photos) and then is promptly returned.you just gave me an idea! ;)

Oklahoma City eatery's stolen pink elephant statue is returned | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/5340441)

Can just imagine someone walking out at closing that night, not seeing a pink elephant and wondering if the beer had really been watered down.

The article makes these people who took it sound like complete idiots, that day they had eaten in the restaurant just before doing it and one of them posted a photo of it at their house on Facebook.

Careless and silly people .... proof God doesn't hate lawyers near as much as some folk may believe?

Sorry but this thing has "publicity stunt" written all over it. The news casts had very little information outside of the video and didn't even talk about how they found it or anything, but made sure to specially mention Empire's 1 Year anniversary at the end of every segment. Even the video looks pretty staged.

Empire is expanding their patio to the south:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10645282_767364473325710_2035427719791535804_n.jpg ?oh=9168d23950b8abbba770b65f93a50e1f&oe=5496C2D9&__gda__=1418939233_5468e20bf7b4b382fb7f3858f080881 c

Awesome! Hopefully they'll keep that fence and do a back door special kind of thing

They are planning to put a semi-permanent cover over their existing patio and then build a large deck behind it:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/empire091715a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/empire091715b.jpg

Empire is replacing their tent with a permanent patio: https://twitter.com/plazadistrict/status/714847967841136641

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This place has amazing reviews on Yelp. I need to get my butt over there. I can't believe I haven't tried it yet.

Their pizza is great and I like the by the slice options (Some Like It Hot is my favorite). It's even better if you get the whole pizza, but you'll need a crowd (or have plenty of leftovers)... they are gigantic!

This place has amazing reviews on Yelp. I need to get my butt over there. I can't believe I haven't tried it yet.

Really good if you like NY style.

Their pizza is great and I like the by the slice options (Some Like It Hot is my favorite). It's even better if you get the whole pizza, but you'll need a crowd (or have plenty of leftovers)... they are gigantic!

Sooner88,
And I believe that they only have one size. I ordered a whole pizza and my friend ate one slice and I had two, and I had it for several meals at home. It is huge.
C. T.

As I passed by yesterday it looks like the Deck may be done and you can see tables and umbrellas back to the south and work is well underway on the new covered area. I am glad to see the tent gone. I thought originally it would just be there through winters but has remained and just didn't look that great after a while. Looks like the new addition will look much better.

That tent was always meant to be temporary and it took a long time to get the permitting for the permanent setup.

Will be a huge improvement.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/empire040716.jpg

Not bad for an old laundry mat.

Went there a couple of weeks ago. It was really good. Kids keep asking to go back. We might go there as part of our monthly trip to the Deaf Club.

Good riddance to the tent. it was kind of odd sitting in there and having the tent slap the side of the table every once in a while.

Not bad for an old laundry mat.

So much this.

Update. Too bad that brick wall is being covered, but I'm guessing it's some kind of structural issue?

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https://twitter.com/plazadistrict/status/722870479531315202

Anyone know when they'll be done?

Patio progress.

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I didn't realize until I went inside (I sat on the front patio) that a large part of the patio is open already. It looks great.

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Just an update on what we're doing and when it might be done--

The structure we're building is a cross between an awning and a building. It will be as open as we can make it, but based on our volume we had to do something different to ensure that the outdoor seating was always available, no matter the weather. I'm sure if any of you ever sat out under the tent when it rained or wind gusted it was a little unnerving or uncomfortable--or BOTH. The deck area in the back is going to be used for events only, for now, once we get the side patio finished. I'd love to keep both options open, but with only two ovens and no room for more, we just cannot handle the number of seats keeping both would add.

The interior of the structure is being constructed in a way that will allow us to bring some really cool murals, hanging art, wall plants, etc. to life out there. The west wall (which is about a foot off of the PhotoArt building) had to be built very specifically because we were not allowed to attach onto the PhotoArt building. Hence, we lose sight of the brick BUT we are able to finally showcase the "I Love You" on the east side that has been covered for a year and a half. It's a tradeoff! I'd be glad to answer any other questions as you have them! Not sure on our finishing schedule yet. Rough estimate-- two weeks? Pushing hard. Weather, inspections, you know how it goes. Until then, we'll keep using the back deck for seating and hope for little to no rain (at least on the weekends...)

--RC

^

Thank you for the update!

Nice problem to have, i.e. too many people wanting to patronize and not enough space. :)

Thanks for the update. That's a very informative explanation. I love when business owners are willing to explain why and how they do things. And, by the way, my family all enjoyed a great lunch at Empire last weekend. It's got such a great vibe with exceptional service and food.

I heard a rumor that an Empire Slice was going in on Britton by the original Johnnies? Has anyone else heard this or do you think it was just wishful thinking?

I heard a rumor that an Empire Slice was going in on Britton by the original Johnnies? Has anyone else heard this or do you think it was just wishful thinking?

Can't tell if that's a horrible idea or a great idea. It doesn't feel to me at all like a place that should be "franchised". Rebrand it and sell the same pizzas.

Can't tell if that's a horrible idea or a great idea. It doesn't feel to me at all like a place that should be "franchised". Rebrand it and sell the same pizzas.

I like this approach. If they are to expand (or any favorite local restaurant) keep the recipe the same, add some different specialty at each location, and come up with a similar concept but different theme and name.

Gotham Slice House :)

Went to Empire two weeks ago when I was in town. This was about 10pm on a Wed after watching a Thunder game. We were seated by the host on the old patio which is now a fully enclosed extension of the building.

We hated it. Completely destroyed the vibe. No music was playing, but the patio was full and it was so noisy from general chatter that it sounded like a school cafeteria. Terrible vibe. We promptly left when reseating inside was not an option.

Went to Empire two weeks ago when I was in town. This was about 10pm on a Wed after watching a Thunder game. We were seated by the host on the old patio which is now a fully enclosed extension of the building.

We hated it. Completely destroyed the vibe. No music was playing, but the patio was full and it was so noisy from general chatter that it sounded like a school cafeteria. Terrible vibe. We promptly left when reseating inside was not an option.

Must have been an off night. When I have gone there the past couple of weeks in the evening, there was music playing and people talking, but it wasn't overbearing. It might have been one of those nights where there was a big loud group that ruined it for everyone else.

There is also a completely al fresco patio to the south of the 'tent'.

Empire is our absolute favorite late night option after a Thunder game or night with friends. We are usually able to grab 2 seats at the bar, so haven't sat outside. There aren't too many options for restaurants/bars that serve both good food and beer until 2 a.m.

Empire is our absolute favorite late night option after a Thunder game or night with friends. We are usually able to grab 2 seats at the bar, so haven't sat outside. There aren't too many options for restaurants/bars that serve both good food and beer until 2 a.m. Agreed.. same here.. We tend to hit it late night as well.. glad we have " The Neon Cactus" as a late night option for beer and food now as well.

Empire is our absolute favorite late night option after a Thunder game or night with friends. We are usually able to grab 2 seats at the bar, so haven't sat outside. There aren't too many options for restaurants/bars that serve both good food and beer until 2 a.m.

Revolucion is now another option as is Guyutes.

We were there a couple weeks ago and sat in the tent area and there was no music. It definitely killed the vibe a bit. I asked for them to turn the music on and they did, but it was still really low. The food and service were great as always though.

They have a great sound system and the proprietors care a lot about music, so I suspect the staff is just not turning on the outside speakers and/or adjusting the volume correctly.

Knucks Wheelhouse is also a late night option. They also stay open till 2am

3am on Fri/Sat

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The building two buildings to the west of Empire (on the corner) has temp signage that reads "Easy Slice Shop" with the same font as Empire and an Empire truck parked in the driveway. What's happening there? Apologies if I missed a previous post.