Got a slice of cheese and margherita and some wings. Wings were overcooked, sauce was about what I expected. The pizza was okay, but at that price point I would rather eat an Empire slice. Empire pizza when ordered extra crispy so it isn't too floppy is up there with any slice you can get at a good pizzeria in NYC.

When was the last time you were in New York? I respect your opinion, but a good slice in NY absolutely blows empire out of the water. Not really in the same stratosphere.

When was the last time you were in New York? I respect your opinion, but a good slice in NY absolutely blows empire out of the water. Not really in the same stratosphere.

Not necessarily. Portnoy wouldn’t have given Empire a 7.5 were your statement true.

Not necessarily. Portnoy wouldn’t have given Empire a 7.5 were your statement true.

I go to NYC fairly often. Was last there last summer. Have been going since about 1976. I can say that as good as Empire is, it wouldn't stand out in NYC area. There are any number of old ovens that can't be replicated elsewhere. Decades of using an oven is sort of like using the same heavy cast iron skillet to cook your steaks. Years of seasoning makes a difference. The few very old coal ovens are the best, but are disappearing.

So, getting Empire is great... my go to here, but if you get a chance go to NYC for a pie trip and see for yourself.

Not necessarily. Portnoy wouldn’t have given Empire a 7.5 were your statement true.

Fair point, but one Portnoy review doesn't really do that much for me. Just have to see for yourself I guess. I know one thing - Dado's is closer to true NY style than Empire, at least in my eyes.

I go to NYC fairly often. Was last there last summer. Have been going since about 1976. I can say that as good as Empire is, it wouldn't stand out in NYC area. There are any number of old ovens that can't be replicated elsewhere. Decades of using an oven is sort of like using the same heavy cast iron skillet to cook your steaks. Years of seasoning makes a difference. The few very old coal ovens are the best, but are disappearing.

So, getting Empire is great... my go to here, but if you get a chance go to NYC for a pie trip and see for yourself.

Totally agree on the coal ovens part. My life was changed when I first tried John's of Bleecker.

When was the last time you were in New York? I respect your opinion, but a good slice in NY absolutely blows empire out of the water. Not really in the same stratosphere.

I was born and raised in Manhattan and go back multiple times a year to visit family. I feel comfortable saying the majority of New Yorkers if given a slice that is extra crispy from Empire would say it is a good slice. Dados is absolute trash on the other hand and I can say that dead ass.

I was born and raised in Manhattan and go back multiple times a year to visit family. I feel comfortable saying the majority of New Yorkers if given a slice that is extra crispy from Empire would say it is a good slice. Dados is absolute trash on the other hand and I can say that dead ass.

I wasn't saying Empire wasn't good. I think absolute trash is a little strong, but hey, to each his own.

People get so fired up about pizza! Love it.

My only trip to Dado's was quite good. We ordered a whole pie and it was delish.

I thought the crust was the most realistic interpretation of NYC crust I've had in OKC. I like Empire just fine, and I'll eat it in a pinch, but I usually feel bad after eating it. The crust has always been too filling. If they ever do get the crust right they could claim to be a legit NY slice joint.

Totally agree on the coal ovens part. My life was changed when I first tried John's of Bleecker.

When did John's of Bleecker reopen? They were shut down indefinitely due to "extreme vermin" back in 2012. That's when I discovered Prince Street Pizza not far from there. Not coal fired, but they have photo's of just about everybody from the Soprano's enjoying their Soho Squares, including Gandolfini.

If you are lucky enough to get Dado's pepperoni right out of the oven it is excellent.

I wasn't saying Empire wasn't good. I think absolute trash is a little strong, but hey, to each his own.

I wouldn’t take it to heart, citywok always gets really charged when others disagree with pretty much anything they say. I’m like you and others, I think Empire is great for this region, but of the pizza places I’ve been to in Brooklyn and Manhattan, Empire would be most notable for the vibes. Their pizza is a solid 7 out of 10 but I’ve gotten slices while rushing around Midtown late at night that I thought were better than Empire.

I haven’t tried Dado’s yet but I will next time I think to, given all the emotions that have been displayed about it in this thread.

I wouldn’t take it to heart, citywok always gets really charged when others disagree with pretty much anything they say. I’m like you and others, I think Empire is great for this region, but of the pizza places I’ve been to in Brooklyn and Manhattan, Empire would be most notable for the vibes. Their pizza is a solid 7 out of 10 but I’ve gotten slices while rushing around Midtown late at night that I thought were better than Empire.

I haven’t tried Dado’s yet but I will next time I think to, given all the emotions that have been displayed about it in this thread.

Someone has to tell people when they get out of line.

When did John's of Bleecker reopen?

I’m sure they were open well before, but they were at least open when we were there April of last year.

Totally agree on the coal ovens part. My life was changed when I first tried John's of Bleecker.

I am a fan of John's on Bleecker. Though the last two times I have been to Manhattan, I had to settle for John's on 42nd, which doesn't have the same "flavor" as the Bleecker spot.

I went to Dado's again today, for lunch, and they had cheese, pepperoni and Margherita by the slice. Normally, I love Margherita style, but it looked pretty sparse on toppings, so I got the pepperoni and was quite happy with it. I have a decent amount of exposure to good food from different genres, but pizza isn't one of them (I'm happy with Dominos), so my opinion is novice level, at best. But, I work in the area four days a week and it's a great way to grab a quick lunch. Definately worth the four dollars and change I paid.

So after all the hype I gave it a try. I went with the pepperoni. The crust had a lotta flop and did not give me the experience of eating a NY/NJ pie. The sauce was ok, nothing special. Pepperoni was very good. 28 bucks is more than this example of pizza should command in OKC.
Looking at the Dado's NYC site, 28 is what they charge there. This isn't Manhatten.
I prefer both Empire and Jet in Moore. They are the top NY style in this neck of the woods.

Had today. Something with the cheese/sauce did not sit right with me. Made me nauseous. I’ll stick with Empire.

Have had Dado's three times, but haven't yet ordered a full pizza. 2/3 times the crust was hard enough that I realized my jaw was getting a work out by the end. I think in both cases, the pizza was just a bit too old, but I went Friday @ 6:00, so I would have thought a pepperoni slice would be relatively fresh.

I'll order a full pizza and see how that goes, but it's getting hard for me to see how this should be chosen over Empire. Has anyone had Dado's in NY, and, if so, how does Dado's NY stack up against average NY competition? Hard for me to imagine how this is a win for their brand if they do not outclass everything in the area.

I don't think pizza by the slice is ever going to work in OKC.

Due to lack of volume, the pizza just sits for too long unless you luck into something coming straight out of the oven.


I won't name names but I've had several horrible experiences with slice pizza in OKC. I completely avoid it these days; would rather just order the huge, expensive full pie than roll the dice.

I don't think pizza by the slice is ever going to work in OKC.

Due to lack of volume, the pizza just sits for too long unless you luck into something coming straight out of the oven.


I won't name names but I've had several horrible experiences with slice pizza in OKC. I completely avoid it these days; would rather just order the huge, expensive full pie than roll the dice.

But what about Empire? Aren't they a big success? And don't they do pizza by the slice?

But what about Empire? Aren't they a big success? And don't they do pizza by the slice?

They do a lot more than by the slice.

They do a lot more than by the slice.

That's true but before Covid when I used to patronize their Plaza location I could get a small Caesar salad, and two slices of pizza from two different specialty pizzas, and a dessert for a very good price point. I don't know if they still offer such, but they've been very successful, and I've recently learned they expanded to Tulsa. They must be doing something right!

But what about Empire? Aren't they a big success? And don't they do pizza by the slice?

Maybe Empire is the exception, precisely because they stay busy doing more than pizza by the slice. Busy pizza place means fresh pizza all day, whereas slow pizza place means pizza by the slice sitting under a heat lamp for an hour or so.

I can’t speak to other locations, but pizza by the slice is on point at Rendezvous in Bricktown, which I think actually compares favorably to Empire, for anyone who hasn’t tried it. But to the earlier point, the place stays pretty pbusy throughout the day, so the slices are always fresh.

The two places I spend the most at when it comes to pizza have pizza by the slice. Empire and Rendezvous are consistent and I never have a problem ordering pizza by the slice. It helps that both have bars that offer plenty of options. Dado's isn't the same type of place.

I haven't tried it but need to give it a try I guess. Empire is a lot closer for us SW OKC folk.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/lifestyle/food/2024/04/03/pizza-restaurants-okc-march-madness-dados-wins-final-round/73181425007/

I ordered a full pie a couple of weeks ago and was definitely impressed. Thought the crust was better than what I usually get at Empire (which I like, but don't love). May have gotten lucky (and I imagine the by the slice complaints are fully justified), but based on that one experience it will probably be my go to for New York style pizza until they start to disappoint.

I ordered a full pie a couple of weeks ago and was definitely impressed. Thought the crust was better than what I usually get at Empire (which I like, but don't love). May have gotten lucky (and I imagine the by the slice complaints are fully justified), but based on that one experience it will probably be my go to for New York style pizza until they start to disappoint.

Can you remind me the cost on one of their whole pies? Thinking I may need to get that for dinner this weekend!

Can you remind me the cost on one of their whole pies? Thinking I may need to get that for dinner this weekend!Their pizzas run about $30 after tax. Well worth it!

Their pizzas run about $30 after tax. Well worth it!

are they as big as Empire's pies?

are they as big as Empire's pies?

Yes, same size.

We have probably gotten it half a dozen times in last few months. Margherita add pepperoni has become our go to. I think it's a little under $32, got a random discount on a promo day and thought prices had dipped only to realize not the next time. I wish Empire were a little closer to us but Dado's is solid.

But what about Empire? Aren't they a big success? And don't they do pizza by the slice?

Empire Pizza is surely a very BIG success. Because you tell me why, oh why, would they want to dare risk to now be getting ready to open in such a very small market as downtown Stillwater if they weren't? However, about the only new things opening up in downtown Stillwater are bars and restaurants, so Empire Pizza is going to be faced with some competition.