Pizzini’z Pizza: a trip back to yesterday’s pizza parlor
by Greg | July 28, 2008 | 30 Comments
(votes: 47, average: 4.60) 
Loading ...Pizzini’z Pizza has two locations: 5025 N. Rockwell (map) and 900 W. Reno (map). They are open from 10am to 10pm Monday through Saturday and from 5pm to 10pm on Sunday. They deliver, but you’ll have to call them at 405.787.6000 to figure out if you’re in the delivery zone.
Pizza in Oklahoma City is a pretty mundane affair. If someone says they’re ordering, it’s almost always Pizza Hut, Mazzio’s, Little Caesar’s, or Domino’s. If it’s a special occasion, you might find them calling Hideaway or the Wedge Pizzeria, but what about that Mom n’ Pop pizza joint we all remember?
I found one at Pizzini’z Pizza in Bethany. Owner Tarsha Armstrong let me know that her husband manages a location at 900 W. Reno as well, but I haven’t been there yet. At the Bethany location, it’s like stepping back in time.
The decor in Pizzini’z is sparse. There are a few pictures on the wall, but nothing like the overly plastered walls and shelves of some chains. The tables are covered in thick plastic tablecloths and every one of them has the essentials — metal napkin dispenser, powdered parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. The things that took me back to the days of Godfather’s Pizza, however, were the pinball machines and the Ms. Pacman stand-up video game in the corner. If my wife wouldn’t have given me a dirty look, I would have begged for a quarter.
The food is a pretty standard menu with pizzas ranging from medium to extra-large. You might ask, “Why not just call the medium a small, etc., etc.?” Well, because the medium, which I split with the missus, was almost big enough to be a large. At $11.99, that seemed like a pretty good deal — then Tarsha told me that it was buy one and get one free. Outstanding.
We got a half-and-half pizza. My wife is a purist, so she got cheese only and I got the super-supreme with anchovies. I’m not a huge anchovy fan, but I felt like trying something different and, honestly, I was just impressed to see anchovies on the menu. Around here, they aren’t that easy to find. Maybe Tarsha’s Las Vegas background inspires her to bring out the fancy toppings.
Anyway, the pizza was good, solid stuff. I wouldn’t compare it to the high-end specialty places, but I’d rather have it than the same-old from Pizza Hut, Mazzio’s and the rest. They don’t skimp on the toppings, either. My super-supreme was weighted down from all the sausage, pepperoni, ham, mushrooms, olives, onions, green peppers and anchovies. It was filling.
The big seller, Tarsha said, is the calzone. I couldn’t, in good conscience, order one knowing that I wouldn’t eat it all, but she assured me it is just as packed with toppings as the pizza. An extra-large calzone from Pizzini’z feeds a family, she said.
I opted to try the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich as well, and it was different from many I’ve had. While the cheesesteaks at Hobby’s Hoagies in Edmond are juicier, Pizzini’z was crispy and thick with steak. I would have liked the onions and green peppers cooked down a little more, but it was still a treat at $5.99.
Although they’re pre-made, I really liked both the cheese sticks and the fried zucchini. They both come with homemade ranch dressing. Not the healthiest options, but they were delicious. The cheese sticks especially were cooked just right with the cheese a bit gooey but not difficult to eat.
Located in what used to be Payless Pizza in Bethany, Pizzini’z Pizza made me a fan with solid food, friendly service and very competitive prices. For those looking to break away from the chains, Pizzini’z is a good, local option that’s extremely affordable.
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So far, 30 people have responded to this article. Won't you join in?August 2nd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Just ate here yesterday with the fam for the first time. That pizza is fantastic. Got an extra large and drinks for $10. It’s about to become a regular.
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
You think the pizza is fantastic i agree, but the calzones are out of this world!! There loaded with meat and cheese, the dipping sauce is good to but i love to eat them with the best ranch i’ve ever had!!!
August 9th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Just tried the calzones. I like the pizza better.
September 6th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Mom and I went for lunch the other day and were the only ones in there, so we had lots of attention from the owner and it was nice to get to know her. Made me wanna give her some business. We like thin crust, and boy is this thin! About the thinnest crust we’ve ever had. I agree with Greg – it’s not specialty pizza, but sure beats the chains.
September 8th, 2008 at 11:58 am
I have eaten at the location off I-40 downtown. I was the only one there and was waited on by the owners 7 or 8 year old daughter. It was a new experience for me. I got the Philly steak, it was pretty good but I have had better. I wanted to get the pizza but all they had were ones under the heat lamp and I did not have time to wait. I really need to go back when I have more time.
September 8th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Good pizza.
October 16th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
We have ordered takeout from Pizzini’z twice now. Probably the best part about this place is the bang for the buck…huge pizzas for not much cash. For those that go pick it up themselves, they are good about giving you the actual time it will be ready too…no need to add a few minutes like most everyone else.
I always order a cheese pizza on my first trip to a new pizza place. If you can’t make good cheese pizza, I will normally not give you a chance to show off the rest of the menu. It gives me a chance to gauge the cheese and the sauce on their own. On our first try the cheese pizza was just okay. Like Greg said, I prefer this over the Pizza Hut’s and Little Ceasar’s of the world but not the best cheese pizza I’ve had for sure.
A few weeks later we decided to give them another try and went with a cheese and a pepperoni. We were watching an OU football game so I didn’t really stop long enough to give it a full critique but, there was something different (other than the pepperoni’s) about the taste of the pepperoni pizza. I mentioned it to the wifey later and she thought maybe it was an extra seasoning or something but I honestly don’t know. Either way, the Pepperoni was really good and well worth a try.
We will go back for sure. It is convenient to where we live and there are still a lot of things on the menu I want to try. The calzone will unquestionably be next. I will keep you posted.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Tried to go to the Reno location and they are closed. Will try the other location soon. From what I’ve read, its worth the trip.
November 16th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Just tried Pizzini’z Friday night. After searching for really good pizza in OKC since moving here 6 months ago, my search is over. Awesome pizza!
November 21st, 2008 at 1:12 pm
We order pizza from the location by Wiley Post at least once a week (if not more)! We get the 3 x-large pizzas for $19.99. You can’t beat that price! Especially when you live with 3 males! lol They have the best pizza I have eaten in a long time and I especially LOVE their beef pizza. The only thing I wish is that they had an X-large Pizza & Large Calazone special for around $19.99 because I would love to try their calizones. We are also a fan of the calizone but have to make sure we get enough so we have always just gotten the pizzas.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
I’ve ordered from Pizzini’z 3 times now. The quality has been consistently excellent and they clearly use high quality ingredients. Definitely the best pizza I’ve found in OKC.
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:34 am
I eat at Pizziniz quite a bit, I love the people there and the amazing food. I just tried somthing new they call it Grandpas Special i got the mild, it has an amazing flavor, it is on very thin and crispy crust which i love, i suggest EVERYBODY trys it!
January 6th, 2009 at 11:35 am
I love this place. We are newlyweds and now that football is on we order from there at least once a week. In fact we ate it last night. Their pizza is so good and inexpensive. We ordered pizza hut at my grandmas for dinner and for two mediums it was $25 and at Pizzini’s its $16. The owners and staff are very friendly. They even said they would deliver to my moms because she loves it so much and she doesnt live in Bethany. We have only gotten one wrong pizza and they credited us another one for next time.
January 21st, 2009 at 12:14 am
This place is the bomb me and my friends go here everyday for lunch we go to beathany high its real close to our school so itS very convent and theY have GREAT PIZZA AND GREAT LASANGA I LOVE THAT PLACE THANX FOR OPENING LOVE YOUR FAVORITE CUSTOMERS
March 9th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
My husband and I love this place. We went this weekend and tried their pizza, philly steak hoagie and some appetizers. All our food was served nice and hot and tasted great. The pizza was so good, but with everything else we ordered we couldn’t finish it. The hoagies were the best we’ve had in OKC….lots of meat and cheese. Tasha is the best. She came over and talked to us and made us feel so comfortable. We’ll definitely be back this week.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
I really like this place, but I’m giving up for a while. I was relying on delivery, but they seem to get lost EVERY time. I got tired of waiting an hour and a half to get cold pizza, even if it is the best price in town. I’ll give them another shot once they get some new delivery boys.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Thanks for the info. I look forward to trying out the pizza, and if it comes close to New York Pizza in Norman, I will be happy.
I love “The Wedge” but since they don’t have take out and New York Pizza is too far away, I order out from “Italiano’s” at NW48th and Lincoln or “Hideaway.”
I am a new fan of “Italiano’s” having only discovered it a month or so ago via a friend’s recommendation. It has fabulous Italian entrees at a very reasonable price. Most if not all the dishes are handmade, including the excellent breadsticks! Baked Ziti, Lasagna, Chicken Piccatta and Marsala—all outstanding! I was born in the Bronx and raised in Jersey where Italian food reigns supreme…IMHO, this is really good stuff.
April 5th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I love the supreme pizza.
May 14th, 2009 at 5:50 am
I’m a food junkie, I admit my addiction, so seeing BOGO on food folks rave about makes me smile and smile
May 19th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Just wanted to say that I love this site now. You have a new bookmarker. I am going to knock this joint out tomorrow I think, as I cannot stand these pizza joints we got in this city. Those deep dish pizza’s just aren’t really pizza. Did you guys hear that Guy Fieri from Food Network is going to be doing 5 joints for his show, Diners, Drive in’s and Dives! Eischen’s, Mama E’s, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, Nic’s, The Diner in Norman and Ingrid’s Kitchen. I’ve only been to Cattlemen’s! I am such a failure at Oklahoma eating.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
PIZZINI’Z PIZZA IS VERY GREAT PLACE 2 EAT AT… THEY HAVE GREAT SERVICE GOOD FOOD AND VERY KIND EMPLOYES…I ADVISE ANY1 WHOS LOOKING 2 GET A GOOD MEAL AT AN AFORDABLE PRICE AND QUICK SERVICE 2 GO DOWN N TRY THE BEST PIZZA IN TOWN
August 4th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Robert, I ate at Nic’s the other day (Best chicken fry ther is) and I asked him when he would be on Diners and Dives and he said two weeks from Monday, so I think he is talking mon. aug. 10 or mon. aug.17, I try to watch it every time its on and especially want to see okc’s great places to eat!!!
October 31st, 2009 at 8:18 pm
I ate lunch the other day and was not impressed at all with the food nor the service. Granted, I got there around 12:30. There was another family there, that’s all. Only 3 or 4 pizzas were out, and they were cold. One was even moist on the bottom from sitting too long under the light. The owner (never saw the lady you all were talking about) was yelling at some others who were back in the back. Not sure if it was their older teens or what. Didn’t want to pay attention, so don’t know what the arguement was about. Worst pizza and service I have ever seen!! I will never go back either. Too bad, I wanted to like it especially since it was in Bethany. Oh yes, they never did put out any fresh pizza. One of the teen came out and got some cold pizza to eat, so I assume that they were done with the lunch group. Truly a waste of my money and time.
December 30th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I took the family there last night for the first time. Fed all 4 of us for about $20. This included 2 large, 3 topping pizzas for $13.99 plus 4 drinks. The pizza tasted great, especially the beef topping, and the service was helpful and friendly. I’ve been looking for a place like this for a while. This will be a new regular for us. Good and cheap! It’s hard to beat that.
January 20th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Made my first trip to Pizzini’s tonight. I thought it was similar to Godfathers and I loved Godfathers pizza.
Not as good as J-Town was but top notch pizza none the less. I’ll definitely be going back.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Great mom & pop type pizza restaurant with wide selection of pizzas,calzone, sandwiches, and pasta. Great hand tossed pizza. I have never eaten the crust on pizza slices in my entire life, until eating there. I don’t know what it is about there crust, but it is great! The regular burgers and cheeseburgers are great and include a large portion of fries and for the price are one of the best deals in town. They have great lunch specials and an on going” 2 for the price of one” special Two 3 topping large pizzas for $13.99 and Two 3 topping medium pizza for 11.99. The owners are great especially Tarsha, who is very attentive to customer service and when not busy loves to chat with the customers and make them feel at home.
February 25th, 2010 at 8:48 am
We get Pizzini’z pizza at least once a week (so glad I bought that bike a year ago). I’ve told everyone who will listen that, in my opinion, they have the best tasting pizza crust in town. Sure, everyone has their own preference of style but for me it is the best. I’m still a kid when it comes to pizza in that I don’t always eat my crust but not with Pizzini’z. I’ve always found the ingredients to be fresh although we seldom get anything but cheese pizza.
My only complaint is that they sometimes rush the pizza out of the oven. Not that I’ve ever had one that was doughy or unfinished but that I like the crust to be a little crispier than they normally deliver it.
A great place with great value. Give it a try some time.
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Went here a couple weeks ago on a rainy Sunday with girlfriend and her brother, we were the only people there. Staff seemed bored and less than enthusiastic, however, the pizza was pretty good for the price. I would do Pizzini’s again as takeout or delivery.
August 23rd, 2010 at 11:11 am
Couldn’t find the one on Reno last week….I think it has changed to Mama E’s….will try the one on Rockwell next time I get out that way! Always looking for great pizza!!
August 27th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
The one on Reno has been gone awhile…. It was a Mr. Burrito before Mama E’s opened up there.
Please tell us what you think.