American Pie

NYC Pizza on south Harvard is one of the newest pizza places in Tulsa, and from what 20-year-old owner Kenneth Lehman, Jr., says, "we feel blessed and very fortunate" with the success so far. Having opened just more than a couple months ago, NYC Pizza business continues to grow.

Lehman comes from a family of pizza owners. Some Tulsans may recall the Pizza Quick places around town (51st & Yale, Pine & Mingo)--Kenneth's father and uncle ran those pizza restaurants. In 1976 the Kenneth's father transferred to Tulsa with American Airlines, and soon after the pizza businesses began in the mid-1980's to the mid-'90s.

NYC Pizza is a small place in a strip center. Seating is limited in this L-shaped location. Two- and four-top tables are available. The place is bright, clean and welcoming. It seems many people place carry out order, which is what I was doing this evening.

Specials were being offered every day (except Friday), and since it was Tuesday, the special was a 14" large, two-topping pizza for $9.99. I ordered it with pepperoni and mushrooms as the toppings. I also ordered a Calzone, filled with mozzarella and ricotta cheeses ($5.50). I added anchovies, mushrooms and sausage for a little extra cost.

While I waited on my pizza, the Lehman family was chatting away with each other and the guests who were coming in to place their orders. Friendly, happy and just good old fellows best describes them. They diligently were at their task of preparing pizza, yet they had a levity and comfort about their demeanor--they are a friendly sort. There is a neighborhood feel about this place.

The aroma as the pizza baked was intoxicating--the yeast bread smell and the toppings were rich and all-consuming. In less than 15 minutes, my pizza and calzone was ready for travel. Once home, I began to enjoy some of the best pizza I've had in a while. The sauce is rich with a tomato flavor; large pepperoni vied for space on the pie and sliced mushrooms filled other vacant spaces available. The crust on this "Regular Pizza" was thin, yet somewhat firm enough to pick up and eat with my hands. The cheese is plentiful and tasteful. It was a very good, very authentic pie.

The calzone was large and filled full with the cheeses and my selected toppings. A tomato sauce came with this dish for a topping. The crust was tender and flavorful.

It's a simple menu--Regular Pizza, Sicilian Pizza, Sausage and Pepperoni Rolls and Calzone are the selections here, but they do them very well. Toppings for all include sausage, pepperoni, ham, black olives, anchovies, green peppers, onions, spinach, fresh garlic, fresh basil, fresh tomatoes, mushroom and extra cheese. Single slices of pizza are available with prices ranging from $1.85 for a hot cheese slice of pizza ($1.95 for the Sicilian type); pizza prices are $9.50 for a large, Regular Pizza pie to $19.25 for the Sicilian Pizza X-Large Combo.

Lehman firmly states that the "NYC" in the name does not stand for "New York City" pizza--it's just "an acronym" for the place. Whatever the name is, the pizza is good and a great new option in town. The service is friendly, and the pizza is authentically good.

NYC Pizza

4775 S. Harvard, Suite-A

779-7760

Hours:

Mon.-Thurs. 11am-9pm

Fri.-Sat. 11am-10pm

Sun. 4-8:30pm

Rating:

Atmosphere ***

Food ****

Service *****

C.S. Short:

NYC Pizza

4775 S. Harvard, Suite-A

779-7760

Hours:

Mon.-Thurs. 11am-9pm

Fri.-Sat. 11am-10pm

Sun. 4-8:30pm

For an authentic taste of NYC Pizza, NYC Pizza is a must. Regular (thin), Sicilian (thick), Calzone, and Sausage and Pepperoni Rolls are offered, and all priced under $20. Toppings for all include sausage, pepperoni, ham, black olives, anchovies, green peppers, onions, spinach, fresh garlic, fresh basil, fresh tomatoes, mushroom and extra cheese. The place is bright, clean, and the owners are very friendly.