Critiquing restaurants in the Oklahoma City area is a pretty good job, one that I take seriously. I get to rate, review and give all of my thoughts on OKC’s dining class that, for the most part, four or five of you read on a regular basis on The Lost Ogle.
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As much as I like eating food for a meager paycheck, there are some restaurants that are, you know, not very good.
Most people would ask me “Why are you so positive in your reviews?” and I tell them I just write about the good restaurants and ignore the bad…which brings me to Pronto New York Style Pizza, 2311 NW 36th St.
Situated in the once open-toe Birkenstock store – and next to the now-defunct Ingrid’s and all the fracas that was stirred up – Pronto was open for a scant few weeks, then sadly was closed for a few weeks, but now, magically, it has re-appeared and finally now I get to talk it about. Phew…
Long story short, it’s “okay.”
While not a messianic figure like Eastside Pizza House (R.I.P.) or a demonic tendril like Marco’s, it hits that sweet spot in the middle where average, friendly, good-hearted pizza like Pronto’s is the correct answer for a satisfactory pizza night.
I liked it as a neighborhood pizza joint that you can walk to and grab a slice or two, then proceed to get high, zone out, and, I don’t know, watch cable television or something.
On the afternoon of my visit, the freshly-painted eatery was pretty barren with only a few tables, chairs, and some ironic neon signage. At the counter, I looked over the menu as the guy who was running the place said that they took some time off to visit family overseas, but they are back and better than ever.
Faith held in small business, I was ready to place my order.
As I patiently waited, not once did a customer come in. As I wondered if its location, advertising, and other determining factors were to blame, I was interrupted by my starting order, the Cheesy Garlic Bread ($4.00).
As advertised, it was just some garlic bread that’s been toasted with some small bits of mozzarella cheese and a small cup of marinara sauce. It was a simple enough starter and satiated my burning desire for an appetizer made in a small oven with seemingly minimal effort.
After scarfing down my bread, I waited for their take on my favorite American sandwich – a toasted meatball sub. Here they call it the Meatball Hero ($10.00). Of course, it had sliced meatballs that were drowning in the tangly red sauce that was topped with a sprinkling of mozzarella cheese. Mamma Mia!
It was a shard better. Though it was apparently in the oven, the bread had a somewhat tough reaction and, even worse, there weren’t a lot of meatballs on the sandwich. But, still, it had a wonderful flavor of tomato sauce with an aromatic taste that set my heart abuzz and made it a winner in my book.
After a few more bites, we had now reached the main event: the 18-inch Pronto Special Pizza ($25.00).
Topped with pepperoni, Canadian bacon, sausage, hamburger, onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, and olives, it was Pronto’s signature pie and it felt like it. Opening the stereotypical pizza box, a real rush of prime meats and general toppings flooded my senses and I had to dig in.
And, as I predicted, it was pretty good. The meaty combination of pepperoni, Canadian bacon, sausage, and hamburger was top-notch, with little to no grease pooling on the folds. Sure, it’s nothing groundbreaking, but it serves its purpose and does it amiably.
And, really, that all it takes in the small-time pizza game. Pronto’s is good pizza for a decent price. It’s a completely edible meal on the short way home for yourself or, even better, for a family in the neighborhood that doesn’t want to go out for a fancy dinner and all that it entails.
Cómpralo ya!
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Follow Louis Fowler on Instagram at @louisfowler78.
