Every downtown has a restaurant that becomes part of its daily rhythm. For 39 years in Little Rock, that place was Iriana's Pizza — the New York-style slice joint on East Markham that fed downtown workers at lunch and bar-hoppers after midnight. Iriana's served its last slice on April 17, 2026. But the pizza story at 201 E. Markham St didn't end. It changed hands.
What Happened to Iriana's Pizza
Iriana's announced in April 2026 that it was closing after a 39-year run downtown. Owner Nathan Tucker — who had taken over the shop in 2023 — shared the news on Facebook, and longtime regulars immediately started showing up for one last slice before the doors closed for good on April 17.
Meet Mad Slice Pizza & Beer
The space didn't stay empty for long. Mad Slice Pizza & Beer opened on June 23, 2026, in the same 2,500-square-foot spot at 201 E. Markham St, just west of the River Market. It's run by husband-and-wife team Brandon and Madi Dorse — the "Mad" is for Madi — Little Rock restaurant veterans who met working at Brewski's Pub & Grub and most recently operated The Rail Yard.
The Dorses renovated the space in roughly two months. Mad Slice now seats 70 guests indoors, with blonde wood floors, Kelly green accents, and checkered tablecloths — casual but dressed-up, and almost nothing like the old Iriana's interior. The goal, they've said, is a late-night neighborhood staple for downtown.
The Pizza: New York Style, With a Chicago Detour
Mad Slice keeps the slice tradition alive — and then some. By-the-slice options run $5, available as cheese, Italian sausage, pepperoni, or a rotating special. Prefer a whole pie? The New York-style menu has eight signature pizzas in 12-inch and 16-inch sizes.
There's a Chicago-style deep-dish option too — the kitchen's River Boss bakes for about an hour, loaded with sausage, cheese, pepperoni, onion, and pepper. Beyond pizza, the menu leans comfort food: wings (the candied bacon Sriracha wings are a top seller), cheese bread, and signature pies like the Sweet Heat, stacked with Italian sausage, Sweety Drop red peppers, jalapeños, ricotta, and basil.
Hours and Late Night
At opening, Mad Slice kept hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday — hours that finally make the old Iriana's corner a true post-bar stop again. Hours can shift, so double-check before planning a late-night run.
If You Missed Iriana's
No one's pretending Mad Slice is Iriana's. But the essentials that made that corner special — a big foldable slice a short walk from the River Market bars — are back, now with bolder toppings and beer to go with them. Stop in, order a slice, and see if the new crew hasn't picked up right where the old one left off.
Pro tip: Deep dish takes about an hour in the oven, so order it early and grab a $5 slice to tide you over. And come hungry late on Friday or Saturday — that's when the 2,500-square-foot room is at its liveliest.
