Gate-side slices in Terminal 1
Two minutes from the central food court in Terminal 1, Pink's Pizza covers the basic craving for a hot slice before boarding. It sits post-security near several Southwest gates, so you can keep an eye on a boarding group change while you grab food. Seating is limited to a few tables and counter spots, so plan on eating in the general gate area if it’s busy.
Pink's Pizza in HOU Terminal 1 runs typical airport hours, roughly aligning with the first Southwest departures around 5:00 a.m. and closing after the last evening banks. A slice usually prices in the $5–$7 range, with full pies climbing into the high teens and low $20s depending on toppings. Expect basic fountain drinks at normal airport markup and no table service; you order at the counter, wait for your number, and go.
The menu focuses on standard NY-style slices plus a few heavier combos, and everything comes out of a single open pizza oven behind the counter. Turnover is decent during midday banks, so cheese and pepperoni slices tend to be fresher around 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. If a specialty pie has clearly sat in the case a while, ask if a fresh one is coming out; they’ll usually point you to what just hit the rack.
Pink's sits closer to the central security exit than to the far-end gates like 49–51, so budget at least a 5–7 minute walk back to those if you’re cutting it close. Quick tip: check your boarding time and group on the Southwest app before ordering, then order a single slice, not a full pie, if you’re under 25 minutes to departure.