Old Town Pizza: Portland’s Favorite Haunt
Don’t be surprised if an unexpected guest joins you for a
slice today. A constant presence at Old Town Pizza is Nina
(pronounced “Nigh-na”), our resident ghost. If you feel a
presence behind you, or smell a faint waft of perfume, you
may have just received a visit. Nina is often seen in a black
dress observing diners and wandering the basement below.
Nina’s been here for more than 100 years. It was in 1880
that two successful lumber barons built the Merchant Hotel
on this block, catering to Portland’s finest patrons. Old Town
Pizza sits in the original hotel lobby. In fact the window
where you place your pizza order is the original hotel’s
reception desk and is flanked by the lobby’s original
decorative cast iron beam posts. Underneath the floor boards
are the Shanghai Tunnels connecting Portland via
underground pathways, then used to nab unsuspecting
sailors and transport them to ships docked on the river, and
can be viewed during private tours.
Old Town Pizza sits in what used to be called the Old North
End, a section of the city with a rather questionable
reputation. Despite the upstanding clientele of the Merchant
Hotel, even it was known for offering one of the oldest
professions in the world: prostitution. As legend goes, one of
the young “working women” was Nina, sold into this life by a
thriving white slavery market. In an effort to clean up the
neighborhood, traveling missionaries convinced Nina to
share information in exchange for freeing her from a fate
she did not choose. Nina cooperated but soon afterward was
found dead in the hotel, now Old Town Pizza. Thrown down
the elevator shaft, Nina is reported to have never left the
building. Could it be Nina who carved her name in the brick
of the old elevator shaft, now the backdrop of a cozy booth in
the rear of the restaurant?
Rich in history, Old Town Pizza was founded in 1974 when
the Accuardi family opened the doors of the now legendary
Portland landmark. The lobby of the Merchant Hotel was
transformed into the hippest pizza joint in town.
Generations of Old Town Pizza loyalists remember the
restaurant as a bustling hang-out for leaders in Portland’s
counterculture scene of the 70s. Actor Willem Dafoe was a
regular at the time and could usually be found lounging on a
couch on the mezzanine. And Portland Trail Blazer
superstar Bill Walton was known to ride his bike to Old
Town Pizza where he would order his usual: a large
vegetarian pizza and pitcher of Henry's. He would often
bring his teammates with him and is said to have closed the
place down more than once. Back in the day there were Old
Town Pizza restaurants in Salem, Eugene and San
Francisco, but the original location in Portland was the
survivor. Today the Milne family keeps the Old Town Pizza
legacy alive, nurturing a little piece of Portland’s past for the
next generation.
Don’t be surprised if an unexpected guest joins you for a
slice today. A constant presence at Old Town Pizza is Nina
(pronounced “Nigh-na”), our resident ghost. If you feel a
presence behind you, or smell a faint waft of perfume, you
may have just received a visit. Nina is often seen in a black
dress observing diners and wandering the basement below.
Nina’s been here for more than 100 years. It was in 1880
that two successful lumber barons built the Merchant Hotel
on this block, catering to Portland’s finest patrons. Old Town
Pizza sits in the original hotel lobby. In fact the window
where you place your pizza order is the original hotel’s
reception desk and is flanked by the lobby’s original
decorative cast iron beam posts. Underneath the floor boards
are the Shanghai Tunnels connecting Portland via
underground pathways, then used to nab unsuspecting
sailors and transport them to ships docked on the river, and
can be viewed during private tours.
Old Town Pizza sits in what used to be called the Old North
End, a section of the city with a rather questionable
reputation. Despite the upstanding clientele of the Merchant
Hotel, even it was known for offering one of the oldest
professions in the world: prostitution. As legend goes, one of
the young “working women” was Nina, sold into this life by a
thriving white slavery market. In an effort to clean up the
neighborhood, traveling missionaries convinced Nina to
share information in exchange for freeing her from a fate
she did not choose. Nina cooperated but soon afterward was
found dead in the hotel, now Old Town Pizza. Thrown down
the elevator shaft, Nina is reported to have never left the
building. Could it be Nina who carved her name in the brick
of the old elevator shaft, now the backdrop of a cozy booth in
the rear of the restaurant?
Rich in history, Old Town Pizza was founded in 1974 when
the Accuardi family opened the doors of the now legendary
Portland landmark. The lobby of the Merchant Hotel was
transformed into the hippest pizza joint in town.
Generations of Old Town Pizza loyalists remember the
restaurant as a bustling hang-out for leaders in Portland’s
counterculture scene of the 70s. Actor Willem Dafoe was a
regular at the time and could usually be found lounging on a
couch on the mezzanine. And Portland Trail Blazer
superstar Bill Walton was known to ride his bike to Old
Town Pizza where he would order his usual: a large
vegetarian pizza and pitcher of Henry's. He would often
bring his teammates with him and is said to have closed the
place down more than once. Back in the day there were Old
Town Pizza restaurants in Salem, Eugene and San
Francisco, but the original location in Portland was the
survivor. Today the Milne family keeps the Old Town Pizza
legacy alive, nurturing a little piece of Portland’s past for the
next generation.
"Since 1975 this spot has lured customers not only with its 'za but also with its decor: Each
fixture, railing and chair seems to have been fashioned from the same giant tree. Pick off a piece
of crisp-around-the-edges pepperoni, grease puddling inside, pop it in your mouth and beware of
sensory overload."
"Best Pizza"
Stan Hall
The Oregonian
fixture, railing and chair seems to have been fashioned from the same giant tree. Pick off a piece
of crisp-around-the-edges pepperoni, grease puddling inside, pop it in your mouth and beware of
sensory overload."
"Best Pizza"
Stan Hall
The Oregonian
"We've dined at Old Town Pizza for over 20 years. It's always been unique, fun & delicious pizza.
They had Espresso before it was even the "thing" to drink."
Restaurant Row
They had Espresso before it was even the "thing" to drink."
Restaurant Row
"Housed in one of Portland's most infamous buildings -- the Merchant Hotel, known in Portland's
early days for shanghaiing unsuspecting revelers into shipboard bondage -- Old Town Pizza
Company maintains the bustling air of a turn-of-the-century saloon. This family-run restaurant
features traditional Italian cuisine, including antipasti, roast chicken, pizzas with imported
Romano and sinful cheesecakes.
The decor is attractive and old-fashioned: You'll walk on original brick floors covered with oriental
rugs into high-ceilinged mini-salons filled with wicker furniture and fringed lampshades. Cozy
window nooks make use of old sewing tables for couples that don't mind brushing knees. But don't
be fooled by the old-time interior -- this popular eatery and bar buzzes every weekday at lunchtime
and keeps the Old Town and Chinese Gardens crowds reveling until close."
Carla Mortensen
Digital City
early days for shanghaiing unsuspecting revelers into shipboard bondage -- Old Town Pizza
Company maintains the bustling air of a turn-of-the-century saloon. This family-run restaurant
features traditional Italian cuisine, including antipasti, roast chicken, pizzas with imported
Romano and sinful cheesecakes.
The decor is attractive and old-fashioned: You'll walk on original brick floors covered with oriental
rugs into high-ceilinged mini-salons filled with wicker furniture and fringed lampshades. Cozy
window nooks make use of old sewing tables for couples that don't mind brushing knees. But don't
be fooled by the old-time interior -- this popular eatery and bar buzzes every weekday at lunchtime
and keeps the Old Town and Chinese Gardens crowds reveling until close."
Carla Mortensen
Digital City
"This has got to be Portland's best Pizza.
They have this great atmosphere with antique furniture. Even some chairs you might think that will
break on you. This is inside an old building in old town (what a coincidence huh?) anyways the
people are great and the couches are comfortable and welcoming."
VirtualTourist.com
They have this great atmosphere with antique furniture. Even some chairs you might think that will
break on you. This is inside an old building in old town (what a coincidence huh?) anyways the
people are great and the couches are comfortable and welcoming."
VirtualTourist.com
"Tasty, well-seasoned sauce and high-quality, fresh, evenly sliced toppings make for consistent
cooking. The house special of salami, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, olives and peppers is an
excellent combo; the sturdy crust doesn't get soggy or limp under the weight of the toppings. The
Caesar salad is big, fresh and garlicky; it may be the best in town..."
CitySearch
cooking. The house special of salami, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, olives and peppers is an
excellent combo; the sturdy crust doesn't get soggy or limp under the weight of the toppings. The
Caesar salad is big, fresh and garlicky; it may be the best in town..."
CitySearch
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Picture sent in by
customer Bob
Detuncq, taken by
his 11 year old son.
Refection of NIna off
of glass picture,
discovered after
returning home.
customer Bob
Detuncq, taken by
his 11 year old son.
Refection of NIna off
of glass picture,
discovered after
returning home.