With national restaurant chains coming and going, find out why families, sports clubs, and groups keep Pizza Baron going …

Not only does Pizza Baron serve three generations of customers; they employ three generations of outer East Portland folks.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As fads in restaurants come and go, one locally-owned establishment has maintained its charm by serving the same high-quality food – in warm, inviting surroundings – as it did 30 years ago.

Pizza Baron, at 2604 S.E. 122nd Avenue, in the shopping center just south of SE Division Street, looks pretty much like it did when it opened – wood paneled walls, cozy booths, and long tables to allow large groups of folks to sit together.

Pizza steeped in East Portland history
It was opened by original the “baron of pizza” in outer East Portland, Rob Robinson. He first operated a franchise, Hokey’s Pizza Parlors, at SE 92 Avenue and SE Stark Street. After going out on his own, Robinson renamed his restaurant Pizza Baron. He opened several restaurant locations, and later sold them; the original location remains in operation – now named Stark Street Pizza.

When Bill Dayton, a young car-racing fan turned 21, he went to work for Robinson. What started as a “temporary job” for Dayton turned out to be a career and business, as he went on to manage – and in 1983, buy – the Midway area Pizza Baron location on SE 122nd Avenue.

Long tables and benches make it easy for large groups to sit and dine together.

Community service a priority
“I realized we couldn’t compete against big national chains by going head-to-head with them,” said Dayton, who grew up at SE 64th Avenue and Powell Boulevard. “My wife and I decided to try to build a business by helping our community as much as we could, by supporting sports teams and clubs in the David Douglas Schools, community groups, car clubs, and organizations.”

Over the years, the strategy paid off. “By offering good food at a fair price, providing good service, and giving people a comfortable place to meet, three generations of East Portlanders are now coming in.”

Dayton, and his son Jeff who co-manages the restaurant, are still active in the community. In addition to hosting the Midway Business Association meetings, their business still takes an active role in the community by providing pizza for school and civic organizations’ events. For example, in December, they supplied dozens of pizzas for the Department of Human Services’ Children’s Services holiday party – during the blizzard! (CLICK HERE to read this article.)

Although it’s been years since Dayton’s been auto racing, he still enjoys the company of vintage auto enthusiasts, and hosts two cruise-in events a year in the restaurant’s parking lot.

Hot meal delivery
The restaurant seats 200 and can host groups of up to 75 people, we learned. Although Pizza Baron is a family restaurant, complete with a fully-equipped game room, they have nine beers on tap, and Oregon Lottery games for adults.

But, unlike many other pizza parlors, they also offer delivery service in outer East Portland. “Over the years, loyal customers have made our delivery service successful. And yes, during the blizzard, our delivery business increased substantially.”

Booths provide couples and families a cozy place to enjoy “Just possibly the finest pizza anywhere”.

We asked Dayton to share his “secret of success” for running a thriving business over the decades.

“Other than adding new pizza ovens recently, we haven’t changed things,” Dayton replied. “We haven’t cut back on quality. And, we still provide flexible work schedules for our employees. People who have worked here in the past now have kids – and grandkids – who come here to work.”

For more information, check their website: www.pizzabaron.net, or call them at (503) 761-1799.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See how this food festival helps unite the DDHS student body – and raise funds for student organizations – at the same time …

Rena Chayanam, Sami Hagardt, Jessica Nguyen, Nicole Thorstenson, Shana Duggan at the David Douglas Cheerleaders serving up nachos!

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Because David Douglas High School is so large, students are served lunch in two cafeterias – in multiple shifts.

But, when the school holds its “International Bite” event, all the kids show up to eat lunch at one time – along the breezeway west of the school.

Robert Molina, Xavier Moran, Leksi Lizotte and Marie Thompson are serving a samosa from Morocco; filled with vegetables and spices. The dish was made by the Culinary Arts Club. It was our luncheon choice!

Amid the flood of thousands of students, Kara Kauble, the DDHS’ Activities Director, keeps an eye on the huge lunchtime “block party”.

Supports school clubs
“This is a chance for a school clubs to sell foods from different nationalities, or foods that represent their organization,” explained the organizer, Kara Kauble, the school’s Activities Director.

“We have a DJ playing music, and also have an ‘American Idol’ type event, that a club is putting a showcase talent of our students,” Kauble told us. “Students are in the classroom 90% of the time, and it’s great for them to get out and enjoy a nice day. It’s also a great time for our clubs to show what they’re all about, and help them make some money on the foods they sell.”

Irina Kurich and Megan Black with the Hospitality Tourism and Recreation career pathway are selling dipped chocolate treats.

DDHS Principal Randy Hutchinson comes out to the event for lunch.

Represents diverse student body
“The best part of this event is that many of our ethnic groups serve native foods,” commented DDHS Principal Randy Hutchinson. “All of our kids get a chance to sample a variety of foods, so it’s a pretty neat deal.  It’s part of how we celebrate the diversity of our school; we have so many different countries represented here.”

As we walked with Hutchinson, he looked pleased that event was going well. “As you can see, it is orderly chaos. The nice thing is, even though we have we have close to 3,000 kids out here – when it’s all done, there’s not a piece of trash on the ground.”

The Dream Club is busy selling churros and frozen fruit bars to support their group, whose motto is “Helping hands extending to a hurting world”.

Did we mention there were a LOT of students at the event? When the bell rang, the students vanished, leaving a clean breezeway area behind.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See how this early Thanksgiving day dinner nourishes the bodies and nurtures the spirits of their area’s senior citizens …

Job’s Daughter Kelsey Richert serves early Thanksgiving dinner guest Beryl Parker.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Thanksgiving Day comes early – November 18 – at the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 291 in SE Portland. This feast, a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, is served to the area’s senior citizens as a community outreach project.

In the lodge’s community hall, volunteers from Job’s Daughters of Friendship Lodge seat guests and serve plated dinners, rolls, and beverages.

After guest Beryl Parker is treated to this first-class service by volunteer Kelsey Richert she looks pleased and says, “This is beautiful. This is good food, and a lot of it! What a wonderful dinner they’re putting out.”

Lorna Lawrence, the organizer of the event and a member of Women of the Moose, Chapter 297 at Lodge 291, tells us about their event. “This is our fifth year we’re serving a free Thanksgiving dinner for all seniors in our neighborhood.”

Their program is simple: They distribute invitations throughout the neighborhood inviting seniors to come in for Thanksgiving dinner.

The young ladies, Job’s Daughters from the Friendship Lodge, serve up dinners dished up by event coordinator Lorna Lawrence.

Only Thanksgiving Day dinner for some
“We just had a gentleman come in,” Lawrence says, “he says this is the only Thanksgiving he has. It is his fourth year he’s come by.”

Asked why the lodge members sponsor this event, Lawrence explains, “We like to give back to our community.” We’re a community-service-based organization.

In addition to providing service to their local neighborhood, she says that the Moose Lodge also has senior citizen centers in two cities other than Portland, and also supports an orphanage in Chicago, IL.

Moose meals on Wheels
“We also provide meals for shut-ins,” says Lawrence. “We find drivers to deliver meals to about a dozen people around the neighborhood. Some are too ill or disabled to travel; others don’t drive.

Mildred Delaney and Colleen Roseberry tuck into a dinner.

The fragrant and savory aromas of roast turkey, bread dressing, mashed potatoes, and gravy fills our nostrils. We notice a red jar labeled “donations” and ask if we could contribute – and enjoy an early Thanksgiving dinner.

“Of course!” Lawrence says. “Have a seat. One can’t have too many good Thanksgiving dinners.”

By the way, the meal was a toothsome repast – and the portions so generous, we took the pumpkin pie home to enjoy later.

Holiday Bazaar Dec. 7-9
Lawrence asked if we would mention their Annual Holiday Bazaar, held December 7, 8 and 9 here in the Moose Lodge.

“All of the funds we raise from the event go toward our Christmas community service project. We’re adopting two families for the Salvation Army. You’re sure to find great gifts and treats here, and the money will help us buy gifts, a dinner a tree and some decorations for the families.”

The Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 291 is on the corner of SE 52nd Avenue and Flavel Street at 7414 SE 52nd Avenue, in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

If you want one of those “secret places” that only the locals know about, check this one out at SE 122nd Ave. and Holgate St.

Chef and kitchen manager Nick Olson, our friendly barkeeper, Danielle and CHEER’S general manager, Dale Lewis welcome outer East Portland patrons to the home of good food and good times. David F. Ashton photo

It’s hard to find food that is good, and hot, yet reasonably priced! Want a real good meal done right? Want a bargain where you get two-for-one and it isn’t yesterday’s hash?  If you want one of those secret places that only the locals know about, try Cheers.

That’s Cheers, Whiskey Bar & Grill. It is easy to find at SE 122nd Ave. and Holgate St.

In past lives, this location was a strip joint, and had a bad reputation. But now, it hosts a great menu, excellent kitchen, a great bar, and first-rate wait help! And the food is excellent. The service is steady and only slows when the crowd gets bigger.

Cheers is clean, and has nice, comfortable d?©cor.  A person can feel at home in blue jeans or business dress. Contractors and business folk mingle on a daily basis.  Danielle, the daytime bartender, says, “The customers here are great.  I also have a great group to work with here! It is fun! We try our best to get food & drink to customers as quick as possible! And, most folks are patient when we get slammed with customers. We appreciate that.”

Dale Lewis, General Manager says, “We serve folks from 21 to 80 years old, and have established a top-notch neighborhood restaurant and bar where anyone can feel welcome.  It is also a great gaming and entertainment venue. We work very hard to give high quality food at a great price.” He adds, “People come from the West Side to eat lunch and play video poker. We have regulars from most every culture and neighborhood in the Portland ‚ÄìVancouver area.”

Dale Lewis has worked with SKC Investments, the company that owns Cheers and several others in the area, for over 10 years.  In recent years the company has improved the image of the company and its properties by remodeling interior and exterior seating, signing, diligently removing graffiti, and by upgrading the quality of all offerings.

Texas Hold-em, too
“Not only do we offer great hospitality and food, but we have a great entertainment venue with Texas Hold-em on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sundays. We have karaoke on Monday nights at 8 p.m. The establishment has poker and game machines, and two up-to-date pool tables,” Lewis says.

Nick Olson is Kitchen Manager. He is from a family of restaurant owners and operators and, though self-taught, has a real grasp on fine quality dining and how to please customers with great food and quality at a fair price. Nick says, “It has been fun to work with Dale, the wait staff and vendors to get some really great food choices for our customers.   We recently introduced the Chibatta Burger — an all beef steer burger with Chibatta bread and great flavor.  Folks are going after this one!  We also have added the Italian night. It is growing every week and is also a big hit! We hope to add lower carb and healthy items as we go along, for our lunch and dinner crowd.

“Fresh is the main word here.  We buy only fresh meat, veggies, and ingredients.  Our soups are made daily and are low salt compared with any around. We don’t use a base but make our own just like old-fashioned soup grandma used to make! We know you will love our food!”

Prime rib: $9
If you are a visitor in the evenings on any night or weekend, you will enjoy the juicy prime rib that sells for fewer than 9 bucks, and is the absolute best for quality and tenderness.  It is not the usual bargain prime; this one is a great cut and grade, done just right, with great seasoning. It’s slow cooked, juicy and tender! The order comes with giant baker, and great saut?©ed vegetables. It also has fresh grilled French garlic toast slices.  Be sure to ask to have the foil removed from the baked potato if you are a tender fingered soul like the author.

“Two-fer” lunches, too
If that is not enough to convince you then try the “two-for” lunches. Imagine getting two giant beef steer burgers with mushrooms and cheese and big fries for $6.95 for both!  Or choose a gourmet deli sandwich on deli choice bread and get two sandwiches, and or Sandwiches, or Giant wraps for lunch for $6.95. Wow!  And if you want take out it is only 50 cents per item to take it home or to work!

The great news continues with a Saturday night Pasta night with choice of Marinara and Italian sausage, or Penne pasta or get Beef Ravioli and Marinara choices each for around six dollars and they are to die for at the price. Normally you would pay a minimum of $12 to $15 for the same portion and it may not be as well prepared.

Not fast food
One caution is that the Cheers establishment is not a “fast food place”, and you should allow 45 minutes to an hour for lunch especially on busy days.  If you need to be in a hurry order for take out or wait until you have a little extra time for lunch. It is worth the possible wait. It can take a while on busy Friday nights as well, so be patient. It is worth the wait!

Hear the music you choose
Most of the crowd age 40 plus dine between 6 and 9 p.m. On Friday night, Saturday or Sunday ‚Äì if you don’t adore head-banger rock or heavy metal ‚Äì you should plan on an investment in the jukebox of from three to five bucks. Pick from easy listening artists, country, standards, jazz, blues, or even some Sinatra is available. Be sure to hit the “play now” option and you will have music that is in your genre. If you don’t hit play now and spend the extra your songs will come after what is already ordered and at times that can be hard to talk over.

The reason, sometimes the young folks are playing pool during happy hour and they are big into metal, rap and top 40 music. It’s the kind that most mature folk don’t always appreciate. Be nice and order some Joplin, or Ray Charles, or Credence.  That should make everyone happy!

After 8:30 to nine p.m. Cheers Whiskey Bar emerges. It starts hoppin’ with the younger crowd playing the video music box or playing games and visiting friends at the bar.  It is a hometown feel with lots of variety for people watchers. The drinks are excellent ‚Äì not under-poured ‚Äì but right on!

It definitely is a great place to make new friends.  The bartender will accommodate your special request with a strong selection of brews, and cocktail choices also at reasonable prices.  Happy hour is festive with great bargains every evening starting at 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday nights.

¬© 2006 East PDX News