 The Organ Grinder Pizza in Portland brings back very fond memories. Unique places tend to do that to me, especially from my childhood. This place was a one-of-a-kind. The Organ Grinder, which was located on SE 82nd in Portland, opened it's doors to the public in 1973 and was a huge hit with families around the area. It's building alone was very modern-looking for the time period it stood out from other businesses along the street. If you had never been there, you would see just the outside and think, "what in the world is that?"
Not your run-of-the-mill pizza parlor, it generated a fun atmosphere. A large Wurlitzer  organ with pipes jetting up to the ceiling sat in the center front of the the dining room. It's been a long time, so pardon my memory, but I believe that the seating was staggered on a couple different levels for ultimate viewing of the surroundings. But, what was there really to see except other patrons around you, stuffing their faces with pizza? Silent movies, if you must know! ;)
These classic old picture shows would play during your meal and the man at the Wurlitzer organ would accompany. It was the coolest in entertainment! I would visit the Organ Grinder with my friends for pizza, video games and, of course,  silent movies every month or so. The pizza wasn't bad (not the best I've had), but it wasn't about the food. It was about the movies, the music and the fun. The food quality was an afterthought and pretty much a moot point. In February of 1996, the Organ Grinder closed it's doors for good and the Wurlitzer was sold off. The end of a very special era. At least I still have my memories of the famous Organ Grinder Pizza in Portland, Oregon. Good stuff. ;)
Have An Organ Grinder Memory?
The Organ Grinder brings back fond memories for a lot of us. Have a story or a memory to share?
Your Organ Grinder Memories
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I Think About Organ Grinder Pizza All The Time
My husband and I met in 1974 and we loved the Organ Grinder in Portland. We didn't live far from there, and you know what? We didn't go there all that ...
Did The Organ Grinder Have A Real Live Monkey?
I distinctly remember an organ grinder coming to my grade school in Rainier with an organ and a monkey. It would've been sometime between 1973 and 1976....
Wind-Up Monkey at Organ Grinder Pizza
I went to the Organ Grinder probably 1977, when I lived in Kennewick. The organist had this little wind-up cymbal banging monkey. He wound the thing up ...
I Remember Organ Grinder Pizza
I loved your short story of the Organ Grinder. It really took me back.
I grew up in SE Portland and the Organ Grinder was a great place. We would go ...
Not Quite Organ Grinder Pizza, But As Close As It Gets
For anyone wondering, Dennis Hedberg, owner of the Organ Grinder, collected rare sounds and sets of pipes for the Organ Grinder organ, which eventually ...
Oregon Grinder Pizza Memories......
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My grandparents lived in Keiser for years and when we would visit from Eastern Oregon, Organ Grinder Pizza was one of our favorite places in the world ...
Falstaff Dark Beer at Organ Grinder Pizza
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When I lived in Eugene, in 1984, I went to the Organ Grinder for pizza with friends. What neat atmosphere, I thought back then.
Falstaff Dark beer? Organ ...
I Remember The Organ Grinder And That Cantankerous Monkey!
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How sad that such a great place as the Organ Grinder is gone.
When husband, baby daughter (at the time) and I wanted to do something real special, we ...
Washington Girl visits Portland's Organ Grinder Pizza
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The Organ Grinder restaurant/pizzaria was the highlight of my semi-annual trips to Portland.
My Mom and Grandma would take me there as a treat if I ...
WANTED: Organ Grinder Monkey
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My sister loved the toy monkey you could get through the Organ Grinder Pizza in Portland.
We lost it throughout the years. She will be 40 this year ...
Organ Grinder Fond Memories
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I sure remember Organ Grinder Pizza in Portland!
Any time relatives came from out of town, they always wanted to go there just because they ...
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