Tommy's Pizza Palace — Restaurant in Portland

Despite my low rating, I am attempting as a long-term customer to be as fair in this review as possible, and cover both the upsides and downsides of this place based on my own experience. I can't speak for anyone else. I almost always order, and have only rarely dined in the actual restaurant. I don't know for sure what goes on in management, and would advise my review be taken with a grain of salt. I can share only what I've seen and what I can guess is happening based on it.

Over the long time I've lived in Portland, I've watched this restaurant decline. It used to be THE place to get pizza in town since Russo's closed all those years ago.

However, recently they appear to have moved to a nonsensical cooking methodology, whereby instead of having a dedicated cook or cooks so that food quality is consistent, they simply have whoever is available cook.

This leads to the place seemingly playing Russian Roulette with your food quality. You never know whether your food is going to be of decent quality, or whether it's going to end up tasting like flavored cardboard (which it usually does, at least with my orders).

Their wait staff appears to cycle out so quickly that it's become common practice to see a new person taking your order every week or so, and turnover appears high.

And after two years, they still can't seem to hire a delivery driver. Everything has to either be eat in or pick-up. For handicapped people or those that otherwise can't get to the place, you're S.O.L. unless you want to further risk food quality drop by ordering from a delivery app.

And then there's the problem of being left on hold. The service is mildly frustrating at normal times, and ATROCIOUS when they're busy. Oftentimes, I have been left on hold for up to ten minutes, sometimes with them not even getting back to me at all.

On the plus side they're at least friendly and the restaurant is clean and has a good atmosphere, so I imagine that all of these problems with service and food quality are due to hard financial times and inexperienced staff rather than any sort of malice.

I do get the impression they're trying their best. Even so, I find it hard to want to order from here anymore. I've held out hope things will improve. But they...

Supporting small business has always been near and dear to our hearts but it has never been more important than during this pandemic. So many businesses have had to close their doors and behind those doors are not faceless millionaires but rather everyday people like you and me.

More than just the delicious food, this business is an integral part of the community and in a way, our lives. They were there when we moved to this town 20 years ago fresh faced and naive. Our appliances died within a week of owning the house and since we spent most of our money on the mortgage down payment it took a few weeks before we could get new ones. We ate at Tommy’s almost nightly because honestly, who can be expected to eat that many PB&J sandwiches?

They were there for my late night pregnancy cravings. Only their ham grinders would do! As time passed they supported our child with her Girl Scout Silver award by donating pizzas for the classroom who donated the most food to the food bank. Furthermore they have generously provided boxes and supplies to the hospital for pediatric patients to do art projects. When our girl left for college Tommy’s was the final “Portland meal” she wanted and when she came home for a brief visit it was a pineapple pizza from Tommy’s she was greeted with at the airport. (I refuse to even entertain any “pineapple does not belong on pizza” nonsense!)

So many times we overlook the importance of the small ways in which we fill the gaps in other’s lives. Tommy’s has become a staple in our lives and is a pillar of this community.

Our personal favorites from the menu include the grinders, wings, salads, and pizza (square cut for everyday, pie cut if I am trying to not eat like an out of control toddler left alone at a candy store.)

Highly recommend...

This place is putting out A class pizza! Ordered through slice, order was just coming out of the oven when arrived, Beautiful young lady at the counter greeted me let me know my pizza will be right up, while she was constructing a meatball and chicken parm subs that looked gigantic and made with love even though she was rushing around she paid attention to the chicken parm & meatballs, cheese and spreading the sauce! This will be my next order but back to my pie, The crust with just the right amount of crunch, sauce slightly sweet but not over powered with basil oregano etc, and all toppings were all perfect! I had the Tony's special! I would give it a strong 9.2 on a scale of one through 10. Keep up the Good work Bill!!! This Establishment is worth some travel or when in the area. You will not be disappointed. Keep reading update below

Thanks again one more time for my great Friday night 🍕!

So Today 11/21/23 I go back for the Meatball and chicken parm subs, actually great sub I went 16" for both food was amazing but by accident I gave the cashier 10 dollars extra. I realized as I was getting into the car, so I ho back explain it to the cashier nobody knows what to do so some guy comes up like I was causing an issue and acts like nothing to see here! So packed it up and went home. Just left me feeling some sort of way, food was great and everyone makes mistakes, this was my fault but the young lady wasn't paying attention, the guy could have asked for my number and when the register is cashed out and when they find 10 bucks over call Me no big deal, but that didn't happen real life stuff. Food is great I will be back buy I had to add this cause I feel it...