Free Pizza Day in NW Portland!
Portland's First 'By-The-Slice' Pizzeria Celebrates 40 Years With Free Pizza
PORTLAND, OR - Escape from New York Pizza (EFNY), a beloved fixture of the Northwest District, marks a significant milestone this year: its 40th year serving authentic, New York-style pizza to Portland residents. In celebration, the pizzeria is inviting everyone to join the festivity by offering a free slice of pizza and a small drink on Monday, June 26th, from 11:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.
EFNY has served the city since 1983, establishing itself as a distinctive landmark on the bustling 23rd Avenue. The business, known for its narrow counter and a pair of outdoor tables, has gained a reputation for its classic cheese and pepperoni pizzas. Its iconic servings are a constant crowd-puller, often seen extending off paper plates, tantalizingly hot and tempting for every passerby.
Phil Geffner, the owner of EFNY, is a New York native who brought the thin-crust, New York-style pizza, a feature Portland hadn't seen until the pizzeria's establishment. For Geffner, this journey was less about a business venture and more about a social commitment to feed his friends. His philosophy around pizza is simple: "It's dough, sauce, and cheese. That's it."
The pizzeria, often hailed as "the elder statesman of local pie-slingers," by critics, has not only preserved its authentic New York vibes but also its strong principles. Geffner resisted serving salads, offering delivery services, or accepting credit and debit cards for over 30 years.
The pizzeria's significance in Portland's culinary scene is undeniable. In 2013 and 2018, it was ranked in the top five of The Oregonian's lists of Portland's best pizza-by-the-slice. Portland Mercury's Chad Walsh once noted, "With its 'no ranch' ethos and walls covered in photos of the past three-plus decades, it's definitely the best place to grab a slice."
Alex Frane, in Thrillist's 2020 overview of "The Absolute Best Pizza in Portland," wrote, "Fact: Escape has the most authentic New York slices in the city." Nathan Williams, in Eater Portland's 2021 overview of "Where to Grab Pizza by the Slice in and Around Portland," described EFNY as "the real deal, complete with service that is more New York-brusque than Portland-passive."
Even as it basks in praise, EFNY remains rooted in its ethos of treating everyone the same. From power brokers to celebrities to regular Joes, Geffner insists on giving the same brusque, fast-paced service common in New York, making no distinction between patrons. This spirit of equity has undoubtedly played a part in their 40-year success.
As the pizzeria approaches its milestone anniversary, Geffner reflects on his journey with gratitude. His business, which began on a shoestring budget, has given him a community and an opportunity to help others. He is proud of the business he built, "It feeds your soul," he says, a sentiment that is perhaps the true secret ingredient in each slice of EFNY pizza.
Escape from New York Pizza is located at 622 NW 23rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210, between Hoyt and Irving. This Monday, you can join the celebration and taste the soul that Geffner and his team have been putting into their pizza for four decades.
More information: https://efnypizza.net/