After the closure of the Izzy’s Pizza Bar & Classic Buffet brick-and-mortar locations in 2020, the Albany-based pizza chain is coming back in a new form: a food truck. The refreshed name of the pizza operation is Izzy’s Pizzas & A Whole Lot More.
The rejuvenated operation is led by Matt Brown, co-owner of Bunk Sandwiches, along with a team of other Portland restauranteurs. He said they intend to bring customers back to the original days of Izzy’s, offering pan pizza and broasted chicken. He said he was not connected to Izzy’s before but is now operating under the Izzy’s license.
Izzy’s Pizzas Bar & Classic Buffet was founded in 1979 by Fred Jansen and his mother, Isabel Covalt, who the chain is named after. Before that, Izzy and Jim, her late husband, ran the first Shakey’s Pizza Parlors in Albany and Corvallis, which eventually led to the opening of Izzy’s. The restaurant was known for its pizza and salad buffets and broasted chicken. The first location was in Albany, then locations were opened in Corvallis, Eugene, Bend and Salem. They all shuttered in or by the end of 2020 due to the pandemic.