You know that specific smell when you walk into a pizza place that actually uses a real deck oven? It’s not just yeast and melting cheese. It’s that slightly charred, toasted flour scent that hits you right in the face the second you pull open the heavy glass door. That’s exactly what happens at Round Table Pizza Milwaukie. It’s tucked away on SE McLoughlin Blvd, and honestly, if you aren’t looking for it, you might just cruise right past it while navigating the usual Milwaukie traffic.
But you shouldn't.
Most people think of "chain pizza" and envision limp crusts or those weirdly sweet sauces that taste like they came out of a plastic pouch. Round Table is different. They’ve basically built a decades-long reputation on being the "Last Honest Pizza," which sounds like a marketing gimmick until you actually see them rolling out the dough. In Milwaukie, this spot has become a weirdly vital community hub. It’s where the high school soccer teams go after a win—or a loss, let's be real—and where families go when nobody feels like doing dishes.
What Actually Makes Round Table Pizza Milwaukie Stand Out?
If you're looking for a paper-thin Neapolitan pie that you have to eat with a fork and knife, you're in the wrong place. Round Table is all about structural integrity.
The Milwaukie location specifically nails that gold-standard crust. It’s thick but not doughy. It’s got these air pockets that get crisp and bubbly. They call it "rolling the dough," but it’s really about the layers. When you bite into a slice of the King Arthur’s Supreme, you can actually feel the resistance of the crust before it gives way to the toppings. It’s sturdy.
Speaking of toppings, they don't skimp.
Most pizza joints use a scale to make sure they aren't "over-topping" (which is just corporate speak for saving money). At the Milwaukie Round Table, the pepperoni is layered so thick you can barely see the cheese underneath. They use a three-cheese blend—mozzarella, white cheddar, and provolone—and they spread it all the way to the edge. There is nothing worse than a pizza that is 30% "handle" and 70% food. Here, the toppings go almost to the perimeter, leaving just enough crust to hold onto without getting grease on your knuckles.
The Legend of the Zesty Red Sauce
Let’s talk about the sauce for a second because it’s polarizing.
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Some people find it too spicy. Others think it’s the only reason to eat pizza. It’s a "Zesty Red" sauce that has a legitimate kick to it. It’s not "burn your tongue off" hot, but it has enough crushed red pepper and herbs to let you know it’s there. If you’re used to the bland, sugary sauce from the big delivery chains, this might catch you off guard. It’s savory. It’s bold. Honestly, it’s the backbone of the whole menu.
The Menu Hits (and the Stuff You Might Miss)
Most regulars at Round Table Pizza Milwaukie have their "usual." You don't even need the menu after the third visit.
- The Montague’s All Meat Marvel: This thing is a beast. We’re talking Italian sausage, pepperoni, salami, and ham. It is heavy. If you’re trying to be healthy, why are you even here? This is the pizza you order when you’ve spent the day hiking at Elk Rock Island and you need about 4,000 calories to recover.
- Guinevere’s Garden Delight: This is the "I want to feel slightly less guilty" option. It’s loaded with tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and olives. The cool thing is the veggies are usually crisp. They don't get that slimy, canned texture you find at lesser establishments.
- The Maui Zaui: This is the controversial one. Ham, pineapple, bacon, and... Polynesian sauce. People get into actual fights about pineapple on pizza, but the sweetness of the fruit with that zesty sauce and the salty bacon? It works. Don't @ me.
Those Famous Garlic Parmesan Twists
If you go to Round Table and don't get the twists, did you even go? They’re made from the same fresh dough as the pizzas, rolled up, baked until they're golden, and then absolutely drenched in garlic butter and parmesan. They come with a side of ranch or red sauce.
Pro tip: The ranch at the Milwaukie location is that "good" ranch. You know the kind. It’s house-made, thin enough to dip, but thick enough to stick to the twist. It’s a game-changer.
Why the Milwaukie Location Specifically?
Location matters. Being situated on SE McLoughlin means this spot serves a massive cross-section of the Portland metro area. It’s not just Milwaukie residents; you get people coming down from Sellwood or up from Gladstone.
The interior has that classic "pizza parlor" vibe. It’s not trying to be a sleek, modern bistro with Edison bulbs and reclaimed wood. It’s comfortable. It has those big booths that can fit a whole family. There’s a small arcade area—enough to keep the kids busy for twenty minutes while the pizza bakes—and plenty of TVs for whatever game is on.
The Lunch Buffet: A Disappearing Art
Finding a good pizza buffet in 2026 is like finding a needle in a haystack. Most places scrapped them years ago because the margins are razor-thin and the logistics are a nightmare.
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The Milwaukie Round Table still leans into the lunch buffet. It’s a lifesaver for workers in the area. For a flat price, you get a decent selection of fresh pizzas, a salad bar that actually has fresh greens (not just wilted iceberg), and those aforementioned twists. It’s fast. It’s filling. It’s exactly what a lunch break should be.
Addressing the Price Point
Let’s be real for a minute: Round Table is not the cheapest pizza in town.
If you’re looking for a $5 "hot and ready" cardboard disc, go elsewhere. You pay a premium here. A large specialty pizza is going to run you significantly more than the national delivery chains.
Why? It’s the ingredients. You can taste the difference in the cheese. The meats aren't that weird, translucent stuff you see at the discount spots. Most people in Milwaukie seem okay with the trade-off. It’s the "treat yourself" pizza. It’s the "we just got our tax return" pizza.
Is it worth it? If you value the crust-to-topping ratio and a sauce that actually has a personality, then yes. If you just want volume for the lowest possible price, you might feel some sticker shock. But usually, one slice of a Round Table pie is as filling as two slices of the cheap stuff because it’s so dense.
The Community Connection
What people often overlook about the Round Table Pizza Milwaukie is how much they do for local schools and sports.
They host "Dine-Out" nights where a percentage of the sales goes back to local PTAs or youth sports leagues. You’ll often see flyers for Milwaukie High School events or Rex Putnam fundraisers taped to the door. It’s a local business that actually acts like one. In an era where everything feels like a faceless corporate transaction, having a place where the manager might actually remember your name—or at least your order—is pretty cool.
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Delivery and Takeout Realities
While the dining room is great, a huge chunk of their business is delivery.
They have their own drivers, which is a big deal. Relying on third-party apps like DoorDash or UberEats can be a crapshoot—your pizza sits under a heat lamp, the driver gets lost, and by the time it arrives, the crust is soggy. Having dedicated drivers who know the Milwaukie backstreets and apartment complexes makes a massive difference in the quality of the food when it hits your coffee table.
How to Get the Best Experience
If you’re planning a visit or an order, here’s the inside track on how to do it right:
- Join the Rewards Program: Seriously. If you’re going to spend $30+ on a pizza, you might as well get the points. They send out legit coupons that actually save you money.
- Order "Well Done" if You Like Extra Crunch: The deck ovens are hot, but if you like those little charred bits on your pepperoni, ask them to leave it in for an extra minute. It holds up even better during transport.
- Check the Salad Bar: Even if you aren't a "salad person," the salad bar is usually well-maintained. It’s a nice way to break up the heaviness of the cheese and meat.
- Avoid Peak Times if You’re Dining In: Friday nights at 6:30 PM are chaotic. That’s when the "after-game" crowds descend. If you want a quiet meal, try a Tuesday or a late Sunday afternoon.
Common Misconceptions
People sometimes confuse Round Table with "fast food."
It’s not. Each pizza is made to order. If you walk in and order a large King Arthur’s Supreme, expect to wait 15 to 20 minutes. They aren't pulling these out of a freezer. They are stretching the dough, layering the toppings, and watching it bake. It’s "slow food" served in a casual environment.
Another one: People think they only do pizza. Their wings are actually surprisingly good. They’re baked, not fried, so they don’t have that heavy breading, but they stay juicy. The "Zesty Buffalo" sauce matches the vibe of the pizza sauce perfectly.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Pizza Night
Ready to pull the trigger on some Round Table? Here is exactly what you should do to maximize the value and the flavor:
- Download the App First: Don't just call it in. The app usually has "app-only" deals that can knock $5 or $10 off a large order.
- Try the "Half and Half": If you can’t decide between the All Meat Marvel and the Garden Delight, just split it. Their kitchen is great about keeping the toppings on their respective sides.
- Save the Leftovers Properly: Don't you dare put that pizza in the microwave. If you have leftovers, throw them in an air fryer at 350 degrees for about 3 minutes, or use a dry skillet on the stove with a lid. It brings that crust back to life like it just came out of the oven.
- Check for Local Specials: The Milwaukie location often has "Tuesday Night" specials or "Family Meal Deals" that include twists and a 2-liter of soda. It’s the most cost-effective way to feed a group.
Round Table Pizza Milwaukie isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. They're just making a really solid, heavy, flavorful pizza and serving it to a community that has supported them for years. Whether you're a lifelong resident or just passing through on Hwy 99E, it’s a reliable staple that consistently delivers on its promise. It’s the "Last Honest Pizza" for a reason, and in a world of shrinking portions and rising prices, that honesty goes a long way.