Some of the best meals in Washington hide behind plain doors on ordinary streets. You walk in hungry, expecting a quick slice, and suddenly you are surrounded by flashing pinball lights, loud rock music, and posters from another decade.
The pizza shows up bigger than the plate, and you realize this is no ordinary lunch stop. Here is why this little spot is worth the trip.
A Downtown Slice Shop on Franklin Street
Right in the heart of downtown Olympia, at 108 Franklin St NE, Old School Pizzeria has been handing out hot slices to hungry locals and travelers alike. From the sidewalk, it looks like a modest neighborhood shop.
Step inside, though, and the whole mood shifts.
The place is known for thin-crust, New York-style pies and slices served in a space packed with retro decor, ’80s posters, and classic arcade machines. It is part pizza counter, part time machine, and part hangout spot for anyone who grew up feeding quarters into game cabinets.
Visitors come for many reasons. Some want a fast slice on a lunch break, while others plan whole evenings around a large pie and a few rounds of pinball.
Plenty of out-of-towners say they make a point of stopping by every single time they pass through the capital city, which says a lot about the pull this spot has.
Three Decades of Serious Pizza
Thirty years is a long run for any restaurant. Regulars point out that Old School Pizzeria has been around for about that long, and it still treats pizza making like a craft instead of a chore.
That longevity matters. In a world where restaurants open and close faster than you can learn their names, a pizzeria that keeps its doors open for decades has clearly figured something out.
Guests describe the staff as taking their pies very seriously, even while the music is loud and the mood is laid-back.
Many visitors also frame a trip here as a way to support a true local business. It is not a chain with a corporate playbook.
It feels homegrown, with its own quirks, its own style, and its own loyal crowd that keeps coming back year after year. Families who first visited long ago now bring their kids along, passing the tradition down one slice at a time.
Walls Covered in Nostalgia
Look up, look left, look anywhere. Memorabilia covers nearly every inch of the walls, and the collection leans heavily on iconic 20th century posters and ’80s pop culture.
Guests often compare the feeling to stepping into an old-school pizza parlor from their childhood. Some say it reminds them of grabbing a slice at a ’90s rock club, with loud music playing and gritty charm everywhere.
One fun detail people love is a fish tank sitting under a disco ball, which is exactly the kind of odd touch that makes a room memorable.
Even the cups get in on the throwback theme. Regulars have noticed the classic red plastic cups that many people remember from pizza restaurants in the ’90s.
Small things like that add up. You are not just eating dinner here.
You are soaking in a whole era, and the decor does most of the storytelling for you.
Slices as Big as the Plate
First-timers usually do a double take when their order arrives. The slices here are huge, often hanging right off the edge of the plate, and that alone makes a pretty strong first impression.
The style is classic New York thin crust. Fans describe it as thin and crispy but still chewy, with a crust that folds nicely and cracks just a little when you bend it.
That fold-and-eat method is the right move here. One visitor who drove an hour looking for authentic East Coast pizza called the crust perfection.
Not every crust comes out the same, though. A few guests have mentioned slices that were more charred than they wanted, so crust fans who prefer a lighter bake may want to keep that in mind.
Most people, however, leave talking about how satisfying it was to finish a slice that size, and how quickly they wanted another one.
Toppings Worth Talking About
Sausage lovers, pay attention. One devoted fan spent years hunting for pizza with very fine, crumbly sausage and finally found it here.
The kitchen also minces its pepperoni, spreading that flavor across every bite instead of leaving it in a few big circles.
Pepperoni slices can run a little greasy, which some people see as a feature rather than a flaw. Other diners say the pies are not overly greasy at all, so it seems to depend on your order and your taste.
The cheese gets plenty of praise too, with one guest cheerfully noting it was fully doing its job.
There is a wide list of toppings to build your own slice or pie. Whether you like a simple cheese slice or something loaded with meats and vegetables, the options give you room to play.
Goat cheese even shows up as a choice for more adventurous eaters.
Beyond the Thin Crust
Thin crust may be the star, but the menu does not stop there. Guests mention thicker crust options too, including Sicilian-style pizza for anyone who prefers a heartier, more bread-like bite.
Garlic knots come up often in conversations about this spot. Some visitors order them alongside a whole pie, while others grab garlic twists and a garden salad to round out a family meal.
Feedback on the knots is mostly warm, though tastes vary, so give them a try and decide for yourself.
Then there is the ranch. Several people rave that it is the best around, and one guest said it is everything you want ranch to be and more.
Dipping crust into it seems to be a favorite local habit. Whole pies and single slices are both available, so you can go small on a quick visit or order big for a hungry crowd.
Gluten-Free and Plant-Friendly Options
Dietary needs can make pizza nights tricky. Good news: this spot offers gluten-free crust, and guests who eat that way say it holds up well next to the traditional dough.
One longtime visitor ordered one regular pizza and one gluten-free pizza on the same trip and said both were well done. That kind of consistency is a relief for families where not everyone can eat the same thing.
Vegan diners have options too. One guest ordered a gluten-free vegan pie and received a creative vegetable medley with cashews on top.
Some visitors mention dairy-free choices, while another said dairy-free cheese was not available on their visit, so it may be smart to ask at the counter before ordering. Either way, the kitchen seems willing to work with people rather than turning them away, and that flexibility goes a long way.
Quirky Fountain Sodas and Local Drinks
Forget the usual soda lineup. The fountain here pours unconventional flavors, and fans call it the best selection of unusual fountain sodas they have ever seen.
The black cherry soda gets special love, with one regular saying it makes their toes curl. Kids seem to adore the self-serve fountain too, and one parent said it is their child’s favorite part of every visit.
The drinks are described as locally made and crafted in-house style, which fits the independent spirit of the place.
Not everyone loves them, though. A few guests expecting familiar name-brand sodas found the flavors surprising.
If you want something classic, bottled and canned options are also on hand. For most people, trying a strange new flavor with a giant slice is half the fun.
Grab a red cup, experiment a little, and see which one becomes your go-to.
Pinball and Arcade Games in the Back
Got quarters? You will want them.
The back of the restaurant holds a game section filled with pinball machines and old-school arcade cabinets, and yes, they take real quarters.
Many guests play a few rounds while waiting for their pizza to come out of the oven. It turns the wait into part of the fun rather than a boring stretch of standing around.
Parents like that kids have something to do, and grown-ups enjoy reliving the arcade days of their youth.
There is also a large booth back there, which is handy for groups who want to eat close to the games. People who hung out in arcades during the ’80s and ’90s say the place feels like home.
Some first-timers admit they skipped the arcade and regretted it, promising to try it next time. Learn from them and save a little time for the flippers.
Punk Rock Energy and Loud Music
Punk rock pizza at its finest. That is how one fan sums up the vibe, and it fits.
Rock music plays loud, the staff often looks the part, and the whole room hums with a chill, slightly rebellious energy.
Many visitors describe the workers as friendly, funny, and very relaxed. Some have even spotted employees quoting cartoons and busting out playful dance moves behind the counter.
When orders are ready, names get called out loud, which one East Coast fan loved as a classic touch.
Service experiences do vary. Some guests found the counter staff patient and extra kind, while others felt things were rushed or transactional during busy moments.
The kitchen is often slammed, which explains some of that. If you like quiet dining, the music might feel too loud.
If you like a little noise with your pizza, you will fit right in.
Who Will Love It Most
Families, friend groups, solo slice hunters, and nostalgia fans all find something here. Parents say it works well for kids thanks to the arcade and the fun fountain drinks, and the large back booth fits a crowd.
Travelers passing through Olympia treat it as a must-stop. One visitor from Southern California said they wished their hometown had pizzerias like this.
College-age diners and longtime locals mix easily in the casual setting.
A heads-up for tidy-minded guests: some visitors mention the space can feel messy or worn, especially during rushes, and tables may need a quick wipe. Others see that lived-in feel as part of the charm.
Accessibility is a plus, with a wheelchair-accessible restroom noted by guests. If you want polished and pristine, this may not be your place.
If you want character, comfort, and big flavor, you will likely leave happy.
Hours, Prices, and Getting a Seat
Planning ahead helps. Old School Pizzeria opens daily at 11 am, closing at 10 pm Sunday through Thursday and staying open until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Prices land in the budget-friendly $10 to $20 range per person. One guest paid about $5.25 for a large specialty slice, while kids’ pepperoni slices ran around $4.75.
A family order of a large pepperoni pie, a salad, and garlic twists came in under $50.
Seating is first come, first served, with barstools, tables, and only a handful of booths. Weekends get packed, so arriving early improves your odds.
Guests say parking downtown is usually manageable, and staff have even helped visitors find better spots. You can also call ahead at 360-786-9640 for pickup, and regulars say phone orders come out right.
Check the website before visiting for the latest menu details.
The Case for Stopping By
Some restaurants feed you. A few give you a story to tell afterward.
Old School Pizzeria lands in that second group, mixing giant thin slices, oddball sodas, and flashing pinball into one noisy, lovable package.
It is not perfect. Busy nights can mean rushed service, crowded tables, and a room that could use extra tidying.
Crust doneness can swing from golden to very dark. Honest expectations make for a better visit.
Still, the heart of the place is hard to miss. Crowds keep returning for crispy, chewy crust, fine crumbly sausage, legendary ranch, and a throwback setting that feels like a warm hug from the past.
Bring some quarters, grab a red cup, and fold that slice the proper way. Chances are good you will walk out already planning your next trip back to downtown Olympia.
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