This Legendary Washington Restaurant Serves Up An Iconic All-You-Can-Eat Feast And Famous Fried Chicken

There are few things I love more in this world than stretchy pants and a challenge.

So, when I heard about a legendary spot right here in Washington serving up an endless pizza feast alongside some of the crunchiest fried chicken known to humanity, I didn’t walk, I sprinted.

Growing up, this iconic parlor was the ultimate destination for birthday parties and Little League post-game celebrations, and let me tell you, it still holds up. If your idea of heaven is balancing a plate way too high with pepperoni slices and crispy golden drumsticks, you’re in the right place.

Trust me, your inner ten-year-old is about to lose its mind.

Since 1954, this cheerful pizza chain has been stacking plates high and keeping the mood light with thin-crust pies, golden fried chicken, and those legendary Mojo Potatoes.

If you have been hunting for a spot where the food is generous and the atmosphere is even friendlier, pull up a chair.

The Last Shakey’s Standing In Washington

Rarity has a flavor, and here it tastes like thin crust. Shakey’s Pizza Parlor at 4525 N Rd 68 in Pasco, Washington, holds the title of the only location left in the entire state, which quietly turns a casual lunch into a small pilgrimage.

The chain started back in 1954 in Sacramento, California, earning the distinction of being the country’s very first franchised pizza chain. Knowing that history while you sit in a booth adds a little weight to every bite.

I drove out expecting a standard pizza place and found something with genuine character instead. The building has that unmistakable parlor look, red and white and proud, standing out along the road like it never bothered chasing trends.

Parking is easy, the entrance is welcoming, and there is no dress code beyond bringing an appetite. Locals treat it as a longtime favorite, and visitors often stop specifically because they remember Shakey’s from childhood.

If you appreciate places with real roots, this one earns its legendary label honestly.

Bunch Of Lunch Buffet Piles The Plate High

Value and variety rarely shake hands this warmly. The Bunch of Lunch buffet runs roughly from 11 AM to 2 PM, and it lays out thin-crust pizzas, crispy fried chicken, Mojo Potatoes, pasta, and a fresh salad bar all in one glorious lineup.

My plate multiplied faster than my willpower could argue. I started with two modest slices and somehow ended up building a second plate that looked like a highlight reel of the whole menu.

The buffet setup keeps things moving, with fresh pizzas arriving in a steady rotation so nothing sits around getting sleepy. Staff keep the area tidy and the trays full without hovering.

Bring a friend, because half the fun is comparing which pizza you liked best and arguing over who took the last chicken piece. Kids love the freedom of choosing, and grown-ups love the price.

Go a little before noon if you prefer a calmer room and first pick of everything coming out hot.

Fried Chicken With A Secret Family Recipe

Chicken at a pizza parlor sounds like a side note until you taste it here. Each piece gets hand-breaded using a family recipe that has been guarded for decades, then fried until the coating turns a deep, glossy gold.

The crunch is loud in the best possible way, and underneath it the meat stays juicy and well seasoned all the way to the bone. No dry corners, no bland spots.

I ordered a two-piece thinking I would stay disciplined and be reasonable about it. Three pieces later, I understood why regulars talk about the chicken before they mention the pizza.

It travels well too, so a family order for takeout holds its texture better than most fried chicken does on the drive home. Add a side of ranch if you like a little tang.

Honestly, if you only try one thing on your first visit, let it be a drumstick straight off the fryer while it is still too hot to be sensible about.

Mojo Potatoes Deserve Their Own Fan Club

Few side dishes stage a takeover this successfully. Mojo Potatoes arrive as thick seasoned slices, crackly and golden on the outside, soft and steaming in the middle, and they have a genuine cult following.

The seasoning is savory with a gentle peppery kick that keeps you circling back for another slice. They pair beautifully with fried chicken, though I ate a whole basket solo without shame.

My nephew declared them better than French fries, then guarded his plate with the seriousness of a bank vault. I did not fight him on the ranking.

Order them fresh and eat them fast, because the contrast between crisp edge and fluffy center is at its peak in the first few minutes. A dipping sauce is optional but fun.

Fair warning for buffet visits: leave room. It is entirely possible to fill your plate with these and forget pizza exists, which would be a delicious mistake but a mistake nonetheless.

Pizzas Built For Every Kind Of Craving

Topping indecision is a real condition, and the menu here treats it kindly. The Shakey’s Special stacks salami, pepperoni, Italian sausage, seasoned ground beef, mushrooms, and black olives onto one thin, sturdy crust.

Heat seekers gravitate toward the Firehouse, which brings hot sliced sausage and spicy Italian sausage together for a pie with genuine attitude. It is bold without being punishing.

Build-your-own is always an option too, and the ingredient selection is generous enough that no two visits need to taste the same. Simple cheese lovers are well served as well.

What I noticed most was the crust. Thin, crisp along the edge, strong enough to hold a mountain of toppings without folding under pressure, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.

Slices come cut into small squares in classic parlor style, perfect for sharing around a table where everyone wants a taste of everything. Grab a few different pies and compare.

Watch The Pizza Magic

Dinner and a show, minus the ticket price. Big viewing windows let you watch the pizza makers stretch dough, ladle sauce, and arrange toppings before everything slides into the oven.

That window is a longtime Shakey’s tradition, and it turns waiting into entertainment rather than a chore. Kids press their noses to the glass and adults pretend they are not doing the same.

I stood there far longer than planned, weirdly hypnotized by how smoothly the dough got spun and dressed. Watching your food come together builds anticipation better than any menu photo.

It also builds trust. Open kitchens tell you the place has nothing to hide, and everything I saw looked clean, organized, and cheerfully busy.

Bring the little ones and let them pick a spot near the glass while you order. By the time the pizza reaches your table, they will already feel invested in it, which somehow makes it taste even better.

Nostalgic Charm

The motto says it best: we serve fun at Shakey’s, also pizza. Early parlors were famous for Dixieland jazz bands and honky-tonk piano players, and that festive spirit still lingers in the Pasco dining room.

Vintage decor covers the walls, wooden booths fill up with families, and the whole place hums with easy conversation. Nobody is rushing anyone out the door.

My favorite moment was noticing three generations at one long table, grandparents telling stories about the Shakey’s they visited decades ago while the youngest ones stole potato slices. That kind of scene cannot be manufactured.

Service is warm and unhurried, the sort where someone checks in just often enough to be helpful. Big groups get seated without drama, and birthday celebrations blend right in.

Come hungry, stay a while, and let the room do its thing. Between the buffet, the chicken, and the good-natured buzz, a quick stop here has a way of turning into a happy afternoon.

Family-Friendly Prices That Still Make Sense

Ask any parent what makes a restaurant great, and the answer usually involves the bill. Shakey’s keeps things refreshingly reasonable, with buffet plates and combo meals that let a whole family eat well without anyone doing math in their head.

Kids under a certain age often pay less, and refills on the buffet mean growing teenagers finally meet their match.

Order a large pizza with a bucket of chicken and Mojos, and you have dinner plus tomorrow’s lunch. Value like that is exactly why this Pasco landmark keeps filling booths decade after decade.

Ask any parent what makes a restaurant great, and the answer usually involves the bill. Shakey’s keeps things refreshingly reasonable, with buffet plates and combo meals that let a whole family eat well without anyone doing math in their head.

Kids under a certain age often pay less, and refills on the buffet mean growing teenagers finally meet their match.

Order a large pizza with a bucket of chicken and Mojos, and you have dinner plus tomorrow’s lunch. Value like that is exactly why this Pasco landmark keeps filling booths decade after decade without stretching the family food budget much