You’ll Be Stuffed in Minutes at This Legendary Oregon Buffet

Hungry diners looking for a fast, filling meal have been showing up at this Eugene pizza spot since the 1960s, and the momentum hasn’t slowed down. Families roll in after games, students crowd the tables with friends, and longtime locals know exactly what they’re ordering before they even reach the counter.

The promise is simple: big flavor, no skimping, and nobody leaves hungry.

The pizzas come out piled high with toppings and blanketed in real, melty cheese that stretches with every slice. The buffet goes beyond the standard heat-lamp routine, constantly refreshed and stacked with signature thin-crust pies that somehow manage to be cracker-crisp and fully loaded at the same time.

Two slices can honestly do the job, which says a lot about how generous each one is. It’s casual, loud in the best way, and built for sharing.

After all these years, the name still carrying that reputation is Abby’s Legendary Pizza.

Over Six Decades of Pizza Perfection

Albert “Abby” Broughton and Bob “Skinny” Harrell opened the first location back in 1964, creating what would become a beloved Pacific Northwest pizza institution. Their vision was simple: serve quality pizza with real ingredients in a welcoming space where families could gather.

The restaurant has grown from that single location into a regional chain, yet each spot maintains the original commitment to hearty, satisfying food. Eugene’s River Road location carries forward this legacy, serving the same style of pizza that made Abby’s famous decades ago.

Walking through the doors means stepping into a piece of Oregon dining history. The recipes haven’t changed much since those early days, and regulars appreciate that consistency.

When a pizza formula works this well for sixty years, there’s no reason to mess with it.

This longevity speaks volumes about quality and community connection in the restaurant business.

That Distinctive Cracker-Thin Crust

Forget thick, doughy crusts that leave you feeling heavy. Abby’s built its reputation on a thin, crackery base that delivers maximum crunch with every bite.

This style is distinctly Pacific Northwest, favored by Oregonians who appreciate the way it lets toppings shine.

The crust gets baked until it reaches that perfect crispy texture, almost snapping when you fold a slice. Some pizza lovers describe it as having a chip-like quality, sturdy enough to support generous toppings without getting soggy.

This preparation method means you taste more of the cheese, meats, and vegetables rather than filling up on bread. The lightness of the crust tricks you into thinking you can eat more, though the heavy toppings quickly prove otherwise.

First-timers often express surprise at how different this style feels compared to chain pizza. That crunch becomes addictive, bringing people back for that signature texture they can’t find elsewhere.

The Buffet That Lives Up to Its Name

Most buffets require several trips before you feel satisfied. At Abby’s, two slices often do the job, earning the restaurant its reputation for stuffing diners quickly.

The secret lies in how heavily each pizza gets loaded before it hits the buffet line.

Cheese stretches across every inch of crust, with toppings piled so high they threaten to slide off. Each slice weighs substantially more than typical buffet pizza, dense with ingredients and flavor.

You’ll notice your plate feels heavier than expected when carrying just two pieces back to your table.

The buffet selection rotates throughout service, ensuring fresh pizzas emerge regularly from the kitchen. Specialty combinations appear alongside classic options, giving diners variety without overwhelming choice.

This approach keeps things interesting for repeat visitors while maintaining quality.

Lunch and dinner crowds both take advantage of this all-you-can-eat option, though most discover their limits arrive much sooner than anticipated.

Real Cheese Makes the Difference

Quality ingredients separate memorable pizza from forgettable meals. Abby’s commitment to 100% real dairy cheese, often bearing the REAL Seal, elevates every pizza that comes out of their ovens.

You can taste the difference immediately in the rich, creamy flavor that coats your palate.

Many restaurants cut costs with cheese blends or substitutes that melt differently and taste artificial. Not here.

The real mozzarella melts into golden pools across the crust, stretching beautifully when you pull a slice away from the pie.

This cheese gets applied generously, creating that blanket of dairy goodness that defines Abby’s style. The weight of cheese alone contributes significantly to how filling each slice becomes, adding protein and fat that keep you satisfied longer.

Cheese lovers particularly appreciate this dedication to authentic ingredients. When you’re eating at a buffet, knowing the cheese is genuine rather than processed makes each trip to the line feel worthwhile and honest.

The Legendary Abby’s Special

Every pizza place needs a signature pie, and Abby’s Special has earned its legendary status through decades of satisfied customers. This combination pizza brings together pepperoni, salami, olives, mushrooms, beef, and sausage in one supremely loaded creation.

It’s the pizza regulars order by name without glancing at the menu.

The variety of meats provides different textures and flavors in each bite, from the spicy snap of pepperoni to the seasoned richness of sausage. Mushrooms add earthiness while olives contribute briny notes that cut through the richness.

Beef rounds out the protein party, ensuring no inch of crust goes without substantial topping coverage.

Ordering this pizza means committing to a hearty, meat-focused experience. Vegetarians will want to look elsewhere, but carnivores find themselves in paradise.

The combination has remained unchanged because customers wouldn’t tolerate alterations to this beloved formula.

First-time visitors often get recommended this pizza as the best introduction to what makes Abby’s special.

More Than Just Pizza on the Menu

Walking in focused solely on pizza means missing half the menu. Abby’s serves Loaded Spuds, which are exactly what they sound like: massive baked potatoes buried under toppings similar to their pizzas.

These become popular choices for diners wanting something different or looking to balance out their meal.

Sandwiches offer another departure from pizza, constructed with the same attention to generous portions and quality ingredients. Salads provide lighter options, though “lighter” remains relative at a place known for abundance.

These menu additions mean groups with varying appetites and preferences can all find satisfaction.

The diversity helps Abby’s function as more than a pizza-only destination. Families with picky eaters appreciate having alternatives, and repeat customers enjoy switching between menu categories on different visits.

This variety also makes the buffet more interesting, as non-pizza items sometimes make appearances alongside the pies. You might spot a tray of chicken or find salad bar components available during peak hours, expanding options beyond what you’d expect.

Legendary Fried Chicken Alongside Pizza

Pizza and fried chicken might seem like an unusual pairing until you taste Abby’s broasted-style chicken. Crispy, juicy, and available in various piece counts, this chicken has developed its own following separate from the pizza crowd.

The broasting process creates an exceptionally crunchy exterior while keeping the meat inside tender and moist.

Many customers specifically visit for the chicken, treating the pizza as a bonus rather than the main event. The seasoning hits that perfect savory note without overwhelming the natural chicken flavor, and the coating stays crisp even after sitting for a few minutes.

Ordering chicken by the piece or bucket makes Abby’s a viable option for family dinners beyond pizza night. The combination of pizza and chicken on one menu means satisfying diverse cravings in a single stop, particularly useful when feeding groups with different preferences.

This dual identity as both pizza joint and chicken spot gives Abby’s versatility that purely pizza-focused restaurants lack, broadening its appeal across the Eugene dining scene.

Family-Friendly Atmosphere on River Road

Located at 1970 River Road in Eugene, Oregon, Abby’s occupies a comfortable, unpretentious space perfect for families and groups. The atmosphere leans casual rather than fancy, with booths and tables arranged to accommodate everyone from couples to large gatherings.

Kids feel welcome here, and the noise level reflects that family-friendly approach.

The restaurant operates Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM, extending hours to 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. This schedule makes it accessible for both lunch buffets and dinner outings, with enough evening hours to catch a late meal after activities.

Prices fall into the moderate range, marked as two dollar signs, meaning you’ll spend more than fast food but less than upscale dining. The value proposition improves considerably at the buffet, where the all-you-can-eat model stretches your dollar further despite how quickly you’ll reach fullness.

Parking and accessibility make visiting straightforward, with the River Road location easy to find and navigate for both locals and visitors exploring Eugene’s dining scene.

Creative Specialty Pizza Combinations

Beyond traditional toppings, Abby’s menu ventures into creative territory with specialty pizzas that sound almost too adventurous. Taco Pizza brings Mexican flavors to Italian crust, while Philly Cheese Steak pizza reimagines the sandwich as a pie.

Shrimp and Artichoke pizza offers a more upscale combination for seafood lovers.

These unique options demonstrate kitchen creativity and willingness to experiment beyond pepperoni and sausage. The Taco Pizza typically features seasoned beef, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and sometimes chips or taco sauce, creating a fusion experience.

Philly Cheese Steak versions load up steak, peppers, onions, and cheese sauce for that authentic sandwich taste.

The Shrimp and Artichoke combination appeals to diners seeking lighter, more sophisticated flavors. Tender shrimp pairs with artichoke hearts, often accompanied by garlic and white sauce instead of traditional red.

These specialty pies rotate through the buffet less frequently than classics, making their appearance feel like a special treat. Regulars know to grab slices quickly when unusual varieties appear, as they disappear fast once discovered.

Sweet Endings with Loaded Desserts

Saving room for dessert feels impossible after Abby’s pizza, yet their sweet offerings tempt even the fullest diners. Chocolate candy cookies represent their dessert philosophy: go big or go home.

These treats come loaded with candy pieces, creating chewy, sweet bites that satisfy sugar cravings effectively.

The cookies arrive warm when fresh, with chocolate still slightly melted and candy chunks providing textural contrast. They’re substantial enough to share, though many diners find themselves unwilling to split once they start eating.

The sweetness provides a pleasant contrast after savory, cheese-heavy pizza.

Desserts don’t always appear at the buffet, but when they do, they follow the same generous approach as everything else on the menu. You won’t find delicate, refined sweets here, just honest, satisfying treats that deliver exactly what they promise.

Ordering dessert to go makes sense for those too full to eat immediately but unwilling to miss out. The cookies travel well, maintaining their appeal even after cooling, perfect for enjoying later when pizza-induced fullness finally subsides enough to consider something sweet.