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Fun & Funky Restaurant Opens on North Oregon Coast

(Oregon Coast) - The tiny North coast town of Wheeler – only about six blocks long – is now host to its third restaurant. Guido’s Ristorante has opened up recently to rave reviews by locals, with some funky, offbeat traditions already forming there.

Kaufman entertains by tossing pizzas

With legendary local biz man Phil Kaufman at the helm (former owner of The Edgewood and The Pizza Place), Guido's seems destined for great things, sitting in the same spot as the famous, even legendary Nina's did for years in Wheeler.

Pizzas are the spotlight now, with large, Italian-influenced sandwiches added recently, and pastas coming down the line soon.

There's an interesting layout to the place, with a large yet cozy and intimate front dining room, which contains a curious and clever counter that faces the kitchen. This allows patrons sitting there to interact with Phil and his often-comedic staff. The restaurant sprawls into the spacious back area, eventually into a very red – and very retro - bar.

Pizzas come in all sorts of intriguing incarnations, running an average for $14 for a small to $22 for larges. Various vegetarian varieties include interesting things like spinach, red onions, garlic, eggplant or zucchinis, as well as the usual choices. You can get various kinds of chicken on your pizza, as well as other combos that include items like bacon, Andouille sausage, Greek seasonings, lemon-herbed bay shrimp and all the regular goodies you generally find.

The "meateater" combines five different meats. The crust is exemplary: light, tender and moist, while glazed and crisp on the outside. Their Italian sausage is bold and rustic, with quite the kick to it. The three cheeses of provolone, mozzarella and cheddar form a smooth and wondrous trio of blends.

Guido's interior

All items are available to go, and they deliver as well.

Manager Kaufman says one large group of locals has been coming in once a week as of late, asking him to “surprise them” and make a pizza with toppings and ingredients of his choice. A local tradition, quirky in a manner typical of slightly off-kilter Wheeler, has already begun.

Guido’s has already hosted an unusual Super Bowl Party, with the big game on the TV, male workers dressed in Mafia-style suits and females in French maid attire.

In March, Guido’s will celebrate the TV series “The Sopranos” every Sunday, when the show’s new season starts. Each Sunday, the lounge becomes the “bling-bling” lounge, with Italian chicken barbecued outside, and strolling gypsy musicians, as well as other Mafia-esque special features. 675 Hwy 101, Wheeler. (503) 368-7778.

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