Paola’s Pizza Barn has fed families in and around Sandy for generations, while Al Forno Ferruzza is a relative newcomer to the Mountain pizza scene, opening in Rhododendron in 2016 and quickly gaining a strong reputation. Last month, the two pizza purveyors joined forces in a reimagining of the Sandy location, combining the best of both businesses with their collaboration, Al Forno Ferruzza at Paola’s
Pizza Barn.

“People know Al Forno Ferruzza from our shops in Portland and in
Rhododendron, so people were really excited,” said Stephen Ferruzza, owner
of Al Forno Ferruzza. “And then there’s people that have been coming to
Paola’s for 42 years that are willing to try something new.”

Ferruzza teamed up with Denise Overton, who has lived in Sandy since she
was five years old and took over Paola’s a little more than a year ago.

“I knew the Paolas for a very very long time,” Overton said. “I just wanted to
reopen it and bring back the family name. Leonard Paola did a lot for the
community and the sports teams.”

That community spirit will be at the forefront of the new collaboration, with
the Sandy location offering both of the respective restaurants’ styles of pizza
while melding the recipes of both families and offering a large space for bigger
events and community gatherings, including local schools and sports teams.
“That’s the goal, to keep the history of a generational pizza shop,” Ferruzza
said. “It’s a family-oriented experience the whole way through.”

Ferruzza learned his pizza skills from his father, who was born in Sicily, and
he stresses locally sourced and fresh ingredients, fresh mozzarella and the
traditional style of making the dough. His Rhododendron flagship location is
also known for cannolis, strombolis, calzones and some culinary innovations
such as MapleAqua, a lightly sweet and bubbly drink, produced in the only
FDA-approved facility in the Mount Hood Corridor to make specialty items.
Al Forno Ferruzza at Paola’s Pizza Barn will feature these dishes in addition to
much of what has helped make Paola’s a well-loved restaurant over the years,
including family recipes for meatballs, barbeque sauce, dressings and the
traditional prime rib dinner on Fridays.

Ferruzza noted the larger kitchen at the Sandy location will offer many more
options for the menu, including pasta dishes, wings and sandwiches on fresh
baked bread, along with a remodeled bar.

Last month’s opening was limited to take out and delivery orders, thanks to
the coronavirus outbreak. Ferruzza is experienced when it comes to opening
during challenging times, however, as his first brick and mortar pizza location
in Portland opened during the recession in 2008.

At the Sandy location, they have put food safety protocols in place that will
allow the pizza to not be touched after it comes out of the oven. And Ferruzza
sees a great tasting meal made from fresh ingredients as a good way to help
out when people have to stay at home.

“When you eat something nutritious, you’re automatically in a better mood,”
said Ferruzza, whose first entry into the pizza world was a food cart with no
outside investment that also helped build its reputation at festivals and other
events.

For people who have yet to try one of his pizzas, he recommended starting
with the traditional margherita, while some other offerings will include a pesto
and vegetable pizza with fresh kale.

And when restrictions are lifted, the Sandy location could offer up live music
and other events, including possibly a drive-in theater in the back and ax
throwing. Overton also hopes that an oyster feed, currently scheduled for
Saturday, June 20, will go on as planned.

“Community is more important now than it’s ever been,” Ferruzza added.
“Paola’s is a community center for the town of Sandy. We’re just going to
nourish that.”

For more information, including current specials, or to place an online order,
visit mapleaqua.com. Al Forno Ferruzza at Paola’s Pizza Barn will be open
from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week, while the Rhododendron location
currently offers takeout and delivery from Wednesday to Sunday until
restrictions are lifted.