Mon.-Thurs: 11:30-2PM, 4:30-8PM
Fri.: 11:30-2PM, 4:30-9PM
Sat.: 5-9PM
503 371-2892
Christo's Pizzeria debuts its new location this weekend, with a soft opening available by reservation only. The gourmet pizza joint was formerly housed in a tiny, intimate storefront on Church Street downtown. Patrons stood in line to order at the cash register, and then jockeyed for one of the few tables.
The new location - formerly Dick's Appliances on Broadway Street - is everything the old location was not. It's large and spacious, with a lively bar and a large kitchen. It feels upscale with a nice ambiance. There are plenty of tables, and at Friday's opening night, every one of them was filled. Waiters and waitresses buzzed about the dining room. 
The most drastic change at the new Christo's is the expanded menu. Previously, they focused mostly on pizzas, with salads and breadsticks thrown in. Now, the menu includes pasta, steak, veal, chicken plates, appetizers and desserts. The pizzas are still there, but there are lots more of them.
The most drastic change at the new Christo's is the expanded menu. Previously, they focused mostly on pizzas, with salads and breadsticks thrown in. Now, the menu includes pasta, steak, veal, chicken plates, appetizers and desserts. The pizzas are still there, but there are lots more of them.
It's always sad to lose a restaurant from downtown, but Christo's neighborhood is an interesting mix, and getting more lively all the time: The beautiful new Salem Cinema is across the street. Willamette Noodle Company was down the way, but that location just closed for good ~ with a cryptic promise of a new restaurant taking its place.
Next door to Christo's is The Space, a lively 21-and-over music venue. The wide windows at Christo's give diners an interesting view of the club patrons gathering on the sidewalk, and vice versa. The diversity of mohawks in Salem is something to behold. It will be interesting to see how these two seemingly mismatched businesses get along together. A Christo's employee said that The Space has agreed to hold off on playing music until the restuarant closes down for the night.
As of Friday, reservations still were available for Saturday night: (503) 371-2892.
Christo's Pizzeria 1108 Broadway St. NE, one block south of Market. 
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