From Dough to Five Stars: ExpeditionPNW Tours The Old Oak Oven

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykl94ULElU4

Silverton, Ore. In the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, two pizza makers are giving customers a fresh taste of tradition with wood-fired pies at The Old Oak Oven.

Kelan Wall and Christian Epping, owners of the popular Silverton pizzeria, recently invited ExpeditionPNW behind the counter for an exclusive look at how they make their Margarita pizza from start to finish.

Christian Epping walked viewers step by step through the creation of the shop’s classic Margherita pizza, demonstrating everything from stretching the house-made dough to applying fresh sauce, mozzarella, and basil. The process highlights the restaurant’s commitment to simple, high-quality ingredients and traditional wood-fired baking methods that produce a signature charred crust.

While Epping prepared the Margherita, ExpeditionPNW’s Pops sampled The Old Oak Oven’s Sweet Heat pizza — a bolder creation featuring a balance of sweet and spicy toppings. After one bite, Pops awarded the pie a perfect five-star rating, praising its flavor and texture.

"This business has been a thing since 2012, it has gone through two different owners. They (the original owners) thought it would be cool to have a pizza food cart," Epping said, "It started off as a regular camping trailer and they modified it, they made it work for wood fire pizza."

Located at the Den in Silverton, a small town known for its historic downtown and artistic atmosphere, The Old Oak Oven has quickly become a destination for locals and visitors seeking authentic artisan pizza. The owners use a traditional Italian-inspired approach, sourcing ingredients locally whenever possible and baking each pie at high temperatures for a crisp yet chewy result.

The behind-the-scenes feature offers pizza enthusiasts a rare glimpse into professional pizza-making techniques and underscores the growing popularity of craft pizzerias in the Pacific Northwest.

The Old Oak Oven continues to draw crowds with its rotating menu of creative and classic pizzas. For many in Silverton and beyond, it has become more than just a meal — it’s a celebration of community and craftsmanship. 

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