The Muddy Rudder Public House

I really like this place. I've been dreaming about the Oaks Bottom pizza since my first visit and couldn't wait to dig in before taking a picture this round. We added mozzarella to the bruschetta and I had my first experience enjoying raw tomatoes. It has been very busy each time I've visited but I've been happy to wait. It's absolutely worth it, and seeing so many seats filled and kind servers still remaining attentive makes it easy to understand why. Absolutely worth a visit, this is some severely underrated Portland pizza.

This was honestly the best pizza I've had in years. Dishes are made with organic ingredients when possible. Usual I'm not a crust fan but even the crust was yummy. 😋 The service was fantastic. I loved the atmosphere. The subdued lighting was nice. It was noisy but that wasn't s problem. I had the Margherita pizza with bacon and pineapple.. delicious! ☺️🍕

The Muddy is a great, local ale house that I go to a few times a month for 14years. Great beer list, decent pizza and sando’s! We love the garden table in the back. Love the staff! Super friendly.

Great local bar. Food was great. Drinks and beer selection was awesome.

Our wait staff was polite yet distant in their communication. They didn't check on us until we were almost done with our meal. The patio was closed even though the weather was perfect. The corn Chile was the hero of the night. Weirdest thing was there pizza holders. We watched as the set the pizza in tip of there napkin holders. The couple next to us actually knocked their pizza off and on to the floor trying to grab a napkin out. No wait staff came to check as they picked up the pizza from the floor. I felt so bad for them.

We were there on 4/21/2025. Sky served us beautifully. She was very caring, attentive and genuinely kind and respectful. Our pizzas were absolutely delicious and its aroma was excellent. Than you Sky for your excellent hospitality and thank you Andrea for managing this local restaurant flawless. 🙏

Was there celebrating a major life event for a friend of mine. Great ambiance. The staff understood the significance of the event and did their best to take care of us while we were there. The pizza was great. All in all, it was a lovely experience.

Whimsical patios, terrific service, best bread/dough in town. Been going here for years, never a let down. Want to give them five stars, but also want it to be a secret, old Portland gem. Drinks and dinner, Muddy Rudder hits the spot.

Had pizza here a few years ago and wasn't the impressed--it was okay. So next 3 times i had a sandwich, and they do a fine job with thos..the Marseilles my favorite, deli-style meats. But had a pie today and it was great. Had the Oaks Bottom, and what struck me most ws the quality of the cheese, the texture and flavor. Never had turkey on a pizza and these smoked pieces fit in very well. Jim enjoyed his margareta. Crust pretty perfect, neither too hard or to soggy. Very good service, and it's just a fun place to hang out, warmly antique. And they have a nice back yard.

First, and foremost, EXCELLENT service from Sky. They're definitely focused on the customer! O had the pepperoni pizza and thought it was great. The sauce and crust were perfect. We'll be back!!

Went for lunch Food: very good Service: very slow, additional order cup of soup to go, charged for bowl size, addition charge for take out, same as cup size as served inside. Ambiance: what ambiance?

Great soup, sandwiches and pizza; Friendly servers and bar tenders; it gets busy so can take some time to receive food but totally worth it. Get a side of marinara with a stromboli and a pint of something delicious and you're golden. Also the sitka smoked salmon sandwich and tomato soup are fantastic!

Talk about feeling unwelcome. We walked in and had a seat at the bar and we said hello to be greeted with a small wave and no words. Okay, no biggie. In silence we were handed menus and decided on a pint and a glass of wine. We know he could speak because he did so to the guys at the other end of the bar that he clearly knew. We were waiting for him to finish cashing them out so we could order. Then a couple guys came from outside to pay their bill and he helped them first even though anyone could tell we were ready to order. So he deals with them first and at that time two other men came in. He went up to the newcomers and that's when my friend piped up with "we're ready to order". Because, you know, you ask us before you worry about new people placing an order. That's when he decides that he needs to clean up first, which he clearly wasn't go to do before. I order my beer and he apparently expected her to do the same and seemed annoyed when he had to grab a different glass. We get our drinks and I no longer felt comfortable at the bar so I grabbed a seat in the otherwise empty space. It's not a nice bar, nor does it have anything to lure or keep you here, parking is terrible, and the set up renders several seats truly unusable. I'm not sure if he ignored us in favor of patrons he knew or if he was just sexist, but regardless we'll never return. Too bad too because their menu looked good and initially I was thinking my partner might want to stop in some time. Not now.

Really, really good pizza and salads. Tons of drink selections. Employees are nice. Has a comfortable atmosphere with some outdoor seating as well.

Great little neighborhood pub with a great happy hour pizza and $5 pint special. Friendly vibe and a few nice outdoor tables for sunny days.

My friend and I found this place on Yelp when looking for lunch in the area. We liked the name so we decided to check it out. They didn't have chicken, only salmon with the exception of pizza toppings. We both got pizza. Mine was pesto, Italian sausage and artichoke hearts. The crust was crunchy thin. It was very tasty. They have lots of seating, but you have to order at the bar which is strange to me. Our server was chill. I'd check them out if I'm the area again.

Pizza was thin crust , really flavorful and drinks were really amazing .The mule drink I got was really good and tasted fresh, maybe the syrups they used .

Tried to go in with a group of friends at 850 And was told there's a band from 8-10. We then are told they aren't serving food anymore but don't do last call until 1030 seems pretty messed up and also Illegal. Won't be going back.

First of all, 5 stars for the food. Pub food should all just be this. Delicious non pretentious pizza and sandwiches served with a smile. Lights so dim it's hard to read the credit card receipt. I've been coming here regularly since 2009 and it's consistently good. Also, watch out if you sit at the bar. This is where the old people of Sellwood come to get their drink on. It's cool I get it those people need a place to cut loose too. Just be prepared for some antics involving the sweet looking old lady sitting to your left.

Cute little bar/restaurant. We stopped in on a Winter day with both dogs and sat outside. There are no heaters but we were okay in our little nook. Staff was friendly and service good.

Muddy Rudder happens to be one of those places in Portland that will always stand out to me as a cool and chill place. Built basically out of what feels like a house in Sellwood, Muddy Rudder gives you that authentic kind of "elevated home cooking" feel that is pretty underrated. It's a small place with creaky wooden floors and an aesthetic that isn't trying to be modern, upscale, or anything it's not. Simply put, it's good. I've been in two occasions, with this most recent time ordering a large Elk Rock pizza (fresh mozzarella, baby spinach, prosciutto). And while the pizza isn't gonna knock your socks off and be your #1 favorite, the combo of unique pizza toppings and crispy crust will keep me coming back for seconds. It always feels like I'm in some sort of pizza minority in that I do not completely care for a thin slice with flimsy crust. This 'za has the exact kind of crust I love. And as an added plus, the shakers of cheese contain freshly grated parmesan, not the powdered stuff you typically expect at a pizza joint. Suffice to say, I'm a dan of their pizza. Perhaps what will always bring me back to the Muddy Ruddy is Lloyd Jones, a native Portland blues player that comes every Monday. I do believe they have other musicians cycle through on other days of the week, but there's a reason he is a mainstay. He sets a really groovy, relaxed vibe that really is unparalleled. Come for the pizza, stay for Lloyd Jones!

What a cool place, friendly neighborhood people make you feel like you're one of the neighbors. I love their pizzas. Good selection of beer and wine. Nice music 2 evenings a week.

Spontaneously stumbled upon this spot when looking for a place to grab lunch & a drink. The pizza is delicious & they have a full bar with plenty of beer options. It's a great spot to grab lunch & hang out at for a bit. The bartender working was friendly. She was pretty much the only one working and was quick & attentive!

We can't stop talking about our dinner last night! We came in around 9:00 pm. We were warmly and promptly greeted and told to sit anywhere. Our friends had been in earlier for beers and suggested we come back for strombolis! I'm so glad we did! We ordered the Mucca lenta stromboli. It was delishhhhhhhh!! The crust was cooked incredibly well, crunchy & delicious on the outside yet soft & yummy on the inside. It also smelled absolutely insane. I love my crust almost burnt so I could have done with it being a little more cooked, but that is a personal preference & like I said it was damn near perfect. The filling was ooey and gooey and cheese pully. The pepperoni, Italian sausage, and salami were all super flavorful without being too much. The addition of the fire roasted peppers and onions were just what it needed to not feel ultra meat heavy. It was a delightful combo all together! The Caesar salad was a home run as well! I love a Caesar that's well dressed but doesn't feel bogged down with dressing. That is exactly how this was! The salad was perfectly dressed with the most delish and fresh tasting Caesar I've ever had. It was light, fresh, and so dang flavorful. The homemade croutons really set this salad apart. They were crunchy, the perfect size, and just as flavorful as everything else. I'm a parm kinda gal, so I could have used more, but don't think they were skimping, there was plenty of parm! We got a beer and Diet Coke in addition to our food and the total was $38, which we thought was super reasonable considering the serving size, the quality of the food, and the outstanding service! All in all, we can't recommend muddy rudder enough! We can't wait to come back!!

Food was decent pub food. Service was minimal. Bathrooms were not clean and wreaked of urine. Atmosphere and cute neighborhood was their best asset.

Fantastic neighborhood spot. Really solid food at reasonable prices, friendly and efficient staff, comfortable space.

Great food and service. Some wine and a Stromboli - how can you go wrong? It's a little dark- but I dig it.

Caught dinner with friends last night here and once again, stromboli for the win! I had the Mucca Lenta without cheese and a side of pesto and it was so, so good! Our table also shared the bruschetta and the "snack board" which is really hummus and flatbread with olives, all were delicious, but I really love their hummus, it has this extra kick that I can't quite put my finger on; my only complaint is that it needs extra bread (or maybe I need to put a TON of hummus on my bread slice?). All of the strombolis can be made as personal-sized or large pizzas for sharing with the table. Washed all this down with a couple Freemason cocktails that I'm probably going to figure out how to recreate at home. Our server was awesome - one of the people in our party ordered a drink off-menu, and asked if they could add more simple syrup to sweeten it a bit more; the server just had the drink remade. She also helped us to define the colors of a friends credit card (which we determined were salmon and cinnamon).

Very fun place I thoroughly enjoyed it!! The service was great in the atmosphere even greater.

WE LOVE MUDDY! Their happy hour is the best! Fun for the whole family inside or outside, cute cozy indoor space good for winter and summer - outdoor space great when the weather is nice! Awesome local hangout :)

The Fix The Bridge pizza was delicious! The service was quick and friendly, even though the place was packed. Staff was quick to explain how things worked in their establishment, and the outside dining was comfy and clean. We didn't eat indoors but ordered inside and it was cool and spacious. Affordable. Delicious. Great location if you're attending roller derby at Oaks Park or just visiting the park in general. 5/5, would eat here again!

Had a couple sandwiches a pizza and a calzone!! All were excellent!! Would definitely recommend this place. We got our orders Togo but the restaurant is inviting.

I got food poisoning from eating here for happy hour. Very unfortunate and I won't be going back!

I went back there last night. Still as good as I remembered it and absolutely packed with people. I'm still shy about large crowds (Covid) so we opted to sit outside. They have enclosed open-air spaces out front and out back just make sure you let the server know. We were the only ones out there on this day as it was about 50 degrees out and had been showering earlier. You're not a true Oregonian if you cannot sit outside in that kind of weather. Honestly, it wasn't bad at all. And I actually wanted to hear what the other person had to say which would not have been possible inside with all the noise. We enjoyed a couple of personal pizzas and beverages for under 40 dollars during happy hour, which I thought was great! Our server was very accommodating despite the fact we were the only ones outside. I'll be back again.

Charming cozy pub near the Sellwood Bridge. Warm and inviting we stopped by for a cocktail and pizza, salad too. Just delightful evening. Will come back when there is music to enjoy.

Almost 9% Surcharge on Pizza for asking for "light" topping Ordered their pizza that comes with Jalapenos but asked for "light Jalapenos". Bill came with this line: "MOD Light Jalepenos $1.00" That's right - charge me 8.5% more for requesting less topping Food was meh anyway but we've been there a number of times and would have come back again since it's a neighborhood place. No thanks - we'll walk a little farther next time Do I care about the $1. Not for a moment. Do I care about how petty and dishonest that is? Yes. If the server said "you know we charge $1 for less topping". After saying "you're kidding, right?" I'd say "OK just give us the regular and I'll pick my own toppings off" But either way - it's buh bye

We stopped in after a show at Lewis & Clark. Pleasantly surprised by the warm (fire going) atmosphere. Aleutian map was appreciated by the Alaskans who are always homesick. Pizza was delicious! We created our own and everyone immediately commented on the delicious crust, so light yet crispy enough to support the toppings. Perfect! Special drinks hit the spot. Great service.

Food was amazing! Beer list was diverse (I've been missing good beer this trip). We ate on the patio with our dog and our server brought him fresh water without being asked. Ordered the Stromboli (it's huge, but I finished it in one sitting) and the Marseille sandwich (not quite as huge, but could still be big enough to take home half for tomorrow). Both menu items were delicious and perfectly prepared. The drinks were perfect, and the patio is shaded and cool, despite temperatures approaching 80. Highly recommend!

Went with a large group of friends to listen to Irish music and enjoy drinks in a warm, cozy atmosphere. There were at least a dozen of us at one long table and all of the other tables were full throughout the happy hour. Impressive for a Sunday night. Shout out to our waitress who really worked her a** off keeping everyone happy with beverages and food. She did an incredible job and with a smile. We called ahead of time and arranged for separate checks - kudos to the Muddy Ruddy for being so accommodating; not many restaurants or bars are willing to do that. On Sunday nights Dan & Fran entertain the crowd with Irish music which was a nice backdrop. With the music and packed tables, it is loud. This is a pub with a casual atmosphere. There are two levels with lots of tables and chairs that a can accommodate small and large groups.There is a bar with about 10 or so barstools on the second level. While other reviewers mention that you have to order at the bar, a trend in Portland, we had table service. There is also a patio out back and a few tables along the sidewalk out front for when the weather is nicer. The happy hour pizza I ordered was very good. Thin, crisp crust with the perfect balance of sauce to cheese, served piping hot. No complaints at all. With a cold, hard cider, I was very happy! Even though the place was packed, I received my cider immediately and the pizza soon afterwards. There are dozens of beer on tap and one hard cider. During HH which is 4:00-6:00, beer is just $4.50 a pint. There are plenty of food options on the HH menu - pizza, salads, sandwiches, hummus platter - so something for everyone.

Definitely a great neighborhood public house. 4 inside sitting areas and 3 outside. It's an old house converted into a pub. The inside has lots of wood and old wood trimmings. The full bar is large with one end next to the large bay window. sturdy wood tables, chairs and benches inside and the side yard. Metal tables and chairs in the front and north side outside. In the pre-CoVid days, they would have some type of live music every day. Currently they have plans to bring back the music in the next few months depending on CoVid. Muddy Rudder has a good food menu. Pizza and Stromboli's also sandwiches, salads and more. I enjoy the Sicilian sandwich with salad. There is a full bar and don't forget the selection of craft beer on tap. The list of beer is mounted on the south wall in the bar. The Muddy Rudder is way better when enjoyed with family and friends. We have great memories while making it our destination after a bike ride or a paddle. You don't have to wait for low tide to get a bit muddy.

Nice neighborhood vibe. Good sandwiches, comfortable atmosphere......................

ENTER THE MYSTERY OF THE MUDDY RUDDER!! Will you get table service? Maybe! Will you get water? Who knows! Will you get your order within 90 minutes? Take a chance! Will you get your appetizer first? It's anyones guess! Will you have to go to the bar to get drinks after waiting at your table for 15 minutes? Couldn't tell ya! Is the food good? Yeah, it's fine.

The food was really good. Was really wanting some pizza so I came here. The atmosphere is pretty chill. It was not to busy at 4pm. Dim lighting.. feels more intimate. My waitress was also really nice. Would recommend checking this place out.

We have given this place a try several times due to awesome location, good eats, and great outdoor seating area. However, when it comes to service...what we were hoping was a few off days seems to be the norm. Mostly ignored, ordering (anything) seemed to be great inconvenience, and spent lots of time waiting for the server while they chatted with regulars at the bar. Almost seems like a place that prides itself on being "exclusive" in some way. Third time wasn't the charm.

The jury is still out. This place doesn't have chicken... or gluten free bread options - which to be real should be on any Portland restaurant's menu. However, they have several great outdoor seating options and delicious pizza and salads. Service was timely and kind. Leaves room for improvement overall.

Decent selection of local beers on tap. Pizza and sandwiches are quality as well. Plenty of outdoor seating.

This is a really cute little restaurant to eat at. It is very cultural, with all types of interesting Oregon artifacts decorating the inside. Food wise, they have the best Stromboli on that side of the river, and most of their food is made from scratch. Their servers are nice and attentive. Four stars because the inside did feel a little bit dark, and they have a small menu (soups, sandwiches, and pizza).

AMAZING!! We had a 40th birthday party and it was perfect! It was a Friday evening and they were busy but you would never know. The pizza was incredible, the service was super efficient, no one was without a drink in their hand from the moment they entered, the space is so lovely. We had the best time 10/10. I have never written a yelp review but this place is so good I just had to let everyone know. Thank you for making it a flawless night!

This establishment embodies everything Portland. From the location, to the antique house and original wooden floors and dark wooden bar, to the worn tapestry type carpet comforts, to the nostalgic decos, the cozy neighboring feel and classy yet relaxed atmosphere and low key personnel is just hard to beat. Needless to say the happy hour deals and sandwiches and pizzas are so full of quality and are the best. The bartender had a nice pour and the craft beer selections are not limited. If you want domestic they're limited. Great quaint place at excellent prices. I love sitting at the bar but tables throughout as well as patio seating as well.

I don't know how I feel about the pizza but the garbanzo bean and mint salad actually changed my life. I wish I didn't live so far away! I'll be calling for the exact recipe- I've been trying to recreate it for the last 5 weeks. The space is casual and good for groups.

Been in here a few times. Good food, not very good service. The last two times I've been in here I waited 5-6 minutes before my existence was noticed...lol. The last time I sat at the bar and waited and waited. Didn't even see a bartender. Probably another 5-6 minutes. I ended up walking out. At a bar I feel this is unjustified. Please fix this.

One very nice waiter and a long wait for food was worth the trip! The smoked salmon salad with yogurt dill dressing and pepperoni Stromboli were great-especially the dough!! Casual dining inside and out with a varied menu and several cold brews on tap!

A true neighborhood pub - great food, better than average food, warm and welcoming, great music Monday nights.

Why does a seemingly random bar in Portland have some of the best pizza in town??? Seriously, the pizza is absolutely unreal. This place truly blew me away. I drove past every day in my way to work for the past 6 months and finally stopped in. So glad we did. Drinks and service are amazing as well, and atmosphere is perfect. Can't wait to be a regular here!

Amazing makers old fashioned, muddled and not too sweet and under $10. Will be back!!

Love their pizza and the cute place. Pizza, salad, bottle of adorable wine! I ask for the pizza to be extra crispy. Not the thinnest dough but still awesome.

I've had about 4 really good pizzas and 3 that were below average (of the same pizza) so the consistency isn't great but when you happen to get a good pizza it's worth it. It's a little odd for picking up food because you have to go to the bar and it's not always easy to get somebody's attention.