When 16-year-old Chris Dussin landed on American soil in 1906, his most valuable possessions weren't stowed in a suitcase or tucked away in his wallet. Chris journeyed from his native country of Greece with his people's penchant for hospitality, easygoing manner and reverence for time spent around the dinner table. Within just a few short years, those gifts would spark a three-generation family food odyssey now stronger and more diverse than ever.

Passing through Ellis Island, young Dussin made his way to Chicago to work the booming westward railroad expansion. When mountainous Idaho rail work was halted in 1906 by winter conditions, Chris left for Portland, Oregon, where he found employment at Ericssons' Bar — then the world's longest bar— and showed signs of a restaurateur in the making by introducing sandwiches and snacks to an establishment that had no food service. A small gesture, perhaps, but thus began an innovative, customer-centric approach that defines the Dussin Group culture today. By 1914, Chris was an official restaurant owner — the Virginia Restaurant — and his brothers, Ted and Bill, eventually made the trip from Greece to assist in its operation. Eight years later, Chris opened the New Virginia Café on SW Park Avenue, an establishment the family would own and operate until 1978.

Who would carry the Dussin banner into the next generation? The answer came in the form of Chris's son Guss, who grew up in the family business, left to attend college, then returned to Oregon in 1947 after his service in the U.S. Navy. Picking right back up in the family trade, Guss turned his military focus in a brand new direction by capitalizing on emerging dining trends and distinct markets. In a ten-year span (1954-64), he opened Dussin's Union Station Restaurant, a full-service establishment catering to rail travelers; launched the Jolly Roger on 39th and Powell to satisfy a more casual crowd; and diversified further still with the Iron Horse in Downtown Portland, positioned squarely to capture theater patrons. This critical era dramatically demonstrated Guss's knack for opening unique destinations appropriate to the time, place and audience — but his real stroke of genius was yet to come.

A snowy Portland night in 1969 ushered in the venture that would epitomize Guss's good instincts and devotion to customer value. He believed family dining was coming of age, changing from a "special occasions" occurrence to one where families could share a meal out together as a matter of course. With The Old Spaghetti Factory's launch and subsequent growth, Guss proved that a complete, memorable sit–down dinner doesn't have to break the family's bank account. He showed that less expensive, "diamond-in-the-rough" locations could contribute to the value equation and continued to seek distinctive, often historic, buildings others considered unworkable. And his wife, Sally, helped shape the experience by outfitting Old Spaghetti Factory interiors with eclectic, conversation-piece antiques, an interest that would become her full–time pursuit.

Though sales were slow on opening night, Guss stuck to his convictions and The Old Spaghetti Factory quickly became an overwhelming success. He steadfastly refused to franchise or sell out — which inspired a host of national affordable pasta chains — and eventually, he and Sally would focus their sole interests on growing this thriving business.

In 1997, Guss handed the reins to his own son, Chris. Following in his father and grandfather's footsteps, Chris and his team have prudently managed the core business while constantly seeking innovative ways to broaden the dining experiences they deliver. Much like Guss and Sally's complementary partnership, Chris's wife, Tyanne, lends her unique artistic and creative vision to the Dussin Group properties. As Vice–President of Design, she helps translate each restaurant concept into an engaging environment, down to the smallest details.

Through a focused diversification strategy, the Dussin Group holdings have grown to feature four unique concepts that span a broad range of dining styles and preferences...

The Old Spaghetti Factory – Now serving delicious, homestyle pasta to millions of diners annually in fun, family-friendly locations across 15 states
Dussini Loft Bar – A cozy, upscale, award winning fireside loft bar
Fenouil – An urban French brasserie in Portland's fashionable Pearl District
Lucier – The Northwest’s premier private event venue

Today, The Dussin Group forges confidently ahead with what has become a more than 100-year family tradition: Taking good care of customers by offering something delightfully different at the right time, in the right place.