Co-owner Rodney Bullington, left, and chef Chad De Young prepare pizzas at the Oregon Grain Growers Brand Distillery Friday in Pendleton.

The latest entry in Pendleton’s pizza market is also the city’s only micro-distillery.

Oregon Grain Growers Brand Distillery will open a restaurant to complement its liquor-production business Sept. 5 and pizza will be a significant part of the menu.

While there are already many places to grab a slice in Pendleton, Oregon Grain Growers aims to occupy its own niche.

“It’s a little less pizza Americano and a little more traditional,” said chef Chad De Young, who used to lead the Pendleton Coffee Bean & Bistro kitchen before it closed.

De Young said his pizzas reflect the Oregon Grain Growers ethos of making something that’s handcrafted and locally sourced whenever possible. Additionally, each pizza is cooked in a woodfire stove dual powered by gas.

To reflect this ethos, De Young has put unconventional toppings like grilled peaches and figs and included Oregon Grain Growers’ vodka in the cream sauce of his “Bloody Mary” pizza.

While Oregon Grain Growers will have the choice of several different types of pizzas, they’ll also be given a “roll the dice” option that gives the pizza makers the liberty to experiment with the pizza and its toppings.

If customers like the improvised pizza, De Young can incorporate it into the menu. If not?

“If people really hate it, it’s on us,” he said.

The distillery has softly opened their restaurant and served pizza at catered events and De Young said the menu will serve more than pizza when the restaurant opens officially. While the menu hasn’t been finalized, De Young said it will be inspired by Mediterranean cuisine and change seasonally.

Beyond the restaurant, Oregon Grain Growers continue to forge ahead with their locally produced spirits.

Having already started producing a vodka and corn whiskey, Oregon Grain Growers co-owner Rodney Bullington said they’re introducing a gin into the line-up.

The distillery team is also working on a whiskey in time for Round-Up. Bullington said it will be called “Umatilla Gold” in reference to the way the county looks golden from above because of the acres of wheat crops.

Oregon Grain Growers is located at 511 S.E. Court Ave. and is open Tuesday-Thursday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m., Friday, 1 p.m.-9 p.m., and Saturday 12 p.m.-9 p.m.