Pizza in Portland, Oregon explained

The American city of Portland, Oregon has been recognized for its pizza culture and establishments.

Culture

The Portland Mercury hosts Pizza Week annually.^{[1] [2]} In 2015, Pete Cottell of Willamette Week wrote, "With no local pizza style of its own to speak of, Portland pie spots assume the preferences of owners who have emigrated from regions with specific takes on this divisive dish."^[3]

In 2021, Eater Portland Alex Frane said Portland underwent a pizzeria "boom" in 2020. He described Portland as "a city bursting with pizza shops new and old" that "seems to have no sign of slowing down", with an "ever-growing roster of new pizza shops".^[4] The website's Brooke Jackson-Glidden wrote, "Trying to define the city's specific style of pizza would be difficult, outside of thick, multi-grain crusts piled with seasonal vegetables — and still, some of the city's finest pizzerias don't make pies anywhere near that form." She said of comparisons between Portland and other cities: "if you moved here from Manhattan, or Chicago, or New Haven, you may have an overriding sense of nostalgia that keeps you from enjoying the pizza that's here. That's okay — these pizzerias will continue to churn out pies, regardless of who's paying attention."^[5]

Recognition

Anthony Falco called Portland the "greatest pizza city" in the U.S. in 2018.^[6] In 2021, Modernist Pizza authors Nathan Myhrvold and Francisco Migoya named Portland the country's "best pizza city".^{[7] [8]} Jackson-Glidden wrote in 2021, "Frankly, Portland does have a glut of exceptional pizzerias, with chefs who moved here after working in some of the country's most noteworthy pizzerias and restaurants." She cited Pizza Jerk's Tommy Habetz, who worked for Bobby Flay, and Nostrana's Cathy Whims, who studied under Marcella Hazan, as examples. Jackson-Glidden also noted the accomplishments of Ken Forkish (Ken's Artisan Pizza), who wrote James Beard Foundation Award winning books about making bread and pizza.^[5]

Pizzerias

Current

Notable pizzerias currently operating in Portland include:

• Apizza Scholls (2005)
• Assembly Brewing (2019)
• Atlas Pizza (2014)
• Baby Doll Pizza (2012)
• Bridge City Pizza
• Dimo's Apizza (2020)
• Dove Vivi
• East Glisan Pizza Lounge (2014)
• Escape from New York Pizza (1983)
• Gladstone Street Pizza
• Gracie's Apizza
• Grana Pizza Napoletana
• Ken's Artisan Pizza (2006)
• Lovely's Fifty Fifty
• No Saint
• Nostrana (2005)
• Old Town Pizza (1974)
• Oven and Shaker
• Paladin Pie (2020)
• Pizza Jerk (2015)
• Pizza Thief (2021)
• Pizzeria Otto
• Red Sauce Pizza (2015)
• Scottie's Pizza Parlor (2015)
• Silver Dollar Pizza

The chains Hot Lips Pizza and Sizzle Pie are also based in the city.

Defunct

Notable defunct pizzerias include:

• Baby Blue Pizza (2019–2022)
• Handsome Pizza (2012–2022)
• Lonesome's Pizza (2010–2017)
• Organ Grinder Restaurant (1973–1996)
• Roman Candle (2013–2018)

The chain Via Tribunali operated in Portland from 2011 to 2015.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Campuzano. Eder. 2017-04-22. Portland pizzeria making world record-setting 101-cheese pie. live. 2022-01-10. The Oregonian. en. 2019-11-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20191122123116/https://www.oregonlive.com/trending/2017/04/scotties_pizza_portland_101-cheese_world_record_centouno_formaggio.html.
2. Web site: Young. Sarah. 2017-04-28. This is the world's cheesiest pizza. 2022-01-10. The Independent. en. 2020-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115162521/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/101-cheese-pizza-scottie-s-pizza-parlour-portland-mercury-pizza-week-oregon-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-99-a7708266.html. live.
3. Web site: 2015-10-27 . Dove Vivi . 2024-05-26 . Willamette Week . en.
4. Web site: Frane. Alex. 2021-11-03. Downtown's Newest Pizzeria Is an Homage to Pacific Northwest Camping. 2022-01-11. Eater Portland. en.
5. Web site: Jackson-Glidden . Brooke . 2021-07-07 . Please Stop Calling Portland America's Best Pizza City. We Don't Care. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019142217/https://pdx.eater.com/2021/7/7/22566982/is-portland-best-pizza-city-america . 2021-10-19 . 2022-01-10 . Eater Portland . en.
6. Web site: Jackson-Glidden. Brooke. 2018-09-17. International Pizza Consultant Dubs Portland America's Best Pizza City. 2022-01-10. Eater Portland. en. 2021-10-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019152319/https://pdx.eater.com/2018/9/17/17870950/international-pizza-consultant-americas-best-pizza-portland. live.
7. Web site: Krader. Kate. July 7, 2021. The Best Pizza City in America Is Portland, Oregon. live. 2022-01-10. Bloomberg.com. 2021-12-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20211221052316/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-07/best-pizza-city-in-america-is-portland-oregon-say-modernist-experts.
8. Web site: Brooks. Karen. Karen Brooks (food critic). Clarke. Kelly. Hamilton. Katherine. Michelman. Jordan. Tepler. Ben. July 8, 2021. Modernist Pizza Authors Have Named Portland America's Best Pizza City. live. 2022-01-10. Portland Monthly. en-US. 2021-11-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20211119222017/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2021/07/portland-named-best-pizza-city.