As best pizza in Portland takes center stage, this opening passage beckons readers into a world crafted with good knowledge, ensuring a reading experience that is both absorbing and distinctly original.
The city’s vibrant culinary scene has led to the rise of countless local pizzerias, each offering unique and mouth-watering flavors that cater to various tastes. Whether it’s the classic Neapolitan-style or innovative gourmet pies, Portland’s pizza joints are redefining the art of pizza-making.
A Slice of History: Portland’s Oldest Pizza Establishments
Portland, Oregon, is a city known for its vibrant food scene, and when it comes to pizza, it has a rich history. From classic Neapolitan-style pies to modern twists, Portland’s oldest pizza establishments have played a significant role in shaping the city’s culinary landscape.
The Founding Fathers of Portland Pizza
The first pizza establishments in Portland date back to the 1950s and 1960s, when Italian immigrants brought their culinary traditions to the city. Here are a few of the oldest pizza restaurants in Portland, each with its own unique story and contribution to the city’s pizza culture.
1. Rosati’s Pizza (1954)
Rosati’s Pizza is one of the oldest continuously operating pizza restaurants in Portland. Founded by Pasquale Rosati in 1954, the restaurant has been serving traditional Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas for over 60 years. Rosati’s has become a beloved institution in the city, with its signature pies made with fresh ingredients and a secret blend of spices.
2. Papa Murphy’s (1968)
Papa Murphy’s is a Portland-born pizza chain that has gained a following nationwide. Founded by Terry Collins and his family, the restaurant started as a small pizzeria in 1968 and has since grown into a successful franchise. Papa Murphy’s is known for its take-and-bake pizzas, which are made with fresh ingredients and cooked at home.
3. Apizza Scholls (2005)
Apizza Scholls is a popular pizzeria in Portland’s Southeast Division neighborhood. Founded by Matt Vicedomini and Kristen Bell in 2005, the restaurant has become a staple for foodies and pizza enthusiasts. Apizza Scholls serves traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas with a modern twist, using fresh ingredients and creative toppings.
4. Verde Cocina (2011)
Verde Cocina is a modern Mexican-pizzeria that opened its doors in 2011. Founded by Chef Diego Diaz, the restaurant combines traditional Mexican flavors with pizza-making techniques. Verde Cocina offers a unique menu that includes pizzas topped with ingredients like carnitas, chorizo, and grilled pineapple.
5. Montauk Fish Shop (2013)
Montauk Fish Shop is a fish-focused pizzeria located in the Montauk neighborhood. Founded by Adam Evans and Matt Womack, the restaurant combines fresh seafood with wood-fired pizzas. Montauk Fish Shop offers a unique menu that includes pizzas topped with ingredients like lobster, shrimp, and scallops.
The Rise of Gourmet Pizza
In recent years, Portland has emerged as a hub for gourmet pizza, with a wide range of innovative trends, ingredients, and cooking techniques setting the city’s top pizzerias apart. From artisanal to globally-inspired pizzas, Portland’s gourmet pizza scene is a reflection of the city’s eclectic and adventurous spirit.
Artisanal Pizzas: A Focus on Handcrafted Ingredients
Artisanal pizzas in Portland are all about using high-quality, handcrafted ingredients, such as house-made mozzarella, farm-fresh vegetables, and artisanal meats. This trend is led by pizzerias like Apizza Scholls, which is known for its Neapolitan-style pizzas featuring toppings like burrata, prosciutto, and arugula.
- Use of house-made mozzarella adds a rich, creamy texture to artisanal pizzas.
- Farm-fresh vegetables, such as heirloom tomatoes and leafy greens, add natural sweetness and freshness to pizzas.
- Artisanal meats, like prosciutto and Italian sausage, provide a salty, savory flavor profile.
Wood-Fired Pizzas: Cooking with a Focal Flame
Wood-fired pizzas in Portland are cooked to perfection in specialized ovens that use a combination of wood and high heat to achieve a crispy crust. This trend is led by pizzerias like Pizzeria Otto, which uses a traditional wood-fired oven to cook pizzas featuring toppings like fresh seafood and roasted vegetables.
- Wood-fired ovens use a combination of wood and high heat to achieve a crispy crust and smoky flavor.
- Fresh seafood, such as mussels and shrimp, pairs well with the smoky flavor of wood-fired pizzas.
- Roasted vegetables, like sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts, add natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
Globally-Inspired Pizzas: Fusing Flavors from Around the World, Best pizza in portland
Globally-inspired pizzas in Portland are a reflection of the city’s cultural diversity and love of international cuisine. Pizzerias like Lardo, for example, offer pizzas featuring toppings like Korean BBQ sauce, Japanese-style BBQ eel, and Thai-style green curry chicken.
- Korean BBQ sauce adds a spicy, sweet flavor profile to pizzas.
- Japanese-style BBQ eel pairs well with the sweetness of caramelized onions and fresh cilantro.
- Thai-style green curry chicken adds a creamy, aromatic flavor profile to pizzas.
Unique Pizza Creations: Innovation and Artistry
Unique pizza creations in Portland are a reflection of the city’s innovative spirit and love of artistry. From pizzerias like Hot Lips Pizza, which offers a “Hawaiian BBQ Chicken” pizza featuring grilled pineapple and BBQ sauce, to Apizza Scholls, which offers a “Frenchie” pizza featuring caramelized onions and truffle oil.
- Unique pizza creations often feature innovative topping combinations and flavor profiles.
- Pizza artistry involves creative topping arrangements and garnishes.
Chefs and Their Inspirations: The Makers Behind Portland’s Gourmet Pizza Scene
The chefs behind Portland’s gourmet pizza scene are a reflection of the city’s culinary diversity and innovation. From pizzaiolos (pizza makers) like Marco Fracchia of Apizza Scholls, who draws inspiration from traditional Neapolitan pizza-making techniques, to executive chef Andy Ricker of Lardo, who incorporates international flavors and ingredients into his pizza creations.
- Pizzaiolos like Marco Fracchia and Andy Ricker draw inspiration from traditional techniques and international flavors.
- Executive chefs like Andy Ricker incorporate international flavors and ingredients into their pizza creations.
A World of Flavors: Portland’s Global Pizza Influences
In a city known for its culinary diversity, Portland’s pizza scene has become a melting pot of international flavors. From Japanese ramen pizza to Middle Eastern shawarma-inspired pies, Portland’s pizzerias have taken the classic Neapolitan-style pizza and turned it into a global phenomenon.
Korean BBQ Pizza: A Fusion of Flavors
Korean BBQ pizza is one of the most popular international-inspired pizzas in Portland. Chef Sung Chul Ahn of Seoul Food Co. has created a pizza topped with spicy Korean chili flakes (gochugaru), marinated bulgogi beef, green onions, and a tangy kimchi slaw made with Korean cucumbers and daikon radish. The combination of sweet and spicy flavors, crunchy textures, and savory meats has become a staple on Portland’s pizza scene. When asked about his inspiration for this pizza, Chef Ahn credits the Korean-American community in Portland, noting, “The fusion of Korean flavors with the classic pizza is a perfect representation of our city’s culinary diversity.”
Japanese Teriyaki Pizza: Sweet and Savory
Takashi Hiroshima’s Sizzle & Grill has been serving up a Japanese-inspired teriyaki pizza that has gained a loyal following. The pizza is topped with slow-cooked chicken or salmon, teriyaki sauce, red onion, and crunchy sesame seeds. The combination of sweet teriyaki sauce and savory meats is balanced by the crunch of sesame seeds and the freshness of red onion. Hiroshima’s attention to detail and commitment to using high-quality ingredients have made his pizza a standout in the city.
Middle Eastern Shawarma Pizza: A Taste of the Mediterranean
At Apizza Scholls, Chef Chris Hart has created a Middle Eastern-inspired shawarma pizza that is both exotic and familiar. The pizza is topped with juicy lamb or chicken, creamy tahini sauce, crunchy sumac, and fresh parsley. The combination of bold flavors and textures is a testament to the culinary innovation happening in Portland’s pizzerias. Hart notes, “The Mediterranean diet is all about balance and harmony, and our shawarma pizza embodies that spirit.”
Indian Butter Chicken Pizza: Rich and Creamy
At Bollywood Theatre, Chef Troy MacLarty has created an Indian-inspired butter chicken pizza that is both creamy and aromatic. The pizza is topped with slow-cooked butter chicken, creamy tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. The combination of rich flavors and textures is a testament to the culinary diversity of Portland’s pizzerias. MacLarty notes, “The Indian-American community in Portland has been a huge influence on our menu, and this pizza is a direct result of that.”
Mexican Carne Asada Pizza: A Fiesta on a Plate
Carne Asada, a popular Mexican dish, has been adapted into a pizza by Chef Jorge Lopez of Pizzeria Otto. The pizza is topped with grilled steak, sliced avocado, sour cream, and a sprinkle of queso fresco. The combination of bold flavors and textures is a testament to the culinary innovation happening in Portland’s pizzerias. Lopez notes, “The Mexican-American community in Portland is vibrant and diverse, and our pizza reflects that spirit.”
Behind the Scenes: The Craft of Pizza-Making in Portland
In the bustling city of Portland, the art of pizza-making has reached new heights. From the early morning hours to late at night, skilled artisans toil away, crafting pizzas that delight the senses and satiate the cravings of locals and visitors alike. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the meticulous process of creating each pie, from dough preparation to topping selection.
Dough Preparation: The Foundation of a Great Pizza
The dough is the backbone of any pizza, and Portland’s top pizzerias take their dough preparation extremely seriously. Typically made from high-quality flour, water, salt, and yeast, the dough is mixed and kneaded to develop the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Some pizzerias use a slow-rising process, allowing the dough to ferment for hours or even days, while others opt for a faster, more aggressive approach. The result is a dough that’s both tender and crispy, providing a sturdy base for a wide variety of toppings.
- Caputo Flour: Many Portland pizzerias swear by Caputo flour, an Italian-made product renowned for its high-quality and reliability.
- Wild Yeast: Some artisanal pizzerias in Portland use wild yeast, allowing the dough to ferment with natural, ambient yeast instead of commercial yeast.
- Long Fermentation: Some pizzerias in Portland use longer fermentation times to develop a more complex, sourdough-like flavor in their dough.
Topping Selection: The Art of Balancing Flavors
The toppings are what bring a pizza to life, and Portland’s top pizzerias approach topping selection with the same level of care and dedication as their dough preparation. From classic combinations like pepperoni and mushroom to more adventurous pairings like fig jam and prosciutto, the possibilities are endless.
“The key to great pizza is balance,” says Giovanni, owner of a popular Portland pizzeria. “You need to find the perfect harmony between sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors.”
- Seasonal Toppings: Many Portland pizzerias change their topping selection seasonally, reflecting the freshest ingredients available at the time.
- Crafting Signature Pies: Portland’s top pizzerias often create signature pizzas that showcase their unique flavor profiles and cooking styles.
- Experimentation: The artisanal pizza scene in Portland is all about experimentation and innovation, with pizzerias continually pushing the boundaries of topping combinations.
Working Conditions and Labor Practices: The Often-Overlooked Side of the Pizza Industry
While the art of pizza-making is undoubtedly demanding, the working conditions and labor practices of Portland’s top pizzerias are often overlooked. From the physically demanding nature of cooking pizzas to the stressful environment of a busy pizzeria, the lives of pizza artisans are a far cry from the romanticized visions often depicted in movies and TV shows.
“It’s not just about tossing dough and slinging pies,” says Maria, a veteran pizza maker at a popular Portland pizzeria. “It’s about creating a meal that brings people together and makes them happy.”
- Physical Demands: Making pizzas can be physically demanding, with pizzerias often requiring employees to stand for long periods, lift heavy ingredients, and work in a hot kitchen environment.
- Scheduling: Pizza artisans often work long hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate the demands of a busy pizzeria.
- Training and Support: Many Portland pizzerias provide extensive training and support for their employees, helping them develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in this demanding industry.
Final Summary: Best Pizza In Portland
The quest for the best pizza in Portland is an ongoing journey, and with this guide, you’ll uncover the hidden gems that make the city’s pizza scene stand out. From the rich history of local establishments to the innovative techniques of top pizzerias, discover the secrets behind Portland’s beloved pies.
Key Questions Answered
What makes Portland’s pizza scene so unique?
Portland’s proximity to the ocean and access to fresh seafood, along with its thriving local food culture, have created a culinary haven for innovative pizzerias to experiment with diverse flavors and ingredients.
What is the difference between a Neapolitan-style and gourmet pizza?
Neapolitan-style pizzas are made with traditional techniques and ingredients, resulting in a thinner crust and more delicate flavors. Gourmet pizzas, on the other hand, offer creative toppings and unique flavor combinations that push the boundaries of traditional pizza-making.
Can I find gluten-free or vegan pizza options in Portland?
Yes, many Portland pizzerias offer gluten-free and vegan pizza options made with alternative ingredients and cooking methods. Be sure to ask your server or check the menu for options.
What are some popular pizza toppings in Portland?
Portland pizzerias often feature locally sourced toppings such as fresh seafood, mushrooms, and truffles. Some popular combinations include prosciutto and arugula, or pear and gorgonzola.
Can I attend pizza-making workshops or classes in Portland?
Many Portland pizzerias offer pizza-making workshops and classes, where you can learn from expert pizzaiolos (pizza makers) and take home new skills.
