Late Night Portland Eats: Crown PDX

I was sad to see Portland Penny Diner go, but the Crown PDX, the pizza place that opened in the same space, admittedly gets even more business from me then PPD (which I loved and still miss their breakfast sandwiches). I go probably once a month now, though that is partially because since it’s only a couple blocks from my favorite beer bar (Bailey’s Taproom) that allows you to bring your own food, and I am often going to grab a slice or a whole pie to go with my beer. It’s now 50% Santeria + Bailey’s beer and 50% Crown PDX + Bailey’s beer.
The Crown PDX, by Imperial The Crown PDX, by Imperial

Crown PDX is open late, which is a boon when you feel hungry a little later then the normal dinner hour after a beer share or a show. In fact, I think when it comes to late night / early morning Portland Eats, Crown PDX is among the best 3 in Portland. To be precise, last I checked they are open for lunch on weekdays (mid afternoon on the weekend) and then until 1 AM except Thursday Friday Saturday when they are open until 2:30 AM. 2:30 AM! So if you’re out late in downtown and looking for a bite, this is one of the best options to dine in or grab and go.
The Crown PDX, Imperial pizza with fried chicken, pickles, ranch, honey, hot sauce The Crown PDX, Imperial pizza with fried chicken, pickles, ranch, honey, hot sauce
My favorite pizza from The Crown is this, the Imperial

The place is so pretty though – with custom wallpaper – that you might want to consider lingering and having a drink.
Inside Crown PDX in Portland
Inside Crown PDX in Portland
The Crown PDX interior The Crown PDX interior The Crown PDX interior The Crown PDX interior

The Crown has some direction from Chef Vitaly Paley, but the day to day is executed perfectly by a third generation pizzaiolo Vinny Manna. The pizza is a combo of New York and Italy that is floppy enough to fold but not so thin it can’t hold up it’s toppings, and it has good chew. The dough uses a starter that is descended from Vinny’s grandmother starter in Naples.

Inside Crown PDX in Portland, helmed by third generation pizzaiolo Vinny Manna.

The menu is limited to 4 classics and 4 signatures, with also specialty pizza combos of the day. You can buy pizza by slices (like the Meat Your Maker Pizza with sausage, salami, pepperoni, onions, olives below), as well as whole pies at sizes of 12″, 18″, or the Al Metro sized pizza you see held by Chef Paley, a 36 inch x 12 inch party pie which you can upgrade to 3 kinds of topping combos if you’d like.
The Crown PDX slice of Meat Your Maker Pizza at Crown PDX with sausage, salami, pepperoni, onions, olives The Crown PDX Al Metro 36 inch x 12 inch party pie

If you’re vegetarian, look for the “You’re Basic” Cheese, Margherita, from the classic section or the Side Chick specialty pizza with cherry tomatoes, arugula pesto, and stracciatella fresh cheese.

The Crown PDX Margherita Pizza The Crown PDX Side Chick specialty pizza with cherry tomatoes, arugula pesto, and stracciatella fresh cheese.

My favorites though are the Imperial specialty pizza with fried chicken, pickles, ranch, honey, hot sauce. It sounds like a lot, but it all jives together perfectly with hot and cool and sweet and sour and perfectly cooked bites of crispy and tender fried chicken bites. If you see the Clam Pizza on special of the day, also don’t miss out on that – it’s probably the best in the city for your fix of New Haven style Clam Pizza.
The Crown PDX Imperial specialty pizza with fried chicken, pickles, ranch, honey, hot sauce The Crown PDX specialty pizza Put A Clam On It with spicy chorizo, clams, pecorino, oregano, and served with au jus

They have pretty good cocktails as well while you’re waiting for your pizza. A Thai Stick Cooler cocktail offers lemongrass, lime leaf, galangal infused vodka, Thai tea, coconut, and lime.
The Crown PDX A Thai Stick Cooler cocktail offers lemongrass, lime leaf, galangal infused vodka, Thai tea, coconut, and lime The Crown PDX A Thai Stick Cooler cocktail offers lemongrass, lime leaf, galangal infused vodka, Thai tea, coconut, and lime

To warm you up, a Banana Toddy is like a dessert with banana, rum, chantilly.
The Crown PDX specialty pizza Put A Clam On It with spicy chorizo, clams, pecorino, oregano, and served with au jus The Crown PDX specialty pizza Put A Clam On It with spicy chorizo, clams, pecorino, oregano, and served with au jus

For something less sweet, go for the Tiger’s Tail cocktail with El Dorado 8 year rum, carpano, allspice dram, ginger, vanilla, scotch
The Crown PDX Tiger's Tail cocktail with El Dorado 8 year rum, carpano, allspice dram, ginger, vanilla, scotch The Crown PDX Tiger's Tail cocktail with El Dorado 8 year rum, carpano, allspice dram, ginger, vanilla, scotch

Where is your favorite late night / early morning spot in Portland? Have you been to Crown Portland before?

The Crown PDX Pepperoni Pizza The Crown PDX Pepperoni Pizza

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Comments

  1. I was sad to see Portland Penny Dinner go, too, but haven’t yet been to The Crown. Their pizzas look yummy!

  2. That place looks like a lot of fun!! And that Imperial specialty pizza with the fried chicken and pickles has my name written all over it!

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