Pan Pizza in Downtown Portland from Zapapizza

Recently, Zapapizza opened offering Mexican inspired flavor combinations and pan pizza in downtown Portland. The thick crust pizzas also come in traditional combos like cheese, pepperoni, sausage and peppers, and a vegan pie of the day – but I would recommend trying out the Mexican pan pizza flavors.
Pan Pizza in Downtown Portland from Zapapizza Pan Pizza in Downtown Portland from Zapapizza

Being a patron of Zapapizza is also helping the world while enjoying your pizza. If you bring a winter coat or heavy sweater to donate to the homeless, you can get a free slice of pizza (they will also accept other warm clothing so feel free to bring gloves, socks, etc. too). And, as part of their regular doing business a minimum of 10% of their profits are going to charities serving Mexican and Hispanic communities.

One thing that impressed me is that typically when you order pan pizza you are ordering the whole pizza – Zapapizza offers it by the slice as well. This means you can easily order different kinds of slices up to try. I highly recommend the Taquito pizza (vegetarian) that is a combo of Cheese, Green Sauce, Sour Cream, Avocado Salsa, Cilantro, Pico de Gallo, and a Potato & Cheese Taquito per Slice. That’s right, there is a potato and cheese taquito on every slice!
Pan Pizza in Downtown Portland from Zapapizza: I highly recommend the Taquito (vegetarian) that is a combo of Cheese, Green Sauce, Sour Cream, Avocado Salsa, Cilantro,  Pico de Gallo, and a Potato & Cheese Taquito per Slice. That's right, there is a potato and cheese taquito on every slice Pan Pizza in Downtown Portland from Zapapizza: I highly recommend the Taquito (vegetarian) that is a combo of Cheese, Green Sauce, Sour Cream, Avocado Salsa, Cilantro,  Pico de Gallo, and a Potato & Cheese Taquito per Slice. That's right, there is a potato and cheese taquito on every slice

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The Star Pizza in Portland

Deep dish pizza recently arrived in the Pearl District via The Star Pizza in Portland, an offshoot of the San Francisco darling Little Star and second location The Star on Grand (a mainstay of the Eater’s Essential Pizzas of the East Bay list and ranked #1 for deep dish pizza in the Bay Area on one list). The Star Pizza Portland’s specialty is Chicago style deep dish and thin crust pizzas with signature cornmeal crust.
The Star Pizza in Portland - ALL-STAR deep dish pizza with bacon, meatballs, sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella The Star Pizza in Portland - ALL-STAR deep dish pizza with bacon, meatballs, sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella

As a Chicago transplant, I do think The Star’s deep dish pizza stands up to the buttery tasting cornmeal dough, though not quite as buttery and cheesey as the Chicago originals – but the plus is they use more cornmeal so you could even say this is a “healthy” pizza. Yeah I’m going with that? It is still Chicago deep dish inspired enough to be hella tasty and satisfying, so overall the Star Pizza in Portland is worth a visit. Here’s a deeper look from my 3 visits so far.

When you first enter The Star Pizza in Portland, you can’t help but notice the dramatic Bar with its mural and inviting cushy bar seats with a supportive back.
The Star Pizza in Portland - located in the Pearl The Star Pizza in Portland - located in the Pearl

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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
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Pie Harder – Deep Dish Pizza of PDX

I tend to have mixed feelings about Willamette Weekly – sometimes it seems to a draw for trolls, other times they legitimately spotlight great local stories, including food. Earlier this year they highlighted my favorite type of pizza, deep dish or pan pizza with their article “Detroit Style Pizza is the New Hotness. We Found the Best in Portland” which ignited passionate discussion on the definition of Detroit Pizza and other regional pizzas and who has the authentic deep dish pizza of PDX. That’s probably not really a reflection of WW and more about people’s love for pizza. They followed that article up this past summer with Pie Harder, a food festival devoted to the deep dish pizza of PDX.

Ranch Pizza made my dreams come true with a mac and cheese pizza served with ranch sauce at Pie Harder 2017

Six pizza places showed off their version of deep dish pizza with sample slices of their pizza, and I ate them all. I think there were some dessert pies also available at the fest as part of Pie Harder but I had to tap out after only the savory pizza pies. If they do this event again, I would recommend it but be prepared with stretchy pants.
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Roman Style Pizza Bianca

Meatless Monday drool fest with Roman Candle Baking Company, which offers a Roman style Pizza Bianca. This style pizza is simple and showcases just good ingredients. This is available during their lunch service (they are open only for breakfast – end of lunch, 7 AM – 4 PM) with lunch service starting at 11 AM. Roman Candle Baking Company is located at 3377 Southeast Division Street – it’s a bit of a pain finding parking here sometimes, but you can also call ahead and order all of these to go via (971) 302-6605 or delivery via Caviar.

Here is the Roman Candle Roman style pizza slice of Pomodoro with Tomato, oregano, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt.
Roman Candle Baking Company offers a Roman style Pizza Bianca- here is Pomodoro with Tomato, oregano, xvoo, sea salt Roman Candle Baking Company offers a Roman style Pizza Bianca- here is Pomodoro with Tomato, oregano, xvoo, sea salt

The entire point is this think fluffy inside with a lil crunch flatbread that is a bit reminiscent of foccacia
Roman Candle Baking Company offers a Roman style Pizza Bianca- here is Pomodoro with Tomato, oregano, xvoo, sea salt Roman Candle Baking Company offers a Roman style Pizza Bianca- here is Pomodoro with Tomato, oregano, xvoo, sea salt

My preference is for getting a slice of Blanca with Mozzarella, ricotta, basil, pickled peppers. That creamy cheese with the pickled peppers is divine.
Roman Candle Baking Company offers a Roman style Plaza Bianca- here is a slice of Blanca with Mozzarella, ricotta, basil, pickled peppers Roman Candle Baking Company offers a Roman style Plaza Bianca- here is a slice of Blanca with Mozzarella, ricotta, basil, pickled peppers

The other two types, which are not pictured here, are the Margherita (with tomato, mozzarella, and basil) and the only one with meat, Pepperoni (with tomato, mozzarella, and pepperoni). If you come between 11 AM – 1 PM, that is when breakfast and lunch overlap (breakfast menu is 7 AM – 1 PM) so you can also get a breakfast bun!
Roman Candle Baking Company breakfast fun with their breakfast bun, an Everything Bun, available 7 AM - 1 PM Roman Candle Baking Company breakfast fun with their breakfast bun, an Everything Bun, available 7 AM - 1 PM

Have you been to Roman Candle Baking Company before? Have you had Roman style pizza? Which of these would you pick to eat?

Roman Candle Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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