Go Alone. Get Lost. Eat.
Eating in Seville is the best part of visiting the Spanish city. The iconic landmarks may be pretty and photogenic, but the food is beautiful and delicious.
Food in Spain begins and ends with jamón. Eating in Seville is no exception to the exquisiteness of Spanish ham, but there is more to food in the largest city in Andalusia. [Read more…] about Eating & Drinking in Seville, Spain
Eating tapas in Granada is one of the best parts about visiting this city in southern Spain. Granada welcomes millions of visitors each year, with most looking to visit the famous Alhambra complex. Beneath several noteworthy layers of history in Granada, food in the city is a blend of it all and an enticing layer to explore.
Tapas in Spain are a culinary institution, a tasty part of life. Tapas in Granada are unique. The culture of tapas in Granada provides an excellent opportunity for travelers to catch a glimpse of local life and get a true taste of Andalusia. [Read more…] about Tapas in Granada
Eating weird and unusual food in Southeast Asia is part of the experience for many travelers. Unusual food that is absent from menus at home is common in Southeast Asia, and it isn’t there just for the amusement of wide-eyed tourists. Locals actually eat – and enjoy – this stuff!
From critters and creepy crawlies to organs and strange local delicacies, weird food is abundant in Southeast Asia. Here are ten weird and unusual things to eat in Southeast Asia from experienced travel bloggers and curious eaters: [Read more…] about Weird and Unusual Food in Southeast Asia
Pizza in Portland is underrated. Portland, Oregon is quietly becoming one of the great pizza cities in the United States. While New York, Chicago, New Haven and Detroit receive acclaim and praise for longstanding pizza traditions, Portland has flown under the radar and become a pizza town to rival the legends.
Portland restaurants focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. This mentality, coupled with an abundance of talent and an experimental nature among Portland chefs, is the perfect combination for a slew of great pizza. And that’s just what the Portland pizza world is: GREAT.
The following are the Hangry Backpacker’s reviews of pizza in Portland, Oregon. Each restaurant is judged on atmosphere, prices, service, quality of ingredients and, most of all, tastiness of the pizza.
A “Next Day” rating, from 1 to 5 (bad to good), is also given to each pizza, along with comments on whether the pizza is best reheated in the oven, microwave or eaten cold.
At the end of the list is a brief mention of my favorite neighborhood slice shops.
**The Hangry Backpacker is not an influencer. All pizzaventures are funded by the Hangry Backpacker. None of these reviews or ratings have been affected by such means, deals or handouts.
***This list is updated frequently, with new Portland pizza reviews added accordingly. If there is pizza in Portland that needs our attention, let us know in the comments or send us an email. Latest Update: 11/13/22
Pizzeria Otto may be the best pizza in Portland. The wood-fired pies are traditional Neopolitan style pizzas (which they are quick to point out) with an occasional local twist. The local twist at Otto is unique, local ingredients, such as a mushroom pizza with “foraged mushrooms” – that’s about as Portland as you can get.
Most importantly, the thin crust pizza at Otto never misses a beat. The usual suspects on the menu never waver from spectacular. The Diavola – “spicy” salami and peppers – is an easy choice, but the daily specials are truly something spectacular. I had a daily special pizza with sopressata, ricotta, spicy fermented honey and rosemary that remains one of the best pizzas I have ever consumed. (And that’s A LOT of pizza.)
The small restaurant in Northeast Portland on Sandy Boulevard – a second location is in the works – has limited seating and can be quite busy. Getting stuck in a middle table is less than comfortable when busy, but the atmosphere is fun with plenty of happy diners watching the open kitchen in action and classic movie posters lining the walls.
Prices at Pizzeria Otto are slightly on the high side, though average for Portlandia. Pizzas come in at less than $20 for a pie, but one pizza can feed UP TO two people. Two pizzas are adequate for three hungry eaters. Otto’s pizzas are worth every penny, though. This is a place where the quality is much higher than the price.
Next Day (5): Don’t waste leftovers from Pizzeria Otto by eating it cold or popping it in the microwave. Reheat this pizza for a few minutes in the oven, and it’s almost as good as the night before.
The name is fancy, but the prices are not! This small pizza joint on East Glisan and 28th Street serves a very Portland-style pizza. The thick, almost lasagna-like pies are made with a gluten-free, cornmeal crust, perfect for all of the sensitive stomachs in Portland.
Pizzas do not appear to be large but are very dense. A salad and a slice is filling. Two slices is sufficient for a stuffing. The pizza is so filling that three people can fill up on one pie. The sausage and peppers is an easy choice for a first-time diner at Dove Vivi, although the meatless goat cheese pizza is just as satisfying.
The only drawback to Dove Vivi is limited options for carnivores – and the limited seating. Only two pizzas on the menu come with meat, though you can add meat to others. Dove Vivi is a unique instance where their pies are phenomenal, despite largely being meatless. Otherwise, the pizza is flawless.
The dining room is small and open, with a cozy feeling. It’s a good place to take a date, and I’ve felt a little out of place when dining in by myself. Luckily, it’s a casual affair.
Next Day (4): For best results: Place leftover pizza in the oven at 400 degrees. Do not preheat. In about 10 minutes, the pizza is ready and might be even better than the night before.
Pizza Jerk is a cozy neighborhood pizza joint in Portland. This place is probably best for those looking to chill out over a pitcher of beer and pizza. The pies are a little greasy, but that pairs perfectly with a Northwest IPA.
Most of the pizzas at Pizza Jerk are thin crust, with pan options available. The White Pie is a thin crust winner. Local flavors are represented with vegan options and even a clam pizza. The pan pizzas are usually quite the guilty pleasure in action, although they are very greasy and, on occasion, come out a little bready.
The atmosphere at Pizza Jerk is perfect for the location. It has a cool neighborhood feel, and is largely devoid of the Portland hipster or yuppie vibe. Unfortunately, the prices are horrendous. The cheapest pizza is the cheese pizza, which is $20 for a 12-inch pan or 18-inch thin crust. Most pies come in closer to $30. Only pizza in Portland can have such high prices and warrant expansion to a second location.
Pizza Jerk has good pizza and an appealing, nostalgic neighborhood vibe serving Northeast Portland (the original location on NE 42nd Street). However, the pizza is simply not worth the price.
Next Day (2): Don’t eat leftover Pizza Jerk cold. The pan pizza is more like stale breadsticks at this point. Pan and thin crust reheat okay in the oven, but the grease really comes out the next day.
Ken’s Artisan Pizza started at their well-known bakery in Northwest Portland. Thankfully, Ken (I’m assuming he is the purveyor of pizza) knows what he’s baking with pizza, too. Depending on whom you ask, a good pizza begins with the crust or the sauce. I believe it starts with good crust. Ken’s Artisan Pizza comes from bakers and has some of the most well-made pizza in Portland.
The atmosphere at Ken’s matches the name. Yes, it’s as bougie as the name sounds, but they back up their pretentious title with fantastic pizza. It comes as no surprise that the restaurant has an extensive wine list. And it goes without saying that a place serving “artisan” pizza is going to be expensive. The pizzas at Ken’s are a little expensive. Expect to pay about $15 for a pie that essentially feeds one person.
Ken’s Artisan Pizza is really good. Is it worth taking a few people out for Friday night pizza? With better values elsewhere – places that also serve damn good pizza – it’s hard to say. Ken’s is in the gray area between being really good and overpriced.
Next Day (4): Ken’s Artisan Pizza holds up fairly well for the next day. It’s not particularly special cold, and the microwave does not serve Ken’s pizza justice. A few minutes in the oven is adequate for a tasty next-day feeding.
The Blind Onion is my personal favorite place for pizza in Portland. The pizza isn’t going to win awards, and it’s not sexy or revolutionary. It has curbside appeal in a paradoxical kind of way. The first time I saw this less-than-polished restaurant I had to stop in for a slice.
The pie is typical American-style pizza, not too thick or thin. They menu has traditional pizzas, as well as a few unusual and local varieties. Blind Onion Portland has good pizza. It’s simple, straightforward and good.
Prices at Blind Onion are high at first glance, but in comparison to most other local pizza in Portland these pies are a deal. Like a large, expensive pizza should, a Blind Onion pizza can feed three to four people.
The atmosphere at Blind Onion is even better than the value. Pizza joints are supposed to be dark, cozy and welcoming. And maybe sport a healthy layer of wear and tear. Patrons shouldn’t have to put on a nice shirt or worry about which wine pairs well with their pizza. Blind Onion is what it is – good pizza with a chill vibe.
When I want good pizza – regular, unpretentious pizza – Blind Onion is where I go. The pizza, service and value is good. The atmosphere is second to none.
Next Day (3): Blind Onion pizza is good cold. It reheats okay, whether that’s in the microwave or the oven, though it’s not quite the same as fresh. The downside to “next day” pizza from the Blind Onion is that it doesn’t hold up for more than a day or so.
I don’t get it. Maybe it’s the name. It is a good one. Life of Pie is one of the hottest and most popular places for pizza in Portland. The lines of people waiting outside, even in the cold rain, is clear evidence. But the pizza isn’t groundbreaking or game changing. It’s okay, maybe good, but it isn’t great.
Like so many of the options for pizza in Portland, the brick oven is on display and at work for all of us to watch. The brick oven craze produces some great pizza, but Life of Pie isn’t quite on the same level as other brick oven joints in PDX. The thin crust is pretty good. The in-house mozzarella is a plus, and the chili oil is another bright spot.
The good part about Life of Pie is that prices are reasonable. Pizzas feed one to two people and range from $11-15. Life of Pie does have a great happy hour – $5 for a margherita pizza is a great deal in Portland. Pair that with $4 pints, and it’s a recipe for happiness.
The drawback to happy hour is that it brings in crowds, so customers can expect a line, a wait and slow service during, and immediately after, happy hour. The busy atmosphere is lively and open. Life of Pie’s model borders on fast casual (ordering at a counter, bussing your own table) rather than full service, so the wait and premature tip is a little frustrating.
Next Day (5): Life of Pie is excellent day old pizza. The pizza is good cold, microwaved (20-30 seconds) or in the oven.
Blackbird Pizza fits perfectly within the complex of food in Portland. About half of the menu is made up of vegetarian and vegan options. And, at times, it has the Portland hipster vibe in full force.
Blackbird has the usual choices for any American-style pizza restaurant, but also has some different options for pizza in Portland. The chicken carbonara is an interesting pizza, and the lamb sausage (not that uncommon) is an artichoke-lover’s pizza dream. The traditional pies are also quite good.
The atmosphere of Blackbird Pizza is laid back in the daytime. The restaurant itself is pretty cool. One half is a bar, while the other half has seating and – in Portland, of course – plenty of pinball. The bar always seems to be chilled out.
Prices at Blackbird are average, and the value is pretty good. Small pizzas can feed two people. Large pizzas are about $25, but are filling and will leave plenty of leftovers. Blackbird also has a good happy hour that knocks a buck off beer. Tuesdays offer good deals on medium pizzas.
The restaurant is a fun place to go, but, honestly, it’s dirty. It’s not dirty in the cool, worn out kind of way. Rather, in the few times I’ve stopped in, the menus, tables – the whole restaurant – needs a good scrubbing.
Next Day (3): Blackbird Pizza is best reheated in the oven. Personally, I bake it for a few minutes, then broil it for about two minutes. It comes out alright. Blackbird is okay reheated in the microwave, but this is not a good cold pizza.
My initial experience at Apizza Scholls was underwhelming. Considering the price and what I felt was a limited menu, the pizza did not make up for it. The second chance at one of Portland’s most prestigious pizza joints was different. It was great and lived up to the hype.
Apizza Scholls has simple, American-style pizza done to perfection. The crust, from fresh-daily dough, is perfectly fluffy with the slightest crunch on the outermost layer. The crust is the best in Portland. The fresh mozzarella is flawless, the sauce is good and the house-made sausage is impeccable.
Toppings, aside from the meat, are okay. Although fresh, none stand out.
Apizza Scholls prices are not cheap (about $25 for a pie), but thankfully the 18-inch pizza is filling for 2-3 people.
The atmosphere at Apizza Scholls is fine but not especially cool. The two separate sides, with no interior walkway, is odd (due to something about the building lease) and confuses a lot of first-time customers
Next Day (4): The next day quality of Apizza Scholls is fantastic when reheated in the oven (about 350F). The microwave yields a chewy pizza. Don’t go for a cold slice of Portland’s favorite pizza. Not good.
In Northeast Portland, on the corner of Glisan and 80th Street, is East Glisan Pizza Lounge. The interior of this neighborhood pizza joint is nicer than one might expect when looking from the outside. East Glisan definitely has the neighborhood lounge vibe going for it, although it lacks some of the necessary traits to be one of Portland’s best pizza places.
The pizza at East Glisan is a mix of great and underwhelming. The house-made meatballs are awesome. The flavors on the capicola are excellent. But the sauce tastes like it comes from a can. And the crust is incredibly basic, definitely not representative of the photos online. Considering the mediocre quality of the pizza, prices are high – $15-18 for a 12-inch that feeds two.
Happy Hour at East Glisan Pizza Lounge stands out, though. The daily slice specials are unique, not just your run-of-the-mill pepperoni or margherita.
Next Day (3): The next-day quality of East Glisan pizza is good reheated in the oven. Microwaving this pizza produces a floppy triangle of sogginess. Eating it cold is fine until you reach the crust, which is tougher than beef jerky.
Hogan’s Goat is a neighborhood pizza place that deserves to be known as more than a neighborhood pizza place. This is probably the most underrated pizza in Portland. The restaurant is tucked away on a little street off Sandy Boulevard in Northeast Portland’s Rose City Park neighborhood.
Hogan’s Goat is a small restaurant that is easily missed by most passing drivers. Those who notice the small goat sign and choose to stop in are rewarded with one of the best pizza experiences in Portland.
Hogan’s Goat doesn’t have a bad pizza. The crust is light and fluffy, with a slight crunch. The sauce is not overpowering, perfectly fitting the pies. The Joe Louis is a fantastic rendition of the common sausage and peppers pizza. Perhaps the most spectacular creation at Hogan’s Goat Pizza is the Ricotta Love. This pizza is phenomenal, and is one of the single best pizzas in Portland.
Overall, prices are more than fair. There are a couple of pies that are more expensive, but most are very reasonable. Hogan’s Goat Pizza has a few beers on tap and has plenty of wine to choose from, too. All is reasonably priced. The atmosphere in Hogan’s Goat is relaxed and welcoming, with some of the best customer service at ANY restaurant in Portland.
Next Day (4): Hogan’s Goat is very good reheated in the oven for a few minutes. A microwave reheat leads to a soggy mess, and cold yields an underwhelming and chewy pizza that doesn’t do Hogan’s Goat Pizza justice.
There are two significant drawbacks to Old Town Pizza. First, the location is in the middle of the filthiest part of Portland. And the vagrants sometimes wander into the restaurant. During my most recent visit, there was an aggressive panhandler outside, shouting obscenities at passersby, and a second unwelcome individual had to be escorted from the restaurant.
The second drawback to Old Town Pizza are the prices, which are far too high for ordinary pizza. Large pizzas will set you back about $30, which is far too much for regular pizza. Aside from unwanted guests and high prices, the atmosphere at Old Town Pizza is cool. It is in a neat old building with a cozy feel.
The pizza at Old Town is surprisingly pretty good when fresh, but it is pretty greasy. The ingredients come together nicely, but nothing stands out aside from the visual similarities to a frozen pizza.
Overall, Old Town Pizza & Brewing is decent pizza. Unfortunately, the location and price are absolutely not worth going out of the way for pizza. It should be noted, however, that Old Town Pizza has a second, new location in North Portland, in an area that is much cleaner and easier to access.
Next Day (2): Old Town Pizza is a greasy, sloppy mess when reheated in the microwave. All flavors are lost when eaten cold. In the oven, the pizza is okay, but the pleasant surprise when eaten fresh is lost.
Via Chicago, located in the center of the popular Alberta Arts District, is the place to go for Chicago deep-dish pizza in Portland. The pizza itself is pretty good, with some of the best crust in Portland.
Via Chicago functions more as a slice shop for Alberta Street wanderers, though whole pies are available. The meaty pizza is a classic, hearty deep dish option. The pepperoni doesn’t disappoint. And the four cheese is fantastic. There are also vegan and vegetarian options each day. As mentioned above, the crust of Via Chicago pizza is phenomenal. It’s worth noting twice.
A slice is filling, and two slices is a lot. Prices are good, too. They vary from $4.00-4.75 for a single slice, but the deep-dish nature is worth more. Whole pies (large, 14-inch) range from $25 for pepperoni to $29 for meaty. The good part about deep-dish pizza is that it is filling. One pizza can easily feed three to four people.
Via Chicago’s atmosphere is light and open. The small shop has indoor and outdoor seating and is perfect for those looking for a slice while wandering Alberta Street’s shops.
Next Day (3): Do not eat this pizza cold. The crust is hard as a rock. Reheating in the oven is fine, but it is easily burned. Surprisingly, Via Chicago Pizza reheats very well in the microwave.
Oven and Shaker pizza has unique flavors coming out of a brick oven in Northwest Portland. Unfortunately, that’s where the positives end. The excellent flavors are overshadowed by outrageous prices and runaway toppings. Thin crust is great, but this pizza is more like filo dough with pizza toppings. The pizzas are small. Without appetizers, one pizza is likely insufficient for two people.
Oven and Shaker pizza is the epitome of overpriced, over-hyped pizza in Portland. The prices are in line with Portland’s Pearl District, with a pint of beer even more than most Portland restaurants. For one beer and two pizzas that appear significantly larger than they are (image below misleading), my bill was $50. Before the tip!
The vibe of Oven and Shaker fits its location. The Pearl District of Portland is a trendy area with overpriced everything, and this pizza place fits right in. The elaborate, craft cocktails are appealing, but the fresh chopping of wood in the open kitchen is a bit much. We get it. Everything is fresh.
Despite good service and excellent flavors, there are many other great places for pizza in Portland with significantly better value.
Next Day (5): Oven and Shaker may be the best day-old pizza in Portland. It is fantastic cold pizza, good in the microwave and better reheated in the oven than eaten fresh. If there is one positive to Oven and Shaker pizza, it’s the next-day quality.
Scottie’s Pizza Parlor is a tiny little bright spot of pizza in Southeast Portland. Among the gentrifying and trendy shops on SE Division Street, Scottie’s serves up delicious pies in a comfortable, if a little confined, atmosphere.
The pizza is an excellent blend of New Haven-style pie with a twist of Portland. The Portland twist is evident in political messages visible on the restaurant’s walls, as well. That’s fine, though, because we’re here to eat pizza. And Scottie’s does have some really good pizza.
The simply-named #1 is the most popular pizza on the menu. The defino – a pie sliced into squares with red sauce, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, parmesan and a touch of oil – is an excellent pizza. The sausage, mushrooms and olives (with some excellent olives) is another tasty pizza. The crust on these pies is okay. It does not make or break the pizza.
Scottie’s is tiny. During the middle of the day, it is possible to find a stool at one of the two small seating areas. If the weather is good, there are a couple more tables outside. Otherwise, carryout may be the best option for trying Scottie’s Pizza Parlor.
Scottie’s pizza is great, but the prices are high. Slices come in at $3-4 each, and whole pies are about $30. Another drawback is the lack of beer on tap, although there are some great fountain sodas available. My personal favorites are the Cock‘n Bull ginger beer and, as always, RC Cola. When it’s time to splurge on some damn good pizza in Portland, Scottie’s Pizza Parlor is worth consideration. I haven’t met Scottie, but it seems like he knows what he’s doing.
Next Day (5): Scottie’s Pizza Parlor is one of the best day(s)-old pizza in Portland, Oregon. It is absolutely great in the microwave, oven or even cold.
Pizza and ranch go hand-in-hand, right? Well, that depends on the person. And the ranch. At this aptly-named pizza shop in the Woodlawn neighborhood of North Portland, ranch comes with the pizza.
Ranch PDX is another viable candidate for the best pizza in Portland. The now-former purveyor of another place on this list suggested I try Ranch PDX. It was a great recommendation. The small, neighborhood pizza joint serves very, very good Sicilian-style pies in a casual atmosphere.
The relatively small menu at Ranch covers some basic pizzas, as well as a few unique house specialties. The #4, an excellent pizza with ricotta, sausage, basil and dried red chili peppers, is one of the best fresh pizzas in Portland. The thick Sicilian crust at Ranch is made to perfection. The edges have a buttery crisp that leads into a fluffy center. It is a filling pie, but not especially heavy.
Specials at Ranch are a nice blend of their own style and a little bit of Portland. The special on my most recent visit was topped with taleggio and kale, among other things. The kale was fine, as it was not overpowering. Taleggio is good, but it may be strong for some palates.
The ranch (sauce/dressing) at Ranch PDX is perfect. I assume – I sincerely hope, but I forgot to ask – that the sauce is made in-house. For drinks, the basics are available. There isn’t a huge variety of beer on tap, but there is enough. Pizza is the focus anyway.
The restaurant itself is small, so it may be best to consider eating during a slower time of day. Prices at Ranch PDX seem high at first, but the pizzas are filling. One whole pie can easily feed a few people. There are also cheaper, smaller portions available.
Next Day (4): Ranch PDX pizza is pretty good day-old pizza. It is decent cold pizza, and it is great when reheated in the oven. I do not recommend microwaving this pizza, though. It becomes chewy, but reheating in general brings out a lot of flavors.
Pizza and whisky is not the most common combo, but maybe it should be. If there is a place in Portland to eat excellent pizza with an equally impressive selection of high-quality whiskies, Pinky’s has to be the best place.
In North Portland’s industrial and warehouse-filled Overlook neighborhood – a neighborhood that is largely overlooked when it comes to pizza – Pinky’s has great pizza in an inviting atmosphere. The unassuming pizza joint sits on the corner of Interstate and Shaver, a stone’s throw from I-5 and less than half a mile from the popular Historic Mississippi Avenue,
Aside from the quirky and bizarre decorations (and the wall of whisky), Pinky’s has a vibe eliciting comfortable neighborhood pizza joint. Most importantly, though, the pizza is top notch.
Without any pretentious championing of freshness or source proximity, the ingredients Pinky’s employs are clearly top notch. The sauce, cheese and crust are all good. The meatballs are excellent. The pepperonis are something special. The variety of peppers makes me happy. Even the onions, somehow, are noteworthy.
When the pizza is this good, the source is not important. I appreciate a menu that is straightforward. All of the fluff, fancy adjectives and fanciful stories mean nothing unless the resulting pizza is good. And Pinky’s pies are just that.
Pinky’s Pizza is a cool spot with a sizable menu of mainstay pies that will make it hard to choose. I tried the double pepperoni (adding red onions) and the meatball (housemade meatballs, peppers, etc). Both were excellent. The 12-inch pies are enough for two people and prices are reasonable (about $20).
Next Day (5): Pinky’s pizzas make for great leftovers. Just avoid the microwave. If you’re impatient, it makes for a pretty good cold slice. Reheated in the oven, it is fantastic. Pop your leftover pizza in the oven at 350. When it reaches temperature, keep it in for 3-5 more minutes. When it’s done, the pizza might be even better than when it was fresh.
Assembly was one of my most anticipated pizza tastings in Portland. From the time I heard the brewery was set to open up in a big, new Southeast Portland location – with a specialization in Detroit-style pizza – Assembly Brewing pizza was in my sights.
Unfortunately, it took some time to make it to the brewery. Busy months of Hangry Backpacker travel prevented an early visit. Soon after, the world shut down, and I was unable to get a taste of this elusive pizza on site for years.
Eventually, I made the trip to the SE Foster haven for the best combo of all: pizza and beer. Expectations were high.
Perhaps my expectations were too high.
For starters, Assembly Brewing’s facility is cool. The atmosphere is inviting, lively but not rowdy. They have done an excellent job creating a really cool space. Service is good, and the beer is pretty good, too.
The pizza is a different story. Detroit-style pizza is one of my favorites, but Assembly Brewing pies look better than they taste. I chose “The D,” recommended by the server as the most popular and go-to choice. It arrived as a hybrid of The D and the Supreme. Honestly, this was totally fine with me.
The crust/dough is pretty good, and that is critical for a Detroit-style pizza. That’s the best of it, though. The sauce comes off lacking any flavor, and the toppings are very mediocre.
It’s not terrible, but I would not seek it out in a city that has a tremendous amount of great pizza. $40 (with tip, BEFORE beer) for an underwhelming pizza is frustrating.
The draw to Assembly Brewing is the beer and the atmosphere – not the pizza.
Next Day (2): Assembly Brewing pizza does not improve the next day. Eating this pizza cold does not do it any favors. Reheating in the microwave is not much better. An oven reheat yields an okay day-old slice, but the best result is to reheat this pizza on the stove.
My preference is to reheat it in a nonstick skillet, covered, on low heat for a few minutes until the cheese starts to melt again. At this point, I turn up the heat to medium-high, cover it for a couple of minutes, and then remove the cover for a couple more until the bottom of the crust is crispy.
This is the best reheating method, but it remains very mediocre. Hopefully, on my next visit to Assembly Brewing, the pizza is as good as the beer.
We’ve got a list of dozens more places in our search for the best pizza in Portland, Oregon. The following reviews, among others, should be available in the coming weeks:
Rovente and Straight From New York are the slice kings of Portland pizza. A lot of Portland’s most popular local pizza chains serve slices as well, such as Sizzle Pie, Shmizza, Hot Lips and Pizzicato, but I typically seek out smaller pizza joints. These are my go-to shops for a quick slice of pizza in various Portland neighborhoods:
Portland is a great pizza city, and there are (almost!) too many pizza joints to test. I hope these pizza reviews enhance your pizzaventures! I never tire of pizza, so stay tuned for updates.
Food safety is one of the biggest challenges backpackers face when wandering through Southeast Asia. Not knowing what you’re eating can be a fun experience, but it can also be risky.
Backpackers in Southeast Asia often find themselves off the beaten path faced with unusual eats. For most of these travelers, it’s not if they get sick, it’s when. Here’s how travelers and backpackers facing food in Southeast Asia can eat safely and avoid getting sick: [Read more…] about Food Safety in Southeast Asia
Gaining and losing weight is a normal part of travel. But travel is not the time to focus on being obsessively healthy and watching your weight. There is far too much good food and drink in the world to waste valuable time eating celery and passing on a local delicacy because it’s a little fatty.
Food and drink is an open window into another culture. Don’t close the window! Tasting and sampling the best eats can still be a part of healthy travel.
To gain the greatest understanding of a new place and make the best of any travel experience, it’s best to dive in head first. The best travel experiences involve self-discovery of new tastes, late nights with new friends and plenty of local beer.
However, there is no denying that this lifestyle of frivolous eating and drinking adds up around the waistline.
Personally, I know firsthand what it’s like to travel for months and come home to find an entire wardrobe has shrunk. Okay, so it wasn’t my clothes that changed sizes. Maybe, just maybe, it was the beer and eating everything in sight. But that’s just a theory.
I also know what it’s like to travel halfway around the world and, suddenly, my clothes are baggy and pants are falling down.
As a person whose weight tends to fluctuate, and having experienced both ends on the spectrum of gaining and losing weight during travel, I decided to share ways to travel healthy and curb the weight gain. It’s easy for anyone to limit weight gain without sacrificing the joys of eating new foods and having fun with new friends.
A quick background about myself and my experiences:
The first time I went solo backpacking was in Europe. My expectations regarding healthy travel and gaining or losing weight were none. It never crossed my mind until I met up with my sister in Prague, who immediately commented that I appeared thinner. I was surprised. For a month and a half, I never thought twice about what I was eating or drinking. By the end of that first international backpacking trip, my weight loss was around 20-30 pounds.
The most recent backpacking trip was to Southeast Asia. This was the opposite experience. In Southeast Asia, although aware of what and how much I consumed, the added poundage was significant. After losing about ten pounds in the first month, I proceeded to gain at least 30 pounds (okay, probably 40-plus) over the next several months.
What was the difference? To keep it simple, I ate more, ate worse and drank a lot more beer. All while being less active. There were additional factors of a carb-heavy diet, less walking in the heat of Southeast Asia and regularly eating massive breakfasts (unusual for me). It boils down to consuming more and moving less. Weight loss/gain really is that simple.
In hindsight, analyzing these two extremes of travel – gaining and losing weight – helps me to understand the importance of healthy travel. And it reiterates lessons learned.
My education background (Bachelor of Science) is in kinesiology. Studying kinesiology at Louisiana State University was a great experience where I learned a lot about health and fitness. Although I am not the most ardent practitioner of my studies, the general principles of kinesiology and healthy living are fresh in my mind when I consider healthy travel.
This one is crucial. Too many foods – delicious, exotic foods – taste and sound like they would be healthy options for a meal. Too often, they are not.
It’s like eating a salad. It’s healthy, right? Well, it starts out healthy. As soon as you add cheese, croutons, avocados and ranch, that healthy bowl of leaves has more calories than a cheeseburger. Go for the cheeseburger. Sometimes, a cheeseburger is just something you need.
To limit calories and fats, skip the fries. If you’re like me, most fries are a disappointment anyway. The health value is nonexistent, and you can either save the calories or have a beer or two for the same damage.
Hidden calories are a common reality in many of our favorite travel meals.
Knowing what you’re eating is the first step of healthy travel. It’s important to consider that some of our favorite travel eats are unhealthier than we imagine. And others, thought to be fattening or junk food, aren’t so bad after all.
For example, take coconut curry. This popular Asian dish is a bowl full of chicken, rice/noodles and veggies in a heavenly coconut curry broth. Sometimes there is a spicy kick, and it usually settles as a light meal. How could it be bad?
Hungry travelers are surprised to learn that their fresh bowl of coconut curry can easily contain a thousand calories.
Vietnamese coffee and Thai iced tea are popular beverages in their respective countries. Each contains a base, coffee or tea, that is nothing special. It’s the fillers and mixers of these drinks that add up. Each is sweetened to the extreme. Any notion of being a morning pick-me-up or afternoon refresher is false. More accurately, they are coffee/tea-flavored cups of condensed milk, packed with sugar and calories.
The point is to consider what you’re eating. Unhealthy foods are not always deep fried. To travel healthy and avoid gaining weight, do a little research on your favorite travel eats before stuffing your face over and over.
Knowing what you’re eating does not mean foolishly replacing the spoils of travel with celery and kale. It means being aware. Food and drink is the best part of travel, and you should always strive for new experiences and eat the good foods.
The easiest way to limit weight gain is to move! And keep moving! This is true whether you are at home or halfway around the world. Being active means burning calories, and that means being less blob-like.
How do you stay active halfway around the world? It’s easy!
Healthy travel starts with walking. Too often, travelers get lazy on the road. Walking is a passive method of healthy travel. Going from one location to the next doesn’t always require a taxi, bus or subway.
Walking one mile takes about 20 minutes at a normal pace. One mile in a taxi takes less than five minutes in most cities. The difference is not 15 minutes. The difference is a few dollars and a mile of sights and sounds. All missed in a taxi.
Unless you’re in a rush, avoiding danger, physically unable or ill, walk those few miles.
Consider the times you’ve gone to the top of a hill or other viewpoint. Viewpoints often have an easier route to the top. But if you take the easy way up, you miss out on an opportunity to passively burn calories.
Passive exercise, burning calories in normal daily activities, is the best way to earn the extra beer, dessert or fried ball of mystery on the street. You still reach the destination; however, by walking, you burn calories, save money and see more of your destination. And it only takes a few extra minutes.
Alcohol is one of the biggest obstacles to healthy travel. After saving up for months for a backpacking trip, or taking a much-deserved vacation, it’s easy to let loose and enjoy a few drinks. And then a few more. Every single day.
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a few more cold ones than normal when traveling. Unfortunately, this is a slippery slope. It’s easy to get into a routine of having a beer with every meal. In cheap destinations like Southeast Asia, it’s even easier when beer is a dollar or less.
All of those beers and cocktails add up to thousands of empty calories. After weeks of imbibing, the result is several additional pounds. How can you limit the alcohol-calorie intake? Moderation is the obvious choice.
If you want to travel and avoid gaining weight, there’s a simple solution that works for a lot of travelers: don’t drink so damn much. For those lucky individuals who are hangover-immune or have freakish metabolisms, do what you must. For most of us, however, excessive drinking leads to excess weight gain.
I hate to be that person, but keeping count of your drinks can really help put into perspective the calories consumed and money spent on alcohol. Do this for a day or two. Factor the calories. Consider how you’ll feel returning home with additional baggage around the waistline. Then decide if the extra beer or three is necessary.
Inverse weekends are an alternative, happier option. Rather than guilt-inducing counting of drinks, try an inverse weekend. Behave as you normally would while traveling, enjoying food and drinks for four or five days. Then, take a break for two to three days. Regular spells of sobriety will keep you fresh, more energetic and save money. Most of all, breaks from binging help to ensure healthy travel.
By no means am I suggesting that anyone should go out and try to drink almost every day of a trip. The point of drinking on an inverse weekend schedule is for those who are tempted to grab a beer at every opportunity when traveling. If you tend to gain weight when traveling, it’s only logical to take breaks from the booze and drink more water.
Beer in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe is cheap. Wine in France is unbelievable. Beaches are made for cocktails in coconuts. The temptations are strong, but moderation is important for healthy travel.
Travel is supposed to be fun. And healthy travel is all about staying active. Why not have fun and burn some calories in the process?
When you’re in a big city like New York, London or Bangkok, escaping to nature is a challenge. That’s when walking (mentioned above) is the healthy choice to avoid gaining weight from all the pizza, fish n’chips and tasty street food. In more modest destinations, take advantage of the surrounding outdoors.
Go for hikes to find a great view. Rent a bicycle and explore the countryside. If it’s a beach setting, go snorkeling or try your hand at surfing. These are a few easy examples of ways to have fun and maintain health.
The best part of being active in the outdoors is the reward. Edinburgh is cool, but the Scottish Highlands are stunning. The sights and sounds of Hanoi are incredible, but Ha Long Bay is a natural masterpiece. Cities are great – wandering massive cities is one of my favorite travel activities – but there is no comparison to the wonder of nature.
One of the highlights of traveling abroad is experiencing nature that is different than home and witnessing the wonders of the natural world. It’s important for healthy travel to be fun, and the great outdoors has the best combination of healthy and fun.
Some travelers are crazy. I’m not referring to party-animal backpackers. They are crazy, but I’m talking about those crazy people who travel and bring workout clothes. And then they actually work out.
We’ve all traveled somewhere and thought, “They have a gym. I’ll bring my running shoes.”
How many times do we actually wear those shoes? Most of us are wasting valuable packing space with our misguided belief that we will dedicate time to working out. Not to sound like a pessimist – well, I am a little pessimistic in nature – but this is being realistic. For most travelers, packing running shoes and gym attire is wasting space.
For more on travel packing: check out this series on packing light and packing right.
If you are one of those people who will go for a run in tropical paradise, or wake with early birds for a workout, I applaud you. Doing this while traveling makes you a crazy person, but at least you’ll be a healthy traveler.
Some travelers are not going to take this advice and walk everywhere. And they aren’t going to drink less or consider what they’re eating. If you are one of these people, but you will devote time to working out, bringing workout attire may be a viable option for healthy travel.
For most of us, we are incredibly unlikely to exercise abroad. That’s why I suggest passive exercise and exploring surrounding nature. For the crazy people, enjoy your run!
What do I do to combat gaining weight and travel healthy?
For starters, I’m not great about eating healthy when traveling. If it smells good or looks enticing and unusual, I’m going to eat it. Eating new foods is my thing. And I’m often the first one to order a second beer and try an unfamiliar brand. These are areas that need improvement in the future.
Through experiences gaining and losing weight on the road, this is what works for me:
Small breakfasts. Yes, I know, everyone loudly exclaims how a big breakfast is such an important meal for brainpower, metabolism, etc. Well, that doesn’t work for me. A small breakfast, toast and black coffee, is enough to get me going. Plus, I’d rather have an empty stomach as I wander a strange place, ya know, to avoid the possibility of a full English breakfast exacting revenge on my bowels at an inopportune time.
Walking everywhere. I really do walk a lot when I travel. Twenty miles in a day is not uncommon. If there is something I want to see, I’ll usually walk. Even if it takes an hour or more, I save money and burn calories by walking. As a bonus, I see places that I would otherwise miss by taking a taxi or subway. Getting lost is fun, too!
Eat fresh foods. It’s easier to eat fresh foods outside of the United States. This does not always ensure weight loss, as a lot of fresh breads, fruits and cheeses are packed with calories. But eating fresh food is a part of healthy travel.
As I continue to travel, I learn what works best for me and the areas where I can make healthier choices.
Healthy travel is an obsession for some, but there is more to travel than highly-edited photos of a super-fit subject ridiculously posing on a beach. Healthy travel should be fun, and fun travel means eating the good stuff and seeing the cool sights. It doesn’t have to be pretty.
Walking is the start of managing weight when traveling. Drinking in moderation and knowing what you’re eating are equally important. Finding fun activities to see more of your destination makes traveling healthy easier.
At the end of a journey, utilizing these tips for healthy travel will lead to a healthier, happier state of mind. Even if the scales show a little weight gain, that’s okay. It happens to almost everyone. The key to healthy travel is to not lose control and limit the damage.
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