Stark Street Pizza - Best Crispy Crust in the Northwest

I am in the Portland area for a few days for a swim meet.  Challenge - find a place to feed a group of 20+ swimmers, parents, and coach.  Solution - Stark Street Pizza!

For great and fast pizza, Stark Street is the place to go.  They have great pizza and a huge salad bar.  I am currently in a state of bliss from the creation I just had; a thin crust pizza with pepperoni (I love those little Stark Street pepperonis), pepperoncini peppers, mushrooms, and spinach.  The crust is the key.  It is light, crunchy, and savory, but it stands up to the toppings.  It is outstanding, and it is probably the best thin crust pizza I have ever had.

Go!


Stark Street Pizza:

Address - 9234 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR 97216

Phone - 503.255.2364

Website - starkstreetpizzaco.com

Reservations - If you are bringing in a large group, call ahead.  They do have large banquet room that can seat 65 people.  Otherwise walk in, order, and have a seat.

Overall Recommendation - I love the crust of this pizza!  If you are in Portland it is worth the trip.

Irving Street Kitchen - Porland - A fusion of Soul into every meal

I find myself in Portland, OR looking for a unique dining experience. Hello Irving Street Kitchen. You fit the bill perfectly!

I walked in with no reservation and was seated at the bar. It was brunch time and the place was moderately busy. I always enjoy going into a restaurant for the first time. Irving Street Kitchen has the perfect balance of a rustic and trendy.

I was doing a lot of walking today, so I decided to skip the appetizers and go straight to the Brunch menu. I love brunch food, and I love Eggs Benedict. The Salmon Gravlax Benedict jumped of the page. A buttermilk biscuit with spinach, lox, and poached eggs all covered in a dill hollandaise. The combination of salmon lox and poached egg is a very nice balance. The dill of the hollandaise took a little getting used to. I think I was ready for that traditional, rich, flavor. The dill hollandaise was lighter on the palette and very tasty.

I also ordered a side of mac'n cheese....very nice. Baked with a light panco/bread sprinkle over the top. Comfort food done right!

I ordered a house tea that kept the palette fresh for the meal. Try the #8 and let me know what you think.

Irving Street Kitchen:

Address -

791 NW 13th Avenue

Portland, OR 97209

Website - www.irvingstreetkitchen.com

Phone - 503 343-9440

Reservations - can be made at OpenTable.com, I did not need them for Sunday brunch, but I would advise it for a group.

Overall Recommendation: delightful! Soul food with a light touch.