Well, as someone who recently moved to Portland I would be remiss not to mention that Ken's Artisan, a pizza place in Portland was just named the #2 pizza in the whole world by Big7 Travel.! I haven't been there yet. But, just say'n. Pizza is a big deal in this town. tho my husband claims I make the best. HA! (loved reading your guys take on all things pizza!)
Well, now I know where we're headed the next time we're on the West Coast! I have noticed a strange pattern with California pizza, wherein the crust is always under-baked, no matter what, but I am so far completely ignorant about Oregon pizza. That will obviously need to change.
And any pizza made with love is always going to be the best pizza, so your husband is on to something there.
I looooooove pizza! Thank you for this post! I didn't really realize how much pizza is woven into our lives until reading your post. It made me think of so many pizza stories from childhood to present day, both as as an eater and journalist covering pizza-centric stories! 🤩
It's so true! Pizza is tied to so many memories--and you could argue that's true of a variety of well-loved foods, but really, few foods are as universal as pizza.
There actually was a time before pizza. When I was growing up in Minnesota in the 1950s, I don't remember it at all. Beside that—don’t kill me!-- my reaction to pizza is mostly meh. Even Ken’s. There was a time in Tulare, California, when I was in high school and discovered pizza with anchovies on it—wow! But it never was an obsession for me. Sorry.
Now, I don't do curbs and my husband, who really does love pizza, isn't supposed to eat gluten. Pizza may be the food of the gods, but the gods, fortunately, also love other good food. Bring on the ambrosia!
That said, I love your anecdotes. Passion is a wonderful thing.
A time before pizza! Wow, that's something to ponder. And if by "ambrosia" you mean the stuff made with fruit and marshmallow fluff, I'm with you on that. Ambrosia salad truly lives up to its name. I'm grateful to still be able to eat all the things I love (carbs would be the hardest to give up) but I agree, the gods go for all kinds of strange things. And the chief thing about any beloved food is always the memories it brings. Thanks, Fran.
I knew I was in for a treat & you guys did not disappoint! As a fellow pizza obsessive, this made for compelling & witty reading. I too believe in what I now call the "Pizza Propinquity Theory." The stuff closest to home is often the best. My all-time favorite remains the Sicilian slice at VI Pizza in Bayside, Queens. When I was a teen my friend Anna sprinkled salt on hers, saying "It makes it so sharp & tasty!" I have not had an unsalted slice in over 40 years. Thanks for this stellar piece! ✌🏼❤️🍕
Thanks, El! This is an important - maybe not "serious," but certainly important - discussion that needs to be held across America in this pivotal year.
I LOVED reading this and wish I was in NYC to try all the slices you so wonderfully described (and avoid a few!). Fun to read your back-and-forth writings as well.
Great post! I am from northern NJ and now live in CT - two places that take pizza seriously! Ray's pizza reminded me of this Seinfeld clip: https://youtu.be/bb9IA-914Xw?feature=shared
Thank you for a fun read! (I want pizza, and it is only 6AM!)
Thank you! Both for the kind words and also that Seinfeld clip, which is always a great way to start the day. Somehow I also want pizza at 6am, but that isn't unusual 😂
Well, as someone who recently moved to Portland I would be remiss not to mention that Ken's Artisan, a pizza place in Portland was just named the #2 pizza in the whole world by Big7 Travel.! I haven't been there yet. But, just say'n. Pizza is a big deal in this town. tho my husband claims I make the best. HA! (loved reading your guys take on all things pizza!)
Well, now I know where we're headed the next time we're on the West Coast! I have noticed a strange pattern with California pizza, wherein the crust is always under-baked, no matter what, but I am so far completely ignorant about Oregon pizza. That will obviously need to change.
And any pizza made with love is always going to be the best pizza, so your husband is on to something there.
LOL! You two have become a power couple, especially in your writing collaborations. Now I'm hungry too ... thanks to you.
Okay, I have to to blush and duck under the bed now. Thanks, Sue.
I looooooove pizza! Thank you for this post! I didn't really realize how much pizza is woven into our lives until reading your post. It made me think of so many pizza stories from childhood to present day, both as as an eater and journalist covering pizza-centric stories! 🤩
THANKS, NINA! We might need to create some sort of written shrine to pizza memories somewhere in the digital or paper-based universe.
It's so true! Pizza is tied to so many memories--and you could argue that's true of a variety of well-loved foods, but really, few foods are as universal as pizza.
Oh, how I loved this piece!! The format, the reviews, the backstories - indeed this has the chops for a book!!
Thanks, James!!! I needed a bit of encouragement. Also, it's a good excuse for more "research."
From the other side…
There actually was a time before pizza. When I was growing up in Minnesota in the 1950s, I don't remember it at all. Beside that—don’t kill me!-- my reaction to pizza is mostly meh. Even Ken’s. There was a time in Tulare, California, when I was in high school and discovered pizza with anchovies on it—wow! But it never was an obsession for me. Sorry.
Now, I don't do curbs and my husband, who really does love pizza, isn't supposed to eat gluten. Pizza may be the food of the gods, but the gods, fortunately, also love other good food. Bring on the ambrosia!
That said, I love your anecdotes. Passion is a wonderful thing.
A time before pizza! Wow, that's something to ponder. And if by "ambrosia" you mean the stuff made with fruit and marshmallow fluff, I'm with you on that. Ambrosia salad truly lives up to its name. I'm grateful to still be able to eat all the things I love (carbs would be the hardest to give up) but I agree, the gods go for all kinds of strange things. And the chief thing about any beloved food is always the memories it brings. Thanks, Fran.
I knew I was in for a treat & you guys did not disappoint! As a fellow pizza obsessive, this made for compelling & witty reading. I too believe in what I now call the "Pizza Propinquity Theory." The stuff closest to home is often the best. My all-time favorite remains the Sicilian slice at VI Pizza in Bayside, Queens. When I was a teen my friend Anna sprinkled salt on hers, saying "It makes it so sharp & tasty!" I have not had an unsalted slice in over 40 years. Thanks for this stellar piece! ✌🏼❤️🍕
Thanks, El! This is an important - maybe not "serious," but certainly important - discussion that needs to be held across America in this pivotal year.
I LOVED reading this and wish I was in NYC to try all the slices you so wonderfully described (and avoid a few!). Fun to read your back-and-forth writings as well.
Thank you! And if you're ever headed toward the five boroughs, let me know! I will happily give you a whole run-down of places to try.
Thank you so much!
Great post! I am from northern NJ and now live in CT - two places that take pizza seriously! Ray's pizza reminded me of this Seinfeld clip: https://youtu.be/bb9IA-914Xw?feature=shared
Thank you for a fun read! (I want pizza, and it is only 6AM!)
Thank you! Both for the kind words and also that Seinfeld clip, which is always a great way to start the day. Somehow I also want pizza at 6am, but that isn't unusual 😂
Consider it done! One day, you'll find a pizza nearby when you awake...
Thanks, Christina. I'd love to hear more about the local CT pizza.