Press Play Salem Tasting TeamEditor’s Note: This story was updated on March 12, 2021.
Half-a-dozen pizza joints to get your pie time on…
In honor of Pi Day (March 14), we set out on a pizza pilgrimage (don’t worry, we also selected a couple slices of traditional sweet pie, too). From the grab-and-go slice to urban eateries encouraging a culinary experience of unique flavor combinations, Salem’s pizza scene offers a grand variety that incites innumerable opinions, too.
We’re not here to tell you what’s best – that’s truly a subjective topic – but we wanted to highlight a few notables that stood out to our tasting team.
Basil & Board
500 Liberty St. SE
503-447-3350, basilandboard.com
Two words: Rooftop patio. Ok, that may not have anything to do with pizza, but how about pie and a sunset? This urban pizzeria is the kind of place you can go with friends or family, a business lunch or a hot date. In addition to its handcrafted, brick-fired pizza, it also serves bruschetta, salad, piadinas (sandwiches) and skillet cookies — YUM! (Pre Covid-19 Bonus: They have Happy Hour twice a day (3 to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to close) Sunday through Thursday and all day on Monday.)
They offer a gluten-sensitive crust and have plenty of vegan options since you can build your own, or try a signature pie, like the Herbie, which features vegan Italian sausage, vegan mozzarella, red onion, roasted garlic, pepper flakes and basil. You would never know it’s vegan! – C
Christo’s Pizzeria & Lounge
1108 Broadway St. NE
503-371-2892, christospizzasalem.com
In 1997, Christo’s opened as a little pizzeria on Church Street. Twelve years later, the restaurant moved to Broadway where it’s been serving downtown diners ever since. Their menu highlights pizza, but is rounded out with a full assortment of classic Italian American dishes. (Pre Covid-19 Bonus: Christo’s is Salem’s only Jazz lounge. So you can grab pie and take in a night of live tunes in their lounge which offers jazz every Thursday and sometimes Saturdays.)
My favorite on taste. — B
Paddington’s
410 Pine St. NE
503-378-0345, padingtons.com
This may be one of Salem’s oldest pizzerias, so it should come as no surprise the nostalgia it brings out with many people.
It was the good pizza we had when I was a kid — a treat — every couple months. It has that crispy, cracker crust; It’s thin but holds up. My guiltiest pleasure: canned mushrooms. I don’t do that at any other pizza joint and only on that pizza. It makes no sense. Oh, and they have great lunch specials. — B
Ritter’s Housemade Foods
102 Liberty St. NE, Suite 100
Ritterseatery.com
Ritter’s aims to be a place where people can gather, eat and share…and what better food is there to share than pizza? House offerings include a small but diverse selection of brick oven pizzas and good news, gluten-free crust available.
While the Greek is usually my go-to, the prosciutto, pear and arugula is also unique and delicious. — C
Straight from New York
233 Liberty St
503-581-5863, sfnypizza.com
1095 Commercial St SE
503-363-7369, sfnypizza.com
2918 Commercial St SE
503 361-1234, sfnypizza.com
Since 1986, Straight from New York has been serving Salem authentic New York pizza. With three locations in the area, you’ve got your options: dine-in, take out, get it delivered. But their most popular option is probably by the slice as they are one of the few (maybe the only) local pizza joint where you can grab a slice and go, or stay! Plus, they have gluten-free crust available.
The downtown location has that real NYC vibe being narrow and with the newspapers along the walls, plus they have some great deals before closing time. — B
Wallery’s Premium Pizza
1555 Edgewater St. NW
503-362-6858, waleryspizza.com
This is another pizza parlor that brings waves of nostalgia with its pies. If you are a West Salem resident, this is probably your place, but we know a few happily brave the bridge for Wallery’s, especially with that lunch buffet (11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday).
I want a loaded pizza with toppings falling off…. And those jumbo olives. Pepperoni and black olives is just…BAM! — R
Honorable mentions
Looking for delivery? Try Odd Moe’s Pizza. While it got its start in McMinnville, Odd Moe’s Pizza has three Salem locations to serve you: North Lancaster, South Salem and West Salem. Bonus: For those 21 and older, you can get beer delivered with your pizza. Get the lowdown at oddmoes.com
Now Open (was Up & Coming). Fork Forty Food Hall is home to La Lucciola, which was not yet open in our original story, but now it is and this Italian-style pizzeria offers some yummy stuff. Check the menu at https://lalucciolasalem.com/
Did we miss your favorite local pizza joint? Visit our Facebook page to continue the conversation and support Salem businesses.
Bountiful Pies
Double crust fruit pie, crumb topping, cream filling, Bountiful has an extensive menu. Although it’s changed ownership since our original story, Bountiful continues to create amazing pies, plus other baked goods and treats.
Location: in Suite 185 of the 45th Parallel building, 2195 Hyacinth St NE
Info: http://www.bountifulpies.com/
Willamette Valley Pie Company
In 2009, Willamette Valley Pie Company, looking to make direct connections with the local community, opened the doors of its retail store where you can get pie both whole and by the slice (as well as lunch and some other yummy baked goods). Bonus: Pie Happy Hour is 9 to 11 a.m. Monday to Friday.
Location: 2994 82nd Ave NE
Info: 503-362-8857, wvpie.com
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 11 (Feb/Mar 2020)
Ben Mah
