Checkerboard Pizza

I’m so happy I found this place! Checkerboard Pizza is my new go-to pizza place in Portland. Probably the best I’ve ever had! The service is always friendly and Pine Street Market (where they’re located) is fun to visit. Try calling and ordering ahead of time or use the Caviar app (for both pickup or delivery options) to skip the line if you want a full pizza. Checkerboard’s sauce and dough are the best I’ve had hands down. Always so fresh, thin, light and crispy. Delicious! The Brooklyn is awesome if you like sweet and spicy flavors and the sausage pizza is something special. Pepperoni is great, too. You can’t go wrong with any of their pies!

Picked up two 18" pizzas; a Margherita and pineapple and pepperoni. This was on a Saturday around 2 pm and it was EXTREMELY busy in Pine Street Market. For those who don't know, Pine Street Market is like an elevated food court with high end food offerings and open table seating. We couldn't find seating so my friend and I decided to have a tailgate party in the parking lot (hence the lousy pictures taken in the back of his Subaru). Parking is also dicey around that area, especially on the weekend with Saturday Market. The pizzas cost $22 for the Margherita and $30 for the pineapple and pepperoni for a grand total of $52. They also offer 12" pizzas, pizza by the slice and they also deliver. The Margherita had a very strong basil flavor in sauce and the mozzarella was fresh and delicious. I just wish there was a just a bit more mozzarella sprinkled on the pie. The pepperoni and pineapple was great, but I feel it's kind of steep at $30. The sauce didn't have a strong basil flavor, but it was a sweet tomato sauce that I like. The toppings were plentiful but not overkill. The star that shines for these pies is the crust. A slight chew with a light and crunchy outside. The inside is soft and almost pillowy. It's seriously the best pizza crust I've encountered. Overall, if you're down at the waterfront I'd pick up a slice or if you want leftovers and feel the price won't hurt your wallet, go for an 18". It's the best pizza I've had downtown thus far.

The best pizza in Portland is 100% correct!!! No one comes close to the crust that Ken Forkish and crew create for these unbelievably awesome pies. Definitely recommend hitting it up at happy hour for slices that blow your mind. Only reason for 4 stars in location in Pine St Market. Others will love this kind of place and it will enhance the experience but I’d personally prefer a more traditional pizzeria format.

I had one slice each of Pepperoni and Brooklyn (capricola, pickled jalapeño, and honey). Both slices were great! The pepperoni curled up and cupped the grease...always a nice touch! Very crispy crust, with just the slightest hint of char. My first two slices of Portland pizza were excellent! EDIT: Bonus points for Apple/Google Pay!