The loveable, laid-back atmosphere at Mississippi Pizza Pub goes a long way toward obscuring any shortcomings—perhaps unsurprising, given how great the ambience tends to be at most Mississippi-area eateries. There’s a comfortable dining room that invites lingering. Live music plays nearly every night, and the bands are some of Portland’s more reputable. This isn’t the ideal venue in which to see them, but we’re not complaining. But perhaps coolest of all, you can sign up for weekly spelling bees, which are a total must-see (or do) for any Portlander or visitor. There’s one for adults and one for kiddos, and these aren’t wussy bees, either. One winning word was “oophagous” (egg-eating).

If the cute pea-green building and its straw awnings, hippie-ish stained glass sign, and alluring sounds of revelry don’t draw you in, the aromas will. Curiously, few pizzerias in Portland smell like they should; this one is filled with the warm, sweet, and yeasty notes of baking flour and melting cheese.

Perhaps most significantly, there are gluten-free and vegan pizzas available, as well as regular pizzas. The crusts aren’t super-thin and charred, but the taste is enjoyable enough—or is it just the happy vibes we’re tasting? Ingredients are of the standard variety, with the most “gourmet” choices falling along the lines of sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts.

Within the pizzeria is the Atlantis Lounge, a totally maritime-kitschy-adorable place to drink some sweet, tropical elixirs, although savories are done pretty well here, too. An “Argonaut” has the makings of a good Bourbon cocktail, but ask them to go easy on the soda, which can water it down too much. There are 12 taps of good beer, many local microbrews (and the ironic-hip PBR), and a couple are even gluten free.

While we wouldn’t suggest a trip here for the regular pizza, those with gluten intolerances will be well served. And if you live in the neighborhood, this is a great hangout. Brush up on your vocab and try out for a T-shirt that’s proud but not at all braggy—kind of like Mississippi Pizza Pub.