Pizzicato is a pretty successful chain of non-hokey pizza parlors that run down the length of I-5 from Vancouver to San Diego, but it all started right here in Portland in 1989.

What can we say? Pizzicato’s not bad for chain pizza. The dough is made daily and baked to a nice, thin crust. It holds up to reheating. Good ingredients are used, like heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella; the fennel sausage is high quality. Of course, the range of ingredients is all over the gourmet spectrum: lamb sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and even (shudder) tzatziki. There’s the forgettable “Thai” pizza, with sweet peanut sauce and chicken or shrimp. But stick to the basics for best results. A margherita doesn’t use great mozzarella, but nor does it heap on the tomato sauce (it comes with fresh tomatoes; you have to ask for sauce, but it’s better this way).

Salads and panini are also reasonably good for a chain, although quite pricey. A Caprese is totally crazy, though, with balsamic vinegar and sun-dried tomatoes and other totally unnecessary ingredients you don’t normally see. And to pay this much money for roasted garlic cloves and a bit of Gorgonzola is even crazier.

Forget about wine here—it’s a lost cause; a few local beers in bottle are better with this pizza anyway, and there are often a couple of craft beers on tap. Thomas Kemper sodas, like vanilla cream, are also ideal pizza partners.

Although the insides of the Pizzicatos certainly feel like a slightly nicer version of a massive chain restaurant—catalog-style furnishings, unflattering light—there’s sometimes a pleasant array of outdoor seating. And some even deliver, which is better. In fact, of all your delivered-pizza options, this might be your best.

I agree with your review. I'd also add that depending on the specific location the service goes from friendly if distracted to indifferent to downright hostile. There is very little consistency from one outlet to the other. I'd like to see you review Hot Lips Pizza which did not make it into your book. Thanks for doing a stellar job - your guide is the finest, in a crowded market. I've been reading it like a good novel.

Ken - 2009-12-25 12:52

I dont agree with your comments. I go to the Vancouver one by my house and the PSU location by my work and they are both really good and really nice. The prices are similar to most other similar type restaurants. The thai and margerita pizzas are my favorites. Funny how people have different tastes.

Joyce - 2010-06-05 21:30

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