Ken's Artisan Pizza

09/19/09

Could be almost perfect, but...

by ACJ

The food here is generally really nice, and worth queuing for. However, living nearby, I often notice the staff outside the restaurant smoking and it is very off-putting - makes me think, do I really want to be served food by people who have just been putting cigarettes in and out of their mouths? It isn't a good advert for a food place!

• Pros: Pizzas are usually very delicious
• Cons: Some of the staff are not respectful of customers

08/31/09

More to great pizza than a wood fired oven

by nookk

There's more to great pizza than just having a wood fired oven.

I love a good thin crust pizza, and expect some char to present on a good pie. But this place is putting out enough carbon on the crust that they could be used at the Mt Tabor crits as wheels.

Something is wrong when the crust is burnt and the cheese isn't melted.

They also need tone down the sauce on the calamari, it overpowers the subtle flavors. Actually just don't serve any calamari with the dish because the flavor is lost, the sauce and crostini alone would be fine.

It is a shame to see such great ingredients so poorly handled.

• Pros: Great Crust
• Cons: Too bad it's incinerated

01/11/09

Tasty pizza amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy restaurant. mmmmm.

by caitlynpdx44

After reading the last few reviews on here, I feel I must defend one of my favorite restaurants in Portland.

I noticed that all of the reviews that complained about a 'snobby' staff came off rather snobby themselves and in turn, probably just couldn't handle someone handing them the attitude they were no doubt dishing out.

Ken's Artisan Pizza is a great place to eat. It is very busy at any given time, in fact, I have never been there when there wasn't a wait. Even right at 5pm when the doors open.

I have never had a problem with the staff. Ever. Even during the holidays. They are sometimes quick at the table and short in conversation, but nothing short of efficient and polite.

Their pizza is delicious. Thin, chewy crust, amazing sauce and light toppings. It's not your average pizza.

I would argue, incomparable to other pizzas... so stop trying.

In conclusion: If you want pizza unlike anywhere else, simple and satisfying go to Ken's. Expect a wait, a joyfully busy place and to quite possibly be seated next to someone you don't know.

It's a fun place.

• Pros: Chewy, simple, delicious pizza. Accommodating staff. Caesar to die for. yay.
• Cons: Parking can be hard. Wait seems long when you're hungry for Kens!!!

01/02/09

Treated like s#%!

by SeanCoyle

The pizza is good, but don't expect to be treated like a human. If I want to look up a hostesses upturned nose and looked down on like the proletariat I am, I can go to a REALLY nice restaurant in New York, where at least I'll expect it.

• Pros: Pizza is good
• Cons: Snobbish

12/26/08

Great Pizza, but not so customer friendly lately

by jazzmine31

We live in the neighborhood and have always enjoyed Ken's Pizza. Since it is so popular (and for good reason) a wait is expected even during the week. But, the last few times we have gone the person taking the names has been less than friendly. We tried going during the holiday season and they were packed. We expected that, but what we didn't expect was to be brushed off and given attitude when we were trying to get questions answered. This won't stop us from going, but I hope they realize that being friendly to the people waiting or asking questions is just as important as taking care of those already seated.

• Pros: Great food
• Cons:  sometimes attitude comes across when they are busy- which they are most of the time

12/19/08

keep on walking

by whozur

been the world over, read many of the reviews. those who do comparisons to italy still don't know good pizza.

all the italian chefs who were worth there salt opened restaurants in germany. John's pizza in Ny is just ok

I guess when your cold and tired and hungary most pizza is palatable. Chicago pizza is ok if you like crust and more crust. Actually the best Ive had in the US was Luigi's in South Bend IN. However Im getting away from Ken's.

Now Ken's has a wonderful bakery but his pizza is lacking. Those who claim the BURNT crust is

carmelizing haven't a clue what carmelizing is. The pizza IS BURNT. I guess those who liked this

kind of pizza are those who made poptarts a success. Poptarts is what I'd closest compare there

pizza to; a burnt poptart w/o the sugar topping. And speaking of topping... lack of any sauce or cheese ? what's the deal?? I think those who love this place are very lucky individuals who can eat ANYTHING

and find it delicious. As for me I have to agree with who ever said Portland is not known for it's pizza.

As for their competitor I read that owner's comments here,with there attitude I wouldn't go there if they

were giving pizza away. How can any business survive with a chip on their shoulder as big as a cinder block?

12/03/08

not worth the cash

by untoherselfalone

amazing delicious, but pricey for what you get. Don't go hungry if you aren't looking to drop major bucks. I agree that the waiter could have been much more pleasant, but he wasn't outright rude to us either. Glad I went once, but I would only go again if I wasn't picking up the bill.

• Pros: delicious
• Cons: kinda lame and expensive

11/30/08

If you enjoy customer service while dining, don't go here

by Mackay

I am surprised that this restaurant has lasted so long when the waitstaff treat customers as annoying guests that must be given their pizza and scurried out of the restaurant. Family and business collegues have all been treated disrespectfully on various occasions to which we have come to the conlcusion - this pizza just isn't worth putting up with poorly trained and self righteous staff. To me, dining out should be about both the meal and dining experience. Unless you want to be hassled and rushed out so they can make a buck on the next customer, don't bother. It doesn't even help if you buy a $70 bottle of wine. Try Nostrana or Appiza Scholls for wood fired pizza. This place has waitstaff as smart as "Joe the Plumber." I pass.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Waitstaff and Hostess

11/03/08

Great New York Style in Portland!

by CaptainPotato

Was in town for a meeting and wanted good pizza. New York thin style seems to be the popular wave. I was staying at the airport, and did not want to go way over to Escape from NY, and read too much negative (long waits, poor service, running out of dough), about another popular SE pizza place. Well Ken did not disappoint! Hidden in the neighborhood off SE Burnside, it's a small casual place. We got there about 6:15 on a Tuesday , and it was already full, except the bar, and that did just fine. Though very busy service was good. We had green salad and the prosciutto pizza. The pizza is thin, light , crisp and flavorful. Don't expect it smothered in pizza sauce and cheese, unless you request? With a great microbrew it was a nice light meal. We left before 7:30 and the line was heading out the door, so go early.

• Pros: Great pizza
• Cons: a little crowded

10/26/08

Best pizza in Portland. Period.

by theworldaccordingtoCHRIS

Ken's is my favorite pizza restaurant on the west coast, maybe even anywhere. Ken prepares the pizza in a wood-fired oven, cooked directly on the stone. The crust is thin and crispy with a smoky flavor. The ingredients are fresh and high quality, the appetizers are nothing short of fantastic, and their seasonal desserts are always a must have. For fall, they have an amazing pumpkin custard with ginger snaps. The custard has a unique texture, like nothing I've ever had before, and it might be one of the best desserts I've tasted in recent years. The pizzas are simple and unique, made to bring out the flavor of each individual ingredient., not your typical American pizza slathered with sauce and covered with toppings from a bag. If that's what you're looking for, go to a chain restaurant. If you want something fresh and flavorful, go to Ken's. There's a reason the line is long, and it's not because it's a buzz restaurant, it's because it's just that good. Try the spicy soppresata pizza with arugula, and sprinkle a bit of the coarse salt and red pepper on it... my favorite!

For a similar (but not superior) pizza in Seattle, try Via Tribunali.

• Pros: Pizza. =)
• Cons: Long wait at times... get there early! Not open on Sunday or Monday.