Posts tagged Beer

Holy lord.

I haven’t written a word on this thing in more than six months. What started out as a -one entry a day blog idea- has now become a forgotten artifact of a time in which I told myself I would write more.

2nd chances? Do we believe in them?

Well here’s trying one out.

I will not be posting once a day like I said I originally would. It was an admirable idea methinks, but one that was way too ambitious. I barely have time these days to feed myself or get a proper night’s sleep. But I would like to try and regularly post and provide some insights into this funny and rather beautiful place called Portland Oregon.

So on that note. Onto a review!

Pizza A Go Go, 3240 N Williams

So I recently moved into the Boise/Elliot neighborhood and my room mates have become fans of Pizza A Go Go which is only about a 5 minute walk from our house. Convenience is a good thing. And so is pizza. However, not sure if I’m as keen on the local spot as they are.

Here are the things I like about Pizza A Go Go:

- Laid back staff.

This is a nice thing to have at a neighborhood pizza joint. I wouldn’t call them friendly. I wouldn’t call them surly. They know they work in a pizza place, and that you have come in for a relaxed time with some comfort food. The best way to describe them is maybe to call them aimable couch patotoes who had to leave the couch to make some pizza. I like this behind a counter though. I don’t have to stress if you’re going to forget my order, and neither of us needs to (nor really wants to) put too much effort into the interaction. We both know that I’ve come for bread, cheese, and a full stomach I’ll be regretting at about 2am.

- Decent taps rotated in and out.

- Bread sticks.

Ample size. Cheap. Garlic filled. And they can be dipped in this chipotle marinara that is spicy and enticing.

- Fairly  good ingredients and sauce on the pies.

Nothing to write home about, but the toppings taste fresh and have at least a bit of artisianship to them.

Ok here be the cons: 

-Inconsistency.

Sometimes the pizza at Go Go can be just right. Well heated toppings, a nice balance of crispiness and give in the crust. And just the right amount of grease.

This can completely change in one visit though. I’ve also been in a times in which everything about the pie seems stale; charred and tough crust, overcooked toppings, grease dripping off the cheese. Honestly put: the pizza can sometimes just be bad.

-No side salads. Pizza A Go Go doesn’t have an option to just get a little salad on the side of a slice or two. All of their salads are either regular or large sized and range from like $5.50 to $8. Sometimes you just want to pay a few bucks for a little roughage with your pizza but Go Go doesn’t have this option.

Hmm weighing the pros and cons, I’d say if you’re in NE/N I would give Go Go a try. It isn’t anything to go out of your way for. But tis enough to fill a pizza craving if you’ve got one.

The Vertigo Pub, 4260 SE Hawthorne

Ah the Vertigo Pub. The only reason I ever go to you, is usually to meet a cast member or two for a drink after a performance at the Backdoor Theater across the street. You are divey. You are ugly. You are not charming. But you are loved.

The Vertigo Pub is the kind of place that one doesn’t seek out, but just find themselves suddenly drunk at I think. It is the kind of place that doesn’t really have a draw, but maybe a following of less than picky patrons, that frequent it enough to keep it afloat. It is the type of place that people utter a brief “meh” and nod a meager affirmation to, when asked if it will do for a Sunday or Monday night drink. It is the kind of place that will be pondered by many, as to the reasons it is still in business. And for those who know it, it is the kind of place that has a good jukebox, a killer whiskey special (shot of your favorite plus a PBR for $7), and is pleasant enough for picnic table drinking/smoking in the waining summer hours. 

I never seek you out Vertigo. You find me. And when you do. I’m basically ok with it.

Plaid Pantry, various locations

Ok, so I’ve really be into lists lately. Why stop now?

Reasons I love Plaid Pantry, and if you don’t love it yet, why you should:

Fairly obvious but… they sell beer. And they sell it right up until the point that they legally can’t sell it anymore (which is 2:30am boys and girls).

They also have kind of ridiculous deals on beer. On occasion, you’re bound to find a deal that just might blow your skirt up. I remember one week this last summer in which they were selling 12 packs of Full Sail’s Session for $9.33. Needless to say the house full of boys where I was residing, became a house full of little stubby bottles. 

The people. Not only are the cashiers always fairly fun to interact with, they range in personality, race, and musical preference. My favorite clerk works the graveyard shift at the NE 15th and Broadway location . He’s a big tall black man, who loves to blare soul cuts from behind the counter. He doesn’t fuck around though. If you, or anyone in your party, is lacking ID, and trying to buy beer, you are told to swiftly get out. This has happened to me, and it has happened to many a foul smelling customer, trying to buy some Kiwi Maddog 2020. Yep, the people watching is kind of uncanny. 

They are also open in the AM when you are in need of your morning hangover cure. Everyone seems to have their own routiene with this, but my go to has been for awhile now: Ibuprofen, Gatorade, and a bag of potatoe chips.

Need more reasons to love Plaid? Do yourself and just go and wander around in one for twenty minutes. You’ll find something to love I bet.

The Waypost, 3129 North Williams

Dear Someone,

I’m sitting at your favorite coffee spot, sipping on a drink that you’d order. That is to say, I’m not drinking coffee. I ordered a baked good you would probably never order though. It surely isn’t vegan, raw, or gluten free.

I thought that maybe I would come here and not think of you. Pretty impossible though. I walk into this place, and it feels like you’re already here. You should be. You should be sitting at this pink formica table I’m sitting at. You should be drinking this green tea. We should be commenting on the funky, and albeit mostly ugly, artwork on the walls. And I should be making fun of you when you beg for a bite of the carmel and coconut buttery bun thing that you told me looks like it will be awful for me.

You’d still like this place I think. Maybe more so now. They’ve extended the hours until 10pm, which would have suited us on some of those meandering and meaningless Friday nights we shared. Now we’d be able to come here and you’d have tea and I’d have beer and again we’d comment on the funky, and albeit mostly ugly, artwork on the walls.
You’d also be excited about the garden that they are making outside. There is a sign up that simply reads: Winterizing, Espaliering, Compost Bins, Water Harvesting, Kiwi & Grape Arbors, Fig and Seaberries, Frogs?

And what’s more, the strange and quiet man behind the counter, is still strange and quiet, and he still plays pretty sweet music that I’ve never heard before. He got a haircut though. It looks good.
Anyway someone, I think you’d still like this place. I’d venture to say that this place would probably be your favorite. That is to say, if you were still here. In any case, I don’t think there is another place in this town that makes me think about you so much. Which is a shame. Because I like it as well. But I don’t think I can keep coming back here.

Can’t talk long. I’ve been brewing at home. We’re making an IPA and we just bottled it. I think it will taste pretty awesome. At least the couple sips I had while siphoning the beer from the carboy were decent tasting. You never know about these things. I’ll keep yall updated.

Ok, should really run before my room mates fuck something up and we’re left with poisonous beer that we’ll only want to serve to our once high school rivals.

Can you tell I’ve been drinking?

PS - want to know more about homebrew or get the equipment to make your own batch? I suggest you go here…