Pizzicato Gourmet Pizza PSU

 

3

10

David J.

Portland, OR

I stopped by Pizzicato last night for an early dinner.  They are open until 8:00 pm but I got there about 6:30 - 7:00 pm.

After reading other reviews on Yelp, I decided I had to try a small salad as well as a slice of pizza.

I ordered the Chinese Chop Salad (small) and a slice that had meatball, sausage, onion, etc.  I also got a pint of draft (draught) beer.  It was Pyramid Snowcap, a little darker than I like but tasty.

Since it is close to Portland State University, the clientele is more collegiate but there were a couple of families with children dining.  The decor feels more like a cafe than a pizzeria.

The salad was really good.  It was like coleslaw but with a sesame Asian twist.  One can get chicken or other protein on top of the salad but it costs extra.  

The pizza was good.  It is your typical east coast style thin crust and even the crust was tasty.

It's a good value.  I expect it is very busy during the lunch hour.  I may visit again next week and try out a different salad / slice / beer.

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1

5

kat k.

Portland, OR

Everyone that works here at the PSU location seems so stressed out! I feel bad for them! It also makes it unpleasant to stay there to eat, I recommend take-out. They make amazing salads and pizza. I'm sure everything is great. And they take great care with everything. I ask for no onions in my salad, and they never forget these kinds of details.
Still, I don't come here very often since they seem stressed and aren't friendly. I was waiting for my salad one day and the guy next to me was waiting for a slice of pizza. He'd misread the signs (which are kind of confusing), and asked for a type of bread instead of pizza apparently. When he expressed confusion, they explained it to him, but made him feel bad about it and had him pay the extra for the pizza. He looked embarrassed. I understand having him pay the difference, since it cost more, but it could have been handled in a less awkward way.
So, if you're looking for great food, this is the place. If you're looking for a place to hang out with your great food, I'd go elsewhere (Hot Lips is better for this, as far as pizza places around PSU).

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0

62

Justin N.

Portland, OR

The pizza is good no lie, but I don't know that it is any more gourmet than anything else. Hot Lips will continue to be my first choice when in this neighborhood but I would certainly go here if someone else wanted to (and you can also seem to get in and out a little faster than with hot lips for whatever reason).

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Elite '08

46

76

Melinda B.

Portland, OR

Meh.  The pizza here is decent enough, but nothing I'd get hyped about going out for.  The crust is great, but the slices are oftentimes too sloppy and the pepperoni is -really- greasy.

I only come here for two things: the salads (a lovely garlicky Caesar or the pear-walnut) and the occasional fancy-schmancy tuna salad sandwich.  I do want to update this review to add that the service here has MUCH improved over the last few months!  The people at the counter have generally been very friendly and warm on most visits.

The line stretches out the door sometimes at lunch, so if you are on a time crunch, I recommend going elsewhere at noon.

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7

78

Shawn S.

Portland, OR

Call me different, I head to Pizzicato for their Salads...

A few tips.  Try the Chinese Chop or the Caesar Salads.  Both are excellent and are a great alternative to a slice of pizza.  The lunch rush is busy and finding a table can be a serious battle.  Come early if you want to sit down.

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Elite '08

115

231

Kyle F.

Beaverton, OR

Pizzacato uses very good ingredients to make their tasty and often wild creations. You will see toppings here that you haven't seen at another pizza joint before, which entices you to try them. I really like the carne asada pizza they sometimes offer here. One of the top 10 pizza places in Portland.

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6

64

Jennifer D.

Livermore, CA

I hauled my weary butt into Pizzacato almost immedately after arriving in Portland, not knowing what to expect.  All I knew was that it was near the streetcar stop and I was hungry.  Well, Pizzacato, I bow to you.  Friendly and attentive staff, prompt service, nice selection and the most perfect crust I have ever had on a pizza, crispy yet chewy... I dont know how they do it, I dont care to be honest, all I know it that it was good...dayum good.

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27

512

Kelly M.

Portland, OR

While Pizza Schmizza is the local chain decked out in bright colors and well stocked with pinball and arcade games, Pizzacatto is our gourmet local chain that takes themselves seriously enough to have an extensive wine list and put artichokes on their pizza.  With several locations around town, Pizzacatto has earned a local reputation for making good, high quality pies.  Although the pizzas are certainly tasty, the salads are what have really won over my heart.  Both the pear and gorgonzola salad and the spinach salad are delicious.

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6

49

Corwin M.

Portland, OR

Look, if you go to Portland State and are hungry, yet only have less than an hour to get to your next class, your options are limited: Basha's cart by Smith Hall (SMSU for you sticklers), the Chipotle on Broadway, the Cheerful on 6th (don't drink too much, though!), or...well, the list goes on and on, actually. But, sadly there is no pizza in that list. Until now. Pizzicato is a chain, but if you want a nice slice of pepperoni or cheese, or what-the-hell ever, this is the place to go.

I mean, if you had a superabundance of time on your hands, you'd be studying or sitting down somewhere to eat, right? Or drinking. I can do all the above at once and still take decent notes and not ask stupid questions in my next class, which is much better than the average sober idiot can manage at my university. You go to PSU and are hungry for pizza, eat here. Simple. Simple enough for the average vapid business major to understand.

Who said college students were intelligent or functional? I'll have his or her head.

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Elite '08

24

85

Bianca P.

San Francisco, CA

Standard slices and a couple of more interesting selections: overall good pizza. Decent beer and even better wine selection, but since I am an uncultured schlub, I simply drink my Widmer and rejoice. What made my meal stand out was the accompanying salad (I too had the pear and gorgonzola salad)! Slice, salad, beer - all for $11. They also stock current and immediate past issues of People and Time to indulge your blatantly inane and  inane-masquerading-as-polished-US-journalism needs.

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2

20

Sasha S.

Portland, OR

Hey it's pizza, they've got the basic flavors: Cheese, Pepperoni. If you're looking for a place with awesome salads- this is it. Although for an on-campus pizza place the salads and other foods can get a bit pricy.

Note: Don't forget to ask for a stamp card- you'll make it worth it if you go there alot.

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0

1

Sarah W.

Portland, OR

OMG i love Pizzicato.......

My friends and i are there alot, and i go almost everyday.  The pizza is delicious, and cheap as well....a slice of cheese is only $2.75!  its really yummy!  Plus there are free refills on drinks...thats always a plus!

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Elite '08

22

418

Brandy S.

Portland, OR

Good selection of meat and vegetarian pizzas that you can get by the slice. They also have salads and bread sticks (and giant cookies). As with most locations near PSU, try to avoid the 12 o'clock rush.

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