Portland, OR

Since I have moved to Portland, I have been struggling to find good delivery options for my lazy nights. Living in a college town and then a large city like Chicago, I have to admit that I have become rather spoiled. I know delivery exists in this town, but my luck so far has been spotty at best.

Which brings me to today’s topic. It’s more of a rave today, and Rudy’s Gourmet Pizza is my new favorite pizza place. I “dined in” the first time I went there, and if you go you have to look at the wall on your left as you go back toward the washrooms. It is an AWESOME pencil sketch of Michael Jackson. And there is a Ms. Pac-Man arcade game, the one you sit down at across from your opponent. The joysticks are a little slow to respond, but hey, it’s the novelty. I made it through four levels before I started getting annoyed. These new fangled video games we got now-a-days (I HEART MY XBOX 360!!) have absolutely ruined me for the slow, antiquated machines of my childhood, and yet still, I continue to plunk my quarters in them.

Rudy’s is at SE 47th and Powell, on the south side of the street. It has a small parking lot as well.

Dining in was nothing special atmosphere-wise, kinda like that pizza place all the stoners worked at in high school, but the service was quite good. Granted, we were the only two people there when we arrived, but as there are maybe twenty-five seats in the place, I don’t see service being a problem even when they are busy. The server was the cutest young girl, who had to get “Grandma” to serve the beer my boyfriend ordered. The beer selection is small, but well-chosen for the most part.

Side Note: How great is it living in Portland if you like good beer? Even small places strive to have only good beer to sell.

Last night, I tried Rudy’s for delivery, and what a pleasant experience. Not only was the guy who answered the phone polite and nice, helpful even, the pizza beat his thirty-five minute quote but a good fifteen minutes. That’s right, I got my pizza in twenty minutes. That is unheard of.

I am not entirely sure what the delivery zone is, but I am so happy that I live in it.

Here’s some specifics. The crust is thin and crispy, quite tasty, and the toppings are generous. The toppings are the usual quasi-gourmet style, with things like chicken and salami, polish hot dogs and meatballs, to veggies like artichoke hearts and portabello. My only beefs with the ‘za is that there are not cheese choices for the create-your-own’s. And the sauce is a bit on the sweeter side. That is not a problem, per se, I am just stating my opinion. There are also other menu items, of course, but I have yet to order anything besides pizza and Dr. Pepper. But the cute little girl that waited on me did offer Elephant Ears. Another time, perhaps.

Rudy’s Gourmet Pizza is located at 4716 SE Powell and the phone number is 503-771-8008. Oh, yeah, did I mention that the delivery was free of charge? Tip well! It’s worth it.

Rudy’s Gourmet Pizza, Portland, pizza, delivery, dining, Michael Jackson, Ms. Pac-Man, Chicago, Powell