Pizza in Portland, Connecticut

For a small town, Portland, Connecticut has some great pizza places. While I do not live there, I have family who does and I'm well acquainted with its pizza restaurants. Or its 'pizza joints', which might be the more appropriate way to refer to them.

While Portland's pizza restaurants do not put the town in the same class as New Haven for great pizza, it has three in particular that stand out. Its approximately 8,000 residents could probably name the best three Portland pizza restaurants off the top of their heads.

In recent years, Portland has become ever so slightly more of a destination for people from other neighboring towns. For one thing, Portland boasts three great golf courses that cater to Portland natives and visitors alike. Also, in recent years, a water park has opened in the famous Portland brownstone quarry and many visitors will go for pizza after their water adventures.

The following are the three best pizza places in Portland, Connecticut.

Athen's Pizza
279 Main Street
Portland, Connecticut

Located in the same physical location that an old Portland, Connecticut bakery used to be, in the heart of downtown Portland, Athen's Pizza has developed a large following through the years and is now a well established Portland, Connecticut favorite.

Founded by a member of a long time Portland family, Athen's combines local charm with great tasting pizza, subs and pasta dishes. The pizzas here come in two basic styles: basic New York style and gourmet. All of the standards toppings are available and the prices are as reasonable for this pizza as everything else in Portland, Connecticut is.

There is limited seating available, although most of the traffic here is takeout as it is a convenient stop on the way home from work or after a local ballgame.

Tommy's Pizza Palace
152 Marlborough Street
Portland, Connecticut

Not to be confused with the Tommy's Restaurant in nearby Middletown, Connecticut, the Tommy's Pizza in Portland has been around for over forty years. The current owner bought the place in the late 1980's, taking over from the original Tommy who moved his business to Middletown to open the aforementioned restaurant.

The prices here might take you aback for a second or two, understand that a large pizza here goes a lot further than you would otherwise think. While not exactly deep dish, Tommy's Pizza offers a thick crust with a whole lot of cheese and hearty toppings.

There are other options on the menu here, to be sure, but the pizza is clearly the highlight. As an added plus, Tommy's delivers, which makes it one of a kind in Portland, Connecticut.

Portland Restaurant
188 Main Street
Portland, Connecticut

Portland Restaurant is a personal favorite. This is a place that time forgot, and that extends to the video games inside, the Eagles on the jukebox, the prices on the menu and the overall decor. It's charming as heck and the food is terrific.

I do not know what they do to the subs here, but they have something special, with fresh ingredients and somehow it is always toasted just right. The pizza is the main thing though and the crust is just thick enough and the homemade sauce has been tantalizing Portland residents for generations.

There is a lively bar crowd here and Friday nights features bands and a party like atmosphere. During the day, area workers stop in for lunch and it's a popular post softball spot for those looking to stop in and watch a ballgame and enjoy a beer.

So if you live in Portland, Connecticut, or are there to play one of its great golf courses or swim in its quarry, these are three excellent options for great tasting pizza reasonable prices and friendly service.