PDX Pizza Week 2023 - Day 3

Day 3 of Pizza Week ended up being a quick grab n go from Fino's, an Italian place in the Kenton neighborhood in North Portland.

It's worth noting for me that with my move late last summer to the city of Vancouver, in the state of Washington (a whole 8 miles away from my prior place, in the Central Eastside neighborhood in Portland), I'm finding pizza week a little more difficult to make happen every day.  

Today was a struggle -- I picked this place to do during lunch because I had an online class going 6:30 - 8:30pm, and I did think it was going to be a quick midday trip over and back (only 4 miles one way).

Unfortunately when I went to leave late into the lunch hour, after my first stop a few blocks away to get some gasoline, I found upon entering the freeway to head across the bridge over to Portland that traffic was at a standstill leading up to the bridge.  Not sure what was going on, or how long it was going to take to clear up, but knowing I had a 2pm meeting I didn't want to get caught up in the delays so I immediately took the next exit back off the freeway and headed back to my place, for leftovers lunch at home.

So, fast forward to little after 5pm, and I decided I was going to give Fino's another go to try for dinner.  This time, it was a success so far as getting onto freeway this time with no traffic and easy bridge crossing over to Portland.  However, I was kicking myself as soon as I saw the line of gridlock traffic come FROM Portland over into Vancouver.  Damn.  So much for my quick slice pickup and return to my place.

I went ahead and got to Fino's and found street parking after looping the block once.  I'd never stopped anywhere in the Kenton neighborhood there before so it was good to see there were a few different food places and stores of interest right there.

Upon entering Fino's I found I was able to order my slices at the counter immediately across from the door.  They're a full service restaurant too but they do casual pizza slices and to-go orders right there in the front apparently.

I ordered the Pizza Week slice and a pepperoni slice, and I waited maybe 4 minutes total before I was out the door with my reheated slices.

I headed home and ... it took longer than I would have liked. I didn't get parked at my place until after 6 and pressure was on to consume slices and get situated for my 2 hour online class starting @ 6:30.  

A picture of les slices:

The two slices together ended up being satisfying as my entire dinner.

Per Pizza Week, their special slice was:

What It's Called: 100 x 35

What's On It: Creole-style sauce (aka salsa criolla), mozzarella, ripe plantains, and spicy cilantro chimichurri

What They Say About It: Bringing you a slice all the way from the island! Our chef, Neishma Balaguer Sagarida, is a Puerto Rican native and wanted to feature the 100 x 35 (measurements of Puerto Rico) on a pizza. You’ll easily be transported to sunshine, sandy beaches, and warm waters after just one bite. Travel north to indulge in our NY-style pizzas, house made pasta, and seasonal cocktails. We can’t wait to see you!

My assessment -- 'twas tasty!  The salsa criolla was tomato-based sauce and ate with some sweetness.  The plantains were soft and has the sweetness they get when cooked, and the chimichurri was a nice hit
of freshness.  My pep slice was solid, although I do (surprisingly) think I preferred my Atlas pizza pepperoni slice from Monday if I were to compare between the two.  I surprise myself.

I'm definitely going to plan to check out Fino for some Italian cuisine.  Just not during rush hour traffic, or when I'm pressed for time cross to/from Vancouver.  Ha.