The pizzeria Pan Con Queso operates in southeast Portland's Creston-Kenilworth neighborhood. It serves "naturally leavened modernist" personal size pizzas, inspired by the owners' "combined Mexican and Pacific Islander heritage".[3][4] The business uses ingredients like aioli with chipotle, as well as corn, cotija cheese,[5]chorizo, and pickled jalapeño.[4] The Mr. MacArthur pizza, named after one of the owner's grandfather, has onion, pineapple, and Spam.[6] Another pizza is called the Kevin McCallister, inspired by the character in the 1990 film Home Alone. Pan Con Queso's menu has also included a salad with arugula and watermelon,[4] another with chamoy vinaigrette, a canned fish plate, and desserts such as amaretto flan[7] and Mexican-spiced cookies with chili powder.[8]
History
Pan Con Queso started as a pop-up restaurant within the brewery Living Häus.[5][9] Pan Con Queso is operated by Henry Martinez, who previously worked at Dimo's Apizza and Scottie's Pizza Parlor, and Makeila Magno. The first pop-up was held in April 2023, and the owners of Living Häus invited Pan Con Queso to use the kitchen full-time in June.[3]
Pan Con Queso has used an electric PizzaMaster oven.[10] In 2024, owner announced plans to open a brick and mortar restaurant in the 300-square-foot space previously occupied by The Electric Pizza Company, in southeast Portland's Creston-Kenilworth neighborhood.[11] The restaurant opened on June 1, 2024.[12]
Reception
The Oregonian included Pan Con Queso in a list of Portland's five best new pizzerias of 2023.[13] The newspaper's Michael Russell also called the business a "standout newcomer".[14]
