Spotted: Sasquatch Pretzels in SW Portland

While I haven't spotted Bigfoot in Portland...yet, after my recent visit to Sasquatch, I may have just discovered my new favorite pretzel. A family-owned brew-pub located off SW Capitol Highway  has created a delicious, home-made, slightly salted pretzel, drizzled in honey and served with their very own house mustard. While not a huge fan of mustard, I was pleased with the way the mustard dipping sauce complimented the sweet and salty taste of the honey-covered pretzel, and to top it off the soft buttery consistency of the dough just made it that much more delicious.


I was also thoroughly impressed with their grass-fed burger and gluten-free french fries. Their mission to support local sustainable farmers just makes their menu even better, and o so very Portland. It also makes me feel somewhat better about eating a pretzel and a burger...

To top off the experience, our waitress, Emily, and waiter, Alex, were hospitable, friendly, and made our evening that much more enjoyable. For a place that prides themselves on providing a great environment for family and friends to get together and enjoy delicious food and beer, my friends and I can attest that they live up to their promises.

Rest assured I will be going back, and might just have to partake in another pretzel...

Sasquatch Pretzel gets 4 full twists!

Not so Lucky Labrador afterall...

My family was visiting Portland for Memorial Day weekend, and what better way to celebrate this holiday than with a pretzel? While we were shopping on Hawthorne, my sisters and dad and I decided to check out the closest place with a pretzel on their menu. Low and behold we stumbled upon Lucky Labrador Brewing Company. Given we were all hungry, a pretzel sounded like the perfect thing to hold us over until dinner.

Little did we know by pretzel, they actually meant a snack size bowl of hard pretzels...the kind you get out of a bag at a grocery store. FAIL. I am pretty sure for $1.50 I could get a giant size bag of Rold Gold tiny twists, which might even be tastier. 

To top it off, the waiters were slow, unhappy, and to be honest rude. I find myself to be a pretty upbeat person, but as my friend would say these people were "fun sponges" and it definitely confirmed that I will not be going back anytime soon. I suppose if you want a nice, open environment and aren't in any sort of hurry, feel free to check it out, but I can identify at least 12 other places that have better service, food, and most importantly soft Bavarian style pretzels to go with your beer of choice.

Lucky Labrador didn't even come close to a pretzel...fail.

Salt: A pretzels best friend?

Given that salt is sometimes the maker or breaker of how I characterize a good pretzel from a not-so-tasty pretzel, I wanted to share a little article I found from Leanne Ely from SavingDinner.com.

A few weeks ago she wrote an article about how our bodies NEED salt, and that sea-salt is better for you (compared to table salt) as it has less chemicals and is simply fresher. I guess the good news is I don't often see many pretzels topped with table salt. If you are curious how you will get your 500mg of salt a day, perhaps try dipping into one of the many restaurants I have reviewed in Portland for a sea-salted pretzel and add a dash of salt to your day, without the guilt!

Otto & Anitas Schnitzel House

Given my slight obsession with pretzels, it might be surprising (even to me) that at the same time that I began this blog, I also began preparing myself to run the Portland Rock N' Roll Half Marathon. This will be my first half marathon, and while it has been tough sometimes to stay motivated, I have found it a lot easier to indulge in Portland's finest pretzels after a good run. After running a few miles with my friend the other week, we decided to pop into Otto & Anita's in Multnomah Village to try out one of their pretzels.

This little Bavarian restaurant had a delicious pretzel, with both butter (recommend) and spicy-mustard (spicy, naturally) and just the perfect pinch of salt. While I went there specifically in search for a pretzel, one of the waiters informed me that most people seek them out for their famous Dill-Pickle Soup recipe. So if you're in need of a little Bavarian pick-me-up, treat yourself to a nice cup of soup with a side of pretzel at Otto & Anita's.


As for me, let's just hope my exercising mentality continues even after I complete the half marathon, because my pretzel-eating mentality won't be going away anytime soon...