@RockBottomPDX Pretzel's you make the rockin' world go round...

Last night a few of my friends and I headed to Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery in Portland,  located at 206 SW Morrison, for the Annual Firefighter Bachelor Auction, which helps raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. While I can't say that I bid on a fireman, I am here to say that I discovered pretzels on the menu while at this crazy, but worthwhile event.  They had not 1, but 2 delicious pretzels with garlic-salt that came with the most delicious jalapeno cheese dipping sauce I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. To top it off...these pretzels were GINORMOUS (not sure that is even a word?)

Luckily, I had some friends by my side to help me eat them. I definitely recommend these pretzels and will definitely be going back. I would also say that if you are willing to spend some money for a date with a Portland Firefighter, while also supporting a good cause, look no further than the Firefighter Bachelor Auction in Portland every year. 

@RockBottomPDX gets full twists in my book (the cheese sauce was a nice touch)

Portland (Timbers) Pretzels

Exhibit A

I attended a Timbers game a couple of weekends ago, and let's just say I took one for the team by trying the Portland Timbers Pretzels.

Timbers Game!

I guess without too much surprise these pretzels were what you might expect, concession-stand quality. I thought I was going to pass out with the amount of salt on that poor little pretzel (see Exhibit A). To make matters worse, it was cold, it didn't even get to bask in the heat-lamp long enough! I enjoyed watching the Portland Timbers play, but when it comes to their pretzels, they might need to start thinking local...

No Twists for The Timbers Pretzels

You have a pretzel blog?

Today I wanted to take a moment to capture the reaction people have when I try to spread the word about Portland Pretzels. It goes a little something like this:

Me: (at the right moment/out of the blue in a new setting) "You should follow my pretzel blog"

Them: "Huh? You have a pretzel...blog?" (silence) "Does Portland even have pretzels?"

Me: "Yes, a lot of places actually and I review them"

Them: "weird" (laughter) "what is the website...do you just talk about how much salt it has?"

....Hooked! The next thing I know they are reading my blog and/or trying to follow it. Although I don't expect any other reaction, it never gets old at how predictable (and confused) people's reactions are. Fortunately for me I live in Portland now, so 'weird' is definitely not something that drives people away.

My next post will be a pretzel review, don't you fret!
-Holly 

Buffalo Wild...Pretzels.

Those who know me well (and those who probably just met me) know how much I love wings..especially from Buffalo Wild Wings. So it is probably not surprising how excited I was once I realized they also had pretzels! BWW doesn't just serve you one, but three at a time. Obviously I recognize that they don't intend for one person to eat all of them...so no I didn't eat all three (although it was tempting). The bread was perfect with just the right amount of salt. In terms of dipping sauce, I preferred the cheese to the hot mustard that might as well been wasabi, but then again I am more sensitive to spicy than some. So for those Portlanders who are in need of some pretzels and wings in their life, the SW Morrison BWW location is definitely a must try.

BWW Pretzels get "three twists"

Wetzels Pretzels

Wetzel's Original Pretzel gets "Three Twists" 

Although Wetzel's Pretzels isn't just in Portland, I figured if I eat in Portland it counts, right? I have decided to do some pretzel posts about some "main stream" places dedicated to pretzels - namely, Wetzel's Pretzels and Auntie Anne's, and others as they come (aka while I am at Target, because let's face it Target has everything). First up, Wetzel's Pretzels, although I technically tried my first Wetzel Pretzel at the Bridgeport location, they also have one at Lloyd Center in Portland - and for those U of O fans, there is one located in Eugene, OR too. Greatest things about chains is that you can count on the food to taste the same no matter the location.

For consistency sake, I tried the original pretzel and I must say it was delicious. I think the salt topped it off (as it tends to do) and even though it was a bit buttery/greasy, I wouldn't expect anything else. If you're doing some shopping at Bridgeport or on your way to a movie it is conveniently placed to tempt your taste buds. 

OctoberFeast - Not So "Premier"

OctoberFeast Pretzels get "no twists"

I was visiting my sisters this past weekend in California, so naturally we tried to find the "best" pretzel in Berkeley. For the record, Berkeley might be known for a lot of things, but pretzels aren't one of them. The first option  (and most touted bakery), Gaumenkitzel, was closed on Mondays, so we went with the second option: OctoberFeast Bakery.

While it seemed to be a cute little bakery, claiming to be the "premier Bavarian bakery on the West Coast" with all different types of Bavarian breads, it quickly became a not so exciting experience. The only pretzels they had...were the ones on display. The best she could do was suggest I try the croissant as it tasted "sort of like a pretzel" while she was right in that it had a bit of  a pretzel-like taste, it wasn't the same and the croissant was not great enough to want it again. I am not even sure extra salt and cheese-sauce on the side would make me change my mind on this one.

Deschutes Pretzels, are De-lish.

Deschutes get a "four full twists

Occupying a former auto body shop, Portland's Deschutes Brewery, located in the Pearl District (210 NW 11th), has a lot of appeal - and so do their pretzels. I won't lie, this isn't my first time to Deschutes, as I had the privileged of going here the first time this summer with a friend, but for consistency sake I thought I should go again to ensure I got my pretzel rating right. Their Brewery pretzel is served with a delicious "creamy white cheese and Black Butte Porter stone ground mustard" and although it is a bit pricey (compared to some pretzels at $7.50) the dipping sauce combined with the buttery, salty croissant like pretzel is simply irresistible. Deschutes is not just a Portland pub, as they have locations in several states in the U.S (primarily west coast and mid-west, although sadly not in Oklahoma). So for my family in California and Texas, if you're reading this post - make a date night at Deschutes!