I decided to go to Slice Downtown because, as a grad student, I’m typically up late reading, writing, and grading papers. Finding a place that was open downtown past 9 p.m. was a challenge. When I discovered Slice Downtown, the fact that it was open until midnight immediately won me over. I checked the reviews, which were mainly good, and decided I’d be having pizza tonight!
I went to the Willamette St. location but was told during my time there that they have another location in the Whitaker area. When I arrived there, it gave me a college bar vibe. For starters, there was no one in line for the pizza, but about a dozen people were waiting to be served drinks. Also adding to the Eugene college vibe were the arcade games to play.
After quickly taking in the place, I looked at the display case of pizzas staring in front of me. They had all the classics: Margherita, Pepperoni, and Cheese, and some originals as well. The Fungus Amongus featured spinach, mushrooms, feta, and Parmesan on garlic and olive oil. Another was a Tofu BBQ pizza, which consisted of tofu marinated in BBQ sauce, caramelized onions, and parmesan on garlic and olive oil. I decided to get one slice of pepperoni and one slice of cheese.
Everything was delicious! The dough was fresh, and it tasted homemade; the tomato sauce was flavorful and tasted as if it was just squeezed from a ripe tomato, as opposed to store-bought canned tomato paste; the pepperoni cups were plentiful on my slice and tasted very nice and crispy; and there was a lot of warm and gooey cheese. And the food was reasonably priced. It was $5 a slice for the pepperoni, or the Pep In Your Step, as they call it, and the cheese was just $4. Granted, I’m a little on the small side at 5’1”, but these two slices filled me up, and I hadn’t eaten all day. These are big New York slices, and they definitely make the price point even more impressive for how much pizza you get.
So, if you live in town – or are just passing on through – give Slice Downtown on Willamette a try if you’re in the mood for a fresh take on some classics or want to try something new. From arcade games to beer and super deliciously sweet martinis, you’ll leave with a smile and a full belly!
