Serious Pizza at Cape Disappointment State Park, Washington

After a day of hiking through Cape Disappointment State Park, my daughter and I had worked up an appetite. With our bellies grumbling, we were serious about securing lunch.  The answer was to call Serious Pizza, owned by Jim and Chi Chrietzberg. Serious Pizza came highly recommended and with good reasons. We ordered The Jetty pizza upon hearing the list of mouth water toppings; [amazon_textlink asin=’B074TYRVRC’ text=’garlic Parmesan oil’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8a744a29-b1ea-11e7-a3f6-f9b4402c0557′], Mozzarella, Provolone, sliced pears, walnuts, and topped with [amazon_textlink asin=’B005SU7D70′ text=’Gorgonzola’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’960da670-b1ea-11e7-adc4-4f935de3013a’]. I was sold at the mention of pears! But it was Jim’s attention to detail and warm customer service that made this meal a real pleasure.  It is best to call ahead, the wait can be long as Chi makes every pizza by hand, however,  the end product is well worth the wait.

Location: 103 First Avenue North, Ilwaco, [amazon_textlink asin=’1631210866′ text=’Washington’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’a9c541e8-b1ea-11e7-b56c-d581a2f6ad94′]

Menu:  Anybody can dine on pizza at Serious Pizza. They offer a vast array of pizzas and choices from meat lovers to vegetarian, [amazon_textlink asin=’1623152305′ text=’vegan’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b6c69270-b1ea-11e7-8af6-25d5e0048e6e’], and gluten-free. Any way you want it is any way you can have it. There are ten different vegetarian pizzas from plain cheese to the more gourmet mixtures like The Jetty and The Earth Pie, which use garlic oil and Gorgonzola cheese. Vegan friends can choose from a couple of different options depending if they prefer a more classic pizza with tomatoes, mushrooms, and olives or one a bit fancier including toppings of [amazon_textlink asin=’B071HY9CQ8′ text=’roasted garlic’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’c74d6070-b1ea-11e7-81d7-0730b1620fdb’], fresh basil, and capers. They even have Shrimp pizzas on the menu if there is a seafood lover in the group.

But pizza is not all they do. They also serve sandwiches, two of which are vegetarian, clam chowder, steamed clams, and several hearty salads.

Serious Pizza also has an additional location inside Cape Disappointment State Park where you can order a pizza anytime before 4 pm and it will be delivered to the Park store for easy pickup. This is a great option for campers in the park, with delivery practically to your campsite!

Thoughts:  A short, yet curvy drive down the hill and through the park, led us to Ilwaco and the doorstep of Serious Pizza. It was 15 minutes from the time we called and spoke with Jim to order our pie. It was piping hot, just out of the traditional Italian brick, wood-fired, pizza oven and layered with fresh ingredients and gooey cheese.

Welcoming us into the cheery colored dining area was not only the pizza but Jim himself. Greeting us as if we were old friends, he bestowed our pizza pie on the table with a sense of pride. We had good appetites and finished the whole pizza!

The recipes are Chi’s masterpieces and she proves herself to be a fine artist and chef. Each pizza crust is made with [amazon_textlink asin=’B00MYI4TF8′ text=’flour imported from Italy’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’f23606ae-b1ea-11e7-82f7-3b1ff277ce38′], except the gluten-free. It is a thin, crisp crust that does not overpower but compliments the toppings, allowing each of the flavors to be savored. The Jetty pizza had a combination of tart pear with a sweeter, creamier cheese with the nutty flavor of walnuts mixed in. It was a delightful mixture of tastes right down to the last bite.

Towards the end of our meal, Jim wandered over to check on us and wound up sitting and chatting for a spell. He explained that it was Chi who dreamed of having her own kitchen and restaurant and it is she who prepares all the food by hand on the premises.  She is the artist while he is the business mind. And he does it well.  He is sociable and attentive with an easy, warm manner.  Between the exceptional pizzas and dishes, and Jim’s customer service, the reason Serious Pizza is rated five stars is obvious.  It goes to the top of the list when visiting the [amazon_textlink asin=’B00XRUEO1Q’ text=’Long Beach Peninsula’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’0ca043c5-b1eb-11e7-9e36-6fc797f0e836′].  And Jim has future plans, he would like to branch out and open other locations along the coast, perhaps even into Oregon.

There are a variety of places to stay in or near Ilwaco, read reviews here.

Price Range:  Pizzas, meat lovers or vegetarian, start at $8.00 for a small and range up to $27.00 for a large. Appetizers begin at $5.99 and go up to $8.50, with local steamer clams priced at $12.95.  Sandwiches range from $10.50-11.95 and the clam chowder is $5.99.

Disclosure:  The author received a complimentary meal as part of a press trip to the Long Beach Peninsula. This post contains affiliate links. Clicking through for additional information or to make a purchase may result in a small commission being paid. By doing so, you help support this site and its authors, and we thank you.