Travel Like a Local
The locals always know the best places to see and things to do! Let our local experts be your guides and get the insider’s scoop so you can travel like a local on your trip to the Yakima Valley!
Meet Your Guide: Matt Uhlman, Yakima’s Favorite Foodie
Local urologist and “hasn’t missed a meal in ever” foodie, Matt Uhlman, grew up in Yakima. Since moving back, his best half and their three little gentlemen have loved finding new eating spots in the area and all over the state. (Did you catch Matt’s #WashingtonBurgerQuest on @theeatenroad) One of their favorite food-loving ways to enjoy the seasons of the Yakima Valley is with friends, a beverage and a pizza. Never short on opinions, here are some of their favorite places to grab a pie in the Valley.
Slices for Every Season
“Summertime in the Valley is legit! There’s no better feeling that watching the kids play, while the long shadows reach for the edges of the hills. Then it’s time to go fall color spotting, in valley vineyards, along the rivers and on local trails. Before you know it, it’s time to get cozy indoors, with snow-covered hills surrounding the valley, before blooms blanket the orchards. Seriously, who can take in such beauty on an empty stomach? Luckily, Yakima has you covered–and there are few better ways to enjoy beautiful evenings than with friends and some boss pizza! So, have you heard of Little Caesars? Just kidding – though crazy bread is dreamy! You need to check out some of the spots in all corners of the valley that will have you coming back for seconds and a pie to go home with.”
Matt’s Top Pizza Picks:
HopTown Wood Fired Pizza – Wapato
Located just east of town, in a building that used to be a local Mercantile store, this is the true home of woodfired pizza in the area. With tons of options and more creativity than a kindergarten art teacher, you can’t go wrong! Like with the American Pie — Did you know that when you combine salami, feta, blueberries and honey, they sing? It’s lifechanging…like, first -born child lifechanging. The menu is ever changing and they love to work Yakima into their offerings. From the hop-inspired pies to the Hey Elote, fire-kissed street corn dip, and beer offerings from everywhere in the area, they’re all about the Valley!
Bron Yr Aur Brewing Co. – Naches
Northwest of town, literally just before your cell phone stops working, is this majestic stop. The pizzas here are BIG and pair perfectly with the beer they brew on site. The pies are a beautiful mix of unique and familiar, and the cheddar tots are as good as the lunch lady used to make! This is one of the best places to sit back, watch that hills and let the kids run feral in that football field-sized yard. If you’re lucky, you may see mountain sheep up on the hills across the way. Sounds awesome doesn’t it?….It is!
Wildfire Pizza – West Valley
This is the sleeper spot in the area for anyone looking for “the place” others have missed. Located in a small convenience store, the giant woodfired oven in the corner produces masterpiece pies. The Colt .45, the .38 special and the Full of Bull are personal favorites, but we’ve straight up never had something we didn’t like here. You pick your drink out of the cooler and pay for it with the pizza, and you can also grab engine oil, a Seahawks hat and fishing line while you wait. And on your way out, say hello to the Pabst-wearing stuffed bear. The place is a Vibe and it’s oh-so-good!
Flame & Brew – Yakima
The newest spot in the area is an up and comer! Another woodfired spot with legit chicken wings and creative pies, with some of our favorite crust – crunchy, a little chewy and just a little fire! Anything with hot honey here is delicious and they don’t skimp on the cheese. Keep an eye out for oven takeovers with local chefs.
JJ’s Birrieria and Antojitos – Yakima
First off, if you haven’t tried birria* – go try it. This is where you should go for it! While there, grab a Pizzadilla – it may be the best thing you eat this year. The pizza-sized quesadilla with slow-roasted meat and enough cheese to thaw the Grinchiest of hearts, is a work of art. It’ll feed a family and you may throw hands over the crispy cheese bits on the edges. And try the birria ramen….and the queso birria tacos….and everything.
Mr. Pizza – Yakima
If you’re looking for a straight-forward, less expensive spot, Mr. Pizza is your stop. When we’re looking for straight cheese or pepperoni pizza this is our go-to. Simple, quick and next to a laundromat, it ain’t fancy, but this local spot is good at what they do!
Once you’re done making the rounds to try the Uhlman family’s favorite pies, check out more pizza stops around the Valley.
*Birria is a mouthwatering Mexican tradition. Savory meat is braised in rich, consomé with chiles and garlic, and usually served in tortillas dipped in the consomé and pan-fried until crispy.
Categorized in: Food and Dining, Travel Like a Local