Ballard Beer Box

Normally, we’d associate the dual presence of blacklights and pepperoni with a fraternity party. Ballard Beer Box is here to change that, and we can’t think of a better place for a last-minute group hang in the neighborhood. 

There’s not much to this mellow spot, other than a few taps, refrigerators where you can grab beer or natural wine, and lest we forget the most important appliance: a pizza oven. That thing fires up glorious pies as plush and crackly as a dog’s favorite toy. There’s a BBQ pizza that’s toned down by bechamel, a gooey olive-oiled margherita, and a plant-based Hawaiian situation that’s so good that we’d gladly fight a vegan for the last slice. But the white Princess Bianca pie rules all, with its garlic bread energy and globs of ricotta that cool it all down. 

photo credit: Nate Watters

We’d be lying if we said that there’s no catch, but there is. Ballard Beer Box’s oven can only bake one pizza at a time, a fact whose impact ranges from “no worries” to “everything’s ruined” depending on your plans. Are you settling in for some Tuesday trivia? No worries. Are you trying to order pies for a group before making a movie? Everything’s ruined. Just leave yourself enough time, and the beer, blasting EDM, and internalized college nostalgia should keep you occupied during the wait.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Nate Watters

Margherita

Purists, this is your order. It has the unstoppable combination of grated and fresh mozzarella, which bubbles and fuses together nicely with crushed tomato, olive oil, and an aggressive (albeit correct) sprinkling of flaky salt.

photo credit: Nate Watters

Pepperoni Godfather

Is everyone doing a pepperoni pizza with hot honey around here? Yes. Is this one special? Also yes.

photo credit: Nate Watters

Princess Bianca

Citizens, bow down to Princess B. She can do no wrong, slathered in bechamel, garlic shavings, and cooling little ricotta dollops. A perfect order for two is a margherita and one of these beauties.

photo credit: Nate Watters

Maui Wowie

Ballard Beer Box’s resident vegan pie is as satisfying as one with pork and mozzarella. As the name suggests, it’s a riff on Hawaiian pizza, and has charred plant-based chorizo, spicy peppers, hefty pineapple chunks, and dairy-free shredded cheese that doesn’t taste like melted glue sticks.

photo credit: Nate Watters

BBBQ

This BBQ pie actually doesn’t have a BBQ sauce base, and it’s genius. Instead, silky bechamel is the first layer, topped with cheese, caramelized onions, and bacon. BBQ sauce is a finishing drizzle—which bumps up the sweetness but doesn’t feel like you’re wallowing in a pit of Sweet Baby Ray’s.

photo credit: Nate Watters

Grand Masala

No need to name names, but there’s some pretty awful tikka masala pizza in this town. Ballard Beer Box is the exception, with squeaky toasted paneer cubes, a sinus-clearing curry, cherry peppers, and those excellent caramelized onions. A great pick.