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Every time I read something about Chuck E. Cheese it's always about some violence that happened there. People have speculated that's because at a kid's party divorced parents both show up and one thing leads to another. Combine that possibility with tons of screaming kids. Wow, you are one brave man.

When you look like I do, it's hard to get a table for one at Chuck-E-Cheese.
-Zach Galifianakis

Actually, Artichoke was great. The crust isn't as thick as it used to be, making the whole ordeal easier to put down. The ingredients are still money in the bank, although I should disclose that it probably tasted even better to me since I had already had a few pints in me.

And yes, this was the same lady that accompanied me at Flatbread. She's still my best friend though, so it's cool.

There is also one in Amesbury MA. My wife and I go there 3 or 4 times a year. They are very consistant and this one has that "hippy vibe" as well.

What a great review. This Flatbread in Portland was one of my favorite pizza destinations when I lived there. I still miss it!

Please pardon my ignorance, but what's the difference between flatbread and pizza?

I am not a fan of pizza (heathen! I know), but 4 months ago I was at a restaurant and my uncle ordered a tomato-basil flatbread as one of three appetizers for dinner. When we got it, I saw that it was not significantly different from the pizza I last had months previous; in particular, the crust. I have to admit that, at first, I was humoring him by eating it but it was rather enjoyable -- tomato slices, whole leaf basil, and a really light sprinkle of cheese.

Btw, my contempt for pizza probably happened because my mother (RIP) adored pizza and we'd order the exact same pizza at a Chicago-style pizza joint, and then Pizza Hut when that other pizza place closed down, EACH and EVERY week for YEARS.

I detest raw onions, bell peppers, cheese, sausage, pepperonis, really buttery bread, and salty foods to begin with. Guess what she loved? Huge deep dish pies full of really salty meat, raw onions, peppers with tons of cheese. My dad eats anything, so never complained, while I just choked that stuff down with water w/o chewing. Let me tell you, the Chicago-style pizza slice took 3 glasses of water because it was piled so high.

One good thing came out of that, my gag reflex isn't bad. :P

Re: American Flatbread.... I'm not sure they are the same company as Flatbread (without the "American"). One of the founders of the latter did work at the former, however, and I think there is some sort of licensing arrangement (similarly, I've seen American Flatbread-brand frozen pizzas out west that were made by another licensee). In any case, speaking of American Flatbread, I highly recommend a trip to their mother ship, the Waitsfield, VT location. Most of the week they make the frozen pizzas there, but on Friday and Saturday nights they put out tables and sell pizzas. It's a Vermont treat, in more ways than one (the rustic locale, the highly leftist screeds on the walls, etc.) And some really good pizza.

The Burlington location has a seriously good brewpub as well.

You are too kind Mr. Kuban...and yes, I lately just realized that it is a chain, and am happy to know I don't have to trek all the way back to Portland to experience the bliss once again.

Damn that picture is making me hungry...