DDDs: Diners & Dives Dining. The Cloverleaf in Tacoma
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Diners & Dives is a dinner series where we eat at Diners or dives that have good food. Let's rate this dive!!
We will meet in the lobby, but they said we will have tables in the back room. Reservation is in my name, if you can't find us, call me Corky 263+224-1705.
The Cloverleaf is a historical pizza place in Tacoma that actually was featured on the Diners and Dives TV show.
The Cloverleaf is a long-standing monument in tradition to Tacoma. The building located at 6430 6th Ave. was originally a warehouse. Pat Nolde and Mike Ball started the Cloverleaf Tavern in 1950. Jack Collimum and Al Moody were owners between then and October 1960 when Larry Turco purchased the business. In 1961, Larry brought in the pizza recipe from a business interest he had in Ponders. Larry did well at the Cloverleaf Tavern, but decided to sell to Lennard Manke January 1, 1971.
Lennard continued a thriving business until his retirement. He sold the business to Debbie Manke on January 1, 2004 who changed the name to The Cloverleaf.
At one time, Cloverleaf pizza was distributed from the Cloverleaf Tavern in Bremerton, the Hy-lu-hee-hee in Gig Harbor, The Strap in Spanaway, The Little Leaf in Lakewood, and Lennard K's Bar and Grill in Allyn. Lennard sold his interests in all these businesses, along with the recipe, except Lennard K's Bar and Grill. Some still claim the famous pizza as part of their menu.