You know what’s funny about pizza in the Pacific Northwest? It’s like watching a bear try to ride a bicycle – something feels a little off. But then there’s Salamone’s Pizza in Tacoma, where something magical happens. It’s that authentic New York-style pizza that makes you want to start arguing with strangers and jaywalk for no reason at all. The kind that folds just right without snapping, where the cheese stretches like it’s auditioning for Cirque du Soleil.

Walking into Salamone’s Pizza is like stepping through a portal that deposits you directly onto the streets of Brooklyn – minus the honking taxis. That mysterious subway smell we all pretend not to notice. This family-owned establishment has successfully brought the authentic flavors of New York pizza across the country to Tacoma, where locals are discovering what East Coasters have been boasting about for generations. With two locations serving up slices that would make even the most skeptical New Yorker nod in approval, Salamone’s isn’t just making pizza – they’re preserving a cultural institution.

From Brooklyn to Tacoma: The Salamone’s Story

The story of Salamone’s Pizza begins in 1970s Brooklyn, where a young future pizza entrepreneur would walk along 86th Street with his mother and brother. These childhood outings always included a quick and inexpensive lunch at local pizzerias, creating memories that would later become the blueprint for Salamone’s.

In Brooklyn, pizza wasn’t just food – it was a neighborhood institution where hardworking shop owners took pride in their product because their family name hung above the door. That same pride is evident today in Tacoma, where the Salamone name represents an uncompromising commitment to authentic New York pizza.

Fast forward several decades, and the Salamone family found themselves settled in the lovely Pacific Northwest. While they embraced their new home in Tacoma, something crucial was missing – that unique New York pizzeria experience that was once as common as a Yankees cap in their old neighborhood.

Rather than resign themselves to a life of pizza nostalgia, they decided to bring a taste of Brooklyn to their adopted hometown. What began as a longing for the flavors of home has evolved into a beloved local establishment where Pacific Northwesterners can savor genuine New York-style pizza without the need for a cross-country flight.

Two Locations Serving Authentic NY-Style Pizza

Salamone’s Pizza has expanded to offer two distinct locations, satisfying Tacoma’s growing appetite for authentic New York pizza. The original spot in the Stadium District (24 North Tacoma Ave) serves as pizza headquarters, where the walls might as well be plastered with subway maps and Yankees memorabilia. It’s where locals come to fold a proper slice and debate whether water chemistry really is the secret to New York pizza dough – a conversation that somehow never gets old, like discussing the weather but with more passionate hand gestures.

For those in the Fircrest area, the aptly named Slice Garden (1039 Regents Blvd) offers another opportunity to experience authentic New York pizza without the cross-town trek. Both locations maintain the essential elements that make a true NY pizzeria: the right ovens, the perfect dough recipe, and that unique New York attitude that somehow makes food taste better.

What’s remarkable about both spots is how they’ve managed to recreate not just the flavor profiles but the entire pizzeria experience – that wonderful combination of casual atmosphere, straightforward service, and the satisfying ritual of blotting excess oil with a napkin before taking that first perfect bite.

Menu Highlights: Beyond the Slice

While the classic New York slice might be the headliner, Salamone’s supporting cast of Italian specialties deserves its own standing ovation. The Sausage Bread – a quarter of a pizza pie artfully wrapped around sweet sausage, onions, and mozzarella – isn’t just a menu item; it’s a family heirloom in food form.

Like finding out your grandma was secretly a rock star, this family recipe delivers unexpected thrills with every bite. The calzones and stromboli provide further evidence that Salamone’s relationship with dough borders on the romantic – each variety stuffed and folded with the kind of attention typically reserved for origami masters.

Salamone’s weekly slice schedule reads like a love letter to New York neighborhoods. Tuesdays and Thursdays feature the Tribeca, their most popular pie, which sells faster than subway tickets during rush hour. Wednesdays belong to the Gramercy Park slice, while Fridays spice things up with the aptly named Hell’s Kitchen.

Saturday brings the Spanish Harlem, available by popular demand – apparently, the people have spoken, and they’re speaking in pizza dialects. For the adventurous, the Chef’s Choice Pizza changes daily, offering both the kitchen staff a creative outlet and customers the chance to experience something new. It’s like pizza roulette, except everyone wins, and the prices are as marked – which is how all good surprises should be.

The Perfect Pairing: Beer Selection

What would a proper New York pizzeria experience be without the right beverage to wash down that perfect slice? Salamone’s doesn’t just nail the pizza. They’ve created a beer program that would make even the most discerning Brooklyn barfly nod with approval. The beer selection features authentic options you might find in a New York pizzeria – those straightforward, unpretentious brews that complement rather than compete with the star of the show. It’s like reuniting with old friends who pick up right where they left off, no matter how much time has passed.

But Salamone’s Pizza doesn’t stop at East Coast authenticity – they’ve embraced their Pacific Northwest home by featuring a rotating selection from local microbreweries. It’s the perfect blend of Brooklyn tradition and Tacoma craft, creating pairings that work better together than separate pizza slices in those white paper bags. This thoughtful approach to beverages elevates the entire dining experience, transforming a quick slice into a proper meal worth lingering over. Like the pizza itself, the beer selection reflects Salamone’s commitment to honoring traditions while building community in their adopted hometown.

In a world where “authentic” gets thrown around more casually than frisbees at a beach party, Salamone’s Pizza stands as the real deal – a genuine piece of Brooklyn transplanted to the Pacific Northwest. If you’re a New York transplant suffering from serious pizza withdrawal or a Tacoma native curious about what all the East Coast pizza fuss is about, Salamone’s delivers an experience that’s worth every calorie. It’s not just about the pizza – though that would be enough – it’s about the entire experience that’s been lovingly recreated on the opposite coast.

So next time you’re craving a slice that doesn’t require a cross-country flight, head to either Salamone’s location in Tacoma. Visit the Stadium District shop at 24 North Tacoma Ave (call ahead at 253-444-2646 if you want) or swing by the Slice Garden in Fircrest at 1039 Regents Blvd (253-565-9367).

Whether you’re enjoying a classic cheese slice or exploring their creative daily specials, you’ll discover why so many locals have made Salamone’s Pizza their go-to spot for pizza that not only satisfies the stomach but also fulfills that more profound craving for authenticity in a world full of imitations. And hey, if you happen to start arguing about sports teams and speaking a little louder after your meal – well, that’s just the New York magic working its way through the dough.

 

 

Sources: salamonespizzeria.com, Salamone’s Pizza Google My Business Page, Salamone’s Pizza Facebook Page
Header Image Source: Salamone’s Pizza Google My Business Page