Our History

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.

Our pizza earns its fame from its unique thin crust. Day old shells make the best pie. The pies are hand squashed daily and dressed with a flavorful red sauce. Pizzas are generously topped with an array of meats and veggies of your choice, which are not pre-cooked. You can build your own or trust us with one of our famous specialty pizzas. Actual cooking time ranges from 25 to 45 minutes depending on the size of the pizza and the number of toppings. It is definitely worth the wait.

Cloverleaf pizza is the perfect dish for that special occasion. You can always count on a memorable event when Cloverleaf pizza is at the center of the table.