New York-style pizza coming to University Place as popular pub changes hands

The owner of one of Tacoma’s favorite pizzerias — and for a few years, the city’s only destination for New York-style pies and slices — has signed a lease to take over Ale House Pub in University Place.

Salamone’s Pizza & Pasta will replace the decades-old sports bar and grill at 2122 Mildrest St. W as of Feb. 1.

Steven Salamone has been pursuing a University Place outpost since opening his first shop in the Stadium District in 2018. Last year, he had zeroed in on a building near Bridgeport Way and 27th Street, but plans for that makeover of a former gym fell through when the change-of-use costs grew too burdensome.

“This is by far the best deal,” said Salamone, himself a University Place resident, in January. “It will be a slow, gradual walk to Salamone’s.”

That means the restaurant won’t close as it transitions to Salamone’s vision of an Italian American restaurant with a full menu of pizza, salad, soup, appetizers, sandwiches and pasta. The pub’s extensive tap system will remain, adding wine and Italian-leaning cocktails.

He described the concept as one that “kind of splits the difference” between a no-frills pizzeria — as in the original Brooklyn-style vibe of the first location — and fancy Italian restaurants.

“This sits in the middle,” he said.

Salamone plans to shape the front entryway into a casual, family-friendly seating area with a pickup counter. The full menu will be available here along with slices. The main dining area will continue to be 21-and-up.

“It’s always sad to see an old friend go,” he said of the Ale House’s tenure. “I know it will be an adjustment.”

CHANGES FOR ALE HOUSE PUB IN UP

The 5,600-square-foot building was constructed in 1979 and has been known as Ale House Pub since at least 1994, according to Peter Glein, who co-owns the property with his father, Gary Glein, and business partner Jon Ecklund. Ecklund has had a stake in it since 2015, but the Gleins came on in late 2019.

While the elder Glein has been involved in Tower Lanes and Paradise Lanes for about a decade, his son has grown into the restaurant industry as the Ale House manager. They “started having doubts” early in the pandemic but were grateful to see business return, he told The News Tribune in January. A combination of personal health issues, family needs and the everyday challenges of running a restaurant right now — from increased food costs to labor struggles — led them on a search for the right person to step in.

“Our first priority was to try to find someone who wanted to continue to operate it as the Ale House, but just kind of add a level of crispness to the opportunity that we weren’t able to do, someone with more proven experience in this style of restaurant and bar,” he said. “But people we talked to with that background just weren’t in the position to do it at this time.”

They connected with Salamone and appreciated his dedication to the University Place community and his intent to both “bring something new to it, but keep the character and the history of the place as well.”

Salamone said he intends to retain staff that wishes to continue, which was a priority for both parties.

Cross-training is already underway.

In addition to having more staff, which helps operations run smoothly, having two locations will allow his cooks at the Stadium District shop to expand their skills beyond pizza.

“As owners, we’re excited, we really are,” said Glein. “It’s a mixed bag because you’re stepping out of something that becomes a part of your life, but it’s really nice to know that [it’s] someone who has a lot of success running a restaurant … and has a really coherent vision.”

Don’t expect a whole new look immediately, cautioned Salamone, as staff will be learning a whole new menu. He hopes to systematically add new dishes as they are perfected while cutting low-performers from the pub’s offerings.

The final piece of the puzzle will be homemade desserts, including New York-style cheesecake, butter cookies, tiramisu and cannoli filled to order.

SALAMONE’S PIZZA & PASTA - UNIVERSITY PLACE

▪ 2122 Mildred St. W, University Place, 253-565-9367

▪ Details: full-service Italian menu with New York-style pizza taking over UP’s Ale House Pub; transition begins Feb. 1 with normal hours, open daily at 11:30 a.m.

SALAMONE’S PIZZA - STADIUM

▪ 24 N Tacoma Ave., Tacoma, 253-444-2646, salamonespizzeria.com

▪ Daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

▪ Details: New York-style pizza by the slice $3.25-$3.75, whole pies $22.95-$31.95; dine-in or takeout