If you’ve lived in Tacoma long enough, you already know the name. The Cloverleaf isn’t just a pizza place — it’s a landmark, a multi-generation gathering spot, and one of Washington’s oldest continuously operating pizzerias. Its story began in 1950, long before artisan pies and Instagram-ready crusts became the norm. By 1961, The Cloverleaf was serving the thin-crust pizzas that would eventually make it famous, and for more than seven decades the restaurant has remained a loyal fixture in the community.
When Debbie Brese purchased The Cloverleaf from her family in 2004, she wasn’t stepping into the unknown — she was stepping into a legacy. “My background is in management,” she says, “and I grew up with The Cloverleaf.” The original name, chosen by the first owner decades ago, remained untouched. Some things were simply never meant to change.
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