I caught wind of the opening of Windward Pizza from the boss and ventured to northeast Tacoma to check it out. Located in the strip mall just a hop away from Browns Point, Windward Pizza is a welcome addition to the somewhat sleepy neighborhood, mostly populated by affluent homeowners and windy roads. There's a few dining options though not many.
Approaching their third month in business, Windward Pizza is a family-friendly dining joint, featuring a handful of arcade games to entertain the young'uns while you wait for your meal. The interior is clean and open with a tasteful mishmash of seaside and Italian imagery including an Italian film poster in the arcade room, though strangely enough the other movie posters are boring American versions.
The menu is comprised of hearty pastas, salads and sandwiches including the seafood melt ($13.99) featuring a rustic roll jam packed with baby shrimp, and real crab topped with gooey mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, red onion, lettuce and tomatoes - all united in beautiful matrimony with Thousand Island dressing. Served up with a side of round fried taters the sammie hits the spot and represents a real near-waterside-dining establishment with the fillings.
Windward's pizzas consist of traditional picks to more adventurous fun finds such as Taco Pizza, Cheese Burger Pizza using a compelling ketchup and mustard sauce and the Loaded Baked Potato Pizza with a damn tasty, zesty garlic white sauce, actual slices of potato topped with mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, loads of smoky, crisp bacon bits and green onions.
The beverage selection includes self-serve soda machine with a select but decent tap and bottle list that includes local faves such as 7 Seas Brewing.
When asked about how business was, I was told it's been good, though upon my visit (not during peak hours) it was pretty quiet.
In all I'd say Windward Pizza is family fun and yum and worth the journey to Browns Point for a play day fueled by pizza pies.
WINDWARD PIZZA, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., 1000 Town Center NE, Suite 140, Tacoma 253.252.2798