Spud’s Pizza Parlor in Tacoma has seen better days. Once a lively hangout spot famous for its retro bar, thin-crust pizzas, and love for local sports, the restaurant has now been closed for months after facing a fire and a heartbreaking string of break-ins. For owner Tracie Paul, it’s been a tough time full of setbacks — but she’s not giving up just yet.
Grease Fire Forces Sudden Shutdown
It all began on August 30th, when a grease fire broke out during lunch service. The fire, sparked in the kitchen’s ductwork, damaged the pizza ovens and filled the building with smoke. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the damage was enough to force a full shutdown. The kitchen ceiling had to be torn out by firefighters, and smoke ruined much of the interior.
After the fire, utilities like electricity and gas were turned off while investigators and insurance agents assessed the damage. That meant no income — and with no income, Paul struggled to keep up with some of her insurance payments. Even now, the power remains off because she can’t afford an electrician.
“It’s a vicious cycle,” Paul said, summing up the struggle of trying to recover without the funds to do so.
A Series of Painful Break-Ins
As if the fire wasn’t enough, Spud’s has been broken into multiple times since the closure. The most recent burglary, on January 3rd, hit Paul especially hard.
Thieves pried open the front door and went on to destroy walls and ceilings just to rip out wires and cables. But it wasn’t just about property damage. They also stole priceless memorabilia — including a signed University of Texas jersey from family friend Kenny Sims, a former NFL player who passed away last March.
“There’s no getting this back,” Paul said.
Other jerseys stolen included:
- A Matty Beniers jersey from his 2023 rookie season with the Seattle Kraken
- A Warren Moon jersey from his college football days
- A Walter Jones Seahawks jersey
- A Steve Largent jersey from his era with the Seahawks
Even her husband’s Kraken jersey — a fake with no real player name — was taken. Though some jerseys might be found online again, the emotional value is gone.
Security Was Tight — But Not Enough
The restaurant wasn’t just sitting open. Paul said the place was locked up tight, with steel gates and boarded windows after previous incidents. Employees and family members regularly checked in. Still, the latest burglars managed to break through multiple gates and get into both the restaurant and a storage building on the property.
“They had to work for this stuff,” said Paul. “It’s extremely frustrating.”
Hope on the Horizon — But No Reopening Date Yet
After the fifth break-in, Paul finally filed a police report, and now she’s keeping an eye on online auctions for her missing memorabilia. She’s also waiting on insurance to come through so she can restore power, improve security, and start cleanup.
But for now, there’s still no timeline for reopening. She remains hopeful — even if the road ahead is long.
“All this is doing is elongating the closure,” she said. “I have zero timeline on that, but we are moving forward.”
Despite all the hardships, Paul’s spirit shows resilience. With the support of friends, family, and hopefully insurance, she’s determined to bring Spud’s back to life.
