BIZNOTE: Spiro’s Pizza and Pasta closing in West Seattle; new restaurant moving in

Recently we noticed online permit activity for 3401 California SW, long the home of the West Seattle location of Spiro’s Pizza and Pasta. The owners weren’t ready to comment on their restaurant’s future until today. Here’s their announcement:

Dear West Seattle,

Since 1991, Spiro’s Pizza & Pasta and the Voltsis family has had the privilege and honor of being a part of the community. From the little location at 3401 California Ave, we have been able to grow our businesses, as we have been able to watch the area expand as well. Through our modest doors we have seen generations of families come in, and watch their children grow, and through time come in with their children. We are forever grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful neighborhood over the past 31 years.

After three decades at this location, it is time for us to sadly say goodbye to West Seattle. We will close our doors in West Seattle for the final time December 16th, 2022. We ask that you welcome the new tenants, West Seattle residents Mike Meckling (Woodinville Cut Shop, Neumos) and Ben Jenkins (Shadowland, Dumplings of Fury) who will be opening a family-friendly Mexican restaurant offering authentic Mexican food by chef Danny Ludwig.

We will forever remember our time in West Seattle, and we thank you for the many years of patronage and friendship.

With our sincerest gratitude to West Seattle,
Jim, Sia, Evan and Eleni Voltsis

You can read the backstory of the multigenerational family pizza business here. West Seattle was their first location; Spiro’s is also in Shoreline and Mukilteo.

55 Replies to "BIZNOTE: Spiro's Pizza and Pasta closing in West Seattle; new restaurant moving in"

  • Sillygoose December 1, 2022 (3:22 pm)

    NOOOO! This is heartbreaking I have been praying they could find employees to fill vacancies for months.  Susan has worked so hard trying to keep the doors open while they were short staffed.  This pizza is legendary as well as the location for years my family has met childhood friends here for pizza.  This just seems  like the final straw for what was once a family friendly West Seattle.  

    • Jethro Marx December 1, 2022 (4:12 pm)

      How is one “family-friendly” restaurant being replaced with a new “family-friendly” restaurant managing to constitute a final straw, in your view? We are not, I am almost certain, going to lack pizza opportunities. Do you even read the many comments of pizza-haters? This is a victory for them, I suppose.

  • WSeaNeighbor December 1, 2022 (3:30 pm)

    Love that it’s being replaced with a Mexican restaurant especially since Seattle recently lost one with Agave closing! Yay! Any word on a potential opening date for the new restaurant? Hopefully it’s Tex-Mex type Mexican as W Seattle desperately needs a good Tex mex family Mexican restaurant! Hopefully the next new restaurant in W Seattle will be a Chinese restaurant especially since Lee’s closed down. 

    • WSB December 1, 2022 (3:42 pm)

      I have an inquiry out. And remember we’ve lost 2 Mexican restaurants – Taqueria Guaymas closed a year ago – although we did gain Fire Tacos on Alki, and some Mexican dishes are on the menu at Lily’s in Luna Park.

      • J December 1, 2022 (4:52 pm)

        Fire Tacos burrito is fantastic!!!

      • K December 1, 2022 (6:48 pm)

        And Nacho Mama in south Delridge!

    • sw December 1, 2022 (5:04 pm)

      We also recently lost King Wha in Burien – which for myself and others I know was our “go to” for Chinese takeout.

      • Sue H December 1, 2022 (6:37 pm)

        I really like Eat Time for chinese food in Burien. It’s in the strip mall where Dairy Queen is on Ambaum.

        • G December 3, 2022 (10:54 am)

          For some great chinese check out yumyumcafe on myers way… especially amazing if you get the claypot rice for dine in.

      • Timoteo December 2, 2022 (8:08 am)

        King Wha closing was very sad for myself and family…… had been going there for 30+ years. The family that owned it was a huge part of why I loved going there—food speaks for itself….. but the warmth from the family made the food even better! Feel the same type of way about Spiros….some of the best pizza/service I have ever experienced.  They will be sorely missed.  Looking forward to trying the new restaurant once it opens

      • Out of curiosity December 2, 2022 (8:28 am)

        It was so sad they closed, it was our go to as well. They will be sorely missed. Have you found a good replacement yet, we are still licking our wounds?

    • J December 2, 2022 (1:19 pm)

      Espero que no sea Tex-mex, that’s the most bland form of North Americana Mexican style foods.

  • BC December 1, 2022 (3:34 pm)

    Has been my favorite restaurant since I was 14, I even worked there and the Shoreline location for a few years which made me an even more proud customer after seeing how they ran their business (cleanliness, tossing any ingredients of questionable freshness, treatment of employees, etc.). We desperately need a decent Mexican restaurant that allows under 21, but sad to see them go.

  • Melisa December 1, 2022 (3:45 pm)

    Um, y’all know that we’re 10ish minutes from White Center and that there’s a bounty of fantastic Mexican food (made by Mexican folks) available there, right? We really don’t need another Mexican joint; we have plenty.

  • Kris December 1, 2022 (3:56 pm)

    Does or did the Voltsis family own Cristo’s on Alki?

    • WSB December 1, 2022 (3:58 pm)

      Christo’s is owned by the Fotopoulos family.

  • Watertowerjim December 1, 2022 (4:05 pm)

     My absolute favorite pizza in West Seattle!  You will be missed.  

  • M December 1, 2022 (4:06 pm)

    I am so bummed. For many years, we ate there every Wednesday after our bike rides. I kept praying they would find employees to open for indoor dining.  I kept going there to get my take out Pasta. I will now have to go to their location up north.

  • Erithan December 1, 2022 (4:10 pm)

    Nooooo! 😢 I’m so sad to hear this, my family has been going there since I was little. I wish them the best in their future endeavors, but man they’ll be missed! Thank you for al the wonderful memories and good over the years! 😊 

    • Erithan December 1, 2022 (4:12 pm)

      Good food** stupid auto correct…

  • Karen December 1, 2022 (4:55 pm)

    Chef Danny started out working for Rick Bayless per his linked in profile.  And has been a chef specializing in Mexican cuisine for quite some time..  Excellent!
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyludwig

  • Amrakx December 1, 2022 (5:23 pm)

    Among many other things, we will miss our favorite combination, half Vegetarian and half Hawaiian.  Not to mention ordering by phone and instantly recognizing the familiar voice of Susan.  One of the top 3 reasons for purchasing the condominium next door, 30 years ago,  was Spiro’s Pizza next door.  I am grateful to Spiro’s for ensuring  safety and family in  ever changing times.  Things always change and oftentimes not for the better.  Thank you Spiro’s for touching our lives in a familiar, happy way.  Aloha.

  • Rhonda December 1, 2022 (5:29 pm)

    Spiros had the best calzones around the peninsula. Many wonderful memories from when my parents would visit from 2 hours away and take us there for dinner. It was my dad’s favorite restaurant in West Seattle.

    • Sue H December 1, 2022 (6:40 pm)

      I love the Calzones (and pizza) at Antico Soprano’s (across from the Admiral theater) if you’re looking for another option.

  • Justducky December 1, 2022 (5:41 pm)

    Great news about a new Mexican restaurant. Gotta admit, I was excited to read that Meckling and Jenkens were the new tenants and slightly crushed it won’t be a live music venue. 

  • VB Coach December 1, 2022 (5:46 pm)

    Sooooo sad to hear!!!For many years up to the Pandemic, Spiro’s hosted our ‘End of te Season’ parties for my youth VB teams and they always took wonderful care of the 20-30 people we had in attendance.This is  great establishment that will be greatly missed.***But I gotta add….Mexican, YUMM!!!

  • Villagegreen December 1, 2022 (5:55 pm)

    Sad to see a West Seattle institution have to close, but truthfully I’m surprised they made it this long. So many pizza options over here. Best of luck to the new Mexican venture, but I have to ask, why does Beacon Hill get all the interesting new restaurants? I love Mexican food, but with White Center in the mix we’re stacked with good options. If my wife and I have a date night we find ourselves heading across the bridge more often then not. 

    • Rb December 1, 2022 (6:26 pm)

      Villagegreen, others do like you. Could this be a reason why many ws restaurants close? 

  • Ceejay December 1, 2022 (6:00 pm)

    Great! Just what we needed! Another family friendly Mexican restaurant!

  • Vinnie Edward December 1, 2022 (6:46 pm)

    We will miss SPIROS and especially Susan who kept that restaurant running for many years and even through  COVID! She always had a smile on her face and you can guarantee if Susan took your order over the phone it would be  correct 100% of the time !!!! Miss you SUSAN and Spiros 

  • Mel December 1, 2022 (7:13 pm)

    Yay! So excited about a Mexican restaurant!

  • Cid December 1, 2022 (7:19 pm)

    Went to Spiro’s for years….Susan automatically knew our special pizza order.  When Spiro’s failed to open the dining room after the Covid restrictions lifted, I feared this might happen.  We’ll miss their great pizza. 

  • KL December 1, 2022 (7:49 pm)

    Jethro,Are you from around here? If so, you’d  likely understand what a sad thing it is to see this place go. The pizza was amazing, their blue cheese?? To die for. Don’t forget the 25 cent tootsie pops. Got a star  almost every time. A lot has changed in west seattle over the last 31 years. If you are newer to the area, welcome. I think many of the OG’s in WS will agree that this place was the spot. Definitely won’t be the same “little town” on the hill without it. Best wishes to all the staff. 

    • Jethro Marx December 2, 2022 (2:32 pm)

      No, I suppose I’m not from around here, though I was born in Washington. I moved here a little more than twenty years ago and have heard people warning of falling skies and ringing the death knell for this or that ever since. I don’t have anything against Spiro’s or general nostalgia, but have a hard time believing that this restaurant choosing to close this location is, as Silly goose put it, “the final straw for what was once a family friendly West Seattle.” Sounds like it was special to a lot of people though!

  • RJB December 1, 2022 (8:02 pm)

    Ben and Mike and Mexican across the street from me….Christmas just came early!! 

  • David December 1, 2022 (8:20 pm)

    Haven’t lived in Washington state for 11 years, but we have very fond memories of Spiros.  One of our go-to places after a long day at work.  The family was always so friendly and Susan knew exactly what we wanted to eat and drink.  Excellent pizza and calzones!

  • Brooke December 1, 2022 (8:39 pm)

    Love Susan. And we had so many great family dinners (and sports parties there). They will be truly missed!

  • Lenny December 1, 2022 (8:59 pm)

    Ok serious question…what technically is authentic Mexican food? I’m looking forward to this being family friendly but I’m not a fan of cactus. I’m just curious what type of food I could possibly see on the menu?

    • flimflam December 2, 2022 (8:06 pm)

      There’s a wide variety of “authentic” Mexican food that varies a bit by region. It most certainly does NOT have heaps of melted cheddar cheese on everything!

  • North Admiral Neighbor December 1, 2022 (9:04 pm)

    I will absolutely miss Spiros. The Voltsis family and Susan created such a welcoming space with good food. For me, there will be some extra special memories celebrating my husband’s birthday where they welcomed us like family and made everyone so comfortable. Thank you Votsis family and Susan for your wonderful contribution to our community for 31 yeas. 

  • Travis December 1, 2022 (9:32 pm)

    My favorite memory there, was seven years ago, I was sitting with my young daughters, and the late and great Dave Henderson came over to our table and asked my girls if they had ever seen a World Series ring. He was awesome and Spiros is awesome. Thank you for the memories and great pizza!

  • WSkid now grown December 1, 2022 (11:02 pm)

    I hope Susan reads all these comments for how much she & family were loved, and the restaurant appreciated! Used to take my small kids under 5 and we were difficult but always felt welcome. Appreciated the hiring of local HS teen servers. Manicotti was my fav and kids could snack on olives and cheese while we waited. It was fast, friendly, tasty and a good value.  Restaurants run like this are hard to come by now. 

  • A December 2, 2022 (6:52 am)

    Nooooooooo! Not only was this a great neighborhood spot, they have the BEST gluten free pizza around. This is a sad day. I guess I’ll just need to order one every day between now and the 16. 

  • Jeepney December 2, 2022 (7:06 am)

    Superb pizza, and the THE BEST STAFF.  Looks like I will be spending more time in Shoreline.

  • pjk December 2, 2022 (7:23 am)

     This is so sad.  I lived across the street when Spiro’s opened in 1991 and ate many a hot salami sub with salad after a long day at work!!  Evan, one less Coug in West Seattle – I’ll have to come up to Shoreline more often to be sure you’re kept in line – ha!!  This place has always been so welcoming to me and in the early days they gave me a booth even when I ate solo – never had that anywhere else!  I will miss you for sure – was hoping your indoor dining would open again – I’ll be by for a pizza before you close!!  And YES, Susan is the best!!PJK – a Husky forever!!

  • Sham December 2, 2022 (7:41 am)

    Would love to see a profile on Susan.  She is the best and I believe worked at Spiros for 30 years and remembered people and orders like no other. 

  • Steve&Marco December 2, 2022 (8:05 am)

    Going to miss Susan and Eleni!  I’m sure we all saw the writing on the wall about the potential of this happening. The family all live in the north end it was a struggle for them to get to West Seattle and keep things running. Susan stepped in and kept things operating but it must’ve been hard for her as well. We will miss our #21 pizza and Susan asking if we wanted oregano on it!Best wishes to all!

  • WS Pizza Lover December 2, 2022 (11:30 am)

    SUSAN is the only reason this place was what it was for 30 years. She’s literally the “pizza lady” everyone says hi to on the street. She knew all your families, your orders, and hired your kids to work for her. She remembers every custom detail of your order and makes you feel like her only customer. She has worked there 7 days per week for decades, never letting anything stop her from opening; not snow, pandemic, or even the death of her beloved mother. She fed us, loved us, mothered us, and gave us tootsie pops to take home. Spiro’s isn’t just “another pizza spot” in WS (in a sea of WS pizza options) it’s the go-to spot when you want a quick family dinner and don’t want to cook, it’s the place you go when your kid’s team wins the playoffs, or when the “[running, choir, knitting, church, girls, boys, you name it] club” needs a table for 40 at the last minute. She never turned anyone away! She made you feel at home, because that’s who she is. She is living proof that it doesn’t take a big gesture to make an impact on someone’s life. It’s the everyday “I see you and I love you” vibe she gave everyone that makes this place (and Susan) so special. Her impact on the WS community cannot be overstated, Susan is iconic. She will be dearly missed by many – WE LOVE YOU SUSAN!!! <3 <3 <3

  • April December 2, 2022 (12:11 pm)

    This is very sad. AND we don’t need another Mexican restaurant. 

  • WS Alum December 2, 2022 (12:12 pm)

    Oh NO! My world just ended. This is best place in WS for pizza, spaghetti, fettuccine and a salad. I was still waiting for them to reopen the inside dinning as our family loved eating there. Is there anyway to get the recipe for their blue cheese dressing? Its one of a kind. Thank You Spiros, and thanks to Susan for being such a friendly person every time we came to Spiros. You will truly be missed

  • Biankat December 2, 2022 (3:47 pm)

    Very sad news, indeed. But is the Spiro’s over in Port Orchard not from the same family? 

  • Biankat December 2, 2022 (3:49 pm)

    Very sad news. We will have to get a few orders in before the 16th. Is the Spiro’s in Port Orchard related in some way? They appear very similar in menus.

  • Doug Rambo December 2, 2022 (4:00 pm)

    We will miss Spiros and especially Susan! She has always welcomed us as if we were family. The pizza is GREAT! And the salads! Garlic cheese bread, YUM! 

  • Valerie December 2, 2022 (7:47 pm)

    Just want to say Mission is awesome for family friendly Mex!  

  • Jen December 17, 2022 (4:12 pm)

    So sad to see Spiro’s leave. Best pizza and pasta in West Seattle- we always took dinner to go. So. Good. I hope Susan finds a good position, and the cooking crew was marvelous.You’ll be missed.

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