The Poodle Dog Story
In 1933, childhood pals Rocco "Mac" Manza and E. J. "Jimmy" Zarelli embarked on a venture that would quickly become a local legend: the Poodle Dog Restaurant.
It all started with a modest investment and a borrowed $500 from Manza's dad. They kicked off with a hamburger stand dubbed the "Mayflower," snagging the name from a neon sign they bought. The place was later renamed "The Blue Jay" but soon got a fresh moniker - "Poodle Dog," inspired by a popular San Francisco spot.
Their Poodle Dog diner struck a chord with locals, cementing its status as a Tacoma-area mainstay. Manza and Zarelli kept the place afloat, each working 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. With meals priced under a buck, they served up affordable favorites like a 75-cent T-bone steak, a 55-cent spring chicken dinner, and a 10-cent slice of pie.
Their success led to expansion, and in 1934, they unveiled the Century Ballroom, a 20,000-square-foot dance hall that drew top acts of the "big band era," including Louis Armstrong and Glen Miller.
As the big band craze waned, they closed the ballroom in 1956, but The Poodle Dog remained a fixture. Even after Jimmy's passing in 1985, Mac kept the legacy alive until his death in 1999.
Today, more than 91 years later, The Poodle Dog still serves up nostalgia and great food. As a family-owned establishment, we're proud to continue the tradition of bringing our neighbors and friends together over familiar meals.
