One day, it was Zeeks. The next day, the sign read Mikey’s. Late last weekend, downtown Tacoma’s Zeeks Pizza quietly flipped its branding and reopened as Mikey’s Public House and Frog Bar, a new pizza pub run by the same operator but under a fresh flag.
Owner Michael Goronkin swapped the signage overnight and launched the revamped spot on Sunday, Feb. 1, in the triangular corner space at Pacific Avenue and South 17th. The high-visibility corner sits directly across from the University of Washington Tacoma and the Museum District, and Goronkin says he kept much of his longtime staff on board. A grand-opening celebration is scheduled for Feb. 13.
What’s on the menu
Mikey’s trims things down to a tighter, pizza-focused lineup. The new menu highlights a curated list of about 10 pies and a handful of shareable plates, built on house dough and finished with a signature “Brooklyn green” drizzle, all in a streamlined pizza pub format.
According to the Tacoma News Tribune, 12-inch pies currently run roughly $20 to $30, while 18-inch large pies land around $30 to $42. Lunch slices are priced at $6 each or two for $10. Wings start at $10 for six and climb to $35 for 32 pieces. The switch also means Zeeks’ downtown Tacoma outpost is no longer operating at that Pacific Avenue address, at least for now, per the same report.
From Zeeks to Mikey’s
The distinctive corner unit became a Zeeks Pizza back in 2018, replacing a wood-fired shop, according to local coverage at the time. Zeeks, founded in 1993, still runs other Puget Sound locations, per its location page. The change at 1702 Pacific reflects an owner-driven pivot toward an independent, event-forward concept rather than a corporate-branded store.
That history helps explain why the address may still surface on some delivery or reservation platforms. While the storefront has new signage and a new name, the digital footprint is still catching up.
Frog Bar and events
Upstairs, the mezzanine has been recast as Frog Bar, a more intimate perch that will feature 10-inch “pub pizzas” and bar-only happy hour specials. Downstairs, the main dining room will keep its focus on the larger pies and the shareable plates.
Goronkin described the split from Zeeks as “amicable” and emphasized that he has respect for the brand he partnered with, as first reported by the Tacoma News Tribune. The team is lining up more live music, karaoke, and trivia, and they rolled out a Super Bowl Sunday takeout special ahead of the Feb. 13 grand-opening party.
Why downtown diners should care
For downtown Tacoma, this is not just a new logo over the door. The triangular space sits opposite the Tacoma Art Museum and near the UW Tacoma campus, which gives it steady museum and student foot traffic, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. In a downtown still figuring out its post-pandemic rhythm, a compact menu, later-night events, and a few memorable signature items can be the difference between a revolving door of concepts and a spot that sticks.
Goronkin says he brought his crew along for the ride and is sharing updates on the restaurant’s Instagram page, @mikeys_public_house_tacoma. There, the team plans to post ordering links, specials, and event dates leading up to the Feb. 13 celebration. For diners keeping an eye on downtown Tacoma’s food scene, the overnight changeover is another reminder that restaurant real estate here rarely stays the same for long.
