Moto Pizza expands into Seattle's Pioneer Square
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Moto Pizza is now open in Pioneer Square. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios
Moto Pizza has opened a new location in Seattle's Pioneer Square neighborhood, further expanding its foothold in the local pizza scene.
The big picture: In five years, Moto Pizza has grown from a pandemic experiment in West Seattle to a local chain with more than a half dozen stores — plus more slated to open in California later this year.
Catch up quick: The company describes its thick, rectangular pies as a "delightfully odd mix of Detroit, New York, Roman, and Filipino goodness."
What they're saying: Moto founder Lee Kindell told Axios that opening in Pioneer Square's historic Smith Tower "is a dream come true" for him.
- He called the neighborhood the "crown jewel of the city," citing "the history, the beautiful architecture and the creativity that's going on down there."
- Kindell said he's worked to keep standards high while expanding — including by making dough for all Moto locations at a commissary kitchen in Renton to ensure consistent quality.
Fun fact: Kindell competed at the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas last month and won first place in the Detroit-style pan pizza subdivision.
- He snagged second place in the pan pizza division overall.
What to expect: Moto doesn't let people build their own pizzas with their preferred toppings — Lee instead offers flavor combinations he's settled on after rounds of experimentation.
- His Mr. Pig, for instance, includes lechon kawali (Filipino pork belly) with mango-pineapple chimichurri and banana ketchup, incorporating aspects of his Filipino heritage.
- "There are a hundred places you can go where you can ask for what you want on a pizza," Kindell said. "I don't do that because I really want to curate the experience."
What's next: Kindell said he plans to have more than a dozen Moto locations open by the end of the year.
If you go: Moto's Pioneer Square location can be found at 512 Second Ave., Suite 100 (on the ground floor of the Smith Tower). 11am-9pm.