When Terry Thorsell graduated from North Thurston High School in 1976, he found a job at Los Hermanos. At the time, he probably never dreamed he would end up working for the Dave Wilson family for the better part of his adult life. Thorsell has been at Dirty Dave’s Pizza Parlor since 1991, and is now the Restaurant Manager. No doubt you’ve seen him there – probably wearing shorts and a sports cap – though that could describe a lot of customers at the beloved eatery.
I first came to Olympia in 1977, and I loved eating at Los Hermanos. Owned by Dave Wilson and Bill Wilson (same last name but not related), the popular restaurant was the first place I ever dug into a basket of chips with salsa. Terry Thorsell could have made all the enchiladas I ordered. That’s one of the charms of living in the Thurston County community – all the connections we share.
Thorsell continued working for Dave Wilson, including time at the Los Hermanos restaurant that operated in Centralia and at Billy Burritos (now Han’s Burgers on College.) He learned a lot over the years from Wilson, who Thorsell described as firm but fair. “He was a joy to work for,” reminisced Terry.
Thorsell says one of the greatest rewards of working at Dirty Dave’s is seeing the many regular customers. Lunch business is brisk but dependably quick, which works well for people employed near the restaurant. One family has been coming every Friday night for thirty years.
Terry likes the casual feel of the restaurant. He also appreciates the level of volunteerism. Dirty Dave’s has been a Relay for Life sponsor for over 20 years and provides spaghetti, salad and garlic bread for hundreds of participants. “Greg and I believe the reward for volunteering is volunteering.” Greg Wilson is a Dirty Dave’s co-owner and Dave’s younger son. He’s known Terry since they were barely teenagers.
Wilson is comforted by Thorsell’s tenure. “It’s reassuring to know that he cares about the family business as much as I do.”
Many locals have enjoyed Dirty Dave’s hospitality. The restaurant is a perennial host to sport’s teams gatherings. Both of my sons had season ending celebration dinners there. The family friendly atmosphere keeps people coming back repeatedly. You can even find a cigar on the wall. It recognizes the addition of a new generation for a family that comes in every week. Customers donate posters, license plates and other eclectic wall art. It’s worth your time peering at the old photographs, which are bound to stir up some memories. It’s all part of being at Dirty Dave’s.
Dirty Dave’s menu is focused on pizza but also includes sandwiches, pastas, soups and salads. The salad dressings are made from scratch, as is their pizza dough, using the same recipe for years. They slice their own meats and make their own sauces, meatballs and meatloaf. Some things don’t change.
The Jake is a submarine sandwich that has been pleasing folks for over twenty-five years. “The Jake is an amazing sandwich,” said Thorsell, who told me he’s probably had one a week since his employment began (that’s a lot of Jakes). Now he sometimes leaves off the cheese in order to save a few calories. For an enlightening history of the Jake sandwich, click here.
Dirty Dave’s sources their steamer clams from Olympia Seafood Company. Fish Tale Brew Pub supplies beer and Dick’s Brewing Company makes the house brew called Bulldog.
Recently, Dirty Dave’s added three new pizzas. If you’re hoping for something new – try one of three news pizzas that feature a creamy garlic sauce. The Chicken Divan has broccoli and red onion, the California features artichoke hearts, tomatoes, black olives and red onion, and the Bulldog is covered with fresh onions, green peppers, pepperoni, mushrooms, black olives and sausage.
It’s not a fancy place but Terry’s philosophy is to “treat every customer as an honored guest.” You can stay and eat your pizza there and everything on the menu can be wrapped to go. If you have a hankering for Los Hermanos, order the Mexican Pizza. It’s the same recipe they’ve used forever.
Grab your hat, kids, friends and parents and stop into the iconic Dirty Dave’s.
Dirty Dave’s Pizza Parlor
3939 Martin Way E
Olympia, WA 98506
360-456-1560
Get more information on Dirty Dave’s Facebook page.
Eat Well – Be Well
