About The Italian Pizza Pub

A Johnson City Original Since 1983

The Italian Pizza Pub was opened in 1983 by Burt Kordamiri, the friendly face everyone has known behind the bar for decades.

Burt bought the building and some recipes from the owner of Henry’s Carry-Out. Kordamiri eagerly got to work making the building and the restaurant his own, and the Pub soon became a wildly popular destination for hungry ETSU students and pizza lovers all over Johnson City.

Rocking The Casbah

Burt expanded the business to include a bar and live music venue, which he originally called The Pub Out Back before later rebranding as The Casbah. The Casbah became well-known as a destination for lovers of all kinds of music. Casbah alumni include heavy hitters such as Southern Culture on the Skids, Superdrag, Green Jellÿ, Norma Jean, Frightened Rabbit, James McMurtry, and many more.

New Owners and the Future

After decades running his successful business, Burt decided to retire in 2021. Will & Stacy Martin had recently opened up Peggy Ann Bakery two doors down. Burt mentioned to them that he was interested in selling, and they immediately offered to take over where he left off with a promise that they’d use the recipes that made him a local favorite for nearly 40 years.

While cleaning out some leftover equipment in the back, Will found the old sign for the Pub Out Back and decided when they re-open the Casbah it will be under its original name as a tribute to Burt.

As Johnson City continues to improve and develop West Walnut Street, the Pub and the Pub Out Back look forward to being part of this exciting new community for decades more to come!