American cuisine in the South Sound
Posted: Jan 18, 2007 by Jake and Jason de Paul
Sit in the “Star Trek”-like swivel chairs and pretend you’re Spock while nibbling on pickled veggies at 3 a.m. Dinner is pricey, but breakfast and lunch are not bad. The portions are huge. The Joe’s Special is killer good. 18000 Pacific Highway S., SeaTac, 206.243-9500. Also at 125 Boren Ave N., Seattle, 206.682.2513.
Alfred’s Café & Bubble Room’s menu is so extensive, I frequent the joint frequently. In fact, sometimes it’s near impossible to decide what to chow on with more than 10 appetizers, five salads, 12 types of hand-thrown pizza, six entrees and 10 sandwiches. I’m sure I’m missing something. Alfred’s also makes an amazing breakfast. 402 Puyallup Ave. E., Tacoma by the Tacoma Dome, 253.627.5491.
LINK: Alfred's Monte Cristo
LINK: Breakfast review on Spew
Besides outstanding sandwiches, soups and salads, the Antique hosts the granddaddy of open mics — the famous Victory Music Open Mic on Tuesday nights. 5102 N. Pearl, Ruston, 253.752.4069.
The theme is ’50s, and the menu is mostly burgers and classics such as meat loaf. They have the best milk shakes. 6622 E. Side Dr. N.E., No. 11, Tacoma, 253.952.3743.
Bob’s bills its fare as Texas style, and it indeed reminds us of the barbecue joints in the South. 911 S. 11th St. Hilltop Tacoma, 253.627.4899.
East Coast-style buffalo wings and pizza in a small, red and white interior spot in Northwest Landing. Bruceski’s classic New York-style pies are very good and worth the wait. 1584 McBeil St., DuPont, 253.912.4305.
With a sister shop in Lakewood, this bagel shop understands the key to success is simple bagel flavors accentuated by excellent meats, cheeses and spreads. Baking New York style bagels with free WiFi across the street from UWT, they draw a few lines at lunchtime. Full review here. Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4242
Formerly LeLe’s, the Bridgeport Way joint now sports a car theme with road signs, hubcaps, a garage door and stoplight.
The service zoomed with a smile. The large menu offers a wide variety of American standards named after their automotive motif: The Denver Drive (omelette), Full-Throttle French Dip and Reved-Up Reuben (both loaded with horseradish), and Mercedes of the Sea (salmon). 11006 Bridgeport Way S.W., Lakewood, 253.584.4622.
This is the restaurant that says: “Wear elastic band pants when visiting.” The menu offers roughly 100 plus options in addition to the 30 plus varieties of cheesecake. 700 Pike Street in downtown Seattle, 206.652.5400.
Nice selection of seafood, steaks and pastas. Basic four-star fare with creative touches. Awesome view of Tacoma and Mt. Rainier. Casual bistro downstairs. 6300 Marine View Drive, Northeast Tacoma, 253.927.0400.
Simple menu split between burgers, salads, some Tex-Mex, a few fish selections and, of course, the must-try chowder. Deck sits over Commencement Bay. 3327 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253.752.5444.
Step back in time with a true old-fashioned diner style restaurant with pancakes, blue-plate-like entrees, sandwiches, soups, chicken-fried-steak, tasty pies and desserts. Breakfast, lunch or dinner. 7427 South Hosmer, Tacoma, (253) 473-0855.
Choices range from fried chicken combinations to fish and all the fixings. The fish and chips comes in a to-go “boat” that is nowhere near big enough to handle the amount of fish. 1814 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253.383.7144.
Sandwiches, soups, salads and quiche that is popular with the ladies of Lakewood. 8807 Bridgeport Way S.W., Lakewood, 253.983.1313.
A Tacoma icon with juicy burgers, fries, great onion rings, and shakes without a high priced bill and silly “welcome to such and such” sayings. 1201 Division, Tacoma, 253.272.6843.
Gerties paints the perfect diner picture. It’s typical American diner fare with full menu for all three meals. Breakfast doesn’t disappoint. Union Avenue and Berkeley Street, Tillicum, 253.588.7131.
At the Museum of Glass, this restaurant space matches the industrial look elsewhere inside and outside the museum. The menu focuses mostly on sandwiches, salads, soups and pasta. You order at the counter. Gallucci’s turns out a tamale of the day, which is as unique as the art inside the building. Gallucci’s does a fine job with desserts. Full review here. 1801 Dock St., Tacoma, 253.272.4242.
This soup and sandwich, homey feeling restaurant with two fireplaces, full bar and delicious fudge brownie. 124 146th St. S., Tacoma near Spanaway, 253.536.8100.
Styled after a traditional Philadelphia sandwich shop serving buffalo wings, barbeque, pizza and teriyaki sauces and a choice of steak or chicken, offering a twist on the original Philly Sandwich. Sandwich and fries are so large, a to-go bag is a given. 701 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253.474.2901.
Dainty china cups, the wild green salads with walnut-raspberry vinaigrette, the small slice of carrot cake — all for the miniature appetite. 1702 Pacific Ave., downtown Tacoma, 253.627.7196.
This deli resurrected the classic Hoagie’s Corner sandwiches such as the Cheesy British, American, Canadian and French. 11202 Bridgeport Way, in Lakewood, 253.589.1211.
Infinite Soups serves 20 to 30 different kinds of soups daily off a rotating list of around 60 soups, by the quart, bowl or cup, all under $7. Owner Wendy Clapp offers soup and bread for take-out only, although Malarkey’s will let you bring her soup inside their pool joint next door. 445 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.274.0232.
Jake’s brings great beers and fun to Steilacoom — but stick to the basic pub grub and you won’t be disappointed. Their list of microbrews is staggering. We adored the Johnsonville Bratwurst. It reminded us of tailgating — in fact, next football game, I am doing takeout. Beer and a brat —on a great deck. 215 Wilkes St., Steilacoom. 253.581.3300.
This coffee house imparts a warm and welcoming vibe not only projected by charming employees, but through the comfortably appointed main room as well. Enjoy breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, bagels, omelets on biscuit or croissant, yogurt, quiches, and even a pancake-sausage or bacon combo served all day for less than $5. Lunch consists of house-made soups, salads, and sandwiches. 6820 Sixth Ave., Tacoma. 253.565.1017, www.javafusion.net.
We’re addicted to her incredible homemade soups, crisp, fresh salads, and her daily specials. One of our favorite things about this place is the fresh rolls that come out of her kitchen. You can often smell them at the street side, and we have to fight ourselves from ordering two. Also, we try to avoid her fresh brownies, but Margaret has our number. She puts them right in front of our faces at the counter. That’s just not fair. 754 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.274.8788.
They'll offer salads and sandwiches, freshly prepared every morning, that are already boxed up and ready to go in their cooler. Just ask for these items at the counter. Their homemade soups will always be ready as a quick lunch item, too. You can also call in your to-go orders to be picked up at a specified time. 2601 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.472.0157
This link in a Florida-based chain is a cheese whiz! Your heart will really melt at the first bite of well-prepared fondue, be it meat, cheese or chocolate. Fun for groups. 2121 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.535.3939.
Arguably the best sandwiches in Tacoma with good beer selection. 2220 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4814.
We find the café a nice respite – a truly local establishment where our relationship with our servers feels genuine and caring. It’s a place where people linger, where they come with newspapers and laptops in the morning, drink coffee and eat sandwiches or scones until well into the afternoon, and enjoy pot pie and wine before a show. The cassoulet rules. 2602 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.0170.
When you are whistling a tune and arguing who gets to be Barney Fife during your marathon cops and robbers game, eat here. 7912 27th St. W., University Place, 253.565.5690.
Deli-espresso shop where people gather, meet, talk politics and make new friends. The Rocket Man sandwich is on our lunch rotation. 12837 Pacific Hwy. S.W., Lakewood, 253.512.2233.
A local chain with savory burgers, Tex Mex dishes, large drinks, its own brews, and sports on the tube. 3001 N. Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253.756.7886; 10019 59th Ave. S.W., Lakewood, 253.584.3191; 8100 'C' Freedom Lane N.E., Lacey, 360.923.5900; 103 35th Ave. S.E., Puyallup, 253.841.3317.
We thought I had heard of all of the different ways to make eggs. This café uses an espresso wand to very quickly scramble up some of the fluffiest eggs on earth. Green Eggs and Ham was a delight to my health conscious heart. Eggs, avocado and slightly salted, tender morsels of ham lay across one side of the platter with toasted bread considerately sans butter on the other. Other wand scrambles resemble omelet options of the Denver with minced ham, cheddar cheese and onions. Try the Mexi-Eggs with anaconda, tomato, onion and salsa or the Three Little Pigs — bacon, sausage and ham. Not an egg man? The café offers Belgian waffles, whole grain oatmeal with raisins, half and half cream and brown sugar served all day. At lunchtime, sandwiches, salads, soup and nachos will fill your belly. Wash your grub down with Italian sodas, milk shakes and fruit smoothies. 1746 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.1029.
Cozy, comfortable neighborhood café with a menu of sandwiches with a couple of main meals, including macaroni and cheese and meat loaf. Nice beer and wine list too. 3323 N. 26th, Tacoma, 253.752.7999.
A bustling lunch and take-out business that is the epitome of casual dining with comfort food. 601 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.943.6900.
A great local bar with a good reputation for exemplary beer, friendly patrons, and great food including fish 'n' chips. Early Sunday night blues is a Tacoma tradition. 2121 North 30th, Old Town Tacoma, 253.627.8215.
Tatanka has bison meat in all forms: tacos, chili, jerky, soup, burritos and burgers. The Flawless Burrito fits its name. 4915 N. Pearl, Ruston, 253.752.8778.
Swank, hip, shabby-chic, sexy with delicious daily specials, small plates piping hot chocolate chip cookies! They have a late-night menu. 913 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253.272.4904.
Uncle Thurm himself greets you as you walk in, hands you a menu and offers you a seat in a welcoming way. Southern, home-style cooking with full breakfast, sandwiches and burgers for lunch and huge, massive, humongous dinners. The staff are the definition of Southern hospitality. 3709 S. G St., Tacoma, 253.475.1881.
The menu features salads, soups and sandwiches with chicken, beef and Portobello burgers. A server takes care of the logistics so ordering at the table is unique here among the three museum eateries. We adore the Moroccan chicken sandwich — a combo of grilled, marinated chicken breast on warm pita with hummus, tomato chutney and feta cheese. The Untitled Salad starts things off right with jicama, red peppers, orange slices, red onion and avacado on romaine and watercress with an orange thyme vinaigrette — fresh and cool. The hormone-free Ninman Ranch burger was stacked and hearty with a choice of onion, mushrooms, bacon or avocado — or pay more for all four. Full review here. Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4242
Giant sports bar featuring a mini theater with stadium seating, deep fried mac 'n' cheese, bar fare, and full bar. 1114 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.627.1229.
A homey, relaxed joint resembling other traditional American cuisine chain restaurants. For breakfast, try fluffy biscuits with creamy peppered country gravy, omelets packed with mouthwatering ingredients, or seven, enormous breakfast accompanied by two rich buttermilk pancakes. Lunch and dinner are also served. 31711 Pacific Highway S., Federal Way, 253.941.9860.