Tacoma is Seattle’s little sister to the south that, let’s face it, gets a pretty bad rap sometimes (most of the time), or at least it does from us Seattleites. Well, I recently spent the weekend in T-town and I was seriously impressed by this place! It’s got a darling downtown waterfront, stunning parks and yes, some seriously awesome food. Behold, ten delicious reasons to visit lovely Tacoma!
1. Locally brewed beer at 7 Seas Brewery and Taproom and 2. Sammies from 3uilt
Local beer is brewed on site at the 7 Seas Brewery and Taproom in a relaxed, open air space that offers 7 Seas year-round brews, seasonals, and a constantly rotating Tap Room Reserve Series. The tap room also offers a fantastic on site counter service restaurant, 3uilt, that serves yummy salads, sandwiches, charcuterie and more. Because tasty beers and sandwiches belong together.
3. All the ice cream at local favorite Ice Cream Social
If you follow me at all on social media, certainly you’re aware of my ice cream addiction at this point. I think I’ve taste tested every ice cream shop in Seattle and I am here to tell you that Ice Cream Social in Tacoma can hang with the best of them. Fresh ingredients from local farms are used to create their perfectly creamy, all natural ice cream whose mission is to create a joyful, flavorful experience for their customers with every taste.
4. Adorable Anthem Coffee
Great people, great coffee and a great space make Anthem Coffee a can’t miss in Tacoma. The friendliest baristas you’ve ever met and kickass pastries awaits you at this darling coffee shop. With multiple locations in Tacoma, you’ve got your choice of which shop to pop by; we visited the downtown location on Pacific Ave. and I could not be more into this awesome Octopus artwork and the mood it set for sipping.
5. Brunch at Dirty Oscar’s Annex
This is a MUST when visiting Tacoma, y’all, and I’d go so far as to say that the insane brunch here is reason enough to make the trip down to Tacoma. Bomb chicken and waffles and a fried chicken biscuit that is seriously life changing are just two of the incredible things you’ll find on the menu here.
These bad boys live up to their name. Reminiscent of famous VooDoo Doughnut in Portland, these daily handmade doughnuts are classic yet unique. Get your sugar fix from their extensive selection of doughnuts; they also offer cannolis, ice cream sandwiches and even dog treats!
7. Craft cocktails and small plates at Matriarch Lounge
This hip, new spot in Tacoma offers creative craft cocktails and thoughtful small plates in a super cool setting. Located in the Carpenters Building, Matriarch Lounge is a part of Alma Mater, an artist-driven work, performance, and gathering space. I thoroughly enjoyed all the dishes we ordered but my favorite was the Fried Heirloom Tomatoes with Shishitos (swoon).
8. Kick ass sammies at The Eleven Eleven
If you like good local beer, bomb sandwiches and dark bars, the Eleven Eleven will be your new favorite place. I’ve been a fan of their Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwich for years, but you really can’t go wrong with anything here; their daily soups are also always on point.
9. Kick ass Argentinian food at Asado
6th Ave is the street for bar hopping and trendy restaurants in Tacoma and it’s where you’ll find the uber delicious Argentinian restaurant, Asado. An open kitchen where chefs sear beef over a mesquite grill sets the stage for this restaurant that has been celebrating Latin American flavors since 2005. I gorged on their Bife de Lomo over potatoes and a side of their grilled corn, all of which were fantastic (says the girl that spent two weeks in Argentina last year).
10. Burgers at Stacks
It’s no secret – I LOVE Stacks burgers – and no list of tasty things in Tacoma would be complete without them. Their signature hand formed patties are made with only the best grass fed, hormone free, pasture raised northwest beef from Double R Ranch. The buns are baked at Marsee Bakery in Kent, and they use only local produce and melty Tillamook cheese on their bomb burgs. Pictured here is The Beast: three 4 oz beef patties, American cheese, bacon, crispy onion strings and their house made barbecue sauce.
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