Bourbon, maple bars and grilled meats to celebrate Father’s Day in Pierce County
There is more than one way to celebrate Dad this year.
As Pierce County continues to ease into Phase 2, many bars and restaurants have opened for in-house dining and imbibing.
Here are a few ideas to satisfy both the dad who is ready to hit the town and the fellow who might prefer to relax at home with the family, all while supporting local businesses.
SHARE A PINT
Breweries are a sure bet for a casual Sunday outing, and, presuming the weather holds, you can enjoy a pint together outside.
Narrows Brewing boasts a decent-sized deck overlooking Narrows Marina, or sit outside at E9 in the brewery district or Gig Harbor Brewing on South Tacoma Way. In Puyallup, Off Camber Brewing has a cozy, backyard vibe, and in Brown’s Point, North 47 has a patio, too.
Fill a growler for later, or pick one up to accompany an at-home meal, made possible by local businesses continuing their COVID-inspired creativity.
FIRE UP THE GRILL
Asado, which has reopened for in-house dining, also has a “Grill & Chill” Father’s Day BBQ kit that covers all the bases. The two-person pack ($105) includes two one-pound Durham Ranch wagyu ribeyes and two marinated prawn skewers (four of each for $205), plus chimichurri, a tin of Asado’s own steak seasoning and salsa criolla. For sides, dig into fingerling potatoes, asparagus, a house herb salad and a Macrina potato baguette with chimichurri butter. All of the above comes with mesquite wood chips to achieve — or attempt to achieve — that Asado flavor on the home grill.
Head to Blue Max Meats in Puyallup or Buckley to find an immense array of meats, from short ribs and flat irons to all styles of lamb, pork, chicken, plus specialties including venison, wild boar, elk and alligator.
To further enhance those meats at home, the South Sound is home to more than one independent spice shop. In Gig Harbor, there’s For the Love of Spice; in Kent, Altha’s Louisiana Seasonings; and in Puyallup, Trove Provisions, which opened in February.
JUST ADD BOURBON
For whiskey lovers, swing by Chambers Bay Distillery for a Father’s Day gift box, which comes with either a tasting glass or a bottle of their very own sanitizer. Choose between the flagship straight bourbon and the Greenhorn bourbon, both with wheated mash bills, making them a solid choice for fans of Maker’s Mark.
GET BRUNCH OR ORDER IN
Unlike the reality for Mother’s Day last month, brunch is a possibility this Sunday, including at breakfast favorites like Waffle Stop in Proctor, Shakabrah Java on Sixth Avenue and Devoted Kiss Cafe in Gig Harbor.
Top Pot Doughnuts also has a giant maple bar “cake” available for pre-order and pick-up on Saturday ($24.99, call to order).
Many other restaurants throughout the region are open for takeout, if Dad just wants to, heck, stay at home.
EAT
▪ Asado Cucina Argentina, 2810 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-7770 | Grill & Chill pack, $105 for two or $205 for four; order online by 9 a.m. Thursday for Saturday pickup
▪ Blue Max Meats, 9502 Canyon Rd E, Puyallup, 253-535-6110; 29304 WA-410, Buckley, 360-829-6520; Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
▪ Top Pot Doughnuts, 2724 N Proctor St., Tacoma, 253-433-3852; | Order ahead for Saturday pickup; open daily 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. (7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday)
▪ Waffle Stop, 2710 N Proctor St., Tacoma, 253-267-5026; daily 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
▪ Shakabrah Java, 2618 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-572-2787; daily 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (open 8 a.m. Sunday); dinner served Friday and Saturday until midnight
▪ Devoted Kiss Cafe, 8809 N Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, 253-851-0055; daily 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., reservations required
DRINK
▪ Chambers Bay Distillery, 2013 70th Ave. W, University Place, 253-292-5962 | Father’s Day bourbon pack, $37 to $54; pickup at tasting room, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
▪ Narrows Brewing Company, 9007 S 19th St., Tacoma, 253-327-1400; Monday to Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday to Saturday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
▪ E9 Brewing Co., 2506 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, 253-383-7707; Wednesday to Friday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. (10 p.m. Friday); Saturday to Sunday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
▪ Off Camber Brewing, 6506 114th Ave. Ct. E, Puyallup, 253-312-8796; Thursday to Saturday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (open at 3 p.m. Saturday)
▪ North 47 Brewing Co., 1000 Town Ctr NE, Tacoma, 253-517-9865; Monday to Thursday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
ADD SPICE
▪ Altha’s Louisiana Cajun Store & Deli, 201 E Meeker St., Kent, 253-719-2242; daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (5 p.m. Sunday)
▪ For The Love of Spice, 3104 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, 253-858-0272 | Order online or call for pickup, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
▪ Trove Provisions, 115 W Meeker, Puyallup, 253-820-9263; daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday)
This story was originally published June 17, 2020 at 5:00 AM.