Takeout Tacoma: Your best bets for to-go food in South Tacoma

Look past the car dealerships and the mall to discover one of the coolest areas in town, one swimming in culinary diversity and character.

Colombian? Check. Mexican? Got it. Very good to excellent Thai? More than one option here. Everything you need to make a professional cocktail at home? South Tacoma has that, too.

South Tacoma Way is one of the best places to bar-hop, but, of course, the world doesn’t want us to do that right now. Some of those haunts we’ve omitted from this list only because the dive is half the fun.

That stretch has seen an influx of creative new blood in recent years, though, proffering everything from The Mule’s epic ginger beer to The Church Cantina’s Cuban delights. You can get barbecue in a bottle shop and East Coast subs in a combo clothing boutique and music venue.

We also broke our own chain rule for a singular spot — a Japanese ramen import that deserves a nod in part because there are only a few U.S. locations and because the restaurant has a make-your-own ramen meal kit created for takeout.

To limit this wide swath of land, we’re considering South Tacoma’s northern boundary as Route 16 and Center Street and the southern cutoff around 56th. Then it’s Orchard on the west and I-5 to the east. Give us the gray area of Tacoma’s border with Fircrest and University Place: Some of those restaurants might be included in a future edition.

On that note, a few I-5 corridor spots might make their way into the South End and Eastside roundups. Breakfast is hard to do well in takeout form, so we’ve also omitted Marcia’s Silver Spoon Cafe, which, 33 years in, continues to welcome guests for cash-only dining.

As with our other takeout guides, no corporate chains and no delivery. It’s always best to call the restaurant directly.

*Reporter’s Note: This guide starts on Center Street and heads south to 56th Street, stopping east then west.

Loak Toung Thai

▪ 3807 Center St., Tacoma, 253-248-9813, loaktoungthai.com

▪ Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 4:30-8:30 p.m. (9 p.m. Friday-Saturday)

▪ How to order: by phone

▪ Best for: Isaan-style Thai

Specializing in Isaan dishes native to northeastern Thailand, where shared borders with Laos and Cambodia influence ingredients, this family-run restaurant offers dishes ($8.99-$10.99) you won’t find elsewhere, including homemade sour pork and Isaan sausages. Check Facebook or Instagram for off-menu specials like pungent pork and crispy rice of nham kao tod, spicy Crying Tiger pork and barbecued skewers of moo ping. Other favorites include larb gai, a delectable “salad” of finely chopped chicken, lime and spices, three-flavor fish and gaeng noh mai, a curry-esque soup that culls its flavor from bamboo shoots. Basics — basil chicken, panang curry, phad kee mao — are better than most anywhere else.

Melon Seed Deli

▪ 3807 Center St., Tacoma, 253-279-0029, melonseeddeli.com

▪ Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

▪ How to order: by phone

▪ Best for: sandwiches, frozen yogurt

In the same plaza as Loak Toung, this brightly colored shop garners lines at certain times of day, whether for a fresh slider ($9.95-$12.95, two per order) or a cup of fully-dressed frozen yogurt ($1.95-$7.95). Sandwiches feature all the hits — Reuben, Italian, Cubano — but venture to the specialty side for unique creations like “spiked” tuna with sriracha and spicy slaw, Mac’s Staxx with four meats and three cheeses, Salmon Blu with barbecue sauce and bleu cheese, and jambalaya on a bun. Salads are just as fun ($11.95-$12.95).

The Tipsy Tomato Tacoma

▪ 3878 Center St., Tacoma, 253-302-4101, instagram.com/thetipsytomatotacoma

▪ Daily 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (9 a.m. for Seahawks day games)

▪ How to order: by phone

▪ Best for: thin-crust pizza with crazy toppings

What looks like nothing but a dive bar serves some surprisingly good thin-crust pizza — cracker-level crust — with “let’s get weird” toppings. A $10 base comes with provolone cheese and your choice of 19 sauces, from classic tomato, pesto and garlic-herb oil to out-there Spaghettios (?), ranch or Chinese mustard. Add other types of cheese (chevre, feta, pepperjack, brie), meats and veggies at your discretion. The “debatables” section is where things truly get weird: Cheetos, Funyuns, Cool Ranch Doritos. There you will also find toppings that other pizza shops might treat as acceptable, like balsamic reduction, pineapple and truffle oil. You can also opt to put any of the above into a calzone, sandwich or atop a bed of lettuce.

Allstar Burgers

▪ 3202 S. Gunnison St., Tacoma, 253-272-4311

▪ Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

▪ How to order: by phone or in-person

▪ Best for: cheesesteaks, cheap burgers

Sometimes you just need a $3 burger not from McDonald’s, or with fries for $5.50 to $7.65, depending on which style you choose. Quarter pounders, half pounders, Hawaiian, avocado — take your pick. You can also snag a BLT combo meal for under $5, or make it a double for $8.75. Despite the name, Allstar slings a pile of cheesesteaks starting around $8.25. Try the house version with hot peppers.

Gig Harbor Brewing Co.

▪ 3120 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-474-0672, gigharborbrewing.com

▪ Wednesday-Saturday 2-8 p.m., Sunday 12-6 p.m.

▪ How to order: by phone or in-person

▪ Best for: fresh local beer

Despite the Tacoma address, Gig Harbor Brewing produces all of its fine ales served here in its original facility and taproom. Swing by to fill a growler or pick up some six-packs of their five flagship beers, including two IPAs, a malty red and their award-winning Ghost Ship imperial stout. Find seasonal brews and cans of their house Fizzhead Seltzer here, too.

Saigon House

▪ 2505 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253-503-3010, saigonhouse.us

▪ Daily 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: beyond Vietnamese basics

The owners of Saigon House run the well-liked Green Garden Pho in Silverdale. Pho should really be enjoyed on site, but you’ll find 15 options here, so try the house special with rare beef, brisket, meatballs, tendon and tripe ($11). Of the dozen bún chả varieties ($15-$21.50), the Obama Hanoi-style stands out for its nod to the renowned presidential meal on plastic stools with the late Anthony Bourdain. Another rarity is the cá lã vọng, a Northern Vietnamese specialty of turmeric-bathed fish with scallions and dill. Singapore rice noodles ($13.50) and fried fish cakes ($9) complete the broad menu.

Chili Thai

▪ 3213 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253-267-0779, chilithai.com/tacoma-location

▪ Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: choose-your-spice Thai

With locations also in University Place and Puyallup, Chili Thai has garnered a legion of fans. Many Thai restaurants let you choose your spice level, but this online menu marks dishes (most $10.95) that inherently carry a kick. Start with the yum nua (spicy beef with sticky rice and cabbage), and then choose your protein for fried rice, curries and noodles like pad see ew and kee mao. Standalone meat dishes are segmented by the chef — meaning the jungle pork, chicken rama, shoe shee salmon (in red curry) are cooked as intended. Vegetarians will find lots to love here with 11 dedicated dishes, and another eight specifically with seafood: prawns, squid or salmon. Wrap your meal with an order of black rice pudding for $5.

Pacific Southern

▪ 3832 S. Pine St., Tacoma, 253-474-9898, pacsouthtacoma.com

▪ Monday-Wednesday 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday-Sunday 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

▪ How to order: by phone or in-person

▪ Best for: Southern breakfast

Treat the family to Southern breakfast six days a week from this unassuming building atop the hill. Shrimp and grits, country fried steak, biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles — Pac South fills you up on classics ($9.99-$15.99), or opt sweet with the house French toast of challah bread with granola and vanilla cream ($12.99). The lunch/dinner menu kicks off at 11 a.m. with spicy fried fish bites and hush puppies ($6.99-$7.99), oyster po’boys ($13.99) and pulled pork sandwiches ($11.99).

Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya

▪ 4502 S. Steele St (at Tacoma Mall), Tacoma, no phone, kizuki.com/locations/tacoma-mall

▪ Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

▪ How to order: online

▪ Best for: ramen meal kits

Breaking the chain rule for Kizuki because the Japanese import has only 13 U.S. locations, nine of which are in our region. From traditional shoyu and tonkotsu to spicy, shio and miso, Kizuki offers 22 bowls, including low-sodium and vegetarian options. Better yet, test your own ramen skills with one of their take-home kits ($54.99), replete with vacuum-sealed pork, requisite fixings, noodles and your choice of broth. Add on a 10-piece karaage or takoyaki ($9.99) and gyoza ($7.99) for an awesome at-home feast.

Chang Thai Express

▪ 2901 S. 47th St., Tacoma, 253-328-4247, changthaiexpress.com

▪ Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday noon to 9 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: superior Thai classics

The outpost of Lakewood’s Chang Thai provides South and Central Tacoma with another solid Thai destination. Start with fresh rolls with peanut sauce, fried calamari or shrimp with plum sauce ($4.95-$5.95), or try the house peanut salad with fried chicken ($9.95). Thai mainstays abound but some unique offerings include pumpkin and green avocado curry ($10.95), plus several duck and lamb plates in the “chef’s special” section ($14.95-$15.95) and delightful spicy green beans ($9.95) under “favorites.”

Cravin Crawfish

▪ 5015 Tacoma Mall Blvd., Tacoma, 253-300-8130, instagram.com/cravincrawfishtacoma

▪ Daily noon to 10 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: seafood by the pound

From the namesake crustacean to the Sound’s prized Dungeness crab, this seafood boil spot near the Tacoma Mall serves up eight varietals, starting at $14.50 and running to $34 per pound for snow crab legs. For an appetizer or for the kids, add on some fried catfish, calamari, shrimp or Vietnamese wings ($9.99-$11.99). At home, skip the plates and just grab a tablecloth and lots of napkins.

The Opal Lounge

▪ 5226 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-302-5650, facebook.com/opallounge253

▪ Wednesday-Thursday noon to 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday noon to 10 p.m.

▪ How to order: by phone or in-person

▪ Best for: barbecue

Though one of the finer points of The Opal (sister to South Bay BBQ in Olympia) is its whiskey collection, you can still enjoy the barbecue at home. Specials worth considering include wings (whole, not drumstick-ed) on Wednesdays, meatloaf on Thursdays and prime rib on Fridays. Sometimes they carry into the next day in sandwich form, so check Facebook for the latest. Hefty combo platters start at $18 for two meats, two sides and cornbread. Smoked meats and sides, including worthy hot links and potato salad, are also available by the pound. For big bulk orders, try to call at least two days in advance.

The Mule Tavern

▪ 5227 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-212-3112, themuletavern.com

▪ Daily 3-11 p.m.

▪ How to order: by phone or in-person (call for curbside pickup)

▪ Best for: cocktail ingredients and bar food

When COVID shut down Sam Halhuli’s bar in March, he began bottling the bar’s house syrups and mixers for customers to create their own cocktails at home. Bring a growler or a Ball jar (or buy one on-site) and fill ‘er up with The Mule’s best-in-show ginger beer — tingly, fresh and jam-packed with ginger and a brush of lemon — or tonic, perfect for easy G&T’s ($10 for 32 ounces). Add a bottle of Sam’s lime brine, lemon sour and Old Fashioned simple syrup, and don’t forget the spiced cherries. To sop up your future, take home a BBQ pork banh mi, a honey-cumin chicken sandwich or a veggie quesadilla ($10). When you buy food, you can also buy a sealed liter of booze.

The Church Cantina

▪ 5240 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-292-0544, facebook.com/thechurchcantina

▪ Tuesday-Friday 2-11 p.m., Saturday-Sunday noon to 11 p.m.

▪ How to order: by phone or in-person

▪ Best for: Cuban and vegan comfort food

Most everything at this Cuban-inspired, goth-decorated getaway is downright delicious, so take your pick of what sings to you — whether that’s the gigantic Holy Burrito stuffed with enough mojo pork, black beans and rice to feed a family ($14.50) or a rice bowl with chili-coconut prawns ($13.50). The nontraditional Cubano combines that same pork with Gruyère and a cumin-spiked Dijon ($11.50), and the croquetas come with a zippy relish ($8.50). Vegetarians and vegans will be in heaven, too. Check Facebook for daily specials.

Beyond ThunderDome Cafe

▪ 5412 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, no phone, beyondthunderdomecafe.com

▪ Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: Boar’s Head subs and coffee

Adjacent to the ThunderDome clothing shop inside the Real Art music venue, this new cafe satisfies for East Coast sandwiches on a hero, kaiser roll or bagel. House creations named after characters from the Mad Max movie range from a roast beef dip and Italian to a turkey club and vegetarian made with Field Roast deli slices. Build your own on Franz bakery bread. Manifesto Coffee and cheap beer seal the deal at our very own Tacoma bodega.

Patty’s Burgers

▪ 5615 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-474-0844

▪ Daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

▪ How to order: by phone or in-person

▪ Best for: diner burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches

The iconic burger joint offers a few too many to name in one paragraph, and we won’t get into the $50 Cake Burger. For beginners, the classic single patty ($8.59) or double cheeseburger ($11.20) is a sensible place to start. Upgrade to a double bacon ($11.99) or, heck, the triple stack ($13.99). Fries ($4.50-$4.99) can be covered in chili, gravy, buffalo sauce or bacon cheese; they can be curly, waffle or sweet potato. There are also cheesesteaks and an array of diner-style sandwiches — patty melts, tuna melts, BLTs — and footlong hot dogs ($8.99-$9.99).

Empanadas Colombianas Luis Panes

▪ 5640 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-212-0613, empanadasluispanes.com

▪ Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: Colombian empanadas

The name says it all: empanadas in seven styles ($10.99 for six), including two vegetarian options. Ask for aji sauce on the side. You can also stock up on bags of frozen treats — empanadas, arepas, pandebones (cheese bread) and buñuelos (sweet dessert dough) to reheat at your leisure ($6.99-$20.99). On Saturdays, dig into the bandeja paisa, a traditional plate of ground beef, chicharrones, chorizo with eggs, plantains and arepas ($20.99). Feel better with a fresh soursop or passionfruit juice ($5.99).

Moctezuma’s

▪ 4102 S. 56th St., Tacoma, 253-474-5593, moctezumas.com/room/tacoma

▪ Daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (until 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday)

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: Mexican for a crowd

With four area locations, this family-run spot fulfills a weeknight craving and a weekend family feast alike. Party platters ($29.99-$89.99) feed a crowd: flautas, fajitas, enchiladas, tamales, even a BYO taco bar. Add trays of pinto or refried beans and rice for $14.99 a piece, and you’ve got leftovers. Moctezuma’s also offers its à la carte menu to-go, with delightful bites of esquites ($8.99), an asada taco salad ($13.99), chimichangas, and a combo plate of steak and chile relleno ($14.99-$19.99). Bonus: bottled margaritas with a mini of Grandeza orange liqueur ($11.99). The restaurant will deliver orders over $20 within a certain radius.

Edison City Alehouse

▪ 5602 S. Lawrence St., Tacoma, 253-301-3593, edisoncityalehouse.com

▪ Daily 1-9 p.m.

▪ How to order: by phone or in-person

▪ Best for: great beer, weekly BBQ

Edison City is South Tacoma’s beer destination, with an impressive packaged collection and always an awesome draft list, available in Crowlers or growlers to-go. Check the current taplist online and call ahead to have that fresh beer ready when you are. On Fridays, Gig Harbor’s BBQ2U sets up shop with under-$15 platters plus sides, and Saturday through Tuesday Dope Taco Co. slings taco plates for $12.

The Main Ingredient (CLOSED)

▪ 5419 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-301-2017, tmipizzatacoma.com

▪ Thursday-Monday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (open at 10 a.m. Sunday)

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: pizza by the slice and Italian lunch

This newcomer to South Tacoma, in the black-and-white brick building formerly home to Stonegate, provides the area with a decent independent pizza option. Specials include an 18-inch cheese pizza (upcharge for additional toppings) with 30 wings for $48.99, saving you $10. If you prefer beer over chicken, swap two 32-ounce Crowlers for a similar deal. At lunchtime, a slice and a soda goes for $6.50, or grab a 6-inch sub with housemade chips ($5.99-$8.99). Daytime pastas fill you up for $12.99 ($17.99 for a dinner portion). Reporter’s Note: The Main Ingredient has closed.

This story was originally published October 19, 2020 at 7:00 AM.