Takeout Tacoma: Your best bets for to-go food in and near the Sixth Avenue neighborhood

A bastion of late-night eats intertwined with destination-worthy restaurants that set the bar for Tacoma’s modern culinary landscape, including a Wine Spectator award winner, the Sixth Avenue Business District continues to draw visitors and locals to its eclectic main drag.

Because of the sheer breadth of food options here, we have purposely omitted a few from this takeout rundown, for reasons of space or for sake of the experience.

The Table, for instance, has worked its hyperlocal magic on takeaway projects throughout the pandemic, but chef-owner Derek Bray never intended it to be that way. Others, like Shakabrah Java, provide Tacoma with stacks of pancakes and giant omelettes, which taste better at a table with a hot cup of joe.

Speaking of coffee, two of the city’s finest roasters call Sixth Avenue home: Bluebeard and Valhalla. They are both open for to-go drinks and bags of beans only during these strange times. Meanwhile, Terra-Cotta Coffee & Tea opened last year with Vietnamese coffee and pastries from local bakers.

Legendary Doughnuts still satisfies for sweets, but Ice Cream Social has moved to Hilltop and Proctor. In its stead: Komadre Kombucha, a taproom dedicated to the naturally fermented tea, and down the street, Cat & Rabbitt Cake Shop from the pastry chef of X Group, whose Engine House No. 9 is in the midst of a kitchen overhaul and thus omitted here.

Our other neighborhood takeout guides highlight independent taprooms and bottle shops. For brevity: visit Off Day Beer & Wine and Beer Star for all your craft beer needs — unless you also need a hot dog, in which case read on. If you need good wine and aperitifs in your life, meet Brian Hibbard at Field Bar & Bottleshop, which, when appropriate, will transition to its original intent of being a full-on bar and restaurant.

Burgers abound on this stretch as well, and therein lies a tried-and-true trio, but you’ll also find pub food at the revamped West End Pub, now in the same family of bars as The Parkway, Hank’s, Cole’s and Terry’s.

Almost all of the below reside right on or off Sixth Avenue, with Sprague to the east (find Southern Kitchen and It’s Greek to Me in the Hilltop guide) and around Stevens to the west. We venture to 19th Street for one of the region’s best food trucks.

Whew. There is a lot to eat on Sixth Avenue.

As with previous editions, no corporate chains and no third-party delivery: It’s always best to order directly from the restaurant.

Looking for more takeout around town? Scan our growing collection: South End, North End, West End, South Tacoma, Dome/McKinley/Museum District, Stadium District, Hilltop, and Downtown.

State Street Beer Co.

▪ 606 N. State St., Tacoma, 253-292-0017, statestreetbeer.com

▪ Wednesday-Sunday 4-9 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or in-person

▪ Best for: Neapolitan pizza, natural wine and Crowlers of beer

When the pandemic hit last spring, Dustin Johnson and Alicia Palaniuk reimagined what their Sixth Avenue taproom could be. They overhauled the modest food program and introduced a Neapolitan pizza that quickly became one of the city’s best pies ($14-$18): The crust is hearty yet somehow paper-thin in the middle. You can’t build your own here, but why would you with creative toppings like pickled grapes? The Pepperoni adds pickled jalapenos and a honey drizzle; the Burrata gets red onion, prosciutto and lemon zest; and the Pesto sings with kalamata olives and artichoke hearts. To drink, order Crowlers from the bar’s top-notch draft list ($7-$11) or pop a bottle of pizza-friendly natural wine ($14-$20). Order online through Tock, which lets you choose a pickup time, and on a nice day, find a grassy patch in the baseball field across the street.

MSM Deli

▪ 2220 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-4814, facebook.com

▪ Sunday-Thursday 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8 a.m.-11:30 p.m.

▪ How to order: by phone or in-person at pickup window

▪ Best for: sandwiches!

The Magical Sandwich Makers, years in, continue to sling some of the biggest things between bread. You might be tempted to order the 6-inch sub ($6.35-$7.49), which sounds reasonable in your head but will disappoint your belly after first bite. For only $2 more, go for the 9 (the 13-inch start at $10.89 and the mega 26-inch at $21.79) and enjoy the other half tomorrow. They are always generous with the meat, but sneaking in pickles and sprouts — in the likes of the famous Mike’s Deluxe, the BBC (beef, bacon, cheddar) and the Catch of the Day — is deli genius. Hot options include a Reuben and a meatball sub. Call ahead or order from the pickup window, installed last spring to keep staff, and customers, safe. Though you can’t scan the beer coolers yourself, cold ones are still available to-go.

Dirty Oscar’s Annex

▪ 2309 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-572-0588, dirtyoscarsannex.com

▪ Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: done-up comfort food, plus three-day-weekend brunch

There is comfort food, and there is DOA. Since gaining national fame via “Diners Drive-Ins & Dives,” this Sixth Ave staple continues to sling its culinary finesse in the form of housemade parmesan tots ($9), brown sugar and pepper cured “bacon candy” ($9) and all-day chicken and waffles with honey-poppyseed butter ($17). Maybe you need the Dead Elvis Burger, with peanut butter and a fried banana ($17 with fries), or The Stoner, a fried chicken sammie with smoked tomato tartar and feta on a pretzel bun ($16). Weekend brunch adds decadence like a bacon- and sausage-stuffed pancake, crab cake benedict and smoked pork hash ($14-$17).

Gateway to India

▪ 2603 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-552-5022, gatewaytoindiarestaurant.com

▪ Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday 4-8:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 4-9 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: Northern Indian

With another location in Gig Harbor, the family behind one of Tacoma’s few Indian restaurants has served the city for more than two decades. Start with an order of pappadum ($2.75) — those airy, spicy lentil wafers — and garlic roti or naan ($3.25-$3.50), vegetarian samosas ($7.50) and paneer pakoras ($9.95). The bone-in chicken of tandoori murgha ($15.95) will travel well, though sans the sizzling platter, as will the goat curry ($19.95). Choose among several lamb dishes like gosht masala or vindaloo ($17.95), seafood including korma muchhlee (cod in yogurt sauce with ginger and fenugreek, $18.95) and fragrant biryani ($13.95-$17.95), all served with soup. Add a raita to cool off, and for dessert, indulge in a rice pudding with cardamom or gulab jamun, a milk dumpling soaked in rose water ($4.95 each).

Gather Juice Co

▪ 2612 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-999-5610

▪ Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or in-person

▪ Best for: cold-pressed juice, plus smoothies and toasts

Sean and Gretchen Doyle press juice daily, educating customers on the benefits of this raw, unpasteurized liquid — richer in nutrients than the pulverized stuff you can make at home and better for you than the shelf-stable sugar at stores. Try the OG Greens, a nearly fruit-free juice made with four veggies, cilantro and a dash of lime. If that’s too heady, you might love the Pineapple Express with mint or Night Vision with carrot and ginger. All juices run $8 for 16 ounces, in a reusable glass bottle, or return it for 10 percent off your next purchase. Smoothies ($8-$9.50) pack flavor — and color — into a cup, with a swath of boosters like ashwagandha root, cognitive coffee, goji berries and moringa ($0.50-$2), and superfood lattes invigorate without caffeine ($6). Complete your pick-me-up with a thick slice of toast with hearty almond butter or avocado ($7).

Primo Grill

▪ 2701 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-383-7000, primogrilltacoma.com

▪ Monday-Thursday 4-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 4-10 p.m., Sunday 4-8 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: Italian and Mediterranean influenced seasonal fare

More than 20 years strong, Primo continues to impress with its homemade pasta and seasonal approach to Northwestern cooking. The curbside pickup menu starts with crispy Brussels, creamy polenta and a classic Caesar salad. From the gas-powered hearth, pizzas stick with thoughtful toppings, as in the roasted mushrooms, caramelized onions and goat cheese of the Fungi. Housemade pastas ($20-$28) shine here, whether it’s the ever-popular pumpkin ravioli or lemony campanelle with garlic shrimp and a mint pesto. For a serious date night at home, share the chicken grilled “under a brick” with fingerlings, broccoli and bacon ($27). Say yes to dessert ($8) and a great bottle of wine or cocktails to-go ($19, serves two).

The Alleycat Lounge

▪ 2708 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-327-1956, facebook.com/alleycat6th

▪ Tuesday-Sunday 1-11 p.m.

▪ How to order: by phone or in-person

▪ Best for: bar food with a Mediterranean twist

Co-owner Josh Norris of Half Pint Pizza Pub next door joined forces with Ammar Mannaa of Sluggo Brewing, the latter recognizable for its Mediterranean fare, to create a menu of bar-friendly foods ideal for takeout, too. Create your own mezze at home with an order of Greek fries, hummus and tzatziki with pita, cucumber salad and garlicky mushrooms sauteed with garlic and prosciutto ($5-$8). Remember the homemade falafel, accompanied by olives, pita and veggies, or keep it light with chicken and couscous (both $14). In handheld form, there are burgers ($9-$13) with bonuses like portobello, havarti and gouda, and sizable gyros ($12) stuffed with thinly sliced grilled beef or marinated mushrooms. Call for daily special soups and sandwiches.

Half Pint Pizza Pub

▪ 2710 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-2531, facebook.com/halfpintpizzapub253

▪ Tuesday-Sunday 2-11 p.m.

▪ How to order: by phone or in-person

▪ Best for: pizza and calzones

A fluffy crusted pizza awaits at Half Pint, from the co-owner of the newer Alleycat Lounge next door, though thin crust is also available alongside draft beer to-go. Build your own, starting at $10.99 for a 12-inch small and $14.99 for a 16-inch large, with mozzarella and two toppings included in the price. House pies ($16-$22) range from the Medi Combo with a spicy red sauce, meatballs, bell peppers and bacon to the Talking Mushroom with linguica and the Santa Cruz with white sauce, chicken, artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes. Flying solo? The 7-inch personal pie plus a side salad for $8.99 is a solid deal. Make any meat and cheese combo a calzone ($9.99 with four fillings) — we promise they won’t betray you.

Asado

▪ 2810 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-7770, asadotacoma.com

▪ Wednesday-Sunday 4-9 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: South American inspired fare

X Group’s Argentinian steakhouse remains a Sixth Avenue destination 15 years later. You’ll miss the sounds of sizzling beef and the view of hot flames from the open kitchen, but options like the house chorizo-sirloin burger with Serrano ham ($19) or fried chicken sandwich coated in a parmesan crumb ($16) will travel nicely. Creative salads ($13-$22) can substitute for mains, or create a meal with appetizers of crab cakes, a chorizo link, steak tips and prawns. For the pandemic era, a take’n’bake lasagna ($45), frozen for easy reheating at home, blends house-ground chorizo and beef into a bed of Parmesan and arugula, with the signature molido. Have fun with two-serving cocktails, or four in the case of sangria ($24-$46), and snag a bottle of South American wine while you’re at it.

Spanky Burger & Brew

▪ 601 S. Pine St., Tacoma, 253-327-1111, spankyburger.com

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

▪ How to order: by phone or at walk-up window

▪ Best for: burgers

Fresh ground chuck forms the base of every Spanky burger, sandwiched between a craft beer bun fully prepared for the weight of patty and accouterments. Stay classic with the house burger ($9.49) — special sauce and LTO — or double the cheese and meat ($10.99). Get spicy with the Fireball (salsa, jalapenos, pepperjack and avocado aioli), the Spicy Queso or the Chipotle topped with fried onion rings and roasted green chili. Grilled or crispy fried chicken sandwiches, turkey patties and a salmon burger ($9.99-$12.99) offer alternatives to beef, and every order comes with fries or a side salad. Wings dressed in sauces like honey garlic or ghost chili, potato nachos, and entree-sized salads make Spanky a great choice for families needing variety, not to mention malts in flavors like toffee, marshmallow and Irish cream.

The Red Hot

▪ 2914 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-779-0229, redhottacoma.com

▪ Daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (kitchen closes at 8:30 p.m.)

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: hot dogs and great beer

Everyone loves The Red Hot, and for good reason: It’s one of the best beer bars in the region and it serves all-beef dogs (most $4.25-$6) on proper poppyseed buns. Stay fly with the flagship dog with spicy brown, onions and relish, or the Tacoma which actually takes after the infamous Chicago version with sport peppers and a pickle spear — absolutely no ketchup. There’s the peanut butter-bacon Hound Dog, the chili-covered Coney, and the sauerkraut-laden Rainier Reuben. Vegetarians and vegans will appreciate the choice of Field Roast bratwursts and frankfurters, and the ultimate bonus: vegan “beer-b-q” baked beans and coleslaw. Families can opt for a party pack of three varieties ($15-$19.50), available only to-go. And you must order Crowlers of Northwest beer or Belgians, a rare find on draft — they’ll keep until you crack one open.

La Ca Bar

▪ 606 S. Junett St., Tacoma, 253-267-5540, lacabartacoma.com

▪ Daily 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: Vietnamese street food

The South Sound is brimming with Vietnamese restaurants, but this one differs in its focus on street food. Beyond the mainstays of fresh rolls in four varieties ($7-$8), try the Hue City Dumplings, a springy tapioca casing steamed (and served) in banana leaves, and the salt-and-pepper squid, lightly coated in a rice flour batter ($9). Grilled pork, beef and chicken feature in banh mi and vermicelli bowls ($8-$15), or venture toward fried rice with quail or beef tenderloin ($16-$19). The menu also boasts a dozen vegetarian and vegan options, including bánh xèo and pho. With a bar atmosphere, it’s a great bet for later-night eats.

Beefy’s Burgers

▪ 3018 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-301-1663, beefysburgers.me

▪ Sunday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or in-person

▪ Best for: cheap burgers

From the owner of Shake Shake Shake in Stadium, Beefy’s slings fresh beef, true Americana burgers starting around $3 for a single and under $5 for a double with cheese. “Deluxe” versions add lettuce, onions and pickles; all feature the house secret sauce, an excellent pairing for the $3 crinkle-cut fries. Try an over-the-top bacon-wrapped hot dog, served on a sweet Hawaiian bun ($2.79-$5.99), or seek out the secret menu for Beefy fries and fried chicken waffle sliders. Shake flavors aren’t as plentiful as its sister spot, but they are fresh and only $3.59 for 12 ounces of strawberry, vanilla or chocolate.

Sushi Tama

▪ 3919 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-761-1014, sushitamarestaurant.com

▪ Tuesday-Saturday 4:15-7:30 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: sushi for fish lovers

Modest from the outside, the sushi from this longtime Sixth Avenue spot remains as consistent as it is affordable. Start with the tako sunomono (octopus with clear noodles) and gyoza ($7.89), but save the tempura and other fried fish for an in-person visit, hot out of the fryer. Now for the sushi, here served with neither pretense nor drizzles. Look to the chef’s selections of nigiri, maki and sashimi (about $23-$27) for easy decisions and optimal diversity. If you prefer heftier rolls, Tama does those, too — Spider, Dragon, Futo — but find some favorites in simpler maki (about $6-$10), such as the Natto of fermented soybeans and shiso, Saboten with octopus and cactus, and Orange — a California roll topped with roe. From the grill, the generous portion of yakiniku beef ($11.89) will yield leftovers, and at lunch, meals with salad, rice and miso soup go for $9-$13.

Crisp Greens

▪ 4312 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-301-3807, crispgreens.co

▪ Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday noon-7 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: soup and salad

Corie Cameron put her nutrition education to good use at this takeout-centric cafe focused on healthy homemade eats, with a second location opening downtown this year. A dozen composed salads ($9.99+) pack a punch, all with some form of protein, as in the Chicken Taco, the Middle Eastern Cobb with grilled chicken and pickled peppers, or the Steakhouse Chopped with bleu cheese and kale. Modifications and add-ons are welcome, though you can also Build A Bowl: start with a protein, then select various spreads and toppings to make it your own. Endless possibilities for vegetarians and vegans, too, with roasted veggies and tofu. Daily soup selection ($3.99-$6.99) depends on chef’s whim — follow on Instagram to see what Cameron has stewing. When picking up, inquire about meal prep options for those stressful weeks.

Da Tiki Hut

▪ 4427 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-625-7690, datikihut.com

▪ Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

▪ How to order: online or by phone

▪ Best for: Hawaiian comfort food

It’s not roasted in an underground sand pit, but the Kalua pork, slow-cooked with Hawaiian sea salt, from this teeny shop still provokes island memories. Try it as a plate lunch with rice and side of macaroni salad ($9.25-$11.50), or in Jessie’s Special Moco ($11.75), piled atop white rice and covered with two over-easy eggs and a dark gravy. Burgers with Hawaiian twists — like the Da Kine with cheese, bacon, island slaw and grilled pineapple — offer handheld options served with fries ($8-$11.75). Snag a few musubis while you’re here, with SPAM or your choice of housemade meats ($2.75-$4) and fries seasoned with furikake, a Japanese recipe with salt and nori.

Burger Seoul

▪ 1750 S. Prospect St., Tacoma, no phone, instagram.com/BURGERSEOUL

▪ Daily 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

▪ How to order: in-person only

▪ Best for: Korean-American burgers and sandwiches

From this food truck, parked since 2015 outside a convenience store at the corner of 19th and Prospect, Young La marries Korean flavors with American comfort. The namesake burger ($10) — a patty of ground beef, chuck and short rib on brioche — features the now-famous Seoul sauce, kind of ketchup but with a kick. The Bulgogiger ($11) spins on classic bulgogi, a pile of thinly sliced ribeye with pickled cucumbers, and the Fire Soul ($9) eschews beef for sliced pork butt, neither of which is really a burger but no matter — La can pull it off. Spend the $3 for sweet potato or Seoul garlic fries, and ask for extra sauce. Follow the shop on Instagram for announcements of the coveted Avocasoul days. Order only on-site and enjoy atop the hood of your car in the parking lot.

This story was originally published February 25, 2021 at 5:00 AM.