A kebab shop, bakery/bistro, taqueria and Cajun market top new Pierce County restaurants

A pop-up opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant, and Freighthouse Square has a new food tenant.

In Parkland, there’s a quaint shop to grab a house-baked cookie and deli sandwiches, and in Lakewood, you’ll find a brightly colored drive-thru coffee and smoothie shop focused on using only plant-based, organic ingredients.

Earlier this summer, the region gained a choice for quick Cambodian food and another cheesesteak destination.

Perhaps you’ve noticed something called “Thighstop” appear on Google Maps. That would be a delivery and pickup-only “ghost” concept from the Wingstop chain, created in June in direct response to higher prices for wings.

Here’s a look at some more fresh spots, independently owned, to eat and drink in Pierce County.

SUGAR BONES TACOS - LAKEWOOD

8813 Edgewater Dr. SW, Lakewood, 253-267-5112, sugarbonestacos.online

What started as a pop-up now has a formal storefront. Serving a streamlined menu of street tacos — al pastor, carne asada, carnitas, pollo con mole — as well as quesadillas, aguachile and burritos, Sugar Bones Tacos is now open in Lakewood. The location formerly housed a Papa John’s. The family-owned restaurant celebrated its grand opening Aug. 7, with colorful creations like a purple or pink-tinged horchata. Open Tuesday-Saturday at noon and 11 a.m. on Sunday.

THE PALACE KEBAB - TACOMA

430 E. 25th St, Tacoma (inside Freighthouse Square), 253-272-0845, thepalacekebab.com

Freighthouse Square, long home to eateries like Paya Thai Fish & Chips, welcomes a Mediterranean vendor in The Palace Kebab. The menu features homemade hummus, dolmeh (stuffed grape leaves), four styles of salad, including shirazi and olvieh with chicken and potatoes, a variety of kebab wraps and plates with saffron basmati rice. Open Monday-Saturday at 11 a.m. and noon on Sunday.

DRAGON’S BISTRO - GIG HARBOR

5500 Olympic Dr., Gig Harbor, 253-858-2199, clover.com/online-ordering/dragons-bistro

Gig Harbor has a new Chinese restaurant with Thai, too, in Dragon’s Bistro, now open in the same plaza as Bartell Drugs and Fresh Rolls off Olympic Drive. The vast menu offers a melange of Asian cuisines, including a variety of mu shu, noodles, fried rice and BBQ meats, plus hot pots and dinners of protein, egg fried rice and wontons. Most dishes are $12-$18. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

BEEYOND SMOOTHIE

7502 Custer Road W, Lakewood, instagram.com/beeyond_smoothie

This locally owned drive-thru is hard to miss with its bright turquoise facade and buzzing accents. Look for it off Custer, just across the intersection with 75th Street where cheesesteak favorite Go Philly resides. It stands out by sticking with organic ingredients and, notably, Tacoma’s own Valhalla Coffee. In addition to caffeine, the menu features protein-packed smoothies with flavors like peanut butter and cacao, espresso and salted caramel, chai tea and matcha, too. Open weekdays 6 a.m.-7 p.m. and weekends at 6:30 a.m., with online ordering available for quick pickup.

PARKLAND PLACE BAKERY & BISTRO

14906 Pacific Ave. S, Tacoma, 253-301-4658, facebook.com

In the same plaza as Kolby’s Donut House, this super-friendly cafe offers homemade baked goods — cookies, bars, biscotti — and cakes, custom pre-orders available. The bistro side enters with sandwiches, including an enjoyable Italian hoagie, a sesame chicken salad and tortilla soup, plus a few vegan options like a gryo with Greek-seasoned seitan and a “barbacoa” jackfruit burrito. Ample seating inside and quick takeout make for a solid lunch in the Parkland neighborhood. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

ALTHA’S LOUISIANA CAJUN - PUYALLUP

116 S. Meridian, Puyallup, 253-446-7139, facebook.com/althaslouisianacajunseasoning

After finding success with his first store in Kent, Reginald Robinson has brought his all Southern, all-the-time market to downtown Puyallup. Altha’s Louisian Cajun Seasonings and Spices is brimming with Cajun and Creole ingredients and products made in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Here you’ll discover everything you need to make jambalaya at home, down to the charcoal for grilling those andouille sausages, paired with affable service that stems from the owner’s innate Southern hospitality. Open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

This story was originally published August 18, 2021 at 12:00 PM.