New restaurants: Birrieria Tijuana, Cajun seafood-boil, sushi, pho, more cookies and ice cream

Let there be Crumbls.

The Utah-based company known for its pink boxes and fresh-from-the-oven treats has opened franchises all over the South Sound. Crumbl Cookies just opened in Gig Harbor and Bonney Lake, following a Puyallup location that opened in late 2020. Tacoma will soon have one of its own.

Seafood boil restaurants, where crustaceans are sold by the pound and doused in a buttery or spicy sauce, also have boomed in the past year. There is one more spot to try this trend, adding to existing outfits such as Dragon’s Crawfish in the Lincoln District, Cravin’ Crawfish near the Tacoma Mall and The Captain Crab in Lakewood. A franchise called Krab Kingz will also soon join the party at 11814 Pacific Ave. S. in Parkland, across from Warthog BBQ.

One of the area’s first birrierias dedicated to the cheesy, beefy quesabirria y consomé obsession has expanded yet again, this time to Federal Way.

If you’re up that way, MyungIn Dumplings recently opened along with Seoul Hot Dog, a Korean corn dog shop.

Here are some new restaurants to try and other late fall dining tidbits.

BIRRIERIA TIJUANA

1635 S. 312th St., Federal Way, 425-212-9185, birrieriatijuana.com

Fredy Zavala opened his first restaurant in Burien in 2019, followed by a Lakewood location later that year. Then he opened in Everett and most recently added to his empire in Federal Way, near the H Mart and the city’s great strip of Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese restaurants. With Birrieria Tijuana, Zavala has us dipping quesabirria and tacos El Dorado in rich consomé. Now we have yet another place to dig in.

NORI SUSHI

32911 1st Ave. S, Federal Way, 253-838-1476, order.online/store/NoriSushi-2455054

This new Japanese restaurant near Celebration Park offers nearly 40 rolls, including a baker’s dozen specialty styles — up to the Snow-Maggedon with Alaskan snow crab and sockeye salmon — and even more simple but satisfying maki. Chef’s selections of sashimi start around $40, and lunch specials include a $23 11-piece platter with miso soup. The appetizer menu features tako yaki (fried octopus with bonito flakes), broiled yellowtail collar and spicy tuna tacos. There are a few noodles dishes and either miso or tonkotsu ramen. Open Wednesday-Monday, 11 a.m.-9:15 p.m. (noon on Sunday, closed Tuesdays).

HELLO PHO PUYALLUP

16116 Meridian Ave. E., Puyallup, 253-904-8480, instagram.com/hellopho_us

This new Vietnamese restaurant shares its plaza with Taco Zone and The Original Pancake House in South Hill. With pho in the name, there are about a dozen typical varieties ($13.95-$14.95), including the special with steak, brisket and meatballs, and a vegetarian option. Spring rolls are served by the piece ($3.75) with your choice of protein, along with a handful of other standard appetizers. The menu rounds out with $7.95 bánh mì, $14.95 vermicelli bowls and bánh xèo, here served with coconut milk and a housemade fish sauce. Open daily, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

CRAB KING CAJUN BOIL & BAR

3111 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253-301-1688, crabkingtacoma.com

The newest entrant to the South Sound’s seafood boil crowd, Crab King opened in early October where Outback Steakhouse stood on 38th Street near Tacoma Mall. The main event here is, of course, the Cajun-spiced seafood boil: Choose your crustacean by the pound (about $12-$65) — crawfish, clams, mussels, crab legs times three; your seasoning, including simply butter, lemon pepper or the “shake special blend”; and heat level, starting with the no-fun mild to the daredevil “fire.” Add corn, potatoes and boiled eggs by the pair and get some rice to soak it up. The menu also features raw oysters, Cajun-style pastas and a handful of fried seafood. Can’t decide? Try one of The Big Easy combos ($52-$125). Open daily, noon-9:30 p.m.

CRUMBL COOKIES TACOMA

4502 S. Steele St., Tacoma, crumblcookies.com

Will the warm, freshly iced cookie bonanza ever stop? Crumbl Cookies started as a single shop in Logan, Utah, and quickly initiated a franchise model that has overseen the opening of more than 200 stores in 32 states. Washington will soon have a dozen locations when the brand takes over the old Payless Shoe Stores near Tacoma Mall, the company confirmed to The News Tribune this week. Asked why the brand has suddenly become all the rage in Western Washington, spokesperson Anna Tibbits said, “We aren’t necessarily targeting the area. We’ve just seen the demand … and are lucky to have local franchise partners who are willing to invest as passionately into the brand as we are.” Sneak a peek into the Gig Harbor Crumbl Cookies here.

I SCREAMERY PNW

7707 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor, instagram.com/iscreamery_pnw

Look closely and you’ll discover a new ice cream shop in Gig Harbor. The hospitality group behind Netshed No. 9, Brix 25 and Brimstone spent the past year honing their ice cream recipe with a cream cheese base, in flavors like buttermilk honey brittle and dulce de leche coffee, plus sorbets of chocolate ghost pepper ganache and spiced apple. When the pandemic rendered arcade games moot, said co-owner Katie Doherty, they removed theirs from the back room of Brimstone, their barbecue restaurant; the space is now home to I Screamery PNW. All ice cream is made on-site. Open Friday 4-7 p.m., Saturday 12-7 p.m. and Sunday 12-6 p.m.

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