New restaurants: Chicken and waffles, carnitas for breakfast, a bar with great pizza

One of Tacoma’s favorite sandwich shops and a regional Mexican chain with boxes of 20-plus tacos have opened more locations, and Pacific Grill’s replacement is here.

It might be nearing the end of the year, but it feels like South Sound restaurants are pushing to get their doors open before we welcome 2022. Around the holidays, we’re all looking for a new place to show frequent visitors — recent openings indicate a bright future.

One project in East Pierce County was seven years in the making. In Hilltop, a bar with a wood-fire oven finally turned on that stunning Mugnaini oven after receiving it in March 2021 and announcing the forthcoming restaurant in the earliest days of 2020.

In recent weeks, Tacoma has another seafood-boil destination, Puyallup more pho, and Gig Harbor homemade ice cream.

Here is a rundown of recent openings in and around Tacoma plus some other food and drink news.

3UILT TACOMA

1101 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253-301-1730, 3uilt.com

Known for its fresh sandwiches and oysters served inside 7 Seas Brewing, which just resurrected Heidelberg Beer, 3uilt Tacoma has added a second standalone location. The new digs, formerly home to Tower Coffee Bar and Grill, give owner Anna Gonzalez room to spread her wings: buttermilk biscuits and roasted pepper gravy, mushroom grits with chili oil, carnitas hash.

“We are working hard on creating good options for the vegans and low carb options for breakfast and lunch,” she said by email. Her well-loved sandwiches remain, along with 3uilt’s Manifesto Coffee roast. Open Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Order online for quick pickup if not dining on-site.

BAR ROSA TACOMA

1202 S. 11th St., Tacoma, no phone yet, instagram.com/barrosatacoma

First teased around New Year’s 2020, Bar Rosa opened its Hilltop Tacoma restaurant mid-November. With only a wood-fired oven to cook, the food focuses almost entirely on Neapolitan pizzas, made with imported Italian flour and San Marzano tomatoes. In addition to fitting beer and wine, cocktails drill down on amaros, with a few lower-ABV options. Owners Megan Seale and Bracey Rogers both have years of industry experience, and the ambiance and late-night serving hours promise a go-to respite near other havens like 1022 South J and Zodiac Supper Club. Open Wednesday-Sunday 5-11 p.m. (midnight Friday-Saturday).

BUDDY’S CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

Whimsy Kitchen, 5602 S. Washington St., Tacoma, instagram.com/buddyschickenandwaffles

Buddy Brown will open a full-service restaurant in downtown Tacoma next year, but in the meantime, you can test-drive his all-day breakfast creations at home, by way of the commissary Whimsy Kitchen in South Tacoma. Order Buddy’s Chicken and Waffles via DoorDash, with waffle flavors like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, red velvet, cookies and cream. Each waffle comes standard with two pieces, but don’t be shy: add a third for just $2. Follow his Instagram for laughs and frequent waffle-related updates. Open Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Ordering cuts off about a half hour before closing.

ACEITUNO’S MEXICAN FOOD - LAKEWOOD

15116 Union Ave. SW, Lakewood, 253-301-3321, aceitunosmexicanfood.com

This regional Mexican chain opened its 10th location in Tillicum, adding another locally owned operation to this stretch near Joint Base Lewis-McChord — down the street is Manic Meatballs, a fast-casual restaurant dedicated to the Swedish orb in gravy. Aceituno’s is known for The Taco Box ($44.99), a customizable party tray of 20 tacos — street-style with cilantro and onion or crispy with lettuce and cheese — plus rice, beans, chips and salsa. The menu otherwise includes standard fare, from breakfast burritos to fajitas, quesadillas, taquitos and tortas. Look for the 11th store opening soon at 12118 Meridian St. E. in Puyallup. Open daily 7 a.m.-11 p.m.

ANCHOR HOUSE COFFEE ROASTERS

873 Main St., Buckley, 360-601-2347, anchorhousecoffee.org

Over the course of seven years, Luke and Tanya Wilbanks renovated a 1920s era building, long a funeral home.

“Pretty much every square inch has had something done to it,” said Luke Wilbanks just ahead of the shop’s Nov. 17 opening.

With a portion of proceeds benefiting anti-trafficking programs, Anchor House Coffee has been quietly roasting for a while, and now the cafe is ready to welcome neighbors and visitors to relax — in one of many cozy nooks — over a pour-over coffee or range of espresso drinks. A selection of chocolates, pastries and salads from local bakers round out the menu. Open Monday-Saturday 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

STANFORD’S TACOMA

1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-352-0030, stanfords.com

Ascend Hospitality Group announced over the summer it had snagged the 15-year home of Pacific Grill in downtown Tacoma. The “polished, casual steakhouse,” as CEO Elaina Herber described the restaurant, officially opens Dec. 2. The Bellevue-based group also owns Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi and a handful of other Stanford’s, which it saved from extinction in 2019. Under their purview, the Museum District space has been modernized and “refreshed” to showcase the “wood and brick with a contemporary design that pays tribute to the original branding of Stanford’s.” Visit on weekdays for the restaurant’s well-loved happy hour, 3-6 p.m. and 8 p.m.-close, set to launch later this month. It includes a $12 burger and fries, $5 Caesar salad and $8 cocktails. Open weekdays at 11 a.m. and weekends at noon.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect that Stanford’s happy hour runs Monday-Friday, not daily.

This story was originally published November 30, 2021 at 8:30 AM.