13 new restaurants around Pierce County serve up pizza, sandwiches, dessert
As summer wanes, several new cafes offering a dizzying array of treats — from Yemeni to Dubai-inspired — have debuted around Tacoma. Farther east in Pierce County, a pizza truck has parked in Bonney Lake, and in Lakewood re-discover a longtime local sandwich master.
Plus, the buzzing Buddy’s Chicken now also has a food truck, and a family-friendly arcade bar has landed in South Tacoma.
Our last roundup highlighted a warm destination for Colombian and Mexican, a couple of new Vietnamese spots, a winery tasting room almost two years in the making and a Szechuan restaurant near Northeast Tacoma.
Here’s a look at recently opened restaurants in and around Tacoma.
Rainier Pizza Co. - Bonney Lake
- 8413 Meyers Road E., Bonney Lake, 253-408-2600, rainierpizzaco.com
A wood-fired pizza trailer has officially parked in Bonney Lake — look for the Stor-N-Lok Self Storage off state Route 410 westbound. The family started in Issaquah outside Tiger Mountain Country Store and for now is operating only in Bonney Lake. Pies (12 or 14 inches, $16-$25) lean simple to accommodate the delicate crust, including the Issaquah Gold with a roasted garlic tomato sauce, mozz and parm; Paradise is their margherita; Tahoma with herb-garlic oil, ricotta, red onion, bell peppers and pesto; and Tiger Mountain with double-pepperoni. Order in-person or by phone. Open Tuesday-Saturday 12-8 p.m. and Sunday 12-6 p.m.
Kona Hawaiian Barbecue
- 2505 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253-267-1688
Find this new Hawaiian restaurant in the same plaza as Pho Saigon House, Happy Lemon and also new-this-summer Sana’a Cafe. The menu offers plate lunches ($10.50-$17.75) with BBQ short ribs, chicken katsu, seafood (fried shrimp, fish and scallops), mochiko chicken or a mix. Choose two sides, such as a green salad, mac salad, broccoli and rice. Other specials include garlic chicken, lumpia, kimchi fried rice and honey shrimp. The cooler is stocked with cans of Hawaiian Sun. Open daily 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sana’a Cafe - Tacoma
- 2505 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253-625-7499, instagram.com/sanaacafe.tacoma
Yemeni cafes have boomed across the country as young entrepreneurs bring modern — and late-night — coffee culture to a city near you. Sana’a is believed to be the first such cafe in Tacoma and one of just a few in Washington state. The local owner, Adam Selah, is working on two more in King County. The Tacoma cafe is airy and welcoming, serving freshly brewed Adeni chai, robust Yemeni coffee drinks as well as exclusive pastries both sweet and savory. Open daily 6 a.m.-midnight.
Lune Cafe - Tacoma
- 1916 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, lunesglow.com
A fast-growing regional chain, Lune Cafe expanded to Tacoma in August with its new outpost on the University of Washington Tacoma campus. The cafe was brimming with college students and others seeking a sweet respite in the form of crepes, made to order and then covered in Belgian chocolate and crunchy pistachio knafeh. That dessert and a few others are inspired by the Dubai chocolate trend that broke the internet in the past year or so. Refresh also with coffee drinks and spritzers, either with club soda or an energy base. Open at 9 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends, late into the evening.
Eather Tea & Cafe
- 1127 Broadway, Tacoma, 206-209-6474, instagram.com/eather_tea_cafee
Eather Tea focuses on Vietnamese coffee, but the shop also serves an array of milk and fruit teas, brewed in-house. Charge up with the likes of Famous Saigon Coffee (a classic cà phê sua da) or try the caffeine with pandan and coconut. Fruit teas range from soursop and guava-jasmine to mango-passion and longan black. There’s also bubble teas in popular flavors, including taro and strawberry. Snack on freshly baked waffles with fruit, chocolate and nuts from the toppings bar. Open weekdays at 10 a.m., Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at noon.
Outer Orbit Arcade & Ice Cream
- 5214 South Tacoma Way, 253-503-0716, instagram.com/outerorbitarcadetacoma
Another fun destination on STW: a family-friendly arcade bar with pizza-by-the-slice, canned beer and ice cream, available as a scoop, sundae, shake or float. Ice cream flavors include non-dairy options. Kick back with throwback video games like Donkey Kong, Golden Axe and Dungeons and Dragons, plus an array of themed pinball machines — Jaws, Roller Coaster Tycoon, Hot Wheels, Jurassic Park and Star Wars among them. Open weekdays at 2 p.m. and weekends at noon, including ‘til midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Mosa Sandwich Makers
- 9801 South Tacoma Way, 253-317-4092, instagram.com/mosasandwichmakersllc
After a family dispute, a former MSM Deli employee has opened his own shop in Lakewood with the help of his two sons. Mosa Sandwich Makers opened in August near Pal-do World Market. The deli is modest but bright, and the most important part — the sandwiches — are assembled right in front of you. A concise menu features combos that owner Hashed Mousa gleaned from customer preferences over many years in the industry, such as a French dip, turkey BLT and The Big Bite. You can also build your own. Open daily 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Lune To-Go - Lakewood
- 8420 South Tacoma Way, instagram.com/lune_togo
The family behind the new Lune on Pac Ave has also opened a “drive-thru dessert cafe” in Lakewood, replacing a former Lady Bug Espresso. Lune first found success with a takeout-only model in Auburn. The menu is similar to the sit-down shops, with Dubai chocolate-inspired crepes, rolls and strawberry fruit cups, plus coffee drinks in fun flavors — often with an extra sweet on top. Look for seasonal specials, too, such as the fall butter-pecan-caramel latte and pumpkin-spice chai. Hours are limited Sept. 15-19, 5-10 p.m., but look for day-long hours starting later this month.
Can Am Pizza - Lakewood
- 10112 Bridgeport Way SW, Lakewood, 253-393-6977, canampizza.com/lakewood-wa
This pizza franchise offers an eclectic menu of pies beyond the usual, such as the “fiesta” pie with jalapenos, beef, red onions, peppers and pepperoni, a gyro pie or one inspired by a cheeseburger. Other signatures include a classic pepperoni, Supreme and Hawaiian. The menu also boasts many calzones, some with fillings pulled from Indian cuisine — think butter chicken or paneer — as well as subs, gyros, salads and pasta. The regional chain has locations in Puyallup, Kent, Bellevue and Bothell. Located on the east side of Lakewood Towne Center. Open daily 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Big Boi Teriyaki N Sushi - Fife
- 1406 54th Ave. E., Fife, 253-329-2121, instagram.com/bigboiteriyaki
Located behind The Poodle Dog next to Fife Antique Mall, Big Boi opened in September with all the favorites that the name implies, plus some extras (most dishes $12-$20). There’s crab rangoon, gyoza, egg rolls and edamame, plus deep-fried avocado and takoyaki. Meats range from classic teriyaki to Mongolian, sesame, almond or cashew chicken to kung pao beef, bulgogi and katsu. Various combo plates, yakisoba and chow mein round out the grill side. Fish includes poke and crazy sushi rolls. Open daily 10 a.m.-9 p.m., dine-in and takeout.
Buddy’s Chicken & Waffles - Food Truck
- Various locations, follow instagram.com/buddyschickenandwaffles for updates
After opening his brick-and-mortar restaurant in Tacoma’s Lincoln District last year, Buddy Brown set his sights on another big project: a food truck. It hit the road late this summer, bringing his popular buttermilk fried-chicken tenders, in original spice or hot (no joke), and waffles in flavors like chocolate-chip, Cinnamon Toast crunch and cornbread to various locations around Pierce County. Follow along on Instagram to see where to find the truck. The physical restaurant is open Tuesday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
NW Coffee Bros.
- 3317 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-533-1836, nwcoffeebros.com
Don’t sleep on this petite new cafe in between Lincoln, McKinley and downtown. Northwest Coffee Bros. opened this summer on the crest of the Pac Ave hill. The interior is roomier than you think, with a few tables to spend some time with a Caffe d’Arte drink of your choosing or an energy drink. There’s also a side patio when weather permits. Owner Dustin Kraft got into the coffee business in Forks, his hometown, but has been living and working in Tacoma for several years. There’s a parking lot in the back! Open weekdays 6 a.m.-6 p.m. and weekends 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
West 122
- 728 Pacific Ave., 253-327-1570, west122.com
West 122 is not new, but it has new owners as of this summer. Consider this your reminder that it’s waiting for you in downtown Tacoma. Chef Joaquin Buttner continues in his role, cooking favorites like a pan-seared and roasted pork chop in demi-glace, lightly fried calamari with banana peppers, and handmade spaghetti and meatballs. Swing by also for happy hour and a great cocktail. Look for some (presumably positive) changes as new owners Kennon and Kenzie Maurer settle into things. They also plan to have the kitchen make specialty goods for their Ebony and Ivory Coffee shops in Tacoma, Lacey and Federal Way. Open Tuesday-Saturday at 3 p.m.