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    Cooks Tavern

    4.0 (646 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Cooks Tavern Photos

    Business Info

    COOKS TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Cooks Tavern

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    Yum!
    Renee R.

    My food was fabulous! Wish I knew how to create this recipe. It was divine! If you're ever in Tacoma come to Cooks Tavern! WAs totally satisfied

    Moroccan Benedict
    Michelle R.

    Love coming here. Always something new to try smh see. Staff was attentive, but felt rushed. Great atmosphere. Loved the Moroccan theme. Shakshuka is one of my favorites. We tried a god variety. The table fav was the Pigs in the Orchard. Great flavor combination with the apples, ham and cheese. We'll be back!

    Grilled cheese ans tomatoe soup
    Katie N.

    We came in for brunch on Friday and enjoyed the service, the grilled cheese and tomatoe soup and ambiance! We ordered off the "Not So Early Bird Special" and also got the grilled cheese with tomato soup. The special was a great price which came with a side salad and country potatoes. It tasted great. The only downside side was my scramble was cold when it came to the table which was a little disappointing. The soup and grilled cheese combo was comforting and full of flavor. The interior was clean, comfortable, and relaxing, which made the whole experience even better. Our waitress was so sweet, attentive, and checked on us often. Overall, such a wonderful brunch spot highly recommend.

    Small biscuits n gravy w scrambled eggs. Great smaller portion but fills you up as is.
    Richard G.

    I just had to go enjoy a sumptuous breakfast (again) at one of Tacomas best restaurants. DO NOT LET THE NAME FOOL YOU AS NOT A TAVERN BUT IS A RESTAURANT SERVING ALCOHOLIC DRINKS. Cook's Tavern is a popular American restaurant in Tacoma's Proctor District known for not only classic comfort food like steaks, burgers, eggs Benedict, but also a quarterly new fresh sheet based on different cultures or counties. Excellent service began the second we entered as Marvin welcomed us 2 feet inside the door. Upon asking for the " warmest" table he sat us inside the "lounge area" which you would not recognize as such as in same room as main floor with small divider. Marvin was perfect, not rushing, but checked back two minutes after food delivered and checking always for coffee. (Last time I had Bloody Mary to die for). Today I enjoyed the special menu of Francisinha ( see menu pic) while wife gladly ate early riser biscuit n gravy & scrambled egg. I took close up pics to prove how great their dishes are, but only tasting it can solve your taste curiosity buds. Once again, Cooks delivered superbly cooked tasty dishes with fresh herbs n spices! Thanks again Marvin for your perfection of how service should be. Cooks is Tacomas best kept secret I think. However, once known, it becomes a habit or for special occasions. A 10 in ALL aspects today.

    Neat entrance and location!
    Erika J.

    What a friendly neighborhood location. From the moment you walk in, it felt like they already knew you. Loved the large window views and comfy seating. We loved our salads. Both had fresh ingredients and didnt take long at all. I loved how the waitress, Justice never rushed us and was very attentive. They do not accept AMEX, just a fyi. We will be back for lunch and/or dinner soon. Check it out!

    Han H.

    Loved the space, on a nice sunny day it's very well lit, comfortable seating and great windows. Service was very friendly and attentive. Downside was they did not mention salad/fries would be an additional $1.25 when they asked if we wanted those with our sandwich/burger. Their mayo was a nice black peppery aioli.

    Beignets YUM
    Lori C.

    Amazing food that is never stagnant. Fun, amazing cooks, waiters and bartenders. Cozy dining spaces, not too loud, but not cold and sterile either. We will be back! Looking forward to our next international dining experience!

    Meagan G.

    It's always a delight to pay Cooks a visit and indulge in a familiar favorite and perhaps venture out into a monthly special. We love the artistic installation hanging from the ceiling to match whichever food scape they are highlighting. They have a great Bloody Mary and the bottomless drip coffee is also quite good.

    Chicken n' Waffle
    Scott K.

    We went here for brunch. It was very busy, and we had to wait for a little bit, but the food was worth the wait. The restaurant had nice decor, and our waitress was very nice. The food was great. My only criticism was that there was not enough syrup. My waitress brought over more, so it was easily remedied. We will definitely be going back!

    Chicken n' Waffles with a side of two eggs. Drinking a hurricane 75 cocktail.
    Steven C.

    The wife and I were looking for a brunch spot and found Cooks Tavern after playing a quick nine holes of golf. First off the staff made us feel genuinely welcome and was attentive during our entire time. The restaurant itself was clean with colorful paintings on each wall. Cooks Tavern had exactly what we were craving and more. They had a list of Jamaican dishes that looked very appealing. My wife ordered the Rasta bowl which was full of flavor and I ordered the chicken n waffles which had bacon infused into the waffle. Both dishes were very delicious and a must try. We also ordered a bag of beignets that took care of our sweet tooth craving. We added Cooks Tavern to our list of favorite places and highly recommend others to check out.

    Pineapple sage gimlet
    Shannon W.

    My husband and I dined in for the first time and had a great time! We went on a Friday night and thought it would be very busy, but we got seated right away. I got a pineapple sage gimlet which was delicious! Would also try the Tacoma Paloma next time. They had a Jamaican menu and a lot of the items sounded delicious and I ordered the sirloin which had coconut collard greens and they had to substitute a broccolini because they ran out of an ingredient (I can't recall now). The sirloin was cooked perfectly (rare), which tends to be more medium rare for other restaurants, but I was also impressed with the char and spices which gave it a nice crunch. My husband enjoyed his lamb burger. The service was also great, above average for Washington. Our server was very attentive and quick. We had a great time here and would definitely come back!

    Bathroom "attendant" (in case the towel holder malfunctions)
    Leslie H.

    The lamb burger on the menu caught our eye so we stopped for a late lunch. Burger was good standard fare. Fries were okay. I had the Tavern Salad similar to a Cobb Salad. Again good standard fare. HOWEVER!!!! The tomato soup was house made and outstanding! Thick with chunks of tomatoes and not the shocking red of canned soup. I am STILL thinking about that soup. "Prime Meats" is featured on the building; I'd replace that with "Fabulous tomato soup". Will return next time for the soup! Service was friendly and prompt. Stay tuned for the amusing bathroom "attendant" picture.

    Waffle Slam (Waffle, bacon, and eggs any style)

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    2 months ago

    Great meal. Excellent service. Nice ambiance. The music level was low and we could actually have a conversation with our friends.

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    3 months ago

    Great spot for a breakfast or brunch with low-cal choices that aren't full of calories.

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    9 months ago

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    8 months ago

    The Castleton Garden is by far one of the best plant-based meals I've ever had! I'll be back for it again.

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    7 months ago

    Amazing food. Love that they change their menu to different cuisines. Great service, full bar and espresso.

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    8 months ago

    Very cool spot!! Highly recommend the seasoned pork chop! The best chop I've ever had. The staff were very friendly and helpful!

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    7 months ago

    Great food and service. Got a table pretty quickly. Drinks were great. Service was helpful.

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    Page 1 of 17

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    Dirty Oscar's Annex - Chicken and waffles

    Dirty Oscar's Annex

    4.0(1.7k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    The atmosphere is kind of dive bar, but with really great food and cocktails. The tots, which are…read moremore of a croquette, are always amazing. We've also enjoyed the brussells sprouts. On our most recent visit we tried the nachos, and they were honestly the best nachos I've ever had. The cheese sauce is amazing- not some gross canned stuff. The chicken is perfectly seasoned, and the ingredients are layered throughout so you're not stuck with a bunch of plain chips. It feels silly to be gushing about nachos, but they are next level. It's not cheap, but well worth it!

    Dirty Oscar's Annex - Disappointing Experience on 6th Ave…read more We came in as a group of seven, and unfortunately the experience went downhill quickly. First, the service was poor and disorganized. One of my friends arrived early and ordered her drink, but it didn't arrive until after I had already received mine -- even after she asked twice. We also had to wait far too long for basic things like napkins and forks because we weren't given enough for everyone. The most frustrating part, however, was the automatic gratuity. At no point were we informed -- verbally or on the menu -- that parties of 6 or more are charged an automatic 20% gratuity. We only discovered it by carefully reviewing our checks. And to make matters worse, the so-called "20%" was not actually 20%. It came out to 24.1%. When we questioned it, the person who said she was the manager claimed "the computer does it automatically." We are a table full of teachers -- and the math was definitely not mathing. We understand and respect gratuity for large parties, especially when the service is great or when it's clearly communicated. But charging more than the stated percentage crosses from poor service into a billing integrity issue. To add to the frustration, there is also a credit card processing fee, which again was not clearly disclosed on the menu and only appeared at the bottom of the receipt. This absolutely should be visibly posted before ordering. They did offer to refund some of the charges, but we declined because it would have taken additional time and we had an event to get to -- and more importantly, it doesn't resolve the core issue of lack of transparency. She also gave each of us a $10 gift card, but again, that doesn't resolve the issue. And honestly, what good is a gift card if we don't plan on returning because of such an awful experience? Overall, this was a very disappointing visit, and not one we would recommend based on service and transparency alone.

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    Dirty Oscar's Annex
    Dirty Oscar's Annex - 2 Egg Breakfast w/ extra side of meat

    2 Egg Breakfast w/ extra side of meat

    Dirty Oscar's Annex

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    1022 South J

    1022 South J

    4.9(19 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    So how does a place go from 1 star to 5? 1. Customer service…read more2. Acceptance of feedback 3. Excellent food 4. Wide variety of drinks alcoholic and non-alcoholic! So let me explain! My last review was honest but a 1star- now they could have ignored it, denied it or even got rude about it- after all others have (see aspen house) But no, they reached out and asked to open up dialogue- they asked what could be done and they APOLOGIZED- ownership and accountability! The communication was on point and the definitely made good on everything! So we set out to give it another go- and seriously- I may have a new place to hang out! As a non drinker your average joint has water juice or soda- not here The selection of non alcoholic beers and the DELICIOUS MOCKTAILS!!!! A place that doesn't get upset when you order a fancy non alcoholic drink- and you get the feel of being a part of it all not just sippin a soda! Loooved ! Personally hooked on the sweet n tangy- (Sweet & Tangy DHOS Orange, lemon & lime juice, simple, & raspberry puree ) ---delicious! My partner tried a couple non alcoholic beers he didn't even know existed- excellent variety to make everyone feel a part of the crowd!! And if you love a good drink?? They only carry high end liquor and make their drinks definitely top notch! The kind of place that values quality!!! While keeping the prices competitive and honest! Now the food- BRIE- ohhhh the Brie dishes!!! Not many places create food art- creative delicious classic combos with a unique twist! Absolutely the place to check out and try a new dish! Unique items that I'm dying to go back for!!! One definitely to try-- "Apple Brie Grilled Cheese Apple chutney with caramelized onions, granny smith apple slices, brie & cheddar cheese, melted between parmesan crusted 3 Hearts Bread" yummmmmmm The best part though- the people- friendly outgoing crew that you can tell genuinely care about each other and also care about making sure that the people stopping by have a wonderful experience!!! If you're in the area or live near there- check them out- definitely the kinda place to stop in on the regular and make it a thing!!!! Can be smidge hard to find due to construction that should end soon but worth the hunt!!! A total Gem!! Good quality food, excellent service, and a 10/10 place to stop in! You won't regret supporting this small local women owned business!

    Visited this place recently on a sunny evening. There were a few table out front for dining, but…read morewe chose to sit inside because the seating area was shadowed with no sun and a construction site next door. Inside there are several tables and bar seating. The AC was on blast We were instantly greeted and sat. Our waitress was very sweet and helped with suggestions on cocktails. They have a good cocktail menu of fancy craft drinks. Prices are $14 each. We opted for a Bourbon Sweet Tea and the lavender drink. We enjoyed both. Food menu is rather small. We opted to share an appetizer of Dirty Martini Dip, which was tasty. We saw a waitress walk out with a Salmon Salad that looked delicious. We would possibly return in the future.

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    1022 South J
    1022 South J
    1022 South J

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    Three Hearts - Hilltop Dutch Baby

    Three Hearts

    4.5(106 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    We really enjoyed the opportunity to have some very good and somewhat unique food for breakfast…read morethis morning at Three Hearts. I will address two concerns I had first and then get to the good stuff. My only marks on negative side of the ledger may only apply to a few folks. The on street parking on MLK Way can be tough to find and there is lots of local traffic including Sound Transit street train. We got very lucky and found two spots just three businesses down. My second concern is the metal chairs used for dining are not a good fit for my 3x body, and can be uncomfortable rather quickly. Most regular folks will have no problems. All of the menu items which is why you come to Three Hearts were absolutely fabulous. We enjoyed some pastries, muffins, croissants and coffee before getting to our breakfast choices. The breakfast sandwiches, savory Dutch baby, quiche all received high marks. The service was friendly and quick even though they were busy and cook things fresh when you order. Check out their menu for the unique combinations of ingredients and variety of dishes. This is a place you really need to put on your bucket list!

    Food is sold a la carte, so be prepared to buy a side. French fries are big enough that 2 people…read morecan share 1 order. I wouldn't order the fries again as they were just ok. I tried the savory egg sandwich which was good. I wish it had mire garlic aioli and pickled onions to give it a bolder flavor. The cruffins were my favorite! They're $6 each and I preferred the lemon curd one over the matcha one. I would buy this again in a heartbeat. Street parking can be challenging, so be prepared to walk a little.

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    Three Hearts - Major YUM's

    Major YUM's

    Three Hearts - Iced latte, quiche, salad

    Iced latte, quiche, salad

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    E9 Firehouse  - Foods

    E9 Firehouse

    3.7(632 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    I went to this restaurant in Tacoma over the weekend. I had actually passed by many times…read morebefore--the eye-catching signage and overall atmosphere always drew me in. Finally got a chance to try it at noon today, and it was a great experience! Environment: The overall vibe is very American. There were TVs on the walls constantly playing various ball games, like today's playoff game between the Thunder and the Lakers. It was pretty busy on the weekend, especially the outdoor seating area, which was almost full. The building is an old structure dating back to the 1900s. Though it shows its age, it's very clean both inside and out--you can tell the owner really cares. Service: Our waitress was very, very friendly and professional. She gave us great recommendations, always served with a smile, checked in on us during the meal, and refilled our water. Very satisfied! Taste: Pizza: There's a funny little story: supposedly, Marco Polo went to China and saw pies, but didn't know how to wrap the filling inside, so he just put it on top--and thus the pizza was born. Personally, I think this is a myth, or many people have started fantasizing about Marco Polo because they think he was too great. But according to various unearthed historical records in China, Marco Polo never actually went to China. In fact, around 2010, more than 20 scholars organized an event called "Retracing Marco Polo's Route." After completing the journey and comparing it to what Marco Polo himself recorded, most of them concluded that he probably never made it to China. Sorry, I have a strong urge to share--went off on a long tangent about Marco Polo. But the pizza was really delicious. It should be truly fire‑baked, not oven‑baked. The sauce was well‑balanced, and the toppings were generous and fresh. My wife and I ate more than half of it! Salad: The dressing and cheese were very generously applied, and the greens were fresh. Chicken wings: They had a pleasant sweet‑savory taste, just right. Unlike most American restaurants where they're too salty or too sweet, these were perfectly balanced. All the dipping sauces were good. Overall, highly recommended!

    What a great service! Ambiance is great! Love the historic…read morebrick wall and ladder on the ceiling hanging. Ppl there are enjoying themselves playing cards. Good was good too. Price was reasonable. Sting was great too. I love the humor for the menu names. I would come back!!!!

    Photos
    E9 Firehouse  - Sign

    Sign

    E9 Firehouse  - Chili Cheese Totchos

    Chili Cheese Totchos

    E9 Firehouse  - Dragonfruit lemonade

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    Dragonfruit lemonade

    Wooden City Tacoma - Half Caesar salad

    Wooden City Tacoma

    4.6(755 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$

    Wooden City has always been one of my favorite spots, and I finally got to share their newer…read morelocation with my parents for a late Mother's Day dinner. It absolutely did not disappoint. The restaurant was already busy right when they opened, so I definitely recommend making reservations in advance. Even with how packed it was, the service was warm, attentive, and everything came out beautifully paced. The food was incredible across the board. The chicken schnitzel is always my go-to and my mom completely understood the hype; crispy, flavorful, and perfectly balanced with the slaw and rice. The scallops were packed with flavor and cooked perfectly, and the burrata bread pudding appetizer was such a standout that the whole table was talking about it. We also tried the tapioca dessert (not pictured) and I already know I'll be ordering it again next time. One of those places that manages to feel lively and trendy while still being comfortable and welcoming. Great food, great atmosphere, and consistently one of my favorite dinner spots in the city.

    We found this place when they were located on Pacific Avenue last year. The food has always been…read moregood and the service is exemplary! They have relocated onto Broadway now to a larger location. There was a line to get in! Perhaps 30 to 40 were waiting when we arrived. Reservation are HIGHLY recommended. At 5 the doors opened and the hostess with the help of other staff got everybody in and seated in a quick and timely manner. The food was excellent! Sam our server made sure we had everything to enjoy our experience at their establishment. Crafted cocktails a Hugo Spritz & a paperplane were perfectly mixed. Finally for dinner we both had a chicken sandwich plus crispy fries to complete a memorable experience! Yes we will def be back! Thanks for ALWAYS making our dining experience a great one!

    Photos
    Wooden City Tacoma - Bar at the new location on Broadway

    Bar at the new location on Broadway

    Wooden City Tacoma - The Fancy Burger

    The Fancy Burger

    Wooden City Tacoma - Wood fired sausage and mushroom pizza

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    Wood fired sausage and mushroom pizza

    Cooks Tavern - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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