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    Elmer's Restaurant

    4.0 (626 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Elmer's Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    ELMER'S RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Elmer's Restaurant

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    That cow seems interesting on top of the fireplace
    Brenda L.

    After so many years, we still consider a tradition to come for some good Elmers brunch. Its a true local staple. Plenty of parking available. Accessible right off the freeway. Handicap friendly. The staff is always super friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable about the menu. I have a few allergies and they always either accommodate or recommend dishes. Including vegan/vegetarian friendly (yup thats right) Their coffee is a sip of comfort and home. Its always hot and never bitter. Their food is vast way better than other diners in the area. The prices are also solid. I had their chorizo Benedict with avocado and fruit on the side. I thought I wouldn't finish it but I couldn't stop eating haha I was stuffed at the end. The ambience is very country. The fireplaces were on and I love that their music is never loud so it helps to have the conversation going. I totally recommend you stop by for brunch, lunch or dinner one day. You wont regret it.

    Christine R.

    We had a wonderful breakfast experience at Elmer's Restaurant. We were driving through Tacoma in the rain on our way to look at some properties and were planning to stop at a nearby IHOP or Denny's, but then we spotted Elmer's and decided to give it a try--best decision. The menu was impressive. I had a German pancake with lingonberries (a mix similar to cranberry and raspberry), and it was absolutely delicious. I also ordered the potato pancakes, which were excellent. Ray had the avocado Benedict and said his eggs Benedict was great. The coffee was good and kept coming. The atmosphere was especially nice--fireplaces inside made it feel cozy and welcoming, which was perfect on a rainy day. Our waiter was amazing, very friendly, and attentive throughout our meal. If we lived nearby, this would definitely be a place we'd visit often. A great breakfast spot with comfort, quality food, and a warm atmosphere. ps love your coffee mugs

    Ivars Clam Chowder
    Smrithi S.

    On our drive to Portland we stopped at Elmers in Tacoma for dinner. The service was very friendly. We got Shrimp & chips, a bowl of Ivars Clam Chowder, and Farmers Omelet. The Clam Chowder was okay, the Shrimp & chips and Farmers Omelet were very good.

    Menu
    Carrie C.

    If you love breakfast like I do, this place is da bomb! They have your basics AND more! I went based on reviews and a desire to try something different. We arrived on a Saturday after 10am and there was a wait. The parking lot was full and the lobby was full, so it's known as a yummy spot! The wait time for 2 people was 5-10 minutes, no big deal. Hadn't had a German Pancake here in the USA, and it was glorious!! Reminded me of Germany! Service was great: personality + speed= 5-stars! The German Pancake came with choices, and I ordered the bacon and eggs. It was delicious!! Hubby ordered a bowl (can't recall the name) and he loved it! The ambience is low-key, similar to Dennys, but I loved the local-photography: Stadium High, Tacoma Dome, Mt.Rainier, and Tacoma Narrows Bridge to name a few. When we left, the lobby was still full! This place is great!!

    Potato pancakes with bacon and eggs
    Peter L.

    Very nice. Potato pancakes - were great. The bacon is legit and the meal was made perfectly. Appreciate the good service and hospitality!

    Tony M.

    No issues here. Good food, service, prices, and experience. A lot like a Dennys. Food is a little better. No problem coming back for a visit. See our youtube channel Coolest Life.

    Richard W.

    You want to talk about good service, one of the nicest waitress I ever had. Highly recommend this place just off service alone, Michele was amazing. Food was fresh and delicious. Tried the German pancake, talk about good stuff. If I'm in the area, I will be coming back.

    Side of my crab omelette
    Pedduk M.

    Food - huge portions .. compare to ihop,dennys, and black bear and few local spots ... Elmer's is d best. Service - fast and friendly Ambience - is good but can be upgraded:)

    German Pancake

    First time here, traveling from CA. Service was great, food was so good! Just what we needed from a 20hr road trip! Will definitely be back! TY Elmer's!

    German pancake.
    Derek S.

    Had lunch at Elmer's and the food was amazing. However what really made the experience enjoyable was the great server. Michele was outstanding and whatever they are paying her is not enough. She was fantastic and we will definitely be back. And hope to have Michele again.

    Blender Strawberry Lemonade

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    1 month ago

    Best service and food ever, waiter was amazing. The blender strawberry lemonade was perfect

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    2 months ago

    Cleanliness food and service are beyond reproach. Nice selection of menu reasonable pricing. It a place I return to often

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    5 months ago

    Delicious food and generous portions. Great service even when very busy. Comfortable and welcoming.

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    Page 1 of 16

    Ask the Community - Elmer's Restaurant

    Dirty Oscar's Annex

    Dirty Oscar's Annex

    4.0
    (1.7k reviews)
    4.6 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.

    Photos
    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
    (18 reviews)
    4.4 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.

    Photos
    1022 South J
    1022 South J
    1022 South J

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    Cooks Tavern

    Cooks Tavern

    4.0
    (648 reviews)
    5.7 mi
    $$

    My family has driven past Cooks Tavern so many times and each time I've made a matter of factly…read moreremark that we should try it in the near future. After what I believe to have been 2 years of saying that, that day has finally come. First, parking near the restaurant was limited, however finding parking in the residential area was fine. We found parking about 2 minutes away from the restaurant. As we came with my best friend, who, by the way, was the reason why I finally stepped foot here, wait time wasn't long as she came about 5 minutes earlier than I. We came for brunch and it was busy but the wait was not bad at all. The both of us ordered the same items on the menu from both the drinks, the main and dessert - a sangria, Shakshuka with lamb, and beignets. We also brought our daughters with us. They ordered a cheeseburger with a side of caesar salad and a mac n cheese dish from the kids menu. Our orders were delicious, although I was expecting the shakshuka dish to be heftier. For the price - $17. xx with an additional $4 to add lamb - it was a little disappointing, to be honest, especially since it was lacking in the lamb department. I was still hungry but thankfully I had my 4 year old's leftover cheeseburger and salad to fill me right up. As for the beignets, it was good. I don't have anything to compare it to since I don't know what an actual beignet tastes like. Would I return? Sure.

    Seek and you shall find. A Sunday late breakfast. Finding a place to eat breakfast in the…read moreafternoon can be a daunting task. Some want lunch what can one do. Go to Cooks really seriously head on down the place is fantastic. The booths are private and big. Providing a great place to join and eat. Music in the background jazzy at the perfect volume. Walked in waitress greeted us asking us if we were going to eat breakfast, close to cutoff time. We replied yes as we browsed menu selection made order placed. How kind to tell us. Food wonderful selection diverse and simple with something for everyone including kid menu. I chose between two breakfast selections going with my gut of course. The foragers omelette with biscuits. Not disappointed at all cleaned my plate. Everything was hot, nice good spices great flavor. Potatoes were nice with fruit and biscuit to accompany. Burgers were ordered with the clean up on aisle 12 as well. No one talked at first sure indication as we shared our finds. Wow we ate it all and all I have is a smile and one photo.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Churasco Steak Sandwich
    Churasco Steak Sandwich
    Vodka Cranberry Sprite

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    Vodka Cranberry Sprite
    E9 Firehouse

    E9 Firehouse

    3.7
    (635 reviews)
    4.6 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
    Sign
    Sign
    Chili Cheese Totchos
    Chili Cheese Totchos
    Dragonfruit lemonade

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    Dragonfruit lemonade

    Elmer's Restaurant - breakfast_brunch - Updated July 2026

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