Tatanka has been up and down over the years - it seems to be on an upswing these days. We celebrated a birthday with some take-out for 6 people. Everyone got something different - from burgers to tacos to sandwiches. It was all bison and it was all good. The spuds were ample and as tasty as they were in the old days. It appears that their "experiment" with using frozen pattys is over - thank goodness. It's not cheap, but it's good. read more

This is an update to my previous post. I have been going to Tatanka for more years than I can count. I am completely obsessed with their vegetarian dishes and 8 months ago, moved just up the street. It was never really convenient, but now that it is, I have been grabbing a flawless tofu burrito quite often. It has always been so good! I was bummed out last week because they were closed the day after Thanksgiving, but totally understandable. On Sunday, I finally got my delicious burrito (yay!) to go and headed home. Unfortunately, there was something wrong. It tasted really bad. Really, really bad. They close at 7 and weren't open by the time I tasted the burrito, so I wrapped it up and decided to wait it out. They are closed on Monday and Tuesday, so I headed down there today just after noon and they were closed. Their hours posted are 11 to 7, so that was odd. I refrained from writing a post about not being open hoping they would open later in the day. So happy they did, and my partner stopped by there at 6:30 and explained the situation. The guy who is always there was more than happy to remake the burrito. I'm pretty sure he put extra attention into it, just to make sure that it was right. He's a good guy! We did ask if he knew why the burrito tasted so different. He said they recently had a change in the company they purchase their tofu from. Short story long, I got home and it was still really bad. I don't know how else to describe it other than it tasted like feet. Smelly feet. This may sound a bit harsh and this has nothing to do with man who works at Tatanka, but I certainly don't want to go back there now. I have been a loyal customer for many years and I don't understand why they changed something so good. Maybe enough people will have the same response and they will go back to their original deliciousness. Fingers crossed! read more

Tatanka Take-Out - Flawless tofu burrito (missing a bite or 5!). - New American Near Me - Ruston, Washington

Grass Fed Bison = WAAAAY tastier than ground beef Don't eat meat? Loads of Vegetarian options! Write a story about how a jewel came to be enclosed in a huge buffalo chip which is framed on the wall, and besides exercising your inner-creative genius, you could possibly get a free lunch, if they like it. :-) I just noticed that yesterday, while waiting for 2 delicious bison burritos. The walls are full of memorabilia and curiosities, all pertaining to the mighty beast so you're never bored if there's a wait. Tacky? Of course! All I have tried is the Flawless Burrito, with bison (you can have it with tofu, alternatively). I MEAN to try something else, but they are so good, that I can't resist blurting out "A Flawless with Bison"...Large whole wheat tortilla, slightly grilled STUFFED with 1)BISON 2)Cheddar Cheese 3)grilled Onions 4)grilled Mushrooms 5)Garlic Hot Sauce 6)Fat-free Sour Cream 7)Romaine lettuce 8)Chopped tomatoes......yummy and healthy...mmmm UPDATE)I've since tried the bison taco...two corn tortillas with cheddar melted in betwixt, topped with a good amount of bison, tomatoes, green leaf lettuce, garlic hot sauce, and more cheese. YUM! Some said it was huge, but not for this gal. It was a decent size, but not enough for a meal. I think one and a half would be ideal, but not two.... UPDATE)I also tried potatoes with vegetables and.........NOT good. Blech. Plain with no crispiness and a curious mix of vegetables which consisted mainly of broccoli stems and carrot wheels. Nope, not any of those yummy grilled mushrooms and onions, I had anticipated. I'm amazed at how one dude was able to work that one large grill. Very impressed. read more

This is one of those places that you drive by and say, "we should try it?" Well we finally stopped after,"years," driving by and once again we have to remind ourselves to never stop trying new places because we have definitely been missing out on a gem of place! Rarely do I give 5 stars on a first visit but maybe the updated review will get that? We were famished after a workout and super excited to finally try this place! Walking in, only one table was attended so we picked a great time! Walking in, the gentleman behind the counter was helpful as we let him know we where newbies! He answered all our questions and was super helpful, my husband had quite a few, lol! He decided on the Bison Burger with the works, avocado, bacon.... I went with the Bison Melt. We ordered to-go an everything was amazingly delish! We will be back for sure! read more

Yum yum yum! after driving by this place and after having read reviews, my mom and i stopped in after being totally unhappy with the fact the ferry was almost $20 to vashon... (were going to go to lunch out there) so we decided to come to Tatanka. my mom doesn't eat beef and she seemed open to trying bison. I had the flawless burrito! all the vegetables in it were outstanding, cheese was outstanding. the whole wheat tortilla was very very good and not low quality.... and the salsa! just the right spice! yum yum! my mom had the taco... it was huge! he put the bison on the grill and you could smell it cooking, oh it smelled so delicious! i loved all the decor on the walls and the restaurant was clean. the man behind the counter was very nice and let us sample the jerky since my mom didn't know what bison was like. i will definately be back! for us to have our lunch with 2 beverages it was $20. and we both left very satisfied and not overly full! my only complaint... there was no music :( so it was really quiet inside. read more

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Delish! Ordered a burger with potato salad after a walk in the park and it was great and filling. :) Never has bison before. I will definitely come back to try their other menu items. read more

Tatanka Take-Out - New American Near Me - Ruston, Washington

This place is a north-side staple that has been around for a while and it is fantastic!! I heard about this place over 10 years ago when I moved here and I should have come quicker. Let's just say if you have not been here then you are WRONG!! Seriously this place is great and everything made to order and you really cannot find anything bad on the menu. It is on the smaller side inside so in the summers this place can be hoping especially when everyone is heading to Point Defiance Park. They also have a few seats outside which is great because then you can people watch since Pearl turns into a parking lot during hot weather. My favorites are the Bison Dip and the Bison Melt, plus their potatoes that they serve on the side are great and you can get them covered in cheese. Absolutely one of my favorite places in Tacoma. A definite must for anyone visiting Tacoma. TIP: With Pearl as a parking lot during the summer you can call ahead about 10 minutes out. Then stop and get lunch as you wait in line for the park. read more

Amazing unique options that are phenomenal! So happy to see Bison specialities on the menu! Sweet reminder of home (Wyoming)! Great place to stop by before or after trip to Point Defiance! Got the bison brisket sandwich! read more

Tatanka Take-Out - Yummy Bbq Bison Roast! Lots of yummy unique options and friendly staff! Will be coming back! - New American Near Me - Ruston, Washington

This place was introduced to me by someone I used to know, and I liked it so much that I'll make it a treat to myself every now and again. It's Itty biddy and easy to miss it if you're not paying attention. If you are driving towards Point Defiance down Pearl Street it's on your right. If you are coming from Point Defiance on Pearl St it's on your left. Parking is extremely minimal and by saying minimal I mean 4 spaces literally in front of the main entrance or you have to park somewhere on the street. Prices are really good and their food is a healthier choice so you won't feel guilty with your selection. I stick with the 'Flawless Burrito' which is garlicy, spicy and the meat used is Bison. You could get other burritos and burgers there, but why bother when you find the 1 thing that makes your taste buds and tummy happy. For drinks they have iced water you can help yourself to it or you can buy a bottled drink. I don't know if they serve beer, but it's not an establishment I would want to have a beer at anyway. Go to a bar for a beer. Anyway, the same guy has been working the grill since I've made my first visit. Very friendly. I don't know if there's a bathroom. I assume there is, but I haven't checked it out. The place doesn't look terribly clean, but for some reason it doesn't bother me here. I did have to ask if there was sanetizer gel because I had to finger sign my name on an iPad. How many people have touched that thing? UGGHHH The reason for not having 5 stars is that the place isn't very clean and the parking limitations. It says it's a take-out place, but there are tables and a individual seating area if you choose to eat solo. No music playing and no TV's. It's simple, so just bring an appetite. read more

Tatanka Take-Out - Bison Burrito spicy garlicy delicious and huge for just over $7 - New American Near Me - Ruston, Washington

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Wanted to try the bison burger for a long time. We finally stopped and ordered 2 bison burgers that we were going to take home for dinner. When we opened the bag to our surprise there were no burgers. We called to let them know that we didn't get any burgers and the guy who served us said he heard chili instead of burgers. He said the order was already cold and if we wanted burgers he would have to charge us for it. Very disapointed that there was no customer satisfaction. In addition, the chili was mostly beans with barely any meat. We will not be going back to this establishment. Better off going to McDonalds which has better service, value and taste. read more

The food was excellent but I want to take a moment to highlight service first. We're in the middle of a global pandemic and everyone is being cautious, myself included. I live with a few people who are very at risk. Tatanka's staff was more than willing to accommodate my needs which are probably more paranoid than anything. But they did it with a smile and no hesitation and I don't think I can explain how much that means to myself and my family. I'm just blown away. Thank you! The food was so great too. We ordered two burritos, the taco and an order of nachos. Plenty of food for 4. Flavorful and filling. Love the concept of the place. I will be back as often as I can. Thank you so much for the great food and helping us all stay safe. I appreciate it so much! read more

This is the place to go!! The most delicious food ever, I'm always craving everything they have. Nate, the owner, is such a kind man and a joy to talk to. I would eat here every meal if I could. Never had an order wrong, always 100% satisfied, and decent prices for great quality bison. read more

Absolutely loved, and cannot wait to go back! Super tasty, quality, and really friendly staff. I called in my order and even though they were out of what I initially wanted, what he suggested instead, plus my dietary accommodations, was perfect! Definitely recommend! read more

Went here today with my brother. He ordered the burrito and I ordered their $18 burger with a side. Cooked to perfection and all that jazz. I will definitely be returning to this Ruston Way landmark! Thanks again for the good food and warm welcome! 10/10 recommended. read more

Good food the couple of times I've been there , it's worth the stop in for food. Also they sell chuck buffalo meat which is a plus

This is my favorite healthy food spot in Tacoma. The food is delicious and tastes like it's of higher quality. It's always cooked very well and consistently. The owner is so friendly and personable, he has amazing customer service. I'm pescatarian so I eat a lot of veggies and Tatanka is a really great option if you're pescatarian, vegetarian, or vegan. The food feels good in my body and it tastes delicious, thank you Tatanka for providing nourishing food to the people of Tacoma! read more

I ordered a bison burrito. It was a veggie burrito with a tablespoon of bison. I unrolled the burrito because I thought they gave me a veggie burrito on accident. It was gross. read more

Turned me away at the door at 7:25, 5 minutes before closing. Per their own clock. Tatanka: don't worry, I'll never trouble you again. read more

It is not very often you find a restaurant that serve Bison meat, and it is rarer still that you find one that specializes in Bison AND vegetarian fare. While the shop itself is small and not the nicest place to stop in for a sit-down lunch, the food is wonderful. Things I've Tried: Bean and Bison Burrito - Enormous and hearty, everything always tastes delicious and there is no going easy on the fillings. I still add a ton of hot sauce to it but thats' just a personal preference thing, as there is no lack of flavor here. Bison Nachos - Piled nearly a foot off the plate, these will knock you out if you make a go at taking them down on your own. Again, so much going on that you can't help but walk out feeling like you won't eat for a week. Tofu Flawless Burrito - Wow. I don't know what to say... Tofu usually bores the crap out of me but this burrito is amazing. I was so pleased with the freshness of the veggies and avocado, as well, which often times is the downfall of a giant burrito. Red Spuds w/ cheese and garlic - I'll just say this... I think they may have created this orgasm of flavor as a direct result of what so many kids do while wondering the woods of Point D. Five Star Dish. I will go back and I will try more... and I don't expect to find anything I don't like. read more

It's been a while, but I've kept meaning to write this review... So, we walk in and the place is empty, like really, empty, nobody at a table, nobody behind the counter or in the kitchen. We look around for a moment and then notice two disheveled people hop out of a camper parked across the street and come across to the joint. One goes to the kitchen, one behind the counter... We were massively weirded out, but figured that the yelpers loved it enough that we should try it... And, wow, were we wrong. Everything we had was burnt or cold, there was no happy medium. And I'm not just talking about the burgers. So, my advice to the people running this place: go for less gettin laid in the parking lane and more time learning how to cook in the kitchen! read more

Just so you know...the creepy camper people are no longer associated with Tatanka! It's all up side these days! The new owner, a really friendly guy named Nate, has scraped three layers of mung off the place and thrown all the dead weight off the menu. If you gave up on Tatanka a few years ago during the 'dark ages' (or due to hair in your food or rudeness) but harbor a secret longing in your heart for a taco...or a Flawless...or Spuds...Or a Bean -n- Bison...or a Taco Salad..or..lt's now safe to go back! Really! I promise! Anger free, delicious, owner run and worked? Check, check and CHECK! read more

Had a burger there today, first time here, wow, so so good, ridiculously great flavor!

Love this place! Love their services and foods! They have a great selection of products, reasonable prices and friendly and knowledgeable staff that will help you find what you're looking for, even if you aren't sure yet. I love a place that has great customer service. I felt welcomed as soon as I walked in the door. read more

Nate is a great guy his food is fabulous the flawless burrito is the best nachos are also really good

It's a bit of a misnomer to tag this restaurant as "vegetarian" when their entire theme is serving bison. Tatonka is the Dakota (Sioux) word for bison. Sorry, I'm an anthropology nerd. Bison also happens to be my favorite game meat. It has a great, subtle flavor that's distinct from beef but not as strong as venison or as gamey as wild boar. My mouth was instantly watering looking at all the choices. Ultimately, I went with the Bison Joe. It's a bit like a sloppy joe, but not sloppy. Minced onions are mixed in with the ground bison. It blew my mind. Another observation: the potatoes served with the meal were chunky and soft. Usually that's a big turn off for me, but they were so well seasoned and moist they they were delectable. By the way, even though take out is in the name, there are a few tables inside and out. I ate outside, and I was so rapacious toward my food, that as I devoured it I'm sure I scared some people away. And yes, there are some vegetarian options, but a handful of vegetarian options in a cafe dedicated to bison worship does not a vegetarian cafe make. Not hatin'. Just sayin'. I can't wait to get back there and try out the rest of the menu. read more

First time customer. Ate the Flawless Burrito with bison. And it was flawless. Owner was the cook. Very clean. Very friendly. Very tasty.

VERY DISAPPOINTED! Where's the MEAT??? I'm a huge fan of bison/buffalo, and heard nothing but great things about TTO, so naturally I was excited to try it out. Seeing as how everyone raved about the "flawless" burrito, I figured I'd try that. When I was brought a GIGANTIC burrito, I was thrilled, and figured it'd be worth my $9. Once I started eating, I was unfortunately surprised. I actually had to ask if I had mistakenly gotten the vegetarian burrito instead of the bison one, as there were a whopping 4 chunks of meat in the entire burrito! And not decent sized chunks either, they were marginally bigger than my thumbnail at best. (Yes, I had to pull the whole burrito apart and dig through it with a fork to actually find any meat!) Seriously? FOUR tiny chunks of meat in that entire gigantic burrito?!?!?!! Maybe the reviewers who rated this 5-stars were not huge carnivores, as the burrito was great as far as veggies were concerned. I like meat, however, and I was thoroughly disappointed that a place famous for MEAT only gave four tiny chunks in an entire burrito. I doubt I'll ever go back. read more

Where do I start... Tatonka takeout is an amazing eatery and by far my favorite spot to get some fantastic food when in Tacoma!!! Do yourself a favor and stop by often. This local family owned / run business is a solid experience for anyone who appreciates quality ingredients and personal service. Tacoma is lucky to have this unique treasure. Long live Tatanka!!! Much love. Adam. read more

Yum Yum Yum Yum Yum! I am a very big fan of bison/buffalo meat, especially in the form of burgers. The husband and I were taking a trip to the beach at Pt. Defiance so our dog could play in the water and we decided to pick up some take-out to take to the beach with us. This place is pretty small with a few tables inside but it feels comfortable. The owner is an incredibly friendly guy who likes to chat while making your food. We had a great conversation with him about a number of things while he made my cheeseburger and the husband's burrito. The cheeseburger was beyond excellent. It was completely smothered in cheese and I didn't care if that somewhat negated the fact that bison is such a healthy alternative to beef. The meat was tender and incredibly flavorful. The size was a 1/4 pound I believe and I found that to be perfect. It was just enough to make me satisfied but tempted me to go back and get another burger on the way home. It was sooooo good! As a side note, they also offer bones for your pup if you so choose to get one, and they vary in price according to size. This is a fantastic place to choose if you are looking for a healthier burger. read more

Tatanka has been here for 20 plus years and i finally was able to stop on my way thru town. LOVE bison!! So lighr, not greasy and all meals are so delicious. I challenged myself to the half pound Burger and my husband had the bicep melt both were amazing and we didn't leave anything behind. Sorry no pictures because I ate it too fast read more

I have passed this place 100 times, but as a vegetarian I was confused by the signs. "Bison. Vegetarian." It didn't compel me. But since my sweetie likes bison, it was recommended to us, and I took the time to check the menu on yelp. That's all it took. This is not a bison place with one veggie item; the menu is literally half vegetarian and half bison entrées. My girlfriend got the flawless burrito and said it was the best burrito she's ever eaten. We got sides including collard greens and potatoes. The loaded oatmeal cookie for 99 cents was amazing. And the service was so friendly, attentive, and personal. I look forward to heading back soon! read more

OMG!! The bison burger was to die for!! Nathan, the owner cooked it to perfection. I added swiss cheese and avocado. It came with home fried potatoes which were yummy too. The burger was super flavorful and juicy. The portion size was large but I managed to snarf it all down because it was soooo good. My friend had the taco and it was flavorful and a good portion too. I will definitely be back with more friends. Nathan was friendly and answered all of our questions. The atmosphere is nice but nothing fancy or pretentious, just down home. read more

What a great place! Stopped here on the way back from Point Definace. Hubby got Chicken sandwich and I got taco with pinto beans..yummy! The garlic taco sauce was yummers! Not just a meat place....lots of cool Tatanka stuff too....(Buffalo)...woot..! read more

This place is a hidden gem on pearl street in Tacoma. I couldn't believe how many times I had driven by here and never even noticed it. It could be because the place is rather small and looks slightly worn down, but don't let the looks speak for the food. There are 8 barstools and 4 or 5 tables inside. This place is small, and while I was there I watched it become packed with people. Bison is the speciality at this tiny joint, and man do they make it good. Don't expect the chips and guacamole or the veggies to wow you, they probably won't. But when you take a bite into that bison burger your world may probably stop for a split second as you attempt to savor every bit of it. I have never had such a well cooked bison burger before. Normally the meat is dry because there is little to no grease and it's hard to get it to cook right. But this place doesn't seem to have a problem at all. I'm impressed. Walking into this place I had low expectations, and man was I wrong. read more

I so WANTED to love this place! It has all the makings of a really interesting spot. They advertise fresh, healthy food with a focus on bison meet. I also love the kitschy vibe and the fun sign out front with a buffalo head on it. Under the mounted buffalo head it mysteriously says "Vegetarian. Bison." Um, ok lol. Anyhow, we of course ordered two Buffalo burgers with a side of the red skinned potatoes (to go.) The counter person was really sweet and friendly. She even brought our meal to the car! The meal was a little pricey. For two burgers, 2 drinks and 2 sides it was about 30 bucks. When we got home and opened everything up, I was immediately disappointed. The burger had some sort of weird sauce on it and a lot of cheddar cheese. The burger itself, I gotta say looked like a frozen, pre-made patty. I could be wrong, if I'm wrong I apologize to the restaurant. But it was not tasty at all. Did NOT seem like a fresh burger. The potato side was really good though. It was lightly seasoned and one serving was more than enough for two. I might give this place a second try, but was sort of let down. read more

My husband and I just went there today on the way back from point Defiance Park we had are dogs in the car and wanted to grab something fast and yummy. We ordered the Menu was clear and to the point and the guys behind the counter were super helpful!!!! We sat down they let us give are dogs some water so they wouldn't get to hot waiting on us. The food was wonderful great flavor, well cooked and great seasoning. I had the burger dip which was moist and not dry like most burger dips , it had the right about of cheese and the onions were diced and cooked perfectly. My husband had Flawless burrito, it had the right about of spicy and my husband hates spicy. At the end of are meal they were nice enough to sell us some awesome buffalo bones for are dogs!!! So everyone left happy its safe to say we will be returning and so will are dogs!!!!!! read more

Tatanka Take-Out - Duncan Hines enjoying a Tatanka Take-out Bone - New American Near Me - Ruston, Washington

You know what's awesome? Buffalo meat. Especially when prepared by the friendly helpful folks at Tatanka. I recommend the flawless burrito- it is huge, but even if you can't bring yourself to save any for later, your body won't hate you nearly as much as it would if you'd given it taco del mar crap. They also have buffalo steaks and whatnot for grilling! read more

GREAT BURGERS PERIOD. Yelp requires me to say more to make it an official post. Here is arbitrary typing. Great Burgers! read more

This evening I visited this establishment and ordered a flawless burrito with avocado. The veggies were freah and crisp and the salsa was good. In fact i only have really one complaint. The meat was bland, the total lack of discernable seasoning on the bison left the usually strong protien with a flacid mouth feel and no real flavor. The people were friendly, in my eyes the only missing peice is the flavor profile. I will probably go back and i will bring a few spices. read more

I had high expectations for this place after reading reviews & they let me down a bit. Overall I would go back if in the area but I wouldn't go out of my way for this please. Portions are big but I think it lacks in flavor. I was really excited for the bison meat but the blandness of it let me down. Not bad, but not 5 stars. FLAWLESS BURRITO: Portion was very big. Me & my daughter split this burrito & I still had some left over from the next day. It was filled with lettuce (majority of the burrito), cheese, diced tomatoes, onion, hot sauce, & bison meat. I asked for them to add guacamole but they were out. This made me very sad because no burrito should go without avocado ( I went home & added my own). The overall taste of the burrito was good but I have a couple complaints. 1. Burrito was mostly shredded lettuce 2. The garlic hot sauce was a little too spicy ( & I like spicy) 3. Bison meat was bland - the meat looks like they took a bison patty & chopped it up - I suggest ordering extra meat because they kind of skimp. PRICE: $7.95 - decent price for the size but not the quality. RED SKIN SPUDS: These were seared quartered red potatoes. Nothing special. Maybe the ones with cheese & garlic hot sauce are better. I went home & added minced garlic & cheese to make my own version of their cheesy garlic spuds - but it didn't make it taste much better. Overall I'm disappointed in this item & how much I spent. PRICE: $2.95 - again, decent price for the size but not the quality. LEMONADE: Their lemonade sits on a table & is in a big round glass pitcher & it self serve.It looks like an authentic set up you would see in a real western restaurant. But don't let this fool you, the lemonade is SO sour/bitter as if they didn't put any sugar in it (but there is not sugar for you too add). For some reason tho my 3-year old daughter did like it. PRICE: $1.00 CUSTOMER SERVICE: The guy who helped us was very nice & laid back. He interacted with my daughter too which is always good to see. read more

Tatanka Take-Out - Flawless burrito with grilled onions & avocado (from home). - New American Near Me - Ruston, Washington