American

Alfred’s Café & Bubble Room’s menu is so extensive, I frequent the joint frequently. In fact, sometimes it’s near impossible to decide what to chow on with more than 10 appetizers, five salads, 12 types of hand-thrown pizza, six entrees and 10 sandwiches. I’m sure I’m missing something. Alfred’s also makes an amazing breakfast. 402 Puyallup Ave. E., Tacoma by the Tacoma Dome, 253.627.5491.

LINK: Tossing Salad on Spew

LINK: Alfred's Monte Cristo

LINK: Breakfast review on Spew

LINK: Alfred's cheeseburger

ANTIQUE SANDWICH CO.

Besides outstanding sandwiches, soups and salads, the Antique hosts the granddaddy of open mics — the famous Victory Music Open Mic on Tuesday nights. 5102 N. Pearl, Ruston, 253.752.4069.

APPLEBEE'S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL AND BAR

The extensive menu at Applebee’s offers something for just about every taste. There are nachos, burgers, steaks, salads, a kid’s menu and Weight Watchers’ items. Entrees range from roasted chicken, baby back ribs and fajitas to fried shrimp, pasta dishes and others. Menu combos and specials offer great variety while keeping meals affordable. Several flavored cheesecakes, decadent chocolate brownies, cake and apple pie offer sweet conclusions to a meal. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. 1801 S. 320th St., Federal Way, 253.839.2828; 10407 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W., Lakewood, 253.983.8884; 2500 Capitol Mall Dr. S.W., Olympia, 360.352.8500; 3510 S. Meridian, Puyallup, 253.840.4000; 16518 Meridian E., Puyallup, 253.770.7300; 1919 S. 72nd St., Tacoma, 253.471.1900.

LINK: Web site
LINK: Drinkology

THE BAYVIEW

Bright neighborhood café with impressive art, fast service, counter dining, lively dining room and an impressive deck with awesome view. Comfort food rules with soups, salads, sandwiches, four entrees and daily specials. Now serving breakfast on the weekends. 229 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.2792

LINK: Full review

BOB’S BAR-B-Q

Bob’s bills its fare as Texas style, and it indeed reminds us of the barbecue joints in the South. 911 S. 11th St. Hilltop Tacoma, 253.627.4899.

BRUCESKI’S BUFFALO WINGS AND PIZZA

East Coast-style buffalo wings and pizza in a small, red and white interior spot in Northwest Landing. Bruceski’s classic New York-style pies are very good and worth the wait. 1584 McNeil St., DuPont, 253.912.4305.

CARRS RESTAURANT AND BAR

Formerly LeLe’s, the Bridgeport Way joint now sports a car theme with road signs, hubcaps, a garage door and stoplight.

The service zoomed with a smile. The large menu offers a wide variety of American standards named after their automotive motif: The Denver Drive (omelette), Full-Throttle French Dip and Reved-Up Reuben (both loaded with horseradish), and Mercedes of the Sea (salmon). 11006 Bridgeport Way S.W., Lakewood, 253.584.4622.

THE CLIFF HOUSE

Nice selection of seafood, steaks and pastas. Basic four-star fare with creative touches. Awesome view of Tacoma and Mt. Rainier. Casual bistro downstairs. 6300 Marine View Drive, Northeast Tacoma, 253.927.0400.

DUKE’S CHOWDER HOUSE

Simple menu split between burgers, salads, some Tex-Mex, a few fish selections and, of course, the must-try chowder. Deck sits over Commencement Bay. 3327 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253.752.5444.

ELMER’S PANCAKE AND STEAKHOUSE

Step back in time with a true old-fashioned diner style restaurant with pancakes, blue-plate-like entrees, sandwiches, soups, chicken-fried-steak, tasty pies and desserts. Breakfast, lunch or dinner. 7427 South Hosmer, Tacoma, (253) 473-0855.

THE FISH HOUSE

Choices range from fried chicken combinations to fish and all the fixings. The fish and chips comes in a to-go “boat” that is nowhere near big enough to handle the amount of fish. 1814 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253.383.7144.

THE FRENCH HEN

Sandwiches, soups, salads and quiche that is popular with the ladies of Lakewood. 8807 Bridgeport Way S.W., Lakewood, 253.983.1313.

FRISKO FREEZE

A Tacoma icon with juicy burgers, fries, great onion rings, and shakes without a high priced bill and silly “welcome to such and such” sayings. 1201 Division, Tacoma, 253.272.6843.

GALLOPING GERTIES BAR & GRILL

Gerties paints the perfect diner picture. It’s typical American diner fare with full menu for all three meals. Breakfast doesn’t disappoint. Union Avenue and Berkeley Street, Tillicum, 253.588.7131.

GALLUCCI’S GLASS CAFÉ

At the Museum of Glass, this restaurant space matches the industrial look elsewhere inside and outside the museum. The menu focuses mostly on sandwiches, salads, soups and pasta. You order at the counter. Gallucci’s turns out a tamale of the day, which is as unique as the art inside the building. Gallucci’s does a fine job with desserts. Full review here. 1801 Dock St., Tacoma, 253.272.4242.

GATEWAY COTTAGE

This soup and sandwich, homey feeling restaurant with two fireplaces, full bar and delicious fudge brownie. 124 146th St. S., Parkland/Tacoma, 253.536.8100.

GRASSI'S

Dainty china cups, the wild green salads with walnut-raspberry vinaigrette, the small slice of carrot cake — all for the miniature appetite. 1702 Pacific Ave., downtown Tacoma, 253.627.7196.

HOAGIE’S SUB DELI

This deli resurrected the classic Hoagie’s Corner sandwiches such as the Cheesy British, American, Canadian and French. 11202 Bridgeport Way, in Lakewood, 253.589.1211.

INFINITE SOUPS

Infinite Soups serves 20 to 30 different kinds of soups daily off a rotating list of around 60 soups, by the quart, bowl or cup, all under $7. Owner Wendy Clapp offers soup and bread for take-out only, although Malarkey’s will let you bring her soup inside their pool joint next door. 445 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.274.0232.

JAKE’S BAR & BISTRO

Jake’s brings great beers and fun to Steilacoom — but stick to the basic pub grub and you won’t be disappointed. Their list of microbrews is staggering. We adored the Johnsonville Bratwurst. It reminded us of tailgating — in fact, next football game, I am doing takeout. Beer and a brat —on a great deck. 215 Wilkes St., Steilacoom. 253.581.3300.

JAVA FUSION COFFEE HOUSE AND DELI

This coffee house imparts a warm and welcoming vibe not only projected by charming employees, but through the comfortably appointed main room as well. Enjoy breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, bagels, omelets on biscuit or croissant, yogurt, quiches, and even a pancake-sausage or bacon combo served all day for less than $5. Lunch consists of house-made soups, salads, and sandwiches. 6820 Sixth Ave., Tacoma. 253.565.1017, www.javafusion.net.

MARGARET’S CAFÉ

We’re addicted to her incredible homemade soups, crisp, fresh salads, and her daily specials. One of our favorite things about this place is the fresh rolls that come out of her kitchen. You can often smell them at the street side, and we have to fight ourselves from ordering two. Also, we try to avoid her fresh brownies, but Margaret has our number. She puts them right in front of our faces at the counter. That’s just not fair. 754 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.274.8788.

THE MANDOLIN CAFE

A gathering spot for students studying calculus, vibrant flamenco guitar music, business people updating their Web sites, Tacoma French Club, family lunch, teens texting on comfy couches, in a warm interior with a cool fireplace. Coffeehouse fare with sandwiches, quiche, soups, salads and desserts. 3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma, 253.761.3482.

LINK: Full review

MARCIA’S SILVER SPOON CAFÉ

They'll offer salads and sandwiches, freshly prepared every morning, that are already boxed up and ready to go in their cooler. Just ask for these items at the counter. Their homemade soups will always be ready as a quick lunch item, too. You can also call in your to-go orders to be picked up at a specified time. 2601 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.472.0157

THE MELTING POT

This link in a Florida-based chain is a cheese whiz! Your heart will really melt at the first bite of well-prepared fondue, be it meat, cheese or chocolate. Fun for groups. 2121 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.535.3939.

MSM DELI II

Arguably the best sandwiches in Tacoma with good beer selection. 2220 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4814.

PITA PIT

A Canadian franchise, the Pita Pit serves its pitas stuffed with a variety of grilled meats and add-ons (try the chicken Caesar, baba ganoush and Philly Steak varieties), as well as salads and fruit smoothies. 4301 S. Meridian St. Puyallup, 253.604.0701; 921 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, 253.572.7482; 212 Garfield St., Tacoma, 253.539.2797

LINK: Slow Burn — Buffalo Chicken Pita

PINE CONE CAFE

When you are whistling a tune and arguing who gets to be Barney Fife during your marathon cops and robbers game, eat here. 7912 27th St. W., University Place, 253.565.5690.

PONDER’S LANDMARK CAFE

Deli-espresso shop where people gather, meet, talk politics and make new friends. The Rocket Man sandwich is on our lunch rotation. 12837 Pacific Hwy. S.W., Lakewood, 253.512.2233.

RAM RESTAURANT & BREWERY

A local chain with savory burgers, Tex Mex dishes, large drinks, its own brews, and sports on the tube. 3001 N. Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253.756.7886; 10019 59th Ave. S.W., Lakewood, 253.584.3191; 8100 'C' Freedom Lane N.E., Lacey, 360.923.5900; 103 35th Ave. S.E., Puyallup, 253.841.3317.

RENAISSANCE CAFÉ

We thought I had heard of all of the different ways to make eggs. This café uses an espresso wand to very quickly scramble up some of the fluffiest eggs on earth. Green Eggs and Ham was a delight to my health conscious heart. Eggs, avocado and slightly salted, tender morsels of ham lay across one side of the platter with toasted bread considerately sans butter on the other. Other wand scrambles resemble omelet options of the Denver with minced ham, cheddar cheese and onions. Try the Mexi-Eggs with anaconda, tomato, onion and salsa or the Three Little Pigs — bacon, sausage and ham. Not an egg man? The café offers Belgian waffles, whole grain oatmeal with raisins, half and half cream and brown sugar served all day. At lunchtime, sandwiches, salads, soup and nachos will fill your belly. Wash your grub down with Italian sodas, milk shakes and fruit smoothies. 1746 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.1029.

THE ROSEWOOD CAFE

Cozy, comfortable neighborhood café with a menu of sandwiches with a couple of main meals, including macaroni and cheese and meat loaf. Nice beer and wine list too. 3323 N. 26th, Tacoma, 253.752.7999.

SOUTH BAY DICKERSON’S SLOW AND LOW BBQ

A bustling lunch and take-out business that is the epitome of casual dining with comfort food. 601 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.943.6900.

THE SPAR

A great local bar with a good reputation for exemplary beer, friendly patrons, and great food including fish 'n' chips. Early Sunday night blues is a Tacoma tradition. 2121 North 30th, Old Town Tacoma, 253.627.8215.

TATANKA TAKE-OUT

Tatanka has bison meat in all forms: tacos, chili, jerky, soup, burritos and burgers. The Flawless Burrito fits its name. 4915 N. Pearl, Ruston, 253.752.8778.

TEMPEST LOUNGE

Swank, hip, shabby-chic, sexy with delicious daily specials, small plates piping hot chocolate chip cookies! They have a late-night menu. 913 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253.272.4904.

UNCLE THURMS FINGER LICKIN RIBS & CHICKEN

Uncle Thurm himself greets you as you walk in, hands you a menu and offers you a seat in a welcoming way. Southern, home-style cooking with full breakfast, sandwiches and burgers for lunch and huge, massive, humongous dinners. The staff are the definition of Southern hospitality. 3709 S. G St., Tacoma, 253.475.1881.

UNTITLED CAFÉ

The menu features salads, soups and sandwiches with chicken, beef and Portobello burgers. A server takes care of the logistics so ordering at the table is unique here among the three museum eateries. We adore the Moroccan chicken sandwich — a combo of grilled, marinated chicken breast on warm pita with hummus, tomato chutney and feta cheese. The Untitled Salad starts things off right with jicama, red peppers, orange slices, red onion and avacado on romaine and watercress with an orange thyme vinaigrette — fresh and cool. The hormone-free Ninman Ranch burger was stacked and hearty with a choice of onion, mushrooms, bacon or avocado — or pay more for all four. Full review here. Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4242

VARSITY GRILL

Giant sports bar featuring a mini theater with stadium seating, deep fried mac 'n' cheese, bar fare, and full bar. 1114 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.627.1229.

VILLAGE INN

A homey, relaxed joint resembling other traditional American cuisine chain restaurants. For breakfast, try fluffy biscuits with creamy peppered country gravy, omelets packed with mouthwatering ingredients, or seven, enormous breakfast accompanied by two rich buttermilk pancakes. Lunch and dinner are also served. 31711 Pacific Highway S., Federal Way, 253.941.9860.

American cuisine in the South Sound

DuPont

Federal Way

Lacey

Lakewood

Olympia

Puyallup

Ruston

Tacoma

Tillicum

University Place

ALFRED’S CAFÉ & BUBBLE ROOM