12th Street Diner

The 12th Street Diner shuffle: Check out the big board-style wall menu or grab a to-go menu, sit, ponder the numerous choices, approach counter, order, eight minutes later, food arrives. I will do this many, many times.



The burger in a basket arrives juicy with crisp lettuce, firm slices of tomato and onion, gooey Swiss cheese and sautéed mushrooms on an evenly toasted bun ($4.49). A bacon and cheddar cheeseburger came the same way with thick pieces of salty pork — a nice change from the paper-thin version at fast food chains ($4.49). While the burgers are not huge, the size is practical proving this is one place gluttony does not own.



12th Street Diner makes milkshakes with visible chunks of real fruit, whole milk, and scoops of creamy, dreamy ice cream ($3.25). Milkshake shuffle: Quickly take the lid off, dunk a piping hot French fry, swirl it, watch the heat melt canyons in the top of the banana-strawberry combo, turn fry into shovel, enjoy thick milkshake (also available in vanilla and chocolate).

A dessert case sits on the front counter housing colorful treats. The young pony-tailed girl at the register informs us, “The sweets are made by my boss.” Frosted cupcakes, flaky baklava, oversized cookies tempt brutally. Giddy, we give in, but get only one pink cupcake, to go. — Jennifer Johnson



[12th Street Diner, closed Mondays, 4008 South 12th Street, Tacoma, 253.752.8100]

Great popcorn

I finally caved and searched out the heavenly scent that has been greeting me each morning since January. Buttery, rich, sugary, savory, but mostly, intoxicating. I tried to fight it, tried to ignore it, drank coffee with extra low fat sweetener once in the office, thought about how tight my pants were, but no. Nothing took those scents out of my head.



Great Northwest Popcorn occupies the main floor of the office building I practically live in these days. The shop is warm and cheerful and has more flavors and varieties of popcorn than I dare to dream. Snickerdoodle, Stuffed Potato, Banana Nut, Jalapeno Heat, Chocolate Pecan, White Cheddar, Toasted Coconut. My mind swam at what a deliciously dangerous bargain $3 a bag was. A few pieces satisfied my craving for about 30 minutes, and then the monster in my stomach started in again. — JJ



[Great Northwest Popcorn, 1948 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.779.5676, www.greatnorthwestpopcorn.com]

Food Matters

 The Black Student Union at the University of Washington Tacoma hosts its annual Taste of Africa event today at the Mattress Factory Building at 1900 Commerce St. The Blue Nile Restaurant of Seattle provides the food. Expect a bit of drumming. Check it out at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

The Mix

What we’ve been eatin’/drinking

• French Fries (delicious!), Wow’s Etc., Tacoma


• Cioccolate Martine, Beyond the Bridge Café, Sumner

SIPPIN’ OUT

• Thursday, Feb. 28: Ole Importers Spanish wine tasting, 5:30-8:30 p.m., complimentary, Pour At Four, 3814 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.761.8015.


• Fridays: Wine tastings, 6-8 p.m., Mandolin Cafe, 3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma, 253.761.3482.


• Saturdays: Wine tasting, 2-5 p.m., Wine Bank, 7017 27th St. W., University Place, 253.564.1101.


• Mondays: $5 Wine Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., $5 glass of wines, Rosewood Café, 3323 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.752.7999.


• Tuesdays: Wine Tuesdays, 5 p.m., Toscano’s Café & Wine Bar, 437 29th St. N.E., Puyallup, 253.864.8600.