Winter is clearly here, and the season calls for heavy sweaters and hearty meals.  Comfort food is different to every person, and as an individually driven craving, it varies a great deal.  But generally, it is a generous helping of whatever makes you feel, well, comfortable.  Some of the best meals can be found in the South Sound, and here is a list to get you started; each guaranteed to leave you feeling cozy for the winter months.

A big plate of ribs with tender meat falling off the bone should not be limited to summer BBQ, and Uncle Thurm's Soul Food in east Tacoma has some of the best ribs to ever cross your taste buds. The ribs are more meat than fat, full of rich, smokey flavor, and dripping with sweet and tangy house-made sauce.  Be certain to have your appetite and plenty of napkins ... you'll need them both. Uncle Thurm's Soul Food, 3709 S. G St., Tacoma, 253.475.1881

Uncle Thurm’s Soul Food serves up tasty ribs. Photo credit: Dutch Randall
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You do not have to be a child to appreciate a good bowl of mac-n-cheese, and the Top of Tacoma in the McKinley neighborhood has one of the cheesiest out there.  It begins with large, tender elbow pasta that is drenched in ooey, gooey cheese sauce and then baked with more cheese and a parmesan panko bread crumb crust that is baked to perfection.  Served with a side of crunchy garlic bread for dipping, there is plenty in the bowl to satisfy your hunger. Top of Tacoma, 3529 McKinley Ave. E., Tacoma, 253.272.1502

Nothing warms a belly like a stout soup or stew, and Infinite Soups in Tacoma has nearly any soup you desire.  From hearty pub stew, to creamy chowders, or even an all-vegetable soup, they have them all.  Fortunately for us, there are over a dozen soups to choose from daily, as the menu changes every day.  Thankfully, the most popular ones like the corn chowder, beef barley with pearl onions, and the beer broth pub stew full of beef and veggies, come around often. Infinite Soups, 445 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.274.0232

Beef and barley soup at Infinite Soups. Photo credit: Dutch Randall
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The Far East Restaurant in Olympia is a quick stop for fresh and authentic Asian cuisine of both Chinese and Thai.  The Pad Thai is popular here largely because you can customize it to whatever your craving is each visit.  Choose between fresh chicken, pork, shrimp or tofu to accompany a liberal helping of Thai rice noodles, crisp bean sprouts, garlic, crushed peanuts, and the Pad Thai sauce.  Additionally, depending on your needs, you can choose the heat level of your sauce.  It's hard to go wrong when you design your own meal. Far East Restaurant, 218 4th Ave. W., Olympia, 360.786.0333

Outside of family, the best part of the holidays is a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Sometimes you'd like to enjoy it without crazy Uncle Frank around, and at the Homestead Restaurant and Bakery, you can have exactly that.  Year round, the menu offers flawlessly seasoned homemade roast turkey with all the trimmings, including cornbread stuffing and potatoes smothered in gravy, and of course, cranberry sauce as well.  It's as close to home for the holidays as you can get without actually going home. Homestead Restaurant and Bakery, 7837 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.476.9000

The Red Wagon in Tumwater makes a burger like no other.  The BBQ burger is an actual stack of flavors packed between the buns.  It begins with a hand-pressed patty which is drenched in BBQ sauce and topped with homemade onion rings, crispy bacon, cheese and lettuce.  Bring both hands to control this burger; it's a big one! The Red Wagon, 7205 Old Hwy. 99 SE #101, Tumwater, 360.943.6234

If a hamburger with all the fixings isn't what you need, then hit up The Red Hot on Tacoma's 6th Ave and grab yourself a beer and hotdog.  In addition to a great beer selection, The Red Hot makes the dogs the right way; simple and classic.  The Coney Dog is one example with its juicy all beef dog topped with yellow mustard, fresh chopped onions, and robust topping of chili that requires a fork to eat. The Red Hot, 2914 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253.779.0229

The Red Hot’s coney dog. Photo credit: Dutch Randall
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Whether it is fried chicken, green tomatoes or even catfish, The Southern Kitchen in Tacoma has it mastered.  Their fried chicken is seasoned and crispy on the outside, while both the catfish and green tomatoes are spiced and coated in corn meal before being pan fried to perfection.  If your cravings bring you to something fried, then there is no chance of making a bad choice. The Southern Kitchen, 1716 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.4282

Café Vincero in downtown Tacoma boasts the best lasagna in town, and they make a good case for that claim.  If you wish to try for yourself, and I recommend you do, then plan ahead as each portion is made to order and can take up to 30 minutes.  Order a glass of wine, talk a bit, and soon you will be served with eight layers of towering lasagna that include homemade pasta made that day, a generous helping of ricotta and mozzarella cheese, and finally, drenched in Bolognese sauce and baked until golden brown as lasagna should be. Café Vincero, 714 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.503.6141

Eggs, waffles and pancakes are no longer limited to mornings, and Burs in Lakewood serves up portions of the breakfast menu all day long. Along with great service to the guests and the community, Burs offers some of the best pancakes around; fluffy and light, then drenched in butter and maple syrup.  Feel free to surround your cakes with any breakfast sides you desire; bacon, ham, sausage or eggs; it's all here, all day long. Burs Restaurant & Lounge, 6151 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, 253.588.4844

Grab your winter comfort where you can, whether that is next to a blazing fire, under a blanket, or just surrounded by family and friends. But whatever you do, make sure you include one of these amazing dishes in your plans!