Grub Gossip

Nibbles of South Sound foodie news

By Jackie Fender on June 15, 2018

An early look at weekend weather is encouraging for the two food truck festivals going down in the South Sound this weekend. Saturday, June 16, you have the previously mentioned Truckaroo Food Truck Festival taking place at Bates Technical College's South Campus (2201 S. 78th St.), featuring 20 trucks selling their fare from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. During that precise timeframe (plus an additional hour) is the Gig Harbor Food Truck Feast. These festivities take place at Sehmel Homestead Park (10123 78th Ave. NW) and include delectable food truck grub, live music and comedy, lawn games and local craft drinks on site. There's a no-host beer, wine and mini cocktail garden which is next-level good. Nosh on BBQ, Vietnamese, Cajun, Hawaiian and more in one fell swoop. 

Slow Food Greater Olympia is partnering with the Little General Food Shop to present taste and sips from the region's own Good Food Award winners. Expect samples, sips and food demos from the likes of Johnson Berry Farm and OlyKraut. Sample Goat Ghee by Mt. Capra and wash it all down with Whitewood Cider Company or roasted bean concoctions courtesy of Olympia Coffee Roasters. You get the unique opportunity to meet the makers plus enjoy live music by JoAnn Thorn. The event itself is free to attend as are most of the samples; there is only a small fee for the cider tasting. Indulge in this South Sound food find June 21, 5-7 p.m. Little General Food Shop, 500 Capitol Way, Olympia

You had my attention at "all you can eat." The Tacoma Waterfront Association hosts Crab Feed 2018 fundraiser June 19 from 5:30-9 p.m. All that crab is paired with accompaniments including sides and sips plus fun foodie fundraising like a dessert dash and wine toss.  Proceeds benefit TWA; dig in for a good cause. Foss Waterway Seaport, 705 Dock St., Tacoma, $50, brownpapertickets.com/event/3416465

As if they didn't already boast one of the best happy hours in Tacoma, the Pacific Grill (1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma) kicks it up a notch with their Crafty Cocktail Craze, all day, every Thursday. This craze equates to 50 percent off all of their signature and barrel-aged craft concoctions, including the favorite Black Walnut Honey Old Fashioned. If you ask me, this is a perfect excuse to have a little booze-fueled adventure (as though you needed an excuse). P.S.: food purchase is required to partake. 

Local soul food staple establishment, Soul (2717 N. Proctor St., Tacoma) has called the Proctor District home for five years now. This little pocket district has been one of the fastest evolving with new residential, retail and restaurants popping up all over, but with that growth, we've had to witness a few fall to the wayside. Via social media, Soul announced that they, too, are closing the doors with service occurring until the end of June. This news has been received with a heavy heart by those in the community who crave soul food cuisine as Soul has remained one of the few serving up soul food staples in the South Sound. The menu will be limited for the remainder of their run as will operating hours. Bid farewell and show some support. Closed Monday-Wednesday; 4-8 p.m., Thursday; 4-10 p.m., Friday; 1-10 p.m., Saturday; 1-8 p.m., Sunday