Located on the corner of North 6th and K streets, Hanks Bar and Grill (formerly The Corner Bar) serves up some of the best pizza, beers and appetizers in Tacoma.  What once was simply a neighborhood dive bar for the North Slope residents, is quickly becoming one of the best known bars off the beaten paths of Tacoma's bar scene.

One of the draws, which many regulars were hesitant to embrace, is both the new name and a complete remodel inside, last winter.  Gone are the shabby, dirty walls and in are the warm mahogany walls and ceilings formerly gracing the E.R. Rogers mansion in Steilacoom.  Having worked at E.R. Rogers restaurant in the 1980's, I was personally excited to see Hanks preserving this piece of South Sound history.  Hanks, however, placed its own local spin to the remodel by displaying shelves and shelves of old beer cans to maintain the local "dive" feel.

As popular as the homemade pizzas and pretzels are to Hanks' regulars, don't avoid the rest of the menu; there are some amazing sandwiches and pasta on the menu as well.  The Buffalo chicken and pesto chicken sandwiches are certainly worth a try, but I couldn't resist the meatball sub on my visit.  The house-made meatballs on top of a house-made hoagie and smothered in marinara sauce and mozzarella was exactly what I was hoping it would be. The staff told me the meatballs would be a little spicy - and they were right - and it was just enough spice to separate Hanks' sub from all the other meatball subs around town.  Add the soft, warm, fresh bread, and this sandwich is hard to put down.

In addition to a wide open floor plan with plenty of seating in the booths or at a table in the middle, the bar is very accessible and the focal point of Hanks' remodel, making it easy for the staff to see the whole place.  There is also a single pool table off to the side that helps to maintain the small town feel that made The Corner Bar so popular.  And in the heat of the summer, there is a small patio on North K Street where you can soak in the rays and watch the traffic go by.

Show up on Taco Tuesdays, any evening from7-10 p.m. for happy hour, or just anytime you want to soak up the sun at a fantastic neighborhood bar away from all the rest, and you will not be disappointed.  Great food, a friendly casual staff, and a beautiful remodel, will certainly keep Hanks in business for a long while.

Hanks Bar and Grill, 524 North K St., Tacoma, 253.627.3480