Java Fusion Coffee House and Deli opened a little over a year ago on Sixth Avenue near the Narrows Bridges in the west end of Tacoma. Owned by Tacoma natives Marguerite Yoshino and family, the coffee house imparts a warm and welcoming vibe not only projected by charming employees, but through the comfortably appointed main room as well.



Walking in from the cold, I was greeted cheerily and promptly. Looking over the chalkboard menu suspended from the ceiling, I opted to do a taste test on the chicken salad visible in a cold case. Wendy raved about it as she put a scoop in a small dish while smiling and sharing, “We make all of our menu items here. Everything is so good.” She was right. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich on multigrain ($5.95) along with a ridiculous 12-ounce coffee drink ($2.65). As I listened to my own order, “non-fat, sugar free vanilla, decaf latte,” I thought how tedious it must be to make coffees all day, but again Wendy assured me she loves her job. 



Open bright and early at 7 a.m., enjoy breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, bagels, omelets on biscuit or croissant, yogurt, quiches, and even a pancake-sausage or bacon combo served all day ($1.59 to $4.95). Lunch consists of house-made soups, salads, and sandwiches ($2.95 to $6.95). Look out for the sweets — cakes, pies, cookies, muffins, cheesecakes, crumbles, Danish, coffee cakes, cinnamon rolls will satisfy any sugar craving out there ($2.10 to $4.95). Wash it down with every coffee drink imaginable.



Java Fusion also entertains. It offers live music on most weekends allowing one to get a nice coffee and kick back and unwind in one of many comfortable leather chairs. A monthly chess tournament has gained in popularity. Prizes of free sandwiches, coffees and desserts are awarded to winners. Bingo nights are also offered and what is a coffeehouse without free wi-fi?  A casual side room consisting of a large table and chairs, called the Family Room, is available for meetings, parties and get-togethers and study groups. High ceilings and plentiful windows on every wall make the Java Fusion’s entire space light and airy.



[Java Fusion Coffee House and Deli, 6820 Sixth Ave., Tacoma. 253.565.1017, www.javafusion.net]