Earlier this week I found myself in some deep thought about a picture that I was staring at on our weeklyvolcanospew.com blog.

I was peeping at our usual “Tacoma Photo of the Day,” which on this particular afternoon was of a place that I know and adore:       

Jubilee Hamburger Restaurant (and yummy ice cream).

Familiar taste sensations ran rampant through my head, as I was imagining ordering my usual from this joint with a bright orange sign that can’t be missed:

The Smitty burger with no tomato and raw onions, a large fry and a red raspberry milkshake.

If you haven’t had the Smitty, I have to suggest that you haven’t lived, nor are you actually from Tacoma.

But as I stared at the picture a little longer, I started to think about how the traffic counts there on 38th Street must be so high. I’ve watched so many cars speed by in the half hour that I usually spend at Jubilee.

After that little spate of thinking, I jumped in my car and headed there. On the way, I took an inventory of other places that I really think you should know about, and instead of just driving by on 38th, stop and check ’em out!!!

Please understand how truly biased I am because I LOVE the Lincoln International District.

One of the coolest spots in all of Tacoma is within it: Lincoln Hardware. I swear by this family-owned shop that meets my every home improvement need.

Another place that you need to check out is Kenya’s Caribbean Ice. The woman herself is a Tacoma original, and she makes some of the tastiest beverages and ice cream treats (including healthy options) that I’ve ever had on 38th.

OK, you know how much I love Flaming Dragon cuz I’ve rapped about it before (in case you don’t remember, it’s where I got my nose pierced and it’s where I’ll go to get the guts to get a tattoo), but have you been into the Flying Boots? Head there sometime soon to catch karaoke in the evenings or breakfast in true Tacoma blue-collar style.

Then, of course, there’s everyone’s Asian favorite in Vien Dong, and although I’m no way skilled in this form of cooking, I know of several people who hit up the International District for the Asian markets.

I’ve heard some of you suggest that you wish there was more to the International District, but since the majority of us can’t do much to change property ownership, what I’ll offer is that the easiest thing you can do to make a change in this district is spend your time and money there. This will continue to help clean up this important street and show potential investors that it’s worthy of their dough.

Regardless, I do sincerely hope that you’ll visit the aforementioned establishments and all of the others because this district does indeed deserve your love.