Urban Spelunker: Parkland-Spanaway

High traffic hotspot of restaurants, bars, car lots ... you name it

By Jackie Fender on July 29, 2014

The Parkland-Spanaway area is found on the south side of Pacific and houses all kinds of "stuff."  I say stuff because there is really a diverse mish mash of services available in the area. In the past, we've covered the Garfield Street nook and highlighted a walkable, charming business district neighboring PLU. But the rest of the surrounding area is a high traffic hot spot lined with restaurants, bars, veterinary clinics, banks, car lots ... you name it, and you're bound to find it somewhere in Parkland/Spanaway. Here are a few finds:

[Barbeque Beasts]
Warthog BBQ  is best known for its picnic-style, finger-lickin' good barbeque fare, and it now calls Pacific Avenue home. Enjoy ribs, brisket and Southern-style sides and even breakfast on the weekends from 7 a.m. until noon. Locals will best remember this location as the Wagon Wheel Restaurant. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11811 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.426.1980

[Bowling Buddies]
It seems as though Paradise Bowl has been a local indoor recreation destination for eons. Featuring bowling lanes for leagues and fun, a restaurant and lounge and loads of arcade-style games and some pool tables for the hustlers, Paradise Bowl is the go-to for rainy day fun for the whole family. 9 a.m. to midnight Monday-Thursday, 9-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 12505 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.537.6012

[Yipp-E-Ki-Yi-Yay]
Lady Luck Cowgirl Up is a unique little joint. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with televisions lining the walls and a family friendly atmosphere from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m., it's best known for its late-night shenanigans. Kick it up a notch with cowgirl-clad ladies and nightclub-style shots when the sun goes down. 6-2 a.m. daily, 14114 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.538.4996

[Golf Gurus]
I remember long ago journeying to Lake Spanaway Park to enjoy the Christmas lights each season. It was like PDZA's ZooLights, except you could stay in your car and admire the twinkling holiday spirit from afar. Now it's Lake Spanaway Golf Course and features an 18-hole course and driving range. Naturally, there's a clubhouse where you can score golf swag for your game. 15602 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.531.3660, lakespanawaygc.com