Eat This Now: The Brain

By Jackie Fender on August 19, 2014

If Tacoma's culinary culture proves anything it's that one need not be fancy-schmancy to woo the hungry masses. Often, it's quite the contrary. Tacomans enjoy character and comfort to accompany their grub and Shakabrah Java on Sixth Avenue serves up both. Hodgepodge tables and chairs set the scene with self-serve coffee and water. It's the type of joint you order at the register, find a seat and await your meal. Sandwiches are available, but Shakabrah's breakfast is what lines them up outside the door.

I hold Shakabrah's Chrissy dish on a pedestal. The sun dried tomato and marinated tofu scramble hits the spot. I've ordered it more times than years on this planet. It's time for a change.

Enter The Brain. Not mine, but rather crisp bacon, a fried egg and melted cheese sandwiched between two slices of French toast. Oh so sweet, savory and cheesy good.

Paired with a strong cup of joe and gratuitous amounts of maple syrup, The Brain dish is also a hangover cure of the ages.

Trust me.

Be warned, Shakabrah is a madhouse during weekend breakfasts. Its teeny kitchen can only bust out so much volume.

SHAKABRAH JAVA, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 2618 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2787