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The Green Pup is like The TARDIS. It is bigger on the inside than on the outside, and has existed for a long time. Dr. Who fans, are you with me so far?
Walk through the doors and you are in a huge room with two pool tables, lots of seating, TVs so you can watch the Seahawks while you wait for the movie at Regal Theaters to start, and it is one of the few places left in the area where you can play a friendly game of darts. With the holiday movie season starting soon, it is good to know of a place where they will take your schedule into consideration when they take your order.
Christina is the bartender and waitress, and will take your order at the bar before you seat yourself. This is not ordinary pub food. The portions are very large, homemade pizza dough is hand-tossed and baked in a brick oven, and 16 different appetizers can please anybody.
We ordered Chicken Dinner Basket (three half-breasts and fries, $8.95), four pieces of garlic bread ($2.50), a pepperoni and black olive 12-inch pizza ($15.45), strawberry margarita( $6.75, yum), onion rings ($3.95), and a cheeseburger with everything ($6.75), with jo jos, tater tots or fries. I chose jo jos.
The food came right away. Chicken pieces were large and tender; fries were long thin and plentiful. Garlic bread was fresh-baked and loaded with garlicky butter. The medium-rare burger was perfect, just done enough for me, and the cheese, lettuce, pickles and tomato were plentiful and fresh. The pizza was covered with black olives and pepperoni and lots of cheese. I like a lot of sauce and there could have been more, but overall, very good. It is very tempting to take leftovers and smuggle them into the theater, but any neighbors would be jealous.
Give the Green Pup a chance if you’re looking for casual dining and enjoy a change from your usual fare.

 

IF YOU GO

The Green Pup Sports Bar
2510 84th St. S., suite 15, Tacoma (In the large shopping center at the corner of South 84th and Tacoma Mall Boulevard. Plenty of parking, but be aware that a blockbuster movie at the nearby theater may make parking difficult.)
253 584-5600
Hours: 12 noon to 1:30 a.m. daily

 

Carolyn Augustine is a freelance outdoors writer.

Carolyn Augustine by — November 10, 2015 in Food, People

Open at this location for over 10 years, the Pacific Grill has a well-deserved reputation for being wonderful. We ate there recently and had a great time, great food and great service, starting with the valet parking ($10), which is well worth it since parking on Pacific in downtown Tacoma is nearly impossible. We had no reservations, but they found a place for us in the large, dramatic dining room and made us welcome.
Our server, David, brought big paper menus and gave recommendations when we asked what he liked. We also had a salad server, a pepper grinder, and a side order server. They give service.
We ordered the Crostini, smoked spiced duck-bacon sausage, artichokes, melted tomatoes, Walla Walla onions, and arugula, warmed and piled on two grilled sourdough slices ($12.95), White Gazpacho, smoked steelhead chilled and blended with red onions, Greek yogurt, and dill ($14.50), and La Brea Bakery rosemary bread, a half-sliced loaf with dip ($2.50). We also had Steak Salad, sliced perfectly grilled steak shoulder tender with mushrooms; Walla Walla sweets, greens and shaved reggiano, with lemon and pepper vinaigrette and crispy shallots ($24.95); Weathervane Scallops, a half-pound of large scallops grilled to smoky tenderness and served with Walla Walla sweets, heirloom tomatoes, spinach, apple smoked bacon, and Dijon bacon vinaigrette ($34.95); and green beans, freshly grilled with wild mushrooms and shaved almonds ($5.95). Drinks were Fishtail organic amber ale ($6) and water, no charge, but by order only following drought guidelines.
Everything was delicious, made with care, and beautiful. The servings were very big, and we had more than enough with just the appetizers, but we were glad to try everything.
Pacific Grill is located on the southwest corner of 15th and Pacific. Limited on-street parking is available. It is a loud, bright place providing great food, and if you get a chance to go, make a reservation and expect to have a good time.

Carolyn Augustine, who writes the Senior Eats column, is a freelance restaurant writer.

 

IF YOU GO
Pacific Grill 1502 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma
253-627-3535
Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, happy hour all day.

Weathervane Scallops are among the menu items at Pacific Grill.
Weathervane Scallops are among the menu items at Pacific Grill.
srmedia by — October 6, 2015 in Food, People

Billy McHales had several locations throughout the South Sound, but now the one in Federal Way is the last remaining. Billing itself as “a fun eatin’ and drinkin’ place,” the restaurant has activities, such as Wine and Art Night, a large all-homemade menu, dozens of TVs for watching favorite sports, a model train that runs around the walls of the dining room, and a friendly staff.
We stopped in on a Friday afternoon for a late lunch and found it welcoming, and comfortable. Sara, our server, brought drinks and the extensive menu, and we decided on the turkey sandwich ($10.99), a cup of seafood chowder ($4.99), the Killer Cajun Prawns ($12.45) and warm apple crisp ($4.95). Water was free, and coffee was $2.75.
The turkey sandwich, with deli turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomatoes, had good whole wheat bread, and we asked for dressing on the side. It also had french fries, crispy and seasoned.
The seafood chowder was thick and had lots of seafood, but smelled fishy and didn’t seem fresh.
The Killer Cajun Prawns, five medium-size shrimp, came with four pieces of French bread for dipping.
I am sure I made it clear that I wanted to take home the apple crisp to eat, but it was put into a container raw, and there was no mention of baking. After I took the time to bake it, it was quite good.
Billy McHales has food made on the premises, lots of activities and an unusual menu, and if you enjoy the area, stop in.

IF YOU GO
Billy McHale’s
1320 S. 324th St., Federal Way. From Pacific Highway South, turn west onto South 324th Street and right into the first driveway. Go all the way to the west end of the shopping complex. Billy McHale’s is in the corner.
253-839-4200
Hours: 11a.m. to 2 a.m. daily

 

Carolyn Augustine, a freelance restaurant writer, writes the Senior Eats column.

Carolyn Augustine by — September 15, 2015 in Food, People

Marzano Italian Restaurant has authentic Italian food in an elegant setting, served by pleasant wait staff. Elegant and cozy, it has been at the same location for 27 years. We went on a hot day and decided not to sit inside since it was not air-conditioned, but took seats out on the porch, mostly in the shade. The bathrooms were at the back of the restaurant and would be very difficult for anyone with a wheelchair.
Our server, Niki, brought lunch menus which had less expensive prices than dinner. We started with strawberry lemonade infused with watermelon at $3 and drank it while we tried to decide what to order.
The food looked delicious, but the prices were high and the portions were rather small. The drinks were great, cold, flavorful, even pretty in tall glasses, maybe less than eight ounces, but came with no refills. We settled on a Salumi Sandwich ($12), cured Italian meats, cheese, greens and plum tomato on a crunchy bun, and Pugliese ($14), vegetarian ravioli in a tomato sauce.
The salads, which came with our orders, had baby greens and a big slice of watermelon radish, which looks dramatic but tastes just like a regular radish. The balsamic vinaigrette was the first balsamic item I have ever liked. The sandwich was very good, but small with meats and cheeses combined with tomato, greens and a balsamic dressing, The eight ravioli were combined with olives and onions in a spicy Bolognaise sauce. The food was very tasty and we enjoyed it very much.
I wanted to try a dessert, and Niki brought out the dessert sample tray with brownies, an ice cream parfait, cakes and pies, and I settled on the berry tart at $7. It was wonderful with lots of blueberries and blackberries on a cheese cake-type base with a crunchy crust. Really delicious and cool on this warm day.
If you have a special occasion and want linen table cloths and fine service and perhaps a fine wine, Marzano might be the place for you. Reservations would be a good idea.

IF YOU GO

Marzano Italian Restaurant
516 Garfield St., Tacoma (next to Pacific Lutheran University)
253-537-4191
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday , 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Closed Sunday-Monday

Carolyn Augustine wrote this article. She

The dessert tray's multitude of choices is part of the dining experience at Marzano Italian Restaurant.
The dessert tray’s multitude of choices is part of the dining experience at Marzano Italian Restaurant.

is a freelance restaurant writer.

srmedia by — August 11, 2015 in Food, People