Blog Post

AT HOME IN TACOMA
A blog about all the little things that make Tacoma home.

Greasy Spoons & Classy Brunches: Tacoma's Breakfast Hot Spots

  • By Kelli Jo Hjalseth
  • 27 Aug, 2019

While we haven't gone so far as to poll every person we know, we feel perfectly comfortable making this assertion: breakfast is the greatest meal of the day. If you have a counter-argument, we'll happily pretend to listen to it, as our minds inevitably turn to eggs, pancakes, freshly squeezed orange juice, bacon, and every other wonderment breakfast provides. It's a meal that has just about everything, able to satisfy any taste, mood, or dietary goal. Unlike other, more conservative meals, breakfast can almost brazenly mix sweet and savory profiles, incorporating French toast just as easily as a steak. And, let it be known that breakfast needn't be confined to the morning, as we'd gladly accept some syrupy waffles for dinner.

This is to say nothing of breakfast's saucier cousin, brunch, which may go down as the crowning achievement of the 20th century. Is there any greater joy than meeting up with friends, sometime around 10 or 11am, for bottomless mimosas and a culinary style that could enthusiastically be described as “indulgent”? More than just a portmanteau of “breakfast” and “lunch,” brunch is a phenomenon all to itself, and one that is being increasingly explored, as Tacoma's restaurant game continues to elevate itself.

In this spirit, and with a rumble in our bellies, we've decided to celebrate some of the best breakfast and brunch spots in town, starting with the greasy spoons that start the morning off right.



GREASY SPOONS

Marcia's Silver Spoon

Here we have another Tacoma icon that arguably takes even more pleasure in serving up herculean plates of food: Marcia's Silver Spoon. It makes sense that the Silver Spoon is located in the same building as a lovingly aged dive bar like the Lucky Silver, as this is the kind of breakfast that pairs perfectly well with a hangover. With any number of fatty meats, punchy sausage gravy, and omelettes the size of your head, Marcia's Silver Spoon is practically synonymous with the gritty Tacoma lifestyle that's becoming rarer over time: drink the night away at Bob's Java Jive, and in the morning, head a couple blocks down the street to the Silver Spoon for all that ails you. Be warned, though, that this is a cash-only spot.


Breakfast hours: Monday-Friday 5:30am-4pm, Saturday 6am-4pm, Sunday 7am-4pm
2601 S. Tacoma Way
marciassilverspoon.net

Alfred's Cafe

Down by the Tacoma Dome, there exists a restaurant that almost seems to have been frozen in amber: Alfred's Cafe. Beyond the cozy dining room, there's a smaller area that's been checkered in black and white, resembling the lunch counters and soda shops of the '50s. Much of Alfred's Cafe's menu is similarly traditional, though they've been expanding their repertoire in recent years, incorporating provocative ingredients like chorizo – in place of your standard breakfast sausage – as well as eggs benedict and the monte cristo, which many greasy spoons tend to avoid. There's also a full bar off to the side (cheekily called the Bubble Room), so there's always the opportunity to make breakfast a little more exciting.


Breakfast hours: 6am-8pm
402 Puyallup Ave
253-627-5491

The Hob Nob and Knapps

Here we have two peas in a pod. The Hob Nob and Knapps are both owned by the same people that own other no-frills diners such as The Poodle Dog and The Harvester, and all of these restaurants have been part of the Tacoma landscape for ages. For downtown and North End selections, though, our hearts are with The Hob Nob and Knapps. Both diners offer up simple, delicious morning grub, with recent changes in The Hob Nob leading to a slightly more eclectic menu (additions like vegan sausage and multiple chances to incorporate crab into your dishes are welcome developments). Still, the tasty array of hearty omelettes at Knapps are hard to turn down.


The Hob Nob
Breakfast Hours: 6:30am-9pm
716 6th Ave
hobnobtacoma.com


Knapps
Breakfast hours: Sunday-Thursday 6:30am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 6:30am-10pm
2707 N Proctor St.
knappsrestaurant.com

Old Milwaukee Cafe

Any discussion of breakfast spots in Tacoma would be woefully lacking without mention of the Old Milwaukee, a 6th Ave fixture and legitimate institution in the City of Destiny. Owned and operated by husband and wife Chad and Patricia Kerth since 1992, the Old Milwaukee is not where you turn if you're searching for daring, postmodern takes on the breakfast experience – rather, this is good, simple, sitck-to-your-ribs fare, open at 6am and done by 2pm. Consistency, generous portions (a side of bacon could reasonably be split amongst two or three people), and a cozy atmosphere keep regulars coming back. See the enormous, beautiful-on-the-inside S.O.S. – hamburger gravy served atop a mountain of hash browns – for evidence that the Old Milwaukee embraces the old school. More adventurous eaters should take note of the impressive wall of hot sauces available.

(update: Old Milwaukee is currently closed due to family troubles. We will post an update once it reopens.)


Breakfast hours: 6am-2pm
3102 6th Ave
253-761-2602

If you're feeling a little fancy, looking to celebrate, or simply getting a leisurely start to your day, brunch may be in order. Here are some can't-miss destinations to get your brunch fix.

Honey at Alma Mater

Alma Mater, Tacoma's new hub of cultural and culinary exploration, is a sprawling building, and Honey is its calm, scrumptious nook. The thoughtful, fresh spirit that provides the backbone for Matriarch – which we've also covered – is similarly present in Honey's menu. Seasonal ingredients, intercontinental influences, and unusual ingredients are the order of the day. Any menu that features Beecher's Cheese, brisket, fried duck eggs, and breakfast Bananas Foster will get our seal of approval. Honey also has some eye-opening adult beverages, in addition to their outstanding varieties of coffee.


Brunch hours: Monday-Friday 7am-2pm, Saturday 8am-2pm, Sunday 9am-2pm
1322 Fawcett Ave
almamatertacoma.com



Wooden City

Wooden City – one of the newest additions to the stable of fine restaurants on lower Pacific Ave – only recently started serving brunch in January. Still, the upscale pub-style eatery is not known for half measures (hand-made pasta and wood-fired pizzas are standard items at Wooden City, and they seem to have jumped into the brunch game with both feet. From succulent Wagyu steak and eggs to lamb ragu hash, from baked eggs with prosciutto cream to a decadent fried chicken sandwich, Wooden City's brunch menu is packed with fine dining that doesn't skimp on robust flavors and decent-sized portions.


Brunch hours: Saturday-Sunday 11am-2pm
714 Pacific Avenue
woodencitytacoma.com

CI Shenanigans

After all this talk of the new class of upscale brunch spots, we turn to CI Shenanigans, part of the old guard of fine Tacoma cuisine. The decades-old CI Shenanigans has proven the test of time for a couple of reasons: the food is fantastic, and its location on the Ruston waterway couldn't provide a more picturesque dining experience. Their brunch buffet has no fixed menu, changing constantly to reflect whatever's fresh and available, but it's a given that there will be plenty of awesome seafood, carving stations, and classic sides to fill up your plate. Yes, it's a touch spendy, but the quality is always excellent, and the view can't be beat.

 

Brunch hours: Sundays 9:30am-1:30pm
3017 Ruston Way
cishenanigans.com

Montamara

In Old Town, Montamara offers some expected brunch favorites, but infuses them with Mexican flavors. Belgian waffles, Benedicts, and other staples are present, but there's also picante dishes like huevos rancheros and two types of chilaquiles (crispy corn tortillas topped with black beans, cheese, peppers, salsas, and eggs, with an option to add chicken). Even their fried egg sandwich comes with a chipotle aioli, which should add a smokey punch and help to clear your sinuses. Mimosas and cocktails are also on order, making this newer restaurant a destination for those seeking something new for their morning adventures.

 

Brunch hours: Monday-Friday 8:30pm-3pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am-3pm
2208 N 30th St Ste 101
montamarakitchen.com

Sel

Worldly eaters should get themselves to Sel, over on St. Helens Ave. Drawing inspiration from European cuisine – namely, French and Spanish – Sel is something of an anomaly in Tacoma. The variety of cheeses included in the menu alone is astounding: chevre, gruyere, triple cream brie, and others included in their charcuterie plate. This is the type of restaurant where you can indulge in duck confit, croque madame, croque monsieur, pork belly, so much Jambon de Paris, and even polenta with your steak and eggs. Their French toasts alone, with their wild pairings of caramelized fruit, bacon, and drizzles of complex syrups are enough to send us into a tizzy.

Brunch hours: Wednesday-Sunday 9am-2pm
229 St. Helens Ave
253-327-1015

 


By Kelli Jo Hjalseth 20 Mar, 2024
Thoughtfully updated, this 1945-built Tacoma treasure has been refreshed and yet still has many of its important vintage details intact. Comfortable, inviting, and brimming with charm, this 2,184-square-foot home transports you back in time in the best way possible! This home truly checks all the boxes—just a few of this home’s not-to-miss highlights include the stylish bathroom remodel, the period-perfect kitchen, the cheerful living room, sprawling square footage that offers versatility, the big backyard… and more! Located at 3139 S 19th Street Tacoma, WA 98405 in Central Tacoma, this vintage home with 3 bedrooms and 1 bath is listed for $445,000.
By Kelli Jo Hjalseth 15 Mar, 2024
Tucked away in the well-maintained and managed community of Windance, this 2,757-square-foot home is nestled right alongside the scenic Northshore Golf Course in Northeast Tacoma. This generous gem truly has it all—in addition to the peaceful setting, just a few of this move-in ready home’s highlights includes impressive living spaces, a dialed-in kitchen, flexible square footage, a massive unfinished basement, and of course the idyllic outdoor retreat complete with a deck that overlooks the picture-perfect golf course. Located at 4305 Fairwood Blvd NE Tacoma, WA 98422 and no more than 3 minutes to the community center, grocery shopping, schools, dining and more, this 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home for sale in Northeast Tacoma is listed for $719,900.
By Kelli Jo Hjalseth 05 Mar, 2024
Featuring a quality renovation by Wren & Willow, this standout gem in a 55+ community in Tacoma checks all the boxes! Just a few of this home’s standout highlights include its generous living spaces, a gorgeous kitchen, tons of flexibility, a charming yard… and so much more. This move-in ready 1,500-square-foot home has also been impeccably maintained with regular servicing of all the systems as well as smart updates. (Ask for a list of upgrades!) Plus, the community has low HOA dues and robust reserves. Located at 6514 N 53rd Street Tacoma, WA 98407, this 2-bedroom, 2-bath Tacoma home for sale is listed for $600,000.
More Posts
Share by: