06-03-2025
Mulitas to Manhattans. Here are good eats and drinks from the staff of The News Tribune
One thing about the staff at The News Tribune: We like to eat and drink.
In an effort to bring you even more great local food-and-drink content, we are compiling a monthly column dedicated to what we've consumed at the restaurants, bars, food trucks, gas stations and other settings in the greater Tacoma area.
If you haven't already, please sign up for the TNT Diner newsletter by staff writer Kristine Sherred. She's got the weekly skinny on the Pierce County dining and food scene.
Cheers!
The shredded beef mulitas, pork tamales and horchata at the La Esquina del Sabor food truck were show stoppers this month.
The truck at 746 Cole St. in Enumclaw is in the parking lot by the NAPA Auto Parts store.
The woman who took our order told us we wanted the handmade flour tortillas, not corn. She also said sour cream on top of the tamales was the way to go. The results were delicious, and the portions seemed bigger than other mulitas and tamales I've ordered at local food trucks.
The tamales disappeared before I could get a picture. Here's what the mulitas looked like.
Alexis Krell, communities editor
Sad to say I went into a Tacoma bar that shall not be named not long ago and ordered a Manhattan. The bartender looked at me for half a beat before saying, 'How do you make one of those?'
Sigh.
I had a different experience last month at Busy Body on Sixth Avenue, where the person behind the bar whipped up this magnificent beast without a question, other than would I prefer rye or bourbon. I went with rye, because tradition.
Cool vibe there, too, with lots of local music memorabilia.
Adam Lynn, local news editor
If you find yourself on South Tacoma Way and spot Howdy Bagel without a line, it's a must-stop. The rosemary sea salt bagel with a smear of chili crisp cream cheese, paired with a pistachio espresso tonic from Bluebeard Coffee Roasters right across the street, makes for the perfect mid-morning treat. The combination of salty, spicy, and savory flavors in the bagel, alongside the refreshing richness of the espresso tonic, creates a great bite that hits.
Brian Hayes, visual journalist
One of my favorite things about living in Tacoma's Stadium District is that it's walking distance to some great restaurants, including Moshi Ramen Bar. Tuesdays are discount days for its signature Tonkotsu Ramen (just the description is making my mouth water: silky pork broth with thin straight noodles topped with melt-in-your-mouth pork belly, black garlic oil, scallion and a soy marinated soft boiled egg). I went on a limb and tried their Ordochimaru cocktail (made with espadin mezcal, coconut cream, lime, agave, cilantro and cucumber) — creamy, refreshing and slightly smoky.
Becca Most, Pierce County reporter
Whenever I want to make my Sunday mornings a little bit better, I drive to Beware Coffee on McKinley Avenue to sip a drink called The Partridge. When I first went to Beware Coffee after moving to Tacoma, one of the friendly baristas recommended The Partridge, which consists of cardamom, espresso, white chocolate and pear juice. I was skeptical about the pear juice, but once I tried it, I was immediately met with so many flavors, most importantly the cardamom.
The coffee shop is unique-looking with its yellow interiors, and it has other specialty drinks that look just as enjoyable.
Puneet Bsanti, breaking news reporter
