Forza is a relatively small chain with 23 locations and today I stopped at the Forza at 1202 S Union St., Tacoma, WA 98438. I met a dear friend and we had coffee and visited. Twas a lovely after work event.
http://www.forzacoffeecompany.com/
Update: This Forza location closed in early 2012 and the space is available for lease.
317 S 7th Street
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 383-4777
Here is a review of the restaurant from 2005, soon after it opened.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2005/04/01/31428/a-slice-of-pizza-perfection.html
3801 McKinley Avenue, Tacoma, WA
http://www.taqueriaelantojo.com/
The shopping center is on the previous site of a gas station. See this link to the Tacoma Public Library for more information.
http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/buildings/bldg1image.asp?j=1&o=1&n=32028&i=9468#text
I love the PacMan on the wall that they made out of keys!
Their Facebook page says “Dedicated to Old School Video Games and Pinball Machines we are working to have a place to play all the fun machines from our youth that you can’t find any where. 80’s and 90’s Classics All Video Arcade Games and Vintage Pinball Machines are 25 cents Newer Pinball machines are 50 Cents.”
754 Pacific Ave
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 627-4156
This building, which was constructed in 1895 used to be Bair Drug and Hardware. Information provided by the business via Yelp states “The Bair Drug and Hardware building has been in existence since 1895. Since that time, it has been a post office, drug store, hardware store and restaurant. Currently, the Bair Drug and Hardware building is home of The Bair Bistro. However, the dining area is full of relics, tools and gadgets from its earlier days.”
The newest use, The Bair Bistro, opened on Mother’s Day in 2010
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/02/18/1075176/historic-bair-drug-to-reopen-as.html
Their Facebook page is here
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1247456349#!/pages/The-Bair-Bistro-at-The-Bair-Drug-and-Hardware/372346062940?v=info
For a review of Patty’s Burgers go to:
http://www.weeklyvolcano.com/restaurants/restaurants/south-sound-restaurant-guide-tacoma-pattys-burgers-and-milkshakes/
For a list of restaurants where you can buy an extra huge hamburger look here:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/07/30/1282725/caloric-monsters-make-sure-to.html
5615 South Tacoma Way
Tacoma, WA 98409-4215
(253) 474-0844
Patty’s Burger is located in the South Tacoma Business District. http://southtacomabusinessdistrict.com/
Satellite Coffee at 2813 6th Avenue, Tacoma
I’ve heard such good things about Satellite Coffee and was glad to stop at their Sixth Avenue today, even though I’m going to be awake way into the night now! (Note to self, decaf after 3!). It was smaller than I expected and really flows into the adjacent restaurant, MASA. Although there is a walk up ordering window, I choose to go inside where it was warm. My Americano was good and reasonably priced (under $3 for a medium sized one). My barista was friendly. There was plenty of parking right out front, but I can see where parking has the potential of being a problem.
Their coffee is Stumptown Coffee, out of Portland, OR. http://www.stumptowncoffee.com/
They get their baked goods from Corinas Bakery. http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=2063
Satellite Coffee Co.’s main web presence is its Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/tacomasatellite
In addition to this location, there are two other Satellite Coffees in Tacoma, one downtown and one near Wright Park. (Updated note, there is now only one other location, the one in the Stadium (see blog entry http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=5790)
Here is an article about Satellite Coffee, though more about its downtown location. http://www.tacomaweekly.com/news/business/satellite_coffee_combines_with_smooth_and_juicey_on_market_street/
Ste 105, 5003 Tacoma Mall Boulevard
Tacoma, WA 98409-7120
(253) 475-4889
http://www.peanutsaucethaicuisine.com/index.php
Their complete menu is on their website.
Today I went to Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), but all the coffee shops and bookstores were closed for the new year holiday. I needed a book, so I veered off to the Lakewood Barnes and Noble, but I couldn’t count that as a new place. On the way I went past a yet unrecorded Starbucks. Good old Starbucks. This one use to be a Burger King and you can tell by looking at it. The worker said that Starbucks had been there for about 6 to 7 years and they had originally thought about making a loft area where the burger places’ play area had been. But in the end they went with the tall ceiling instead. Starbucks only has half of the building and the rest is available for lease.
10314 S Tacoma Way, Lakewood – (253) 984-0898
We ordered a latte for me, a vanilla Italian soda for the teen and a full monty bagel sandwich minus the bacon to share. They forgot the drinks, but felt bad about it and not only gave us our drinks but a get two free card. In addition to coffee, they offer wine and beer. The sandwich was very tasty and so were the drinks once they arrived.
http://beyondthebridgecafe.com/
http://www.facebook.com/bbc4life?ref=ts&v=info
Note: I’m sad to say that Beyond the Bridge Cafe closed its doors on May 14, 2011.
http://www.weeklyvolcano.com/entertainment/spew-blog/2011/05/The-last-day-of-Beyond-the-Bridge-Cafe-tacoma-coffee-shop-closes-ben-and-patricia-rubke/
