New restaurants in Tacoma area include Cajun spot, fresh choices for sushi and Indian
A New Orleans-inspired food truck has found a permanent home, a sushi counter opens and a local Mexican chain expands again.
If you wondered whether the Cajun restaurant was, finally, Chez Lafayette from the family behind Bourbon Street Creole Kitchen in Puyallup, I’m sorry to report that it’s still not quite ready. I’m told it will happen very soon, though.
On the other side of the coin, three bars shut their doors this spring, and only the fate of one has so far been decided. Early this year, an ambitious Mexican steakhouse debuted in Lakewood, but after a rocky start, Rey Carbon is temporarily closed to regroup with an anticipated reopening next month. Also from that list: Broken Spoke has closed and will be replaced with a whole new bar from names familiar to the Tacoma scene — stay tuned for updates on that project.
Our previous edition of new restaurants included fast-casual Korean, Vietnamese, ice cream and pizza. As summer heats up, here’s a look at recently opened restaurants in and around Tacoma.
VELVET’S BIG EASY - SPANAWAY
▪ 124 146th St., Tacoma, 253-503-0357, velvetsbigeasy.com
Brenda Miller has been sharing her gumbo, jambalaya and other New Orleans specialties with the South Sound for several years — but only from a food truck. This spring, she took over the red-paneled Spanaway farmhouse that Puget Sound Pizza occupied since 2020. (PSP replaced Pizza Casa in nearby Lakewood last year.) At Velvet’s Big Easy, experience Miller’s Creole and Cajun menu that includes a vegan rice dish, po’boys with fried catfish or shrimp (mains $20-$25), Johnny cakes, collards and peach pie. Open Wednesday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.
SUSHI YA - LAKEWOOD
▪ 6125 100th St. SW, Lakewood, 253-302-3365, sushiyalakewood.com
Sushi Ya opened earlier this year across from Lakewood Towne Center in a narrow space — so narrow, in fact, that seating is exclusively at the sushi counter. All the better for the kind service. The menu has all the hits, from sashimi and nigiri platters to simple and specialty rolls (most $13-$18). Tempura and noodle soups, ramen among them, weren’t available during a late-spring visit, but our server said they would be soon. The restaurant was also awaiting its beer and wine license. At lunch, snag two sizable specialty rolls plus miso soup for $29. Open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday noon-9 p.m.
EL ANTOJO - TACOMA MALL
▪ 5015 Tacoma Mall Blvd., Tacoma, 253-319-9040, elantojo.com
This local Mexican chain has expanded again with a new location, which the company is calling its “new flagship,” just south of Tacoma Mall and just north of the 56th Street exits off Interstate 5. Their kitchens churn out more than you’d expect, but said tacos on homemade tortillas start around $10 for a trio to $15 for a plate with rice and beans. Then there are burritos, enchiladas, caldos and plates like pollo en mole, pork in chile verde, carnitas and camarones a la diabla. El Antojo is also one of the few places in town for late-night eats. Open Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m.-midnight and Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-3 a.m.
RADNOR’S
▪ 5415 South Tacoma Way, 253-321-4321, radnorstacoma.com
South Tacoma Way continues to heat up with the addition of Radnor’s, a smashburger restaurant inside Edison Square, where fun public events happen often. Led by chef Lewis Mageo with the creative backing of Casey Catherwood (of Tacoma Rainiers’ fame), the burgers here are indeed smashed, melted with American cheese, and the bun slathered with a house sauce that hints at relish, mayo and a hint of spice all at once. The double is just $7 with complimentary LTO, should you so choose. The spicy swaps pepperjack and adds jalapeno. Also on the short menu: a dog, loaded fries and — best of all? — beignets. Get fries because you’ll need ‘em for all the custom sauces, including a zesty spicy green and unexpected chipotle. Open Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
TAQUERIA EL KIOSKO - HILLTOP
▪ 901 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253-330-1654, doordash.com
A new taco truck has parked in the lot of the Shell on 9th and MLK, across from People’s Park. The owners also have locations in Renton, Oak Harbor and Seattle. Proteins include asada, carnitas, pollo, pastor and fish as well as lengua, cabeza and tripe. A quad starts at $14. In addition to burritos, gorditas and sopes, the menu includes chimichangas, enchiladas and plates of carne asada, pollo asado, chile relleno and the rare machaca, a specialty of Guerrero that blends shredded beef with eggs, onions and peppers. It’s great for breakfast, if you’re not into the morning burrito, also on deck. Open daily 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
SIZZLIN’ SPICE - SOUTH HILL MALL
▪ South Hill Mall Food Court, 3500 S. Meridian, Puyallup, instagram.com/sizzlin_spice
Quick-serve Indian is back at South Hill Mall. Sizzlin’ Spice opened in May with a surprisingly large menu: butter chicken, tikka masala, vindaloo and more, with proteins including lamb, goat, chicken and plenty of vegetarian choices. You also can choose one to build your own rice bowl. Appetizers range from samosas to panipuri, and drinks bring various lassis and desserts like ras malai and halwa. It’s one of two new vendors to open this summer — South Hill Gyros is soon to follow. Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
