If you’re looking for a gourmet, one-of-a-kind breakfast or brunch in Tacoma, look no further than Babblin’ Babs Bistro in the Proctor District. Their menu is a pleasure to read through, and gets your appetite going with the detailed descriptions and unique culinary combinations. Owners William and Shannon Mueller bring elevated food to a family dining experience, and breakfast is available all day on weekends.
It was a hard decision for my husband, who loves a sweet breakfast. The “Basse Busting Buttery Banana Butterscotch Bacon Bliss” ($15) caught his eye, with fresh banana waffles, butterscotch, homemade vanilla gelato and crumbles of pancetta. He ended up ordering “The Italian Swine Meets the French Pig Sandwich” ($15), with pancetta, pepper bacon, custard eggs, tomatoes and gouda in fresh baked naan bread. Yes, you read that right — naan. It’s a fun take on a breakfast sandwich, paired with either their nicely spiced home fries or sweet potato hash. It’s quite a hearty portion, and I didn’t think he’d be able to finish it, but in his words, “he couldn’t resist the harmony of flavors”. (I might be rubbing off on him a little too much. Do I sense a food writer in the making?)
I was hard-pressed to decide between two savory options. The “Hang Ten Big Willie Style” ($18), with slow-roasted Hawaii style pork, with ginger, house-made white “un-soy” sauce, a custard egg and sweet potato hash sounded like a winner. I’ll be back for that another day. I was intrigued by their four kinds of house-made sausage patties, and went with the “Roman Empire” ($18), a chicken sausage with red pepper, capers, lavender, herb d’ Provence and Romano cheese. Perfectly light and studded with capers (one of my favorite ingredients), it was topped with scallop potatoes and a custard egg. Not a bad way to start the day.
On weekends, Babblin’ Babs gets pretty busy, so my advice is to get there early or even visit for one of their weekday breakfasts and treat yourself mid-week. Good food takes time, so be patient and sip on some local Madrona coffee while you wait. Their menus are ever-changing, so stop back often to sample Chef Mueller’s new creations and seasonal ingredients.
Babblin’ Babs Bistro | 2724 N. Proctor, Tacoma | 253-761-9099 | Tues.-Sun. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
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Here’s a sample breakfast menu and lunch menu.