Tag Archives: sandwiches

Happy 40th Birthday to Antique Sandwich Company

Happy 40th Birthday to Antique Sandwich Company

I love a good small business success story, especially if it’s a family business. The Antique Sandwich Company on Tacoma’s North Pearl Street is celebrating its 40th birthday this month. The business, started in 1973 by sisters-in-law Tamie Herridge and Shirley Herridge and their mother Arlene, was later joined by Dick Meyer, owner of Traditions Cafe in Olympia. The community is invited to a celebration of their 40 years of business this Saturday, August 24, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Forty years is a long time for any business to continue on, but especially a restaurant, which faces stiff competition, rising food costs and a whole host of other factors that make keeping the doors open a difficult task. Antique Sandwich Company has not only survived, but flourished, maintaining a customer base that keeps coming back for their homemade pies, giant milkshakes, freshly made cinnamon rolls and sandwiches.
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Checking in with Rosewood Cafe

Checking in with Rosewood Cafe

I hadn’t been to Rosewood Cafe in a while, so I stopped in for dinner last night with a friend. It’s one of those places that’s hidden away, and if you don’t drive by it every once in a while, you might forget it’s there.

If you’ve never been to Rosewood before, it’s a quaint cafe tucked into the Proctor neighborhood of Tacoma, near the University of Puget Sound. They specialize in sandwiches, salads and soups, and also have beer, wine and local Valhalla coffee. I’ve heard from many people that it’s super kid-friendly, and the casual vibe and sidewalk dining during the warmer months is really inviting.

They’re open for lunch and dinner…though I’ve always wished they were open for breakfast or brunch. It would really be the perfect spot to bike to on weekend mornings for a breakfast sandwich, but I’m going to have to keep dreaming. No breakfast yet.

You can check out their lunch and dinner menu here, as well as beer and wine and kids menu. Favorite sandwiches of mine are the tuna melt ($7.50), Rosewood deluxe ($8) and Rick’s Dip ($8.50), a French dip with horseradish mayonnaise. Continue reading →

A Tour of the New Harbor Greens in University Place

A Tour of the New Harbor Greens in University Place

Yesterday I finally went and checked out the new Harbor Greens in University Place. Why I have waited so long, I don’t know. It’s awesome. Yes, I know it’s just a market, but it’s a great one and I get excited about these things.

I’ve never been to the original Harbor Greens in Gig Harbor, so I can’t really compare it, but I can say it reminds me a lot of Tacoma Boys…just a little bit better. I recently wrote about the 6th Avenue Tacoma Boys’ update to their store, and how it has a better flow and expanded range of gluten free products. Harbor Greens has all the best parts of Tacoma Boys — gorgeous produce, fantastic meats and local products — but they layout is much easier to navigate and they have a full service deli. I’m a sucker for a deli. Sandwiches, hot dogs, hot pizza, take and bake pizza, salads, soups and flatbreads. Oh, and there’s a garden center. Continue reading →

Grassi’s Garden Cafe is Moving

Grassi’s Garden Cafe is Moving

Grassi’s Garden Cafe, located upstairs in Grassi’s Flowers & Gifts in Downtown Tacoma, is moving after 21 years at their current location. The cafe, along with the flower and gift shop, will be moving from the historic “Mack Building”, the triangular building on South 17th and Pacific. The last day at their current location is April 25th.

Why the move after so many years in the same location? “We would like a location with easier parking for our guests,” says owner Melanie Grassi. This makes sense — the stretch of Pacific they’re currently located on has minimal parking spots, and they compete for space with visitors to UW Tacoma, retail shops and restaurants.

So far, it’s undetermined as to where they’ll be moving to. “We are currently in negotiations and hope to announce future plans soon”, says Grassi. Along with the move, there are plans to change the menu, as well as some other “surprises”.

Until then, everything in the boutique is 50 percent off, and there’s still time for a loaded cobb salad or crab omelet.

Now Open: Treos

Now Open: Treos

Treos opened today in Old Town in the space formerly occupied by Tully’s. After a dramatic remodel, the cafe has been transformed with cool colors, gorgeous glass tile and modern decor.

Although the space remains a coffee shop, you can also enjoy wine by the glass, craft beer on tap, sandwiches by Mike’s East Coast Sandwiches, pastries and a variety of flatbreads made in-house.

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