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Roadside Tamales in Fife

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Roadside Tamales in Fife

At times I get a hair up my ass to try a challenging recipe, just to see if I can come anywhere near the picture in the cookbook.  The first time I challenged myself was in the year 2000, inside our little home on Stevens and North Eighth Street.  I

Eating and drinking bread on South Hill

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Eating and drinking bread on South Hill

During my ongoing attempt to travel the culinary world without having to actually travel, I have re-discovered the classic American side dish called "Pepto Bismol."  Something is seriously twisted and not right with my digestive system, especially when dealing with my latest non-domestic food quest. I can handle a greasy

Philly This!

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Philly This!

Jennifer Johnson is a good friend of mine, dare I say one of my besties. When I asked her for a tip on a good mobile food vendor in Tacoma, without any hesitation, she declared, "Philly This!"  Now, seeing as how she has been a food columnist off-and-on for 73 years,

Rock The Dock Pub & Grill cares

Viva South Sound

Rock The Dock Pub & Grill cares

Recently I was stalking Gwen Stence, owner of Tacoma's Rock the Dock Pub & Grill, on Facebook and took a special interest in a few particular posts of hers.  I noticed there had been a string of petty thefts happening outside of her bar, which is located in a significantly

Chick-fil-Yah or Nah?

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Chick-fil-Yah or Nah?

I have never been so torn in my life. Chick-fil-A is coming to Tacoma and OHMYGOD I can't wait. The food in America's Southern states is to die for, even the damn fast food - including Whataburger, Taco Bueno, Schlotzky's and Chick fil-A, Tacoma's soon-to-be fast food baby. What pains me

How to be a skinny Canadian

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How to be a skinny Canadian

It's An internationally known fact that I am not an international traveler. I've made the people of America, and all four of you who read this column, well aware of my feelings toward international travel safety and lack thereof. I've become a huge germaphobe and wuss when it comes to foreign

Vegetarian at a barbecue

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Vegetarian at a barbecue

Vegetarian at a barbecue.  There's always one.  Especially here in the Pacific Northwest land of bleeding hearts.  I'm pretty sure most Washington state residents would rather save a tree than cut one down to build a homeless shelter. As a matter of fact, you do know that Washington state government agencies care

Seven things happening in restaurants today

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Seven things happening in restaurants today

Enough with the praise, it's time for some tough love. Today, I feel like bitching and you're the only one who's paying attention to me right now, so you're going to get an earful. Or an eyeful. Whatever. I could give a shit if they fire me from the Weekly Volcano.

Downtown Puyallup picnic game plan

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Downtown Puyallup picnic game plan

The last time I tried to bring a friend to a picnic she ended up leaving early. Why? No one wants to hear about how much my ass hurts from sitting on the ground, much less while they're eating one of my homemade bologna and moldy cheese with mayo sandwiches.

Wishing Sorci's Italian Café's owner would adopt me

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Wishing Sorci's Italian Café's owner would adopt me

You go a measly two weeks without feeding the Weekly Volcano office dog and all of a sudden you are labeled as "unreliable."  Punishment ensues. No funny, meaningless columns for you, Steph DeRosa. Stick me with the boring food column, Pappi Swarner, whatever. I'll show you. And guess what, Pappi,

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Recent Blog Posts

Walkie Talkie Blog

The Puyallup Passport

While chatting up Comfort Food Cafe's new breakfast menu items (waffles, breakfast sandwiches, cinnamon rolls) with owner Beti Tarantino, she indulges information about a fantastic program in Puyallup involving local businesses.  It's known as the "Puyallup Passport" and it's purpose is to help citizens explore businesses in their community.   For a

Walkie Talkie Blog

Part Two: Stink Cheese and Meat

Always putting a stink-themed twist on all her comfort food classics (including the most fantastic mac ‘n' cheese you've ever had), Stink owner Kris Blondin secures this grilled cheese win with weekly changes to her grilled cheese sandwich.   Pictured above is a Tillamook cheddar layered with a sugar/cinnamon oven roasted Granny

Walkie Talkie Blog

Top Two Grilled Cheese Sandwiches in Tacoma (In no specific order)

Hoodies are in style here in Washington, year round.  They're comforting and protect you from the elements no matter what the season.  Sadly, even in the month of June.   The same could be said for every person's childhood favorite, the grilled cheese sandwich.  Comforting, yes.  Protect you from the elements?  Absolutely. 

Walkie Talkie Blog

Team Weekly Volcano wins Tap Into T-Town

A couple of weeks ago myself, Kris Blondin, Jennifer Johnson and Bandito Betty graced the cover of Weekly Volcano in honor of the world's greatest scavenger hunt, Tap into T-Town.   After much preparation and reconnaissance, Team Volcano took first place this past weekend at the 2012 Tap into T-Town event, and

Walkie Talkie Blog

Sexy glass blowers ... oh yeah!

As I approached my vehicle after lunching with Alicia Lawver a few weeks ago, I couldn't help but take notice of four sexy glass blowers from Tacoma Glass Blowing Studio as they dined out in the sun.   They all though I was crazy for asking to take their picture, but obviously

Walkie Talkie Blog

DERBY RECAP: Dockyard Dames Season Opener vs. Steph DeRosa

IT HAPPENED SATURDAY IN LAKEWOOD >>> As if you all didn't already know, I'm incapable of doing two things at once.  That is, with the exception of drinking a cold tallboy while inconspicuously checking out a guy's ass, but that's about all I'm good at doing simultaneously (wink, wink). A prime example

Walkie Talkie Blog

PERSON, PLACE OR THING: Hound Hangout webcams

IT'S ABOUT ALL THREE THIS WEEK: >>> Thing: Webcams Place: Hound Hangout Person: Kylie Markin On their live: Webcams The dogs are: Being dogs They might be: Sniffing butts Or: Drinking water Or: Humping Or: Scooting their butts on the ground But most likely they're: Just playing With: Kylie "Magnifico" Markin A few months ago I found an iPhone webcam app called

Walkie Talkie Blog

Bartering for cakes

PERSON, PLACE OR THING WITH STEPH DEROSA >>> Thing: Sweet Tiers Cakes Made by: Shannon Smith With: Love Because: You can't pay her This is all: A passion She simply: Loves to make cakes Yielding results of: Amazing cakes Yes, they are: Amazing cakes One more time: AMAZING CAKES We've all thought it. I know I have. You love a

Walkie Talkie Blog

Ronda Hamlin makes awesome biscotti in Tacoma

THING: Biscotti From: The Art of Crunch Biscotti Made by: Ronda Hamlin Since: 2000 Right here in: Tacoma I'm not: Kidding When I say: Yum! This stuff: Is delicious By day, Ronda Hamlin beautifies faces by means of cosmetics.  With powder brush in hand, a smile on her face and with experience in mind, Hamlin brings

Walkie Talkie Blog

Person, Place or Thing with Steph DeRosa: Awesome toffee

THING: Mom's Buttery Soft Toffee AKA: Heaven's toffee I just: Named it that Because: This toffee Proves: There is a God Toffee made by: Momi Bowles Since: 2009 Only: Seasonally Beginning: September Ending: February You're going to hate me. I just know it. That is, if you don't already hate me for the many various reasons one might develop

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Recently Reviewed Restaurants
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5th Avenue Sandwich Shop

117 5th Avenue Southeast
Olympia, WA 98501-1121
(360) 705-3393

Cuisine: Subs/Sandwiches

  • Not Rated Yet
Restaurant Photo

Barrel No. 51 BBQ and Catering

3102 S. 23rd St.
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 224-7588

Cuisine: Barbecue

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Chopsticks Noodle House

119 5th Avenue Southwest
Olympia, WA 98501-1011
(360) 596-9332

Cuisine: Chinese

  • Not Rated Yet
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Forza Coffee, Puyallup

210 West Pioneer #101
Puyallup, WA 98371
(253) 435-6087

Cuisine: Coffeehouse/tea

  • 5/5 Star Rating.
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Gikan Teriyaki #7

900 Meridian E.
Milton, WA 98354
(253) 952-2333

Cuisine: Japanese

  • Not Rated Yet
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Louie G's Pizzeria

5219 Pacific Hwy. E.
Fife, WA 98424
(253) 926-9700

Cuisine: Pizza

  • 4.25/5 Star Rating.
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Tea House Restaurant

B&I Marketplace
8018 South Tacoma Way
Lakewood, WA 98499-4586
(253) 581-0880

Cuisine: Japanese

  • Not Rated Yet
Restaurant Photo

Thai Restaurant in Fife

4420 Pacific Highway East
Fife, WA 98424
(253) 896-4777

Cuisine: Asian

  • 5/5 Star Rating.

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