Took the car out for a spin this afternoon to check out the South Tacoma region and stumbled on a couple establishments worth mentioning. 
Ginger's Corner Cafe (4823 S. 66th St., across from the Manitou Community Center) is a sleek, northwest style coffee house serving prepared sandwiches, cookies, treats and, of course, coffee.  Nice colors inside â€" a beacon on an otherwise desolate stretch of street.  My black forest ham and swiss on a croissant was excellent.
Bill's Place (5420 S. Tacoma Way) is a sight to be seen.  Rough on the edges and everywhere else, the soup kitchen atmosphere is outshined by the low prices and decent burgers.  Bill is both friendly and missing some teeth, but that doesn't stop him from serving up an onion burger and fries for less than $5.  He serves dinner, but he is only open from 8-4 p.m. so let's call it lunch.  I'm going back for the Fish Wich.  Pray for me. â€" Jason de Paul