JAKE DE PAUL: TIM KNOWS >>>

A sunny day calls for lunch along Ruston Way. Packed parking lots proved it today.

I find its easy to pull into Harbor Lights, The Ram, C. I. Shenanigan’s, Katie Downs and even Duke’s as my jalopy hits this grouping first. The Pluto of Ruston Way restaurants, The Lobster Shop, sits waaaaay down the road by itself. Out of site, and unless I'm with grandma, most likely out of mind â€" which is a shame due to its excellent dishes.

Today it was impossible to keep The Lobster Shop out of mind. Tim, the restaurant’s janitor, stood a few yards before the first grouping with a sign that read, “Lunch at The Lobster Shop 1 Mile Ahead.”

So I drove the extra mile. Good call.

My professional server pointed at the halibut soft taco with a smile. “This is the one,” he said.

It was.

I recommend the charbroiled Alaskan halibut wrapped in a flour tortilla with cilantro, slaw, juicy red peppers and slathered in ubiquitous avocado sauce, sliced into two tall towers and conquered with tortilla chip flags ($11.99). The peppers are front and center in taste. The halibut was moist rather than huge, dry chunks. A cup of zesty salsa rode shotgun. Crisp, favorable fries anchored half the plate.

The next time you find yourself drawn to Ruston Way on a sunny day, give Tim a wave and follow his lead.

[The Lobster Shop, 4015 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253.759.2165]