Shopping at malls is hard work. When I do brave the mall crowds, I need to keep me energy levels in check. The food court is a-OK and has a selection of culinary finds from Asian cuisine to McD's, but meals served in the court can't be paired with a cocktail or microbrew, which is why I fuel up at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse on the north side of the Tacoma Mall.
Grab your reading glasses; the menu at BJ's reads like a novel. I always flip first to my favorite chapter: Tap List of BJ's Handcrafted Brews, Cocktails and Wine List. Then, I sip and flip through the appetizers, pizzas, flatbreads, burgers, sammies and full entrees. It's an exercise for the indecisive types.
That said, as a lover of all that is avocado, the Avocado Egg Rolls dish is always my first pairing. You can't go wrong with avocado and cream cheese for starters - especially after adding zest with sundried tomatoes, red onions, cilantro and flavorful, spicy peppers rolled up and deep-fried. Served with a sweet tamarind sauce reminiscent of a Tex Mex style barbecue for dipping, this appetizer rings in at $10.25 or $6 during happy hour.
AVOCADO EGG ROLLS, 11 a.m. to midnight Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, BJ's restaurant and Brewhouse, 4502 S. Steele St., Tacoma, 253.472.1220
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