One of the things I like most about my job is that I’m able to get out to cities and towns that I probably wouldn’t normally pass through. The News Tribune covers high schools from Central Kitsap to Centralia and Elma to Enumclaw. That’s a lot of ground to cover. And even though I pride myself on knowing as much as I can about my surroundings, there are things that leave me clueless.
Like, where should I grab a bite to eat before kickoff of the Auburn game? Or Olympia? Or Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Tumwater or Yelm?
So, I’m soliciting suggestions. I’ve listed every high school/major athletic field in the South Sound and added a few of my own suggestions. You can leave your suggestions as a comment and I’ll add to the list. Or you can e-mail me at doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com and I’ll post your suggestion.
To make this post easy to find for future reference, I’ve listed it in the column to the left. It’s titled “TNT Prep Dining Guide.”
Click below to see the list of schools and restaurants.
Auburn Mountainview
Auburn Riverside
Shake N Go
This place has a variety of burgers and wraps. Haven’t tried the wraps, but the burgers are solid and come with thick, crispy-on-the-outside fries. Clean-freaks will be pleased, the restaurant was spotless.
Auburn High School
From reader Jeremy: “In my opinion, the best spot for dining around Auburn High is Trotter’s. A solid burger with A-plus ice cream; a family friendly place or place to hang out with friends; and just a couple minutes away from the school.
Also nearby but probably more associated with Auburn Riverside is Robin Hood Pizza, which has excellent pizza for just $6.”
Athens Pizza and Pasta
Go for the grinders and pizza
Mom’s Teriyaki
Gourmet burgers and dogs
Beamer High School
Bellarmine Prep
Bethel High School/Art Crate Stadium
Black Hills High School
Bonney Lake High School
Hop Jacks
Sushi Town
Capital High School
Cascade Christian
Central Kitsap High School
Silver City Brewery
Cloverleaf Sports Bar and Grill
Charles Wright Academy
Clover Park High School/Harry E. Lang Stadium
The Ram
Curtis High School
Decatur High School
Eatonville High School
Elma High School
Emerald Ridge High School
Enumclaw High School
Cafe Panini
Federal Way High School
Burger Express<
Fife High School
Pick Quick Drive-In
Foss High School
Franklin Pierce High School
2121 Tavern
According to a reader, this place has good chicken and jo-jo’s.
Gig Harbor High School
Graham-Kapowsin High School
Jefferson High School
Kent-Meridian High School/French Field
Azteca
Kentlake High School
Applebees
Kentridge High School
Kentwood High School
Applebees
Lakes High School
Life Christian Academy
Lincoln High School
Gari of Sushi
My co-workers that enjoy sushi swear by this place. The teriyaki is good, too.
Mount Rainier
Dave’s Diner
Mount Tahoma Stadium
Ivar’s
OK, so it’s fast food. But on a chilly evening, is there anything better than a hot bowl of Ivar’s clam chowder?
North Mason High School
North Thurston High School
Olympia High School
Orting High School
Peninsula High School/Roy Anderson Field
Puyallup High School/Sparks Stadium
Sparks Firehouse Deli
Directly across the street from Sparks Stadium, this place serves up deli sandwiches, pizza and wings. Here’s a review from TNT reporter Craig Hill.
River Ridge High School
Rogers High School/Heritage Recreation Center
Shelton High School
ShoWare Center, Kent
The Ram
South Kitsap High School
Buck’s A&W
Within walking distance of the football field — Buck’s is just a couple blocks south of the high school — this place exudes South Kitsap sports.
Spanaway Lake High School
Steilacoom High School
Stadium High School
Frisko Freeze
A Tacoma icon, this drive-in burger joint has legions of fans.
The Hub
One of the best happy hour menus around.
Katie Downs
Great waterfront setting, with some great pizza.
Sumner High School/Sunset Chev Stadium
El Charro
Aversano’s
On the recommendation of a long-time Sumnerian (or is it Sumnerite?) I ate at this place my first time through Sumner. It was great. Big portions of good Italian food.
Tacoma Dome
Pick Quick Drive-In
Freighthouse Square
There’s a food court in here that gets packed during state tournament time at the Tacoma Dome. I’ve eaten a few times at Paya Thai Fish & Chips, where the portions are large. If you like Greek food, Mediterranean Place has great some great gyro plates. Wendy’s will satisfy any Chinese food cravings. Try the fried rice.
Friesenburgers
Great for a big, greasy burger with good fries and just a block from the T-Dome.
Mary’s Burger Bistro
A few blocks away from the Tacome Domeand worth the walk. Or take the trolley.
Tahoma High School
Timberline High School
Tumwater High School
Meconi’s
Fantastic place for sandwiches
Vashon High School
Sporty’s
Washington High School
White River High School
Wilson High School
Yelm High School
El Charro -Mexican Resturant in Sumner for Sunset Stadium and Sumner, BL, and Cascade Christian Games.
Before a game at Silverdale Stadium (where Central Kitsap plays, along with Olympic and Klahowya), eat at Silver City Brewery near the Kitsap Mall. But after the game, go to the Clover Leaf Tavern on Wheaton Way in Bremerton; it’s the best pizza in B-Town.
For Puyallup you could go to Trackside Pizza or the Powerhouse instead. In Bonney Lake there is Hop Jacks or Zato. Zato’s happy hour menu is really good. In Sumner, if you don’t mind a little drive, Branks is really good BBQ and Farrelli’s is good for some pizza. If you want a bite before the game check out the Buttered Biscuit in Sumner too.
Amici’s in Graham…great Italian food
also in Puyallup is Don’s Drive In on meridian just across the street from the fairgrounds next to the 7-11. great burgers and shakes.
For those going to Steilacoom or Lakes events, there is the Steilacoom Pub and Deli, Mis Tres Amigo’s in Lakewood as well as several fast food (blech) places along Steilacoom Blvd.
For Timberline HS/ North Thurston HS / River Ridge HS Beau Legs, Norma’s Burgers and Tea Leaf