I’ve given the obligatory test run of Five Guys Burgers and Fries – the first South Sound stores of the national chain opened in Lakewood last week and in Puyallup in November. I realized as I was eating at Five Guys that I had not collectively written much about our home-grown burger stands since my burger-stand manifesto in 2009. So I hit the pavement and revisited some of my favorites, along with two new burger stands you may not yet know. Click “read more” to see my top five South Sound burger stand picks. Read more »

The second South Sound location of Five Guys Burgers and Fries braved the snow today to open in the Lakewood Towne Center. Franchise owner Cameron Gentry shot me an email earlier and said despite the crummy weather, they’re doing brisk business. Read more »

A warning to any parents who forbid sweets and treats: This story is not for you. Stop reading now. I mean it.

For the rest of us: Any parent who has spent winter break for two whole weeks cooped up with a gaggle of kids knows that it sometimes takes bribery to get the wee ones to cooperate. Sometimes a sweet incentive dangled before a cute little face might actually get junior to Stop. Hitting. His. Sister.

Need your little one to finish that worksheet or tackle that reading assignment? Promise a sweet escape to a locally owned (or operated) candy, ice cream or cookie store that offers interesting and unusual treats. I call it “Project Parent Bribe.” You might be inclined to call it Operation Keep My Sanity.

Here are five bribes, err places, to visit with the kids this week during the final week of winter break. Read on. Read more »

Three national chain restaurants have or will make their South Sound debuts. Last Monday, Buffalo Wild Wings opened near the Tacoma Mall. Read more about it here. Today, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit opened in Bonney Lake. On Saturday, Five Buys Burgers and Fries will open in Puyallup. Click “read more” for details. Read more »

Laurie Sanders-Polen knows some peculiar things about the eating habits of Puyallupites. They like cheddar cheese. A lot. And chevre, too. Buffalo mozzarella? That’s a big no thanks. Burrata was another that didn’t sell well with the locals. And what about stinky blues? “I thought there’d be more blue lovers,” said Sanders-Polen.

If Sanders-Polen has her way, local eaters soon will be spreading crusty baguettes with Italian butter and French butter flavored with sea salt. She’ll also introduce them to fig preserves, hand-made toffee and pungent cheeses from the far reaches of the world that cost as little as a few bucks for a small wedge at My Cheese Shoppe, which Sanders-Polen opened in downtown Puyallup in June.

Sanders-Polen is a self-proclaimed cheesemonger who never intended to sell cheese. Read more »

When Twisted Kilt Irish Pub and Eatery opened in Puyallup in late June, owner Bryan Purdy said the pub would be to Puyallup what Doyle’s Public House is to Tacoma: a headquarters for soccer fans. Judging by the flat-panel screens tuned to soccer here and abroad, I’d say they’ve kicked that goal (sorry about that lousy pun, couldn’t resist). Read more »

Puyallup diners will have to wait at least another week for Irish food. The new bar Twisted Kilt Pub & Irish Eatery downtown is open for soccer viewing, beer and sandwiches, but the full Irish menu is on hold until the owners can fix a venting hood in the kitchen. Repairs should take about a week longer, said owner Bryan Purdy. Click here to read more about the pub and menu.

While South Hill is the place for forgettable chain restaurants, downtown Puyallup is really becoming a diner’s destination with the recent additions of Crockett’s, Northwest Vintage and It’s Greek to Me. Click “more” to read about two restaurants I recently sampled – the newer Savory and Sweet Café and Kanpai, a downtown institution. Read more »

The Twisted Kilt Irish Pub had a soft opening over the weekend, but the owners don’t expect they’ll fully be in business until later this week or possibly next week. The holdup is an inspection of a venting hood in the kitchen. I wrote about the downtown Irish pub and restaurant last week.

Owner Bryan Purdy told me by phone this morning Read more »