Stink
628 St Helens Ave, Tacoma, WA, 98402
Stink Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Tacoma for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Tacoma for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Tacoma for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
628 St Helens Ave
Tacoma, WA, 98402 - Phone (253) 426-1347
- Website https://www.stinktacoma.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Sarah M.
So yummy. I got the peanut butter sandwich and house salad. The salad was very fresh and had lots of flavor. To bad I dont live in Tacoma or I would go there all the time. Great for everyone.
(5)Ava P.
I'm not sure if they keep their online menu updated but sometime last year, I got really excited for something on their online menu only for them to not have it available anymore. Boo. Whatever salad I did end up getting was really great but not very filling, which is unfortunate because I think I paid more than I wanted to for such a light salad. Because of that, despite the food being good I haven't felt the need to go back.
(3)Carolyn M.
Meh. That's about how I felt after eating and drinking here. I think the interior space is great... We came in during the lunch hour so the "downstairs" was not yet open (4 PM). We did snag a lovely three top by the window... Perfect for the people watcher in me. The food... This place was NOT that busy. Service was ok. We were not greeted upon entering and seating is a tad confusing. We ordered, as a table, the antipasti and the spinach and orange salad. Nothing had to be cooked. Maaaaaaaybe some meat had to be sliced... Not expecting a 45 minute wait for that. The olives were awesome. The micro caprese salad was so yummy... Prosciutto... More, please! Drinks... Good Pinot Grigio! Actually, excellent. Would've been nice if we'd been informed who made it... I would've purchased a bottle! And when I ask for "mineral water" and you say you don't have it... You only have "Perrier"... Yes, I'm going to look at ya a little confused... That's mineral water, honey! I may venture back for happy hour one of these days but definitely not for lunch...
(3)Diana K.
Stink's sandwiches have gotten smaller and pricier over the past months, but I still keep going back. The salami sandwich is my go-to meal. The fresh mozzarella is melted to perfection. The balsamic and olive oil add a nice hint of flavor. The ciabatta has a lightly crispy crust but chewy texture. Despite what the online menu says, Stink only serves sandwiches at lunch and now offers a tapas menu at dinner. I have never tried the tapas menu.
(4)Ashley C.
When I started going to Stink about a year ago I was head over heels for the proscuitto and brie, the turkey is fantastic as well. I have dined in and gotten orders to go. In both cases you do wait a awhile, which I usually dont mind for good food. The service is...so so. I get a cold, overworked vibe from the staff--no warm and fuzzy. I tend to order takeout nowadays, but more recently I feel that the salads have gotten much smaller. I have also found that I have grown a little bored of the limited menu. Dont get me wrong, this is a terrific sandwich (and great three bites of salad) that keeps me coming back, but not as frequently lately.
(3)Gene B.
Stink is a small restaurant in the older part of downtown Tacoma. It's almost a lunch counter. It also has an attached wine bar that opens in the early evening. There's a deli case, filled with both savory and sweet goodies that prominently occupies the space between the counter and the tiny kitchen. The menu is quite small as well, having fewer than a dozen options, but it's well thought out and has a lot of tempting items on it I had a tough time deciding what to order. Proscuitto, salami, seared tuna... So many of my favorites! In the end, I went with their signature sandwich, The Stinker. The Stinker is a variation of the All American Classic the Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich. What's made the humble PB & J stand the test of time, ease of preparation and low cost not withstanding, is that it has a very basic and very delicious salty/sweet contrast in its flavor profile. Americans love salty'sweet and sweet/sour contrasts. It comes up again and again in a lot of popular foods. The beauty of The Stinker is that it takes that winning salty/sweet combination and brings another dimension with the addition of bacon and bleu cheese.
(4)Mike P.
I went here with my wife, just a quick bite we said, it'll be fun, we said. so we sat down, 10 minutes later we got some water, sometime time later we ordered, I got a panini, wife ordered a vegi sandwich and soup. a long time later, (45 minutes total from arrival) got a panini and a small baguette with butter and radishes and a tiny cup of soup. I know it said vegi sandwich....... and I know it says "salted butter and radishes" but honestly, 1/2 a radish and 1/8 a baguette for $10 with a 1/2 cup of soup and 30+ minutes from ordering...... My panini was ok, not $13 ok, Panera bread, ( i can see eyes rolling, I dislike panera bread and this place shouldnt be compared with such a place ) has a better panini for LESS money. Im sorry Stink.... I live in Tacoma, I want you to be good, I love local great places to eat... but you just stink.
(1)Kristy S.
Yum! I wanted to try this place because their menu sounds just like Salumi's in Seattle, which I love. I was not disappointed. I had a cup of the 5 mushroom soup, and the prosciutto and brie sandwich. It was amazing. The fig spread was on very lightly so it enhanced the flavor of the sandwich, but was not overwhelming. The sandwich was very big and filling, but didn't leave me with that "disgustingly full" feeling after. The prices were reasonable and my call-in order was ready in 10 minutes. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Annette L.
I love their Stinker sandwich!! It's a weird combo that is beyond yummy!! You have to try this little gem in Tacoma
(5)Shannon G.
Wonderful gem in the heart of Tacoma downtown. They've updated the menu to include Spanish wines and tapas. Excellent choice for a pre movie small bite and drink if you are headed to The Grand. Relaxed atmosphere with pleasant staff.
(4)Anthony B.
Sadly this place did not live up to my high expectations. Driving through Tacoma I was hoping to find a delicious quick meal and I thought Stink's deli style food would be quick and more importantly tasty. The food took quite a while to arrive (30 Minutes) and the service, while accommodating was not warm or friendly. Sadly the food underwhelmed. The "Prosciutto" and Brie was overwhelmed by the fig spread and seriously under salted. Would have been ok if there was salt available on the tables. My friends Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese was ok. It was very strange since it was covered in Mustard and Ketchup. They should really consider letting people know when the food has such a drastic and potentially polarizing preparation. Stink is a place with a fun name, but lacks impact with their food.
(3)Juli D.
I came in hungry to the point of being a bit befuddled. They were so helpful and gracious. The atmosphere is on its way to being hipster PNW cool, but seems not-quite-finished. I had a cup of soup, which soul satisfying and scrumptious, and a Spanish Cesar salad. It was perfect.
(4)Marissa A.
Freaking AMAZING! For starters, I love a place that won't let you be that douche on their phone yapping away while people are trying to enjoy their meal. Posted clearly at the front is a notice asking patrons to please avoid talking on your phone in the cafe. Secondly the staff were all very friendly. Now for the most important part, the food!!! I had a half sandwich and cup of soup. On a nice summer day there is truly nothing better than gazpacho, and unfortunately it is VERY hard to come by up here in the Pacific Northwest. The gazpacho here was very good. I do tend to like mine more on the spicy side, but overall it still had amazing flavor. For my half sandwich I had the prosciutto and brie and I must say it was the best sandwich I have EVER had! They put this ridiculously delicious fig confit on the sandwich which gave it just the right touch of sweetness. Normally I don't even like figs, so I was really taking a chance here and was sooooo impressed with the end result. The soup and sandwich combo was $10, not bad price and the portion was good as I didn't leave hungry, but there wasn't tooooo much food either. The menu seemed to feature quite a bit of yummy options and some of the salads just sounded amazing. They have all day happy hour on Tuesday and Wednesday so I did get a beer. I treated myself to a ginger hard cider by Anthem, which carried a strong ginger smell without the over powering ginger taste. A very pleasant beer. They also had a pretty good wine selection. They have a small cheese and meat case where they have a variety of yummyness that you can purchase. I will definitely be back to try another menu offering in the future (I'm thinking the warm goat cheese salad next time....ooooohhhhh or the chocolate salad....oh so many fun options. This is one happy lady right now, one happy lady indeed!!!
(5)Tricia C.
Extremely creative and delicious food. I actually asked my friends if we could go there for my birthday. I stinkin' love this place.
(5)Jamie B.
I work downtown and everyone at my office loves STINK. My favorite is the salami sandwich and the meat plate. Give yourself time to order and eat. Every item is made from scratch which takes time and worth the wait. The owner, Kris, is a community leader in Tacoma and very active in the local business community.
(5)Andie W.
I was underwealmed by our meal. We started with the antipasta and while the 5 year aged gouda was good the meats were pretty standard, and in general the dish felt very.. Limited. We got "the stinker" and truffle/mushroom mac and cheese. The stinker was ok: pretty much tasted like bacon with a hint of pb. The mac and cheese was super meh the first day, but actually got better as leftovers as the flavors had a chance mature. The salads were by my preference, over dressed with super sweet dressing, and the salad leafs were rather limp. All in all it was ok- but not an awe inspiring meal, especially for the price.
(3)Danielle D.
Definitely my new favorite spot. Even though it is deep in Tacoma and I will be honest, I am a slight snob with preconceived notions of Tacoma, but I am learning, it is a hip little spot next to a kitschy shop, and across from an Alfa Romeo dealer/shop. I am attracted to anything with metal signage, so the outdoor STINK sign caught my eye immediately. While that name would make most turn the corner in search of something more familiar, my husband and I decided to try it. And we are so glad we did. Since we like to taste a little of everything at new places, I jumped on to Yelp to look at other reviews and to pick what we should order. We settled on the macaroni and cheese of the week (a caprese style with pesto, mozzarella and tomatoes), the simple sandwich and the turkey. The simple was what is to be expected. But one day I will return and pester everybody there until I find out what is in the roll it is on. I am guessing Rosemary, but need confirmation. The macaroni and cheese was delicious. Given that it is a small deli like space, it had to be "cooked" in a microwave, but that is expected. My husband is more judgmental about those things than I am. The pesto is delicious, and I really enjoyed the melted lumps of mozzarella and halved cherry tomatoes on top. And yes, lumps, not pillows, because mozzarella is a delicious heavy cheese. The Turkey...we dream about the turkey sandwich.... The mango confit on it is delicious. Not overpowering like most delis that try to meld together a fruit on a turkey sandwich. It is a hint of sweet and then melts into the rest of the sandwich. I hate, hate, hate sweet and savory mixed, but even this is the rare panty dropper sandwich. Yes, it is that good. The guy running around the place, taking orders and serving the guest was attentive, but slightly standoffish, who cares. My food was in front of me soon enough, and I was too busy stuffing my face with heaven to care about the guys life story.
(5)Gwen P.
I am never disappointed when I come to Stink! The staff is so courteous and friendly. There is a bar side and a seating area with a few cute tables and benches. Perfect for a fun, cheap and delicious lunch date! I highly recommend the Turkey sandwich, and the grilled cheese special! The house salad is also very delicious! The portion sizes are a little bigger than I expected, which is always a pleasant surprise!
(5)Rachel S.
Great wine, great food, and great service. I was very pleased :)
(5)Ed A.
Always love finding new and a little off the wall places to eat... I am so glad that Tacoma is becoming what it is with places like Stink and others, don't have to go to Seattle all the time. Will definatly be back at Stink and bringing friends...Cool place!
(4)Lisa S.
Stink it a pretty hip place. Their menu is unique and the decor is great. I've been here for lunch twice and the first time I got the mac and cheese special and it honestly was not very good and the service took FOREVER. We didn't order fro 20 minutes! We were just about to walk out when finally the server helped us. The second time we ordered to go and then picked it up and ate at the office. That time I got a salad which was delicious and the food was ready when they said it would be ready.
(3)Stephanie M.
Great sandwiches in a great atomosphere. The turkey is the best. The staff makes it even better.
(5)Corinne M.
I've been wanting to come here for a long time, and thanks to taking a wrong turn we ended up in the area, and thought, what the heck, lets give it a try, and it was pretty nice, a little more expensive than I'd have expected it to be, but the food was good, and worth the money. I had the Salami, and my son had the mac, and cheese, both great choices, I personally loved their side salad, omg, yum! I don't mind spending more money for good food, but the drinks were just kind of ridiculously priced, but that's also probably because we don't drink soda often. Even though they were great with my kids, I wouldn't really suggest bringing them, as the food really does seem aimed for adults, my kids are foodies just like me, so they did enjoy it, but they really enjoy things that most kids don't. I really liked it, because it's a place that you can make the environment the way you want it to be. If you want to wear your pj's, and order something to go, you can. If you're looking for something casual, come on down, and if you're wanting to dress up and have a date, or a night out, well that works too, so it's the adaptability that I enjoy, as well as the food.
(4)Luke W.
I have eaten here twice now and the sandwiches are very good. The service was polite and efficient and I found this restaurant to have a subdued but comfortable atmosphere right in the heart of downtown Tacoma on 7th & St Helens Ave.
(5)Erik R.
Fresh gourmet cheese, grilled PB, bacon and cheese! What could be better for lunch. Parking is tight so take the bus or walk from downtown.
(5)Jim T.
On foot. With my backpack on. Hadn't showered that day and it was eight at night. Felt like a vagrant. My waitress was a bland blonde like the lead from the 12 Monkeys show. She instantly asked me to leave by asking if my order was to go. Maybe she caught a whiff of me. There was plenty of room to sit but feeling unwelcome, agreed. Ordered quickly, the turkey sammich based off a glance at a Yelp review. A turkey sammich for dinner. It was okay. Not a fan of fruit (mango) in a sandwich because why. Came with a salad which was also unnecessarily sweet for some reason. Eleven bucks all told. Took my food and looked for a place to eat it. How about this bench on this patch of grass in front of this apartment. Began wolfing down this adequate, fruity sammich avoiding eye contact with people walking. Then started gnoshing the meager salad in the cool night. Daring them to look.
(2)Julie S.
Bacon Mac & Cheese was fabulous! Service was friendly and quick and the price is very reasonably.
(5)Linda S.
Mushroom soup was very good, antipasti delish, cardamom tea yummy. A good blend of men & women @ lunch time. I can see this place for family, friends, sweethearts, etc. It was just stinking good! ; - )
(5)Amy S.
Ohh my goodness I can only explain the turkey sandwich, house salad, and glass of Malbec I had as perfection. While I'm not usually a mayo fan, the spread on the turkey sandwich is a combination of mango chutney, bleu cheese and mayo that I could not get enough of. The salad had a ideal balance of vinegar spike from the balsamic dressing and salty sweetness from the nuts, all topped with bleu cheese. Service was attentive, quick, and genuine. Bravo, Stink. I will be back to most definitely try every other item on your menu.
(5)SoCal C.
05 Jul 2014, 07:40p We walked across the street from The Mix to dine at Stink for dinner with our friend and host. Even though we had a huge brunch earlier in the day and none of us were really all that hungry, we needed some food after having some happy hour drinks. We ordered: The Stinker w/5 Mushroom Soup (2 orders) Prosciutto and Brie w/House Salad Bowl of 5 Mushroom Soup I had the Stinker with a cup of soup instead of the house salad. The 5 Mushroom soup was outstanding. it had large chunks of different types of mushrooms in it and it was warm and hearty. The soup itself was not overly rich, but it was very filling. I wasn't all that thrilled with the sandwich. It sounds like an interesting concept and perhaps it could have worked a little better had the ratio of ingredients been adjusted a bit. It had just the right amount of peanut butter as I could definitely taste it, but it wasn't TOO sticky. They also use chunky peanut butter versus smooth, so there is that extra element of texture added. I felt there was a little too much of the preserves and not enough of the blue cheese or bacon. I don't even think I tasted any bacon or blue cheese at all. The sweetness of the preserves definitely overpowered everything else except the peanut butter. I'd try this again, but definitely with some adjustment. Hubby had the Prosciutto and Brie and I would definitely order this sandwich. I actually liked this better than the Stinker. Service was friendly and attentive and the food was good, but it could definitely be better with some minor adjustment. Perhaps it was just an off night. Other items on the menu sound interesting and I would come back to try more, if not only for the convenient location to the Mix!
(3)Liz O.
Service was wonderful and their food was delicious had half prosciutto sandw w/salad, got huge portion of their yummy salad which i wasn't expecting it was all delicious
(3)Zoe T.
My favorite lunch spot in Tacoma--conveniently located on Saint Helens Ave, around the corner from the Grand Cinema and across the street from the Mix, Puget Sound Pizza, etc. I recommend everything here, especially happy hour--nothing makes me happier than a glass of wine and a cheese plate.
(5)Vanessa H.
Interesting place. Food was delicious, but the service stank. (No pun intended). Not an inexpensive place to eat- I wish we would have had better service to match with the quality of the food.
(3)Lloyd J.
Excellent food! Great little restaurant with friendly folks dishing up great meals! Sam and Sara took great care of us during our first visit! A cheese plate with a tasty couple of slices of Brie, some other cheeses as well! Grapes, candied nuts, some orange-fig bread rounded out the appetizer well! For the life of me I can't remember what my wife orders but I had "The Stinky" peanut butter, bacon, blue cheese, and jam sandwich that was very, very good! A mixed greens salad with aged balsamic vinaigrette finished out my meal! It was the smoothest vinaigrette I ever tasted! We will return to sample more of the menu! Soo good and inexpensive also!
(5)Jessica M.
I ordered the chocolate balsamic salad. It was supposed to come with berries, pancetta, goat cheese, and toasted nuts but they didn't give me any nuts! And my friend ordered a different salad with salami and it didn't even have a slice of meat in it. Good, but not enough for $13!
(3)Rebekah S.
Excellent specialty grilled and cold sandwiches (and high-quality seasonal beer selection). Highly recommend the Turkey, Stinker, and Simple Sandwich. Their salads are divine (even just the house-salad could be counted as dessert)
(5)kyungmi k.
Had the half turkey and house salad, with a cup of the 5 mushroom soup. Soup was the perfection of creamy but not too rich with lots of mushroom in every spoonful. Can't say enough about the sandwich and salad.. party in my mouth! I wanted to lick my plate when I was done but that probably wouldn't have gone over well. Service was friendly and attentive. I'll definitely be coming back!
(5)Karen S.
Every time I eat at Stink I'm impressed with the consistent quality of the food and drink. The menu isn't large, but it's ALL good...every time. The Stinker is a go-to favorite sandwich (you'll be amazed at how perfectly the bacon, blue cheese, peanut butter and jam mingle in this grilled sandwich!), but there's no better deal than the Simple Sandwich (different daily). Be sure to check the menu board for the daily Mac&Cheese creation, and ... seriously, have a Chocolate Balsamic salad - you will come back for more! Great beers and wines, too!
(5)Ross H.
Absolutely Stink-A-Licious Top quality ingredients. ..warm friendly service...great selection of beer and wine = one of Tacoma's best!!!
(5)Rob R.
Everything that I've had here is amazing. The ingredients are fresh and the menu items are put together well. All of the soup, sandwiches and salads are great. A side salad of greens are included with your signature sandwich and their selection of beverages are bottled and unique. I have still yet to order a meat and cheese platter but from the pictures here, they look equally amazing. I highly recommend coming here if your in the area. You won't be disappointed. It's one of my favorite lunch spots in the area.
(5)Alban N.
I went to Stink with a friend and got the Stinker--- the sandwich with cheese, peanut butter, blackberry preserves, and bacon. It was pretty good but I think it would have been better with more bacon and cheese as the peanut butter was really empowering. My friend got the turkey sandwich and that was good, so was the salad. Definitely going to go back to try more soups and cheeses!
(4)Lehua S.
This place was pretty hipster cool... Basically great if you want wine/beer, cheese, meat and bread. Went on a Wednesday so it was happy hour all day! The Caprese salad wasnt all that, but everything else was pretty good. We ordered the mac n cheese (yum) and the 3 cheese platter (could do without the fig bread). Its a great place for a date night, or just being pretentious.
(4)Tanya P.
Good fresh food. Service is stupid slow. we were there on a Saturday afternoon - only 2 other tables yet it took 25 min to get 2 salads and a cheese plate. pricey for what you get too. I have to say - over rated.
(3)Nick M.
We shared the 3 cheese plate and the 3 meat plate. I can't even remember the names of the meats and cheeses but they were all awesome especially on top of their home made fig bread. We washed it down with some wine and it was the perfect meal for two coming out to around $42 before the tip.
(5)Jeffrey T.
new favorite place for lunch in Downtown Tacoma. Why? 1. Quality local ingredients 2. They employ people who actually went to school for cooking ( their menu shows ) 3. Dry Sodas 4. OMFG brie and prosciutto sandwich 5. House salad was amazeballs Ill probably be hitting here 2-3x a week for lunch. Makes the move from cap hill less painful, as 80-90 percent of the restaurants in tacoma suck donkey balls.
(5)Veronica M.
This is a cheese lover's wet dream. Between the fancy meats and the cheeses, you can't lose. The sample platters are super generous, easily shared between two folks. Good for one hungry human, but totally shareable with two.
(4)Meegan N.
Well, I just erased my positive reviews of one of my frequent lunch stops Stink after having been a fan of their soups, Turkey and Stinker sandwiches since June of 2011. The food is good - place is very fun, and I also enjoyed when one of the employees showed us around when they were expanding the restaurant. I have always been treated and served well. BUT after writing a frustrating situation to the Editor of the Tacoma News Tribune earlier this week being extremely irritated with the parking meters and tickets. Expressing I am a frequent diner and shopper of downtown Tacoma (we eat out 5 to 8 times a week) but frustrated with getting parking tickets for the 2 hour limits of downtown, which can be frustrating for big group dining, getting my hair done or meetings. Her response to my letter really pissed me off: "Kris Blondin · Owner-Operator at Stink - Cheese & Meat So let me get this straight - you plan to make the small businesses in downtown suffer over something every large city has implemented? I hope you don't plan to shop in Seattle, Olympia, Spokane, Bellingham, Portland etc. As a small business owner in downtown Tacoma who supports paid parking because we always want a parking spot for our customers and NOT other chain parking employees of neighboring businesses, your letter is insulting and petty. I would rather have people getting tickets than have non-customers parked in front of my shop all day so I end up losing business. But according to you, that's okay..." Quite frankly YOU STINK Kris and it might have been a little wiser to make sure you weren't responding to someone who has frequented your establishment at least 20 times since you opened. My opinion to the Editor was intended to support small businesses and finding it hard too, because half the time we don't know if we are in a meter zone or not, a lot of areas around Pacific aren't marked well and with the parking meters 2 hour limit. But your comment was meant to be mean, vindictive and hurtful! Shame on YOU! Your lack of any concern for your patrons now shows! Good luck on your success!
(1)Michael C.
I'm a fan. It's a cute little bistro with a lot of wines and meat and cheese plates. The sandwiches are great as is the lentil soup. I can see this being a chill wine bar at night too.
(4)Alden C.
Nothing beats a good sandwich shop! A few weeks ago right after we got back from Minnesota; Steve had trouble with his car yet again. He just had it in before the long trip but it must have enough miles on it that breakdowns could be frequent. As it turned out the repairs were low in cost so he was ready to celebrate! So we pulled up the Yelp app to see what was close by to go have some lunch and Stink pulled up. We have been meaning to go here for a while. We were already in Stink once before but it was late and the kitchen was closed. Now we had the opportunity to have some food here! I ordered the Proscuitto and Brie sandwich along with a side salad. Both were fantastic! The sandwich was perfect. The Brie was delicious as well as the ham and it was nestled with a amazing rosemary-fig confit upon a wonderful roll. The salad was out of this world too! The dressing on it was a stand out! Besides amazing food they have a deli case where you can order slices of meat and cheese to go. On top of all that they had an adorable t-shirt of a Pepe Le Pew like skunk with a hipster vibe to it. I so want that shirt! Well it is just another excuse to go back to Stink!
(4)RecentSeattlite W.
My friend and I went here and all I can say is wow... We both bit into our sandwiches and said OMG! The pancetta and Brie sandwich is soooooo good. The chutney on the turkey sandwich is really good. It comes with blue cheese, which I hate, and I thought it was still amazing!! Any time I'm in Tacoma, I'm coming here!
(5)Jay S.
A huge step in the right direction for the Tacoma food scene. Stink is unpretentious while feeding your foodie pretensions. Bottom line: better sandwiches for those who don't want burgers or diner food, and thank God, we needed this! Can be difficult to sit for lunchtime. Best time is after 1:30 pm. Party of four ate lunch today to bloating for $80. This included 2 cups of soup, drinks, and a starter cheese plate in addition to our sandwiches. I'll try to add to the other, very accurate, reviews: Every day they have soup, mac 'n cheese and grilled cheese specials. We sampled most of these today; they were a golden mushroom soup, tuscan bean soup, chipotle chicken mac 'n cheese and portabello fontina grilled cheese with white truffle oil. The golden mushroom soup and the grilled cheese were particularly fantastic. Lovely bread on the grilled cheese with a perfect balance of mushroom to cheese. Not too rich - just right. The tuscan bean soup was a little salty. Two of our party had the "tuna steak" sandwich. This was not so great because they went SUPER skimpy on the tuna. It's the old "seared tuna" bit on a baguette with a nice slaw, a la pain bagnat. Problem: bread to tuna ratio. 1 small slice of tuna on each half of the sandwich. Whoops. Better charge more and add tuna (the sandwich is already $10 or $12, tho) or change the bread. The other member of our party had the prosciutto and brie sandwich ($10), it was substantial and hit all the right notes. Not innovative, but satisfying. Another item needing work (and totally fixable - a venial versus mortal sin) is server product knowledge. This is pretty big in my book for a restaurant of Stink's ilk. Our server did not know what we had on our starter cheese plate. She did not identify them before she left the table. When asked, she pointed at something and said "cheddar" and then ran to ask without excusing herself. Well, she'd pointed at a manchego. Whoops again. At least she was honest enough to go get the right answers!
(4)Ivan H.
This place is awesome! The wine selection is great and the food even better. Whether an antipasti to a sandwich you will not be disappointed. The atmosphere is very comfortable and the service is nothing short of excellent. The staff knows there wine and beer pairings with food. So if you're ever in a pickle, all you have to do is ask the staff. I will definitely be back.
(5)Rhonda W.
This is a nice spot for a quick lunch. The menu is mostly sandwiches, salads, soup and cheese platters. The house salad is generously portioned and delicious. I had a half sandwich (prosciutto, brie and fig confit) with half salad for $10. Delicious, fresh and healthy. The young woman who served was very sweet. Street parking is a little inconvenient, but there are nice shops for browsing, so really, a nice lunch hour. I'll be back - there are several things on the menu I'd like to try. Recommend!
(4)I D.
The best of the best. I can't believe a cafe like this exists in Tacoma. Beyond delicious and quite affordable.
(5)Brogan A.
The wife and I stumbled into this place about an hour before close.. the bartender was fantastic, he was more than willing to discuss any aspect of the wines and beers and did so with great professionalism and was entertaining as well. My only complaint was that they were no longer serving meat and cheese so we could only have a glass of wine or beer. I look forward to going back.
(4)Chris E.
Really delicious sandwiches. Limited variety but I think that is always a good sign when it comes to quality, in my opinion. Need to come back to try their weekly Mac and cheese special :)
(4)Alicia L.
I'm addicted to the salami sandwich here, but also love the turkey and the simple sandwich. The weekly grilled cheese and mac and cheese specials always tempt me, and sometimes win ... but oh, mmm, the salami will always be my favorite. Great flavors, great people, great wine selection. And I love that I can also grab a bottle of their divine Balsamic or a chunk of something fabulous like truffle cheese at better-than-Met-Market price to take home. I love bringing people here for the first time ... nothing like saying "Let's go to Stink" ... getting strange looks ... but then going home making jokes about "that sure didn't stink!" :)
(5)Carrie T.
My husband and I had been wanting to go to Stink for a while. We made it to STINK for their happy hour a few weeks ago and we thought it was fantastic. The space was warm and cozy and at 4pm on a Friday surprisingly not too busy. We grabbed a table near the meat and cheese counter and the waitress went over their menu and specials with us. My husband chose the happy hour red blend wine, while I drank a pinot noir. We ordered the happy hour cheese plate, which came with three different cheeses: a white cheddar, a honey goat cheese, and a brie, along with fig bread, candied nuts, and grapes. It didn't look like much food, but it went a long way. For dinner my husband had their version of the Monte Cristo, which I tasted and was quite delicious. I had the macaroni and cheese with mushrooms and truffle oil, which was just so-so. They told me they were having issues with their oven, so that may be the reason it was just average. Their salad that came on the side of both our meals was very good. My husband and I enjoyed this new addition to the Tacoma scene. We're fans of this aroma!
(4)Jasmine C.
What a wonderful gem in downtown Tacoma! I have been twice and each time I ordered the panzanella. Ohemgee...everything about this salad is crazy good. Normally I am someone who tries something new each time I visit a restaurant, but I fell in love with the panzanella and could not force myself to order something different! Thankfully, I work nearby so I can return as often as I'd like. I have not been by for a drink, but it is on my to-do list. The laid back vibe was super welcoming and was a place I enjoy relaxing and killing time before returning to work.
(4)Suzie V.
OMG, if you like moldy delicious cheese, this is the place for you. Their cheese/meat platters are PHENOMENAL. And they have a deli case where you can purchase by the pound should you be so inclined. The sandwiches are great, I had the turkey, the bf had the prosciutto and brie (yum!)...can't say much for the rest of the menu but the lady sitting next to me had some mac and cheese that made wish I had a long fork! They offer dry sodas too which is a big plus in my book. Wine side opens at 4pm, just an fyi. Also, I love how candid and helpful the wait staff is.
(4)Benita K.
Really great sandwiches, and I appreciate that they pair ingredients that are less traditional, and even harder to find. Delicious A bit overpriced though. Decent service. Probably would't be good for big groups -- it's a small space. Go for lunch.
(3)Joshua S.
Visiting from Texas and wanted to find a good local sandwich/wine/cheese restaurant. Stumbled upon this gem thanks to Yelp! I had the Stinker (peanut butter, blackberry, bacon, bleu cheese, warm pressed in a panini press) - delicious. Wife had a chocolate balsamic salad and ate every bite. Sarah was the waitress and she was very helpful. She gave great advice on the menu and let us try several wines. We wound up buying a bottle from the attached store. This place was a great find for a late lunch/early dinner.
(5)Jennifer J.
What an amazing bartender! He sat down and figured out what wines would be best for us. We were incredibly impressed by the cheese and meat platters. The wines were even reasonably priced - until we got the check. I would have given a five star rating until this. If you get a full bottle of wine, even if it's a screw top bottle, there is a ten dollar a bottle corking fee. There is no notice of this anywhere, and when we asked the bartender, he said he probably should have mentioned it. Yes, he should have. We won't be back because of this.
(2)Matt M.
Before you die or move away from Tacoma you have to try the sandwich known as The Stinker. Bacon, PB&J, blue cheese, grilled?? I don't know how, but it works!
(5)Rose M.
A place to sip some wine, chat with friends, or to have lunch, Stink serves a variety of sandwiches, salads and a mean antipasti. In attempt to finish my weekly laundry list, thus including visiting at least one new restaurant a week, my pick of the week was here at Stink. The place is easy to drive by if you are not paying attention. Your first impression of the place may cause you to wonder if the place is even open. It was 3:30 on a Saturday, the place was empty. In such a small venue, the place could feel more intimate but the lack of décor and the absence of any personal touches take away a sense of warmth a food experience should provide. I ordered the customer favorite The Stinker with the house salad. My boyfriend and fellow cheese lover had the The Turkey. We both shared the antipasti. The Stinker, was well executed that had a lot of bold and unusual combination of flavors. The peanut butter, the bacon, the blue cheese and the blackberry preserve melded unusually well. It's a unique dish, where a childhood classic was transformed into a stinky favorite. I recommend it especially for first time stinkers. The Turkey as described by my boyfriend was ordinary. Unable to detect the mango chutney, the blue cheese and mayonnaise overpowered the refreshing bite needed in such a rich sandwich. The antipasti was the highlight. It is what one would want when ordering a plate full of cured meats in all its brininess and smoky flavors. It was sweet, hot, salty and stinky. What more could you ask for? Even with all the wonderful stinky flavors, unfortunately, the price one must pay for it must be mentioned. $9 for a sandwich, even though executed well, should not be $9. Disappointingly, the chips they offer with the sandwich are not homemade. When you're paying that much, I would expect something more than something bagged. In a place like Stink, where one can slow down and take time to appreciate what it is we are actually eating, Stink is missing the kindness in its atmosphere where one could unwind and relax in good company.
(3)Audry J.
This is a perfect little restaurant hidden in downtown Tacoma! It is a great place for lunch. The best sandwich is by far the turkey, and the salad that comes with the sandwich order is to die for!! Such a good balsamic taste and it is made fresh! We love stink, just be weary that you can wait awhile for your food though, so beat the rush, and just call in your order for pick up! Much faster for those on lunch break!
(4)Julie E.
Cute little cafe. Got The Stinker (Grilled peanut butter, blackberry preserves, bacon & blue cheese on multi-grain bread.) It was delish. Yum! Friendly and quick service. No complaints.
(4)Chris B.
I like cheese, I like meat, I like different things that make up a sandwich. I guess that means I like Stink, and I do. Stink has a simple, clean and modern interior. It's not really big by any mean but they have several tables and chairs and table service. They also serve beer and wine along with the sandwiches as well as salads and soups. I ordered the Prosciutto and Brie which is Italian ham and French Brie accompanied by a rosemary-fig confit and mixed greens on a rustic roll. What a combination of flavors, you have the salty from the prosciutto, the creamy from the brie and the sweet from the fig confit. Add a small side salad with that and you have a great lunch for $10. A must try if you are in Tacoma!
(4)Brian D.
Had a cup of five mushroom soup and 1/2 salami sandwich. Both were wonderful. I would definitely recommend this little deli.
(4)Elle M.
I had no idea the name of the restaurant referred to the type of service you get here. I'm not always one to complain (or care much about) service in a restaurant, since it's the food I'm there for. However, this place is different. I wanted to take my friend from out of town to some cool eateries in Tacoma. Late eaters by habit, we arrived at Stink a little after 830 looking for a glass of wine and appetizers. The first thing the server said when she walked up to us was, "We are closing soon." Not "hello." Not "can I take your order?" My friend wanted to leave right then but I convinced her to stay and we ordered a simple cheese plate and two glasses of wine. The server never checked to see how everything was going (presumably because she was worried we might order more!), but as she realized we were fast and not going to keep her past her (apparent) bedtime she got cheerier and cheerier, even shouting at us as we left to "have a great night." No thanks. There's other eateries with better cheese plates, like Enoteca in Stadium. This place gets two stars and not one because the cheese they serve is one of my favorites.
(2)Patrick W.
A great concept! With a focus on deli meats and cheeses, the reason for the name STINK becomes obvious....and it's a good thing. It's also obvious they are still on a 'shakedown' cruise and they have a few things to work out; on balance, it was a pleasant experience. We had the 5-cheese sampler (their choices, not mine) and two sandwiches: the Prosciutto and Brie, and the Tuna. The cheese sampler included a really nice goat brie and goat blue. The patacabra was EXCELLENT, and you really should give it a taste. Both sandwiches were adequate, but they sat on the top of the deli case for nearly 10 minutes before being brought to the table. Not sure why as the place was not packed....the table next to us was populated by 3 fellows enjoying some beer and they seemed to get a lot of attention. The salad that accompanied both sandwiches was the STAR of the plate! A yummy combination of greens, grapes, pecans, and crumbled blue cheese with a balsamic vinaigrette that ROCKS...it is worth going there for the salad alone! Looks like a good selection of wines and beers in the steel racks near the rear of the seating area, and in plain view for perusing. One of the owners was present and very engaging, and it seems like a great place to just hang. BONUS: free WiFi for customers; just ask for the password
(3)Chase N.
Boy does this place STINK! That is, it provides what it says. Anyone can get cheddar at the store. This place features some of the best cheese, combined with some of the greatest combo's around. Daily Mac and Cheese! Daily Grilled Cheese! A PB and J that is the craziest, but most delicious you'll find. Again, why go out and get what you can make at home. They do it well. Did I mention the beverage selection? Great ciders and interesting wine selections. This is the place for something a little different. The staff is great too! Always happy to answer questions and make suggestions. You Should Go!
(5)Kristina M.
Delicious cheese plate with fruit and nuts was perfect snack for two. Drinks and service are excellent! Thanks stink!
(4)Cody E.
The jury is still out. I stopped by after work today and bought a sandwich, which came with a salad. I chose the prosciutto and brie sandwich. I should have chosen the simple sandwich. I didn't read the menu, and expected something a little simpler. All I really wanted was a baguette with butter, prosciutto, and brie. The sandwich came with a fig preserves which overpowered the the meat and cheese. I guess I was just expecting something different. Maybe the giant words "meat" and "cheese" made me assume something simpler. The best sandwich I have ever had was in Sonoma Square; it was simply meat and cheese (with butter) on a baguette. Food does not have to be more complicated than that. That being said, my disappointment was due to my mistake. The bread was good, the brie was good, the prosciutto was good, and the mixed green salad was good. I just wasn't a fan of the fig preserves battling the salty flavor of my meat and cheese. I will try this place again. I am excited to try their mac of the week and a simple sandwich.
(4)Isabella T.
This place is a cute little shop in somewhat the downtown area. I had the best sandwich I have ever had here. I had the veggie, which is an herbed goat cheese with veggies and toasted to perfection. The goat cheese was creamy and very flavorful, and the bread was amazingly crispy savory. I recommend this place a lot if you are looking for a nice atmosphere and good food!
(5)Crystal D.
I work down the street from Stink, and love to go here for lunch. I was introduced to it by a couple of co workers who also speak highly of the place. My favorite sandwich is for sure the turkey. So delicious!! I have brought a few friends to try it out and they fell in love as well. Although the turkey is my favorite, I'm ready to branch out and try something new....probably the next grilled cheese special :) Thanks Stink for being so awesome!!
(5)Anthony L.
Since we live a block away, we couldn't resist stopping by and giving "The Stinker" a try. Oh man is it rich, more like a PB&J from heaven! However I got to say my favorite thing was the side salad served with the sandwich. Simple mixed greens, but topped with a completely killer balsamic vinaigrette. I asked the owner and she said it was her personal recipe and made in house. I can't wait till they start bottling and selling it in the sister store next door. My only complaint was the lunch crowd is busy and they don't have the fastest wait or kitchen service in the business. If you are in a hurry, might want to skip Stink this time.
(4)Kristi E.
I could really like this place. My main complaint comes from the dish I had...mac and cheese with proscuito...I think. I don't know how long they heated it in the oven, but it was no where near an edible temperature and the sauce had completely broken; it was hot greasy mess. That is inexcusable when your theme is quality meats and cheese. I should have sent it back, but I happened to be starving. It had good flavor, so I think it could be a good dish. They just need to take it easy on the reheating. That being said...I will go again.
(3)Chris R.
I highly recommend this place. the bar has a wonderful wine selection, and the food is all fantastic. if you're looking for a friendly place to have dinner and a good glass of wine, stink is the place.
(5)Mike H.
I always get excited when a new place opens in Tacoma, especially if it isn't a chain establishment. I tried Stink with some friends a few weeks ago and found it to be sort of underwhelming. I had the little stinker which consists of bacon, peanut butter, blackberry jam and blue cheese between two slices of grilled bread. The sandwich itself was tasty but very thin with little in the way of substantial filling. I don't need a gigantic sandwich but when I am paying almost $10 for a regular sized sandwich there better be something between those slices of bread. I like supporting local businesses, and I do realize this is a specialty place, but c'mon Stink, don't skimp on the filling! I would like to try something else at Stink but if the food to cost ratio isn't acceptable I probably won't be back a third time. I say give it a try and form your own opinion, it might just be your new favorite.
(3)Kristin K.
Stink is a wonderful addition to the Tacoma food scene. I love their tag line "The New Aroma of Tacoma" and it does have quite a delicious smell. For lunch I ordered a Half Prosciutto and Brie sandwhich with a Half House salad. The salad was enormous, taking up most of the plate which was a very pleasant surprise. At first, I was disappointed by the size of the sandwhich until I remembered logically that it was a very reasonable portion size for a normal person. And when I ate slowly like one should, it was actually the perfect size for lunch. The flavor of both the sandwhich and the salad were vibrant and fresh. I felt like I had stepped into Europe. I had delicious cup of coffee, with the thickest cream I have ever experienced. It fell quickly to the bottom of the cup and then mushroomed up and mixed nicely into my coffee. For dessert, my Dad and I shared a cookie dough cheesecake brownie, served on a slate slab. Shared between two people, it gave us a nice taste of desert without being too much. The presentation of the meal was very well thought out. The service was prompt even at lunch time. I will definitely be back to try other meals on the menu. I'm looking forward to trying the Mac and Cheese. I'm also looking forward to trying their wine selection that it looks like they are very passionate about. Good job Stink!!!
(4)Amanda H.
My new favorite lunch spot. If you're a fan of stinky cheese, you've got to stop by Stink. Don't be shy when it comes to ordering and you'll love the way they're using stinky cheese in most menu items. They've got a good sandwich/soup/salad combo option that is a good way to try more than one item. I've tried a couple of salads and a couple of sandwhiches and have liked each. My favorite, of course, is the Stinker -- PB & blackberry J, blue cheese crumbles, and bacon, then grilled to perfection... yumm! Next time, I'd like to try the wine bar and cheese pairings... maybe a new afterwork stop?
(5)Chuck L.
This place helps fill a real need in the downtown core for healthy up-market lunch options. Very happy they are here. Would like to see the menu options to include higher end meat products (i.e. Salumi). Also would like to see a plate that includes meat, cheese, and bread (vs having to choose between meat or cheese).
(4)Erin K.
STINK! I've been desperate to try it for months! A willing co-worker and a boss that left early allowed me to sneak over for lunch to FINALLY give it a try. The place is cute, but very small. We arrived around noon and snagged the last table. I felt bad for the people arriving after us, as the wait was LOOONG. It took us about 45 minutes to get our sandwiches. I had The Stinker, and it was delicious. I thought it might be large and too rich, but it was just perfect. Who knew peanut butter and bacon was a match made in heaven?! As previously noted, the house salad is lovely, and full of goodies that put other house salads to shame. I will definitely come back, but not at lunch on a day my boss is there!
(4)Dan B.
Had the Turkey Sandwhich for lunch today. It was awesome. Everything on the menu looked great, so I'll have to go back.
(5)Sarah T.
They have only been open a few days and seem to be doing great. Today was my first visit (at lunch time) and the service was great and my sandwich, The Turkey, was very yummy. I'll be going back to try other things. The salads look amazing!
(4)Victoria H.
I have been waiting for Stink to open for months. Finally got a chance to come down from Federal Way to check it out. We had THE Turkey... sliced smoked turkey with assorted greens on a rustic roll with mango chutney mayo and an incredible bleu cheese. It came with a small side of the house salad (same greens as sandwich, bleu cheese, candied nuts, sliced red grapes, and house balsamic dressing) and that was enough for two of us for lunch. Next time I am totally getting the proscuitto and brie sandwich... or possibly the daily grilled cheese (it was king crab, fontina, avocado, and red onion aioli last time I was there) or the mac and cheese... yeah... one of those... I am so completely excited that Stink is finally open. I do wish it were more of a European-style cheese and meat store, but hopefully that will come in the future. In the meantime, THIS PLACE STINKIN' ROCKS!! firstyoutakeanonion.blog…
(5)Linda S.
Cozy small little place. They have varieties of meat and cheese. They alwasy have Mac n cheese of the week or day ask them and usually its always something good. The price is not to cheap and not too pricey. The platter they pick the cheese for you that way its much funner. Next door is a beer and wine shop you can walk thru after your finish at Stink. They have great sandwiches. You can ask for samples of stuff also. Try the cured Duck! Its yummy.
(5)Mog V.
Stopped in for a quick light dinner. I had the Stinker. I must say if met my expectations. Grilled PPJ with bacon and blue cheese and a side salad downed with draft Bittburger. The server was friendly, the restaurant quiet and clean and a bit on the hip side.
(4)Allen L.
Love this place! Great food and staff! We have been twice and have ordered the salami sandwich both times. If my wife would let me we would go everyday I would!
(5)Richard K.
Stopped by here the other day for lunch and must say was quite amazed by how much ambiance a little place like this could have. They had bread, and couple other things, in the oven and just the smell of that alone reminded me of some travels in Europe. It was delectable, and the STINK was good for once! I feasted on the prosciutto and brie sandwich ($10), it was substantial and hit all the right notes. The first thing I had was the salad, and was blown away by the dressing they use. It hit everything just right for me.. The sandwich, while great, seemed lack-luster after the mini salad. The only thing wish was that there would have been a little more food on the plate. The lady who served me (the owner?) seemed quite knowledgeable about everything and was more than happy to talk and help guide me. Was amazed by their selection of beer and wine (especially the wine). I don't drink anymore but if did would have been quite happy. Definitely will have to come back to STINK, a shining gem in downtown Tacoma.
(5)Ryliss B.
They have wonderful combinations of sandwiches and fantastic salads.
(5)Tina T.
Any place that has a daily Mac-n-Cheese and a daily Grilled Cheese...is okay by me! I've been twice and loved the salad so much that the second time that's what I had and skipped the Mac-n-Cheese. It's that good. I shared Mac with a friend and that was a good idea because it was super rich. I had a bite of the Grilled Cheese that had thinly sliced pear in it cutting the richness of the cheese perfectly. I went on work days so I'll go back for wine at lunch sometime... Yum. You should go. And buy their shirt. 'Cause it's funny.
(5)Philip A.
Service is SUPER slow!! Food is good but prepare to be there for a while.
(3)Nikki K.
I have only been here once before and I only shopped around in their gift shop, but I have to say I really like the place. They have many unque beers and a charming atmosphere. In fact, they had this one beer so rare that they only were able to sell one per customer per day! My husband is a big beer aficionado and really excited to get some he has never tried before. I looked at their menu and was really tempted to try out one of their sandwiches, but I had already eaten. So that is on my "to do" list this week. This place is awesome!
(4)Aura M.
I always get the grilled cheese of the week and I love the wine selection. Pick up some of their 18 year aged Balsamic or some fancy French churned butter. Ooh, and I can't forget the Burrata. Heaven!
(5)Alex P.
The name thru me for a loop for sure but I was glad some friends convinced me to go. They said it was good and they weren't kidding. Definitely a good sandwhich, came with some salad too which was both good and a surprise. I know I'll be back for some more and I can't wait to try all of the different ones they have.
(4)Paul R.
We went here with some friends after hearing from them rave reviews. It's not a large place but we were able to get a table to seat all 4 of us right away and the wait staff was right there with menus and took our drink order. We decided to get a cheese tray with 4 or 5 different cheeses on it which was really good and we should have stopped there as it was very filling. We each also ordered a sandwich and although very good we were just so full from the cheese tray that I don't think I enjoyed mine as much as I would have if I were really hungry. We will have to try again and either just order a cheese tray or just a sandwich and see how it goes. It would have been 5 stars but I think for what you get it's a bit expensive but I will still be back.
(4)Jason J.
I eat here often and have had all of the sandwiches on the menu. Every one is great but the one that stands out is the turkey. Delicious!!!
(5)V C.
My new fave place to eat before a performance at Broadway Ctr or Rialto. O.K., it is not a cheap quickie sandwich shop. (Who wants to eat at Subway before a night out anyway?!) I had the Proscuitto and Brie on rustic bread and a glass of house wine ($16 + tax & tip). Sandwich was heaven! And it comes with greens and delicious dressing on the side. That sandwich is to dream about! If you are not a carnivore, yes there is a veggie choice, but for me I look forward to my next visit and another Prosciutto with Brie. BTW, when we were there last night, service was quick. Unlike the few other restaurants in the area, give yourself 1 hour before performance to eat and you won't feel rushed.
(5)Karena V.
Really neat place, food is great and staff are super friendly and fun!
(4)Arthur P.
I heard great things about "Stink" online and through word of mouth. I was really excited to go in and have a great sandwich. I took a previous reviewers advice and showed up at 1:30pm. Immediately I made the decision to order out. Their lay out for seating doesn't accommodate more Thant 25-30 people. All the seats were taken but It seemed I was lucky because I was the only person ordering out. The woman at the counter, who did not introduce herself, was polite enough to let me go at my own pace and order when I was ready. Unfortunately this means I was left on my own to decipher there menus and was never really introduced to what might make this place worth my time. I ordered a turkey sandwich and the veggie sandwich 2 cups of soup and a whole house salad. Again it would have been nice to know the sandwiches were served with the same salad I ordered, I might have tried something else instead. The meal for 2 came out to $38.31 with tax I believe. It seemed way over priced for the quantity and simplicity of it all. After ordering I was told it would be a 10-15 minute wait, not bad but kind of lengthy when it seemed no one else was really waiting. I decided to wait outside because there was no additional seating available (none provided unless you are dining in). I received my order from a younger lady at the counter she asked me if I needed silverware and I said no, it was our only exchange of words. When I got home I realized they had forgotten one sandwich and both cups of soup, at this point I started to get a little frustrated, they had just moved from the realm of "newly opened restaurant working out the kinks" to absolute amateurs. How could she not look at the receipt or recap the order before letting me go? Luckily I only live 2 blocks away. I hopped in my car and headed back over expecting to get this worked out immediately with an apology as well. Instead the woman that gave me my bag greeted me with hostility. She claimed I had gotten the sandwich but just not the soup (as if that makes her any less incompetent). She continued to argue about it in front of the woman whom I believe is the manager. I told her that "all I wanted was what I payed nearly $40 for and to leave, I'm your customer I'm not out to scam you!" At this point the manager said "Just give him the sandwich!" I got my food and not once did I get an apology for the inconvenience or the sheer audacity that the woman had for accusing me of lying. The whole situation was embarrassing. As far as the food itself, it would have been just fine at around a $20 price point. It reminded me of the premade food at a Starbucks. Not inedible but really nothing special. The turkey sandwich tasted mostly like mayonnaise and was very small, the soup was watery (the woman told me it was supposed to be, but it seemed more accidental) and the salad was ok but so extremely overpriced it was just not worth it. I will not be going back to "Stink" any time soon. Maybe if I hear they got their act together by a reliable source I might consider it. For now I think I'll just head back to MSM Deli on 6th ave if I have a craving for a good sandwich at a reasonable price.
(1)James W.
This is a nice addition to downtown Tacoma. It has such a localvore feel to it, with really friendly service in a small, simple setting. Now, much like my review of Rosewood Cafe, I do have to say that if sandwiches are going to be your thing, they better be damn good. For $20 for two sandwiches and pasta salad I expect to have a foodgasm in my mouth. Please please please put about four more slices of meat on your sandwiches. The bread-to-filling ratio is way off here. And it's too bad, because the flavors are spot on.
(3)Colleen C.
Stopped into Stink today for the first time and enjoyed a nice lunch there. The spinach salad with warm goat cheese and candied pecans was excellent, and when my lunch date and I asked for a split, came very generously portioned on separate plates. Tried the tuna sandwich also, which didn't seem to be a total match to the menu description, and wasn't a super match for my flavor hankerings. That being said, I saw enough good looking food coming out from behind the counter that I definitely plan to return and sample again. Ended lunch with warm pretzel bread pudding covered in molten chocolate. Oh my, that was good. Cute place, good service, and free on street parking. My suggestion: get in there and take a whiff.
(4)ruthy g.
I think the concept of this place is AWESOME and I'll definitely come back to try other items on the menu. I think my first choice was just OK. I ordered the turkey and blue cheese with mango chutney. I didn't really taste the mango or the blue cheese, but I'm not gonna give up on this place...the rest of the menu looks really good. The salad that came with the sandwich I give 2 thumbs up. Very flavorful and the candied nuts and grapes were a nice touch. The mac and cheese and the grilled peanut butter with bacon and blue cheese sounds amazing--I'm not giving up on this place!
(3)Anna M.
Came here on one of the only sunny days we've gotten so far this year. We were happy with the grilled cheese sandwich and salad and we'll be back definitely.
(3)Caroline K.
So fun and the owners are awesome!!!
(5)C P.
Don't go here if you're in a hurry, or need less than an hour for lunch! 25 min. after placing order, they reported that they did not have the salads we ordered and could do a sandwich instead. Then, after changing order to "quickest" sandwich...came back 10 min later stating they "found" the spinach for a salad.... strange experience.
(2)April G.
Love this place. I would have to chime in and say that STINK fills a need in downtown area for foodie type places. I like the menu, great service, fast & I LOVE that I don't have to dump a fortune for good food. Your tastebuds will thank you!
(5)Brandolyn F.
I ordered the antipasto and was very happy with the presentation and selection. I also got the Stinker sandwich. It was good. Good service too.
(4)Ryan T.
I had the salami, great sandwich, great salad. Not cheap
(4)John P.
I think this place is great. I like that they are trying different flavors and not the same boring food everyone else is doing. There aren't nearly enough original, non-chain, places these days in the area. They had a great selection of mostly local beers too. I showed up at noon on a Saturday and it wasn't busy but was almost full when I left. I thought the quality was really good. To those that said the quantity to price ratio was off are ridiculous. I'm not a light eater and I was full on a sandwich and cup of soup. I had the Stinker and the 5 mushroom soup and my daughter had the Salami with the salad. That and a beer were $25. I will admit the Stinker wasn't my favorite but it was good. I think the execution was good and I applaud them for it and I do believe it is their best seller- just not something I would get again. This is just a personal preference, not anything wrong with it. The 5 mushroom soup was great. Big chunks of mushrooms and just a little peppery. I'm admittedly a big fan of soup but this was a good one. My daughter's sandwich was very good. Good quality Salami. Both were on great bread. Details like that matter to me. They don't overwhelm with meat so if you want that, go to Subway. If you like layered flavors and good quality meat and cheese then go to Stink. I also had really good service. The girl was very friendly and helpful. Also very efficient. I will definitely be going back.
(5)Kitty Von Stitch J.
Good morning, I was sitting in the public library on Tacoma Avenue just now, skimming through 'Rogue Herries' by Horace Walpole, when suddenly I came over all peckish. Esurient. Eee, I were all hungry like. In a nutshell, I thought to myself, 'A little fermented curd will do the trick". So I curtailed my Walpolling activities, sallied forth and infiltrated this place of purveyance to negotiate the vending of some cheesy comestibles. Come again? I want to buy some cheese! Hence you may gather I am a turophile. I am a lover of Yummy, yummy cheese. Be it cow, sheep, or goat, I am committed to eat it all. N'est-ce pas! The selection of frommage and charcuterie at Stink is ample. I can hardly wait to see what the deli case will hold as business builds. I ordered the Caprese Salad with Rosemary Chicken, delicious fresh mozarella, tomatoes, croutons, over a bed of greens dressed in a creamy pesto dressing that was juuust right and a healthy portion. I grabbed The Turkey to go for later at work and wow! That sammich packs a punch! The bread was perfectly soft and chewy, and the mixture of mango and chutney, smoked turkey, and blue cheese is a new favorite! Stink has a great selection of wines by the glass, by the bottle, and did I see Unibroue beers in bottles? Yay!! I can hardly wait for an evening out with my old man. I hear that happy hour is fantastic, too. I am glad that Stink is here. Tacoma has a scrummy new aroma. Oh. And the cheesecake...I am lying on the floor, rolling around in anticipation of my next visit.
(5)Becky O.
My husband and I went to Stink out of curiosity. Decorated sparsely and a cafeteria type feel. The food is absolutely incredible. We had the anti pasta plate, which had the most wonderful balsamic vinegar, the baguette was warm and wonderful and it had a good selection of meats. We also each had a half sandwich and house salad. The Salads for a house salad was marvelous, greens, grapes, crumbled cheese and nuts, just like I like it. I was told the favorite sandwich was the Stinker, grilled peanut butter, bacon, blue cheese and jam. Oh NO you say, well I say OH YES!!! I moaned in delight with every bite, It was so tasty and gooey! Oh you must have one, just try it!!! My husband had the turkey and He said it was wonderful as well. The service of course was great. Our entire experience was delightful!!! Please go, you won't regret it.
(4)Alexandria H.
not so great limited menu and a bit pricey!
(3)Willow E.
i pretty much always get the panzanella salad, omg sooooooo yummy! and the soup, every time, so good! try them, they are one of my go to lunch places!
(5)Katrinka M.
I've been to Stink a couple of times and I'm a fan. Each time I've been lucky that they had the mushroom soup which I really recommend. Both times I paired the soup with half a sandwich which I found to be a tasty and filling meal. I find the service very nice and professional. And although simple, the decor is nice. I also appreciate being able to have a glass of wine with lunch. Overall, yum.
(4)Maggie M.
Went early for lunch, ordered the half sandwich and salad ($10). The prosciutto and brie sandwich with fig spread and salad greens was perfectly toasted and tasty. There is not a ton of filling, as others have stated, but I think it is the perfect amount and refreshingly not the super-sized American gluttonous standard. The salad filled the rest of the plate and was a delicious mixture of field greens, bleu cheese, honied walnuts and red grapes with a nice balsamic dressing. I missed the lovely Vin Grotto house salad and now can enjoy it again. I may have just been hungry, but it seemed to take a long time to get my lunch; however, once I tasted it and that perfect crunchiness of the bread, it was worth the wait. Our server was average, forgot a couple things. Overall the experience and service was good and the food was great. I will be back to try the mac cheese on a day when they don't list strawberries as the first ingredient...that just seemed wrong.
(4)barb v.
love this place!!! good food, yummy wine, fun conversation with the owner, Chris. Go!
(5)