7 under-the-radar patios in Pierce County include a farm, a secret garden and an ‘island’
We polled readers to decipher which restaurant or bar in Pierce County has the best patio setup. For the love of patios, we have also collected a few “sleeper hits” — most of which garnered a few votes in our poll but didn’t receive the love we think they deserve.
The list here includes places with an awesome outdoor setup from Tacoma to Gig Harbor and Fox Island, Sumner to Eatonville.
No matter where you are in Pierce County, there’s a pretty patio waiting for you.
Zog’s on Fox Island
▪ 585 6th Ave. Fi, Fox Island 253-549-2124, facebook.com/zogsonfoxisland
You park at the Shell gas station, you enter the convenience store, and you walk to the back through a doorway. There you’ll find a small bar with many great beers on tap, another room with tables and chairs, and through another set of doors a fully covered patio. There’s more! Head out the doors and down the stairs to relish the beautifully landscaped beer garden, with almost as many nooks as beers in the bar. Pizza, a few sandwiches and burgers are also served from a small kitchen in the store. Note that the porch area is family-friendly, but minors are not permitted down the stairs and in the beer garden.
Morso Wine Bistro
▪ 9014 Peacock Hill Ave., Gig Harbor, 253-530-3463, morsobistro.com
Gig Harbor’s waterfront restaurants hog the attention, but Morso carries the kind of “I found this place” energy that keeps locals quietly coming back and unsuspecting visitors happy the other places were full. The succinct menu of shareables means it’s an ideal choice for those in-between meal times, as well as for mismatched groups and anyone over the age of 21 looking to graze. You can also indulge in a full entree, too. Have a glass of wine from the thoughtful list on the veranda, with a different but still sunny view of the harbor.
Yoked Farmhouse & Brewery
▪ 525 SW Pine Rd. SW, Port Orchard, 253-858-6043, yokedfarmhousebrewery.com
The address says Port Orchard, but this working farm and brewery from three families is just past Purdy near Horseshoe Lake, about 15 minutes north of downtown Gig Harbor. As the name implies, the setting lends lots of grass, room for dogs and kids to roam, and picnic-table seating. Sip the Farmhand IPA brewed with saison yeast, a seasonal Kölsch tinted by farm-grown marionberries, or the Madrona Red, a classic red ale. Take home some fresh produce or meat while you’re here, and try a gourmet hot dog from a regular pop-up that supports local students’ college funds.
Bob’s Java Jive
▪ 2012 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-475-9843, instagram.com/bobsjavajive
Java Jive has a patio? Indeed it does, thanks to the new owner of this iconic Tacoma dive. Most things inside remain the same, from the memorabilia to the lovingly worn vinyl booths, but now touching the teapot is an island-themed patio. Lined with bamboo fencing and outfitted with burnt-wood picnic tables, umbrellas and string lights, murals of beachy themes whisks you (and your dog, should you bring ‘em along, but not your under-21 kids) to an oasis that only Java Jive can provide. Fret not — you can still hear karaoke out here.
Parky’s Pizza Bar
▪ 3551 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, 253-212-2367, instagram.com/parkys_pizza_bar
Down the street from Dusty’s, Parky’s has humbly been slinging some of the best pizzas in town from a modest kitchen with a deck oven. New owners Kim and Dylan Ashley, the latter of whom has played an important role in restoring haunts including The Parkway and Cole’s, have put a lot of love into this old but updated McKinley dive. Enjoy the retro interior or head to the fully-fenced back patio, outfitted with a built-in wood fire pit. It never seems to be crowded (21+ only), but it probably should be packed.
Mill Haus Cider Co.
▪ 303 Center St. E, Eatonville, 253-487-7065, drinkmillhaus.com
A hand-forged water wheel anchors the bucolic outdoor restaurant, beer garden, community gathering place created by two Eatonville families. At Mill Haus Cider, which opened last November, sip a dry Newton Pippin or the fun Ginger Lemongrass, fruity Huckleberry or vibrantly purple Prickly Pear around a fire pit, under the gazebo, or in the soon-to-open Mill Haus Junction, a barbecue station and additional bar. Food is meant to be shareable, from flatbreads to sliders. If you haven’t yet visited, prepare to be wowed at the setting, and bring the whole gang — it was built for friends and families.
The Windmill Bistro
▪ 16009 60th St. E, Sumner, 253-826-7897, windmillbistro.com
Bruce and Barb Patterson have operated The Windmill Bistro, adjacent to the plant nursery of the same historical Sumner fame, for a decade, but this year they overhauled the interior design and menu. It’s bistro fare indeed, from seasonal salads to fun flatbreads — the summer special featured blueberries and balsamic — and sandwiches to the house-special panko fish and chips. Visit on a weekday for a quicker seat under the newly refinished patio that feels straight out of the secret garden playbook.
