The Senior Scene

Happy at the Bay is one of a chain of seven teriyaki restaurants in western Washington, and is a tiny storefront on Pacific Avenue South in Spanaway. It has walkup counter service and seven tables, and while we were there, there was a constant stream of people coming in to pick up carryout. We wanted to try as many things as possible, so we ordered the dinner for two. It was $23.95 and was easily enough food for two or three people.

There were four big scoops of rice, two egg rolls, two pot stickers and two plain lettuce salads with a nice, sweet dressing. Main teriyaki dishes were beef teriyaki, pork and breaded chicken. Sliced into thin pieces for easy serving, our food came within 15 minutes of ordering. We also had tea at $2.

Pot stickers and egg rolls were deep-fried, very tasty, and nice and crisp. Some of the beef teriyaki was on the bone in small pieces and some was sliced boneless pieces. The pork was tender and there was enough sweet, tangy teriyaki sauce to pour over rice and meat and still have plenty. Extra sauce was available. The breaded chicken was seasoned gently, very tender, and the coating was crisp. There was a whole chicken breast, pork cutlets as big as your hand, six pieces of beef on a very thin piece of bone, and more boneless beef in sauce. All the meats were very good, and the egg rolls and pot stickers were crunchy and had fresh taste.

The restaurant is bright and cheerful, and the service was very friendly and gave us excellent food and good service at a reasonable price.

The bathroom was tiny, and a person with a walker might have a problem. There was plenty of parking, and the restaurant is service dog-friendly.

A friendly place to eat or get carry-out.

IF YOU GO

Happy at the Bay Teriyaki

17707 Pacific Ave. S., Spanaway (in the strip mall at the corner of 176th and Pacific)

(253) 875-2201

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

What is good Mexican good, cooked fresh as ordered, reasonable prices, cheerful staff, cute decor and a drive up window? Fantastic!

Memo’s, newly opened in Lakewood, is the sixth in a local chain of homestyle Mexican restaurants. The fact that it is a drive-in is really exciting, and we were glad to be able to try this establishment.

Prices range from a variety of tacos starting at $2.49 to super nachos at $7.29. We ordered a bean and cheese burrito combo with rice and beans at $4.98, a chicken quesadilla at $4.99, and the super nachos at the driveup window. The order taker was very patient with our questions about the menu, but we finally worked it out.

The burrito was loaded with cheese and beans but was not spicy at all, so we added red salsa which came with our meals.

The quesadilla was enormous, on a folded 14-inch tortilla, freshly browned and full of shredded chicken and cheese.

The nachos were stacked high with shredded beef and had lots of chips and spicy sauce with lots of cumin. The serving was enough to share, and very filling.

We didn’t find anything too spicy but the extra sauces had a lot of heat.

To be able to get tasty, economical food at a drive-in is a good thing, I wish all restaurants had a window. Memo’s is great start.

There is lots of parking if you want to dine inside, and the menu is the same.

If you go:

Memo’s Mexican Restaurant (right next to Goodwill)

9602 Bridgeport Way SW

Lakewood, Washington 98499

253 267-5968

Open 24 hours

Cream puffs and eclairs and big cakes, oh my! But the sweet treat that makes Sweet Mellissa’s a great place to visit is the cupcakes. Sweet, rich, flavorful, delectable cupcakes, in delicious flavors that melt in your mouth.
Sweet Melissa’s is located right next to the Galaxy Theater in Gig Harbor, and there is plenty of parking. The bakery is bright and cheerful and there are tables and chairs so you can enjoy a beverage with your cupcake if you can’t wait until you leave to eat it. The cupcakes cost $3.50 for a standard size, and $1.75 for mini cupcakes. Each one is packaged in a beautiful cellophane carrier, similar to a drink holder, to keep each cupcake safe and secure. Large orders come in big bakery boxes with spaces for each cupcake.
We ordered three standard cupcakes and 10 mini cupcakes, so we could sample a variety of flavors. We tried triple chocolate, carrot cake, pina colada, chocolate vanilla, cherry coke, red velvet, s’mores, snicker doodle, and vanilla. Caleb, our server, was very patient as we kept asking what all the different types were, and adding to our order as we decided on “just one more.” The texture was moist and just the right amount of density with no crumbling, and the butter cream frosting swirled on each cake was just the perfect flavor for each one. The chocolate burst into flavor in your mouth, and the red velvet had a unique flavor that I have missed in other red velvet cakes. The pina colada made me smile, and the carrot cake was full of nuts and fruits.
Flavors vary with the whim of Melissa, the proprietor. Standards like chocolate and vanilla are always available, but you might find a special flavor that you love when you visit.
These cupcakes would make great gifts, but be sure to order ahead if you want something specific.
IF YOU GO
Sweet Melissa’s Bakery
4747 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW., Gig Harbor
253-432-4071
Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

The Pacific Rim buffet at the Emerald Queen in Fife is one of the best I have experienced. The food is fresh, well prepared and the variety is satisfying.
Like any buffet, the food is best eaten when it first arrives from the kitchen, hot, or cold and the correct textures. I recommend taking a tour of the offerings when you first arrive, noting your favorites or the things you want to try and then picking them up when they are first presented.
We attended the Sunday Brunch and were really happy with the breakfast selections as well as prime rib, turkey, sushi, and a full salad bar.
I especially liked the eggs Benedict and the blue berry blintzes, soft pancakes with blueberry filling and sauce. The full omelet bar allows you to pick your own ingredients, and decide how dry you want your eggs.
There is a fruit bar, soups, breads and sushi which is made on site. I tried some varieties I had not had before and was pleased with the taste. A Chinese table has about 15 different foods with a variety of sauces.
I thought the fried fish was a bit dry and did not find any chicken except on the Chinese table.
The desserts were divine. Pies, cakes, little tortes, pudding, cobbler and cheese cake are all made on site and soft serve ice cream is available if you want them a la mode. I loved the blackberry pie. It was loaded with blackberries and the crust was tasty and tender. Always leave room for dessert. I could just fit in a tiny piece of cheese cake and it was moist and sweet. YUM.
There is valet parking and great restrooms. To avoid the gambling, self park in the south parking garage and cross to the restaurant section. The smoking section is separate from other diners. Service dog friendly.
A great dining experience.

If You Go
Emerald Queen Casino and Hotel
5700 Pacific Highway E
Fife Washington 98424
253 594 7777
Lunch 11 AM to 3 PM Seniors $12.95
Dinner 4 PM to 10 PM and 4 PM to 12 Midnight Saturday Seniors $17.95
Sunday Buffet 10 AM to 4 PM Seniors $17.95
Always check at a casino customer service desk to see of there is a way to get complimentary food.