The Senior Scene

For 61 years, starting as a burger and shake drive-in, Galloping Gerties has catered to the families near Fort Lewis (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) and the surrounding area. Except for a short time, the Rockwell family has owned the establishment, which has a horse-racing theme in its big dining room and sports bar. They are known for great service and comfort food at reasonable prices. Reachable only by I-5, the restaurant has a big horseshoe-shaped sign that beckons us to pull off and enjoy ourselves.
We went for lunch on a Saturday and it was packed. The main dining room is mostly booths and a person in a wheel chair or with a walker might feel cramped , but the lounge is spacious and bright and very comfortable. We were seated there and our server, Arlette, was happy to answer questions and kept coffee coming and made sure we had everything we needed.
The menu is full of family favorites like hearty breakfasts served all day and all kinds of burgers and sandwiches. Prices range from a side of a pancake at $2.99 to an eight-ounce steak and eggs at $14.99.
We ordered the Arco Iris Chicken Fried Steak (the smaller one) at $11.49, and Betty’s Two Combo French Toast at $9.79. The steak was at least six inches across and perfectly fried. It was served with homestyle brown gravy, a large serving of large cut home fries and two eggs ordered scrambled. In addition, there was a grapefruit-sized fluffy biscuit with butter.
The French toast slices were large Texas toast drenched in egg and perfectly fried. They were served with two eggs ordered scrambled and two large sausages which were delicious and had crunchy natural casings. We should have ordered extra sausages. Coffee was $1.99 with refills.
The atmosphere was warm and friendly and we had a good time. There is plenty of parking and several handicapped spaces, but the bathrooms are small and a disabled person would need help. Service-dog-friendly. A good experience overall.

IF YOU GO
Galloping Gerties Grill
Exit 122 off Interstate 5 at the Madigan overpass
253-588-7131
6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Recently, Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” featured Bruno’s, so I went for lunch.
11 a.m. and there was a line outside. We found there was a deli counter featuring meats with European flavors and customers had big orders to pick up. The decor was plain. The two service people waited on the counter and also the restaurant tables, resulting in the waitress working on all the tables (six full ones when we were there) and also taking and filling orders at the deli counter.
We ordered the Polish Platter, at $13.50. Cabbage roll, pierogis, kielbasa and purée potatoes, and Potato Pancakes (Latkes), at $8.50, described as prepared with top quality grated fresh potatoes and seasoning. We had them with apple sauce. A dinner roll came with frozen butter, but was quite good. Sprite in a can was $2.25 with no refills. Water was warm.
The kielbasa was excellent, a six inch sausage full of paprika and garlic and juicy and spicy. The pierogies, dumplings like ravioli, were good. Tender, with a filling of farmer cheese and salt and pepper. The cabbage roll had a filling of overcooked mushy rice, a little bit of ground meat, and some spices rolled in a single thin cabbage leaf. A tiny bit of chopped cooked onion was garnish. Very disappointing. The potato pancakes were so over cooked they were inedible. Very tough, dark brown, served with bland applesauce. The scoop of potatoes on the Polish Platter tasted like they were made from flakes and didn’t add anything to the plate.
From the dessert list, only the strudel was made on site. We ordered the strudel and a berry torte at 4.50 each. I love strudel but I got a square of ice cold apple flavored dough with the consistency of clay. The berry torte was flavorful, but also ice cold.
There is no handicapped parking. The bathroom is not accessible and the toilet is low and very hard to use.

IF YOU GO
Bruno’s European Café
10716 A Street S
Tacoma WA 98444
Phone 253 719 7181
Open 11:00AM – 8:00PM Tuesday thru Saturday

El Pulgarcito means Tom Thumb in Spanish, and this is a little piece of El Salvador in Lakewood. Nestled between a tattoo parlor and a pizza house, the restaurant is in the Ponders neighborhood, but get past the unassuming exterior and walk in to the clean blue and white (the national colors of El Salvador) dining room and get ready to eat some great food.
Family-run at this location for over seven years, El Pulgarcito’s menu features both El Salvadoran and Mexican food. Prices range from tamal de Elota at $1.95 each to a Mexican combination platter for $17.95. Portions are generous and everything is made on-site. Mexican drinks include hot chocolate, beers and juices.
Papusas are flavorful traditional El Salvadoran sandwiches – handmade, white corn, fluffy, filled with meat or vegetable filling. They had great flavor and light tender texture. Individually they cost $2.50, but I ordered the combination plate with two pupusas, rice and beans, and a Tamal de Elote for $9.95. Traditional pickled cabbage, carrots and pepper were included as well as a spicy tomato sauce. The serving was large and had plenty to share or take home.
I had one pork, cheese and bean and one spinach and cheese pupusa. They are about the size of regular corn tortillas but soft, light and delicious. Fillings were very gently seasoned with salt pepper, cumin and onions. Eat with your fingers, dipping the treats into the sauce. The black beans and rice was the best I have ever tasted, perfectly cooked, and also good for dipping the papusas. I also spread some on top. The Tamal de Elota was a large corn tamale, a bit on the sweet side served with sour cream. Light and delicious, best eaten piping hot.
My server, Patricia, was happy to explain everything I wanted to know and didn’t mind my questions in spite of the fact that there was a steady stream of customers. Nice people, good food, plenty of room to move a walker or wheelchair, with very clean, accessible bathrooms. El Pulgarcita is worth a try. Rating: good.

IF YOU GO
El Pulgarcito Restaurant
12134 Pacific Hwy. SW., Lakewood
253-582-5173
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Joe’s Deli has been in the same strip mall, south of I-5 at the Portland Avenue exit, for 15 years but owned by the same family for the last three. They offer a wide variety of fresh foods, big portions and affordable prices.
On a freezing cold day, we found the deli warm and bright with lots of seating and pleasant people. It was early and we wanted breakfast, but a craving for a toasted cheese sandwich turned our visit into brunch. Sandwiches and burgers dominate the menu, with soup, salad and wraps included. All the items are sold separately – for instance French fries are 75 cents – so order what you like as you go. Prices range from a cup of soup at $1.95 to specialty box lunches at $9.95.
Order at the counter, get your drinks, and wait for your order to be brought out. We ordered toasted cheese at $5.50, a Rueben sandwich at $5.50 and coffee at $1.50. Hot tea is free from a carafe at the coffee station, and there are racks with dozens of flavors of bottled drinks to choose from, as well as candy, snacks and desserts. The food was delicious. They do their own baking, and we ordered a big piece of carrot cake for $1.95. It was heavenly, rich and delicate.
Toasted cheese was not on the menu, but toasted ham and American cheese with the ham on the side works perfectly. Three slices of cheese, big Texas-style bread, buttery flavor and light grilling made the toasted cheese melt in your mouth. The perfect classic Rueben was made with lots of corned beef, big slices of dark rye bread and good Russian dressing. If you like your sandwiches crunchy, ask for extra grilling.
There are daily specials, and a full carryout menu.
Joe’s Deli was a pleasant surprise and is worth the visit for an economical, well-made meal. Restroom clean and accessible. Service-dog-friendly. Rating: Good.

IF YOU GO
Joe’s Deli Restaurant and Catering
3216 20th St. E., Fife
253 926-6994
Hours 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday thru Friday.