Tatanka Take-Out

What an interesting Tacoma restaurant! I’m not even sure how to describe this place. But, I’ll try. It’s a little kitschy, a little hole in the wall, and… Filled with bison-​related décor!
I ordered the taco salad, which was basically nachos with some lettuce on top. The bottom layer was tortilla chips with their bison chili and melted cheese. Then he added taco salad toppings to the mix. This was amazing. No complaints here!
My husband had the bison burger, which he said was very good.
This was a bit expensive, though. I’d eat here again. Solid food and a nice family establishment.

Went here today for lunch, very friendly owner of the place was here and made my burger perfectly, the potatoes were also real good– nice little difference then the normal french fries!
I also loved the fact the burger is made from Bison meat from South Dakota! YUMMY!
I then saw they had chili, so went and got the chili with Bison meat! It was VERY good, my slight compliant is that I like my chili a little thicker then this one was, but that is the only complaint I would have in that regards!
I would suggest using your GPS or WAZE if you haven’t been here before, easy place to miss, but you wont be disappointed for giving this place a try! I think I have found a new place to eat when Im in that area on Pearl Street in Ruston! I would Highly recommend this place!

Extremely small burger patty. Ridiculously overpriced for the quality. Please don’t go here

The tacos were good but small for the price. We expected a couple each but received one each. We had a craving for buffalo and saw it on the way to our shark dive so we had to give it a shot!
Very taste craft sodas! I got a blackberry soda and it was great! The food was good, but could have been spaced out into 2 tacos.

A real unique place that is worth the trip out. I would recommend the burger, burritos and chili and avoid the salads because of the lack of meat. The staff are super friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed and homey.

I have passed this place 100 times, but as a vegetarian I was confused by the signs. «Bison. Vegetarian.» It didn’t compel me. But since my sweetie likes bison, it was recommended to us, and I took the time to check the menu on Unilocal.That’s all it took. This is not a bison place with one veggie item; the menu is literally half vegetarian and half bison entrées. My girlfriend got the flawless burrito and said it was the best burrito she’s ever eaten. We got sides including collard greens and potatoes. The loaded oatmeal cookie for 99 cents was amazing. And the service was so friendly, attentive, and personal. I look forward to heading back soon!

Recently ordered to-​go the other night. Got a bison burger. You can really taste the quality of the beef and other toppings. Staff was friendly and helpful. I love going here!

This place is a north-​side staple that has been around for a while and it is fantastic! I heard about this place over 10 years ago when I moved here and I should have come quicker.
Let’s just say if you have not been here then you are WRONG!
Seriously this place is great and everything made to order and you really cannot find anything bad on the menu. It is on the smaller side inside so in the summers this place can be hoping especially when everyone is heading to Point Defiance Park. They also have a few seats outside which is great because then you can people watch since Pearl turns into a parking lot during hot weather.
My favorites are the Bison Dip and the Bison Melt, plus their potatoes that they serve on the side are great and you can get them covered in cheese.
Absolutely one of my favorite places in Tacoma. A definite must for anyone visiting Tacoma.
TIP: With Pearl as a parking lot during the summer you can call ahead about 10 minutes out. Then stop and get lunch as you wait in line for the park.

Really good, well priced meal. I called and got it to-​go on a Friday afternoon and it was ready in 10 minutes! The staff was very personable and kind.
I ordered the bison burger and potato salad and enjoyed every bite. I will definitely go again.

Great food with vegan and vegetarian options [they also serve bison so if this bothers you as a vegan/​vegetarian you may want to avoid eating in as there’s décor on the wall] The flawless tofu burrito (which is giant) and tacos are my favorite.

My dad took me here almost 20 years ago. Sadly he’s not here to enjoy a Belly Buster but this place still stands. Great service every time I come here. Delishious food! There is nothing on the menu that isn’t good! And bones for the dogs!

I had high expectations for this place after reading reviews & they let me down a bit. Overall I would go back if in the area but I wouldn’t go out of my way for this please. Portions are big but I think it lacks in flavor. I was really excited for the bison meat but the blandness of it let me down. Not bad, but not 5 stars.
FLAWLESS BURRITO: Portion was very big. Me & my daughter split this burrito & I still had some left over from the next day. It was filled with lettuce (majority of the burrito), cheese, diced tomatoes, onion, hot sauce, & bison meat. I asked for them to add guacamole but they were out. This made me very sad because no burrito should go without avocado (I went home & added my own). The overall taste of the burrito was good but I have a couple complaints. 1. Burrito was mostly shredded lettuce 2. The garlic hot sauce was a little too spicy (& I like spicy) 3. Bison meat was bland — the meat looks like they took a bison patty & chopped it up — I suggest ordering extra meat because they kind of skimp. PRICE: $ 7.95 — decent price for the size but not the quality.
RED SKIN SPUDS: These were seared quartered red potatoes. Nothing special. Maybe the ones with cheese & garlic hot sauce are better. I went home & added minced garlic & cheese to make my own version of their cheesy garlic spuds — but it didn’t make it taste much better. Overall I’m disappointed in this item & how much I spent. PRICE: $ 2.95 — again, decent price for the size but not the quality.
LEMONADE: Their lemonade sits on a table & is in a big round glass pitcher & it self serve. It looks like an authentic set up you would see in a real western restaurant. But don’t let this fool you, the lemonade is SO sour/​bitter as if they didn’t put any sugar in it (but there is not sugar for you too add). For some reason tho my 3-​year old daughter did like it. PRICE: $ 1.00
CUSTOMER SERVICE: The guy who helped us was very nice & laid back. He interacted with my daughter too which is always good to see.

Where do I start…
Tatonka takeout is an amazing eatery and by far my favorite spot to get some fantastic food when in Tacoma!!!
Do yourself a favor and stop by often.
This local family owned /​run business is a solid experience for anyone who appreciates quality ingredients and personal service.
Tacoma is lucky to have this unique treasure.
Long live Tatanka!!!
Much love.
Adam.

This place was introduced to me by someone I used to know, and I liked it so much that I’ll make it a treat to myself every now and again.
It’s Itty biddy and easy to miss it if you’re not paying attention. If you are driving towards Point Defiance down Pearl Street it’s on your right. If you are coming from Point Defiance on Pearl St it’s on your left.
Parking is extremely minimal and by saying minimal I mean 4 spaces literally in front of the main entrance or you have to park somewhere on the street.
Prices are really good and their food is a healthier choice so you won’t feel guilty with your selection. I stick with the ‘Flawless Burrito’ which is garlicy, spicy and the meat used is Bison. You could get other burritos and burgers there, but why bother when you find the 1 thing that makes your taste buds and tummy happy.
For drinks they have iced water you can help yourself to it or you can buy a bottled drink. I don’t know if they serve beer, but it’s not an establishment I would want to have a beer at anyway. Go to a bar for a beer.
Anyway, the same guy has been working the grill since I’ve made my first visit. Very friendly.
I don’t know if there’s a bathroom. I assume there is, but I haven’t checked it out. The place doesn’t look terribly clean, but for some reason it doesn’t bother me here. I did have to ask if there was sanetizer gel because I had to finger sign my name on an iPad. How many people have touched that thing? UGGHHH
The reason for not having 5 stars is that the place isn’t very clean and the parking limitations.
It says it’s a take-​out place, but there are tables and a individual seating area if you choose to eat solo. No music playing and no TV’s. It’s simple, so just bring an appetite.

We got Flawless Burritos and Spuds-​X. The burritos were very tasty. The Spuds-​x, which are red skin potatoes with cheddar and garlic chili sauce, totally won me over.
The owner was very friendly as well. Four stars instead of five only because it’s a little pricey. But we will be back for sure.

Yes.

The food itself wasn’t bad. It is solid takeout food, a little bit high in price, and close to Point Defiance park (a real gem). The staff were really cheery, and seemingly helpful. But, they utterly destroyed our order. We got two of some items, and a few wrong items. This seems almost impossible, when they use computerized/​iPAD ordering, but it happened. The veggie burger is a fine choice, as is the guacamole, with chunks of avocado. The homemade salsa is very good, too. But, the airheaded service and prices give me pause about returning.

Been here many, many times. Occasionally I’ll shake it up and try something different on the menu, but I always go back to the aptly named «flawless burrito». (though I just typoed «lawless burrito», which puts me in mind of Buffalo Bill and wouldn’t be too bad a name for it either)

Just so you know… the creepy camper people are no longer associated with Tatanka! It’s all up side these days!
The new owner, a really friendly guy named Nate, has scraped three layers of mung off the place and thrown all the dead weight off the menu. If you gave up on Tatanka a few years ago during the ‘dark ages’ (or due to hair in your food or rudeness) but harbor a secret longing in your heart for a taco… or a Flawless… or Spuds… Or a Bean –n– Bison… or a Taco Salad.or.lt’s now safe to go back! Really! I promise!
Anger free, delicious, owner run and worked? Check, check and CHECK!

I knew of Tatanka Take-​Out for a while now. I drive past it everytime I go to Point Defiance. Tatanka served vegetarian and bison food options. When I was here I decided to get the Bean and Veggie Burrito.
The gentleman working the place was congenial. I sat down and waited for my order to arrive.
The burritos here are enormous! My burrito wasn’t bad. The beans and veggies inside the burrito were fresh…
But for some reason the food didn’t quite win me over. Something seemed to be missing. I just couldn’t quite put my finger on it.