Tower Coffee Bar & Grill

Advertised closing time: 7pm on weekdays.
I’ve shown up twice from 6:15pm to 6:30pm and they have refused to prepare any hot food because the grill is off. Who wants a salad for dinner after work on a cold rainy day? Why is the grill off while you’re still open?
Their logic was «We close at 7pm so we leave at 7pm». This place is a joke. No other restaurant works that way.
I’m never going back. Service is terrible.

Great place for lunch and coffee! They have many healthy options. I got a tuna sandwich and got lettuce instead of bread and they were happy to do so. The food came out fast and was great!

I’ve only ever had their omelettes. But, I’m okay with that. Service is friendly and the food was great. Of course the coffee is delicious. They’d have to change their name otherwise.

Average experience all around. Pricey for what I was expecting. Nice views from the back. Kind of has a diner feel to it. Got a veggie omelet. Looked and tasted like a Denny’s omelet. Will not be returning.

Wow! Cozy, comfortable, warm, inviting… I have been looking for a place like this since my wife and I left Decatur, GA almost a year ago. I had lived in Seattle from 1990 – 2001 but had only heard horror stories about Tacoma! Seattle snobs, what can I tell you?!
Anyway, I went into Tower Coffee Bar and Grill one rainy day a few months ago. I had foolishly loaded my backpack with about ten of the heaviest library books in the world and didn’t realize that until I was toiling across the street with them… it was SO much easier to lug a ton of books around when I was in my mid-twenties…what happened? I got old, is what happened! Anyway, I was getting hungry and my blood sugar was getting low (Type 2 diabetic), so I decided to stop in at Tower and see if they had anything good to eat and hoping against hope that the prices wouldn’t be outrageous. Well, I was surprised when I walked in, because it looked so cosy and inviting, right off the bat. It was a cold and rainy day and I just wanted to relax and contemplate the stupidity of checking out the heavy library books!
A nice, if distracted young woman took my order for… for a sandwich of some kind… I can’t remember what it was! I know it turned out to be delicious and FREE (more on that in a minute) but as I sit here, I am drawing a complete blank! It was early afternoon, so it would have been a lunch item I ordered. I also got a Diet Coke.
I went and found a table and sat down. There was a somewhat annoying woman sitting behind me who had two toddlers with her and a baby and the toddlers kept coming up to my table and trying to reach up to grab my backpack or my book I was reading! The mother would just laugh and say, «Now, Taylor, don’t do that! That lady wants to read her book!» but Taylor or whatever his name was, along with his annoying little sister just kept pestering me. I wanted to get up and move but the place was pretty crowded. Ugh, children left to their own devices! About fifteen minutes later I noticed that two women who had come in about five minutes after me had already gotten their orders. I thought that was weird but was sure my food was coming out soon. Nope. Ten more minutes went by and then another five. I was starting to get frantic (low blood sugar!). The lady behind me got up from her table and immediately crashed into my back, as she tripped over one of her spawn, who was crawling around on the floor. I was beginning to get VERY irritated. I got up from my table and went up to the counter to ask about my food. Turns out the distracted order taker was more distracted than I had thought. She COMPLETELY forgot to put in my order! I was seriously mad! The guy I who told me this was really apologetic and offered me my money back AND my meal for free! I bought a brownie to stave off my hunger (desperate times call for desperate measures, you know!) and he had my food out to me five minutes later! Whatever it was, it was excellent! I know there was a salad involved. Maybe an entrée, instead of a sandwich? Anyway, it WAS delicious!
A few weeks ago I went back there and got a wonderful breakfast of eggs, bacon, two orders of whole wheat toast, coffee (I drank about seven cups! Jittery!!) and it was fantastic! I really want to try out their French toast or pancakes but can only do that when I go to work out at the YMCA, as the sugar would not help my diabetes at all.
Wonderful food, cozy atmosphere, friendly staff (except for the ditzball who took my order but didn’t put it in the kitchen), and they don’t care if you linger there, enjoying coffee and reading a book. I will be back!

Stopped in for a 1uick cup of coffee, had the Mexican mocha. The décor is very bohemian, and welcoming. When I went it was the shop’s 11^th birthday… and they had a cake for the customers. They offer hot food, and a wide array of it. Can’t wait to try the food, if it’s as good as the coffee then I’ll be coming here often. Staff were really nice, and polite.

Super cute coffee spot in downtown! Came here one rainy afternoon to drink some chai and relax, and what a great spot this is. Service was great — girls were really friendly and recommended a good breakfast dish for me to try. Environment was nice and quiet — I came on a weekday morning and there were only a few other people there, doing the same thing as me. Food was great! I guess they have a happy hour too with discounts on burgers and drinks? Will have to come back for that and try it out. Very very pleased, and will definitely be back again.

You know what, this place is great.
Super cozy, home like, I came in on a rainy night to a sweet two man band and people just happily minding their own business in this coffee shop reading books, studying, having beers. Pretty cute. Feels how a coffee shop should.
Plus they have breakfast all day. Yay!

I ordered soup to go. The cashier was soo sweet. Then i had to come back because it was the wrong soup. A different cashier named melanie was there. She was really grumpy to everyone she rang up. She needs some retraining. As one of the staff was getting me new soup, melanie snatched the bag of soup from me and threw it in the trash. The nice who brought me my new soup suggested we can give the «wrong» soup to someone on the street (theres alot of homeless ppl nearby)… but too bad melanie threw it away.

I was in the area last week and decided to give this place a try. I was expecting a typical coffee shop but I was really impressed by this place.
Along with the standard coffee menu they also had some interesting options. One in particular caught my eye, a wedding cake latte! Didn’t get a chance to try it but it sounded SUPER good, if my chai latte was any indication I’m sure it was.
Along with the coffee menu they also had a mix of sandwiches and appetizers, some of which sounded pretty good. There is also a full bar in a separate area in the back (WA has weird liquor laws) that looked like it would be a nice place to grab a drink.

This place was amazing! From the early morning snack to the lunch time. Panini breakfast sandwich was good and for lunch the ½ sandwich and soup specials. I like how they use a lot of veggies on the sandwiches. This was my «getaway» from the long days waiting for Jury Duty and so close. Debbie the owner and her staff are great!

Food was great and large portions. Even though the place was very busy, the service was still quick and very friendly. Would definitely come back here again, maybe to try breakfast next time!

Got in and out quickly. Hot fresh and delicious. French dip had an option for horse radish and grilled onions which I took making it better than the ordinary dip at other places.

I love this place. They are so nice and helpful. I have had their soups and sandwhichs which are delicious and I love their breakfasts. When i go to pick up my order to go they always put a nice comment or a smiley face on the brown bag, it always makes me smile when I get it.

Ive been here twice. The food was good the first time and I like the little fireplace corner they have.
The second time I went there I paid with card and just signed the receipt not leaving a tip. The guy at the counter gave me a dirty look and his demeanor instantly changed. I dont tip at mcdoanlds when they take my order, why should this be any different? I picked out my table from the few clean ones (this was right after the lunch rush, Im not lowering your score for it I used to work in a few restaurants) I waited about 5 minutes for my food, not a bad wait. When my food was brought out to me it was the same guy who took my order. He dropped it off and walked right to the bathroom wearing the same apron he was wearing at the front counter. He was in there a bit longer then a fast bathroom cleanliness check.
Regardless, who handles food and takes their apron into the bathroom? I checked the bathroom before leaving. Theres no where in there to hang it up while doing your business other then leaving it on the sink or across the handy cap rails.

The breakfast panini is so delicious, made perfectly with bacon! I was already a sucker for their coffee (specifically «the Mexican”/ white+dark chocolate and cinnamon), but after trying the sammich I think I may have to come into town more often. Service was quick and there are plenty comfy couches to sit on if there is a wait. There’s also a bar in the back and they usually have the game on. I’m thinking I’ll have to check this place out later for the burgers.

I ordered a club sandwich and it look majestic and tasted okay, however I took a bite and a little bug in my lettuce started to moved and I went to tell the cashier who did apologize but mentioned that they wash their lettuce throughly but if that was the case the bug wouldn’t be alive and kicking. I found her half apology offensive and didn’t seem very worried. I got my full refund. Never will I eat again. If you can’t do the simplest task of washing your veggies right it makes me wonder how they take care of more meticulous tasks.

This place is amazing. I am impressed with the way they run the business. While having a late lunch a gal came in to drop off a job app. Instead of «just leave it here» she was directed to someone who gave her the low down and when to come back. When I ask for a spoon, it was delivered in a napkin. So that tells me sanitation is important. The place is clean but it goes to all levels. Not just appearance. Oh ya, the food and service was awesome. Don’t miss this gem.

I came here 3 times during jury duty. The location was ideal, but it was the quality that had me coming back instead of exploring other options.
I can’t comment on the parking but it is a quick walk/​drive from a few big destinations downtown: courthouse, library, and hospital. It has a nice décor that feels welcoming. There were plenty of 2 and 4 person tables as well as comfy chairs and sofas scattered around. The bar, located in the back, also had nice seating available. It did get very busy at lunch time but was quieter for my morning coffee. Prices were reasonable for the amount of food.
There is a nice grab and go selection if you’re in a hurry. I was also pleased to learn they served their breakfast menu at lunch. The mocha I ordered was creamy and rich without being too sweet. Over the course of a few days, I had a breakfast panini with bacon, green peppers, onions, and mushrooms; the gobbler; and the Greek salad. The panini was buttery and eggy and covered in cheese and veggies of my choosing. The gobbler was a tasty combination of turkey, cranberry, provolone, lettuce, and tomato. My only complaint was the bread fell apart trying to hold in all that goodness. The Greek salad had a ton of toppings and was really flavorful.
Definitely worth a try!

This is literally a hop, skip and jump away from work! THAT alone makes me feel like a lucky lady.
The Tower is owned and managed by family and they are all a bunch of characters. I get a coffee sometimes in the Am w/​Carrie who serves up a mean Americano iced with the perfect amount of cream.
I’ve turned my coworkers on to ordering lunch from them, especially since they’ll deliver to us as we are only a block away. Matt usually brings the food (the son) and it seems like Maddie (the daughter) is always taking the orders over the phone.
The food is fantastic. The only complaint I have is that the salad is always Fraise, which is a style I detest but they can sub for a different style of greens if you ask. Everything is local and made in house. The cook gets there at like 4am.
My favorite sandwich is the Gobbler! I get a half because they are so big. They don’t chince you on the fixings either. Those sandwiches are STUFFED with all the goodies. The vegetarian sandwich is done really well too and their chilli is to die for.
The bar is in the back. The quaint space and sophisticated meets homely style is very comfortable. An assortment of seating, ranging from couches to full tables and bar tables/​stools in the back line this joint throughout. There’s a sense of familiarity here. Everyone is glad to see you and thanks you for stopping by when you head out.
This is how small businesses are done and how they survive. They have a small café up the street a few blocks too if you need to get in and get out. This location on Tacoma Ave is great for luncheons, happy hour and get togethers. Stop by and enjoy!