In August I wrote an article asking for local suggestions on family style, down home cooking restaurants. The recommendations I received have been a great resource. Some I knew, some I had forgotten, and some were brand new to me. One of these was Tim’s Kitchen (Orting and Puyallup). Our three couple Sunday morning breakfast group drove from Tacoma’s north and west ends, out I-5, 512, and Meridian to Tim’s Kitchen. It was a beautiful fall day that gave us a wonderful view of Mt. Rainier on the way, and then a foggy view of the Puyallup Valley on the return, and a lovely drive along Pioneer Way for a view of farm lands, wetlands, and fall colors. – thesubtimes.com/2019/08/19/down-home-cooking-in-lakewood-tacoma-and-puyallup/
Our server Melissa did a great job keeping our orders straight and making suggestions. I’m not sure what my friend Mike ordered, but it looked like breakfast potatoes with a biscuit and veggies/mushrooms on top of the potatoes. I didn’t see it on the menu. His biscuit disappeared as did all of his potatoes and vegetables . . . and a slice of someone else’s toast. His recommendation is that Tim’s was on a par with Mary Mary’s Café in Parkland. That’s a high recommendation.
I ordered two fried eggs (over easy) and sausage links. The eggs were perfectly cooked. I traded a sausage link with my wife for a slice of bacon. Both the bacon and the sausage were excellent.
Normally, on a first time visit to a breakfast restaurant I test the biscuits and then order toast the next time around in disappointment. I also order my hash browns burnt, burnt, burnt, with an onion cut up in them in hopes of dark brown and extra crispy potatoes. Surprise! The biscuit was not only huge with my biscuits and gravy, but good. The hash browns were delivered as I asked. The gravy was perfect and only needed a number of pepper shakes to accommodate my tastes. The hash browns did need a little salt, but they were close enough so I didn’t bother.
An order for scrambled eggs and hash browns featured avocado slices on top of the eggs. The hash browns were deceptive. Ordered crispy they looked only light brown, but indeed were crispy.
The pancakes and our waffle were tasty, but required quick eating to enjoy them fully. It was a brisk Sunday morning and when we left the restaurant, well after ten, there was still frost on the lawns. I would suggest Tim visit my friends at City Glass & Upholstery to replace three of their windows that look like they have a moisture problem. Aa baffle around the front door would be a good idea as well. It was a little cold in the restaurant, which was a problem with getting hot coffee and keeping waffles and pancakes warm enough to melt butter.
As I looked around the restaurant I wondered why they had a model bridge suspended from the ceiling and then the train chugged by. Interesting. My wife and I will probably return for dinner. They offer bratwurst or Polish sausage and sauerkraut as well liver & onions, and meatloaf. This is in addition to various chicken dishes, steak, prime rib, and pork chops. The prices are good; the staff is friendly, the menu varied, and the food appetizing. Tim’s Kitchen is worth a drive from JBLM, Lakewood, Spanaway, and even north Tacoma. Tim’s truly meets the family style, down home cooking criteria.
I live in southeast Auburn and will drive to Tim’s any time of day, when I want down home cooking that always sends me home with a bunch of leftovers. Their hash browns are amazing and are shredded fresh throughout the day. Same with the homefries or diced potatoes. Choosing something from the me the that’s more unusual, would have been my way of rating a restaurant… But, to each their own. You should have tried their fresh “in house” pounded out “chicken fried steak” ?? or their in house battered fried chicken… Absolutely out of this world…. Yeah their pancakes, while they are falling off the plate their sooo huge, I’ve yet to try…. But…. I suggest you try going again. I’ve gone ever since they opened… More than 5yrs ago, and I’m usually so hot in there that even on a winters day, I always remember to dress in about three layers and always end up down to my coolest layer, I’ve also never seen a sweaty window in the place.
Just saying…. I’m in no May related to Orting OR the owners of Tim’s, but, I thought your way of finding fault by suggesting your friends “window” business and saying it was cold inside because of your lukewarm pancake was a pretty “petty” way of fun Ning something at fault. It was in poor “taste” to me. I’ll be sure not to take your ratings to heart when I read them from now on.
Thanks.
Sheri,
Thanks for commenting.
I call them as I see them. I try not to be petty. I want restaurants to succeed. If you do not let them know faults as you see them, others might simply vote with their feet and not come back. That is never good. It was cold in the restaurant. My wife had to ask for her waffle to be nuked to melt the butter. My two friends were appalled at the cold cups, which quickly cooled the hot coffee. My wife suggests they baffle the front door to keep the wind out. And the two windows looked like they had a bad seal. My friends at City Glass generally beat the competition in price AND workmanship. All of I said is true . . . and worthy of complaint but I didn’t mention all of that because we gave them high praise for their food and service. My wife said on our return visit she will indeed try the chicken fried steak. I’m sorry you were offended, but thanks for sharing. I’m over-joyed they have a faithful follower in you, and I believe others as well. Please, continue reading my reviews AND commenting.
Don
Hi Shari,
Don was referring to Tim’s in Puyallup! The windows do get wet and it tends to get colder because of that. Plates and cups are cold when you get them.
You are so right about the chicken fried steak. It is terrific!!
Lynda
Lynda,
When we do return, we’ll probably sit up in the corner . . . I think it’s probably warmer there.
Thanks, again.
Don
Wife and I plus a guest tried Tim’s in Orting. I had the panko cod with tater tots (fish n chips) wife had patti melt on marbled rye bread, and guest had steak and eggs…..all were excellent and generous servings at that. Will continue going there for meals when in town. They also have the under ceiling model railroad to watch while meal prepared. Excellent wait staff too.
Pete, in Oakbrook
Pete,
Thanks for writing.
Glad to hear about Orting. Tim’s wait staff are indeed excellent . . . and the food tasty and plentiful. I will have to ask about the significance of the model railroad. Peg mentioned some photos of logging days. Perhaps, there was originally a logging camp in Orting? Thanks again for sharing.
Don
Hi Guys! Our family has been going to Tim’s in Orting for more than a year. Excellent food and service! We were so excited when they opened on Meridian, because it was closer to us. Tried it twice, not so good. Went back again, still just okay! So, we just go to Orting,which isn’t that much further for us and meet the grandkids for lunch or dinner! Since your article Don, we will go back and try Meridian another time. The chicken, meatloaf and Ruben sandwich are really good! Sister has had the French dip, loved it and they make the best potato salad!! When you come back, would love to know how you liked the other food. Lynda and family. Orting/Puyallup
Lynda,
Thanks for commenting. I don’t know how soon we’ll be visiting Tim’s again, but I do hear the home-style cooking calling. My wife wants to try the chicken fried steak, I’ll probably order the meatloaf, because I know that’s what she always asked for to celebrate her birthday as a child. I’ll give her half of mine and probably more than half of the chicken fried steak. That sounds fair, doesn’t?
Thanks for sharing.
Don