Absolutely hit up elk head. Don't waste your time on trade route in auburn. You Absolutely HAVE to go to the Red Hot bar on 6th Ave. The best beers and gourmet hot dogs. They always have the greatest beers on tap and the bartenders and atmosphere are great. This place was featured on the food network btw. Tacoma boys off of pearl st. Has 500 different types of beer and the best produce around. If you want the best sandwich you've ever had go to MSM off of 6th Ave and get a Mikes deluxe, they have a great selection of beers in this dive but will crack the beer and let you eat and drink in the back. Just don't go during lunch as it takes forever. Asian fusion restaurant downtown called Indochine is fantastic, get the crispy fish. Across the street from there is El goucho for an amazing steak but expensive. Down on dock st. Is jonnys dockside, order the steamer clams and a brew, you'll love it. Katie downs off of Ruston way has amazing fish and chips and great atmosphere. Next to them is the ram for a mean burger or my favorite, the black and Bleu steak sandwich. Hope this helps, btw the adriatic grill at the tacoma mall is amazing food and decent beer order their bolognese. The parkway tavern is probably the coolest and most trendy place to get a beer in tacoma, largest selection of great beers in town. Hope this all helps, what are ya doing in tacoma btw?