Sluggo Brewing

an interesting spot, not sure they are actually brewing beer here or not, or if it is just functioning as their taproom. i believe it used to be a greek restaurant, so i guess they just stuck with it, serving gyros and such, a real humble spot but quite solid in our experience. they have a patio area but it was too cold for that, small inside, just a dozen or so tables, sports on a projection screen, and the bar to one side with the kitchen and possibly brewery in the back, but i didnt see any signs they actually make beer at this location. it sort of feels a little dim, but cozy, like it could have been an old punk venue, then a cafe, now a brewery, not sure the history but it feels like its warn many hats and is only haphazardly made to feel any different than whatever was here before them, very much a dive. the server didnt know much, even seemed surprised when we had favorable things to say about their ipa, obviously new or pretty disconnected from the beer side. they only had one of their own beers on amidst a bunch of decent guest taps, must be a pretty small or inconsistent operation, i was hoping for more, but the ipa was really good, well above expectations for me really, crisp to drink and unique on the hop side. the food was also very good, hearty portions and decent prices were appreciated too, and overall this is a nice casual lunch spot to grab a few beers, i just wish they had more of their own beer flowing. the good news is that i liked what i had and the food was good. hopefully they grow into this place a little more fully...

I was never able to visit the original Sluggo over on 6th Street, but the current location actually seems like a good fit (as it's located just a stones throw from Tacoma Dome, and there aren't a whole lot of options out that way).

My understanding is that there used to be a pretty decent, highly regarded Mediterranean restaurant in this location (before Sluggo took it over). Supposedly, the chef from that restaurant still works here, and that's reflected in the menu (gyros and falafel, along with burgers and fries). I didn't get a chance to try any food when I was here, though I heard good things from the staff and patrons, and everything that came out of the kitchen looked pretty good.

As the pictures that can be found online show, Sluggo is a small to moderately sized spot, with a very low key and relaxed vibe. As you come in, there's a smallish bar to your immediate right (holding maybe 5 or 6 seats), and then a smattering of chairs and tables in the fairly small dining area. I think there's a few flat screen TV's showing various sporting events, but otherwise there's not much in the way of vibe or ambiance here.

When I visited back in June, I was told that they were still in the process of building the on site brewery, and that currently Sluggo beers were being made over at Harmon. As a result, there weren't a whole lot of Sluggo beers on tap (just one and the keg was blown), though they have around 15 or 16 guests beers I think. On this day the tap list consisted of various ambers, pale ales, IPA's and porters from the NW and California. While I didn't see anything mind blowing, I had no trouble finding a saison and IPA on offer that looked interesting. In terms of service, the place was staffed by a couple of fairly young bartenders with plenty of tats. However, they were friendly enough, and were happy to pour samples of anything I was unfamiliar with and wanted to try.

All in all, I had a pretty nice time here, though I was a bit disappointed I was unable to actually sample any of the house beers. Still, if I happen to be at the Tacoma Dome for another event (the wife and I were here to see her sister graduate from grad school), this is definitely a place I'd stop by and visit again.