Shakabrah — Restaurant in Tacoma

Following another PT appointment, my husband and I were in search of breakfast. On our way to check out another restaurant, we passed Shakabrah and decided to have breakfast there.

The restaurant is in an old building that I think was an auto shop. There is a big garage door to the left of the entrance. Building history always intrigues me.

There are two sections to the restaurant. One side is modified self serve, with a few tables, where you order your meal and pick it up at the counter. The other side is seating with full service. Interestingly enough, the prices were the same.

After an explanation, regarding the two sides, we moved over to the full service side, although it was hard to tell the difference. The restaurant was not busy but we sat for the longest time waiting for coffee and water which finally arrived. Then we placed our order, only to discover toast was extra but we both wanted toast with our breakfast so we went ahead and added it to our orders.

While waiting for our breakfast to arrive I had to get up and walk to the counter to ask our server for more coffee. She had been standing behind the counter and ignored our attempts to catch her attention. I don’t know what she was doing, but whatever it was, it wasn’t urgently serving the other 5 occupied tables in the restaurant. After my first request she did make sure to regularly check on our table. I had to request more sugar twice.

Our meal arrived and everything looked and tasted good. The Shak potatoes were excellent!

Our meal was enjoyable until the group at the next table discovered “something” in their food. They called the server over and showed her what had been found. Her attitude, at first, was not the reaction I would have expected. While they were polite, and did their best to be discreet, whatever they found was enough to turn them off, and leave. They were offered their choice of the same meal, which was immediately refused, before being offered other meals, which were also refused. Had we not been next to them we would probably have been unaware, until the server and another employee, decided to stand at the table and discuss it as it was being cleared. Discretion was non-existent.

I checked our food, which was fine. Their discovery definitely tainted the rest of my meal, and it was much less enjoyable than when it was first brought to the table.

The atmosphere was supposed to be eclectic and edgy. Instead, it reminded me of a has been. The staff was polite but appeared to be forced. Our server was wearing Beats headphones so any conversation was out, without making a pretty big display to get her attention first. Maybe this is what eclectic is all about, but to me, it was sadly lacking.

Even though the food was good, the entire experience was off putting enough I would be hard pressed to come back. I love unique out of the way, places. This type of unique did...

I gave it a 3-Star, only because this place has such good reviews I felt I must be an outlier, so I didn't want to give it a 1-Star. I honestly do not get the hype. For starters this place has no signage out front unless you happen to be on the right-side of the building and see the painted graffiti type name on the side. When seated we were told to go to the register to order. The lady at the register could not have been more off-putting and disturbed that we were wanting to order.

After ordering you have to self-serve your water, which was fine, but odd. We then sat there for well over an hour before finally getting our food. When the food arrived it was cold for three out of the four of us. My wife ordered toast with no butter, and I ordered the English muffins. My wife got the English muffins just drenched in butter and we never got her toast. I never got the English muffins either, but assume she got what were supposed to be mine. I felt their famous Shakabra potatoes were good, but nothing to fax home about. Overall, we felt our food was good, but again, certainly not deserving of the hype. My daughter's biscuits and gravy were very dry.

The service was non-existent! We were not visited one time, short of them dropping off our food. I went to the register to ask for some jam, as our table had no condiments whatsoever, and the same lady at the register grabs a container from under the counter and slams it on the counter top. Didn't say a word.

As I looked around while waiting for our food I began to notice just how dirty the place was, and when I used the bathroom it was gross. Also, full of graffiti. Call me a boomer if you wish, but I just felt that it wasn't very smart to cater to such a small demographic.

We were seated about 12 - 15 feet from the door, but there were so many people waiting to be seated that it felt like we were nearly surrounded by mass people watching us eat. It was super uncomfortable. When you are done, you are supposed to buss your own table. Again, this is fine, if it is a cafeteria, but it's not, and I certainly wasn't expecting it.

Considering it takes a very long time to build a good reputation and that it can be destroyed overnight, I wish Shakabra would work a little harder to ensure everyone has a great experience every time. It surely felt to me like they made zero effort to that end.

Finally, it may be coincidence or may not, but three of the four of us got really bad stomach cramps immediately after eating here. It is possible it was the Starbucks, as I was the only one who did not feel ill, and I was the only one who did not have Starbucks. Who knows for sure.

Cool name, but that is as far as it goes for our visit to Shakabra. We are not...

A Breakfast Epiphany at Shakabrah, Tacoma

I've had the privilege of savoring meals from around the globe, but the breakfast experience at Shakabrah in Tacoma is one I find myself returning to in daydreams and morning cravings.

Shakabrah's breakfast is a remarkable testament to the power of a perfectly prepared morning meal. It is the kind of breakfast that elevates your day, setting a tone of satisfaction and well-being. With a diverse menu that spans from classic American dishes to more adventurous concoctions, this humble Tacoma gem has something for every breakfast enthusiast.

Upon entering Shakabrah, you're immediately welcomed by the casual, homely ambiance, a delightful blend of comfort and Tacoma charm. The staff exudes warmth, patience, and helpfulness that mirrors the hearty, comforting cuisine they serve.

Each plate arriving from their kitchen is a symphony of flavors, thoughtfully composed and beautifully presented. Their corned beef hash, savory and hearty, is a testament to the chef's prowess. It's been slow-cooked to perfection, melding flavors that have a way of embracing your palate in a comforting, flavorful hug.

For the sweet-toothed patrons, Shakabrah's French toast is nothing short of heavenly. Soft and fluffy on the inside while maintaining a light, crisp exterior, it comes drizzled with a sweet syrup that is the perfect counterpoint to the rich, buttery bread. Their pancakes, too, are a dream, billowy and tender with a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with a dash of their homemade syrup.

However, the true standout at Shakabrah is perhaps their omelets. Fluffy and brimming with fresh ingredients, each bite is a delightful surprise. With a variety of fillings to choose from, each omelet is a personalized testament to your taste preferences. Paired with their crispy, golden hash browns, it's an indulgence you won't regret.

The beverage menu deserves a mention, too, with an array of coffees, teas, and juices. Their baristas are equally skilled, crafting lattes and cappuccinos that rival the best coffee shops in town.

In essence, Shakabrah's breakfast is not just a meal; it's an experience, one that leaves you feeling not just full but content, treasuring the joy of a meal crafted with passion and skill. So, whether you're a Tacoma native or a passing visitor, Shakabrah is a must-visit destination for a memorable breakfast that truly sets...