We’ve been tempting you with caloric sweet and savory treats all year, so here’s a chance for redemption. These satiating bowls of soup and salad will keep your taste buds and waistline happy through these chilly months.
Soup
Infinite Soups
It lives up to its name with a menu that changes daily and soups that are both affordable and delicious. Soup lovers list this hole-in-the-wall with its black-and-white checkered floors as a mainstay. Tacoma
Costco
Not what you were expecting, right? We were floored when we tried the rotisserie chicken soup, available during the winter, which was among the best we’ve ever had. Hit the bakery for some crusty bread, and you are in comfort food heaven for days. Various locations
Traditional Korean Beef Soup
It’s all in the name. Simple and to the point! This Federal Way restaurant has raging reviews on Yelp — nearly five stars with 225 reviews. It’s heralded as one of the best Korean restaurants in the area, and it lets you season the soup to your liking. Federal Way
Duke’s Chowder House
The Lobster Mobster Pernod Chowder. That’s it. That’s all we’re going to say. Oh, and all their chowders are gluten-free. Go. Go now. Various locations
The Sumner Café
This quaint and cozy café has scratch-made soup that will give your mother a run for her money. Order one of the rotating daily specials, and it just might convert you into a full-blown soup person. Sumner
Salad
The Hub
If you’re like us, you go to The Hub for the Cajun tater tots, but the salads are amazing. Sometimes ordering a salad can feel like a downgrade from the burger you really wanted, but not in this case. We favor the ahi poke salad with seasonal greens, apple slivers, pickled red onion, wonton pieces, and a creamy balsamic dressing. Nothing beats a good ahi poke salad. Tacoma, Puyallup, and Gig Harbor
Hop N’ Drops
Formerly known as Hop Jacks, Hop N’ Drops is serving up good ole comfort food in a family-like setting. Skip the heavier entrees and go for the Southwest BBQ salad. The tender avocados and frizzled onions paired with chicken breast drizzled with barbecue sauce are what really sets this salad apart from the rest. Various locations
Thai Pepper
Thai Pepper is a true Tacoma gem. Located on Pacific Avenue, Thai Pepper offers several salads with fresh fruit you might not expect, including the Som Tum with green papaya and Yum Pla Khob with a spicy mango sauce. Really, you can’t go wrong with any of their leafy dishes — each packs a pretty strong flavor punch. Tacoma
Mediterranean Gyro Grill
If you can’t resist the appeal of Greek food, try this lighter option. Thinly sliced gyro meat (which is the whole reason we’re here) rests on a bed of lettuce with the usual fixings: tomato, onions, cucumber, Kalamata olives, and tzatziki sauce. Federal Way and University Place
Happy Belly Restaurant and Juice Bar
As you might expect from its name, Happy Belly believes in focusing on nutrition as a foundational element of living the best life possible. Its menu runs the gamut of tasty dishes — including tacos and heavenly sandwiches — but we’re here for the salads. Its menu changes frequently depending on the season and availability of fresh ingredients, so instead of pointing you to our favorites, just pop in and try whatever piques your interest. Tacoma
