Amerawcan Bistro

I was planning to make a trek from Seattle down to Tacoma tonight just to go here, only to find out that they closed down. Why!!!
This news makes me very sad. I was very surprised. They always seemed pretty busy anytime I have been there. The food was amazing, service equally good. This was a big loss for Tacoma, and for anyone who traveled just to go there. Bummer.

Here’s the list and description of what we and what we thought between our TWO trips here:
Water — Normally I wouldn’t post anything about water, but theirs was cucumber infused. I REALLY liked it, but I REALLY like cucumber. Jeff didn’t care for it, but he doesn’t like cucumber. He would have been happier if they had let him know it was cucumber infused water before he drank it. I also don’t know why they are SO anti-​ice. The water was room temperature and would have just been MUCH better if it had been cold.
Kale Chips — These were not what I expected. They weren’t bad, but I didn’t really think they were good either. They weren’t as crunchy as I would have liked and they kind of «melted in your mouth» but not necessarily in a good way. It was different and we ate about half of them.
Enchiladas — Jeff got these after I figured I’d like the nachos more. This was BY FAR, the better of the two entrees. The cashew tortillas were great and it was like eating a real enchilada. The «taco meat», although it didn’t have the taste of meat, it did have the consistency. It was like eating an enchilada and I would definitely get it again. I liked this so much I got it the second time we went, only without the peppers.
Nachos — NOT my favorite, but it was a little spicy for me. Towards the end, I did start moving the sweet pepper to the side, but overall, I was VERY impressed. I wish that some of the «chips» had been a little more crispy, but it was good and I would get it again, as long as I got it without the peppers.
Marinated Porbella Salad — The boyfriend was not super excited about it. It was a salad he felt he could put together at home and with all the raw veggies, it was just not his favorite.
Blueberry Fruit Smoothie with Acai booster — The boyfriend got this after it was clear that the cucumber water was not cold. He’s not a huge fan of cucumber to begin with, but REALLY didn’t like the warm cucumber water. He was very impressed with this smoothie. I’m not a huge fan of blueberry so couldn’t really appreciate it, but he really liked it. His only complaint was that it wasn’t big enough. :)
Mocha «Cheese“cake — Now… For a $ 9 slice of cheesecake, I’d rather go to The Cheesecake Factory, however, as a Mocha «Mousse“cake, this was REALLY REALLY good. I would definitely get it again, even if it was $ 9/​slice. The coffee flavor was great, the crust was an almond macaroon type consistency, and it was very rich but very good. Jeff doesn’t like coffee and I got to eat it to myself — Another added bonus.
Cheese“cake (strawberry I think?) — The mocha cheesecake I got last time was more a moussecake than a cheesecake, but this was definitely more cheesecake. The crust wasn’t quite as good as last time, but the cheesecake itself was WONDERFUL. Again, I would definitely come back for this.
Truffles — OMG. Heaven in three little balls. I have no idea what the dip was but that was good as well. I’m under no false delusions and believing these are «healthy» simply because they are raw, but they were wonderful and I would definitely get them again.
Now for the bad things:
1. The wait was pretty long after we ordered. The waiter claimed it was because there were a couple of large tables ahead of us, and there were, but we were still there for a pretty long time, especially considering nothing is cooked.
2. We were hungry when we left. I understand that it’s probably because we are two fat people that like our meat, but we were still hungry. Not starving, but hungry.
3. Due to #2, I don’t think we’d come back without a Groupon or coupon of some sort. When I can go to my favorite grease spoon restaurant, spend $ 38 WITHOUT a coupon, be full, AND have an entire meal for later, it’s just not worth it to spend $ 38 WITH a coupon and still be hungry. Yes… I realize the vegan restaurant is MUCH MUCH healthier than my greasy spoon spot, but I’m looking at the money-​side
Also — We can spend $ 50 at our favorite sushi joint and get enough food for 1.5 meals or $ 35 for one meal, and that probably IS almost just as healthy — Although vegan, our food contained a LOT of nuts. Nuts are pretty high in calories and fat. Good calories and good fat, but that’s also in fish. (Sorry mom — We will still probably continue to go to sushi every now and then).
Overall, I was pretty impressed but it was a bit too expensive for not enough food to make it a regular hot spot. We went in with pretty low standards because it is raw and vegan.
I did just read that they closed — Too bad… It wasn’t my favorite place, but it was something different.

The food here is very delicious. We had never done the raw food thing, and were surprised at how flavorful the entrees were. We ordered the Italian pizza, falafel, and enchiladas. A lot of it was very «salad-​ish,» but very good. For example, I later described the pizza as a seed cracker with salad on it. It didn’t really satiate my pizza cravings. That’s not to say it wasn’t tasty. I decided I’d like to come back with some girlfriends for a refreshing and healthy meal.
The atmosphere left something to be desired. It was a bit sparse.
Our waiter was a sweet guy, who gave us lots of information about the different options and specials. He also made sure to give me a taste of the wine, before pouring the entire glass.
I will certainly return when I’m craving some delicious and well-​made plant-​based delights. I understand now that this isn’t where you go when you are craving some comfort food. Also, I want to try their smoothies and juices.

LOVE! Their fresh juices are awesome! Love that you can hear them being juiced fresh for you!
And their HOT soups never disappoint! My fave has been the creamy broccoli. Made with cashew cream but you’d never know!
I wish I could hire the hook to be my personal chef! Amazing!

We had kale chips, Mediterranean falafel and noodles of the orient. I would give them a strong 3 star. All ingredients were fresh and tasty.
Cheesecake (strawberry & mocha) on the other hand, was fantastic! Admittedly, I must add, I have not had «real» cheesecake in a long time, but this vegan cheesecake here is as good if not better than the «real» stuff!

Amerawcan Bistro is a good place for raw and vegan food!
Like all restaurants that specialize in raw cuisine the prices are a little expensive but the food here is very good!
I ordered the raw, vegan enchiladas. They were good and fresh and had wonderful, vibrant flavors to it.
The dessert we had was the Coconut Cream Pie, it too was delicious! The Pie had a good, nutty crust which made the dessert all the more tastier!
Amerawcan Bistro also serves salads which looked amazing and is motivation for me to go back.
These kinds of bistros are always great treats, are healthier and are satisfying to dine at every once in a while!

Amazing food and service! It was so good I went two days in a row. The coconut cheesecake is an absolute must, light and fluffy. I thought it was funny when I asked if they all were raw vegans they said no but attempting to get back into it.
I wish that I lived closer so I could go more frequently. They offer cooking classes as well which I hope to participate in sometime. They have the raw thing down and do not disappoint or leave you feeling hungry!

Wow! There are so many incredible things to say about this place I don’t know where to begin. Well… lets start here… my husband (A meat eater) said this was one of his favorites in Tacoma, waaaaa?! If you didn’t already know its a Vegan establishment. The selection was amazing, and what we both appreciated, was that its really creative too! Nachos, noodles, burgers, tacos etc etc etc.
We started with the crustini bruschetta — it was delicious however we found the crustini to be a little too thick.
I had the falafel salad and added avocado. The husband had the jicama tacos (the daily special… so they are not always on the menu). Both were perfect! It’s always nice to leave a restaurant feeling satisfied and healthy!
The service was pleasant and accommodating!

Of all the places, bookmarked on Unilocal,I truly wanted to like this place. I have been wanting to check it out for months and months but never really got the chance.
I finally did when my friend was more than happy to accompany me! Little did I know, it was only 2 minutes from my home (driving). Who knew it was this close?
Okay, let’s start off with the reason why I am giving this place 2 stars. The service was definitely not the best I have ever had… it was not the worst either though. The waitress lady seemed super monotone and bored to death while we asked questions and took our orders.
The prices were definitely steep knowing that their food [I believe] are organic and completely RAW. Yum right? Ehh. I ordered the Enchiladas and my friend the Nachos [accordingly from the waitress’ opinions]. Trust me, I have been in the restaurant industry for 4+ years and know what it is like to tell a customer the shop’s favorites and the good stuff. I even asked about the size portions because last time I had a [real] enchilada, it was huge. She said it was fairly portioned and I took her word… uhh… 3 tiny rolls of barely nothing topped off with some kind of creamy scoop on top … was definitely not what I was expecting.
I do not like nachos but even my friend’s RAW nachos tasted better than what my so-​called «enchiladas» tasted like. We also ordered some Green Tea which was kind of pricey… however tasted like normal Green Tea.
After we were done and about to leave, my friend asked me «do you think you would come back here?» a bit skeptical, I hesitated at first and replied «Yea… I want to give it another go».
I have yet to go but definitely plan on going back to order something else and see if I can spruce up this review a bit.

Best raw/​vegan place I have tried so far. They even have hot (occasionally) and non-​vegan options.
The Thai coconut curry and gazpacho are both tasty. Although the day I had the gazpacho, they were actually out of salt. Forgivable. The Mediterranean falafel is perfectly crunchy and delicious but I am head over heels for both the zucchini fettuccine and the raw enchiladas. I had zucchini noodles for the first time at Amerawcan and they are absolutely genius! The cashew «tortillas» used in the enchiladas are a bit more stiff and chewy than a standard tortilla but I actually like them better.
I physically cannot allow myself to leave this place without ordering dessert. A few times, I have been disappointed because they seem to always be out of one thing or another (which is also forgivable me since there is always something else that makes me equally as happy); so I’ve only had the seasonal cheesecakes and crepes. While I still love traditional, terrible-​for-​you cheesecake, Amerawcan pulls off an amazing raw cheesecake (I’ve had both the carrot and strawberry). The seasonal crepes are also a treat. The crepes are the same cashew concoction used as the tortillas in the enchilada entrée.
Excellent food, no matter your dietary preference. Have always had excellent service here as well. Clean, quiet, and the table I like by the window is always available when I come in :) Definitely one of my Tacoma faves.

FANTASTIC! We’ve eaten plenty of Raw restaurants in NYC and LA and were VERY happy with this place! Food was so flavorable and service was super friendly!
We had BBQ tempeh sandwich on onion bread and zucchini spaghetti with marinara sauce with the earth chowder soup! All GREAT. Detox juice with beets, lemon, apple, ginger and of all things zucchini (used to having cucumber) and it too tasted excellent. Finished off with possibly the best raw cheesecake we’ve had anywhere!
Highly recommend!

Best & only raw food joint in tacoma. I have no words. Compliments to the chef & friendly servers!

I was in Tacoma doing some errands and decided to try this Raw restaurant out. I eat some raw food, but I have never gone out of my way for specifically ‘raw’ food. I just thought to myself, ‘self,’ ‘today’s a good day to try something different.’
I started with the Kale Chips. I find Kale chips in general to be fascinating. They have an odd, Kaley flavor, but they are so light and crispy, I feel like I am eating Angel Wings, and it’s a little addictive… does that make me a bad person? Well, these Kale Chips are pretty good, the prerequisite air and crunch. I like the ones I make at home a little more, but these were pretty good all the same.
Then I ordered the Mediterranean Falafel. It was great! It was flavorful and crunchy. It was nutty and crunchy and good. It’s served more as a salad, with hummus and tzatziki on the side. I loved the hummus, but the tzatziki was odd. But, the veggies and olives and Falafel were a good combo.
I really was a happy eater as I polished off my salad. I finished off with a Coconut Truffle.
It was a great lunch, and I will be dragging a friend who loves ‘raw’ food here, when she comes for a visit.

This restaurant is one of the best things about Tacoma. I can’t wait to go again. I wouldn’t hesitate to take even a non-​raw, non-​health conscious person there. I like it better than Chaco Canyon in Seattle. I have to drive out of my way to eat here and it’s worth it. I’m sad that it’s so far for me but glad, too, because I would eat here way too much otherwise.
ATMOSPHERE:
Very clean, modern, quiet. Chill.
FOOD:
Raw food, all good. We had the Stuffed Mushrooms, Jicama Tacos (VERY good!), Thai Coconut Curry Soup (a little spicy, lots of flavor, yum), Fiesta Avocado Quinoa Boat, Zucchini Fettuccine with Marinara (very satisfying, especially if you’re craving the flavors and can’t have pasta), the cheesecake and macaroons. ALL VERY GOOD and I would recommend any of them. I still crave the Zucchini Fettuccine with Marinara and the macaroons and cheesecake.
There are also deli options (turkey sandwiches, GF bread, etc.) for non-​raw eating folks.
I love that they make juice for you cleansers out there, and the prices are reasonable!
SERVICE:
Good, no complaints. Friendly and helpful.
PRICES:
Reasonable. Not cheap but inexpensive for how specialty it is.
So even if you’re not cleansing, juicing, or a new age health freak, this is a good place to go. Everything is full of flavor and I’m so very glad it exists.

I was so excited to try this restaurant. Such high reviews and I thought it would be really unique. I am a vegetarian and accustomed to trying different things. When going to Amerawcan bistro my husband and I decided to order a sampler and an extra entrée to share so we could try as much as we could. After we ordered the waitress brought out our appetizer… and one entrée. This was definitely weird but I can look past it since I am there to try the food.
We started with the nachos, they were just ok and like I said she brought out the entrée at the same time which was there special for the day a coconut stir fry, immediately when she set it down to me it stunk… like a bad smell coming off of it. And the smell matched the taste. I was still hopeful… so after we finished the app and one entrée (again weird order) she brought out the strawberry salad. Straight up strawberries on some lettuce, was not thrilled. Next we got our second entrée which was the zucchini alfredo. While this was good… not amazing… but good, it was the SAME dish as the coconut stirfry except the sauce was different. As a first time customer I would expect the waitress to warn us it was the same dish just different sauce, but she didn’t. I even heard someone else at another table get warned these 2 were the same with different sauces after our meal.
Finally we got the cashew strawberry cheesecake. This was the ONLY part of the dinner I enjoyed.
And when we got the bill it was 40 $. 40 $ to me is a special occasion dinner. This food was alright to disgusting. Sorry amerawcan bistro :[ I was really looking forward to your food but sorely disappointed.

–taco salad !!!
–coconut curry soup
also cheesecake. always get cheesecake. blackberry cheesecake !!!
yums

Tacoma rocks! Well, having been born there, that’s what I tell myself. Mostly, Tacoma is a blue collar town with dreams of being a white collar city. It has its attractions and distractions. How many towns can say they used to stink, and take pride in it? How many towns can say they had a cross-​Puget-​Sound bridge fall? How many towns can say they spawned Bing Crosby *and* Earl Anthony?
I had to go to Tacoma for work, and so took a cursory look at Unilocal.Imagine my surprise to find a raw/​vegan restaurant. Imagine my further surprise that my coworker was willing to eat there, too.
I had «tacos» and he had «pizza». Both were delicious, flavorful and visually appealing.
I think Chaco Canyon Café has some serious competition.
Now, get me back to Seattle.

I couldn’t have asked for a better first time raw experience! I would recommend the four course meal option for $ 20, because it’s simply a little overwhelming trying to choose just one thing and it’s a great save in comparison. Open your mind before you come… I wasn’t prepared for room temp or cold meals, but that’s raw and I just didn’t know what to expect. The ambience was great and simple, the service was attentive, thoughtful and informative and we topped the whole experience off with 2 kinds of delicious cheesecake!

Their menu doesnt acurately describe what they actually serve. My avocado boat was served without the boat shell — really just a blob on a plate. My boyfriend ordered the falafel, and the waitress described it as «a wrap». What he got was a salad.
Additionally, the décor here is stiff and awkward. I don’t feel like I’m in a restaurant — I feel like I’m in a room with tables and chairs. Also, the bathroom is poorly laid out. The toilet is on a little stage with the flush handle hidden towards the wall. The person who installed it clearly was not paying attention.
While the ipad menus are interesting, I’d rather they spend their money on making this place feel more cozy and less sterile.

I found some Amazon local deals for here (I believe I bought them in May 2012) — $ 10 for $ 20 worth of food. I’ve actually seen quite a few deals — one from living social (a long while ago) and when I was still going to yoga, I know that they had some coupons for this place on the bulletin board at the yoga studio too.
So with my already paid for 50% discount — so I take my friend who is a vegetarian, that had never been here before.
We both ordered the four course taster (a bargain at $ 20 already — but incredible when you only had to pay $ 10!). I don’t know if the dishes were smaller or not, but I always leave Amerawcan Bistro completely stuffed. This time was no exception — I even brought home what I couldn’t finish and since it’s cold already and I ate it later for dinner — did I tell you I LOVE this place? Just FYI — not everything on the menu is cold, just the stuff I ordered. It was really hot that day.
This time I went for the Nachos, Thai Coconut Curry soup (SOOOO good — had slices of coconut in there too), Enchiladas and Coconut Ice Cream Balls covered with Dark Chocolate. I love coconut, can you tell? I had to save room for dessert, so with dessert eaten there — I had a lot of food to take home. I couldn’t even finish all of it for dinner — LOL!
I’m lactose intolerant, and when I heard «coconut ice cream» — I had to have it! Usually, I will take home at least one dessert (usually two, once I took home three). But since it this was ice cream — it had to be eaten it right away. WOW — that was truly delicious. I wish I had ordered some of their coconut macaroons to take home.
The desserts here are always AMAZING! I haven’t had even a near «mediocre» dessert here — EVER. The food is also not what you expect, since it’s «raw». The pizza is excellent, as are the kale chips. The BLT tasted like a BLT (but thin slices of «bacon» — not like big strips that you can get at a market), but not greasy, like real BLTs can get. And the crepes, you can put as many in-​season fruits and/​or berries that they have. Yum!!!
Oh — and FREE WI-​FI — can it get any better?