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Tatanka Take-Out
Categories: Restaurants Vegetarian Restaurants American (New) Vegetarian, American (New) [Edit]
4915 N Pearl StRuston, WA 98407
(253) 752-8778
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
33 reviews for Tatanka Take-Out
Review Highlights
"I can't believe I'd never tried bison before."
(in 18 reviews)
"The garlic hot sauce is possibly the best sauce I've ever..."
(in 4 reviews)
"We each had the flawless burrito and it was delish."
(in 12 reviews)
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33 reviews in English
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Review from Liz R.
Seattle, WA
12/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
You know what's awesome? Buffalo meat. Especially when prepared by the friendly helpful folks at Tatanka.
I recommend the flawless burrito- it is huge, but even if you can't bring yourself to save any for later, your body won't hate you nearly as much as it would if you'd given it taco del mar crap.
They also have buffalo steaks and whatnot for grilling! -
Review from Jay W.
Tacoma, WA
1/29/2012
VERY DISAPPOINTED! Where's the MEAT???
I'm a huge fan of bison/buffalo, and heard nothing but great things about TTO, so naturally I was excited to try it out. Seeing as how everyone raved about the "flawless" burrito, I figured I'd try that.
When I was brought a GIGANTIC burrito, I was thrilled, and figured it'd be worth my $9. Once I started eating, I was unfortunately surprised.
I actually had to ask if I had mistakenly gotten the vegetarian burrito instead of the bison one, as there were a whopping 4 chunks of meat in the entire burrito! And not decent sized chunks either, they were marginally bigger than my thumbnail at best.
(Yes, I had to pull the whole burrito apart and dig through it with a fork to actually find any meat!)
Seriously? FOUR tiny chunks of meat in that entire gigantic burrito?!?!?!!
Maybe the reviewers who rated this 5-stars were not huge carnivores, as the burrito was great as far as veggies were concerned. I like meat, however, and I was thoroughly disappointed that a place famous for MEAT only gave four tiny chunks in an entire burrito. I doubt I'll ever go back. -
Review from Amanda J.
7/25/2011
So I've never actually been inside Tatanka, and so can't speak as to the service or the ambience, but one night at work when my pharm tech suggested we get take-out AND offered to go pick it up, I was sold :)
I tried the bison soup and the red skin potatoes with cheese and garlic hot sauce. SO GOOD. I can't believe I'd never tried bison before. My only complaints were the portion sizes - my soup was a tad too small (it was so delicious, I wanted more), and my potatoes were humongous! Holy carp, three meals worth of potatoes. Next time, I'll share with someone. -
Review from Renee S.
Tacoma, WA
7/25/2011
Grass Fed Bison = WAAAAY tastier than ground beef
Don't eat meat? Loads of Vegetarian options!
Write a story about how a jewel came to be enclosed in a huge buffalo chip which is framed on the wall, and besides exercising your inner-creative genius, you could possibly get a free lunch, if they like it. :-) I just noticed that yesterday, while waiting for 2 delicious bison burritos. The walls are full of memorabilia and curiosities, all pertaining to the mighty beast so you're never bored if there's a wait. Tacky? Of course!
All I have tried is the Flawless Burrito, with bison (you can have it with tofu, alternatively). I MEAN to try something else, but they are so good, that I can't resist blurting out "A Flawless with Bison"...Large whole wheat tortilla, slightly grilled STUFFED with 1)BISON 2)Cheddar Cheese 3)grilled Onions 4)grilled Mushrooms 5)Garlic Hot Sauce 6)Fat-free Sour Cream 7)Romaine lettuce 8)Chopped tomatoes......yummy and healthy...mmmm
UPDATE)I've since tried the bison taco...two corn tortillas with cheddar melted in betwixt, topped with a good amount of bison, tomatoes, green leaf lettuce, garlic hot sauce, and more cheese. YUM! Some said it was huge, but not for this gal. It was a decent size, but not enough for a meal. I think one and a half would be ideal, but not two....
UPDATE)I also tried potatoes with vegetables and.........NOT good. Blech. Plain with no crispiness and a curious mix of vegetables which consisted mainly of broccoli stems and carrot wheels. Nope, not any of those yummy grilled mushrooms and onions, I had anticipated.
I'm amazed at how one dude was able to work that one large grill. Very impressed. -
Review from Jess D.
Missoula, MT
10/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
We came in to fuel up for a big day of home improvement shopping and we weren't disappointed. We each had the flawless burrito and it was delish. While I instinctively reached for the hot sauce bottle when we sat down, after the first bite I was pleasantly surprised to find I didn't need it. This is simple food that tastes good and fills you up without making you feel bad. And the laminated NYT articles about Ted Turner floating around make for entertaining reading. We will definitely be back, though maybe not until after November, since they are apparently closed for the entire month. Maybe they have to go harvest some more bison meat?
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Review from Laura B.
You could drive all over America and probably not find a place like this one. It is a little past it's prime... a little grungy and run-down with reviews from some years ago still hanging on the wall.
The food is good and the merch is hilarious. The service is excellent and that woman preparing food seems to be making you food from her home kitchen.
I had a bison taco. It was good. The garlic hot sauce was pretty hot. -
Review from Tiffany M.
Tacoma, WA
9/8/2011 1 photo
My husband and I just went there today on the way back from point Defiance Park we had are dogs in the car and wanted to grab something fast and yummy. We ordered the Menu was clear and to the point and the guys behind the counter were super helpful!!!! We sat down they let us give are dogs some water so they wouldn't get to hot waiting on us. The food was wonderful great flavor, well cooked and great seasoning. I had the burger dip which was moist and not dry like most burger dips , it had the right about of cheese and the onions were diced and cooked perfectly. My husband had Flawless burrito, it had the right about of spicy and my husband hates spicy. At the end of are meal they were nice enough to sell us some awesome buffalo bones for are dogs!!! So everyone left happy its safe to say we will be returning and so will are dogs!!!!!!
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Review from Larisha S.
Tacoma, WA
2/7/2011 3 photos
Yum yum yum! after driving by this place and after having read reviews, my mom and i stopped in after being totally unhappy with the fact the ferry was almost $20 to vashon... (were going to go to lunch out there) so we decided to come to Tatanka. my mom doesn't eat beef and she seemed open to trying bison.
I had the flawless burrito! all the vegetables in it were outstanding, cheese was outstanding. the whole wheat tortilla was very very good and not low quality.... and the salsa! just the right spice! yum yum!
my mom had the taco... it was huge!
he put the bison on the grill and you could smell it cooking, oh it smelled so delicious!
i loved all the decor on the walls and the restaurant was clean. the man behind the counter was very nice and let us sample the jerky since my mom didn't know what bison was like.
i will definately be back! for us to have our lunch with 2 beverages it was $20. and we both left very satisfied and not overly full!
my only complaint... there was no music :( so it was really quiet inside. -
Review from Michael K.
Seattle, WA
4/13/2010
It is not very often you find a restaurant that serve Bison meat, and it is rarer still that you find one that specializes in Bison AND vegetarian fare. While the shop itself is small and not the nicest place to stop in for a sit-down lunch, the food is wonderful.
Things I've Tried:
Bean and Bison Burrito - Enormous and hearty, everything always tastes delicious and there is no going easy on the fillings. I still add a ton of hot sauce to it but thats' just a personal preference thing, as there is no lack of flavor here.
Bison Nachos - Piled nearly a foot off the plate, these will knock you out if you make a go at taking them down on your own. Again, so much going on that you can't help but walk out feeling like you won't eat for a week.
Tofu Flawless Burrito - Wow. I don't know what to say... Tofu usually bores the crap out of me but this burrito is amazing. I was so pleased with the freshness of the veggies and avocado, as well, which often times is the downfall of a giant burrito.
Red Spuds w/ cheese and garlic - I'll just say this... I think they may have created this orgasm of flavor as a direct result of what so many kids do while wondering the woods of Point D. Five Star Dish.
I will go back and I will try more... and I don't expect to find anything I don't like. -
Review from Heather W.
Seattle, WA
8/12/2010
I still can't believe there is a restaurant that specializes in Bison and vegetarian food. So perplexing. The whole place is decked out in tacky bison decor which just adds to the kitsch. Very friendly staff.
side of potatoes = ftw. I think there were about 3 pounds of potatoes on that plate, no way it should be considered a "side" haha. Very nicely seasoned.
vegetarian nachos = get in my belly. I observed the plate for awhile and deduced that they are made by placing the chips on the plate, then all the toppings, and then a 1cm thick slice of cheese that is 10" x 8" over the top and melting it. There just isn't another possible explanation.
I'm coming back for the tofu burrito. Saturday in fact (meet me there?) -
Review from Aley M.
Tacoma, WA
7/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a great place! Stopped here on the way back from Point Definace. Hubby got Chicken sandwich and I got taco with pinto beans..yummy! The garlic taco sauce was yummers! Not just a meat place....lots of cool Tatanka stuff too....(Buffalo)...woot..!
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Review from Ted P.
Chicago, IL
2/22/2008
It's been a while, but I've kept meaning to write this review...
So, we walk in and the place is empty, like really, empty, nobody at a table, nobody behind the counter or in the kitchen. We look around for a moment and then notice two disheveled people hop out of a camper parked across the street and come across to the joint. One goes to the kitchen, one behind the counter...
We were massively weirded out, but figured that the yelpers loved it enough that we should try it... And, wow, were we wrong.
Everything we had was burnt or cold, there was no happy medium. And I'm not just talking about the burgers.
So, my advice to the people running this place: go for less gettin laid in the parking lane and more time learning how to cook in the kitchen! -
Review from Daniel L.
Vashon, WA
8/12/2009
Turned me away at the door at 7:25, 5 minutes before closing. Per their own clock.
Tatanka: don't worry, I'll never trouble you again. -
Review from Bri D.
Seattle, WA
7/13/2009
Yum Yum Yum Yum Yum! I am a very big fan of bison/buffalo meat, especially in the form of burgers. The husband and I were taking a trip to the beach at Pt. Defiance so our dog could play in the water and we decided to pick up some take-out to take to the beach with us.
This place is pretty small with a few tables inside but it feels comfortable. The owner is an incredibly friendly guy who likes to chat while making your food. We had a great conversation with him about a number of things while he made my cheeseburger and the husband's burrito.
The cheeseburger was beyond excellent. It was completely smothered in cheese and I didn't care if that somewhat negated the fact that bison is such a healthy alternative to beef. The meat was tender and incredibly flavorful. The size was a 1/4 pound I believe and I found that to be perfect. It was just enough to make me satisfied but tempted me to go back and get another burger on the way home. It was sooooo good! As a side note, they also offer bones for your pup if you so choose to get one, and they vary in price according to size. This is a fantastic place to choose if you are looking for a healthier burger. -
Review from Alix H.
1/3/2007
This is my favorite place to eat in all of Tacoma. Oh yes. Not only is it absolutely delicious, it is healthy for you! In the years that the place has been open for business, they've never had to once scrape the grease off of their ceiling because the only meat they use is buffalo, which has less fat than Turkey. The place is a dive and has tons of buffalo paraphernalia to keep you interested while you wait for you order.
My favoritest item on the menu is the "Flawless" burrito. It's a little spicy with the awesome garlic sauce that they make and sell. You can also purchase buffalo meat there in different forms like sausage, steak, or grounded.
Typing this is making me hungry. -
Review from Brandon H.
Seattle, WA
11/26/2007
Mmmmmm..... Buffalo burger.....aaallluhllluhlllahl(slobbering sounds).....
"Flawless Burrito" very Mortal Kombat, tasty too.
When in the Ruston/Point Defiance area or on the way to the ZooQuarium, this place is a must. -
Review from Beans M.
Tacoma, WA
12/1/2008
Great food - highly recommended. The is the best "gourmet" burger I've found in Tacoma. The only reason I don't give it a full 5 stars is because of the price. By the time I load up the burger with cheese, shrooms, garlic, jalapeno, etc., it gets to be pretty pricey. But, given that we're talking quality ingredients, it's worth the money. My only non-price related complaint is the amount of meat, or lack there of. Because of this, I usually roll with the flawless burrito. It's got a much higher food to dollar ratio. The Flawless Burrito is a winner if you're not into burgers.
The garlic hot sauce is possibly the best sauce I've ever had. -
Review from PeePee B.
Gig Harbor, WA
2/12/2011
yes, I know you don't get to ruston very often. Maybe on the way to the zoo, or to rent a go-cart? but really, the next time you're in north tacoma take the scenic route and enjoy the original grass-fed, free range, hippie, back to nature food - bison. If you're not ready to throw your many years of meat sobriety out the window because you can't stop thinking about how cute they are you can partake in some vegetarian goodness instead. I've looked around, and believe me you can't find another restaurant selling a fake bacon-lettuce-and tomato sandwich. bless you for that, tatanka.
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Review from Julie H.
Irvine, CA
7/15/2006
Tatanka is home to buffalo burgers, wraps, and basically all other versions of buffalo one could want. They make a seriously delicious buffalo burger, with some great fries. It's a small place with a ton of little knick-knacks (and other food to order, I hear they do great vegetarian, too) but perfect take-out to take down the street to Point Defiance for an impromptu picnic. Prices are under $10, the staff is colorful, I only wish they were open past 6pm!
Listed in: Tacompton
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Review from Aimee M.
1/29/2009
Yummy! Try the taco salad, it is so fresh and tasty. Also the burrito is delish! I love all of the hot sauces on the back counter...I have to admit I am a condiment junky. Prices are a little on the steep side.....but what do you expect for healthier buffalo meat?!
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Review from victoria w.
Auburn, WA
8/2/2010 1 photo
The counter guy/cook was very nice. A little pricey for burgers, but definitely delicious. My husband wasn't a fan of their sauce, but he still ate the entire burger.
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Review from Tina T.
Tacoma, WA
3/29/2008
**You can still go to Tatanka for the concept. It's still a good idea. If you went to see Tatanka Bob he's not there anymore. Bummer. That's why I've had to downgrade the rating.
If you've been looking for a substitute for corporate fast-food then you've found it! Tatanka Take-out has healthy food that is also delicious and a funky vibe that is an antidote to so much that's going on these days. These people really believe in their product and make your food with care.
Bison is very low in fat, high in protein and has rich, savory flavor. In this time of worrying about where your meat is coming from and what happened to the animals...you can now relax.
Bison are grass-fed in real fields in beautiful places like Priest River, Idaho. The bison at Tatanka is organic and minus any upsetting chemicals or cruelty.
There are lots of ways to enjoy bison including burgers, burritos, tacos, chile and BBQ. There are also lots of vegie items on the menu and some free-range chicken stuff but try the bison. You won't regret it!
Stop by and let Tatanka Bob make you something really delicious. You might be a regular before you know it. -
Review from Evan S.
Tacoma, WA
8/20/2010
This place got me absolutely hooked on Bison meat. Wow is it a lean meat. I've gone in here and bought burgers, recently their bison burrito which was incredibly awesome and sometimes I buy their frozen bison to cook at home with. After eating here and reading all of their Bison propaganda and really seeing the protein-fat-carb balance of bison, beef has never been the same.
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Review from Oblio N.
Tacoma, WA
1/20/2010
The bison burgers are tasty, but 99% of the time I order the "Flawless Burrito", because it's awesome.
I went there once with my ex, who asked the lady who runs the place if she could have the Flawless Burrito without onions. The lady replied "well then it wouldn't be Flawless anymore, now would it?"
Touché, bison woman. Touché. -
Review from Red D.
Fort Lewis, WA
5/2/2009
Great bison burgers, and the combination of seasoned spuds....
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Review from Kenya C.
Vancouver, WA
1/10/2010 2 photos
I so WANTED to love this place! It has all the makings of a really interesting spot. They advertise fresh, healthy food with a focus on bison meet. I also love the kitschy vibe and the fun sign out front with a buffalo head on it. Under the mounted buffalo head it mysteriously says "Vegetarian. Bison." Um, ok lol.
Anyhow, we of course ordered two Buffalo burgers with a side of the red skinned potatoes (to go.) The counter person was really sweet and friendly. She even brought our meal to the car! The meal was a little pricey. For two burgers, 2 drinks and 2 sides it was about 30 bucks.
When we got home and opened everything up, I was immediately disappointed. The burger had some sort of weird sauce on it and a lot of cheddar cheese. The burger itself, I gotta say looked like a frozen, pre-made patty. I could be wrong, if I'm wrong I apologize to the restaurant. But it was not tasty at all. Did NOT seem like a fresh burger. The potato side was really good though. It was lightly seasoned and one serving was more than enough for two.
I might give this place a second try, but was sort of let down. -
Review from Brandi T.
9/5/2009
We stopped by this place after checking out Point Defiance park. The fact it said vegetarian on the sign caught my eye; being a vegetarian and all. It's a tiny, kitschy little place that has a very comfortable feel. I ordered the grilled vegetable sandwich. It had broccoli, carrots, mushrooms and some other stuff. I would never imagine that grilled broccoli and carrots would be good on a sandwich, but it was. My brother and his wife both had the Bison burgers. They thought they were pretty tasty. We also had frozen yogurt, and it was really good. The prices were very reasonable as well. All in all, I really liked it for the whole experience. But, I'm a sucker for the off the wall, so perhaps that plays into it. If you're in the area, definitely check it out!
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Review from Ian C.
11/27/2009
Tastes good, but I dunno... sure seems expensive. I think you're paying for the psychological dividend of eating supposedly "cleaner food", but figure any idividual item will be about $3-4 more than you think it's worth.
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Review from Mike H.
12/18/2009
I really like the food at Tatanka, the flawless burrito tasted awesome and the bison nachos were great. The problem, I get painfully sick every time I eat there.
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Review from Sara O.
Gig Harbor, WA
6/6/2010
Delicious bison and vegetarian food in a funky atmosphere. My husband and I love the bison burritos. A big burrito stuffed with tasty grilled onions, bison, cheese, lettuce and a whole lot more. Prices are reasonable considering what you get. One of my favorite spots to grab lunch. The decor is funky (old articles and random facts about bison, old tractor seats for bar stools, etc).
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Review from Maren W.
Salem, OR
1/28/2011
Yum, yum, yummmmm! Craving a tatanka taco right now....
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Review from Alex G.
Gig Harbor, WA
3/15/2010
The cook/ server/ cash register guy was incredibly nice and accommodating. The bison burger was pretty darn tasty. My husband wasnt the hugest fan of his flawless burrito, but Tacoma sucks for vegetarian food, so, it wasnt a huge surprise....but I think the prices definitely felt alot better then the only other option if you are wanting to grab something close to eat at Pt Defiance, Antique Sandwich Co- which is RIDICULOUSLY over priced.
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Review from Tim D.
Tacoma, WA
6/26/2008
I really like this place....the flawless burrito is a winner. I've never had anything quite like it. Don't go in expecting it to taste remotely similar to the best Mexican burrito you've ever had....it's more of a slightly spicy, earthy wrap. It's truly it's it's own thing... A really interesting, delicious thing! I've been 4 or 5 times and had burritos and burgers during those visits....the burger was good, but not good enough to justify not getting the aforementioned burrito. Each time I went, I had the fantastic homemade lemonade...tart and sweet but not TOO sweet. This is fast food the way it should and could be. Think really good street food meets really lean, healthful meat. In addition, they have a large variety of vegetarian options...I can't speak to the flavor of these, but it's nice to know they are there if I ever want to take one of my vegamatarian friends out for lunch.
