One of my Top 5 places to eat in Tacoma. Really good BBQ food, CenTex-style (with sauces on the side for those who want them). I've had over half the menu and loved everything, but the Opal Burger with egg is my fav. Solid taplist, incredible whisky selection. Kitchen is scrupulously clean, there is outdoor seating at the front and in the back, for when the weather suits. The owners are great folks and work weekdays if you want to meet them - which I recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cornbread, BBQ Pork Ribs, Nachos, Brisket Ribs Slaw Mac and Cheese, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Baked Beans, Brisket French Dip, Smoked Reuben, The Opal Burger, Ribs, Cubano Sandwich, Potato Salad, Smoked Wings, Opal Burger and Potato Salad, Smoked Chicken Wings, Mac and Cheese, BBQ Brisket
Barry Wilson
This is the holy angelic French Dip I've been seeing in my dreams for my entire life. I had the Prime Rib French Dip, and it was absolute perfection. I will be back. Oh, yes, I will. I have more things to try here, too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brisket French Dip, Mac and Cheese
sarah beals
It was myself and two friends. We had a good time. However, the service was terrible. There was an entire hour where the bartender didn’t check on us, and we had to wave her down at the bar to get her attention. When my friend said she wanted another drink, the bartender had an attitude and barked at her…”What do you want?” Bartender only checked on us once after we got our food, and we had to flag her down the other times…even for our tab. We were there for 4 hours (mostly because we were enjoying each other’s company). The food was good, and I would do take out from there. But the service was terrible.
Stopped in to give this quaint little bar and restaurant a try. First off... the welcoming was superb. As we looked around we noticed that the place was impeccably clean and orderly. The owners who both serviced us were very friendly and very thankful for our patronage. So with that being said I've finally figured out that BBQ flavor (smoked) is not my thing. I'm quite bummed because this place is so well run and taken care of. Unfortunately we won't be back due to all their meats are slow smoked.The Mac and cheese was so good. The beans were good as well.To the owners... thank you for a great experience. I wish you great continued success in your business. I wish that BBQ was my thing because I would have been a continued customer for your beautiful service and atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Mr. Doodle
Great service …..very clean inside ….food was ok…chicken was very dry, but the server did her best to make it right !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Tawana Bloodsaw
Love love love this place their selection of bourbon is amazing and all the food is hot and fresh.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eric Foltz
The food was actually really good, it’s a shame the service was so terrible, we sat for a half hour before being talked to. I know the bartender was by herself but it wasn’t crazy busy and it was apparent she didn’t really care. She was on her phone often and moving pretty slow. The cooks were amazing, had out food in the window pretty soon after she put it in, but she didn’t get it to us till long after it came up. Also to put a cherry on top a single well whiskey is ten dollars, and it was normal well whiskey, nothing fancy. Maybe wouldn’t have cared if not for everything else. Won’t be returning, I can spent sixty dollars for two well drinks and a small amount of food elsewhere and have a much better time.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
Dana-lynn Ballou
Best smoked prime rib ever, tender and delightful. Service not good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Matt Estrada
Wife and I went here on a whim. Great chow, great service, worth a look.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robb Stilnovich
Had the two meat BBQ plate and my wife had the Opal burger. Solid BBQ as always. Meat is a little on the dry side with the fat rendered off - the way I like it. Mac and cheese side was not too saucy with crispy edges, real good. The coleslaw really needs improvement- tasted like plain cabbage. Opal burger was excellent. Solid cocktails and a surprisingly refreshing strawberry cider. Opal is worth our, and your, continued patronage. Recommended.
The BBQ joint in Tacoma. Brisket, brisket, and brisket… I recommend getting the sliders if you want to sample the meat options, but the brisk is hands down insane ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The wings are prepared exquisitely and are real whole wings smoked and dusted. If you’re also into whiskeys this place is also for you, with one hell of a selection. The staff is super friendly and it’s definitely a favorite for those who venture in. A small slice of the South in South Tacoma Way.
Jeff McClane
Treat yourself and visit the Opal Lounge. It’s a cool lounge that serves great BBQ. Their take on jalapeño poppers (snake bites) will change your life. We shared the smoked Reuben which was excellent. Carlo was our server and was very attentive and fun. We don’t live close but we are willing to drive the distance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Reuben
Anthony Watkins
The food was cooked last weekend and the Mac n cheese side was dry. Greens were ok. Beans were trash.The ribs was old, over cooked, soaked in sauce. The chicken was shredded and dry. I couldn’t tell the difference between shredded chicken and shredded pork. Both had no seasoning, and both were dry as ever.. corn bread was made last well and left out to get even more drier then the meat.First time eating at opal lounge and the last time.. 1.5 out of 10…
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jeff M.
So glad we found this place. Fantastic food. Be sure to try the Snake Bites. Great staff and atmosphere.
Scott O
Mariah, Eric and Sam are fantastic. Great knowledge and super friendly. I've had all of the BBQ, including the meat loaf sandwich and prime rib dip. All of it is amazing.The whiskey selection is unrivaled in Tacoma and the area.
One of my Top 5 places to eat in Tacoma. Really good BBQ food, CenTex-style (with sauces on the side for those who want them). I've had over half the menu and loved everything, but the Opal Burger with egg is my fav. Solid taplist, incredible whisky selection. Kitchen is scrupulously clean, there is outdoor seating at the front and in the back, for when the weather suits. The owners are great folks and work weekdays if you want to meet them - which I recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cornbread, BBQ Pork Ribs, Nachos, Brisket Ribs Slaw Mac and Cheese, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Baked Beans, Brisket French Dip, Smoked Reuben, The Opal Burger, Ribs, Cubano Sandwich, Potato Salad, Smoked Wings, Opal Burger and Potato Salad, Smoked Chicken Wings, Mac and Cheese, BBQ Brisket
This is the holy angelic French Dip I've been seeing in my dreams for my entire life. I had the Prime Rib French Dip, and it was absolute perfection. I will be back. Oh, yes, I will. I have more things to try here, too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brisket French Dip, Mac and Cheese
It was myself and two friends. We had a good time. However, the service was terrible. There was an entire hour where the bartender didn’t check on us, and we had to wave her down at the bar to get her attention. When my friend said she wanted another drink, the bartender had an attitude and barked at her…”What do you want?” Bartender only checked on us once after we got our food, and we had to flag her down the other times…even for our tab. We were there for 4 hours (mostly because we were enjoying each other’s company). The food was good, and I would do take out from there. But the service was terrible.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Baked Beans, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Wings
Stopped in to give this quaint little bar and restaurant a try. First off... the welcoming was superb. As we looked around we noticed that the place was impeccably clean and orderly. The owners who both serviced us were very friendly and very thankful for our patronage. So with that being said I've finally figured out that BBQ flavor (smoked) is not my thing. I'm quite bummed because this place is so well run and taken care of. Unfortunately we won't be back due to all their meats are slow smoked.The Mac and cheese was so good. The beans were good as well.To the owners... thank you for a great experience. I wish you great continued success in your business. I wish that BBQ was my thing because I would have been a continued customer for your beautiful service and atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Great service …..very clean inside ….food was ok…chicken was very dry, but the server did her best to make it right !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Love love love this place their selection of bourbon is amazing and all the food is hot and fresh.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was actually really good, it’s a shame the service was so terrible, we sat for a half hour before being talked to. I know the bartender was by herself but it wasn’t crazy busy and it was apparent she didn’t really care. She was on her phone often and moving pretty slow. The cooks were amazing, had out food in the window pretty soon after she put it in, but she didn’t get it to us till long after it came up. Also to put a cherry on top a single well whiskey is ten dollars, and it was normal well whiskey, nothing fancy. Maybe wouldn’t have cared if not for everything else. Won’t be returning, I can spent sixty dollars for two well drinks and a small amount of food elsewhere and have a much better time.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
Best smoked prime rib ever, tender and delightful. Service not good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Wife and I went here on a whim. Great chow, great service, worth a look.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had the two meat BBQ plate and my wife had the Opal burger. Solid BBQ as always. Meat is a little on the dry side with the fat rendered off - the way I like it. Mac and cheese side was not too saucy with crispy edges, real good. The coleslaw really needs improvement- tasted like plain cabbage. Opal burger was excellent. Solid cocktails and a surprisingly refreshing strawberry cider. Opal is worth our, and your, continued patronage. Recommended.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Opal Burger, Ribs
Restaurantji Recommends
The BBQ joint in Tacoma. Brisket, brisket, and brisket… I recommend getting the sliders if you want to sample the meat options, but the brisk is hands down insane ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The wings are prepared exquisitely and are real whole wings smoked and dusted. If you’re also into whiskeys this place is also for you, with one hell of a selection. The staff is super friendly and it’s definitely a favorite for those who venture in. A small slice of the South in South Tacoma Way.
Treat yourself and visit the Opal Lounge. It’s a cool lounge that serves great BBQ. Their take on jalapeño poppers (snake bites) will change your life. We shared the smoked Reuben which was excellent. Carlo was our server and was very attentive and fun. We don’t live close but we are willing to drive the distance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Reuben
The food was cooked last weekend and the Mac n cheese side was dry. Greens were ok. Beans were trash.The ribs was old, over cooked, soaked in sauce. The chicken was shredded and dry. I couldn’t tell the difference between shredded chicken and shredded pork. Both had no seasoning, and both were dry as ever.. corn bread was made last well and left out to get even more drier then the meat.First time eating at opal lounge and the last time.. 1.5 out of 10…
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
So glad we found this place. Fantastic food. Be sure to try the Snake Bites. Great staff and atmosphere.
Mariah, Eric and Sam are fantastic. Great knowledge and super friendly. I've had all of the BBQ, including the meat loaf sandwich and prime rib dip. All of it is amazing.The whiskey selection is unrivaled in Tacoma and the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cornbread