Eat of the Week: Crockett’s Public House

If you’ve been craving comfort food that tastes better than your typical burger joint, Crockett’s Public House could be just what you’ve been searching for.

The restaurant, located on South Meridian in north Puyallup, looks weathered from outside, like it’s been there since the divey dawn of time. But once you walk inside, it’s bright and modern, with blonde wood tables and booths with industrial, brick-exposed walls, a breezeway kitchen line and low-hanging chandeliers.

Menu choices revolve around comfort pub fare—burgers, melts, sandwiches, salads and steaks, even gourmet hot dogs. The average entrée costs about $11 and taps at $27.95 for "The Dude," a 16-ounce rib-eye steak.

The Patch team visited Crockett’s for lunch recently and we all enjoyed it. The wait staff was attentive, even though the restaurant was bustling.

FUN FACT: Crockett’s Public House Check out the "Loved It" stamp of approval from Guy Fieri on signature dishes and take a photo with his autographed photo in the front of the house.

Here’s What We Ordered:

I went with a childhood favorite, the Grilled Cheese Melt. Crispy sourdough bread was topped with provolone, munster and gruyere cheese and came with a side of "mom’s" tomato soup and cole slaw. You get a choice of fries or a side-salad. I went with a side salad topped with balsamic vinaigrette.

• COST: The Grilled Cheese Melt runs for $9.50.

Brent got the Mexico City Street Tacos with grilled shrimp, which constituted one taco and one side. The butter-basted and hardwood grilled shrimp was seasoned with cheddar, chipotle mayo, cabbage, pico de gallo and avocado on a flour tortilla. It came with the option of fries or salad - Brent went with a side salad.

• COST: Brent’s meal was one of the cheapest on the lunch menu, at only $7.

Akiko ordered the Thai Chicken Salad, consisting of Napa cabbage and an array of vegetables, including spring greens, red bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers and onions, covered in a spicy Thai vinaigrette and peanut sauce. She thought the crunchy ramen noodles sprinkled on top was a nice touch.

• COST: Half salad costs $8.50, full is $13.50.

Margaret ordered Mom’s Sloppy Joes, a nostalgic dish that brought her back to the Midwest. The dish consists of slow-ground pork and beef, cooked in a tomato sauce with crispy fried onions on a toasted roll and fries on the dide,

• COST: Mom’s Sloppy Joes cost $9.95, and it’s a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives 'Love It' favorite.

The only complaint anyone at our table had about our experience at Crockett’s was parking-related. Word to the wise—be prepared to circle the block or huff it down the street. I managed to snag a spot in the back parking lot, but the hourly rules are confusing, as Crockett’s shares the space with other businesses. I was frustrated by the selfishness of patrons taking up two stalls in the too-narrow lot. But, I guess that’s not the restaurant’s fault, is it? (If you drive a big truck, learn how to park it, people!)

THE NITTY GRITTY

Crockett’s Public House is located at 118 E. Stewart Ave in Puyallup and is open for lunch, dinner and weekend breakfast.

Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. (or later); Fri: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (or later); Sat. 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. (or later); Sun. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (or later).

Phone: 253-466-3075

Happy Hour Times: Mon-Fri from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and all day Sunday.

Website: http://crockettspublichouse.com/

Have you dined at Crockett’s Public House? What did you think? Tell us in the comments.