South End - Tacoma, WA Area Guide

South End had the double honor of being the center of the railroad industry and one of the country's first automotive districts. After the first auto repair shop opened on South Tacoma Way in 1907, the surrounding area gradually earned the nickname Auto Row. Today locals and visitors still attend the annual South Tacoma Car Show every August.

You can find evidence of Tacoma's art and culture scene everywhere, and South End exceeds expectations. A walk through Midland Mosaics, a giant sculpture garden featuring steel, tile and concrete sculptures created by a local artisan, is a South End experience that like automobile art, combines form and function with a unique result. You'll find most of Tacoma's museums, galleries and historic buildings around the downtown area a few minutes north by car or bike, and they include the historic Freighthouse Square, the Theater District, the Washington State History Museum and the Bridge of Glass, among many others.

The eateries of downtown Tacoma may get all the glory with accolades from Food Network stars and high brow critics, but South End has handfuls of surprising restaurants that draw people from all over the city. On 38th Street chef Kazu turns food into a thing of beauty at Gari of Sushi. Loved by locals for its unique rolls and delicacies that rise above the ordinary, Gari of Sushi seems unassuming from the outside, but to step into Kazu's tiny empire is to enjoy unique Osaka style sushi in an understated upscale atmosphere. Among the local favorites are the salmon nigiri topped with shiso and shredded daikon and white fish served with seared uni accompanied by a flavorful soy jelly.

Farther south lies the mecca for all Seinfeld fans, Little Jerry's, which also happens to serve up fantastic classic American fare for breakfast and lunch. This tiny busy spot may be the biggest shrine to Seinfeld on the west coast, its walls festooned with Seinfeld pics and memorabilia, while a TV endlessly loops old Seinfeld episodes. But the locals who flock here-especially on weekends-come for the food. Try the Kramerica, Little Jerry's sumptuous take on eggs benedict, or the ballpark, a burger loaded with bacon and cheddar and served on a Krispy Kreme donut.

For "big plate" Mexican meals Josefina's has been delivering the goods since 1986 on Pacific Avenue, with offerings like Jalisco style pollo al ajo, tangy chile verde and aromatic, succulent carnitas al pastor. Neighborhood fans of Josefina's love that the chips and salsa come with hot bean dip and the margaritas with a house-made mix.

Look to Uncle Thurms off 38th Street for down home soul food, where you can dive in to a hearty breakfast of over-easy eggs, fried chicken and grits, or an early dinner of seafood gumbo or tangy barbecued ribs. Locals swing by on Mondays for authentic and satisfying red beans and rice.

South End is not a neighborhood for clubbing, though plenty of bars like the Park Avenue Tavern, a friendly neighborhood family-owned dive bar with lots of character, a great jukebox and plenty of cold beer exist. The closest venues for live music are Bob's Java Jive, a punk rock joint in South Tacoma occupying a historic coffee pot-shaped building, where locals swear by a cold beer and a side of fries, and the New Frontier Lounge between downtown and South Tacoma, pouring beers and serving up pizza and other pub favorites plus hosting musical acts from next door and around the world. It has 25-cent pool — if you can get your foot in. Both clubs occupy space along historic South Tacoma Way.

Interstate 5 borders South End to the north and west, making commuting quick and easy. Near the northeast corner of the neighborhood, the junction of I-5 and I-705 offers access to the city center. Commuters to the Seattle area can hop on I-5 and be in Seattle in around 40 minutes.

The main thoroughfares through South End are 38th, 48th and 56th Streets east and west, while the most direct north/south routes in and out of South End are South Thompson, G Street and Pacific Avenue. Buses regularly serve these routes, heading to the downtown, Fircrest, South Tacoma and Lakewood neighborhoods. The best way to get around the neighborhood by bus is probably the 54 line, which loops from Tacoma Mall to 38th and 48th Streets and around the Eastside neighborhood.

Cabs are frequent, and Uber serves the entire South End. Bikers must share the road with considerable traffic along main thoroughfares, but cycling remains fairly easy in the quieter streets. Local cyclists take South Sheridan to merge with South Tacoma Way for an easy commute to downtown.

South Enders have bragging rights for Wapato Park, one of the city's best municipal recreation areas. The park surrounds pine tree-lined Wapato Lake, and provides visitors with plenty of open space for strolling and recreation, as well as forested land for hiking and bird-watching. A historic pergola serves as the park's entryway and the center of the Wapato annual flowering garden. Three picnic shelters are available for rent within the park, and three fenced dog parks feature water and shelters.

Alling Park is a former orchard that covers about 6 acres of green space and provides picnic areas, a kids playground and a tennis court. Locals enjoy blueberry picking season at Charlotte's Blueberry Park, a 20-acre expanse, half of which consists of a wetland habitat. Charlotte's Blueberry features five varieties of blueberries, and picking is free during the season on a first come, first served basis.

The cost of living in South End is around 20 percent lower than the city average. In this neighborhood home buyers have the advantage over renters. A one bedroom apartment will run around $1,084 per month, compared to the lower Tacoma average of $893 per month. Prices at the local pump are 8 percent higher than the national average, but comparatively lower than neighboring Seattle. South End's neighbors, downtown to the north and South Tacoma to the east, make shopping and commuting convenient and relatively inexpensive.

South End has plenty of grocery options, including a full service Fred Meyer, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Safeway. Nearby Tacoma Mall features a Macy's, an Apple Store, and a variety of major stores like White House Black Market, Michael Kors, and Hollister, not to mention a wide variety of restaurants.

There are plenty of free standing chain restaurants in the neighborhood as well, from Pizza Hut to Starbucks and IHOP, but unique shops are tough to come by. Guys looking for upscale apparel can check out McCausland's on Tacoma Mall Boulevard for fine quality hand-crafted men's clothing and accessories. A unique grocery in South End is the Hong Kong Supermarket, offering an Oriental experience with narrow aisles stocked with a wide selection of Asian foods, an extensive frozen foods area and a fresh seafood counter in the rear.

No farmers markets serve South End, but neighboring South Tacoma hosts one every Sunday between June and September in the parking lot of the historic Heritage Bank building at South 56th and Washington.