The Church Cantina

Church Cantina is one of my regular haunts, although it’s two hours north of me. I sometimes make the drive up just for their specials! If they’re open during the haunted farmers market, a line forms before they open, and for good reason. This time I made the drive up just for their peaches and cream French toast, and to grab one of their new pint glasses! It’s cool seeing how much they’ve added since the last time I was here. This place is why I’ve barely tried any other restaurants in Tacoma, I already know where I’m eating! I’ve been coming here since 2023 and the service from every bartender has always been fantastic. The drinks are made fast, the food comes out quick, the vibes are chill. I have to try something different each time. When I drank, I tried a different cocktail each time and was never disappointed, go with the Baja Blast!

Loved this place! The drinks are delicious and creative, the food is yummy, and the prices are very reasonable! The atmosphere is fun and eclectic, reminded me of a Halloween version of McMenamins. And the staff were super friendly. The game room had so many fun movie posters. Definitely a place I will be going back to.

My friend had some pork quesadillas that looked delicious 😋 and must have been because he ate it all. It seemed if you needed to order something you had to go up to the bar. Really dark with a vampire 🦇 theamed decor.

Such a cool place that has its own personality and delicious food. It’s not everyday you get to eat underneath a coffin and then play Skee Ball afterward. Plus they have a Photo Booth! I’ve been telling everyone they need to go!! Nachos are amazing and if you happen to catch the special of Fried Artichoke Po Boy it’s 10/10!

Vegan heaven! It was hard to find their menu online since I don’t have Facebook, but with all the reviews, they were totally right. So many vegan options. I got the Vegan Cubano and it was delish! Such a unique vibe. It was a little hard to tell where to order at the bar, but there was a long line almost to the front door (stand in that!). I also recommend closing out right away otherwise you can to go back and stand in the long line (we went on Saturday around 8:30pm.

A horror movie themed bar. The food and service were excellent. I would recommend this highly to anyone who likes old horror movies.

My vegan roommate's favorite spot, and I like it too! The vegan nachos are his pick, and I got the chili coconut prawns. Good stuff. The fried pineapple really feels more like a dessert, it's kind of a girlscout cookie Samoa with a pineapple slice inside. They were great! Really enjoy this place and how it serves some pretty unique food you can't get anywhere else! Great decor too.

Kind and considerate service even when they are busy (and they are always busy), comfortable seating, good vibes. And the food and drink...is amazing. I usually get their vegan nachos but this time i got their chili cocnut prawn bowl and it was like a light shone over my head and a heavenly choir sang. Unnecessarily dramatic description? Sure. True? Yes. I might need to check in with my doctor about hallucinations but the food is seriously great.

This happened a couple of weeks ago when we were vacationing in WA state. My daughter found this restaurant on a TikTok video and promised us we would love it. She was right. If you have a man cave you will love this restaurant. We spent the first 10 minutes just looking at all the cool stuff they had on all the walls. The owner was bartending at lunch and he has a big personality. He said he could eat the Chicken Crunch wrap everyday and that is what I ordered. Looking at the menu today I believe my daughter got the Cuban with the sweet potato fries and the wife got the Black bean grilled cheese with the Yuca fries. Everything was really good and we got full from the generous portions of fries. We each still had a 1/2 sandwich left over. We talked about how it was a crime to throw about such good leftovers but we were staying in a Airbnb. The conversation turned to wishing we had some way to give our sandwiches to the homeless. We got up to leave and right when we got outside, we noticed a young man headed our way. He said "ma'am" trying to get my wife attention. Thinking he was some homeless guy trying to beg for some money, my wife headed in the opposite direction to the car and I followed. Halfway to the car, my wife stopped and said "Wait, he is probably hungry - give him these sandwiches". I headed back to the young man and he was talking to someone. "Hey man, are you hungry", I asked. The young man slowly turned his head toward me with a very confused look. I continued, " we just finished eating at this restaurant and we have three 1/2 sandwiches and they are yours if you are hungry" The look of confusion was complete and he finally answered. "I'm the one who made those" I will be telling this story on my death bed.

Great food and there's something on the menu for all dietary needs. There was an entire section for vegans too! The food was well made, had generous portions and was very tasty! I'd like to add the prices here are very reasonable! You order at the bar and find yourself a seat. The food came out pretty fast and the service was friendly. The ambiance.... this place is a vibe! It's a little goth, witchy, Halloween-y?

On a whim, probably 4 months ago my husband and I decided to check this place out. Mostly because I didn't want to go somewhere he wanted to go. We've been going almost every weekend since that first night. The atmosphere is great. It's been getting busier now that we're approaching Summer but still very much enjoyable for our date night. I love that they have a jukebox you can use with your phone and have bidding wars with other patrons for the music that's playing. It's truly a fun thing most nights, when my husband tries to overpower music he doesn't like. Ha! The staff are wonderful. They always remember who you are if you come regularly. They are very mindful of the environment. I've seen them take care of uncomfortable situations to make the environment safe and welcoming to all. The vegan food is amazing. There have been changes and specials since we've been going. The vegan nachos are the best. Their portions are huge. You will never leave the place hungry. Only down side, I wish they had a full time vegan dessert. They had 1 for a few weekends.

Fantastic drinks, great music, amazing food selection. The atmosphere is perfect for a goth/industrial type. The food has both meat and vegan options. The vegan options are plenty and fantastic.

So good! My husband and I came here and we loved the vibe in here. The hostess was extremely friendly & greeted us immediately. We picked a seat and looking at the menu, everything looked amazing! Tuesdays have half off tacos; we ordered the steak tacos which were to die for (we split an order of two--they're fairly large!). My husband ordered the mojo pork bowl & I ordered the vegan cubano. Both were full of flavor! We were pleasantly surprised as it's the best bar food we've ever tasted. We felt it was fairly priced for the amazing quality and we'll definitely be back for the tacos next Tuesday!

Fantastic food (get the Lobster Roll)! The drinks are crazy good and creative! Service is fast even on a busy Friday evening! The ambiance is freaking fantastic! Especially if Gothic /Witchy/Vampire is your vibe Sit outside if you are looking for conversation tho! Highly recommend! The menu changes so if you see something you like on the new menu you better get in soon!

Food service ambience all outstanding An exotic unique experience. Highly recommended

So after I received this extremely unnecessarily narcissistic response from Nicole, the manager. Instead of apologizing for a poorly made meal. She begins to explain how others like her. That doesn't change the fact that MY bowl was unedible. Wow, What a terrible person to be representing a company... I'll take her advice and NEVER frequent again

Favorite place in Tacoma! Get the crunch wrap supreme you won't regret it! Great bartenders, and the coolest little emo vibe

Great spot for snacks and drinks! I came by with a friend after an event, and the first thing I noticed was the decor! I have never been in a horror themed restaurant, so it was absolutely fascinating. I also loved that they carried this theme throughout the restaurant, including in the bathroom and a Photo Booth! The staff was super friendly and chatted with us about the event as my friend had been there earlier in the day. They recommended food and drinks based on our tastes and actual hunger (we did eat a bit before coming), which led to me getting the sangria and sweet potato fries. First of all, the food came out SO quickly that I was shocked! Although I had only ordered the fries, my friend had ordered a full meal - and we were still served quite fast. The fries were crispy on the outside while soft on the inside, and they were salted just the right amount. It didn't come with a dipping sauce, so I used one of the hot sauces on the table. The sangria was quite sweet, but complemented the hot sauce perfectly. It was surprisingly strong, so I didn't end up finishing it as I had to drive home. I would recommend sharing it with a friend if you are the designated driver, or get something else. Overall, I had a great time and will definitely be back!

The service from all the staff was very polite and everyone was very engaging. The food was also really good and the portions were huge. I would highly recommend coming here.

My husband and I have been quite a few times over the years, and they never disappoint with the food! They've recently changed their menu and hubby tried the blackberry press and loved it. I got the vegan not-chos and they're soo good! I had contacted them on Facebook before going on they were quick to respond to my questions about gluten free options. There are some!

Super fun place with great cocktails and tasty food! The deco is dark, goth, horror, metal themed. Definitely a good time!

Food, drinks and service were amazing!! Great jukebox music and inside has a cool, funky vibe. Outside seating available as well.

Their vegan food options are so good, I don't drink but will regularly want to come here just to eat

Absolutely love this place! The food is so delicious and creative and the atmosphere is just fun and spooky! There are so many fun things to do, as well!

Our first time checking this place out. Wow it's very Goth inside and a kewl red vibe. Mostly young folks too hee hee ( we older) but we like trying new places and new experiences. You order at the bar and they bring your food. We tried some fancy cocktails. they were great too! We both wanted to try the Cuban. It's pretty good. I would say it's Cubanish. All the right flavors are there but it's more of a large American version. Don't get me wrong the flavors are good and we ate it all. Hubby had reg fries and I had sweet potato fries. It was a fun experience. The service was good. They also had a few pinball machines and Skee ball machines. That was fun!

Stopped by for a late lunch/early dinner. I had the Crunchwrap and it was tasty. Mostly black beans with chicken, salsa, cheese and a spiced creama sauce. Had a handful of wedge potatoes with it. I would order again, filled me up too! Husband had the burrito. He liked it bought found the gravy on top a little strange. I also had the gin reaper which was kind of sour but tasty. Next time I'd prob just get a vodka soda though.

The service is outstanding, the staff is kind, and the food is pretty good! The drinks are a must try!

In a word, phenomenal. We stopped in here after a softball game and we loved it. They allow kids until 8pm which was perfect. First, the margarita was homemade tasting and not too sweet, wanted another. The burritos were delicious, huge portions, and had a magical red sauce on top. My son loved his quesadilla, ate most of it then finished the rest when we got home. Now for the coconut shrimp bowl, wow I can't say enough, absolutely amazing. Service was awesome. We loved the vibe, music was great, maybe a little loud if you are 11. I'm a huge fan and we will be back!

Love this place, and it's been a minute since I've been here. Thinkin it's due time to go to a Revival event

Such a cool place with awesome music and the food and drinks never disappoint!! Can't wait to go back!

The staff have always been nice and have provided excellent service. Always good music. Okay beer selection. Goth/"horror" bar is a cool concept.

Worship at the Church of Culinary Excellence! Ok, so I remember that it was March 16th, and I remember the taste of what I ate, and I remember texting my friend that I couldn't get out of the bathroom stall. Why? Because I was high as a kite on some meds the VA gave me before having a scan done. So, I'm missing parts of that day, but I remember the BOMB meal I had, just not what it's called. The place is dark and mysterious (could have been the meds), and the staff are excellent (my standards were probably low), but I had a great time and long for the chimichuri that I know I DID have in a bowl with some meat and stuff. Go there. Be sober. Eat whatever you like. It'll be good. My friend keeps raving about it, and she was sober and drove me there. THE END (until more memories filter in).

Been wanting to come here ! Finally did today for a girlfriend's birthday lunch. I wasn't aware it's more of a bar than a restaurant, leans towards a Gothic atmosphere. There's a nice outdoor patio are & a side room for pool etc. We came for a late lunch, busy lunch crowd winding down. We had great service! I couldn't decide on the Apostle Burger, vegan or the Mojo Pork Bowl??? So I got both Lol! I ate half of the burger & the potato wedge fries( choice of those or sweet potato fries and brought the bowl home for another meal. My friend ordered the Cantina Cuban Sandwich, she loved it ! Also, she ate half with the sweet potato fries & ordered the prawn bowl. We had the Best waitress! She had the patience of ???? She was wearing all the hats!!!!! It was worth trying . Overall, food was great!!!! Recommend checking the place out. I've only had Cuban in New Jersey.

My husband and I were in the area on a Saturday and decided to grab lunch. It was a little after 1 pm but the place was packed. It's a bit dark inside but it goes with their goth theme. There was a sign that indicated to order at the bar. The bartender handed us menus right away and we sat down at a booth to take a look over the menu but right away of the employees (Amber) came and took our drink order! She said she will come back and take our food order too! The menu items are Cuban inspired so everything looked delicious. They also had a good number of vegan options! We ordered the Croquettas to start. My husband ordered the Steak tacos and I ordered the church's cheesesteak. The croquettas arrived first. There were 6 crispy disks on the platter with a side of relish and honey cumin Dijon mustard. They were absolutely delicious. Crispy on the outside and soft and cheesy on the inside. Little chunks of ham added a great texture to it. And the sides paired really well with them. Once the food arrived I took a bite out of the potato wedge and I loved the crispy shell with the soft (almost mashed potato texture) of the inside. The bun on the cheesesteak was so soft and pillowy and filled with thick strips of steak, caramelized peppers and onions. The garlicy cheese spread added a creamy texture to the sandwich. So so good! The steak tacos were also very delicious. Same ingredients as the cheesesteak but instead topped with a delicious chimichurri sauce. During the visit Amber stopped by multiple times to make sure we had everything we needed. She was busy going around every table too! Great food and great service and we walked away happy and full! Will definitely come back again

Church Cantina has been on our list for a very long time. Sometimes places just go unvisited even though you plan on visiting. My wife visited a month or so back and she enjoyed it and I decided I probably need to give it a shot. Its awesome. Cool gothy vibe. It has the feel of a dive bar but is family friendly. The drinks were really nice. And the food was excellent. I think next time we visit we will do the mini corn dogs and the avocado fries and combine the flavors.

Food was ehh and not authentic at all lol. Employees weren't very nice. Maybe the bar and night atmosphere is better.

My favorite gothic bar in town, the coffins as decorations is just chefs kiss! They have a cute jukebox so when I get buzzed enough I'll buy credits and blast the bar with Deftones against their will[!]. The staff is such a lovely group of people - Adam, Victoria, Cameron, Quinn, Kyle I love you sons of guns!!! you beautiful angel muffins!! I suggest to hit the photobooth and make out with whoever you're with while you're there, stick it on the wall and leave feeling accomplished ;) of course only after tipping the smoking hot staff generously:)!!!

Pet peeve of mine is standing at a bar being the next in-line and being ignored by the bartender as they step over to talk to their friends and chat it up- not take an order just to chitchat while you stand waiting for someone to serve and they flat out ignore you- was about to walk away when the other bartender asked for my order. The food was decent- the shrimp bowl was probably the best but more of a bar vibe and atmosphere while the food wasn't really bar food- so think bar service with non bar food- if that makes sense!

The food is pretty good, even if it's not 10/10 authentic (the chicken mole bowl left a little to be desired), and it's a cool. They even have their own crunchwrap supreme, which was really good (hence the review). Will have to check it out again at some point in the future.

My vegan nachos were great! The chorizo was missing, but it didn't take away from the dish. I am definitely looking forward to trying other vegan options.

I rarely give five stars to a casual place, but this place stands out for me. They have tons of vegan and regular options, and all their food is so flavorful, perfectly seasoned, and perfectly sauced (with the exception of yucca fries that are by nature more dry). Most places my boyfriend and I visit we say to each other "We could do this better at home." Not here-- we could only aspire to make food this flavorful at home. The prices are reasonable, and everything we've ordered has been delicious-- from vegan nachos and French toast with cherry compote to the chipotle crunch wrap, to the burger. We seem to end up here on a Friday night with the gothic/live crowd, but we don't care. Why has Guy Fiere been to Hodad's and not here? The food and unique horror movie vibe Is enough to make it interesting, plus I love pinball and skee ball. The husband/wife team and small staff work their tails off for you. Go check it out! Cash out at the bar when you order on the weekends to avoid standing in a long line to pay. Keep up the great work!

This place is dang interesting!!! The impression when I walked in this bar/restaurant, it give me some gothic vibe with rock and roll! But I have to say its unique. The interior design is pretty deep. Like vampire, goblin, coffin, those dark theme haha! The menu looks like they have pretty much everything as American/Mexica fusion. Me and friend only an appetizer sampler and same sandwich. The food was decent. Not bad or good, just average. Friendly service when you order the food at the bar. They do have a game room next door which is connected. I would recommend people come try this place out just for the vibe haha.

Love this place! The food is unique, and delicious! The menu is full of good choices, but the vintage is my fav. The rotating special is something to keep an eye on as well. Service is on point, and the cocktails are great, just as unique as the food. As far as the place it's very chill vibe, with a spooky haunted feel. Definitely with checking out!

We've been here twice now. Both times were GREAT. What a hidden gem. Great Veggie options and amazing fries, sandwiches and burgers. I loved the Monster Smash Burger and Steak Tacos and my wife got the Apostle burger and Jackfruit Burrito on different occasions. Great sauces, great flavors and good service. Prices are reasonable, and I would pay more to be honest. I'd recommend to anyone looking for a different flavor profile and a lot of vegan options. We will be eating here many more times!!

This is the perfect place for a fun date. Came here randomly and we were able to play some songs on the jukebox, both ordered one of their bowls (pulled pork bowl & Prawns bowl). Both were amazing and will def grab one again! They had pool, darts, and other games to play. Overall a cool spot

This place is really interesting and has an interesting aesthetic. The bartender are friendly and the food service is quick. The Cantina Cuban and the sweet potato wedges are some of the best I've ever had. Very well seasoned! The indoor table tops we're also super cool. I live in Kitsap county but will definitely be making the drive back.

Great sandwiches. The drinks were amazing. The atmosphere was dark but fun. The bar staff moved fast and got the drinks out quick - moving the lines along without much of wait. Would definitely go again.

Creative menu, great cocktails and soooo Tacoma!! A bit pricey but the food has high quality ingredients and generous portions-it's worth it!

Not my vibe but my sister and husband both enjoyed their food and drinks. You order at the bar and the bring your items to you. It's very dark in there, and the music is pretty loud.

this place is just the best. the goth/horror themed decor & vibe, the staff, the food and drinks. I personally recommend the philly cheesesteak, the chicken chipotle crunchwrap, the sweet potato fries & their steak tacos. all to die for. Adam, the owner is super nice & remembers things you like or can help recommend something when you aren't sure, and tatiana in the kitchen always throws it down. love you guys!!!

This place is amazing! We love that there's an entire vegan menu and it's not just standard options. We tried the Vegan Cubano and the Sour Mushroom plus the vegan nachos to start. First off the vegan nachos were loaded with so many yummy toppings - it was the best vegan nachos we've ever had. Most vegan nachos are meh to be honest as the toppings are lacking but this one was loaded with so many things - I wish we had taken pictures! Next, the Vegan Cubano was toasted to perfection and not greasy at all (neither were the nachos) - my two biggest pet peeves about vegan Mexican food is that it's usually just rice and beans and if not, very greasy - this place shines above the others as it's not just rice and beans and it's not greasy at all! Lastly, the sour mushroom - now, my husband chose it and I was skeptical as I'm not a fan of vinegar and I have to say, I was not excited about it, however, that was the star dish! It was just the right amount of vinegar and stuffed with so many delicious veggies. The bread was also toasted well and didn't get soggy at all. Great place, highly recommend!!!

I'll preface this by saying 9 out of 10 of my reviews are amazing. Check my profile. I make a habit of leaving excellent reviews for small businesses and rarely leave poor ones unless they are very deserving. This place used to have good food and good service. Now there is zero service. I imagined it would be busy on Halloween but I didnt imagine that would mean the staff turns into jerks. We got a seat at the bar and after waiting for 10 minutes were told we had to go stand in line to order food or drinks so I went and stood in line... 15 minutes later they called me back and said I could order at the bar. The bartender asked if I wanted to hold my tab open or close it and I said open was fine. When I went to order another drink the rule again changed and I was told to go wait in line. The line was now a solid 50 people long so I said no thanks and asked to close my tab. This is where they really lost me... I was told if I want to close my tab I also have to go wait in line. What on earth is that? You couldn't mention that earlier when you offered to close it? Maybe mention that if I dont close out I have to wait in line to close out? Thats nuts. And I had just watched her get someone else a drink at the bar and close a tab for yet again someone else. The line had grown to 50 people deep waiting 30-45m and now I have to stand in it to close my tab? I told her I couldn't do that and would have to leave, they would not return our card and we had to get it the next day. Seems pretty asinine to expect your customers sitting at the bar to go stand in a 40m line to close out. Needless to say I won't be returning. Cherry on top is the forced gratuity for crappy service. Edit: As you said, a halloween bar on halloween... do better. Do better then one bartender and one waitress for a huge bar. Or perhaps limit the people coming in like most restaurants so you can maintain a semblance of service. No she did not get talked to. The double standards of service happened all night and not a word was said. Yes I did feel the need to leave a review. As you can see I leave primarily positive reviews but when service is 1 star I do let people know, its important. I would think as a business owner you want to know when you fall short of your customer's expectations.

This place is the best! Hands down, the best bar in Tacoma and the surrounding area. The staff are friendly and inviting, the food is KILLER, and the atmosphere is unique. You will never feel more at home, than you will feel at The Church Cantina!

Okay, wow! Church Cantina is SO good. It's a bit dark inside, but boy is the food amazing. We tried a few different things from their menu and each loved it. I had the pork bowl. It was HUGE (I could've made a second meal out of it) and full of flavor. The fire avocado appetizer also was amazing. The crust was crunchy yet the inside wasn't too soft or mushy, and it was well-seasoned also. We also had some dessert bao bun thing. It was different but really yummy. Chocolatey, with cherry and cream. The prices were excellent for great tasting food and very large portions. I also have to say, the staff was welcoming and fun! Will definitely come here again next time I'm in the area!

Went 3 times already and absolutely loved EVERYTHING i ordered. However that surf and turf burrito.....PRICELESS! The ambience was a plus. Took my 5 year old (I think she could stay until 6-7pm) and she loved it!

First time here today for lunch. Service was outstanding, and so was the meal. Hardly wait to go back.

We live nearby which makes visiting the Church Cantina very convenient but since this is probably our favorite bar in Tacoma, we would still make the trek if further away. Love the vibe and music, bartenders/employees are all friendly and the food is delicious. We came on Halloween last year which was really fun (and busy) as you would imagine but the random evening or weekend hits too - they do a brisk business. Last night we ordered a coupe of things - favorite was the Crunchwrap and fries. Big portions and super tasty; cooked to perfection and out quickly on a Friday night. A little critical feedback is that I can't ever see their drink menu very well! It's hanging high up with smaller white description text on black background, and unfortunately they don't have a handheld version or one online that I could find So basically I'm stuck being like, "I'll have a cocktail with bourbon" when I'd actually love to know the names/what I'm ordering. Despite this issue, I think ordering "on menu" for drinks may be best. Once when I came I tried to order a "Dark N' Stormy" (which is dark rum and ginger beer with lime) and what I got was something completely different and not good at all. Go for the cocktails on the menu (if you can read them).