Babblin Babs

This place deserves 10 stars. To say the food is incredible is an absolute understatement. Hands down the best breakfast. If your looking for typical greasy diner food then you better keep looking. Delicious!

Wonderful adventure in food and breakfast! I was looking for the unusual and to be surprised and excited, and my expectations where surpassed! Presentation was 5 star, and taste was 5 star. A point of negativity in many reviews, but I love passionate, involved, quirky, privately owned businesses. When the chef/​owner/​waiter sassed back to my question of what he recommended with «everything is recommended. We wouldn’t put it on the menu if it wasn’t» and then walked away, I laughed. When a little girl rushed over with a bottle of home made jelly and ketchup with the text «for the culinary clueless» I was amused. I was blown away with the unique flavor combinations of our banana/​butterscotch/​buttery/​bacon/​waffle thingummy, and crab cake. The lavender mimosa was to die for. The coffee superb and consistently getting refilled. I have not had fresh squeezed oj in a long time — and the taste shocked me with how good it was. The chef/​owner/​waiter then at the end of our meal chatted us up about his cooking passions and recommendations for the rest of the area which was wonderful!
The portions size was great and filled up my 6ft 4 fiancé. I didn’t go home with a doggy bag — but I didn’t leave hungry and the food I was served was incredible. YES IT WAS PRICEY. If price tag and portion size is important to you, this is not your place. This was the best breakfast I’ve had since I can remember.

I would have to agree with Brian C.
The food is bland, the quality is below average, and the service is just okay.
Today I ordered the «Not To Be Miss Steak In» and first they didn’t ask me how I wanted my steak. I had to ask them to ask me. Then after waiting a while, they had brought out the wrong dish and the server (who I believe is the owner) had the audacity to not even let me know that my order wasn’t the right one. Who does that?!?
Needless to say, the food would’ve made up for at least SOME of the bad service up until this point but the steak tasted like ground beef, the grits felt like egg white batter, and the Paris breakfast (baguette with Brie and side salad) is seriously like $ 12?
To add on to this, they’re openly asking for donations and more money on the tables…
Overpriced, bad quality, and bad service to match. Will NOT be coming here again. And I’d suggest you do the same.

This place was definitely a hit or miss for me and it was… a miss. I came in for brunch with my friend and had high expectations due to their reviews but. I am quite picky when it comes to restaurant dining and enjoying my food.
I was seated at a tiny cramped table right under the food counter [that was not in use] and squished with other people around me. I felt claustrophobic in there.
I waited for my friend to arrive and started to look through the menu. I eventually ordered the Red Wine, Shallot, Thyme burger because that sounded delicious on top of my craving for a burger at that moment. Everything about the burger tasted GREAT except. I think there was Goat Cheese inside the burger? I don’t know how I missed that on the menu. I am on-​point when it comes to what goes inside my food…
The goat cheese completely ruined my appetite. I did not want to ask it to be remade so I scraped it off to the side and tried to scarf down the rest…
However, my friend’s Grandpa Andy’s dish was a bit more appetizing! Even looked quite presentable.
In the end, I don’t think this place is suitable for my standards. although the food was good. The prices seem to be a bit high for such a small «homey» restaurant.

The good:
–Rotating menu
–Fresh Ingredients
–Great flavor combinations
–Good location
The bad:
–The service. I don’t mind waiting for good food. I do mind that the owner is always inconvenienced to a) get you a napkin, water, or any other item you may need, b) tell you how any bad reviews of his restaurant reflect the poor quality of Tacoma patrons, c) god forbid you try to pay with an AmEx, he just rolls his eyes and scoffs, d) often mentions how much more his food is would cost in California, e) refuses to serve breakfast after 11 on a weekday, even if no one else is there f) won’t serve you salt.
— The décor. It’s bad. Really bad. I can barely stand it. How can food be so nicely presented and the décor be do offensive
— No reservations and they seem to hate large parties.
–There’s no high chairs, so bring your own.
— Lastly, I hate that they never seem to participate in any of the proctor neighborhood events. They seem to be the only store who doesn’t do Halloween.
Seriously, I still go here. Regularly. Which tells you how good the food is. Just wish I could love the whole package like I love the food.

Came back for the second time and it was even better than the first. Highly recommend the Sweet Georgian Morning

This is such a charming little spot! Blink and you would miss it driving down the street. Well worth the search. All of the food is scratch made and the menu items are very inventive — this is not your typical breakfast spot.
I had the Southern Style Grits entrée… oven baked home fries and crispy pancetta over the most creamy and delicious grits I have ever eaten! Then they topped it off with a custard egg and parmesan cheese. Yes, it was AMAZING! Mu husband ordered the stuffed french toast with toasted pecans and a scoop of vanilla gelato on top… CRAZY GOOD!!!

If you’re looking for the most sophisticated breakfast in Tacoma, you’ll find it at Babblin Babs. You’re also going to pay the price for it. While definitely worth it, a breakfast for two with coffee is probably going to run you 40 plus dollars after taxes and tip so we end up going just once in awhile as a special treat.
Babblin Babs uses excellent ingredients and puts together very interesting meal combinations. The last time we went, my boyfriend got «The Italian Swine meets the French Pig Sandwich» which was basically an amazing breakfast sandwich made with naan bread. We never thought naan would be included in a breakfast, but this is some of the brilliance the chef exhibits.
Babs doesn’t get the 5^th star, not because of the food, but because the venue is just uncomfortable. The restaurant is super tiny and gets very hot and cramped if full. The table we were placed at was so small, it could barely contain our plates and coffee cups. A little more attention to customer comfort, and Babblin Babs would be 5 stars.

I am giving this place a 3 star because of the service. We waited an hour for our food, the food was great but speedy and deff not worth 1 hour of wait. The lady who served us was in such a bad mood and didn’t even ask how our food was. Very poor service. Good food.

Several weeks ago I was going to come here with a new found friend. However he was unable to go. I psyched myself up for this one and was undeterred and went by myself.
Almost right away when you go in they have a sign posted saying that your meal may take a while since they make much of it on demand and from scratch. As a result of this the prices are a little higher too. It did not disappoint.
I got the Southern Up grits. It consisted of grits, onions, bacon bits and an egg on top. At first I thought I may still be hungry but nope! The food sticks to your ribs and was delicious!
Everything was so fresh and though I have not had grits often I would not hesitate to say that these were the best grits I ever had. Yup! Going back!

I was in Tacoma earlier this week to visit a friend who recently moved there. We choose this place based upon how close it was, and that it seemed like a nice restaurant to go to.
I ordered an ice tea and it was presented so lovely. It was in a nice glass and had mint leaves in it. Tasted nice also.
Upon looking at the menu, I was going to order something with a variation of what it stated. I’m kind of picky and didn’t want all the ingredients that came with what I wanted. When the waiter/​owner? came up to us, he said something like, ‘if you can make it at home, then make it at home’… something like that.
I kinda understand what he meant, but it seemed odd to say. So I ordered from the side menu. The custard egg was so cute and yummy.
My friend thought the place was a little expensive.

If you’re lucky to be here when they have the Basse Busting Buttery Banana Butterscotch Bacon Bliss, it is absolutely wonderful. Stacked banana waffles topped with a scoop of vanilla bean gelato. They have their own tea and spices, I love this place, will be back.

This is absolutely rave worthy!
This place was a little hard to find, but I’m so glad that I did.
The food was FANTASTIC! THE BEST BISCUITS THAT I’VE EVER HAD: The outside was golden brown, and a little crispy, the insides were so fluffy and soft, just loved them. I loved different flavors and textures all at once, that were just paired perfect. I have no idea what I ordered, I just asked for them to amaze me, and that they did. I will post a picture today for all to see it though, it was like an egg benedict with ham, egg, salsa, and root vegetables, and bacon, just fantastic.
The dish was just AMAZING!
The atmosphere was relaxed, very friendly people, very nice.
While I was there I found out that the building that they’re in is being bought, and that they are in need of finding a new location. This restaurant is amazing, make sure to get information on how things are coming along, and see what you can do to help their transition, and be sure to support this GREAT local business…
I can see this becoming my home away from home, I just loved it!

Wow. Beyond overly priced. I’m actually finding myself angry that people could try to justify paying that much for food that doesn’t even taste that good. And as far as I can tell they try to slip in gratuity without you knowing (two entrees totaling $ 38 ended up coming out to $ 45 when we got our check). That and they seem to be high on their own farts. Who the hell makes their own «Catch Up» and has to include a little comment on the bottom regarding my cluelessness? Oh yeah, I forgot that Heinz company turned out to be a total failure.
The beefalo was dry, the crab cake was bland, not recommended.

Came here once while out of my neighborhood, looking to try something different. Little would I know, that I would find a little gem like this hidden in North Tacoma. The food from Babblin Babs is DELISH! You can tell the chef took great care in preparing the food. Nothing processed here, just made from scratch. Well worth the price.
The only gripe that I have is the ambiance. Although the music is TERRIFIC and décor unique, I did not feel comfortable in such a small space. However, I do feel that my own interpretation maybe a bit biased because I have never experienced a bistro-​like atmosphere.
The Chef is really nice and very accommodating.

Everything that Chef William does is amazing. He is an artist, and he outclasses the rest of the breakfast/​brunch scene in Tacoma by a mile.
The tea is amazing. The grits are about as close to New Orleans as one can get on this side of the country. His dishes are all creative, but every menu (which he is continuously changing and updating) has a couple of hidden gems on it. Ask him what is new, what is amazing, and he’ll sort you out.
The place has been having some troubles related to building ownership, and I’m hoping that they can find a place to stay in Tacoma. Otherwise, they may move to Olympia or some other South Sound location, and though I’ll travel to visit them, it’ll be harder to do so than while he’s in Proctor.
Best breakfast in Tacoma. Hands down.

I think people are giving this high reviews because it’s different than anything else in Tacoma. I live on Proctor street, walking distance, just blocks north of Babblin Babs, so I’m not some schmuck that doesn’t live in the area. Hell, my uncle owns a business in the proctor district, practically within eyesight of this restaurant.
I know the owner/​chef is trying to come off as being some culinary mastermind, but guess what, the food is bland, and over priced. I have no problem paying this kind of money, and more, but why would I, for food that just doesn’t taste good?
I’d rather go to Old Milwaukee or Dirty Oscar’s Annex, and it’s a shame because Babblin Babs is somewhere I can walk to, but it just isn’t worth the money.
Seriously, all of you that think this place is GREAT, please go to Old Milwaukee or Dirty Oscar’s Annex (both on 6^th ave) instead.
I will say the owner/​chef is a nice man, maybe too nice for his own good. This past Saturday (October 27 2012) there was a table of 6 or so that were very loud, and he didn’t ask them to keep it down, nobody else in the place was that loud.
I want to support a local business, but if the food is bland and more expensive than anybody else, why should I?

The only complaint that I have is all you reviewers lamenting about the prices! Are you kidding?! Their food is delicious, organic, local in many cases, unique, and simply tasty! Worth every, single penny. I had the biscuits and gravy and a cup of coffee and it was $ 22. Completely, absolutely worth every penny!
The menu is delightful, the ambiance is quirky and fun, and the perfect place to chill out, enjoy some food, and some good conversation.
The owner is kind, funny and a delight to chat with.
I cannot wait to go back.
P. S. Their food is «European», meaning that, if you order something that sounds sickeningly sweet, it wont be, it will be balanced and dispel your appetite.

If there’s one thing Bab’s should be known for, it’s the freshness of their ingredients. And while the tiny strip mall restaurant is more eclectic than fine dining, it nonetheless offers a smörgåsbord of breakfast and lunch options from France and places that aren’t France.
I often have problems choosing at breakfast, not caring for the sweet, and not wanting to spoil the rest of my day by eating something too heavy. The crab cake turned out to be a pretty good choice, lightly bound and an overwhelming majority fresh lump crab (as it should be), it was a suitable brunch and one that’s easy to enjoy with friends, family, or whoever may be around you at the time.

Interesting and unique breakfast choices– at a price that’s nearly double what you’d normally expect to pay for breakfast.
We had the Fiesta Waffle (cornbread waffle w/​chorizo, gravy, sour cream, fruit — $ 15), Bodacious Biscuits (biscuits & gravy w/​egg, ham, tomatoes, fruit — $ 13), and biscuits & jam ($ 5! for biscuits and jelly??) for a youngling. Two coffees and a hot cocoa ($ 3 each) plus tax brought the bill to $ 46. Pretty damn good food and coffee, but holy cow! Slow service, too… but I think that’s excusable because the meals are prepared fresh and with care. The waiter/​chef/​owner was pleasant and the bistro itself is a cozy and quaint little dining room.