Simply Expresso and Subs

I’ve worked in the vicinity of this place for the past 6 years and have gone in here semi-​regularly. The food’s good. No question about it. Reasonably priced, too.
The owner is not very friendly to me, ever. I see her smile and joke with other customers but I’ve always thought she didn’t like me. When debating going here for lunch, I mentioned that to one of my co-​workers and her response made me laugh so hard I had to put it on Unilocal:
Me: She’s never very nice to me when I go in there.
Co-​worker: Is she nice to anyone? I didn’t realize that was an option.
Hilarious. But don’t let it deter you if you don’t know where to go for a quick bite to eat. :)

By far my favorite place to get a sandwich in Downtown Tacoma. I’ve only ever tried their hot sandwiches, but their Reuben, Philly, and French Dip sandwiches I’d put up against anywhere else in town. Tastier and more filling than other places I’ve seen charge twice as much for a comparable sandwich.
Oddly enough, the only thing I’ve had there that I would not go near again is the Teriyaki. I once ordered Chicken Teriyaki and it was an unseasoned, undressed plain chicken patty cut into strips over rice, and some bottled Teriyaki sauce on the side. Very weird.
BUT THE SANDWICHES! Yes the sandwiches are pretty awesome.

One of the few places for breakfast in this area. Quick friendly service and they don’t throw a fuss over substitutions.

I ordered a «chairman» sandwich for 6.25. It was made with sourdough bread. Couldn’t possibly be from the same loaf either. One side of the sandwich had stale dry bread while the other side was fresher and larger. The tomatoes were whiteish/​green and sour. The tomatoes ruined the taste of the sandwich. I ended up eating the insides only, after ditching the nasty bread and tomatoes. Not a good first impression. The green tea milkshake was pretty good. Not sure if I will go back. Too many other good places to eat. I have to say it was «simply» gross.

Very awesome, great value. Their chicken fried rice with some Sriracha sauce on it is absolutely delicious. Also, go for the Spicy Italian. You won’t regret it.

Simply Espresso and Subs is really a hidden find, you could almost pass by the store if you weren’t looking! They’re located right next to Columbia Bank, so don’t miss it. They’ve got a wonderful variety of sandwiches plus their lattes are really good, better than Starbucks. I like mine with a shot of Hazelnut, yummmmm~
Try their BLTs and breakfast sandwiches, they’re fresh and sooooo delicious. They also carried some of my favorite oatmeal too! That’s a win in my book. The owner, Sue, is sharp and will know you by name if you come by often so try them out! Highly recommended!
(Also, they’re opening another shop called Simply Panini just down the street. It’ll be operated by their son who’s got the Simple concept down and expanding it to gourmet paninis. Can’t wait to try them out too~)

A hidden gem. Love the variety of choices in tasty sandwichs. They have other foods as well. Gets very busy during lunch time.

This place is near my work so I find myself going here often. If I didn’t work nearby, I would not seek it out.
They do espresso well and cheaper than the chains (Starbucks, Tullys, etc.).
They have an eclectic menu of sandwiches, salads, pot stickers, breakfast burritos, terriyaki, and wraps — all on laminated paper on the walls. I usually stick to the veggie wrap (on a diet) and the nonfat sugar free vanilla lattes. However, there are some yummy looking sandwiches and espresso shakes on the menu. I was not a fan of the chicken they use in the chicken wrap; it tasted off to me. They also have soda, energy drinks, chips, candy bars, energy bars, and other snacks.
I feel like their sandwiches are overpriced compared to subway, plus the bread and tortillas they use are not that special.
Lunch is super busy, but you can call ahead with what you want and the time you will pick up and it will be ready on time.
If you come there often, the woman running the place will know your name.

This place makes GREAT sandwiches. Almost as good as MSM… but with much more of a variety. Lunch time is super busy so it’s good to call ahead if you can. The prices are a little steep ($ 6.95 for a Vietnamese Sub… it’s good, but authentic Vietnamese sandwiches are less than half the price and better in my opinion). They have a little bit of everything here (Vitamin water Revive, which was much needed this morning, yummy brownies, fresh sushi and fried rice, a full breakfast menu) which is nice when you’re stuck in downtown Tacoma being stalked by the parking nazis…

This little hidden gem has a pretty good menu of sandwiches which so far – has been pretty tasty. While I’ve never had a Rueben made out of Pastrami (usually made from corned beef) it was very good. I could of stood for a little more meat though… but still… it was tasty. Turkey BLT, Philly Steak all are great selections to be had.
I didn’t care to much for the Fried Rice (yep… they do Fried Rice) however – not enough meat. Potstickers were fresh prepared, good and moist but waaaaayyyyy to small for the price. I also had the Grilled Chicken BLT which was good with a fresh toasted bun but it needed some salt. I think the shop is ran by a husband and wife team plus a nice youngman.
If you go here for lunch I would suggest ordering it in the morning or 20 minutes before so that it will be ready when you get there or you may be waiting awhile. Small shop and it can get pretty crowded during lunch. Sue is a very sweet person and because her mind is a sharp as a tick… she’ll remember you if you yourself come to pick it up. I like that because it signifies the attention to your clientele. That’s cool.
They have a good selection of sodas, smoothies, yogurt and other snacks. She makes a much better Latte than Penelopes but then that’s just my belief. Simply’s also has a few breakfast entries but not all day.
Note****Pay attention to the little chalkboard that can be missed as it holds it’s specials per day… easier on the wallet if you can get a combo.
For breakfast you can get a nice size Breakfast sandwich and Latte Combo for 5.75 (umm…last check) — -that’s not bad at all.
I simply like Simply’s cause it’s good, simple food… you know I had to say that.