Nestled between bustling Lakewood Towne Center and the peaceful neighborhoods that characterize Lakewood, WA, the Custer Road area quietly boasts one of the most diverse and exciting food scenes in Pierce County. Whether you’re craving global flavors, homey breakfasts, or a sweet treat after a walk around the neighborhood, Custer Road delivers with classic eateries, authentic newcomers, and everything in between. Here’s your essential guide to eating your way through Custer Road—like a true local.
Where Custer Road’s Food Scene Sizzles
The main hub of culinary action is along Custer Road SW itself, especially near intersections with Bridgeport Way SW, Gravelly Lake Drive, and 88th Street SW. You’ll find strip mall gems, cozy standalone cafés, and parking-lot food trucks offering cuisines spanning Korean, Mexican, Filipino, Italian, classic American, and more.
Standout Restaurants: Must-Try Meals
Pho PQ (8611 Custer Rd SW)
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
- Price Range: $
- Why Visit: This humble spot doles out steaming bowls of pho with deeply aromatic broth, tender noodles, and all the classic fixings. The spring rolls and house-made chili oil are worth the trip alone.
Taqueria La Raza (Custer & 74th St., food truck)
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Price Range: $
- Why Visit: Street tacos, lengua burritos, and smoky grilled elote keep hungry regulars circling. Despite looking unassuming, this food truck is a Custer Road legend; ask for the al pastor.
El Pulgarcito Bakery & Restaurant (8827 Custer Rd SW)
- Cuisine: Salvadoran
- Price Range: $$
- Why Visit: Pupusas stuffed with cheese and loroco, homemade tamales, and hearty plates of carne asada are this family-run bakery’s signatures. Make sure to snag a fresh pastry on your way out.
Le-Le Restaurant (8011 Custer Rd SW)
- Cuisine: Vietnamese and Chinese
- Price Range: $
- Why Visit: This cozy corner eatery churns out crowd-pleasing bánh mì, perfectly crisp egg rolls, and generous plates of honey walnut shrimp. The lunch specials are some of the best values in Lakewood.
Min Sushi (8202 Custer Rd SW)
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Price Range: $$
- Why Visit: Worth a reservation on weekends, Min Sushi offers ultra-fresh sashimi, creative rolls (try the TNT or the Rainbow), and Korean-style small plates. Locals rave about the friendly service and hidden whisky bar vibe.
Café Culture: A Perfect Brew or Bite
Starbucks (8820 Custer Rd SW)
- Cuisine: Coffee & Pastries
- Price Range: $-$$
- Why Visit: This community staple is always buzzing. It’s an ideal spot to meet friends for coffee after grocery shopping or to refuel with a croissant before exploring local shops nearby.
Two Sisters Café (8071 Custer Rd SW)
- Cuisine: American Breakfast & Brunch
- Price Range: $-$$
- Why Visit: Small but mighty, this café nails the classic American breakfast, from generous omelets to fluffy pancakes. The friendly staff and bottomless coffee make it a beloved neighborhood institution.
Coffee Kitchen (Custer Rd & 83rd St SW)
- Cuisine: Drive-Thru Espresso Stand
- Price Range: $
- Why Visit: This hidden drive-thru turns out shockingly good espresso, plus seasonal lattes and grab-and-go baked goods perfect for early commutes or caffeine emergencies.
Bakeries, Boba, and Bites on the Go
Q Bakery (8231 Custer Rd SW)
- Cuisine: Asian & French-Style Pastries
- Price Range: $
- Why Visit: Their pillowy steamed buns, coconut bread, and eclairs draw crowds from beyond Lakewood. Get there before noon for the best selection.
BobaLust (8731 Custer Rd SW)
- Cuisine: Boba Tea & Snacks
- Price Range: $
- Why Visit: BobaLust’s chewy tapioca pearls and inventive milk tea flavors make it a magnet for teens and families alike. The chicken katsu bites are an underrated snack.
Lakewood’s International Flavor: Taste the World on One Street
What sets Custer Road apart from just another suburban strip? Its international food offerings, welcoming a steady stream of diners hungry for authenticity and comfort. Filipino, Korean, Salvadoran, and Thai restaurants stretch between intersections, offering homestyle lunches and karaoke-fueled nights.
- *Palabok House (8815 Custer Rd SW)*: Award-winning for its Filipino noodles and crispy lechon kawali. It’s home-cooking without the airfare.
- *Best of Korea (8009 Custer Rd SW)*: Try their bubbling kimchi jjigae or order an array of banchan (side dishes) for a true Korean feast.
- *Thai Pepper Cuisine (8416 Custer Rd SW)*: This spot brings the heat with spicy papaya salad and fragrant curries.
You’ll also find excellent takeout at spots like Great Wall Express (Chinese takeout, 88th & Custer) and Pho Friends (Vietnamese, near 8300 block).
Can’t-Miss Hidden Gems
Even longtime Lakewood locals discover new favorites among Custer Road’s lesser-known spots:
Dav’s Hot Dog Cart (Custer & Bridgeport, check weekends for pop-ups)
- Gourmet hot dogs loaded with creative toppings like kimchi slaw, sriracha aioli, or classic chili-cheese. Perfect after a day at Fort Steilacoom Park.
Nueva San Salvador Bakery (8304 Custer Rd SW)
- A humble bakery with melt-in-your-mouth sweet bread, tres leches cake, and flaky empanadas. It’s perfect for a quick breakfast or midday sugar rush.
Local Food Traditions & Neighborhood Flavor
Custer Road is also central to Lakewood’s winter Tamale Festival pop-ups and the area’s unofficial “Pho Trail,” where locals see how many Vietnamese noodle houses they can sample in a single afternoon. On weekends, watch for Filipino food trucks and pop-ups near Bridgeport Way.
Throughout the year, Custer Road’s restaurants serve as gathering spaces for local sports teams, church groups, and neighbors simply catching up over steaming bowls of soup or plates of tacos. Don’t be surprised if regulars or owners greet you by name after just a few visits—the neighborhood is as much about hospitality as it is about flavor.
Your Next Delicious Adventure
Whether you’re a longtime Lakewood resident or just passing through on your way to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, don’t miss the vibrant, ever-evolving food scene along Custer Road. Try something new, support a family-owned spot, and savor the best-kept secrets of Lakewood one bite at a time.
There’s always a table waiting—and a delicious discovery—on Custer Road.