| You don't visit Paulie's
Tampico Inn by accident. You have to go out of your way
to get there. It is about a 30 minute drive from Yakima.
When we got there this time I was not immediately sure
that it was open. The outside of the establishment was
not well groomed. But a sign said open and a couple of
vehicles outside increased our confidence. Seafood, prime rib and Cajon style
cooking are the specialties at this restaurant on the
edge of civilization. The items on the menu are
relatively expensive in consideration of the location,
ambience and service. For example, I cannot recall
another restaurant using rootbeer colored plastic water
glasses that served a $20 regular cut prime rib.
The dinners were served
with either a salad or cup of soup. The two Prime Rib
(regular cut) orders in our party were HUGE, fully 1.5 to
2 inch thick. My Cajon Steak Saute had a lot of sirloin
beef. Just as a sirloin, there were tender and tough
pieces. The Halibut Russo was a richly creamed dish and
it too was a very generous serving.
Dinner for four with a
nice bottle of Washington Cab/Merlot came to $120
including gratuity. Friendly service and generous
portions received high marks. The place can use a dose of
sprucing up, particularly the outside. This inside is
rather dark for my liking. Some refinements in table
service items as well as table service would increase the
perception of value.
|