What a nice place. Love the way the doors open to the outside for summer sitting. The place has pleasant deco, and I liked the remark from another Yelper, that you have a lovely view of the Chevron station. Service was very attentive and prices for beverage lower than average. Had the fish tacos, wings, and onion rings. Fish taco and wings are above standard. The onion rings get a lot of raves and that is justified for those that like very crunchy batter. I prefer this type of batter over beer batter but for me these we too crunchy. The cut and size of the onions are excellent. We will definitely be back! read more

Service is a bit slow, but honestly everything my brother in law and I had here was worth the wait. Friendly clean place and the staff seem to genuinely care that you are being taken care of. Food was very very good and about $3-$5 cheaper per item than expected which is always nice! I'll be back! read more

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This is my neighborhood bar. The food is bar food but it is good. I have my fav bartenders that treat me good and their beer selection is varied and delicious. read more

This is a nice place to grab a breakfast. I had the omnivore omelette and my husband had the Cole's Hash. read more

Coles Bar & Grill - Omnivore Omelette - American Near Me - Ruston, Washington

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So, it's like this - Cole's really has great food, and nice employees, but the problem always seems to be the following: there is 1 one person, "maybe" 2 people, working (excluding kitchen staff) at any given time we try to go there, and this 1 person (or maybe 2 people) are stuck trying to accomodate an entire bar 90-95% full of customers, all by themselves! I kid you not, this is what we see literally every time we have gone there and I am not sure at this point we want to return :( A++ to the staff there for trying to hold it together and still have a nice attitude during these times of craziness, but - I think it would really help Cole's as a business overall to just hire at least 2 more servers for breakfast time and between 4pm and closing on Wed, Th, Fri and Sat nights. With all the many restaurants and bars around, nobody wants to be ignored at their table for like 30 minutes, or to have to get up and walk to the bar to order food and drinks after being totally ignored for looooong periods of time. I wanted to make this a 3 star rating since the food rocks, but I felt it is fair to bring it to a 2-star because I am hoping management will read this and bite the bullet and just hire more people. This place has the potential to do so much better... A lot of restaurants seem to close their doors in Ruston and it would be sad to see this place follow suit (when it has the potential to be so much better.) Just sayin' read more

Coles Bar & Grill - American Near Me - Ruston, Washington

Coles hits all the trifectas: cheap, good food, and great atmosphere. A place like this is increasingly becoming hard to find in an area known to gouge everyone with staggering drink prices and wafting happy hour menus. Well Coles is here to save the day! On this occasion I had the Taco Tuesday tacos which were your standard bar tacos. I will say that the ingredients for these tacos were "stellar" to say the least. The tacos are $1.25 and come with cheese and salsa, but for .75 cents more you can get them "deluxe" which come with lettuce, sour cream, olives, and salsa. I opted foe the deluxe tacos, but had them switch out the olives for pickled jalapeños. The tacos were definitely above average (for taco tuesday tacos). My friend had the prawns and she said they were "amazing" and that she would definitely be back. That being said, this review is mainly of the tacos because the other food on the menu is in fact pretty darn good! PROS: - $5 appetizers all the time - Great service - Excellent Location and atmosphere CONS: - Raised prices from original pricing structure - Hot wings are over priced read more

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This wasn't a great experience. I hope it was a fluke and I can come back and update. Three of us came before a movie on MLK Day...not sure if this impacted the staff or what...it took over an hour to get our dinner...which was just three burgers. And then one order was wrong and my friend got tacos which she didn't order...her burger came, but we had to leave and had to have it boxed up. To be clear about time the movie was at 8:15 and we arrived here at 6:15 to make sure we had enough time. It was bummer. This was their second time at this spot, and they were surprised. I hope it was a fluke. Cool environment. Small menu but I was happy with it. Close to Rustin. read more

The appetizers alone were so good! The service was also amazing the workers there are so nice! And it was surprisingly very affordable and great quality of food read more

I was so excited to come here for the very first time tonight and I will never be going back! I ordered a drink from the server and she checked my ID, it was peeling because it was a few years old and told me it wasn't real and that she couldn't serve me even though I informed her it was real. She then proceeded to peel it even more & was extremely rude and condescending about it which was super disappointing! I am a new mom and don't have time to get a new ID. I suggest getting a better system to check ID's because this was humiliating and unnecessary. read more

Ok, I've been back finally. A few times on quieter nights -- when not full the noise level is almost right. We were just snacking with drinks and the drinks are very well made and decent pours. I kinda wish there were some gluten free apps besides the nachos...but I also don't care. The nachos are amazing. Fresh chips, fresh everything, cheap. Addictive as heck, I got some to go the next night even. Super friendly service every time. So I will have to go back for a meal, and I'm sure it will be terrific. If I can avoid the nachos. Update: they'll put the burgers in lettuce for you. Bacon is top quality and perfect. Now I just have to try something besides the perfect tequila sunrise. read more

Coles Bar & Grill - Lettuce wrapped bacon cheeseburger, with sauce thoughtfully on the side so I could still pick up the burger without the lettuce sliding off. - American Near Me - Ruston, Washington

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Not a bad place but not necessarily the best restaurant in Ruston either. The service seemed a bit slow here and it wasn't busy at all when we were here. I'm not sure what was up with that. Several of the tables here too were empty and haven't been cleaned and wiped down. Maybe they were just understaffed... I don't know. But dirty tables are slowly becoming a pet peeve of mine. Cole's has a pretty decent list of beers on tap which is good to see. The food isn't too bad... just fair. I had the fish tacos which were decent. Maybe not the most freshest ones that I have come across in my eating adventures but ok. Overall the experience was fair... the meal wasn't the most memorable but the location is pleasant enough and they have a nice patio outside to dine upon on warm days. read more

Great food and good mimosas. Has become a Saturday morning brunch favorite for me and the wife.

no joke - the fried Oreos changed my life. This should be a permanent menu item!! Coles knows how to make it SPICY.. we had the jalapeño bbq burger. Please make the Oreos permanent!! I'll be back once a week just for those!! read more

For a Brit living in the USA the quest for even adequate fish and chips is like searching for the Holy Grail; it is a fruitless trail that leads to frequent disappointment. Today, however, I came a little closer to finding something that would fill the void left by the lingering memories of the ultimate fish and chips experience of my childhood chip shop, V. C. Jones of Whitstable. My usual source of reasonably good fish and chips, Northern Fish, was closed, and on my disappointed drive home I noticed a vacant parking space in front of Coles in Ruston. The words of Hugo from the Vicar of Dibley sprang to mind: "what do you do when you see a spaceman? Park in it man!" So I did, and on the off chance ventured into Coles to see if they might be have takeaway fish and chips on their menu, which they did. The wait was worth it! Coles fish and chips, made with simple cod, achieved the perfect balance of flaky fish to flavoursome batter. The cod was the star, but the batter was an excellent supporting role. The chips had a strong potato flavour and were reminiscent of the chips at V. C. Jones. I just wish they had not been pre-salted, and were cut thicker. I also ordered some clam chowder which was equally tasty. Well done Coles, and special thanks to the attentively affable Stephanie! read more

Chicken wangs man. They can open the wall up man. Madison and Gavin man. Come on man. My man read more

Coles Bar & Grill - Pickle Chips man. Panko breading man. - American Near Me - Ruston, Washington

Great addition to the North End- Ruston area. I tend to seek out hole in the walls and new spots to have a couple libations at my leisure, when time permits and I heard about this new place in Ruston and read great reviews so me and the Hubs decided to try it out. Location is great! Nestled off Pearl, close to the waterfront, looks like outside seating will be available but since our great PNW weather hasn't been cooperating it's hard to tell. Walking in I was pleasantly surprised at how larger and modern the inside is, I was thinking it would be more rustic of sorts considering the area. I can see this place really thriving once folks know it's there! Our bartender was great, very attentive and friendly! We ordered the fried pickles, they are must and we look forward to trying other items. I read they have a pretty good brunch on the weekends so we will have to check that out as well. Looking forward to our next visit!! read more

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Yet another nice addition to the North Tacoma / Ruston scene that's been expanding so much in the last year or two. We've gone from pretty much deadsville to having a great variety of choices in the area South and East of Point Defiance Park. Coles Bar & Grill just opened - we've been watching it come together for some time, anticipating having another dining choice in the area. For our review, as usual, we just shared everything. We ordered a cup of chili to start. At $3 it was a great deal! Delicious homemade chili had diced green and red peppers as well onions in it, with a sprinkling of cheese on the top. Very good chili! Next up was the BLT which was delicious! It was on toasted sourdough bread, lots of mayo ( however a little too much really), really good crisp bacon, fresh crisp green leaf lettuce and tomato. I added avocado for an extra $2, which was worth it. The sandwiches all come with fries and coleslaw (they call it Cole's Slaw - clever!). We went with a small Caesar on the side. The salad was OK, but it had too much dressing on it which as many might know is pretty common with a lot of restaurant Caesar salads for whatever reason. The coleslaw was pretty average. I didn't take more than a few bites. For beverages, we ordered simply coffee and water. Great coffee at $1.35 a cup. Big mug of it too. Pretty rare these days to get a GOOD cup of coffee for under $3 Going all out, we also ordered the French dip. It was great! We splurged and had the cheddar cheese added and it was quite yummy! The roast beef was really tasty. Our only complaint was that the bun could have been a bit sturdier... It didn't hold up to the dipping in the au-jus very well. They need a "stiffer bun". Fries and Cole's Slaw coleslaw came with the sandwich and the fries were so good! Hand cut fries, still had bits of the potato skin on them. Pretty little things, actually, and evenly fried. They were lightly seasoned with salt and a bit of pepper. Really, really good and a HUGE portion. We had to wait a while for them, so they may have given us extra because of that. But hey - first day, week, month = no stars deducted from Yelp We generally don't order burgers, but what we saw coming out looked pretty amazing! All in all we really liked the place and would go back. The serving staff were super nice. Very cozy place with TV screens everywhere. Another great addition to North Tacoma! "Yay, I'm a fan" full 4 yelp stars Dave & Anne read more

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Despite being understaffed they rock it! Food is good, service is good, atmosphere is good! All around just a solid fun spot.

Solid three stars. Nice new restaurant in Ruston. They have a little patio area out front which is perfect on a nice day. They have a general selection of beers. I had the fish tacos for dinner. It came with three tacos and it was a really filling meal. It also came with slaw and a black bean and corn side which went perfectly with the tacos. The meal also came with chips. Staff were very friendly. Overall, it was a good stop! read more

I found the food basic but tasty pub grub. The selection of beers presented me multiple attractive options. Service was friendly, casual, and efficient. I luxuriated in the laid-back ambience, the cozy darkness. read more

Good atmosphere and quality food. Enjoyed my southwestern salad! Yum. My son enjoyed his prawns. read more

Service has improved considerably, though it's still often understaffed. As always, the food (particularly the specials, which are an excellent value) and the rotating selection of taps makes this a good place for lunch or dinner whenever I'm in the area. One complaint though: it's almost always TOO DAMN LOUD! Shouting to be heard isn't cool when you're trying to have a conversation. I know this isn't really the fault of management but it gets tiresome. read more

Great food and great bartenders. I love this place. They have a wonderful selection of beers and I really like the atmosphere.

My son John and his wife Danna live a couple of blocks from Coles; my wife Mary, John, Danna and I walked over for dinner on Saturday evening. This is a quaint little neighborhood pub with a nice atmosphere; the service was very attentive. We each started with a well drink, which were tasty and a bargain at $3. We ordered, fish & chips, shrimp & chips, and burgers; all come with fries, slaw, or side salad. Everything was tasty, typical pub grub. read more

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Great local family owned buisness in a terrific area! I highly recommend trying the deep friend Oreos. They are my favorite!

No frills, low key, and I like it. Fries are the best, food is homemde. Kathleen though, she's amazing! It is really tough to find good service anywhere these days so running into Kathleen was refreshing. She went out of her way and then gave a killer recommendation for what to do with the leftover fries!! Point is, go and eat and have a yummy drink and I hope you get the same service we did!! read more

This place rightfully gets criticized for the lack of staff when busy,but we were there for a late lunch on Christmas Eve and the bartender was very friendly and informative.Bacon cheeseburger was a meal and a half.Creative slaw and a generous amount of fries.My wife enjoyed the pulled pork.Lots of flavor.Good prices make it a place to return to...when quiet. read more

Cool bar. I really liked the decor. The service was friendly, but I think they forgot about us a couple of times. In their defense, it was a slow day and we were at the outside area, in the corner, so we were easy to miss, but then it did take quite awhile doe the food to come out. But the server was sweet and friendly. The food was good and so was the beer. I'll definitely be back. read more

I agree with the other comments about bad service. I went for lunch and there was only one other table. The server hung out at the bar with what I assume was a manager going over a schedule. I had to get up to get my own refill and things like sugar (which should have been offered when I was served iced tea). The fries were burnt and not edible. The fish was fine. The server never asked if the food was ok or why a whole plate of fries went untouched. Won't be back. read more

Amazing! Loved the food, the people and the prices! I would do a bday here and know my folks are taken care of! Coles- AWESOME JOB!! Consider us regulars... read more

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I am new to the area and I am so glad to have found such a great bar in my neighborhood! The women who work here are always so friendly and attentive. One of the waitresses we see regularly even went as far to write down other local bars and restaurants my boyfriend and I might enjoy in Tacoma as we just moved here. I also have a wheat allergy and there are options for me and the people who work here are always so patient with my allergy questions. Highly recommend this place for good food, big portions, good priced, and friendly service. This has become our go-to spot for sports and food. read more

Pretty okay. Quick notes: appetizers come out before food, not after. Forks are awesome for coleslaw - please include. Prices are reasonable, food is good. Service is friendly but a touch slow. We'll probably try it again sometime. read more

Stopped here with the family impromptu after a visit to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. While a bar & grill, it was a surprisingly nice experience for our family. Main menu and kids menu had plenty of options. Server was friendly and attentive. Music was loud but not too loud. Plenty of people enjoying the bar area but we never felt out of place being with kids. read more

I hadn't been to Coles since they were a blues bar back in the day. I was very pleased to see the new decor. Very upscale modern. A few huge TVs. Lots of wood. Lots of seating. Not pretentious, very comfortable and inviting. They highlight their liquor selection on a nice lighted bar. Great beer selection. A few classic favorites as well as Georgetown's Seattle Beer Week offering. A++ All the staff smiled and I felt like I had been a regular customer for years. Clare was great and explained the menu as well as the preparation. This place exceeded my expectations tenfold. Drop by. Your first visit will feel like you had already been coming for years. read more

We had such high hopes. Great atmosphere and delish menu. Unfortunately, we had to wait an hour and 10 mins from the time we sat down till we got our food. With only 1 person tending bar and tables. It took a few mins to take our drink and food order. We order wings as a started and they ended up showing up with our burgers. The waitress was clueless and seemed oblivious that we were waiting so long. When the food arrived the wings were dry and the burgers over cooked. They didnt comp 1/2 our but we wont be back. read more

Great place. Liked the food and atmosphere. It's a cool old building. Had the French dip, Philly style. It had tons of meat, tender and tasty. Came with fries and slaw. Fries were good. Wife had a burger, looked good, didn't have a huge bun which is a plus. Had the Jalapeno poppers for and app. They were also good.. only $5. Food was well priced and portions were good. They were super busy that night, they did a good job no complaints. Starting a new pub, is something most of us will never experience. One thing people need to remember is that these hometown places, are different from the big corporate joints in town. If your go to is a BJ's or Cheese Cake factory, where you food comes out of the freeze to your plate. Then this is not the place for you, don't bother coming by. Please leave the space for people that appreciate these kind of places. Good food Good people. read more

We first went to Cole's when they just opened and we were not too impressed. Fast forward a few years and we decided to try again and are we sure glad we did! For starters, the staff was very friendly and attentive. Tina kept checking on us and made us feel very welcome. We would have ordered more drinks, but we had to get going. I had the most legit gin martini! I usually don't order them out because I am so particular, but the one I had at Cole's was spot on! To start, we had the fried pickles. So good. Crispy and not soggy at all! Then we shared the Reuben (it was so large we easily shared it and both were full.) It was quite tasty. One thing that was very nice were the prices. Drinks weren't overpriced, yet not watered down, and the food was reasonably priced. too! We will be back! Maybe to try the fish tacos... read more

Items not served as described in menu. 1/4 occupancy and service was poor. Might be growing pains. Great decor, might be fun for drinks only on a summer day. It will be nice when the newness wears off, airs out, and kitchen gets more accurate. read more

Coming back to say PostCovid Coles still continues to deliver hospitable service and is an asset to the the north end. Thanks for your consistency through the hard times. read more

Service was great with our server, Honor! We don't recommend the nachos, not very much cheese and paying to up grade to ground beef was not worth a sprinkling of flavorless ground beef. Our server Honor went above and beyond to make sure we were happy! The bacon cheeseburger was tasty! Coles's is a great addition to the neighborhood! read more