2 tasty lunch spots south of Seattle, picked by our food writer

Every year, I get asked how I would like to spend Mother’s Day. Now, I love my kids. I love brunch. But I do not love brunch on Mother’s Day with my entire family.

I do, however, love chips. Salsa. Maybe a margarita. Most definitely a book. And silence. So, if you’re like me, and you’d like to opt out of a fancy brunch this Mother’s Day and treat yourself to tacos or birria crunch wraps, here are two restaurants in Tukwila where I have recently had a wonderful time. 

(Conveniently, this recommendation extends to nonmothers, too, and does not expire on Mother’s Day.)

Birrieria Grumpy’s

14201 Interurban Ave. S., Tukwila; 206-420-7496, grumpysbirrieria.com

At Birrieria Grumpy’s, I suggest you order birria in as many forms as possible. The menu is sectioned off into the usual categories (appetizers, dinners, desserts) — plus an entire section dedicated to the rich, braised beef. Birria is piled onto baked potatoes, shredded atop crispy fries and nachos, layered in between tortillas and French rolls and folded into burritos. We ordered the quesa-birria tacos ($13) with consommé, the crunch wrap ($18) and the birria ramen ($16). 

The tacos came two to an order, with tender ropes of beef nestled alongside melty cheese, chopped white onion and cilantro inside a crisp corn shell. The side of consommé was a rich, chocolate brown with deep, beefy flavor. The birria is juicy enough that you don’t need to dunk in the soup, but it provides a nice little extra kick.

The birria ramen features the same consommé enriched with a squeeze of lime, pickled radish and carrot, plus chopped cilantro and red onion, squiggly instant ramen noodles and large shreds of birria. It’s heavy on the lime and heavy on the salt, but still quite enjoyable — especially when you drizzle in a little of the fiery red housemade salsa. 

Lastly, the crunch wrap, I write with a satisfied sigh. Ah, the crunch wrap. Birria, cheese, pico de gallo, a tostada and shredded iceberg lettuce all wrapped up in an outer flour tortilla and deep fried (Taco Bell could never).

It’s nostalgic. It’s over the top. It’s delicious. 

I would head back to Grumpy’s for any of these dishes, and I might even bring my kids.  

Caribe Latin Cuisine

668 Strander Blvd., Tukwila; 425-271-8017, caribetukwila.com

This slim strip-mall spot rebranded last August from Los Bigotes de Villa to Caribe Latin Cuisine. There’s a blend of Mexican and Honduran favorites on the menu, an open dining room and events like karaoke and dance nights. 

The complimentary chips are warm and the salsa has a sweet, fruity start that settles into a slow-building burn. The menu covers a lot of bases: soups, salads, enchiladas, burritos, tacos, nachos, sliders and more. There were many tempting items — like the Honduran nachos with fried green banana chips or the pastelitos with shredded chicken — but I settled on two of the lunch deals.

The cheesy taco dish ($8.50) featured two griddled corn tortillas sandwiching mild cheese and bright, citrusy grilled chicken, plus a sprinkle of queso fresco and pickled onions. I loved the contrast of the sweet citrus with the char from the grill and the bite of the onion. 

I also ordered the caribe bowl ($12), a dish I would totally eat at home, with scoops of rice, pinto beans, red onion, mango, avocado and cucumber. Topped with salsa and all mixed up, every bite was fresh and delicious.

I can see myself heading back here again with my book for some alone time, next time with a Cadillac marg in hand.