Almost any kind of shopping or dining you could imagine is available in the Tacoma/Pierce County area, from fast food and shopping malls to locally renowned restaurants and specialty shops.
Seafood, particularly salmon, oysters and clams, are a regional favorite and are served in many local restaurants. Many popular local restaurants in Tacoma are located on the waterfront along Ruston Way. You'll also find a wide variety of familiar chain restaurants and a broad range of ethnic restaurants. View the Dining sign post on MilitaryAvenue.com.
When talking about Seattle, Tacoma and Western Washington, we can't forget to mention the coffee shops and espresso stands. You'll find one on almost every street corner. In Seattle alone, there are more specialty coffee shops per capita than in any other city.
Shopping to fit your style is sure to be available. Locally, you'll find the South Hill Mall in Puyallup, the Tacoma Mall, and the Lakewood Town Center. A little further away, you'll find the Northwest's larges outlet mall, the SuperMall in Auburn. Tacoma also has three wholesale merchants; Costco, Bargreen-Ellingson and Smith-Western Co. If you prefer smaller specialty shops and antiques - no problem. The historic Proctor District, Old Town, and Antique Row in Downtown Tacoma can accommodate.
In general, people living in the McChord area find their Commissary benefits to be very valuable. There is a variety of grocery stores off-base, however, prices in the local area can be quite high.