BY JACKIE FENDER for WEEKLY VOLCANO | 10/23/2026
Before retreating indoors for fall, there’s still time to enjoy patio dining and comfort-food favorites at Township 20.
Clearly I struggle with seasonal transitions. Some folks will hem and haw over seasonal depression, or some such thing. My qualms come more from having to switch gears from seasonal ingredients and some of my favorite dining habits. It was not so long ago I was telling everyone how they were going to have to take soup season out of my cold, dead hands as the flowers blossomed and the sun shone bright overhead.
Don’t get me wrong, fall is my favorite season. I’m a spooky season gal and lover of all things autumnal, beanies, scarves, pumpkin spiced everything and yes, soup. I like to joke I’m fun-averse, uninterested in White Claws on boats and sunbathing in the sweltering heat. That doesn’t sound very fun to me, but as the summer comes to a close, I’m mourning something else entirely. Dining al fresco.
Never mind the window seat to witness traffic and pedestrians passing by minding their own business. I love to be in the elements, or when I must, playing pretend and sitting on a patio with a cold or hot drink in hand. I have a few prime patios that are sure to pop up this season, but for now, I’m going to focus on Township 20 in Sumner.
To enter, you walk through the patio, so you get a firsthand glimpse of the experience. During the summer it’s a sun-drenched oasis. During the colder months or in the evenings, you have the luxury of cozy enclosed vibes, twinkling lights setting the scene and heaters overhead to keep you warm. If you’re not into people watching like yours truly, you can catch what’s on the ole boobtube with a large screen available for viewing (insert game here). The interior is simple and intimate with a coveted nook booth that feels private while the simple fact of the matter is, it’s prime viewing to spy on other diners’ selections as you decide what you’re hankering for.
The menu features a selection of apps, sammies, wraps, burgers, and salads, including bone-in wings with a few flavor options from traditional buffalo to Korean BBQ tossed in Jay’s secret sauce that packs a little savory, sticky sweetness. They have a nice texture and come with a hearty helping of ranch and carrots and celery sticks for munching.
The flatbreads are tasty with almost a toasted naan styled foundation. Though, don’t get the kids too excited if they like it straightforward because there are no pepperoni and sausage styled pizzas, but there are delectable combos like the Mediterranean themed with hummus, roasted green pepper, sweet potatoes, onion, goat cheese, and a tzatziki drizzle, and a charcuterie inspired one with fig spread, goat cheese, arugula, pear, and balsamic glaze.
On the sandwich front, you have plenty to choose from like The OBVIOUS Melt with smoky bacon, chicken, that sweet Korean BBQ sauce, gouda, and fresh tomato, lettuce on grilled flatbread, or an untraditional Pulled Pork, twhich showcases not the traditional shredded, sauce drenched pulled pork you have come to know, but chunky bits of tender pork with a drizzle of BBQ, melty gouda, with a welcome addition of flavorful green peppers and onions on a toasted baguette. It almost feels like a Philly Cheesesteak, but is anything but. And listen, here I am again talking about fries, but beer-battered fries are where it’s at for me.
Finish it all off with a spongy chocolate cake with a gooey ganache filling, whipped cream, and caramel drizzle. And pair it all with local craft beer and handcrafted cocktails that are batched, which is what allows minors into the intimate dining space (though doesn’t allow for much customization beyond menu offerings). On our visit there were no bourbon based elixirs, but we spied an Espresso Martini, refreshing Raspberry Spritz with vodka, Aperol, raspberry puree, lemon and prosecco. There were crowd favorites like the Moscow Mule, Mojito or a variety of flavored Margaritas including strawberry and desert pear.
Fun fact, the patio isn’t the only thing that is dog-friendly, as they offer a sampling of tasty bites on the menu for your furry friends. Including unseasoned proteins with rice or sweet potato. A welcome little tidbit that will keep those politely begging puppy dog eyes busy, for a time.
Be prepared before visiting, the service style isn’t a foreign concept, but a bit unique, opting for table-top QR codes for ordering. The team will give a friendly hello and is nearby to conduct check-ins, run food, or answer questions as needed, but the preference is to use the QR code to order. As a woman of a certain age with a hospitality background, there’s a part of me that is saddened by this. I can and will nerd out over a physical menu experience: the fonts used, decisions made about layouts, the way it feels in hand, but I also understand in our ever-evolving world that efficiency and convenience are desirable traits.
We also love a place with heart, and while we didn’t hear anything on our visit, their website states that you can often contribute to a cause with their It Takes a Township Foundation. The site states:
Just as it takes a village to raise a child, It Takes a Township to raise a community.
It Takes a Township Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization with the mission of supporting youth needs in our community. Current support includes resources for the Sumner High School counseling department as they help students remove barriers to success.
There’s something admirable about business owners who have a heart for community.
Where should my next patio pitstop be?
Township 20, 1012 Wood Avenue, Sumner, WA.
Township20.com
