My Close-To Go-To's
International District - Just Down the Hill
This is only a sliver of what the ID has to offer. This food scene is so rich with amazing hole-in-the-wall mom & pop restaurants, you would be certain to find a gem yourself by just exploring on your own. The following places are a culmination of some of that exploration for me.
...because 1. beef short rib pho - yabba dabba doo
2. pho fries - get an over easy fried egg over the top
3. What's up pho bac(K)? (a shot of rye whiskey with a delicious backer of pho broth)
37 paikallista suosittelee
Pho Bac Súp Shop
1240 S Jackson St...because 1. beef short rib pho - yabba dabba doo
2. pho fries - get an over easy fried egg over the top
3. What's up pho bac(K)? (a shot of rye whiskey with a delicious backer of pho broth)
...because good weekend dim sum after a long night hits hard
41 paikallista suosittelee
Harbor City Restaurant
707 S King St...because good weekend dim sum after a long night hits hard
...because if it's after 2am and the hardcore munchies have set in, you're going to the ID for late night, because restaurants there last till 4 am, and of all the 4 am restaurants in that city block, Ho Ho wins.
Order:
- Orange Beef
- Peking Duck Chow Mein
- Whole fish of the day
- garlic green beans
lock your door, don't leave anything in your car, and stick together if you are heading there post 2AM. This restaurant can definitely be enjoyed at all hours of the day.
Ho Ho Seafood Restaurant
653 South Weller Street...because if it's after 2am and the hardcore munchies have set in, you're going to the ID for late night, because restaurants there last till 4 am, and of all the 4 am restaurants in that city block, Ho Ho wins.
Order:
- Orange Beef
- Peking Duck Chow Mein
- Whole fish of the day
- garlic green beans
lock your door, don't leave anything in your car, and stick together if you are heading there post 2AM. This restaurant can definitely be enjoyed at all hours of the day.
...because sometimes you wanna look cool taking your date somewhere unexpected.
1. Get a seat in covered patio area next to the waterfall thing
2. Order the Tamarind Tree crepe, carve it up and throw it in some lettuce wraps provided, and either spoon over or dip your lettuce burrito filled with deliciious in the lip-smacking house-made fish sauce on the side. Do all of this while slurping down any of their fun colorful cocktails.
3. Celebrate an occasion and order the seven course beef. Still order the colorful cocktails.
110 paikallista suosittelee
Tamarind Tree
1036 S Jackson St...because sometimes you wanna look cool taking your date somewhere unexpected.
1. Get a seat in covered patio area next to the waterfall thing
2. Order the Tamarind Tree crepe, carve it up and throw it in some lettuce wraps provided, and either spoon over or dip your lettuce burrito filled with deliciious in the lip-smacking house-made fish sauce on the side. Do all of this while slurping down any of their fun colorful cocktails.
3. Celebrate an occasion and order the seven course beef. Still order the colorful cocktails.
23rd & Jackson - Just up the Road
How cool it has been to witness the evolution and transformation of this little slice of a neighborhood I call home. Yes, RIP to the Promenade Red Apple & Judkin's Cafe, you are missed and you came in on the clutch for me so many times, but as a whole, I extend my gratitude to the businesses who have braved the storm and staked their claim in this growing and thriving part of Seattle. Let's take a walk to some fun places to check out. Keep in mind we are on the cusp of a few great-looking establishments opening up here shortly! Can't wait to try them out!
...because to make mac & cheese that creamy is cheating, then add to it zesty pickled red onion, a perfectly smoked carnage of your choice and a beautiful drizzle of KC bbq sauce, ya, it's unfair to be so close to something and be forced to resist its glory.
83 paikallista suosittelee
WOOD SHOP BBQ
2513 S Jackson St...because to make mac & cheese that creamy is cheating, then add to it zesty pickled red onion, a perfectly smoked carnage of your choice and a beautiful drizzle of KC bbq sauce, ya, it's unfair to be so close to something and be forced to resist its glory.
...because a high-quality brewery is about four blocks away from your head hitting a pillow. Great outdoor area. Awesome beer. Enough said.
100 paikallista suosittelee
Standard Brewing
2504 S Jackson St...because a high-quality brewery is about four blocks away from your head hitting a pillow. Great outdoor area. Awesome beer. Enough said.
...because when you wake up in the morning or before going to bed at night, you will get a waft of something sweet and yeasty reminiscent of freshly baked sugar cookies or cinnamon rolls, which becomes the only thing you can think about until you solve this mystery smell. Just up the road is the Franz Bakery Outlet, inside one of the several industrial Franz Bakeries in the city. Staying for a couple days? A week? Spend $10 or less here and you are set. Was it a cinnamon roll baking? A sticky bun? Those sugar cookies? hmmmmm
Technically not on the corner of 23rd and Jackson but still heading north. Cut through Judkins Park to get on 20th and you will be there before you know it. Take the same route back so you can take a moment to lay on the grass and enjoy the satisfaction of figuring out it was the old-fashioned glazed donuts after all.
6 paikallista suosittelee
Franz Bakery
2006 S Weller St...because when you wake up in the morning or before going to bed at night, you will get a waft of something sweet and yeasty reminiscent of freshly baked sugar cookies or cinnamon rolls, which becomes the only thing you can think about until you solve this mystery smell. Just up the road is the Franz Bakery Outlet, inside one of the several industrial Franz Bakeries in the city. Staying for a couple days? A week? Spend $10 or less here and you are set. Was it a cinnamon roll baking? A sticky bun? Those sugar cookies? hmmmmm
Technically not on the corner of 23rd and Jackson but still heading north. Cut through Judkins Park to get on 20th and you will be there before you know it. Take the same route back so you can take a moment to lay on the grass and enjoy the satisfaction of figuring out it was the old-fashioned glazed donuts after all.
...because you can avoid a busy Pike Place Market while still getting a...oh wait, these guys got busy too now, but for good reason! Get in line, but the line is always moving so you are good. This one is hard to put in concise verbage because there is so much going on. This is the entire package, the one stop shop for all seafood and more. Hey, when the season and occasion is right, grab some fresh-cut flowers before you walk out the door. The list goes on here:
- Poke Bowls - Fire
- Dungy Crab Melt - Fire
- Smoked Salmon Belly - wow
..and dare I say it, dare I promote it even more, potentially ruining what was once a best kept secret, but yet, the candied smoked salmon strips, the jerky, it's there, by the cash register on the right, ah well, it's out now.
Oh, and ya, you want to do a special thing for someone and send them fresh seafood w/ a 24 hour delivery? And you are just not about going back to Pike Place and fighting the crowd? No problem. These folks are absolute pros. There is so much more to talk about here, but i'll stop for now. Seattle Fish Guys does everything you want for Seafood, and their crew is well-trained and top notch.
47 paikallista suosittelee
Seattle Fish Guys
411 23rd Ave S...because you can avoid a busy Pike Place Market while still getting a...oh wait, these guys got busy too now, but for good reason! Get in line, but the line is always moving so you are good. This one is hard to put in concise verbage because there is so much going on. This is the entire package, the one stop shop for all seafood and more. Hey, when the season and occasion is right, grab some fresh-cut flowers before you walk out the door. The list goes on here:
- Poke Bowls - Fire
- Dungy Crab Melt - Fire
- Smoked Salmon Belly - wow
..and dare I say it, dare I promote it even more, potentially ruining what was once a best kept secret, but yet, the candied smoked salmon strips, the jerky, it's there, by the cash register on the right, ah well, it's out now.
Oh, and ya, you want to do a special thing for someone and send them fresh seafood w/ a 24 hour delivery? And you are just not about going back to Pike Place and fighting the crowd? No problem. These folks are absolute pros. There is so much more to talk about here, but i'll stop for now. Seattle Fish Guys does everything you want for Seafood, and their crew is well-trained and top notch.
Oaky’s Tex-Mex
2524 South Jackson Street...because if Woodshop is so good, it just goes without saying (same owners).
...because sometimes a beer and a slice at a walkable distance is what u need.
45 paikallista suosittelee
Central Pizza
2901 S Jackson St...because sometimes a beer and a slice at a walkable distance is what u need.
Before there was anything else, there was Parnell's. It's written in stone and verified by science. This family-owned, local convenience store fits the gold standard of what that exactly is. Before you sell your soul to Amazon Fresh Store (it's ok, i'm there too) go grab a 6 pack of brew, a canned soda pop, a paper bag filled of candy and snacks, a microwavable meal, a cool Seattle Mariners Hat, a couple scratch tickets and maybe an ice cream bar here instead. For us locals, Parnell's is special, and they have weathered so many storms and are still standing. Much love.
6 paikallista suosittelee
Parnell's Mini-Mart
722 23rd Ave SBefore there was anything else, there was Parnell's. It's written in stone and verified by science. This family-owned, local convenience store fits the gold standard of what that exactly is. Before you sell your soul to Amazon Fresh Store (it's ok, i'm there too) go grab a 6 pack of brew, a canned soda pop, a paper bag filled of candy and snacks, a microwavable meal, a cool Seattle Mariners Hat, a couple scratch tickets and maybe an ice cream bar here instead. For us locals, Parnell's is special, and they have weathered so many storms and are still standing. Much love.
...go ahead, scan your palm, sell your soul, but they got what you need. It's ok, accept it, they already know everything.
14 paikallista suosittelee
Amazon Fresh
2301 S Jackson St...go ahead, scan your palm, sell your soul, but they got what you need. It's ok, accept it, they already know everything.
The closest spot with diner-like vibes. A lot of familiar items on the menu with some Korean flare, this is a fantastic brunch spot to walk to. Their lunch/dinner menu is on point too.
47 paikallista suosittelee
Cheeky Cafe
1700 S Jackson StThe closest spot with diner-like vibes. A lot of familiar items on the menu with some Korean flare, this is a fantastic brunch spot to walk to. Their lunch/dinner menu is on point too.
Just around the cornerish
Probably not a walk, well maybe, but all pretty close still.
mmmmmm, always consistent, always sweet & salty, always yaki, solid af
24 paikallista suosittelee
Toshio's Teriyaki
1706 Rainier Ave Smmmmmm, always consistent, always sweet & salty, always yaki, solid af
...becuase holy moly, do you have some time to kill on the weekend? I can't think of anything better than their spicy breakfast pizza w/ either a spicy bloody mary (ok grab the tums) or a mimosa w/ freshly squeezed juice. Let's circle back to the breakfast pizza. It's addicting. You will think about it afterwards. You will plan your upcoming life on getting this again.
Also, huge shoutout to the pizza drizzled with hot honey too. That one is an absolute slayer.
98 paikallista suosittelee
Mioposto Pizzeria
3601 S McClellan St...becuase holy moly, do you have some time to kill on the weekend? I can't think of anything better than their spicy breakfast pizza w/ either a spicy bloody mary (ok grab the tums) or a mimosa w/ freshly squeezed juice. Let's circle back to the breakfast pizza. It's addicting. You will think about it afterwards. You will plan your upcoming life on getting this again.
Also, huge shoutout to the pizza drizzled with hot honey too. That one is an absolute slayer.
Up a hill so you can get a solid cardio for the rich beer and burger you are about to consume. It's also fun to walk back cause it's just leisurely downhill. I love this specific scenic point of Seattle. I often run to it and take a moment to pause and see it's wonder on a clear day. At the top of this hill you can virtually see the Cascades, The Olympics. Mt. Rainier and both the Seattle and Bellevue Skyline.
73 paikallista suosittelee
Heyday
1372 31st Ave SUp a hill so you can get a solid cardio for the rich beer and burger you are about to consume. It's also fun to walk back cause it's just leisurely downhill. I love this specific scenic point of Seattle. I often run to it and take a moment to pause and see it's wonder on a clear day. At the top of this hill you can virtually see the Cascades, The Olympics. Mt. Rainier and both the Seattle and Bellevue Skyline.
So good. Water. Awesome. Great Happy Hour. Leschi is such a fun secret spot away from the crowded Madison Park.
55 paikallista suosittelee
BluWater Bistro - Leschi
102 Lakeside AveSo good. Water. Awesome. Great Happy Hour. Leschi is such a fun secret spot away from the crowded Madison Park.
Often an ecclectic mix of local music and fantastic Detroit-Style pizza from Breezy Town Pizza
19 paikallista suosittelee
Clock-out Lounge
4864 Beacon Ave SOften an ecclectic mix of local music and fantastic Detroit-Style pizza from Breezy Town Pizza
The Green Door Seattle
828 Rainier Ave S...because Uncle Ike's can get too crowded sometimes.
So I've been honing in my pizza making skills lately, and this is my new home. Also great for birthday ideas, or to gather some great cheeses for charcuterie.
8 paikallista suosittelee
Big John's PFI
1608 S Dearborn StSo I've been honing in my pizza making skills lately, and this is my new home. Also great for birthday ideas, or to gather some great cheeses for charcuterie.
Top Divey Bars
Closest to home, and tied for 1st in my book, I'm all in. the decor, the food, the neighborhood feel, it's home.
102 paikallista suosittelee
Twilight Exit
2514 E Cherry StClosest to home, and tied for 1st in my book, I'm all in. the decor, the food, the neighborhood feel, it's home.
...because this is what divey is all about. This is my other 1st. Go downstairs to a dimly lit red-light room plastered with lucha libre attire, bouncy pleather booths covered in fake rhinestones, an arcade area and whatever vintage video they decided to play on the wall. Going to the Cha Cha is like going to a vortex where time and space do weird things. Embrace the potential.
63 paikallista suosittelee
Cha Cha Lounge
1013 E Pike St...because this is what divey is all about. This is my other 1st. Go downstairs to a dimly lit red-light room plastered with lucha libre attire, bouncy pleather booths covered in fake rhinestones, an arcade area and whatever vintage video they decided to play on the wall. Going to the Cha Cha is like going to a vortex where time and space do weird things. Embrace the potential.
If you are doing the touristy thing around Seattle Center, and the place isn't packed, pick your favorite set of songs from the jukebox, sit at the bar, grab some fried food, and be a fly on the wall for a bit. Colorful experience.
48 paikallista suosittelee
The 5 Point Cafe
415 Cedar StreetIf you are doing the touristy thing around Seattle Center, and the place isn't packed, pick your favorite set of songs from the jukebox, sit at the bar, grab some fried food, and be a fly on the wall for a bit. Colorful experience.