The Top List of Best Buy Restaurants - Seattle, WA
Lots of great food deals to explore. by Lynn Marshall
How do you judge if a city is truly a foodie destination? Not only by its fine dinning opportunities, but also by the more reasonably-priced every-day restaurants. In Seattle, this means everything from Thai and Ethiopian to American favorites with great water views.
MAGGIE’S BLUFF 2601 W. Marina Place, (206) 283 - 8322 Hours: Mon – Thu, 11:15 am - 8 pm, Fri, 11:15 am - 9 pm, Sat, 9 am- 9 pm, Sun, 9 am – 8 pm. Maggie’s Bluff is one of Seattle’s best kept casual dinning secrets. Located in the Magnolia Marina, (be sure to call and get directions), there is no better place to enjoy the view of Puget Sound on a sunny summer afternoon or evening. The beer selection is a little limited, but the Guinness is good and so are the margaritas. The buffalo chicken and the ahi tuna are our two favorite sandwiches with the teriyaki burger coming in at a close third. The kid’s meals include an ice cream sundae, which will give you a few more minutes to enjoy the view. In the summer, the wait can be lengthy, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but it’s always worth it. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $15-$25.
RAGA CUISINE OF INDIA 212 Central Way, Kirkland, WA, (425) 827-3300 Hours: Sun - Sat, 11:30 am-2:30 pm, 5 pm-10 pm. Everyone in Seattle knows that the best Indian food in the region is found on the Eastside. (Proximity to Microsoft, maybe?) And even thought the competition is stiff, Raga stands out from the rest. You’ve never had Nann this good and the lamb marinated in garlic, ginger, mustard oil and lemon is a revelation. Raga is a melodic form found in Indian Classical music, and musical instruments hang on the restaurant’s walls. The dinning space is divided by a brick fireplace open on both sides. The Indian fabrics on the ceiling and elegant lighting also help to make the setting something special. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $15 - $25.
MONDO SHRIMP 166 Lake Street S, Kirkland, WA, (425) 893-9458 Hours: Mon-Sat, 11 am - 10 pm, Sun 11 am - 9 pm. An intimate spot in downtown Kirkland, Mondo Shrimp is a great place to enjoy mostly Creole food. The warm colors - dark sage walls, a deep red wall near the bar, rose-hued blown glass wall sconces and white table clothes set the tone – friendly yet formal. Don’t miss the namesake dish, sautéed shrimp served in hand-painted ceramic bowls, over steamed white rice or cappellini covered in the "secret sauce." The mondo shrimp grinder, mondo wrap and mondo ravioli all live up to their names, but try and save room for the old fashioned pecan pie. Monday and Tuesday nights, certain wines are $10 a bottle. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $15 - $25.
THAN BROTHERS 516 Broadway East, (206) 568-7218 Hours: Sun-Sat 11 am-10 pm This Capital Hill location was the second Than Brothers to open in Seattle – it’s now one of a ten location local pho-empire. And for good reason. With 17 different variations of pho, (mostly beef, but also vegetarian and chicken), it really is hard to go wrong here. There isn’t much atmosphere at any of the locations, but by the time you drink your Vietnamese iced coffee and tuck into your huge bowl of noodles, you really won’t care. Than Brothers are also famous for their custard puffs – a sweet pillow of warm custard, that goes very well with the coffee. Be warned though, other than the puffs, pho is your only choice. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $6 - $10.
ASSIMBA 2722 E Cherry St., (206) 322-1019 Hours: Sat – Fri, 11 am – 10 pm. Assimba stands out in a neighborhood where Ethiopian restaurants are more frequent than bus stops. The space recently closed for more than 3 months and locals had begun to despair. When would Assimba re-open? And how much would out beloved hole in the wall change? We needed have worried – the doro wat, (chicken stew) kitfo, (beef tips) vegetarian platter and injera (flat bread) are all the same – and the best in town. The lentil dishes have just the right amount of spice and the servers are helpful and friendly, quick to offer aid if Ethiopian food is new to you. The prices remain outrageously low. The cement floor has been recast and the walls have a fresh paint job, but everything else is the same. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $6 - $10.
HILLTOP ALE HOUSE 2129 Queen Anne Ave N., (206) 285-3877 Hours: Daily, 11am – 1 am. The Hilltop Ale House is one of a family of three pubs – all reminiscent in décor of a classic English pub but unlike many English pubs, the food at all three of these establishments is something special. The Hilltop, on Queen Anne, The 74th St. Ale House in Phinney Ridge, and the Columbia City Ale House all share the same menu and a devotion to local, seasonal brews, as well as some of the most interesting imported beer you’ll find on tap in the Seattle Area. In the winter, if you like darker beers, give the Hale’s Wee Heavy a try. The fish tacos (the type of fish depends on what’s fresh that day) the chicken quesadillas, and the Ahi sandwiches are all great choices, and unusually for a pub, the salads are outstanding too. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $15 - $25.
GORDITOS 213 N 85th St, (206) 706-9352 Hours: Sun – Mon, Wed – Thurs, 10:30 am – 9 pm, Fri – Sat, 10:30 am – 10 pm. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons there is typically a line out the door at Gorditos, a tiny storefront space, just off of Greenwood Avenue, that opens to a large seating area. Don’t let the line put you off though, it moves fast. Gorditos is all counter service; you order, take your chips and salsa, and your food is delivered to your table. The salsa bar usually features six different salsas, varying from mild to hot. Burritos are what made the business, but try the nachos or the prawn fajita tacos, if you are looking for something different. In the summer, the seating area can be stuffy, and you may want to call ahead and order to go – the main thing to know about Gorditos is that the portions are huge! Don’t order a grande burrito unless you plan to take it home and live on it for days. Sharing with you friends is a better option. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $6 - $10.
ROXY’S DINNER 462 N 36th St, (206) 632-3963 Hours: Tues – Fri, 7 am – 8 pm, Sat, 7 am – 7 pm, Sun 7 am – 6 pm. When Roxy’s moved from downtown Seattle to Ballard legions of office workers mourned the loss of the best pastrami spot in town. The good news is that you can still get your pastrami fix in the decidedly bigger and more welcoming Ballard space. Breakfast is available all day, along with the lunch menu – and while the omelets are something special, what people come to Roxy’s for is the sandwiches – the hot pastrami, the Ruben, and the chopped chicken liver will all transport you to New York. Dinner is a treat too – matzoh ball soup and pirogues aren’t easy to come by in Seattle, and these are great. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $10 - $20.
RED MILL BURGERS 312 N 67th St., (206) 783-6362 Hours: Tues – Sat, 11 am – 9 pm. Sun, 11 am – 8 am. It’s best to call ahead before you set out for Red Mill. First, to see if they are open, (they don’t always keep to the posted hours) and during the lunch and dinner rush, to pre-order your food. Red Mill’s burgers – beef, chicken and veggie are popular. The verde burger - Red Mill peels and roasts 40 pounds of Anaheim chilies daily both in here in Phinney Ridge and at their Interbay location - and the red onion jam burger are our two favorites. Get an order of onion rings, and one of their hand-made shakes while you’re at it. Seating is limited, and Red Mill only takes cash. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $10 - $15.
SPUDS 2666 Alki Ave. S.W., (206) 938-0606 Hours: Daily, 11 am – 9 pm. Spuds has been making fish and chips on Alki Beach in West Seattle since 1935 and generations of locals had their first taste of fried fish here. Though Spuds sold to a restaurant conglomerate a few years ago, both the Alki and Green Lake locations remain just as they have always been. The long line moves fast on hot summer days and you’ll want to order extra tartar sauce to enjoy your halibut, cod, or clam strips. In the winter, try the terrific clam chowder. Alki is a great people watching spot – take your order across the street and enjoy Seattle’s only sandy beach and view of the passing ferries. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $10 - $15.
The Top List of Best Buy Restaurants - Seattle, WA