When you think of Seattle, Washington, the first thing that might pop into your mind
is the rain. Or maybe it's the birthplace of Starbucks. But what you might not be thinking
of is the food there. Fortunately, there are a bunch of incredible restaurants and other
food options that are ready to change your mind. Because Seattle is not only the home
of the Seahawks and grunge music, but it's also a place where you can let your taste buds soar.
The city is an up-and-coming food hub, and we can’t wait to tell you all about it. So stick
around as Facts Verse presents the best food in Seattle, Washington!
Seattle Dog How about we start off with
a classic American staple, the hot dog? You might assume that all hot dogs are pretty much the same,
but we're happy to inform you that the dogs at Seattle Dog are a step above other dogs you've
had before. That's because they have gotten quite creative with how they present them. You
might think that asking for a 'schmear' is only something you do when ordering a bagel. And yet,
Seattle dog is famous for offering cream cheese on their hot dogs, right along with mustard and
relish. It started in the 1990s, perhaps to help grunge fans eat something fun as they left a Pearl
Jam show. But all we know is that the tradition stuck around and is a popular choice now. The
folks at Seattle Dog use what looks kind of like a caulking gun to squeeze out cream cheese onto
your toasted bun. And if that's not enough, you can add to it with some hot sauce and caramelized
onions for some heat and some sweetness. It's unlike any hot dog experience you've ever had.
Marination Empire Speaking of unexpectedly good food, have you ever
had a spam slider? Well, it’s probably about time you did. The folks at Marination Empire have been
around since the late 2000’s and were a big part of the city’s burgeoning food truck mania. They’ve
taken a Koren-style taco, given it a little Hawaiian flair, and voila… a Seattle classic.
The legendary canned lunch meat finally gets a chance to shine as it sits, with a teriyaki glaze,
in between a bun that is itself coated with what they call “Nunya” sauce. (We’re assuming
it’s because if you ask what the ingredients are, they’ll tell you it’s ‘nunya business.”
Add to it some crunch coleslaw for texture, and you’ve got an unforgettable spam slider.
Samburna Indian Restaurant Indian food is now as baked
into American food culture as other Asian countries, and for good reason. With healthy
portions of food that are loaded with intense flavor, it’s a go-to for many people at lunch
and dinner time. And Samburna is bringing the fire in Seattle. (And we don’t necessarily mean spice,
though they also know how to bring the heat in that regard too!) Their specialty is South
Indian food because the owners are from Tamil Nadu. It’s an area in the far southern tip of
India with its own regional specialties. Dosas, which are thin breads kind of like a crepe,
are very popular in Tamil Nadu, so naturally, this restaurant specializes in them. And they live up
to the hype. They have a few versions, actually, including one that’s more than three feet long.
You should also with the goat curry a taste, and we particularly like their madras coffee with one
of their traditional Indian desserts. It’s a great restaurant for dining in, but the food travels
well too if you’d like to eat at home and perhaps check out a fun Bollywood movie as you eat!
Archipelago Shifting gears, but only slightly,
Archipelago keeps us in Asia, but moves us to the island food of the Philippines. Archipelago
fuses Filipino flavors with American ones for a taste you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a small
and intimate spot perfect for a quiet night out. And don’t go to Archipelago if you’re racing to
catch a movie. It’s a tasting menu that varies from season to season, consisting of 9 to 12
courses. So you’re going to want to take your time and enjoy the story of the tasting menu.
And we actually mean a literal story. The tasting courses are meant to mimic the journey that the
owners (and chefs) of the restaurant experienced as they immigrated from the Philippines to the
northwest of the United States. Expect super fresh and local ingredients mixed with a very
authentic ambiance. You won’t be sorry you experienced all that Archipelago has to offer.
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Tilikum Place Café Situated at the bottom of the famous Space Needle
is this fun café that, unsurprisingly, gets its fair share of tourists as they descend from the
top. But there’s more to the Tilikum Place Café than just its location. They specialize in Dutch
Babies. No, not children from Amersterdam. A Dutch Baby is a souffle-esque pancake that tickles the
taste buds and fills the belly. While Dutch Babies aren't unique to Seattle, the city does claim to
have been their birthplace. As the story goes, at the now-closed Manca Café, a chef tried to make
a German pancake, and there was confusion over the German word for “German,” which is Deutcsh.
Mix in a couple fun cooking choices and a misspelling of Deutsch, and you have a Dutch Baby.
And at Tilikum Place Café you can get some of the best in the city. They cook them in a pan that is
then served directly to you. You can choose one of two styles. One is sweeter and has powdered
sugar and roasted apples on top. The other is more savory, and has ham and cheese mixed in.
it's a Seattle favorite you won't soon forget. Just maybe schedule some nap time for afterward.
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese Beecher’s is a Seattle favorite for both
locals and tourists alike. They have locations all over the city, and they cheese products are also
found in places like Pike Place and Seattle-Tacoma Airport. They are perhaps best known for their
curd snacks and other dairy delights, loaded with one of their various tasty cheeses. Perhaps most
famous is their “Flagship” cheese. And people line up, especially at the Pike Place location, to not
only snack on their delicious cheese products but also to watch them work. That’s because they are
creating their cheesy masterpieces behind a glass wall, in full view of curious spectators. So,
you’re gonna be happy just trying out their curds and other fun snacks. However, the real
connoisseurs of Beecher’s Handmade Cheese know that in order to really get the most out of your
visit there, you need to try their incredible grilled cheese sandwich. And, while you might
think it’s some fancy tourist-trap of a sandwich, loaded with extra stuff… it’s not. It’s a basic
grilled cheese that comes with their “Flagship” and “Just Jack” cheeses and toasted inside a
panini press. And, to be honest, it's everything you could ever want from a grilled cheese.
Zylberschtein's Ok, so admittedly this Jewish deli
has a lot of consonants in its name. So it might take you a couple swings before you pronounce
it correctly. But even if you don’t, that’s fine. Pronouncing their name is far less important than
trying their food. For starters, the baked goods are incredible. There are cakes and croissants
that will dazzle you, and their challah and bagels are among the best in all of Seattle. Of course,
this is a deli, which means the headliners are sandwiches. The owner, Josh Grunig,
refers to them as "big, ridiculous sandwiches." And we have to agree with that description. You
get loads of pastrami and corned beef on rye or on a bagel. It's enough to half to slow down and take
a break to finish them. Which isn't a bad idea, cause they have a lovely covered patio where you
can enjoy your meal as you figure out how to get down the rest of your sandwich. Then there
are other great Jewish deli staples like matzo ball soup, whitefish, and chopped liver. L’Chaim!
Frelard Tamales This fantastic Mexican restaurant
actually started out with a booth in a farmer’s market. But after the lines started getting too
long for their tamales, they knew they had to open up a permanent location. At Frelad
Tamales they offer half-pound tamales in a variety of mouth-watering flavors. We
particularly like the salsa verde chicken, though the salsa roja version is a close
second. They also have excellent vegan and vegetarian tamales. The sweet potato and mole
is our favorite in that category, though if you enjoy jackfruit, the salsa roja and jackfruit
tamales are great too. The tamales all come with carrots and pickled onions. Plus Frelard
makes a killer homemade agua de horchata to go along with your tamales! Plus you can also take
home from frozen versions of your favorite talames and enjoy them in your own kitchen!
Now it’s time to hear from you. Did we miss any of your favorite food spots in Seattle?
Let us know in the comments section below. And before you go,
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