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The Great Foodening - PAX Food Destinations 2013
Another year, another PAX Prime and what would that be without the great food destination list!
This list is not meant to be a list of the snobby foofoo only places but rather a list of places somewhat unique to the Seattle or upper Pacific NW area AND somewhat close to PAX. Unless it is REALLY awesome and unique if it is not within a reasonable no car distance to PAX it may not make the list. If you are just interested in places like McDonald's, Taco, Bell, etc I have linked a map by another user at the bottom of this post.
Over the past 4 years of doing this list it has grown really big and instead of listing it all out here in 1 big column like it originally used to be it has been moved to a Google docs spreadsheet which has allowed me to add more features to it. Additionally I started including hours open and special notes. This new format makes the list look cleaner and it is much easier for people to sort however they want. So please check this link for the listing which will continue to be updated. This year time permitting I may be adding it to the wiki.
Some notes about the columns in the spreadsheet:
Distance from the WSCC is in the column marked distance. This is calculated by entering the WSCC and the eatery into Google maps. I choose the WALK option so distance by car will be farther due to all the one way streets.
The "Show Me!" column has a"GMap" label this is for those of us looking at the map on a mobile device that want to be able to get a map to the location from your current location. Clicking this link will open up Google maps with a pin of the address and let you get directions.
Price Scale:
I have done my best to put the pricing in the following scale please let me know if pricing is wrong as I mostly go off what people tell me or yelp or some other review says.
$ = less than $10
$$ = $10 - $20
$$$ = > $30
$$$$ = Crazy expensive
A notice to all out of towners going in large groups. Most places will charge an automatic gratuity of around 18% for groups 6 or more even if your service is subpar.
Disclaimer: I have not gone to all of these places they are all from users posts. If you feel a price level or description is wrong please let me know and I will adjust it.
I have been asked a few times what my "can't miss" places are. Well every year I make it a point to visit Molly Moon's ice cream the hill is a hike but they have some awesome flavors. While I was up there last year I stopped by Po Dog just down the street and was pleasantly surprised and plan to stop by again this year. You also cannot go wrong heading down to pikes place market and visiting one of the many small shops there.
Making suggestions and or corrections, places closed etc (and please do!!)
I am very busy at work this year but want to keep this list as updated as possible so please give us as many details as possible if you want your suggestion added. I just won't have as much research time this year as past years. As people post places in the thread I will update the spreadsheet listing about once a week or 2 with those that make sense and have enough details. PLEASE include what you think the pricing is like in the $-$$$ format if you suggest a listing. If you don't give me details chances are I will say oh sounds cool but not list it because I don't know enough about it. Please at least give the pricing and type of food. If you can include the address, website, and distance that is even more helpful. It may take me awhile to add some places but I review this thread often.
Listing
Oh look here is a crazy busy map I made of all the places in the list! (Oops link was wrong fixed now)
And here are 3 extra maps of places other members have created.
Gluten Free places map by ?
Fast Food map by Initialdor
Quintious's top 5 picks by category
This list is not meant to be a list of the snobby foofoo only places but rather a list of places somewhat unique to the Seattle or upper Pacific NW area AND somewhat close to PAX. Unless it is REALLY awesome and unique if it is not within a reasonable no car distance to PAX it may not make the list. If you are just interested in places like McDonald's, Taco, Bell, etc I have linked a map by another user at the bottom of this post.
Over the past 4 years of doing this list it has grown really big and instead of listing it all out here in 1 big column like it originally used to be it has been moved to a Google docs spreadsheet which has allowed me to add more features to it. Additionally I started including hours open and special notes. This new format makes the list look cleaner and it is much easier for people to sort however they want. So please check this link for the listing which will continue to be updated. This year time permitting I may be adding it to the wiki.
Some notes about the columns in the spreadsheet:
Distance from the WSCC is in the column marked distance. This is calculated by entering the WSCC and the eatery into Google maps. I choose the WALK option so distance by car will be farther due to all the one way streets.
The "Show Me!" column has a"GMap" label this is for those of us looking at the map on a mobile device that want to be able to get a map to the location from your current location. Clicking this link will open up Google maps with a pin of the address and let you get directions.
Price Scale:
I have done my best to put the pricing in the following scale please let me know if pricing is wrong as I mostly go off what people tell me or yelp or some other review says.
$ = less than $10
$$ = $10 - $20
$$$ = > $30
$$$$ = Crazy expensive
A notice to all out of towners going in large groups. Most places will charge an automatic gratuity of around 18% for groups 6 or more even if your service is subpar.
Disclaimer: I have not gone to all of these places they are all from users posts. If you feel a price level or description is wrong please let me know and I will adjust it.
I have been asked a few times what my "can't miss" places are. Well every year I make it a point to visit Molly Moon's ice cream the hill is a hike but they have some awesome flavors. While I was up there last year I stopped by Po Dog just down the street and was pleasantly surprised and plan to stop by again this year. You also cannot go wrong heading down to pikes place market and visiting one of the many small shops there.
Making suggestions and or corrections, places closed etc (and please do!!)
I am very busy at work this year but want to keep this list as updated as possible so please give us as many details as possible if you want your suggestion added. I just won't have as much research time this year as past years. As people post places in the thread I will update the spreadsheet listing about once a week or 2 with those that make sense and have enough details. PLEASE include what you think the pricing is like in the $-$$$ format if you suggest a listing. If you don't give me details chances are I will say oh sounds cool but not list it because I don't know enough about it. Please at least give the pricing and type of food. If you can include the address, website, and distance that is even more helpful. It may take me awhile to add some places but I review this thread often.
Listing
Oh look here is a crazy busy map I made of all the places in the list! (Oops link was wrong fixed now)
And here are 3 extra maps of places other members have created.
Gluten Free places map by ?
Fast Food map by Initialdor
Quintious's top 5 picks by category
Go for the eyes Boo, GO FOR THE EYES!
ElmoFuntz on
+5
This discussion has been closed.
Posts
Plum Bistro
Website: http://www.plumbistro.com/
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/sUuOY
Distance: 0.8 miles
Food type: Vegan
Price: $$
Address: 1429 12th Ave Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: (206) 838-5333
Hours: 11a-10p M-R; 11a-10:30p F; 10a-10:30p A; 10a-10p S
Comments: They have several locations, and are in the process of setting up a food truck (expected this summer...in time for PAX, maybe?) but the one on 12th is the one I've been to. They cycle their menu, so don't expect what you see now to necessarily be what they've got come PAX time. Had their jerk tofu burger, which was AMAZING; also, just about everyone who's had it raves about their mac 'n' yease.
Thanks for your input. Since I have been doing this same thread and list every year for awhile now and reuse the same list with adds and deletions as people provide input I'm not surprised to see some places have closed. I rely on peoples input to get updates. Since you provided no detail other than Von's and Calozzi's that makes it hard to update. I've updated the 2 you listed though.
Elmo does this thread every year, and while your list is a really nice "curated best-of" shortlist for people looking for recommendations regardless of distance, Elmo's list provides an exhaustive, comprehensive list of everything really close to the con.
I know that he's really dedicated to keeping information accurate so if you send him a list of corrections, he'll make them.
I also added plum bistro and thanks for being so detailed Miss Rachel, made adding it to the map and spreadsheet super easy
I may have taken your intentions wrong but it felt like you were bashing on my posting calling it redundant, etc.
A place I hit up last year that I really liked:
Romios
Website: http://www.downtownromios.com/
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/c5lyZ
Distance: 0.3 miles
Food type: Pizza/Delivery
Price: $$ $$$ if you order a lot
Address: 927 Howell St. Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-622-6878
Hours: Monday-Sunday 11am-11pm
Comments: I ordered from here quite a few times last year for lunch and dinner last year and only spent about $20 on a pizza and appetizer and my tip. The menu is also pretty diverse with something to satisfy any pizza appetite. They also have a gluten free menu although I never ate off it last year. Romios is also a chain and has another location closer/in Belltown, but I'd avoid it. Accidentally ordered from there last year and it took forever to get my food and it was just bad. looking online it does/did appear that a lot of people had issues with the Belltown location
Salty's is really fun, with a fantastic brunch, and as the crow flies, it's close to the con. However, getting there by vehicle can be difficult since it's on the other side of Elliot Bay which makes it seem really far away. I'm submitting a suggestion to add the link for the West Seattle Water Taxi, which leaves just a few blocks from the con and makes it a snap to get there from downtown. Also, Salty's is a bit upscale and if you've got a group, they'll send a complimentary shuttle van to most downtown hotels.
http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/WaterTaxi/WestSeattleRoute.aspx
Food Trucks are all the rage right now. How about adding the local food trucks to the list with a link to the site that tells you where they all are? There's at least a handful within walking distance on every day of the con, but you've got to check the site to see who's where, when.
http://www.seattlefoodtruck.com/
I was simply pointing out redundancy. Anyhow, Vons, Calozzi's, Maximus Minimus (no longer parks on 2nd and Pike, as Tokyo Dogs has taken over that corner), Bimbo's (theme change), and Skillet (technically accurate w/ their new storefront, but they put their food truck on 5th and Stewart on weekends, which is more easily accessible to con goers) immediately come to mind as errors I noticed last night, and I know I saw at least a couple of others just in a quick once-through scan (Ipanema seems to have been removed, when it's just moved). So there's at least 5 (7) there. I don't know which ones you may have fixed other than what you notated above. As most of that sheet seems to be focused on Cap Hill it'd take a more thorough read-through to identify any changes up there. Not a part of town I typically go to for reasons obvious to locals.
"Fantasy football still counts as fantasy." -DnD Greg
Thanks Z but color me a bit confused. I welcome other lists, I even add links to them on the bottom of mine! Feel free to PM me to clarify? Heck no way I could do all this without others input!
Thanks for your updates. The Skillet entry did specify it was the brick and mortar and I have added the truck details as that's a great opportunity for weekends. I have updated Maximus/Minimus as well. Can you clarify on the Bimbo's change? Their website just says booze, beer, burritos so is it still Mexican fare or more a bar now? I never had Ipanema listed but I looked them up and will add them to the list. This appears to be the traditional all you can eat Brazilian steakhouse? Man I love those.
@LexiconGrrl I have added a Food trucks line item with a link to that website you posted. I love food trucks they can be a great place to find some very good food. I also added the water taxi link in the comments on Salty's
@Sanovah Romios added
And, I know it's not meal, but a really yummy snack: Daily Dozen Donut Co
Website: http://www.yelp.com/biz/daily-dozen-doughnut-company-seattle
Map:
Distance: 0.3 miles
Food type: mini donuts
Price: $
Address: 93 Pike Place Hillclimb Walk, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (206) 467-7769
Hours: Mon-Sun 8:30 am - 5 pm
Comments: I got these from a co-worker. Delicious.
Honestly, you're going to be fairly disappointed. There are only a couple of worthwhile food trucks in the city - Off the Rez, Ezell's, Tacos El Asadero....Maximus doesn't qualify. If not for the fact that their food truck is architected the way it is, nobody would give them a second thought.
This is an interesting point: so far, none of my food experiences from food trucks have been positive, but hope springs eternal, and other people seem to really like them, so I continue to try them out. I haven't tried Maximus/Minimus yet but one really awesome thing that they do, which inclines me to spend money there regardless of quality, is that the Bethesda people work with them to do a whole Skyrim Food Cart thing occasionally (like Prime last year) which was just stellar. On the menu? Whole Turkey leg. F'ing fantastic, seeing a bunch of PAXers walking around like Henry the 8th, gnawing on turkey leg.
Is it just really bland? I hear this is a good one to try but is not shaped like a pig.
http://whereyaatmatt.com/
The locals seem to enjoy it. Then again, the locals have no idea what barbecue is supposed to taste like, as evidenced by the fact that they tout up BBQ joints around here that have food which tastes....well, I don't know what it tastes like exactly, but it's sure as hell not barbecue. I've found Max/Min's offerings to be overpriced, ill-prepared (no smoke flavour at all), and overrated. Where Ya At Matt, that one's a toughie. Whereas the draw to Max/Min is the truck shape itself, WYAM's big draw is Matt himself. He's SUCH a nice and engaging fellow that you feel bad pointing out that the food is pretty mediocre and doesn't qualify in the slightest as cajun/creole, but.....the food is pretty mediocre and doesn't qualify in the slightest as cajun/creole.
One place I want to try badly is Wandering Goose ( http://www.thewanderinggoose.com/ ). It's owned by a friend of a friend but I haven't made it to Capitol Hill yet (I'm in Shoreline).
@Vespachica I linked @Quintious "Top 5" list at the bottom of my original post.
@Byakuen The daily dozen is good mini donuts, its a grab and go booth at the entrance to Pikes place. Not quite list material as its not really an eatery but is worth mentioning. I think I visited them a couple times last year.
Good to know! We have a big list of places to hit so the food trucks would be more if we cross path's with them.
Kidd Valley
Website: http://www.kiddvalley.com
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/N7dqF
Distance: ~2 miles
Food Type: Burgers and Shakes
Price: $ - $$
Address: 531 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, 98109
Phone No.: (206) 284-0184
Hours: 11am-10pm Daily
Comments: I've gone to this local burger chain for some time now. One of my favorites is their burger dip, which is two hamburger patties with your choice of cheese (American, cheddar or swiss) on a hoagie sandwich roll, complementing it with your choice of dip (au jus or barbecue sauce). Many other things they have there include onion rings, garlic fries and their signature fried mushrooms. Excellent selections for those looking to eat on the cheap.
Kidd Valley is a total old school Seattle Classic. They revamped all the restaurants in the 80's but the food is great and all the shakes are hand dipped and made with real fruit.
definitely some places to check out on both lists so thanks again for doing this
Oh my Dayum
Oh my goodness
They goin' Ham
I've scouted the downtown core and updated my fast food map. I've tried to include more of the Foodie spreadsheet this go-round; Pike Place Market in particular. (The map focus is still fast food, though, so all that quick, greasy, and chain stuff is still on here.)
"Fantasy football still counts as fantasy." -DnD Greg
The house Uwajimaya deli is screamin' good, and it's unbelievably huge and varied. They've got miles of really good, inexpensive prepackaged fresh meals too, for anybody who might want to stock up their hotel fridge before PAX.
Seriously - this place is massive. They have conventional American foods too, and the produce section is unbelievable. It's one if my top-5 tourist stops for out if towners even if we don't buy anything.
Ever wanted to see a Geoduck? Their fresh tanks are like a visit to the aquarium. Except that you can eat what you see.
Oh yeah, and definitely try the Beard Papas cream puffs.
Oh my Dayum
Oh my goodness
They goin' Ham
Café Campagne
Website: http://cafecampagne.com/
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Dg0pl
Distance: 0.5 miles
Food type: French
Price: $$-$$$
Address: 1600 Post Alley Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (206) 728-2233
Hours: 11a-10p M-R; 11a-11p F; 8a-11p A; 8a-10p S
Comments: If you do go with more a group of more than a couple people i highly recommend calling to make a reservation. Also, the lamb burger might be one of the most delicious things i have ever eaten.
Triple XXX Rootbeer
Website: http://www.triplexrootbeer.com/
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/d3pR8
Distance: 16.6 miles
Food type: All American
Price: $$-$$$
Address: 98 NE Gilman Blvd Issaquah, WA 98027
Phone: (425) 392-1266
PAX PRIME 2018 Status: Badges [√] Room [√] Waiting [ :x ]
PoGo Trainer Code:4505 8413 2232
Quick question, would it be possible to open up sorting to everyone? Being able to sort the list would be extremely helpful.
- Yard House
Website: http://www.yardhouse.com/default.aspx
Map:
Distance: 0.2 miles
Food type: American
Price: $$-$$$
Address: 1501 4th Ave (4th and Pike)
Phone: (206) 682-2087
Hours: 11am - 11pm Sunday - Thursday, 11am - 2am Friday and Saturday (kitchen closes at 1am)
Comments: fairly standard beerpub, big enough for large groups, fills up with afterwork crowds on friday, haven't tried other days
- Vostok Dumpling House
Website: vostokdh.com
Map:
Distance: 0.6 miles
Food type: Soviet
Price: $
Address: 1416 Harvard Ave (above QFC cnr of Broadway and Pike)
Phone: (206) 687-7865
Hours:
Mon - Thu: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Fri - Sat: 11:00 am - 12:00 am
Sun: 11:00 am - 6:30 pm
Comments: a couple months old, delicious but it's a tiny little restaurant. Above QFC, next to Marination Station.
Check out my PAX schedule assistant for Windows Phone - http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/pax-digital-assistant/6e56d005-983a-e011-854c-00237de2db9e. Feel free to send me feedback or requests at any time!
Lost Lake Cafe
Website: http://lostlakecafe.com/
Map:
Distance: 0.7 miles
Food type: diner
Price: $$
Address:1505 10TH AVE, SEATTLE, WA
Phone: (206) 323-5678
Hours: 24/7
Comments: serves breakfast all day
Check out my PAX schedule assistant for Windows Phone - http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/pax-digital-assistant/6e56d005-983a-e011-854c-00237de2db9e. Feel free to send me feedback or requests at any time!
I ended up just copy and paste it to my own spreadsheet so that I can modify some fields myself. Might wanna try that