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Dining: The Foodening Rev. Edition (aka- Where to eat at PAX?)
LoonyEclipse
WWHRD?Montreal, QCRegistered User regular
WWHRD?Montreal, QCRegistered User regular
Hey y'all.
For us out-of-towners, where do y'all recommend as dining spots while at PAX?
For us out-of-towners, where do y'all recommend as dining spots while at PAX?
LoonyEclipse on
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There is a nice restaurant down the street and around the corner from the convention center on E. Pike St. I visited in 2009 (it might be "The Honey Hole", but I'm not sure). Pike's Place Market is also a great place to shop for food, although I don't remember if they serve any cooked food and you might need to cook it yourself (if you stay at the Green Tortoise Hostel, for example, they have a kitchen for guests to use). I think The Cheesecake Factory, across from the convention center, also has dining options if I'm not mistaken.
Sorry I can't be more helpful, and I hope others come up with some suggestions besides fast food (there's a lot of that, too).
1. The Honey Hole is a half mile up Pike. Not exactly "down the street and around the corner". Good sandwiches though.
2. Pike's Place has plenty of proper restaurants, but if you want to catch a salmon there and cook it in your hostel, you do you buddy.
3. Suggesting the Cheesecake Factory during PAX is a terrible idea because it's the closest place outside of the convention center (if you don't count the Subway and Le Creperie that are attached the building), so EVERYONE tries to go there. Seriously, travel 5 blocks in any direction (besides South) and you'll get much better food with much much much much less waiting.
Why do I even bother... I just get the cold shoulder anytime I try to be helpful.
Honey Hole is a few blocks away, but a few blocks shouldn't be a long trek. Around the corner sort of makes sense since it's past where pike does that turn up the hill, I can see why someone would remember it that way. Also being a little further away means it's less likely to be insanely busy.
I have been a fan of Daawat Indian Grill & Bar. It's right next to the annex, and is very surprisingly not that busy during PAX if you go a little off prime meal hours.
If you want some good Mediterranean fare, Petra Cafe is a few blocks up 7th.
Always a fan of biscuit bitch, but that will be very very busy as well most times.
Lil Woody's is worth the walk up Pine for burgers.
Piroshky Piroshky bakery is worth the line. So is Sweet Iron.
I can't remember the last time I went somewhere that was just bad while I was in Seattle.
As Whypick1 said Subway, Cheesecake Factory, and Le Creperie are almost always packed solid. I think last year I tried cheesecake because I was feeling lazy and it was a 90 minute wait. If you have a chance at a short line at Le Creperie and you like crepes i'd say go for it. The ones I've had were quite decent which kind of surprised me for as many as they are pounding out during the convention.
Disregarding lines, though, one of my favorite places I go to every time I attend PAX is this pizza joint on the first floor of the CC. From 2009-2012 I remember the lines being about 5-10 minutes long, but the pizza is well worth it. Again, lines, but I did like the convenience of food served at the convention itself, too, and the food was decent, though expensive.
I ate there my first year at PAX but I THINK that it is gone now. But there is a MOD pizza not far away and there is actually a "secret" tunnel that lets out near it (exits out near/in the Hilton iirc) just outside the convention center. Of course I usually have a hard time locating it from the CC side when i'm not staying at the Hilton.
Elephant and Castle is fairly solid. Tap House Grill has a lot of good specials but I like that it's open later (good for post Acquisitions Inc. bites!).
Blue C Sushi is fun but be ready for a wait because it can get super busy.
If you're up for a bit of a walk (or Uber), Via Tribunali has tasty pizza. Can agree on Piroshky Piroshky being worth it. Don't be too turned off by the line, it goes fairly quick.
I need to work more on updating the list, there's a bunch of openings/closings.
Sometimes even that can be intimidating, just trying to decide on things, but Dough Zone just opened their latest location near the Paramount, there are lots of good places within walking distance, if you have specific dining types you are looking for and price ranges, many here in the forums can give good recommendations.
Blue C suddenly closed all of their restaurants last year (workers showed up and the doors were closed).
All of those are great places to grab a bite (I work in the area and I'm always trying new places around here).
Well dang! Thanks for the heads up!
Hmm that place looks like it might be good. Will have to add it to my to try list.
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On top of that, the Happy Hour menu also goes from 9pm to 1am, which makes for an excellent late night snack if you're still out and about.
And the Tap House Grill on 6th. They are also open late and have a bunch of good apps if you don't need a whole meal too.
Also, my contractually required contribution whenever this thread inevitably gets posted. See y'all at Top Pot!
Other good options include Lunchbox Laboratories, which is a bit of a hike over by Eastlake (but very good and pretty affordable); there is a place in Pike Place that sells amazing humbow called Mee Sum Pastry; and Ludi's (which my husband loves but I have never been to). I agree with going up to Cap Hill too; it's a bit of a steep climb but there is a LOT of food up there. Mario's Pizza, The Unicorn, multiple ramen places, etc.
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Food
- Six Arms (4 blocks away): Food is fine, beer is good. Cajon tots are the real winner here. Lots of space and a good vibe.
- Mamnoon (4 blocks away): Lebanese food that is incredible. If you want quicker or cheaper options, there's a 'Mamnoon Street' window that serves to-go orders at the same location.
- Oaxaquena (5 blocks away): Mexican food joint that makes a bunch of salsas from scratch. If you go early, get the chilaquiles.
- Lil Woodys (5 blocks away): Burger joint that is pretty awesome. Straight forward, lots of options, always great.
- Honey Hole (9 blocks away): Agree with everyone's take above. Honey Hole is a good sandwich.
- BrewLab (9 blocks away): Food is fine, beer selection and overall quality is my favorite in the area. We're regulars here, but mostly for beer and vibe reasons.
- Autthaya (9 blocks away): If Thai is ne, I dig this place. A little heavy on cooking with oil, but otherwise pretty solid.
- Marination Station (10 blocks away): Tucked away above the QFC, this is a Hawaiian-Korean fusion place. Hole in the wall, not open very late but highly suggest the kimchi fried rice with sexy tofu. It's insane.
Coffee
- Victrola (4 blocks away): Best coffee in the neighborhood. The Starbucks Roastery is fun to walk around and take in, but coffee is cheaper and superior at Victrola imo.
These are just a few! Happy to drop more ideas if people have specific diets or interests!
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1) When coming to Seattle, try to get out at least once for food we specialize in. Have a regional experience! Japanese, Mexican, Vietnamese and Seafood specifically.
2) It truly is difficult to find bad food downtown; rents are outrageous and bad restaurants just can’t make it.
3) Walk at least 2 blocks away from the con for a more civilized experience.
4) Food trucks are hit-or-miss. Weirdly, almost all of the taco trucks are outstanding. If you’re concerned about safety, note that the local County Department of Health Regs were written by a bunch of ASS HOLES and truck food is safe to the point of being unrecognizable.
5) I am shitting myself with laughter over all of the Honey Hole callouts. It’s a lesbian coffee shop - which in itself is not a big deal anymore - but hey, can we get a shoutout for the great name? Yes, their sandwiches are legit.
6) My downtown reccs, if anybody cares:
Vietnamese: Green Leaf*
Japanese: Japonessa, Nijo or Shiro’s
Mexican: La Cochina Oaxacaña
Seafood: Elliott’s or Seatown
Burgers: Meg’s Smash Burgers (shameless plug for my friend’s place). Also, Altstadt for FUCKING AMAZING German fare.
*Note: New Saigon is a Vietnamese cafe in the basement of a building 2 blocks from the con, and it’s solid.
This map of fast food is 2014/2015 ish. Someone might have an updated copy. Keep the suggestions coming.
And last years massive thread
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I'll be checking this out!
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So I'm curious about Allstadt, I like German food and its been a few years (PAX South). I'll have to make sure I go there
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Looks like they have a downtown location now. I've always gone to their HQ so no experience with that location.
Looks to be Texas BBQ...yum
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I'll have to check this out!
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