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Asadero Ballard

4.4 (1.6k reviews)
ModerateMexican, Steakhouses
Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated a few days ago

Asadero Ballard Reservations

Asadero Ballard Photos

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ASADERO BALLARD ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Moderate noise
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - Asadero Ballard

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Reviews With Photos

El Zabuton
Rose P.

Sam was amazing! Super friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. He checked in at the perfect times and had such a great attitude. Definitely one of the best servers we've had thank you, Sam! Food amazing as always. Will be back every single time I'm back in town.

David H.

Haven't been to asadero in prob 10 years! But yoooo the experience was still the same.. a bangah! Went w a group of 5 We ordered their queso, baked potato, two variations of tacos, a ribeye, an Aussie + a Japanese cut. It was honestly the perfect amount of food for us and ooo the quality! Although the Aussie + Japanese cuts were def the most pricey, we all thought the ribeye was perhaps our favorite thing on the table. The way the meats are presented, it allows you to cook it to your liking, which is super dope esp if yall all have different preferences. We all got 1-2 drinks each. At the very end, our server gave us each some complimentary peppermint tea. The total ended up being ~530 before tip. Go chance em!

Gina B.

For years, I'd heard Asadero was one of the best steakhouses in Seattle. My partner loves steak, so we were quite excited to finally give it a visit. We were seated at a small table right behind the cool Catrina statue at the front entrance. I had made reservations, but it didn't seem necessary as it was lunchtime and there were a good amount of empty tables. The table we sat at had a worn out/peeled center... which I later realized was probably from the heat of the stone for the steak. We ordered the lunch special with Vacio steak, and Tacos del Patron. I forgot to take a photo of the menu, but it said that the lunch special comes with your choice of soup, salad, and side... and a steak split into two. I didn't realize until after ordering that the server did not inform us of the options for soup or salad, so we received whatever they chose for us I guess. We did choose the cauliflower as our side. The price for the lunch special is about $10 more than the Vacio steak order alone. I thought it was a nice deal. Soup and salad were alright. Cauliflower was big and flavorful on the charred outside, but the center was undercooked, bland, and unpleasant. There was a sauce provided on the side that kind of helped. Even with it being split in two, they gave us plenty of steak. The knives provided weren't the best to cut it up, but they did the job. Cooking the steak to our own liking on the hot stone was pretty fun. I'd say the steak was good, but not sure if I could tell the difference in flavor between this and ones from other steakhouses. But again, it was delicious and I was able to finish my piece. I honestly didn't need the salsas/ toppings provided on the side, but they tasted good and were nice to have. The tacos were delicious, with wonderfully tender meat and well-seasoned toppings. Service was ok, but I expected more engagement from such a pricy place. I think for people who really like steak, Asadero is a place to check out at least once for a unique dining experience in Ballard.

Lengua
Jia W.

This was the best steak I've ever had--juicy, perfectly seasoned, and paired with the salsa, every bite was perfection. The lengua was also amazing; it had none of that "weird" taste people sometimes expect and literally melted in my mouth. The service was exceptional. We sat at the bar and our bartender was both bartending and serving, yet still stayed incredibly attentive even though it was busy. The ambiance was great too--super relaxed with darker, cozy vibes. It does get very busy though, so I'd definitely recommend making a reservation.

Peppermint tea
Toni S.

Immediately upon being seated we were greeted with a platter of fresh fruit, cucumber and mint to add to our water glasses. SUCH an incredible and unique touch/experience. The table also has two glass bottles of water for refilling as needed which I always appreciate. We started with the Bone Marrow and Queso Fundido and both were delicious. 10/10, no notes. I typically don't like Queso Fundido because it gets so greasy and the cheese hardens fast but this was flavorful, spreadable and the chorizo was a nice compliment not the main event. The Bone Marrow was exactly what you'd expect! So yummy. For our mains we got the Buenos Aires Torta (actually the reason we came to try Asadero) and the shrimp tacos. The bread for the Torta was flavorful and perfectly toasted. The steak was delicious and the chimichurri was so good I just wish there was more! My husband got the tacos and he said they were also very good! After we finished eating we were offered peppermint tea (complimentary) which was another really unexpected and unique touch/experience! The service from everyone was great. Very friendly. Quick service. The establishment was clean and so cozy but also upscale in a very chill way. Bathrooms were clean and smelled good with cute decor. It's not a huge place but I think that's what allows for such an attentive experience. From start to finish we really enjoyed ourselves and will absolutely be back with friends or family!

Australian waygu
Kailey C.

Would give 6 stars if I could! Everything was top notch, from the hostess to the bartender and servers, to the food and drinks. We sat at the bar and our bartender was incredibly knowledgeable and answered all our many questions about the steak options and wine varietals. Love that you can cook your own steak as an option! They refresh the hot plate when it gets cool, service was all around very attentive. We had the A5 Japanese ribeye and Australian waygu and preferred the latter because the Japanese cut was very very thin. Recommend wearing clothes you can easily wash because of all the juices splattering as it's heated on the hot plates.

Prime rib tacos.
Tami A.

We came here for a Sunday night birthday dinner with reservations and, to be fair, that part went smoothly. It was busy but we were seated right away, which I appreciated. First thing you notice when you walk in? The place smells amazing. Like straight grilled steak heaven. That said... I also noticed later that my coat and clothes smelled like I had been standing over the grill myself. Not the end of the world, but definitely a thing. I ordered the guava hibiscus sour and for a $20 cocktail, I was honestly a little confused. The menu talked up foam and a smoke bubble situation, but when it came out, there was no foam and the glass was definitely not full. I asked about it, and the explanation was basically that the foam is just for texture (then why list it?). She did bring out some smoke afterward, but it didn't really change anything. Just felt... underwhelming for the price. For dinner, I had the prime rib tacos. On looks alone, I was worried -- the steak was kind of grey and not super appetizing. Thankfully, it tasted better than it looked, so that was a win. The rice dish the waitress recommended was fine, but nothing memorable. Not bad, just not something I'd crave later. We ended with the flan dessert trio, and that was probably the most solid part of the meal. Pretty good, no complaints there. The service itself was good -- our waitress was attentive and checked in at the right times. The vibe is very moody, dark, trendy mexican steakhouse energy. It feels like a place that wants to be special-occasion dining. Overall, by the time the bill came for the whole table, I just expected a bit more consistency and a little more "wow" for the price point. It wasn't bad by any means, but for what we spent, I'm not sure it fully delivered.

Flan trio
M C.

The restaurant offers a pretty chill vibe. It gets busy and the food is excellent so a reservation is recommended. I completely forgot to take photos because I was starving and was looking forward to dinner. Our wonderful meal consisted of: 2 Australian wagyu ribeyes, TUETANOS - bone marrow with crostini, PAPA JOSPER - baked potato with delicious toppings, and RAJITAS POBLANAS - Fire roasted poblanos with corn and cream sauce. Then flan and peppermint tea. We loved everything. Our fabulous server was Damian, but everyone on their team was friendly and attentive. Damian checked on us frequently to ensure our experience was great.

Ribeye
Yvonne F.

Mexican fusion steakhouse in North Downtown Seattle! It's located nearby Ballard street that is extremely busy, so parking is tough. However, plenty of stores and restaurants to explore. The restaurant interior is moody with lots of darker tones of red and wood, ideal for a date night or more intimate with friends. I split an appetizer of the guac and chips and enjoyed the assortments of salsas that came with it and the few pieces of sourdough bread, I thought that was fun! I ordered the Ribeye medium-rare and thought the flavor was yummy, it also came with a chimichurri sauce and a salsa. I couldn't tell under the dim lighting, but I think my steak came out more rare (which I did not mind) however, it was such a thick cut, it became a bid tedious to chew -- it did not quite melt in my mouth which was disappointing. Service was also friendly and attentive, he came by a few times to make sure we were doing OK and if we needed water re-fills.

Kasey G.

Great place for dinner, moody lighting and an authentic vibe. I had the wagyu tacos, so simple yet so good. The fish tacos were good, a little bit of a kick.

Cheesecake, inedible
Jamie K.

This is by far one of the most creative steak houses I have been to, plus having A5 wagu. That was totally worth the price. It is totally worth every penny. The meat comes on a sizzling heat plate, (see video) then you take it off and cut piece by piece to Cook the slice of what you will eat. This steak was amazing. If you haven't had Japanese wagu before this is a must. It is nothing like Australian. We also had the baked potato, 10/10. The crème they use is delicious. The only thing that was not good at all was the cheesecake, it wasn't sweet, hard as a rock and flavorless. The ambiance was amazing service was nice. Must try!

Potatoe
Chris R.

Great food, me and the girl shared a ribeye and 3-4 sides, her drinks were awesome and food was great. It's a place you could make it expensive or get out of there for a normal night out. Small intimate setting great for dates.

Rob B.

Unfortunately, one star less because we had to use a QR code and read the tiny screen on my phone. If there was an actual physical menu, then they would get five stars. This Asadero was not smoky and it was a great experience. The steaks were fresh and so juicy and good. Our server, Pedro was extra cool and smiley and made the experience perfect for our anniversary. Very friendly and helpful. It was a bit small inside, but it was a nice atmosphere. The chairs and seats were all hard, so not extremely comfortable. We even received a treat because it was our anniversary. Great experience and I don't say this often, but it was worth the money. Definitely worth a visit for a special evening or meeting with friends or coworkers.

New York strip waygu

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1 month ago

Great food and service as always! From the appetizer to the main course everything is as advertised!

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21 days ago

We come here each time we come to Seattle. The food is amazing, friendly staff. It's a great experience and you leave ready for a nap.

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1 month ago

The service is still excellent but the steaks are thin, cold, and not well-seasoned and the menu entree options have shrunk.

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Asadero Ballard Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Asadero Ballard

What are the prices? They aren't listed anywhere...?

I have pics of their updated menu. It's on my review.

Do you do private parties? 20 to 30 People?

The restaurant is tiny. Food is excellent but they have no large tables. This is my favorite place for steak.

Do they do separate checks?

I'm certain they would if you asked them.

What is the max person limit for a reservation?

The booths can easily sit 4 large humans, rather comfortably sit 6 average sized humans, and very uncomfortably squeeze 9 (as long as your waitress is okay with it like ours was).

Is there outdoor seating available, and if so, is there a way to make a reservation specifically requesting that seating?

We do have a small outdoor patio. When you were making a reservation just make a note that you would prefer outdoor seating.

Is there an online menu with prices? The ones posted on their website do not show prices.

Jules, we don't have a posted menu with pricing. However, our pricing for entrees ranges from $20 to $120 with periodic specials that can go above that; generally those are for larger format, luxury steaks like wagyu tomahawks.

Where should we park?

Hi Celena, We do not have a parking lot, so it is just street parking for the restaurant. There… Read more

I would love to go here tonight on a Saturday's what time should I get there if I don't want to wait hours ?like should I get there at 8pm or early at like 5-30?

Earlier is better

Is this wonderfully high rated establishment kid/toddler friendly? TIA

Yes, but not in the evening. I would suggest going when they open. Ive gone with my kids early on Sunday mornings.

Looking to have dinner on a Wed night at Asadero. I hear the restaurant gets busy pretty quickly but on a work week night (e.g. Wed), when would you recommend getting there? I'm in my 3rd trimester so would prefer not to wait terribly long :)

Honestly, whenever I've gone they always have like a 2,000 hour wait but I just creepily scope out the bar area, about 6 tables (which you can share with other people) and the actual bar and sit down within 10 minutes.… Read more

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Fogón Cocina Mexicana

4.4
(2.1k reviews)
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Great Mexican restaurant located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle…read more Freshly made chips that come with a salsa roja that has a kick to it. Not bland like in other places. The ceviche was fresh and loved that they added shredded carrots for extra crunchiness. Tacos de carne were delicious, with the meat properly seasoned. Will definitely come back for more the next time we are in Seattle. Service was prompt and courteous.

I shared the mole enchiladas and lengua en salsa verde from this Mexican place…read more Of these, the lengua en salsa verde was my favorite. The beef tongue was cooked pretty well. Although it's naturally very fatty, the flavor and juiciness was retained after cooking - so they didn't screw it up. The salsa verde was a very nice accompaniment, as it tasted light, fresh, and a good complement to the fat of the meat. The mole enchiladas were less good. The mole sauce used leaned way too heavily on a sweet flavor - having little to no nuttiness whatsoever. It didn't taste anywhere close to some of the best moles I've had. The enchilada underneath was fine - nothing special. Both dishes came with beans and rice. Both were slightly above average, but nothing to write home about. I would say the portions were well sized in terms of overall amount, but the enchiladas were quite small compared to the beans and rice. With these two dishes we ended up around 28 per person. Overall, it's average Mexican food. 6.5/10

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D' La Santa

D' La Santa

4.5
(560 reviews)
3.4 mi
$$

I've always wanted to check out D'la Santa. I always heard that Fri and Sats are always busy and…read morethey do not take reservations but walk-ins only. However, I just found out you can put your self on the waitlist on their website if it's busy. Sundays are the best days to go as it's not as busy and they were able to accommodate a big party. The restaurant also has a parking lot for people to park at as well, so that is a plus! The drink menu is very limited, they don't have a full bar. I ordered the skinny margarita and it was good. The food is authentic and if you are looking for authentic Mexican food, D'La Santa is the spot. We ordered the queso and the rajitas. Both appetizers are really good, came out super hot. Highly recommend. I got the carne asada plate and added an extra mini quesadilla. The carne is very seasoned so you have to eat it with the tortilla to balance out the saltiness. The service was fast and our waiter was very attentive.

Delicious, truly authentic food. I'm so glad I found this place! I had been craving real Mexican…read morefood, and while the pictures looked amazing, I tried not to get my hopes up especially since so many "Mexican restaurants" don't quite capture that true, authentic flavor. We went on a Sunday and I was really hoping to try the tiramisu and bone marrow, but they weren't available at the date and time we went (shed a tear). Still, what we ordered completely made up for it. We had the torta ahogada, costillita en salsa roja, and moyetes dulces and I was honestly blown away. They absolutely nailed the tortas ahogadas. They were so good we ordered three more to go. I would gladly drive that hour and a half again just to eat here. I'll definitely be taking pictures next time! Also great service, they're super nice and attentive.

Photos
Really cool inside, with a faux lantern tree that makes it a special place to eat. But quite noisy at peak hours.
Really cool inside, with a faux lantern tree that makes it a special place to eat. But quite noisy at peak hours.
D'la Santa Parrillada
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Pancita

Pancita

4.5
(92 reviews)
4.1 mi

Excellent! The food, service and ambiance were all top notch. I love how cozy the corner restaurant…read moreis. The food was delicious- we started with the sourdough, then the Caesar, brisket tacos and finally the chorizo-stuffed trout. All of the ingredients were high quality and prepared perfectly. We loved every bite and will absolutely be back.

I really, really wanted to like this place. We'd heard through word of mouth that they were serving…read moredishes straight out of Mexico City, so on a whim one Friday night, my partner and I grabbed a 7:45 reservation--which, honestly, might've been the first sign. I'm usually a fan of a smaller, curated menu because it suggests care in sourcing and execution. But for us, the execution just didn't land. Everything is served family-style, but the portion sizes didn't justify the price point. We started with the sourdough and butter spread, and it was a letdown right away. The bread was hard as a rock, and the butter--while sounding interesting--came slightly burnt and didn't feel worth $11 for two pieces. Next was the albacore tuna tostada. As someone who travels to Mexico City often, I was genuinely excited for this. But it leaned heavily on avocado, with barely any tuna to balance it out. For $25 and only two tostadas, it felt pretty stingy. The rapini quesadilla sounded promising but ended up tasting mostly like broccolini and mushrooms--nothing that really stood out or justified the dish. We finished with the 21-day dry-aged steak, which, at $59, felt like it should've been a highlight. Unfortunately, it missed the mark. It came out essentially raw, which I didn't mind in theory, but it was incredibly chewy and lacked flavor. It was difficult to cut and even harder to enjoy. The tortillas were nice, and the demi-glaze had potential, but overall it just didn't come together. Even the refried beans on the side were underwhelming--something you could easily find done better at a casual spot. On the bright side, the mezcal margarita with a tajín rim was excellent--well-balanced and probably the highlight of the night. And the service was warm and attentive, which I appreciated. But overall, for the prices and the hype, this place just didn't do it for me. Maybe we ordered wrong, but I've had much better elsewhere. I hate to say it, but I probably won't be back.

Photos
Interior
Interior
Grilled pork chop with pipian verde, salsa macha, trumpet mushroom, beech mushroom, charred onion, scallion, garlic scrape and cilantro
Grilled pork chop with pipian verde, salsa macha, trumpet mushroom, beech mushroom, charred onion, scallion, garlic scrape and cilantro
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Maiz Molino

Maiz Molino

4.4
(124 reviews)
3.9 mi
$$

This place WOW-ed me. My fiance and I didn't make reservations the day before Valentine's Day and…read morethought we would just try our luck. So many of our regular spots had lines out the door, which was no surprise, but we ended up getting a table here. Figured Mexican food is hard to mess up. Started with drinks- THE BEST MARGARITA I HAVE EVER HAD. It was perfectly balanced, fresh, just perfect to me. My fiance got a horchata and loved it too. They have an option where you can try ALL of their dips for $20, which I couldn't resist. It was so fun, they had like 9 different ones! I got the shrimp tacos and they were so flavorful that I almost gasped. The creamy sauce, crunchy veggie toppers, smooth avocado, and perfectly cooked shrimp...just wow. I will be dreaming about this dish for years to come. I am a pescatarian and gluten free and there were TONS of options for me. They mostly use corn for everything, not flour. The staff was gracious and kind. They seemed a little understaffed but truly made the most of it and made every table feel attended to and special, which was so lovely. Really cool vibe- lots of art and special touches. A really cool place that I can't wait to recommend to friends.

Went back to Maiz Molino recently on a Sunday night for dinner w/ friends. I was disappointed to…read moresee that the menu has changed a lot (and not just seasonally, but just a completely different menu) since the last time I visited (maybe a year ago or so). Before it seemed like Maiz Molino was focusing on elevated, unique Mexican dishes (shown in the pics in my prior review such as short rib, and other sort of "fusion" dishes, and more seafood focused, etc.) Now, the menu seems way more generic and casual like enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, tamales, etc. just offered w/ different proteins. They are still focusing on maiz but just a bit more generic in the preparation and offerings. Also, they had 2 separate menus which was a bit confusing. One is a generic all day menu and then another menu had brunch and dinner on it. It was around 5:30 p.m. but they were out of a particular steak dish that we were interested in. Service was friendly. We had enchiladas, a dip sampler (for appetizer) and Tlacoyos. Everything was fine but nothing really stood out, sadly. It wasn't very busy while we were there, so hoping that they are doing ok as a business. I would love to come back if they brought back the old menu w/ things that you cannot really find elsewhere, including the great cocktail menu and desserts that were offered previously.

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Taco plate
Taco plate
Elote risotto at Maíz Molino in South Lake Union.
Elote risotto at Maíz Molino in South Lake Union.
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Hatch Cantina

Hatch Cantina

4.3
(401 reviews)
4.0 mi
$$
Locally owned & operated
Full bar

This has been bookmarked for a while and the only regret I have is that I didn't get here sooner…read more This food is terrific, the vibe is hilarious, the servers are downright fantastic. Andrew (our server) introduced us to his sidekick, who was in training. Love that personal, hands on approach for a mew team member, and Sidekick did a great job in monitoring our table and replenishing water. Have to stop here and express my appreciation for Andrew and how he took the time to explain the philosophy and genuine team vibe of the restaurant. Oftentimes when a restaurant adds a flat 20% gratuity, you get the feeling this is not passed on to the servers. Not so here. He explained that it's shared among the servers, bar, and other staff, with only a bit retained by management, but even that finds its way into their wages. Terrific work environment and happy to see it. It definitely shows in the level of service. But we're here to eat. Didn't take a picture, but one of my dining companions ordered the burrito with red chili sauce and it was very good. Just the right amount of heat in the sauce. The Cantina celebrates Taco Tuesday, so I took advantage of this. You get the opportunity to try 5 different street tacos for the low price of $15. For another $4 you order it fully loaded which is a steal (guac, pickled onions, lettuce, giardano, crema, and another lovely sauce). Each of the tacos were really delicious and packed full of flavor. I especially enjoyed the cauliflower and the beef. Was surprised how much I liked the popcorn chicken - still juicy and not greasy in the least. Andrew treated us to a round of the hatch green chili. I was delighted because it was a dish I wanted to try. He described it perfectly: a little kick, but you can't stop eating it. He was right. A bowl of this in the winter with their cornbread (which I'm confident will be delicious) will preempt a winter cold. The sauces on the table are not to be ignored either. The green chili sauce was fruity with a little heat, the scorpion chili brings the heat, but their homemade chili oil is phenomenal. I could put this on everything. In short, the Cantina delivers. Excellent food, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and fun staff, and a cool vibe. I'll bet the cocktails will also be good. Definitely adding to the regular rotation!

Food and presentation is meh. The neighborhood is absolutely…read moredreadful, and they tack on an automatic 20% "service charge" with or without good service giving you no choice to decide whether or not the service warrants the charge. I own an e-commerce company, just like Amazon, and could you imagine your Amazon order having a 20% "service charge" to help offset labor costs. This is becoming a trend and I'm avoiding eateries that do this.

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Happy hour
Happy hour
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La Cocina Oaxaquena

La Cocina Oaxaquena

4.0
(620 reviews)
4.4 mi
$$

I'm SO glad we stumbled into this place during our stay in Seattle. My husband and I are Mexican…read moreAmerican from SoCal right outside of LA, so when it comes to Mexican food we do have high standards to say the least I travel a lot for work and always try Mexican food wherever I go, mostly due to curiosity and adventure. Frankly, our expectations are often pretty low the further we get from the border of Mexico. But this place blew us away! So authentic and well thought out, from the salsa bar, the freshly fried tortilla chips and my posole was absolutely incredible! Felt like I was eating at a relatives home, staff was friendly enough and the place is so clean and cutely decorated. 100% will be returning the next time we make a trip out to Seattle, thank you to the team for providing such a great experience for those of us who just miss home

This place is very close to Voodoo Donuts. We happened to be in the area and based on a review in…read moreinfatuation decided to do the happy hour (3 pm onwards). We ordered off the happy hour menu. There is a salsa bar which is meh! Got the Tacos Dorado Chicken, the Tacos El Pastor, the Veggie tacos, and the Tostadas de Chileajo. When the food arrived, it looked very nice. Taste wise it was ok. Texture was good. It was lacking seasoning including salt. Kind of disappointed that the review called it one of the best Southern Mexican Food in Capitol Hill but obviously something has changed since the review? Note: their menu on their website hasn't been updated.

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La Cocina Oaxaquena
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Asadero Ballard - mexican - Updated July 2026

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