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    Bongos

    4.6 (1.5k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Bongos Takeout or Delivery

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    BONGOS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Bongos

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    Reviews With Photos

    BART sandwich
    Shrenik P.

    The first thing I have to comment on was the environment of this restaurant I came here on a pretty sunny day - and it was absolutely the perfect time to be here - as they have a fantastic outdoor seating area they even have a sand pit! the layout, architecture, and art of this place gives off a great tropical/caribbean vibe, which is not something I'd expect from a place in Seattle As for the sandwich itself - it was quite good The buns were roughly average I would say - there could've been more aioli added to it to give it a bit more flavor - and it was slightly harder than i would like The best part, by far, though, was the pork When I say this sandwich was absolutely loaded with pork I'm not exaggerating. It was quite literally overflowing out of the sandwich as I tried to pick it up Eating this with one hand is practically impossible as you'll lose so much pork to the wrapper The taste of it was quite fantastic as well - it had a slight sour flavor, had tons of fat, and most importantly had a nice, dark, almost-brown color There were certain pieces that were actually charred enough to have one side be fully black - and these were incredible Moving on to the other toppings, the sweet ham was also really good, as well as the cucumbers (which normally i don't like) and pickles I noticed maybe a couple jalapenos and didn't taste the onions much the swiss cheese i felt was a bit inconsistent. I didn't taste it much for most of the sandwich, but it showed up near the end a lot I recently got a similar sandwich from Paseo, so I feel like I should compare the two Paseo's sandwich certainly has a lot more oil, and this is less 'wet' than that one - this is also because the pork in Paseo is cooked to a lower temperature, which makes it more juicy so it releases more liquid, compared to the more brown pork we get here I do think i prefer the pork there slightly, but it's pretty close. You do get more pork here compared to there, though While I liked the type of bun at Paseo better, I do really like the fact that the buns here are toasted - which is something they don't do over there The onions are certainly more prevalent, larger, and in my opinion better at Paseo They have more aioli as well, but I would give the edge to the rest of the toppings here Pricing wise it's roughly the same - although I think Paseo's sandwich is slightly bigger and more filling I think I would give the slight edge to Paseo on this one - but it's pretty close. Both places are fantastic

    West Indies plate
    Van P.

    Bongos always hits the spot every time, I've never had a bad meal here! The food is extremely flavorful with the right amount of spice and sides. They also have jalapeño and mango habanero hot sauces on the side. I have had a few of their dishes and my favorite is the West Indies plate because it's savory with a little sweetness + spice. The portion you get is great for the price, I always have leftovers. The ambiance is causal/chill and I love that there is both indoor and outdoor seating. During the winter their outdoor seating is insulated and heated which is a wonderful touch. Service is friendly, food can take some time especially if it's very busy during the summer but so worth it!

    Citrus braised pork plate
    Barbara K.

    First time eating in. Have had takeout of empanadas which were delicious! Today i had the Desi plate, with citrus braised pork, caramelized onions and pickled peppers. Came with black beans, Cole slaw and maduro. Pork was great and i really liked the slaw. Beans a little sweet for me. Husband had Cuban Picadillo plate, with ground beef picadillo, really good. Can't wait to try more!

    The spicy shrimp is spicy! The mango slaw is a great compliment. An amazing meal!
    Kelsey G.

    Updating my review because Bongos continues to be one of our favorite places on rotation. Their West Indies plates are amazing and the portions are big- they've gotten a bit smaller over th years, I used to get almost two meals but it's still a great deal for a good price. Today I tried their toffee cheese cake and it was also great. Always bring friends when they're visiting from out of town, it's delicious. I miss the sand though.

    West Indies Plate
    Audrey L.

    Loved the food and experience here - really wish I found out about this place sooner! They have so many different Caribbean dishes, a bakery, and a bar. Everything looked delicious! I got the West Indies chicken plate and really liked it! The chicken had amazing flavor - savory, a little sweet, and a little spicy. The plate was balanced too, with sides of beans, coleslaw, rice, and a fried plantain. I also tried a bite of the spicy shrimp plate and really liked the flavors of the shrimp as well. We also a guava cheesecake from the bakery, which was delicious. The bakery had many unique items, it was difficult to choose! Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at Bongos. The food is delicious and with very reasonable prices! I will definitely be back!

    Enclosed Gas Station Area Seating
    Albert T.

    We finally had a chance to visit Bongos, making it the last of the Big 3 (reduced from Big 4 now that Los Costenos removed sandwiches from their menu) Caribbean Sandwich places for us to try. This was on a typical rainy Sunday morning for lunch. Bongos, situated inside a renovated gas station, has tons of seating both inside and in the heated gas pump area. It wasn't too crowded when we arrived, but based on the small corridor line that wraps around a part of the dining area, it probably gets quite busy at times. We ordered a couple of items to try: Desi Sandwich ($11.99) - They certainly made some strange choices while constructing this sandwich. Caribbean sandwiches around Seattle are known for being sloppy sandwiches, dripping with juices, and generally messy to eat. This one takes things to a whole other level. There's so much pork braising liquid slathered onto the bread that it literally cannot be eaten as a sandwich at all. The bread is completely turned into a soppy mess, becoming bread pudding-like in texture. I could not manage to lift it up without giant pieces of bread sloughing off onto the tray. The bread has some blackened spots, so it's definitely toasted, but it's completely softened by the copious amount of juices soaked in, not to mention being steamed by being wrapped in two layers of foiled paper before service. I actually had a difficult time trying to get the sandwich out of the wrapper due to how delicate the bread had become, necessitating eventually having to eat the sandwich with a spoon - yes a plastic spoon was more than enough to cut through the sandwich. The sandwiches at the other shops use crusty baguettes for a reason - it stands up so much better to the sloppiness inside. With it being as is, the texture is very offputting - I ordered a sandwich, not bread pudding! On the positive side, it tastes pretty good. There's an acidic tang from the vinegar citrus braise, the pork is extremely tender, and there's plenty of sweetness and creaminess throughout. To add a hint of texture rather than being a complete mess, there's some sweet caramelized onion and really fragrant jalapenos, which also add a small bit of heat, inside. (2/5) West Indies Plate ($13.99) - Everything in this bowl has essentially the same base sweet and fruity flavor, but each element piles in additional aromas on top. The slaw is chopped very finely, it does give a bit of a crisp texture to the dish but I think it could be better if less finely chopped. It's mixed with cubed chunks of mango and then absolutely doused in a creamy mango mayo. The slaw as a whole is more sauce than vegetable. This allows the sauce to penetrate into the bed of rice on the very bottom, giving the rice also a certain creaminess. There's so much cream that the rice actually more resembles rice pudding (with a different flavor profile, of course), than rice by itself. There's a certain coconut-type flavor too, making me wonder if they soak the rice in coconut milk. The chicken is done pretty well. It has a bit of charred smokiness, then the distinct aromatic savory profile of a jerk seasoning. The amount of scotch bonnet added isn't much, so while the chicken gives a pleasant warmth in the mouth, it's not very spicy at all, at least compared to other jerk chickens I've eaten. That spicy levels are tempered down even further by the creamy sauces on the rice. The chicken itself seems to be boneless breast meat, but it's not overcooked at all, instead remaining tender and moist. Seattle does boneless chicken very well thanks to the proliferation of teriyaki in the area. My only issue with the dish is that base sweet taste. It permeates every bite, and while there are other flavors on top of the sweetness, it still feels very repetitive like the dish is missing variety even though it's not. (4/5) Tostone ($5.99) - An order comes with a stack of eight tostones. They are simply salted, fried to a good dense crisp. The smashing creates small crags and valleys to give extra surface area to make it extra crisp. The interiors aren't exactly fluffy inside, but aren't too firm. The tostones are drained well so there's no oily residue. On the side, the dish comes with cilantro mayo, adding flavor and creaminess. I'm a sucker for tostones. (5/5) For sandwiches, I'd choose Un Bien 10 times out of 10 over Bongos. If I'm ever craving a bowl of Carribbean food, however, I may visit Bongos again. Bathrooms - Two unisex rooms that require a code to enter. They are right in front of the restaurant on the outside and are impossible to miss.

    Spicy Shrimp Plate
    Jay S.

    This may be one of my favorite spots in the United States. I ordered a few different plates to extend my experience, and everything was a hit. The amount of food included in each plate was so abundant that my friends and I had to take two plates back home, and what was pleasantly surprising was that the plates tasted even better the next day with a little bit of heating up in the microwave. For the price they listed, it's a truly economical option and a neighborhood gem. Honestly I enjoyed the mango slaw, the beans, and the garlic rice very much. The mango slaw wasn't too watery or had too much mayo, and the mango bits provided extra depth in its flavor profile. The rice and beans were very well seasoned and I could really just eat it by itself without the meat. Of course, though, the meat was the star. Some types were spicier than others, but it was amazing to find out that the spiciness they had was the flavorful kind of spiciness, if that makes sense. Every type of meat was tender, from the braised pork to the jerk spiced chicken to the jerk pork chop and more, and had distinct flavors so that each dish offered a unique culinary experience. Like I said just then, I could've just eaten the rice and beans alone, but I would like to emphasize that having the meat definitely elevated the dishes. In addition to such, I had a mimosa as well which tasted pretty normal, and a tres leches cake, which wasn't the best I have had anywhere but definitely solid. It was given in a box and when I took it out of the box, I could see the liquidy milky content at the bottom of the box, which was a good sign. In a city that has so many pricey food options, this establishment stands out because of how they offered a large portion for a very reasonable price, along with how tasty the food was. There are still so many dishes on the menu under plates, bowls, and even sandwiches, that I honestly see myself coming back multiple times in the future, if not everytime that I'm in Seattle. Shoutout to my friend who introduced me to this spot!

    Outside
    Ariana M.

    Was looking for a sandwich, so we found this spot on social media and decided to give it a try. We were so glad we did! Online-ordered the Desi sandwich and 2 empanadas (beef and chicken) to go. Pick up was really easy and timely. Service was nice! The sandwich was hefty and definitely good enough to share. If you're looking for a light bite or side, I highly recommend the empanadas. They were crunchy and not doughy like other empanadas I've had before! Kind of like a fried texture -- but really delicious. For the brief moment I was inside the restaurant, I saw lots of seating both indoor and outdoor. Looks like they can accommodate for all party sizes.

    Pam W.

    We visited Bongos for a late lunch on Sunday. It was busy, but we still found plenty of seating, as they have indoor, covered outdoor, and uncovered outdoor options. It's also very dog-friendly, with lots of pups enjoying the outdoor area. Parking could be tricky. The food was delicious! We ordered the Desi Plate, and the pork was incredibly juicy and tender, pairing perfectly with the beans and slaw. We also tried "The Bart" sandwich, which is like the Desi Plate but with cheese. the sandwich was huge and delicious, but we preferred the plate because it offered more variety in flavor and texture. They have a fantastic dessert selection, with items like guava cake and coconut cake. We opted for the chocolate flan cake, and it was amazing--very rich and moist. We highly recommend this place!

    Erin M.

    I have eaten at Bongos now several times and tried many different meals. Every single one of them is delicious. It's a lot of food as well. The seating is great with a lot of outside seating. Alcohol and bakery options which were also delicious. You order up front and get a buzzer to pick up your food when it's ready. The staff was always helping picking out a new meal to try and never disappointing.

    Adam Z.

    The roast pork sandwich. The Desi. It was really good. Not quite on the level of Paseo IMO, but still great. - The citrus flavor really came through. Well, on some bites. It was nice. - The bread wasn't my favorite. A little dense and not the freshest. - The pork was solid. Each bite was different. Some were of fattier pieces but it wasn't chewy, it would melt in your mouth, which is great. Some were kinda juicy. Others were kinda dry. I would have preferred more juicy bites. - Overall there was a lot of flavor. - The price was good. It's a relatively big sandwich and is only $11.99. I also grabbed this smores thing for desert. I didn't like it. I was hoping they'd warm it up or something but they didn't. It was all room temperature, which I think kinda ruins it. The graham cracker was kinda dense and didn't have a crisp or freshness to it. No meltiness of the marshmallow. And the chocolate was very dense and overwhelming; I definitely could have used a glass of milk.

    West Indies Plate
    Kyra K.

    Bongos had my tastebuds dancing and my family happy! Visiting Seattle, we wanted to find a spot to dine that's dog-friendly and is beloved by locals. Yelp leads us here and I highly recommend this restaurant! First off, the vibes here are off the chart! Colorful, bustling, happy faces. When we arrived we were taken aback by how busy it was, but understandably so. You order at the counter, receive your buzzer, find a spot, and claim your food. It's all open seating with big communal tables and smaller tables for different party sizes. There's also space to sit indoors but outdoors is fun with music and colorful decor. Service was good, though interactions were limited. Based on reviews, I ordered the West Indies Plate. My family also got their meals. My spice tolerance is so low so I was burning from my dish. The flavors were off the hook and the chicken was cooked nicely! The rice, beans, plantain, and slaw were all tasty and everything accompanied each other. I ate about half my plate and most diners ended up taking theirs to go as portions are huge! My family all enjoyed their meals and I loved my mom's Desi Plate because the pork was so tender and flavorful. Bongos was our highlight meal and experience during our quick stay in Seattle. I encourage visitors and locals to make the trip to try this restaurant. They're located in Phinney Ridge off Aurora Ave. with a parking area out front.

    Side parking at bongo's
    Thomas B.

    This place is extremely high energy. And packed to the hill with people. You can tell it's been a hotspot for customers for a long time. They specialize in Cuban and Caribbean food. And it seems to be very popular with everyone here and the presentations are absolutely delightful. And they use recyclable bowls so you know that when you come here you're not living a footprint on the Earth. This evening's meal was a treat from my wife and a surprise for my daughter and we're having such a great time today with a nice way to finish up. All our dishes were superb. Friendly helpful staff. Worth the visit.

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    5 months ago

    The Desi still rules the Seattle Sandwich-Sphere. Especially for value, BUT.... my oh my THE EMPANADAS ARE AMAZING!!!!

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    The Desi Sami is to die for and their desserts are amazing! Great people, I hear there is one opening in Poulsbo, is that correct?

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    This is correct! We hope to see you there soon!

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    Page 1 of 39

    Bongos Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bongos

    Similar to the question about spicy shrimp is bucco chicken gone forever ? I thought those were the two most popular items on the menu

    You are in luck. We actually were able to bring the Bucco chicken back to the menu about 2 weeks ago. We had issues with getting certain ingredients for a period, but we are… Read more

    Is the outdoor seating area dog-friendly?

    Yes there are always lots of dog's when I am there in the outdoor seating area

    Where did the Spicy Shrimp plate go? Please don't say it's gone forever...! ☹️

    Sarah- UPDATE: We got our ingredients back in stock and the Spicy Shrimp is back!!!… Read more

    I'm getting conflicting information. Is Bongo's open for dinner hours?

    We are open Wed-Sun from 3-9. We will be closed next week Sept 29th and Sept 30th for an employee appreciation trip.

    Do you do catering?

    Yes we do offer catering as far as trays of food not full service. Please call restaurant and we can take your information and send you a catering menu

    Can they make things without cilantro?

    Yes of course we can. If you order a sandwich just tell cashier that you would like no cilantro. If you order Yuca or Tostones ask for no aioli. We no longer add cilantro to the slaw so you are good there. We cannot take out the cilantro from the… Read more

    Do they have french fries with the sandwiches?

    No, they are served without sides. But I recommend getting a side of plantains!

    Do they serve Vegetarian options?

    Yes. Not a huge selection though

    Are you open during coronavirus for carry out?

    Hi Karen. Yes we are open. Wednesday through Sunday from 11-8pm. We are doing carry out only and encourage you to call ahead so your order can be ready when you arrive. We are also partnered with Uber Eats for delivery. You can use their app or… Read more

    Can I bring my dog?

    I saw dogs in the outside seating area

    Is the outdoor patio open now?

    Yes it is! It gets packed though!

    Coke or Pepsi?

    They have Coke bottle in the fridge.

    Is there indoor seating?

    Yes!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Un Bien - Seared Scallops sando

    Un Bien

    (1.6k reviews)

    $$

    Loyal Heights, Ballard, Phinney Ridge

    this sandwich was highly impressive as the main part of the…read moresandwich, it was pretty necessary that the pork be cooked to near-perfection, and i have to say it was here it gave off a deep, brown-ish color, which showed the extent of it's cooking and marination. It wasn't quite incredibly tender, but the marinade added an absolute ton of flavor. more importantly, it was present plentifully throughout the sandwich, so practically every bite came filled with pork I also have to mention how packed together the ingredients are between the buns. when you start eating, it's inevitable that a quarter of the ingredients will fall onto the wrap below, leaving a nice secondary meal to finish off after the sandwich is done. the sandwich is packed incredibly tight during the wrapping process, but it unravels a bit while eating. for me, the major highlights of this meal was the onions and the aioli Starting with the onions, these may be the best I've ever had on a sandwich. They're caramelized amazingly, placed onto the sandwich in astoundingly large pieces, are crunchy, and there's just a lot of them. They're just wonderful both texturally and taste-wise. This sandwich is absolutely lathered with aioli - practically dripping with it. This boosted the overall flavor so much, especially because this aioli was addictingly good. In my experience, the amount of sauce has been directly proportional to how much I enjoyed a sandwich, and when the sauce is this good - it's even on the top of the bun! - i absolutely loved it Somehow the lettuce stayed crunchy despite all the otherwise wetness going on in the sandwich. Props for that The jalapenos were great as well for that extra bit of spicy - I would've loved to have more of them while the bread was toasted well, the one downside was i thought it was pretty hard and tough, which made chewing kind of difficult. I found my jaw to be pretty tired at the end after eating this. I would've much preferred a softer roll that's easier to bite into I've had similar sandwiches from Paseo and Bongos, and in my opinion this does edge out both of those Comparing to Paseo, the sandwich there has way more oil, making it more sloppy and I do like the bread there a lot better, but the pork feels richer and better marinated here (although less fatty), and the onions are definitely caramelized better here as well. Bongos has a pretty similar level of pork with more, but onions are definitely a step down What moves this place above those two for me is the amount of aioli used here far exceeds those other places, which just makes the overall eating experience better For the price (about 14 dollars) this is a really filling meal

    Roast park sandwich here was awesome! I had gone to Paseo way back in the day, maybe 2007 or 2008,…read moreand the sandwich tasted very similar to what I remember. The rice and beans are also amazing. I think you could probably go with any sandwich that has your preferred protein source and it would be great. The guy working the register taking the orders was super friendly as well. Lots of street parking in the area. They have one bathroom and a good amount of seating. Definitely worth a visit for a great sandwich.

    Taste of the Caribbean - Jamaican patty, $5 - 5 Stars

    Taste of the Caribbean

    (357 reviews)

    $$

    Central District

    Taste of the Caribbean is a black- and woman- owned Jamaican restaurant in the Central District…read more (The Central District rocks as a source for minority owned ethnic foods.) Walking in, the layout suggests they are also a party/mini-concert/event space. Service is casual; we were told to sit anywhere. I should have boogied my way to the table. We happily browsed through the menu looking at the many choices, some very unfamiliar. Everything looks so good, and prices are reasonable. We need to return and be more adventurous next time. Our server was helpful, guiding portion size and optional sides. The Food: Jerk Chicken plate, add steamed veggie, $20 + $2 - 5 Stars True to the jerk seasoning, theirs is spicy, as it should be. I find it annoying when jerk seasoning isn't spicy enough. The seasoning tastes even spicier when I drink water, and the heat spreads. So good! I was also happy they use boned chicken, which is more flavorful. I asked about veggies, that is $2 extra. Oxtails plate, add rice & peas, $24 + $1 - 5 Stars With beefy stock, these oxtail pieces are well-seasoned and paired well with root vegetables. A small salad and the rice & peas are a good match to the oxtail. I enjoy seeing oxtails used in different recipes. Jamaican patty, $5 - 5 Stars These beef meat pies are freshly baked and arrived at our table smoking hot. We were happy that we ordered two, so we wouldn't have to share. Haha. Very delicious. Plantains, $8 - 5 Stars From the appetizers portion of the menu, these are perfectly fried, caramelized, with minimal blackened carcinogens. This plate was a particularly good batch.

    Great Jamaican food in the Seattle area with reasonable prices! Service is decent and the staff is…read morefriendly.

    Pam's Caribbean Kitchen - Goat curry

    Pam's Caribbean Kitchen

    (594 reviews)

    $$

    Wallingford

    We finally made our first visit to Pam's Kitchen after years of meaning to go - and it did not…read moredisappoint. When we arrived, there were a few tables occupied, and we were invited to seat ourselves. We chose a cozy booth near the kitchen. One thing to note: there are no physical menus; instead, you order and pay using QR codes at the table. We started with the aloo pies and, of course, couldn't pass up the jerk chicken. Everything arrived at once rather than in courses, but it didn't take away from the experience. Every dish was packed with flavor. The aloo pies had a taste reminiscent of samosas :: crispy on the outside with a warmly spiced filling :: and were served with a tangy chutney that complemented them perfectly. The jerk chicken was the standout. Tender, juicy, and beautifully seasoned with warm, balanced spices :: it was easily the highlight of the meal. It came with rice and peas (beans), which were some of the best we've had, along with a simple green salad that surprised us with its freshness and bright citrus vinaigrette. We also had the pleasure of chatting with Pam, who was just as warm and welcoming as the food she prepares. She mentioned that they often have live music on weekends, which sounds like a great reason to return. I also noticed they offer an all-you-can-eat buffet on Wednesdays, and after this experience, I'm especially excited to come back and try more of the menu. If everything else is as good as what we had, we're already sold. Oh! I almost forgot :: my husband ordered a wonderful drink, the Trinidad Smash. One sip transported us to vacation mode, instantly! So good!

    I'd give the food 4 stars and service/ambiance 2. We ordered the jerk chicken sandwich and it was…read morepretty good. I loved the coconut fry bread it was served on! That was the highlight. The restaurant didn't seem very busy the night we came in, but they did have a lot of takeout orders. We placed our order via QR code at the table and waited... and waited. There were a lot of takeout orders coming from the kitchen but those of us dining in seemed to be sitting around a long time waiting for food and drinks. No one came to check on us and since we paid on the app, there was no interaction other than being seated and having our food brought out. I'd like to try other dishes but will just order takeout from now on.

    Paseo - #1. Caribbean Roast

    Paseo

    (5.7k reviews)

    $$

    Fremont

    Paseo is ICONIC and if you've never tried them, I'm gonna need you to get in your car and drive to…read morethem immediately so that you can stop missing out. This is THE spot to come before Mariners games or nearby concerts and nobody can convince me otherwise. I've tried them several times in the past and now have my dad hooked as well. Their signature Caribbean Roast sandwich is absolutely phenomenal and I have the hardest time ordering anything else when I'm here. I have tried the nachos version of it before as well, and that's equally delicious. The key is definitely that succulent roasted pork. I will say that the sandwich version is MESSY so don't wear white, and also just be mindful if you have plans after. This year, my dad decided to order a pre-seasoned and smoked turkey from Paseo and my GODDD it was good! We made a gravy from the drippings as well which turned out so good too. We also get their street corn that was said to serve 4-6 but it was generous and we had leftovers. Absolutely a MUST try, 10/10 no notes. There's a reason they have received so much love over the years - no questions, no notes, JUST GO TRY THEM PLEASE.

    I'd give this place 4 stars, but I had an upset stomach after my meal. I was actually craving Un…read moreBien after my boxing class at Nomad, but they were sold out of roast and chicken thighs, so I headed to Paseo to get my fix. The indoor space is really cute, but I was confused as to why everything was blocked off and restricted to takeout only. I ordered the famous Caribbean Roast sandwich and a side of rice and beans, which came to a little less than $30. While it's a good sandwich, it felt a bit heavy; I really found myself looking for more acid to cut through the fat and grease. I'm glad I was sharing with Jenny because it's quite a lot for one person. I also noticed toward the end that the bread was burnt. Overall, it's a solid sandwich, but between the stomach issues and the char, I'm not sure I'd go back.

    Un Bien - Fire Roasted Corn

    Un Bien

    (265 reviews)

    $$

    Sunset Hill, Ballard

    I've been to Un Bien 15th Ave NW location (OG location) but this time I went to another location…read more I've gotten the #1 (their best seller) which is always delicious, so this time I decided to venture toward their seafood options. The pricing is pretty good for rice bowls (probably an underrated order, though slightly smaller portions to the sandwich). I got the seafood in red sauce and got the scallops, which was priced at $10.75 for a satisfying meal - not too big but not too small. Hard to find seafood dishes at this price point so I appreciate it being fairly accessible in price. The red sauce is like a Cajun like sauce but not spicy - it is very flavorful. The pickled cabbage adds a bit of tang to the dish to accentuate the flavors of the other ingredients. I tried a bite of my friend's fish of the day (Mahi mahi) sandwich which has similar fixings to the Caribbean pork sandwich - always love their garlic aioli and caramelized onions. As typical, their sandwiches are very juicy so definitely get your hands messy or try your best eating it with utensils. As someone that enjoys to not get my hands dirty, I'd still recommend using your hands to savor all the flavors evenly in the sandwich! For first timers I'd recommend the #1 but you can't go wrong with other options for sure!

    Vary well may be the best sandwiches in Seattle…read more We dont eat much meat so my take may be off but if they can make a veggie sandwich this good then I have to imagine there other ones are great as well. We got the tofu delight and it was amazing. The mixture of caramelized onion, fried tofu, fresh bread, and sweet sauce was a perfect combo. The only bad thing is how messy it is which just means its not a first date place but if you can get passed that then it is 100% worth it. The line can get pretty long but it goes pretty quickly so the wait is never too bad. They have two benches for seating that could probably fit 12 people each so sometimes it gets full but they are easy to take on the go and with golden gardens right there it is a good spot to grab on the way. The atmosphere is nice as well. The color and lighting gives the tropical feel it was going for especially at night. The only thing I wish was a little different is the seating which would be super nice if it was a bit more open and had a verity of seating but its a small gripe for a great place. Parking is pretty reasonable since north of it doesnt fill up too quickly but its still seattle so im sure that depends on the day.

    Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering - Sliders, Mac and cheese, and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

    Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering

    (306 reviews)

    $$

    Columbia City, Mount Baker

    A co-worker took me here for his going away lunch. I got the ribs and mac and cheese. I would give…read morethe ribs a 4 out of 5. They were tender, juicy and meaty. But the Mac & Cheese was a 10 out of 5. Yes you heard me right a 10 out of 5. This was the best Mac & Cheese I've ever had in my life and I've had my fair share. I wish I could make a big batch of this for myself at home. This place isn't cheap but if the food is good it's all good to me. I will definitely be back. I plan on bringing my dad next time. So I can see the look on his face when he tries this Mac & Cheese!

    Been wanting to check out Lil Red's for awhile dad and I stopped by this past Saturday after…read moreheading home from a visit to a gallery near Beacon Hill. Definitely want to come back cause had a hard time deciding what to get. We got the Jerk Chicken plate with greens and macaroni and cheese sides, and 1/4 pound of the burnt ends. I do remember people saying great thing ls about the burnt ends and the were spot on they were tender, chef lets you sauce them up there is a regular and spicy. Jerk chicken was tender and nice spices. I liked the texture and flavor of the greens, not usually a mac and cheese person but this was nice as well. A few seats inside, we found street parking easily. Nothing fancy space wise but welcoming and supportive of the community Service was friendly and helpful. Definitely will be back to try more of the menu like the oxtail.

    Bongos - cuban - Updated May 2026

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