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Walking into the restaurant, you're greeted by very funky vibe. Music is a bit loud, but it's a great people watching spot! Lines form in 30 minute intervals on a Saturday night, but the order got out at a reasonable ~25 minutes. The bongo burger ($10) was incredibly flavorful; there's chunks of fruit salsa wedged between a well spiced patty and gooey cheese. Made for a very full bodied bite The choco-flan was lacking a bit. Flan texture wasn't as supple as I expected and the chocolate cake tasted a bit like box mix cake. I've had much better in Los Angeles... Hummingbird cake was a very hearty slice. Frosting was a bit too sweet for my liking, but the crumb was very tender! Overall, I'd give it an 8.1/10! Meat was well dressed with spices and the desserts hit the spot (super cheap for the portions). Definitely a unique experience in phinney ridge
Bongos has been a favorite of ours for years, from way back in the pre-pandemic days all the way to now. Honestly, the food here is completely unstoppable. I catch myself having to log on and update my review every few months just to reassure everyone that yes, it is still just as incredible as it has always been. Admittedly, the portion sizes seem to have gotten a little bit smaller over the years, but it doesn't take away from how special this place is. If anything, I love it even more now that I get to bring my toddler along. They absolutely love playing around in the sand while we eat, and sharing the West Indies plates as a family has become one of our favorite routines. Bongos is an absolute gem, and we will keep coming back for as long as they keep the doors open!
I attempted to order catering from here for a corporate event. They took two days to respond to my email. After finally getting in touch, the person I was corresponding with was slow to respond and provided little to no detail on my follow up questions. They ended up ghosting me, so I was never able to place a catering order.
Fun, super casual, yummy food, super friendly staff. Bongos is a great spot for food that's a little different than anything else Green Lake has to offer. An assortment of Caribbean food - sandwiches, plates, bowls, and sides. There are so many good dishes, this is a place that I'm very familiar with, yet I never know what I'm going to order until I get to the counter. Maybe it'll be the Desi plate. Maybe it'll be the Veggie Platter. Sometimes I'll go with the Ropa Vieja. Maybe I'll try a sandwich with a side of yucca fries. If you're in Green Lake and looking for something to eat that's a little different than anything else you'll find around the lake, in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere, definitely check out Bongos. One note of warning: it can get slammed with lots of people around prime dinner hours, especially on the weekend, so be prepared. Maybe grab a drink and a seat while you wait for your food.
We've visited Bongos on several Seattle visits drawn by their Caribbean vibe and sandwiches. Each visit the space has changed with various updates and improvements. I'm really enjoying the covered deck on this hot summer day although my wife was missing the sand between her toes from the original floor. Today we had the 1 AM Sandwich, Gumbo, and Chicken Curry. The sandwich was as good as remembered but the curry chicken was dry and not very appealing without that snap of spiciness found in more memorable curry dishes. Order at the walk up bar and get a hockey puck buzzer. Your food is ready when the puck buzzes. We still love Bongos but will stick with the hits and avoid the curry on future visits-Suggest you do likewise.
Really good Carribbean food! This location is located along the Green Lake trail so if walking the loop, this is a good place to stop by to grab a bite! There's inside and outdoor seating. Fun and tropical vibes, great for catching up with a group of friends. Dog friendly as well! Service is fast. You order at the register and they call your number. There is also a separate bar. Drinks / water, sauces and food is self serve. I tried the West Indies plate. Super juicy chicken thigh. Beans and rice were soft. The slaw was refreshing and cuts the heaviness of the meal (it has mangos!!). Add some of their spicy sauces if you want more flavor! It's spicy but not too bad. The highlight was the plantains and yuca fries. Plantains were soft and sweet. Yuka fries had a nice texture, crunchy exterior and fluffy starchy inside and with the dipping sauce !!
Bongos is a green lake classic, sheeeeeit miss when they had the sand pit fr fr lol But yeah. They got them plates + sandwiches, both fire. Yall gotta try their West Indies chicken + spicy shrimp + curry chicken--they don't miss But yeah. Anyways, lol. Haven't been here in a fat minute. Checked out the menu and saw some new thangss including a loco moco? You know I had to try em out. I mean.... It's solid hahaha. Still comes w the standard slaw + beans + rice + maduros. Their version of loco moco is a patty + special gravy + one egg on top. I mean for $14 or whatever, it's not the worst esp when ya factor in quality + quantity. I just wish there was a way they could separate out the slaw/beans w the actual loco moco part of the plate. That way I could actually just taste the gravy, rice, patty, egg components alone.
Love bongos! Great spot to go with friends and grab a bite, especially like their plates/ bowls - my favorite is the desi plate, and recommend getting extra maduros.
The sandwiches were very tasty, though quite soggy. Maybe a little too much sauce? Service was good for the pick up order - can't really speak to ambiance. Next time I'd probably try a bowl for to go.
An taste of Caribbean in the PNW! Bongos is a great casual spot with mostly outdoor dining. Understandably popular, they manage to deliver timely counter service. They offer lots of good options for food including several healthy and gluten-free options - the Desi plate and Loco Moco have been some favorites. Prices are very reasonable. They also have a bar (I went with the coconut water).
Caribbean-style fast food spot with a clean, brand-new interior and nice little windows for a pleasant view while eating. Ordering is done at the counter, then you wait for a buzzer to grab your food, which made it feel more like a cafeteria or fast-food setup than a traditional restaurant. The food was okay, but heavily sauced and lacking the authentic Caribbean flavor I was hoping for. Being from the East Coast, I was really looking forward to some true Jamaican jerk chicken or flavorful oxtail, and unfortunately this missed the mark for me. The best comparison I can think of is making baby back ribs in the oven, pouring barbecue sauce on top, and calling them authentic BBQ ribs -- without the seasoning, smoke, or hours of preparation that make the real thing special. One big plus was the ample parking with generously sized spaces, which is definitely appreciated. Overall, probably not somewhere I'll become a frequent customer, but I could still see stopping in for a quick bite over McDonald's, Five Guys, or standard takeout Chinese food.
West Indies/Caribbean food sooo good. Quick service. The Maduros were scrumptious. Plates come w rice, black beans and cole slaw. Bathrooms outside w code. Outdoor dining available.
I really enjoyed the Desi Plate from Bongos. The pork was flavorful and tender, the plantain was sweat and soft, the coleslaw was fresh and not too creamy and the pickled veg was great sourness to combat the rounded beans flavor. 10/10 would order again. Good spot for the summer since it's an order and pickup at the counter spot (with ringers) and a good post-Greenlake hearty meal. The service was quick and standard, no complaints and limited conversations so not too fussy
Really good food! For me, out of the popular carribean food spots, I do like this place the most because of how its an actual restaurant with indoor seating. The food is just as good as the other spots as well. We got the Shrimp sandwich and some bowls to share. Seasoned perfectly! I also recommend the yucca fries. Food came out fast. All around no complaints! read more
Everything I tried was a little spicy for me, but still really good! The gumbo and West Indies Plate were full of flavor. I especially loved the Guava Cinnamon Cake -- soft, perfectly spiced, and not too sweet. The Mango Cake was a bit sour and firm, but still tasty and refreshing. Great food, fun beachy vibe. I'll be back! Service was good, nice. read more
4 months ago
Caribbean restaurant in our list from a long time & we finally visited this! It's a fast service, friendly service. You will need to stand in line to order and then you will get a buzzer while you find a place to sit. we sat outdoors near the beautiful fireplace. We ordered the WEST INDIES SANDWICH which is a juicy sandwich with Caribbean jerk spiced chicken with mango slaw with house aioli The Bucco Chicken Bowl has a Bay Island spiced marinated chicken thighs served with Cilantro Crema and Pineapple Salsa. Lastly, a YUCA FRIES which is a Steak fry cut and served with cilantro aioli. lots of parking around the block. read more
2 years ago
Been seeing high ratings for Bongos and decided to try this place before going on a walk around Green Lake. Parking can be a little tricky, but I came here on a weekday at 2pm in the afternoon so there was plenty of parking. I was greeted warmly by the front counter employees and was able to sample a few of their protein flavored items before choosing a dish. I ended up ordering the jerk chicken bowl- it came with a mango salad with rice and beans. It's flavorful, however, I was expecting jerk chicken rubbed style but it was drizzled with jerk sauce. It had some heat, if you like a kick. But I truly wished they had Caribbean hot sauce that would enhance the dish well. I ordered the side of Maduros- it was so good. I am obsessed with plantains, and I love the sour cream sauce that it came with. Would def return and try their shrimp bowl. Not overly expensive which is nice. And generous portions. read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
Ordered the desi plate and the Bart sandwich for our first time at Bongos. We preferred the sandwich over the plate. Both were super filling and enough for the two of us. I also had the guava cocktail which was delicious. There's a lot of seating although most of it is outdoors under cover. All the food is takeout even if you dine in. Wish they used compostable or reusable containers! read more
2 years ago
I don't know how I heard about Bongos but I came here when I first moved to Seattle and loved it. It's the place I recommend folks to go to when they are in town! I recently went again after not going for over a year and it reminded me of how amazing it is! The flavor is delicious and they stuff the sandwich to the brim. I always get the desi sandwich which is amazing. It's a bit spicy for me but I don't care because of the flavor of the braised pork. My boyfriend gets the trini fried chicken po boy which he loves! If you're in Seattle and want a good sandwich, go to Bongos. read more
10 months ago
The food is so good every single time! There is more on the menu I want to try every time I am there. Love the outdoor space. Having part of it covered is nice for the winter months. Love that it's dog-friendly too! read more
1 year ago
Amazing Place to come Eat :) The Steak and rice is amazing)! West Indies Jerk Chicken Plate Jamaican Gumbo bowl Maduros +! Tostones! That Rum Cake !!! Service was 10/10!! Ambiance was really cool & smooth! read more
What a hidden gem! From the exterior, this place is so unassuming - if not for Yelp or word of mouth, I'm not sure how people would know that inside there's people cooking up delicious food! I don't think I've ever had Caribbean food before, but my standard has been set pretty high now after visiting Bongos. The lady who helped us, who I believe was the owner, was super nice. We ordered some Tostones, which were amazing, and she ended up giving us 2 servings since she didn't think the first one had enough, so nice! I got their Desi plate, which was also so good. The pork was melt in your mouth tender, and the combination of the rice, beans, and salad just came together so nicely. The only bad thing I can say is I wish I lived right next door to this place - it's definitely a must try! read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
There's limited parking here, but the atmosphere here is nice. The decor is fun as well. When you arrive, you order first then find a table to sit at. We ordered a desi plate which is citrus-braised pork, caramelized onions & pickled peppers. Each plate comes with rice, black beans, mango slaw, and a maduro. Also got the 1 am sandwich which is braised pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickled cucumber, cilantro and mustard aioli. Both were good, but my favorite was the plate. Lots of different flavors going on. The maduro was good, I will order a side of them next time. read more
This place is awesome! It was a great casual place for lunch or dinner that is comfortable with kids. The semi-outdoor seating (though pretty well closed off from the elements) is great for families. Food and cocktails were great! Nice generous portions packed with flavor. Their Bongo old fashion was great. We tried the loco moco, steak and a pork dish. Would order them all again, but also want to try the rest of the menu! Yucca fries are a must for me. I loved all their dipping sauce and salsas including the mango habanero and green sauce. The plantains were yummy too. GET THE DESSERT! mango passion fruit bars, praline cheesecake, guava bar, coconut cake and buttermilk pie. All chefs kiss read more
2 months ago
2 years ago
Great food and laid back atmosphere. Dog friendly restaurant. It's counter service and not a full service restaurant. read more
2 months ago
2 years ago
We came on a rainy Sunday and the indoor seating was full - Highly recommend coming on a sunny day, but outdoor seating is still mostly covered so most of the seats are dry (just a little chilly). There's also a lot of parking spots available! We got the Ropa Vieja and the West Indies Plates, which were both AMAZING. The brisket from the ropa vieja was super tender and soft! My boyfriend loved the West Indies. It's giving elevated Chipotle. The combination of the slaw, beans, and rice were to die for, highly recommend getting a plate. The service is very friendly - especially the bartender. The drinks looked really good so I will definitely be back when it's sunnier! read more
2 years ago
Give me a mojito, patio, and Caribbean food, and I'll always be happy! I've been driving past this place for years, and finally got to try it! Busy, laid back atmosphere, but it was really pleasant on a beautiful Seattle day! My husband and I ordered the Desi sandwich, the Rooa Vieja plate, a side order of yuca fries, and drinks. The food did not disappoint! I also got sides of a sweet, hot sauce and a green style salsa. Having a dip of each on the yuca fry was chef's kiss! I also really liked the mojito, as it wasn't too sweet. For the food we paid about $40, and for the drinks another $18. We will totally be back! read more
5 months ago
Business owner information
Eleazar P.
This is correct! We hope to see you there soon!
2 years ago
A Caribbean restaurant nestled on the outside of Green Lake and Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. This place can be easily accessed by bus, car, or walking if you are nearby. There is limited parking though. My friends and I came in on Sunday afternoon in between lunch and dinner time, so there wasn't a line at all. This is the type of restaurant where you order your food with the cashier before you sit down. The seating arrangements are what you would find at a beachfront, picnic tables and small round tables. Once we ordered our food, grab water and fountain drinks, and sat down, I was shocked how quickly my order was ready. The buzzer they gave me started to buzz, but it stopped before I got to the pick-up counter. Then, it buzzed again, and the food was really ready in less than 10 minutes of ordering. I ordered The Desi Plate (citrus-braised pork, caramelized onions, and pickled peppers), Yuca Fries, and Jamaican Chicken Curry Bowl (golden curry with chicken, potatoes, and spinach) for myself and sister to share. All the plate entrees are served with a side of rice, black beans, mango slaw, and one maduro (sweet plantain). The Yuca Fries are pretty big. They are cut like large potato wedges, so you get maybe like 6-10 fries in a serving. I didn't count before we started eating. read more
Ambiance was 10/10. Loved the relaxed seating and colorful decor. Service was standard and quick. Wouldn't get a cocktail next time though, as drink was mainly ice and not much alcohol. The Caribbean Guava was still tasty, just wouldn't get again. Beer is the better option and they have it available by pint and pitcher as well. My man ordered the Desi sandwich which was messy but sooooo delicious...I had a few bites lol. He finished his food quickly as it was very enjoyable! I ordered Chef Dan's Caribbean Loco Moco which was good but I didn't really enjoy the hamburger part as the meat was kind of tough. Rice and beans were yummyyyy. We would return as we were very fond of the ambiance and food! Next time I will try the shrimp Po'Boy sandwich or the Trinidad steak plate! read more
2 years ago
It's always neat seeing Carribean food here in Seattle, and Bongos for sure does it right! I've been to Bongos a couple of times and can confidently say that Bongos is fantastic! It's always a drive to make it to the Green Lake area, but when I do, I usually try to hit up Bongos. I've only been here on the weekends where I usually have time to make the journey. Parking for the restaurant can be a bit narrow as majority of the spots are sort on a arrowhead shaped lot with roads on both sides. Spots tend to fill up quickly around meal times, but also free up just as quick afterwards. There also parking in the nearby neighborhood too if there aren't any spots at the restaurant itself. Service is fast - there is a line that you queue up on and order at the cash register. They hand you a buzzer that notifies you when your food is ready, and then you pick it up at the counter next to the register. We usually get our food around 10 minutes after ordering. The ambiance is tropical, with Caribbean decor and music. I even remember when they had a sandpit to simulate a beach in their outdoor portion! I've ordered a couple of things from Bongos to review down below: Shrimp Po Boy ($15): While most other restaurants only give a couple pieces of shrimp, Bongos doesn't skimp! You will get a generous helping of shrimp with your sandwich with a delicious aioli and slaw. The shrimp isn't fried, which I personally like better as fried shrimp po boys usually feel heavier than needed. The bread is toasted and provides a nice crunch to the soft and meaty shrimp. West Indies Chicken Plate ($14): While the sandwiches are good, if you are really looking to fill up on food, I would recommend a plate. They give you rice, beans, plantains, slaw, and your protein of choice per plate! The chicken is tender and flavored well and has a good smoky tangy flavor. Bread Pudding ($7): Wow, this is a very hefty dessert! Absolutely loaded with shredded coconut and cinnamon flavored milk! This brick of a bread pudding will mostly likely last you a meal or two or several - likely best shared with others if don't want to consume the whole thing yourself. In the end, I think that Bongos is one of few gems in Seattle that serves delicious food at a respectable price. Dining in Seattle at majority of restaurants can run you greater than $20 just to get to a comfortable amount of fullness, but at Bongos you can easily achieve that with $13 - $17, and the food tastes delicious! There are still many items on the menu that I haven't tried yet, and would like to revisit whenever I'm at Green Lake! read more
The neighborhood moderately priced restaurant with Caribbean food. Maybe I ordered the wrong item, but the fried chicken sandwich was the messiest item on the menu. The coleslaw was dripping on top of these chicken nuggets that was smothered in a sweet bbq sauce..and the roll was burnt to a crisp 3/5 for flavor but very messy. Service and ambiance was good. read more
Cute restaurant with lots of covered outdoor seating! Ordered online and went to pick up our order, service was friendly except one guy was just staring and not saying anything so someone else had to come help me. Ordered the shrimp po boy which was a 10/10!! It is pretty messy because of how saucy it is but I do love my sauce. Boyfriend got the Bart which he loved 10/10. Meat was juicy and flavorful. He would get again. Then we got a bucco plate to share and that was a good 8/10. The plates we usually like to just share but I would never order one as my meal as it's not as satisfying as the sandwiches here. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Bongos is a must have place if visiting the greenlake area. They have a super cozy outdoor seating area complete with its own sand pit LOL. The place only offers counter service, so you get your food, find your own table, then pick up your food when your pager goes off. I ordered the loco moco which was super delicious. The burger patty was flavorful, not the most tender, but that's okay since it's drenched in sauce. The slaw gives some much needed freshness since the rest of the dish is pretty heavy. The portions are also huge, I ended up only eating half. Overall, would definitely recommend this place. The vibes are super cute, it's perfect for taking togo to have a little picnic around greenlake or just chilling in their spacious seating area. read more
1 year ago
I am regretting so much that we only ordered desserts but they have such a great selection and it was all delicious. I am positive all their other food options are also amazing. read more
4 months ago
6 months ago
Business owner information
Eleazar P.
Hi Tian,…
One of the few places in "North" Seattle where you can get "exotic" food (for a city that's heavily saturated with Asian/American food. So def a place to take friends to try out! Mostly everything is spicy cuz of the seasoning (I'm a 1-star at Thai food kinda girl). But the depth of flavor cannot be missed out on! In the summer they got this awesome outdoor seating/sandpit "beach in the city" vibe. Guys here are always nice and welcoming. read more
Went here on the recommendation of a friend and it didn't disappoint. Place was clean and roomy, staff were friendly and food was good. Decent portions for the price. We subbed the rice for more coleslaw. Definitely coming back to try more dishes. read more
I AM SUCH A BIG FAN OF BONGOS! Their food is absolutely delicious and I love how friendly the staff is! The decor at this restaurant is tropical so even in the middle of the winter, you feel warmed up by their yummy meals which are large portions and affordable and their warm and friendly ambiance! There is a lot of seating and parking available. Additionally the food comes out quickly and fresh each time I've been here! read more
1 year ago
The service was fairly quick. The patio seating has a really nice vibe, with a small section that has sand (mimicking the tropical islands). The food was too spicy for my taste. read more
More info about Bongos
6501 Aurora Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
Phinney Ridge
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(206) 420-8548
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http://www.bongosseattle.com
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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…
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!!!…
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…
Do they have french fries with the sandwiches?
No, they are served without sides. But I recommend getting a side of plantains!
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…
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89 reviews that are not currently recommended
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