If you're looking for a flashy, high-end bistro, keep driving. But if you want a solid, down-to-earth breakfast that actually hits the spot, you need to check out The Firestarter Bar in Kent. I've been in a few times and am impressed by the quality of the food. My hats off to the chef! Here's the breakdown of the meal: The Food Chicken Fried Steak: This wasn't one of those cheap frozen patties that's all breading. It was nice and thick with just the right amount of crunch. Sausage Gravy: The gravy can make or break this dish, and they nailed it. It was thick, savory, and had tons of flavor. Stuffed Hash Browns: I upgraded my regular hash browns to the stuffed version with bacon, and it was the best decision of the day. They were perfectly fried and crispy--exactly how hash browns should be. Over Easy Eggs: It's surprisingly hard to find a place that doesn't overcook these lately, but mine came out exactly as ordered. Pancakes: I swapped my toast for pancakes, and they were fluffy and light. They serve them with soft whipped butter and syrup, which makes a huge difference. The Service The real star of the morning was Debbie. She's essentially a one-woman show--running the bar, waiting tables, and serving everyone. She is absolutely awesome and keeps the place moving smoothly. It's rare to see that kind of hustle these days. The Verdict Don't let the "bar" label or the exterior scare you off. It's a friendly, welcoming spot with better food than most dedicated breakfast joints in the area. Give this place a chance--you won't regret it. read more

OMG, this place was the definition of "don't judge a book by its cover" honestly we hesitated when went inside. I'm so glad we decided to stay and eat... the crispy chicken sandwich was fabulous! Definitely will order again if in the area. Breakfast was what my sister ordered and she raved... no leftover. Yes, its a family friendly environment. Bring the kids and enjoy some great food. It's got an "excellent" health depression rating!!! What a treat read more

Ever since I was in high school (obviously not drinking at the time), this was a frequent favorite of my family. The food never disappoints, the drink variety is good and the drinks are poured generously. It's always a fun atmosphere with kind servers/bartenders, sports on the TV's, pool, pull tabs, and even the occasional karaoke. If you're in the area and looking for a spot to meet friends or just have a fun night, this is the place for you. read more

Gave this place a shot last week and it was just OK for my first experience. You really need to be a regular here to get the personality or friendliness to come out of the bartenders, but the service was just fine. Very much a dive bar with pull tabs which is absolutely my kind of thing. Got the fried chicken sandwich that was very good and would order it again. I'll for sure give this place another shot. read more

Honestly, if you're looking for a local dive bar to watch a football game, or to just feel like a local while visiting, you need to check out this place! We came at 10am to watch the SeaHawks game and were met with a full bar! The bar stools are reserved for the regular customers but plenty of table space. The BLT was a simple classic, and the boneless wings packed a mild punch. Great deals on drinks. Our server was great and made us feel so included with the regular crowd. Highly reccomend read more

Firestarter Bar & Grill - BLT with crinkle cut fries - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington

I got hungry late, one night, so I had a patty melt and waffle fries delivered. The order came pretty fast and it was pretty good. My only complaint is that, the order didn't have any sauce for the fries, not even ketchup and there were no napkins. read more

This review is based only on the food this early Saturday morning. Will leave other factors up to you to decide. Had 1/2 order biscuits and gravy. OMG. Biscuits dense, yummy, crispy in all the right places. Gravy the bomb. Side order of sausage links. I liked. Kinda greasy in a good way and flavorful. Reasonable prices. read more

Had to walk through all of the smoker's smoke to get inside. We were toldto sit where we wanted. Didn't have the beer I wanted. Ordered a different one - and then - we waited and waited for someone to bring us menus - or something. After 15 minutes - we left. Went to the bar and paid for beer. Won't be back. Had to walk through the nasty smoke again - on the way out. read more

This is my favorite bar in Kent. Fun atmosphere, plenty of TVs for games, pool tables, stiff drinks and surprisingly delicious food! The French onion soup is the best around, and the chicken fried steak really hits the spot too, especially with a Bloody Mary with a football game on. I haven't had any bad food here and the service is great! read more

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Well this is my issue.. Been going in for 7 years.. Show up to have a drink then go to dinner.. Bartender says we have 2 pages of customers not paying there bill.. You guys have 3 unpaid bills.. Totaling like 67.00dollars.. I'm like that is not true.. I would never not pay and leave.. she said I know.. but have to tell you that! Ok the owner came in with her husband.. Leaving I said Shay.. I'm applied you would have your bartenders ask us that.. Her husband followed me to my car and told me I should never disrespect his wife that way... Jarod I'm not that way unless you provoke me! Never ever would not pay my bill!! read more

Good dive bar food for those late risers looking for brunch. Super friendly service and reasonable prices and drink menu

Do NOT buy the fish and chips absolutely disgusting. The fries were good but it's hard to mess up fries.

I'm always looking for a new spot to hang out, have a beer and burger. I'll give the Firestarter another try soon, but my initial visit didn't sell me on it. Compliments to the cook, my cheeseburger and fries were done well and I enjoyed every bite. The front of the house was interesting and appears I came at shift change. The gal leaving was not friendly and seemed put off to help me. It's ok, we all have a bad day. New staff came in and wearing enough fragrances to last their entire 8 hour shift and then some. Another customer actually commented, so wasn't just me. I'm still gonna try again for a better experience since the food is good and it's close. read more

Over the past decade, I have been here about 10 times and it hadn't been good. Service was slow when I first came in, but ownership reached out and told me they were figuring things out. I was there a week ago, My tab was about $17.50, I gave the girl $20 and after more than 10 minutes she never came back, my plan was to add a couple bucks to my change for a tip, but since she couldn't find time to come back, I just walked out since I had paid. I came in for Breakfast early this week and I don't know what I was served. The potatoes were grey in color, didn't taste like hashbrowns and weren't crisp. The eggs also weren't cooked as order and the bread tasted like it was brown on a dirty griddle. I don't know what bars are thinking, but for those of use that don't drink, we want to eat and leave and when service is slow, food is nasty and prices continue to rise, there is no good reason for anyone to return. I can officially close the book on this place. I think you have to be an alcoholic to appreciate it. read more

Bartenders are amazing but arioki the kareoke girl takes the last hour and a half to herself. I come here to kareoke not to hear her sing for half the time. She doesn't let people sing so she can sing her songs. read more

Fantastic! We had this a couple of nights ago (I have just been busy with my new teaching job so haven't had a chance to review it properly). Really impressed with the dragon melt, the krinkle cut and waffle fries were crispy and light and the chicken tenders that I shared with my Mom, had a nice thin batter with nice fresh chicken. Plus, it was still hot when we got it home. Major major improvement and I'm very happy to give Firestarter a four star. Keep up the great work! read more

Firestarter Bar & Grill - Top down view of Dragon Melt, waffle fries, and krinkle fries - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington

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Fun and friendly atmosphere, came across this place while searching for wings and drinks in the area, since I'm still learning and exploring the Greater Seattle area, and attending a Yelp Elite event in the area. I arrived late afternoon, before they really got busy, as it was Thursday, and the football game that night, was a big rivalry, Seahawks playing the 49ers, definitely a Seahawks crowd (imagine that?!? Lol) but a few niners fans as well. Enjoyed the friendly and salty bantering, keeping it fun. Reviews favored the chicken wings, and they sounded real tasty, so after ordering a Boneyard IPA, which was refreshing, I ordered the buffalo wings, they came with fries and a house salad, a good blue cheese dressing added for wings and salad. Service was fast, Wings were meaty and good sized, just the right amount of sauce, finger licking good w/o dripping all over. Delicious. Fries were good just right, crispy on the outside, and the house salad was well proportioned with veggies and black olives mixed in. Trying to be a little healthy. While enjoying the wings, I ordered a Manny's Pale ale, which is fast becoming a favorite of mine, since it's usually available at most eating and drinking establishments, reminds me of a PNW version of Sierra Nevada pale Ale, flavorful and refreshing w/o being over hoppy. Bar tenders were on task, never a empty glass in the place, before asking for another. They did have happy hour and game day specials as well. Definitely looking for a return visit. Happy Holidays and Yelping! Cheers!! read more

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Loved this place, loved the vibe, the staff and the food. We went there looking for a place to watch the game and it was a gem! So glad we found it! read more

We were pleasantly surprised at the generous size of their burgers. I had the Chicken Crisp sandwich and they seasoned their chicken breast with a light spicy seasoning. The server was very polite but very busy because the business seemed short staffed. Food took approximately 25-30 minutes to arrive after ordering but was very hot and fresh. I would very much recommend eating here, especially if you're looking for something late in the evening. You can order from their main menu until 11pm and their late night menu until 1am. read more

Walked into bar at 10 o'clock at night and you can definitely tell it is a local bar as everyone and the bartenders knows one another. My friend and I waited at the bar for a moment prior to placing an order. The crowd was very local dive bar. We ordered to-go wings and one Mai-tai. We waited for a long time the wings but it all worked out and the bartender was friendly enough to the make the experience what it was. I would go back to try other foods and drinks on another day if still in the area. read more

this place is fantastic! great food and super cool bartenders. The chicken strips are amazing and they have a top notch breakfast.

Hey gang I'm back this is a short quick review but good. Hand sanitizer is set up at the entrance of the door that was a plus we seated ourselves and Booth seats that were black so it was hard to see but I ended up sitting on something sticky, thankfully I just got off work so I was dirty anyway lol. But other than that table seem to be clean this place did take precautions with dividers in place at least at the booth seats there were two arcade games a large shared parking lot is there are other businesses this is kind of in a shopping center close to Safeway in Kent. I decided to order a chicken strip basket not a bad price it was 10 bucks it reminded me of the food I used to get at a bowling alley when I was younger and the bowling alley food was the bomb people!! But I had a I believe it was a four piece chicken strip basket with fries and barbecue sauce and it was slamming!! The waitress was friendly and patient because I took a while to order I waited for my friends food to come out I will admit before I ordered my own and the waitress still kept a friendly demeanor. There are pool tables television sets and a bar!! read more

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I come here to decompress and I enjoy every person on the staff I've met so far, but the service Alivia offers is actually top notch. She is attentive, always aware, always polite, and she remembers previous orders. I thoroughly enjoy my experience here when she is working - she remembers me, my order and how life is. That level of attentiveness and service who consistently keeps busy and engaged truly is something to be desired. Keep it up Alivia---heart you! read more

This place used to be pretty decent, but the last couple times it has been a joke. The kitchen takes way too long to prepare food, and the waitresses are too busy chatting behind the bar and not bringing refills and drinks. Even when you eventually do get your food It's barely even edible. I do not recommend. read more

Love love love this place! The food is delish, it's one of our "go-to" spots when we have out of town company.

So I have been going to all of the local restaurants that are walking distance from my house to try them out and Firestarter was next on my list. It has typical bar fare and I got the burger dip with tater tots. I was not disappointed. Food was served hot and quickly by a friendly staff member. I think the owner came by to check on me which was nice. I will be back. read more

This place is right down the street from our house and we'd been wanting to go for a while. So happy we finally made it! This will become a new favorite spot of ours The service was very attentive, food came our fast, and the price was right! We got a prime rib dip, it was great! The meat was tender and not dried out a bit, the fries were warm and soft, so good! We also got a club sandwich that was substantial in size and very tasty. Crowd was light, but picked up as we left. We will definitely be back! read more

This place is always great! My goal is to become a regular here lol I always have either their wing combo or just wings and fries! Always amazing sauces and tots are always super crispy! I love their inferno buffalo sauce!! Customer service is always great even when it's busy! Always attentive and making sure I get a refill if I need it. read more

Firestarter Bar & Grill - New Updated Menu 06/2018!!! - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington

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Great food. Went with some coworkers and had wings and mozzarella sticks. then on a Date at night, wings again. He had a French dip with delicious fries. Bar atmosphere. Found out they have Fantastic Breakfast! Also you can take kids. It is a bar but my minor son loves the stuffed hash-browns. And a good breakfast place on the south side is hard to find. read more

Best wings in all of Seattle and outside of Seattle hands down. I just order wings and their delicious waffle fries whenever I'm craving some good chicken wings. If you haven't tried their wings, I would highly recommend stopping by and ordering a pound or 2. You won't be disappointed. read more

It was all good until I was half way through my drink and noticed a bed bug run across the bar. I told the bartender and she said, "we'll I guess we'll have to call them out again." read more

Pepper burger and waffle fries are amazing. Service is great. Plenty of options for food, everything we have had here is great.

So my husband who is a regular there bought me some wings to bring home to me last night imagine my disappointment when someone decided this was ok to bring to a customer .............disgusting absolutely nasty and dried the hell out will NEVER ORDER FROM HERE AGAIN . I like my sauce on the side so it's not soggy when he gets home don't refry already cooked food check your wings they prolly been doing this #refried old food #icookforaliving #dontfeedcustomersoldfood read more

Firestarter Bar & Grill - Refried chicken wings - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington

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It's a decent place to eat. Varied menu and food choices. Not crowded when we went there for lunch.

Great food! Perfect for Seahawks games! Don't miss the cheese logs or French Onion soup!

Great food. Great service. We came on a busy Friday night about 7:30. We were pleasantly surprised at how attentive the staff was to our needs. One of the owners came by each table making sure everyone was taken care of. There were family's with small kids enjoying a fun time. There are many flat screens with different sports on them. Music, pool and a full bar. We live close by (walking distance) and are excited that we get to enjoy this restaurant. read more

Firestarter Bar & Grill - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington

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This is my second time coming here, first time i ordered some chicken wings & it tastes great. Now, i just ordered some Buffalo chicken wings tonight & it tasted like salt & vinegar. I don't think i ordered S&V lol. I don't know if it was because they were busy but at least get my order right! Please! It was great service but this was really a disappointment. Like who can ever go wrong with chicken wings??? read more

Firestarter Bar & Grill - "Buffalo" chicken wings - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington

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Man, I LOVE this little bar. If you go, just keep an open mind, because it's no upscale five star restaurant. It's tucked away in a strip mall next to a Safeway and just so *happened* to be between my place of work and home. Upon walking in, the interior doesn't really have anything special. It might even be considered a bit dated, but their focus is on the important stuff--food and drinks! I've been here several times, and it's always been consistent. The service level fluctuates depending on how much clientele there is, but that hasn't affected their food ticket times. They also have pool tables, darts, and a virtual golf course game. What I like about their drinks is that they don't just offer you a full bar and leave you to decide, they are always ready to recommend the latest cocktail, drink, or beer on tap. If you're undecided on what to get, GET THE MAC N CHEESE! It's one of the best I've had--garlicky, cheesy (not just cheese-saucy) salty goodness, and you can get it with bacon, or ask them to make it spicy! Also, the appetizer "Kindling" is delicious--they are literally GIANT mozzarella sticks. If you come for breakfast, please improve the quality of your life and order the stuffed hash browns. Holy Toledo! Cheese, jalapenos, sour cream, etc... this food is all unique, hearty, well, good old fashioned drinkin' food. read more

Firestarter Bar & Grill - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington

One of the best spots to get food in Kent. 100 percent! I highly recommend the wings and anything on their breakfast/brunch menu. You can tell the cooking staff and owner is very genuine. With my takeout order I got this personalized letter thanking the community for supporting their business and making dreams come true. That alone would make me return to Firestarter but every single thing I have ordered on the menu is a home run. They really have tasty food! I've tried the cheeseburger, nacho tater tots/tatchos, wings, wings combo, and the biscuits and gravy (b.fast menu). Great size dishes, flavorful food, and nice and efficient customer service. Can't wait to return for some in person fun times. Love Love Love this place! read more

We've been coming here for years now. The food and service is still awesome. And no, I haven't deviated from my BELT (bacon, EGG - and you know the rest ) sandwich. We usually eat in the outdoor section so we can have our therapy dog, Misty with us. The clientele here is so great. It's a lot like Cheers only instead of shouting "Norm!", it's always, "MISTY!" Our servers are great and I can't say enough about Haley. What a sweetheart she is to our pup. Sadly, Misty has been diagnosed with cancer. We hope to have one more visit to Firestarter with her. It might take us awhile to come back once Misty has left us (Only because of all the happy memories here.) but in the meantime, keep our seats warm for us by trying this place out. read more

Firestarter Bar & Grill - Burgers Near Me - Kent, Washington