Loretta's Northwesterner still has it! I'm drinking a delicious Amber Ale from one of my hometown brewers. The guy behind the bar is a big ol' badass! The other front of house guy, kind of a more wiry guy named Brian with a hysterical t-shirt, is cool AF too. The beer selection remains extraordinary! I just spotted a Lucille grapefruit that's a favorite of one of my sweet Aunt's. That'll be my next beer, guaranteed! Here's to you, Aunt Dee! Cheers to Loretta's Northwesterner and the great people who make it iconic! read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - This is an excellent Scuttlebutt Amber Ale. My next brew was a delicious Lucille. So good! - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

One of the dishes I miss after moving to Seattle from the Midwest is the humble tenderloin sandwich. A giant plate-sized piece of pork, pounded flat, breaded and deep fried? Yes please. After finding out about Loretta's Northwesterner, which is basically the only place in Seattle that serves tenderloin sandwiches, we made it a priority to visit on a surprisingly rainless and cloudless February winter weekend. Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich ($18) - That's the stuff. A perfectly fried and breaded tenderloin, easily 3 or 4 times the size of the almost vestigial bun, topped high with veggies (on the side, of course, to assemble to taste). It's a very respectable size, larger than many places I've visited in Indiana and Iowa. Thick breading encrusts a perfectly cooked tenderloin, allowing a hard crispy shell to develop, while the interior meat, pounded flat, remains tender yet moist. Both the breading and pork are liberally seasoned with salt, pepper, and spices, which creates a well seasoned bite. They include tons of romaine, red onion, tomatoes, and tangy pickles - with everything in place, I almost had to unhinge my jaw to eat the sandwich. The bottom bun is slathered with an ungodly amount of mayo. It's necessary to add more creaminess and fat to the relatively lean meat. The one qualm I have that prevents me from anointing this sandwich the best in the west: the bun. While toasted on all sides, it's dry and kind of crumbles apart while eating. Otherwise, this sandwich is excellent and easily competes with the many pork tenderloins I've eaten in the Midwest. (5/5) Fries ($6) - A $6 basket comes with a generous portion of freshly fried potatoes. The fries are skin on, which basically makes these crisp starchy sticks a health food. I found them to be fried a bit too far, rendering the interiors fluffy but dry. They have good crisp exteriors, though, and aren't overly salted. (4/5) Tavern Burger ($7) - Loretta's is actually more famous for their burgers than the tenderloins, with many publications in Seattle claiming they serve the best in the city. People often recommend getting the Double Tavern Burger, but we opted for the single given that we were planning on a couple of stops for desserts and pastries afterwards. For a full meal, I'd definitely want to upgrade to the double - the single isn't that large, probably comparable to a cheap fast food burger with a slightly larger patty. The beef is heavily charred in flavor, lending a great smoky aroma and a beefy bite. It's cooked well done, so the entirely of the burger is the same brown color, but there's more than enough moisture coming from the other ingredients to offset the dryness of the beef. There's a requisite slice of melted American cheese on top and plenty of fatty mayo-based secret sauce underneath, dressing a bunch of chopped onion and sliced pickle. The tanginess from the pickle balances out the fat and meat quite well. I'm not sure I'd call the burger the best in the city, but it's certainly pretty good. (4/5) I don't eat at dive bars very often, but I'd definitely return to Loretta's for the tenderloin sandwich. It's not a dish commonly found in the PNW and the fact that Loretta's rendition is actually really good, is a boon to the city. Bathrooms - Two tiny unisex rooms read more

See all

I came here for lunch w/ a coworker and came on a Friday. I wasn't able to eat a burger since I can't eat on Friday's so I feel like I'm missing out on this review. Instead I got the fish and chips. I thought they were meh. Next time I'll come back for the burger that everyone is raving about. Other than the food I thought the service was fast and ambiance felt very chill. read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - Fish & chips - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Insanely delicious ribeye! Buttery juicy flavorful cut of steak! The loaded baked potato could really be served on its own - it's that good. Even the veggies were excellent! Their burger is said to be good but I haven't tried it yet. Guess I'll have to return soon!! read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - Ribeye was A+ - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is a great place! The food is good, they have lots of beverage options and it's 21 and over, so no kids is always a good thing when enjoying your lunch or dinner. They even have breakfast items! Seating is kind of limited, although they do have the patio area but if it's raining, only a few of the seats are dry. The burgers are good and the fries are also good. I got to try their soup of the day, which was a Guinness and cheese! Love me some beer cheese soup and this didn't disappoint. If you are in the area or want to get a good burger, check them out! read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - Tavern Burger with Bacon and Fries - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Dive bar,.... Great burgers and home made fries.. the best.. not fancy but great.. everything on their menu is outstanding.... Double burger, fries, and your choice of drink and your near heaven.... Enjoy the atmosphere inside and in the back yard with the trailer.... Fun read more

Okay, the burgers here actually hit... I came here with a friend and fellow Yelp Elite on a Friday noon around 12pm on a very rainy day and a very dim-lighted but bustling inside bar area that was jam-packed expect for the heated outside patio. It actually makes the inside feel very intimate despite it being a bar and therefore really noisy. We ordered our food at the front bar and luckily got seating near one of their ceiling heat lamps at the outside patio. I got their tavern burger for $7 and a side of fries for $6, while I tried some of my friend's soup of the day that was infused with beer and cheese. It's such a simple smash burger, and it's pretty small too but how does it pack so much heat and flavor though? It only really has cheese and pickles and onions and it somehow was one of the best things I've tasted. The beer cheese soup was also a hit for my taste buds even though I'm not into alcohol. Not much on service here though, since my friend and I ordered, ate, and asked for to-go boxes very quickly with minimal exposure to the servers as they were very busy inside. I later realized many of my friends have already went here, and have also only great things to say about here, almost echoing the words I've said in this review. That's how solid this place is, and I'd be down to come back here! read more

See all

"A neighborhood outpost where drinking is a priority, but also happens to have a really good burger" not sure there is a better slogan than that! Loretta's is a very unique dive bar. Had 90s rap bumping which I was not expecting but loved. The bartender was very friendly and helpful. I liked that you could order at the counter and then they will bring you the food. Overall everything was good but there were a couple minor things that took away a 5 star review. To start the burger looked a little sad. I tried to get the best angle of it in my picture but didn't look great still. It was tasty though. The breaded pork loin was extremely crispy and absolutely massive. It was very tasty but slightly salty for my liking. There was also way too much mayo put on the bottom bun. The hand cut fries were extremely crispy and by far our favorite part of the meal. Overall Loretta's was good and we enjoyed our visit. read more

See all

Tried going to Loretta's a couple years ago on a Friday afternoon. It was packed but we decided to wait in line to order. Sadly the customers right in front of us were told there was a 15 minute hold on orders so the kitchen could catch up. We couldn't wait but I respected that they do that and are up front about telling customers. the bartender that day was one of the ones I saw today. Wish I got her name cause I was just impressed watching her today as I was when I first tried to order. Both bartenders were friendly and organized ran the bar well and communicated well with the kitchen. We were there around 1:15 and had gotten in right before things got busy in a second afternoon wave. Dad and my brother had the double tavern I had the regular tavern. We split an order of fries which were generous. It's a great deal for the price the buns are nicely toasted there is limited toppings which is actually smart so you can taste the great char on the burger. We also had two ice teas and a Loretta Lemonade. We heard the fish and chips are good from our visit at Little Jaye's after from one their staff so you know we'll try that next time! read more

See all

Amazing neighborhood bar with a super local vibe and cheap delicious food! This tavern was definitely made to serve the community, but word got out about the amazing food and it's super popular now. The popularity is well deserved with the craft rotating taps and $7 burgers. The highlight of this place is definitely the tavern style burgers. The most simple burger is only $7 so a step up from Dick's but still won't break the bank. The burger is juicy and has a nice smoky charbroiled flavor. The bun is soft and the toppings are minimal which is reminiscent of other fast food burgers. If you're not feeling a burger, the other food options are great as well. The breaded pork tenderloin sandwich is delicious but pretty unwieldy to eat. The pork tenderloin is crispy on the outside but juicy and tender on the inside. It's huge, delicious, and super messy. The chili fries are also pretty good. The hand cut fries are fresh and the chili is meaty and rich. read more

See all

My friend and I spent our Friday night at Loretta's Northwesterner after hearing many positive comments about the place. I've been to a few bars before, but this was my first time at a tavern - safe to say that Loretta's has inspired me to try more of them. Walking in you'll find a decent-sized bar section to the left and booth seating to your right. The setting was dimly-lit making it feel more intimate and comforting. But as you walk down the hall you'll enter into an outdoor patio area with seating. Most of top is uncovered where you can watch the moon glisten and airplanes pass by as they leave/enter SeaTac. In the middle section it'll have a covered area with heat lamps hovering over - I did wish there was more heat lamps in we sat at since it was a cold night. Both my friend and I ordered the $7 Tavern Burger. There's only a few words I can say - FANTASTIC! Absolutely a great burger to accompany your evening with drinks. It's just a simple burger, described by the menu as charbroiled beef with melted cheese wrapped up in toasted buns with pickles, onions, and their special sauce. It's not a big burger and left me wanting more, so when I come back I'll definitely get their Double Tavern (double patty) If you're with a group or even just with another friend, I HIGHLY recommend the Irish Nachos. They're fries that are dressed like a baked potato (cheese, bacon, onion, sour cream). While it was only the two of us demolishing this large plate, it felt like I ate as much of the fries as I did with the burger. Definitely a side for sharing. Beer here is good, I don't remember which ones we ordered but my friend loved the one he got. All in all you could say we enjoyed our time here at Loretta's and we plan to come back soon with our other friends, even if it is across the other end of town for us. Will be back real soon! read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - Irish Nachos - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Great burgers and service!! Sat outside and the heat lamps kept me warm. Love how the glasses are chilled for drafts

Parking in the back. Pretty busy on a Friday lunch break, but they were very efficient and got the food out quickly. Fish and chips with the crisp beer batter and perfect fries was killer! read more

See all

Great spot. Best smash burger in Seattle. Really good service and vibes. Fish and chips are also very good for being beer battered. Never had a bad meal. read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Nice local spot in my area. Great food. Pub burger is instant go to. Tenderloin sandwich is great as well. read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - Double tavern burger and fries. It's smaller than I thought, but money. I guess the size of a dicks deluxe. - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Cool spot! I love these very unpolished little holes in the wall. They tend to have good food and a relaxing ambiance. Loretta's was no exception! I came here on a recommendation and ordered the double Tavern Burger, also recommended, with their fries. Now the Burger was pitched as one of the best in the city, and it was definitely high quality and a nice basic burger. But on a scale of 1-10, I'd give it about a 7/7.5. Good, but not the best I've had. But those fries!!!! Man, their fries were perfection! They know how to do a fry up right: WITH the skins on! (It should be illegal to remove the skins before making fries, they're 10x better with the skins left on! IMHO) I'd definitely come back here, the staff was extremely friendly and accommodating and of course the food was great. read more

See all

We usually come here for a few drinks and dinner. We tried their breakfast this last go and we loved it! Steak eggs cooked perfectly. Forgot to get the gals name at the front but she was so so so nice! She has this bubbly personality and it definitely added to the experience. We will keep returning. I really like that you order at the bar and they bring your food. One annoying thing about brunch is having to flag your waiter/waitress down so I like this setup read more

Keep in mind this place is a bar with food. It is not a burger spot only and is not kid friendly Service is not great, but was just there for the burger Burger was very delicious and would order again. The fries were very worth it and a good portion read more

If I say this is a burger joint worth dying for, I ain't joking. This dive bar is located at the South Park area, Seattle. On the evening of our visit, there was a shooting in the parking area but that did not stop us from getting a parking in the front and tried their burger. Inside the business, it is a very lovely tavern. Woody was a very friendly bartender and the customers all mind their own business. Burger was perfectly flamed broiled (you can taste the flame) without over dressing and one of the top burgers I had. Hopefully my next visit was not surrounded by 20+ cop cars! read more

South Park's best bar, and if you get the Double Tavern Burger you are tasting one of the top burgers in the Seattle area. My wife told me so. I wouldn't know because the Pork Loin Sandwich is like nothing you have ever had anywhere else. And it is fantastic! read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - Breaded pork loin sandwich is always bigger than the bun that you are going to put on top of it! - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Deluxe Burger and fries $11 + $4 =$24 ?? Bad business false advertisement. Employees are rude. $15 then fries $6 the worst part is i called to ask about the price. Female answer the call and was very arrogant, makes excuses about price is old and the menu shows the business name then she kept lying about the price changes read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - This restaurant not good - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Came here after a team volunteer event at Food Lifeline for lunch. Good service, and food was delish! I had fish and chips which was really tasty cod and a million fries came with it. My team mates had burgers and a giant pile of fries to share. No one left hungry and three of us ate a lot and took some home too. Great little bar. read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - Great little bar with good food too - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I was craving a burger and stumbled upon this place. The burger pictures looked amazing, so I decided to check it out. The atmosphere had a sports pub vibe with a dark, cozy ambiance that made it perfect for relaxing and enjoying a drink. We brought a bottle of water with us when we entered, but they wouldn't allow it at our table, which was understandable. However, we had to wait until we were leaving to drink it, since the glasses they provided were pretty dirty. We went with the deluxe burger. The ingredients were definitely fresh, but it wasn't mind-blowing--it didn't stand out as one of the best burgers I've had. That said, for the price, it was a solid, fresh choice. Would I return? Probably, if I'm in the area, but I wouldn't make a special trip just for this place. read more

Their charbroiled burgers are SOO good and a lot of the reason people come, but the best thing on their menu is their chili by far! The best chili I've EVER had. Top tier dive bar food and the atmosphere is also great. read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - Tavern burger - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

probably the best fish n chips i've ever had. the batter coated the fish rather perfectly and the only thing I would change would be to ask for more tar tar sauce because it was a superb dip for both the fish and the chips. service is busy around lunch but it's well run and serves regulars who work in the area. also tried their burger and it was probably the most appropriate tavern burger i've ever had. the perfect place for what it is. does everything it should do really well, doesn't try to incorporate any gimmicks in presentation or service or food, and i wish I'd known about it sooner. read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - fish and chips - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I loved my visit here! I loved the old dark wood with low-ish ceilings (reminded me of an old tavern), the music, the service, and the food and definitely plan to come back. The bartender in a beautiful red dress was so kind and helpful. The Irish nachos were a huge serving (like enough to be an entree), the double burger was super cheesy with a nice smoky flavor, and the deluxe burger came with ample toppings. There was enough for me to sneak some into my double burger too. We also ordered a Loretta's Lemonade which was exactly what it sounded like. I want to come back and try the fish and chips (apparently one of Kenji Lopez-Alt's favs) and pork tenderloin sandwich. It's not a big space so I imagine it could get crowded but I went at around 3pm and was able to find a booth. If I lived closer, I think it would be great to come here after a long day of work, order a beer and a burger, and just relax read more

See all

Love this spot. Probably the best burger I have ever had, we loved them so much we went three days in a row! Divey atmosphere, a little dark but very friendly and comfortable. Bartenders are great, friendly. We wound up here on the recommendation of a server at another great local spot when we asked for the best bloody marys in the area. He said Loretta's without hesitation. I should point out that the bloodys depended a lot on the bartender - they were not using the same recipe. So one day they were amazing, the next day they were mediocre. But the burgers never missed! Love the fries, and all the available dipping sauces. We went in February and the place got pretty well packed all three visits. Very popular. There is outdoor seating available as well, which is terrific. But no dogs allowed, even in the outside area FYI. read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - View from streetside. Parking available on the street, or they have their own lot in the back. - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I realized today after eating here for days long beyond count that I have never left a review. Simply put: because of Loretta's, I can have no regrets about not having In-N-Out Burger in WA state. Because I have this perfect, marvelous delicious Loretta's cheeseburger (along with its cousins at Star Brass & Maude's). We're also really lucky that it's a beautiful, dark, friendly, comfortable neighborhood tavern space that always feels welcome. I live in Georgetown and I am blessed in sandwich, and measure my wealth in cheeseburgers and solidarity. read more

When I tell you this is the BEST smash burger I've ever had. As soon as I unwrapped the burger, the incredible smell was intoxicating and my friend instantly regretted not ordering it. I shared it with my husband and I wish I had one to myself. It's everything you want in a smash burger, cheesy, saucy, has a charbroiled flavor, great bun. I will be thinking about this burger every time I bite into another one. We also ordered the steak sandwich which was good but I wish the steak was thinly sliced (palomilla steak style) as opposed to cube chunks. Just would have made it easier to eat and would've evenly distributed the steak. Also we ordered beer and amaretto sours and they were great! They even gave me extra sour cherries. Good service. Just go to the bar to order and find your seat. A great dive bar in Seattle! read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - Beer, cherry coke, and amaretto sour - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

The small burger was excellent. Just the right size. Parking not real easy, but got close enough. Will be back.

I stopped at Loretta's Northwesterner while in the area after Yelping local burger places and remembering that this one has been on my "must try" list for awhile. I rarely am in the South Park neighborhood at a mealtime so this had to be fate today! In my notes I listed to try the Tavern Burger and fries so I ordered the standard Tavern Burger and a side of fries along with a Rainier draft pint. A great tavern meal! This burger and fries meal did not disappoint. They toast the bun on the burger which adds a satisfying crunch to each bite and there is a nice combination of cheese and pickle and a juicy patty. The fries are like 5 guys style with the skin on and cut just the right size and perfectly greasy. I did have to pay for a side of secret sauce which I thought was complimentary but it was tasty and went well with the fries. Great service and a good ambiance in Loretta's. The bar seemed typical but cozy and the staff were interacting well with them. I sat at a table inside. There is an outdoor fenced area out back that is decorated nicely and will be great in the warmer months. So this burger ranks up there with the price only being $7 and it being prepared very well with the right amount of condiments. I will return here when in the area as it is a good bargain and delicious! read more

See all

Their burgers the tavern double with bacon is fire, one order of fries is enough to share for two people. The service is always great. Atmosphere is a bar setting if there is any sport on you know it will be loud but people enjoying themselves . read more

Iv been coming in here for seriously 10+ years and its always the best tavern burger but sadly I had a really bad experience this past Sunday. The male bartender was amazing and friendly but the blonde female bartender was rude and awful. Literally rolled her eyes at me and would blatantly ignore or other than a dirty look when I tried to move to the bar. Zero service from her even though I was sitting right in front of her. Maybe she just had a bad day but I tipped 30% even though she was actively rude the whole time. read more

Glad to say I found a great dive bar in Seattle! If you are looking for a place to enjoy reasonably priced food and drink with no frills and mostly self service, this is your place. Be warned....it is really loud and Seahawks friendly. read more

We were craving for a good burger when we came across this place. It is a pub with sports being played on the TVs, a bit dark. It was a self seating place with order being taken at the bar. We ordered two deluxe cheeseburgers. They tasted very fresh a bit overcooked patties. It had a nice touch where the top of the bun was separated out to prevent burger from being soggy. Overall pretty good place might go back for a drink. read more

i have no idea why the hell i have not put a review of this place on yelp--i mean i have been here countless number of times--alone, and with my daughter. it is one of our favorite places to go to--although i am sad to say they will not let her bring her dog with--even outside on the semi-enclosed patio. i guess rules are rules. but its a cute little cavapoo--and she will stay in her backpack carrier, but it is what it is. onward and upward. the place has this really neat charm to it--inside booths are really great to sit at--there is a kind of communal table heading out the back, when it is warm it is not a bad place to sit. you can go in the back and sit by the fire which is nice. the tavern burger--just the right size and tasty, too. add a cup of chili and i am happy beyond belief. get yourself a hamms to drink, or my favorite, rye on the rocks--and they have my favorite--old overholt. the people here behind the bar are great--cant say enough about them. i have never been disappointed here. oh--one other thing, and it does sound funny but i have been to a lot of places--the water in the bathroom sinks is actually hot---i mean, how nice is that when you want to wash your hands and it doesnt come out all cold. read more

Website claims their chef says their burgers are better than sex. His sex life must be lacking.... there is no chef here, just a line cook turning out cheap frozen food. read more

I went here on a date and found it to be a pretty great establishment. The inside has your typical bar atmosphere: a bit loud, somewhat hot, and distinctly smelling of alcohol. The bartenders were very chill and took our orders promptly. I ordered the double burger while my date opted for the deluxe. I also had a Sprite, which tasted like it came straight from the bar hose, and my partner enjoyed a draft beer that looked nice and foamy. The burgers were really good. My double burger was filling but on the smaller side. I didn't realize that the fries are sold separately, so next time I'll definitely order some. The burgers were both very greasy. The outside patio was very nice and cool. Several people were hanging out, reading, or chatting in groups, creating a great overall atmosphere. Parking was a bit tight. There is a small back parking lot, but it's very cramped, and the side street was also packed. Overall, I'd definitely go again and hang out with friends. read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I had been meaning to try this place for a long time & luckily found myself nearby with a serious case of the rumblies. I must echo what everyone else has said. Above average double burger with fresh fries! The service is great & friendly. You order from the bar & find a seat. Absolutely love the divey ambiance. The wooden clock in the shape of Washington state takes it to the next level. I will be back! read more

Loretta's Northwesterner - Double with fries & tartar! - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Omg, this place looks like a bar and my expectations were low. Ordered 1 burger and I was floored. Kinda like a White Castle but super delicious. Go if you close and get a burger. I have to say that this place has the best burger I've ever tasted read more