Un Bien Photos
Business Info
Un Bien Popular Dishes
UN BIEN ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
Recommended Reviews - Un Bien
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
tl;dr the juicy Caribbean pork sandwiches at this revived Seattle mini-chain live up to the legendary hype Un Bien is arguably Seattle's most popular sandwich joint, and its dramatic history begins with Cuban chef Lorenzo Lorenzo and his initial shop, Paseo. Lorenzo opened Paseo in 1994, where his popular Cuban roast pork sandwiches were regarded as among the best in the country. After years of local expansion, Paseo abruptly filed for bankruptcy in 2014. The brand was subsequently bought out by a local entrepreneur, but the sale did not include Paseo's secret recipes (the reboot attempted to reverse engineer the sandwiches with varying success). So, in 2015, Lorenzo's sons revived Paseo under a new name, Un Bien, armed with their father's original recipes. Nowadays, Un Bien is generally regarded as superior to Paseo, and you can grab their Caribbean sandos at one of the three locations across Seattle. You can't miss the pastel pink-and-teal palette of the original shack on an otherwise drab block of Ballard. As you approach the wooden window, you are greeted by the aroma of sauteed meats and veggies. Communal laquered wood benches are lined up underneath a covered pergola. Fifties hits ring respectfully around the kitchen. My partner and I visited for late weekday lunch, and we ordered immediately. We opted to focus on the signature pork shoulder, so we split the #1 Caribbean Roast and #2 The Press. Across both sandwiches, we were impressed by the tender pork, rich onions, lemon-forward aioli, and marinade-soaked baguette. The standard roast pork sandwich added on pickled jalapenos and crisp romaine, culminating in a dynamic flavor that accentuated the meat. Meanwhile, The Press featured tart banana peppers, smoked ham, and melty Swiss, amping up the sweet and savory flavors alike; we agreed that this extra-messy sandwich just edged out the standard version. Our order took just minutes to be prepared, and the bill just topped $30. Despite the fanfare, I still found myself surprised by just how satisfying Un Bien's sandwiches turned out to be. Across all the food I ate in Seattle, only these pork sandwiches would be worth a return visit, even if I had to venture out of my way.
Un bien is a must have every time I come home. The classic caribbean roast sandwich is a classic for a reason and the onions are to die for. The food came out fast and I appreciated they had wipes for the tables available. Always hits!
Messy, a little pricy, but great sandwiches!! There's lots of meat and flavor, definitely worth being one of the top sandwich places in Seattle! I didn't have to wait any longer than 10 minutes for my food to be ready, so service is pretty efficient. Note: Outdoor seating is limited, like a long bench style. Water is self-serve with plastic cups in the back wall of seating area.
Stopped in on a whim and ordered the seared scallops sandwich. While a little pricey at almost $20 for a sandwich (and not a particularly large one at that), it was delicious. The staff has really fun/positive vibes and made me laugh, haha. There's also a whole seated dining area with heaters hanging from the ceiling. Will be back for more!
This is a great experience. It's a small sandwich shop but so worth getting food from. Beware there is a line but waiting in it is worth it. They have a ton of different sandwiches so if there is a weird one you're thinking of trying, do it, its worth it. I got the Scallop sandwich of all things and you guessed it, worth it. Im not sure what sauce they have in their sandwiches but it is so savory, there is a lot of it too so you're hands are definitely going to get wet, however, it is worth it.
Visited this spot with very high expectations, which may be why I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. It's a walk-up and order type of spot, with long picnic table-esque seating on one side. The staff was very friendly, and street parking was easy to find on a weekend afternoon. We got the Caribbean Roast sandwich, which is their signature, and the sauteed prawn sandwich, which was recommended to us by the staff. Surprisingly, we enjoyed the latter more - prawns had great texture and were super fresh. The tapenade was a good touch too and overall this was a solid, well-made sandwich. The Caribbean Roast was just a bit over the top for me - I'm no stranger to flavor, but there was just so much going on in an unbalanced way. The aioli overpowered everything else in the sandwich, and the sauce and juice made the lettuce mushy super quickly. The onions were cut into really big pieces that were hard to bite through, which meant every time I got to an onion piece in the sandwich, the whole thing just got pulled out of the sandwich in that bite. The meat was certainly cooked very tenderly and had great juiciness, and I appreciated the hefty portions! Not sure if I'd personally go out of my way again to come back, but the freshness and quality were there, especially at this price point. Would recommend for people who love big, juicy, messy, strong-flavored sandwiches!
Went here for the first time today, and was glad I did. I had the Caribbean Roast Pork sandwich and it was very good. Lots of meat, great bun, great spreads, and I got it with jalapeños which I would recommend. It was a very juicy sandwich. Expect things to be messy and your hands to smell like pork afterwards. Not sure if I would say this the best sandwich in Seattle, but I can't remember having a better one elsewhere at least in the last few years. The staff were great. The cooks and guy at the cash register were having fun while still working to provide orders quickly. The eating area was heated, but still a little chilly on the cold rainy day I was there. I will be back to try some other sandwich's. Note the prices on the Yelp menu look outdated. I think the prices are about $3 per sandwich higher now.
Best sandwiches in town. Everything is super savory and juicy. The blend of meat, sauce, and peppers is The bread is also really good; it's crispy on thr outside but soaks up a lot of the juices on the inside. My favorite might be the Caribbean Roast and then the Palomilla Steak in a very close 2nd place. Highly recommend. Plenty of seats outside to eat, as well. Parking is a little tough, but besides that this is the perfect spot.
If I am judging this establishment purely based on food alone, then it would be closer to a 4, but the economical aspect of this place together with how it has quality food in general makes it worth a 5 star rating. I think that experiences may vary based on what category customers choose their dishes from, so sandwiches are always safe to choose. I had the signature Caribbean Roast sandwich and it tasted really good! The garlic mayo aioli provided a layer of flavor that the sandwich itself wasn't able to give. It also made the sandwich richer, as oil kept dripping onto the wrapper. My only constructive criticism is that if the onion was caramelized more, it would enhance the sandwich. Still, though, it was already really good. The pork shoulder was very tender because of the marinade. I enjoyed it very much and can definitely see why many call this Seattle's best sandwich. One of my friends had the carne and rice dish, choosing chicken as the meat, and it tasted pretty good per her. It was only $9 which made my friend skeptical, but the amount was so abundant and it tasted good, so to her, it was worth it. Another friend ordered the Caribbean roast dinner plate, which had black beans on the side. She said it wasn't as good as the sandwich, but had mostly positive comments about it. When I searched on Reddit for food options in Seattle, this establishment appeared the most, and now I understand why. The only thing I wished I was able to do was having a bigger stomach so I could taste more sandwiches. The one I had was gigantic, so once again, economically it was very worth it.
Called in an order for takeout on a rainy afternoon. Gentleman who answered had a very outgoing personality and was the same when we pulled up to pay in person. He remembered our name for pickup and had our order ready to go. We ordered: - Sautéed Prawn sandwich - Caribbean Roast sandwich - Palomilla Steak sandwich - Carne & Rice - side of carmelized onions My prawn sandwich was delicious! Bread held up to the ingredients. It contained a light tartar sauce that tasted like they make it themselves in-house, spinach, and carmelized onions. This is the second spot I've tried in SEA that had chunky cut onions that made eating the sandwich a bit difficult. Wish they were cut more like a julienne, but that's my personal opinion. There is only street parking, so depending on time of day parking may be difficult. There is a window where you order and can see the hard working cooks in the open kitchen. On the side is an open seating area for dining. I would definitely recommend and would love to come back on my next visit to try other food items!
Found ourselves in a part of Seattle new to us and we were looking for a quick bite for lunch. What a treat! We were greeted by a friendly gentleman who- as it turned out was from Jersey and had gone to college in Philly! Of course we talked about the Eagles for a bit. They have casual outdoor seating with a heated covered patio. But about the food... it was really, really good. We were tempted to order sandwiches, but decided on platters instead. All the reviews we read raved about the pork so we ordered rice & beans trio and the pork on lettuce with pickled cabbage. Pork was perfectly tender, seasoned to perfection, the pickled cabbage was unique and very tasty. We drizzled their homemade hot sauce on everything - giving it a nice punch of heat. Highly recommend - can't wait to return and grab sandwiches!
Overall: it was good, but nothing special. I got the Caribbean scallops entree with rice and beans on the recommendation of the guy at the counter, to go. The beans were passable, super watery and not especially flavorful. The scallops were cooked perfectly but there weren't that many of them. The star was the sauce the scallops were in: this was actually quite good. Overall was okay but doesn't spur me to go back. Maybe other dishes here are better.
Food truck on the side of a road The press - good flavor, love the meat and grilled onions! It does get heavy and a bit repetitive though. Meat could be juicier 3/5
I feel like I'm eating everything I've been eating in Seattle 5 stars but this continued the amazing food we've been having. We had the Caribbean roast and the Press sandwich, and while both were good, I'd get the Press if I had to choose one. It had a slightly better sauce and I liked the ham that came with the pulled meat. We also got the salad because I needed some veggies, and it was a sizable portion with a nice vinaigrette. read more
2 months ago
We came on a Sunday early afternoon and there was a good number of people already waiting. Despite that, it didn't take long for our sandwiches to be finished (between 5-10 minutes). These sandwiches are very tasty and filling. The meat was super juicy, which makes eating it get pretty messy. There's ample bench seating outside in a covered area. If you're nearby, I would recommend checking out Un Bien and trying one of their sandwiches! read more
7 months ago
20 days ago
3 months ago
The sandwich was delicious. The service was impeccable and not just like polite service but like friendly and neighborly vibes. So props to the person at the counter who made my experience ordering a sandwich fun and such a positive part of my day when I didn't expect that. The patio is so fun and bright too. Honestly I will be back and I want to try the 5 star spice level. This sandwich was so good I will be bringing my partner back ASAP. read more
1 year ago
The reviews don't lie, this place is the bomb! The Caribbean Roast, The Press, and the Palomilla Steak sandwiches were all bursting with flavor and juices. We thought the Roast was the top place with the Steak as a close second. Napkins definitely required kinda situation haha. Easily worth a stop by! read more
Really yummy sandwich, especially their number one the Caribbean pork roast. There is seating inside and out. But definitely worth taking it to go and eating it at Golden Gardens Park. The cashier was very friendly and we waited only about 10 minutes for the food to come out! read more
1 year ago
Staff and service were friendly and helpful with recommendations. The restaurant was colorful and is located in the middle of a quiet neighborhood; makes me wanna live there so I can eat their sandwiches everyday. The food was absolutely amazing! This is possibly the best pork I've ever had and I don't even like pork! The flavors of the beans complimented everything we got. I got the Caribbean Dinner; the portion size was good enough for two meals OR one big meal if you hadn't eaten all day. I haven't even gotten to talk about the sandwiches! My friends let me take bites of their sandwiches and they were amazing. Un Bien is definitely a staple for me when I visit Seattle henceforth. Also, the bread they use for the sandwiches!!! Eat their sandwiches fresh because the bread has a perfect light crunch and a soft follow-through before finishing with the bite into the meat and core of it. So good! read more
1 year ago
The Caribbean roast sandwich lived up to my expectations. The sandwich was very good and it's worth a short drive to check it out. I went at 11:30am on a Sunday and it was easy to find parking on the street and wasn't very crowded. The best sandwiches always have good bread and the Caribbean roast sandwich had a nice crispy crust. The sandwich was a bit of a mess to eat. The meat was shredded, there were a couple pieces of roasted onion, and too much sauce for my tastes. The thin slices of jalapeño provided a nice level of heat without being overpowering. The full price including tip was $18, which was a little expensive, but not that bad if you compare prices with an Italian at the big sandwich shop chains. The sandwich is very good and I went when it was easy to get there, easy to find parking and not very crowded. As a visitor to Seattle, I probably would go even if the traffic, parking and wait were the opposite. I came away from the visit thinking one visit was good, but I could making a similar sandwich at home. read more
This place is open air with a covered area to sit and if you're lucky during these cold months, you can find a spot under the heaters. We were lucky and got to sit under the warmth on the rainy day we went to check this out. My son had tried the sandwich here before and loves it so wanted us to try it as well. We got 2 of the #1 pork and 1 of #4 steak sandwiches. The wait for the food was reasonable and portion is good. I like that the kitchen was viewable in the seating area and looks well run. I really like the bread they used. Texture was very nice. Crusty and held the meat and other garnishes well. Everyone enjoyed their sandwiches. I could only eat half of mine. We will be back for sure. read more
We came at 7:30pm on Sunday (closes at 8pm) so they were out of the pork and chicken thighs. I was a little disappointed by this so I ordered the chicken breast but it was still delicious. The caramelized onions are really well done and the marinade on the chicken is really finger licking good. They got pretty busy near closing time but the service was still very quick. Seating outside closes a little earlier than the kitchen does so don't come too close to closing time. Seating is a little tight and uncomfortable but the food makes up for it. Coming back to try the pork sandwich soon read more
1 month ago
Un Bien is a place that I heard great things about, so I knew I had to try it when I was visiting Seattle. I ordered their Palomilla Steak sandwich and added Swiss cheese to it. Oh my goodness, this sandwich was DELICIOUS!! All the flavors in it complemented each other so well and I appreciated that they didn't skimp out on the meat either. It's a messy sandwich, so be prepared with some extra napkins, but the messiness is worth it with how great of a sandwich this is. I've had this sandwich fresh but I've also had leftovers of the sandwich for the next day, and I was surprised by how delicious this sandwich still tasted a day old. Overall, I completely recommend ordering this and am intrigued by the other sandwiches they offer as well. The store is moreso a stand where you order and pick up your food, but they do offer outside seating. Customer service here was exceptionally friendly as the person who was taking our order went through the menu with us as to what he recommends and what is popular alongside cracking jokes with us while taking our order. Overall, I'd say Un Bien is worth the hype and I definitely recommend checking it out. read more
Always a treat getting Un Bien to eat! I came on a weekday around lunch time and the line wasn't too long (maybe about 4 people ahead of me). I decided to get the Palomilla Steak sandwich this time and of course, was not disappointed. The flavors of the meat are great and is complemented well with the bread. The sandwich can be messy but it's totally worth it! There's a seating area that is fairly spacious and clean. My favorite Cuban sandwich shop in town and for good reason. read more
4 months ago
Perhaps the best sandwich I've had in Seattle? We got the tofu sandwich and the scallop sandwich. They were both great! I really liked the sauce on them. The place itself is a bit loud because it's all outdoor seating on a busy road. read more
Tier 1 summer night dinner option! Un Bien has a casual walk up feel, outdoor dining, and extremely flavorful food. I ordered the steak sandwich, the meat was juicy and delicious. The meat could have been more tender, and the thick cut onion was a little too much for my liking, but overall it was a great sandwich. I gave a rating of 4 stars due to Un Bien not feeling like a top pick for me most of the year due to weather in Seattle as well as my comments above on the sandwich. With that being said, I will be back for sure. read more
4 months ago
What have I been waiting for to try this cute lil sandwich shack out? There's often times long lines, especially in the summer and on weekends year round. Its easy to call in an order to go. I went to the location by golden gardens and fell in love with the menu. I think parking can be tricky no matter what, but it's so worth it!! Both locations are brightly colored and designed for a quick stop. It's not comfortable, just some wooden tables and chairs to get you in and out. I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and it came loaded and was to tender juicy and delish!! Looking forward to coming back and trying some plates because there's a lot to choose from. read more
Wow, just wow! There is a small modest sign that says Washington's best sandwich and after eating the number 1 Caribbean Roast, I believe it. The meat slathered with aioli and other juices, it was a beautiful mess. Not too spicy and such a good combination of flavors. I think I could eat at least 7 more (prob not all at once). Small outdoorsy area, but everything is packaged well, so you can take it to go. I'd definitely come back here, am also curious about the other sandwiches, but everyone I know said you have to get the number 1! read more
Lives up to the hype! I've been seeing lots of Youtube and IG reviews hyping this very popular sandwich. The bread was chewy and soft, the braised pork was juicy and tender. I loved the large pieces of onions, the veggies were a great compliment and it was topped with a creamy spread. Overall, this is a very tasty sandwich, it had a blast of flavor, and a must try at least once. It's also a great value at $13 for a big hearty sandwich. read more
Nice spot for some Caribbean food, either in the form of a sandwich or a full dinner with rice. I liked both the Caribbean roast and the chicken thigh meals, so you really can't go wrong with either. You order at the front of this shack looking building, and they'll call your name around 10 minutes later. read more
I didn't make it to Un Bien last year in Seattle. I didn't make the same mistake twice as it was conveniently close to my Airbnb. It's hard to miss Un Bien as it is very pink and green. My wife and I decided on the Carribean Roast and The Press. These sandwiches were leg-end-ary! Both were crisp and marinated in jerk and spices. What really stood out was the garlic aoili! I couldn't get enough of it and I asked for extra on the sandwich. They exceled at it! This is a must stop lunch spot in Ballard! read more
I've been recommended this place by 3 different locals and it did not disappoint!! We tried 2 sandwiches and split it: 1. palomilla steak - get it with the Swiss cheese! It adds a nice creamy taste, similar to a Philly cheese steak with more high quality steak and caramelized onions. 2. Caribbean roast - crunchy bread with a pulled pork-ish filling, equally delicious and moist! It's a bit messy, but it's totally worth it! :) service is fast and friendly. Highly recommend!! read more
5 months ago
Got the caribbean roast sandwich. Tasted amazing. The bread was a little hard and the sandwich was messy but the overall flavors were on point. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Sandwiches are great. I like the bread because it's got a nice crust and a medium center strong enough to hold its contents. The sandwiches are big but they're also very messy. I didn't enjoy having to use so many napkins. Also, the meat on "The Press" sandwich was a little sweeter than I anticipated. The sautéed onions are cut largely. The carribean roast sandwich was a lot better. Sandwiches were made extremely quick so we were happy with the quick service. read more
1 year ago
Saw an IG reel about how this is the best sandwich he'd ever had, so we wanted to see what that tasted like. We were there for dinner and it must have been a hard day, because the cashier was humorless and just wanted to ring us up. Okay. He let people know that they're only doing sandwiches, so if you want something else, come earlier. Finally tried the Caribbean Roast and it was good. Maybe it is the best sandwich in Washington but it's not the best sandwich I ever had, but I've Kinders Rib Eye in the Bay Area and the dry aged burger at Oaks Gourmet in LA and those were amazing burgers. This was a solid sandwich, but not the best. The meat sits in its sweet, vinegar juices and it's really good with the sweet cooked onions and the crunchy, soft bread. It's a delicious sandwich, but not great enough to make me crave it or to want to have another one. Anyway, that and a can of San Pelligrino set me back $20 and it was satisfying. What they need though is a hand washing station because, kids, to eat this sandwich right, your hands are gonna get messy and marinades. They have wet naps at the front, but some of them were dry. read more
Un Bien was highly recommended by many people so I had to check it out. Generally speaking, I think sandwiches are just ok and don't usually seek out restaurants that have sandwiches. However, I wanted to see what the hype was all about. I arrived on a Saturday afternoon, and there weren't too many people in line. The guy taking orders at the register was friendly, energetic, and funny. He was making jokes while taking my order. After I placed my order, it wasn't too long before it came out (along with 5 other people's orders)! I ordered the #1 - Caribbean Roast (pork shoulder coated in marinade and slow-roasted until it falls into succulent morsels). I also don't usually order pork, but I heard it would be a waste of a trip if I didn't order pork because they specialize in it. I also noticed four people in front of me got it so I had to go along with it, too! The pork was tender, flavorful, and juicy. It paired amazingly with the caramelized onions, the spread, and the texture of the bread! I could only eat half the sandwich, but it was just as good the next day when I heated it up in an air fryer. I was so glad that I tried this place, and I definitely understand why it's so popular. There is plenty of free parking on the street in the neighborhood. There were also benches and tables in the restaurant if you wanted to enjoy your food there. read more
2 years ago
For sure a new favorite spot in Ballard. I pictured is the corn on the cob which is so juicy and delicious - I could eat multiple I got the Smokin thighs sandwich and I didn't enjoy the bread so I'm going to try getting the rice plate next time ! My friend got a pork sandwich and loved it. The sandwiches have layers of flavors from the marinated meat, to the onions, pickled jalapeños Outside are covered, bench-like tables outside to eat ; it's an order and pay before you sit and eat situation. It brings a community feel to be sitting with whoever happens to come in after. Very colorful and beautiful for eating outside in any weather ! Service was fast & friendly ! Makes it feel like the type of place where you can get to know the staff and be a regular read more
Nut allergy friendly: No dishes contain nuts! Order - to - Sandwich: Anywhere from 6-13 minutes with 7 people in front of me. They usually call names in sets of 4 so if you get unlucky you might miss a set. Seating is covered patio style with benches. There are enough seats for around 35 people probably. Parking is not too bad in the neighborhood nearby. I went halves with a friend to try: #1 Caribbean Roast (3.5/5): It was a nice sandwich, but I had a very dry end of pork shoulder in my sandwich that absolutely ruined the texture. The good parts were good, though. #2 The Press (4.5/5): Full of flavor, perfectly balanced with cheese and onion. I'd give this a 5/5 if it had arugula. Both sandwiches were very nicely toasted and ended up real messy to eat with the caramelized onions. Overall, a very different type of sandwich that is definitely worth a stop or short drive up from downtown. read more
1 year ago
Super cute outdoor sandwich place. The service was nice and the guy was super nice and friendly talking to us. We placed an online order so it was ready when we got there. I got the pork steak sandwich and normally I don't like sandwiches but this nailed it on the head. The pulled pork paired with the onion, lettuce, and sauce was perfect. I only had to eat a half to become full. Great place and will come back! read more
2 years ago
Every single Seattle forum I've been through has mentioned Un Bien as a must try staple. They specialize in Caribbean sandwiches. I went there early when they first opened because I read about the long lines. They have a lot of outside seating, parking is kind of tricky. Their most popular sandwich is the Caribbean roast but I decided to try the press instead. They stuff roasted pork atop of banana peppers, caramelized onions, and slices of smoked ham on a Giuseppe baguette from a local bakery, with some garlic mayo aioli. The smoked ham was so good, the roast pork was tender but there were some parts where it tasted dry. the garlic mayo and caramelized onions added a lot to the sandwich. Overall pretty solid read more
All of my friends were raving about this place, and for good reason! It is this cute little stand with some outdoor seating so it was perfect for summer. There's some street parking which wasn't too hard. The cashier taking our order was kind, helpful and patient. Very lovely. We ordered a caribbean roast and the press, and they were exquisite! Juicy meat, wonderful add ons, and sauce was so delicious. It is definitely not a clean eat, and my hands were messy, but it was definitely worth. Any sandwich here is delicious. Definitely check it out. read more
2 years ago
Came here on July 4 weekend during lunch. Busy but fast. ~25 min wait for food which we didn't mind bc we heard good things. All seat yourself outside seating on benches. Oh for the love of god are these sandwiches GOOD!!! Certainly not good for you, but for the soul and taste buds. Got the press and the #1 option, the roasted corn and the steak and rice side. Super full for 2 people. Sandwiches and roasted corn would get again. Wish we had this in my city. Would visit again if I traveled to Seattle which is a big deal! read more
More info about Un Bien
7302 15th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98117
Loyal Heights, Ballard, Phinney Ridge
Directions
(206) 588-2040
Call Now
Visit Website
http://unbienseattle.com/
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
More Info
Health Score
Un Bien Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Un Bien
Are any of the sandwiches not spicy?
Yes! Just tell them to hold off on the jalapeños
Are sandwiches still good if eaten 3 hrs later? Meant from a soggy bread standpoint and not if it's unsafe to eat. Thanks!
Yes!!! Aside from taste in general, This is one of the major selling points about un bien over Paseo. Paseo is wayyyy too wet. Just minutes later your bread is practically mush. Whereas with Un Bien you get even more of delicious flavor but without…
I've only been around dinner, what's the wait like for lunch during the week?
I can speak to a rainy and cold December Saturday at lunch: About fifteen minutes from order to food delivery. But the weather was dreadful. I suspect it is twice as long on a pleasant day.
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
96 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
7 months ago
11 years ago
2 years ago
10 years ago
9 years ago
4 years ago
11 years ago
7 years ago
7 years ago
7 years ago
1 year ago
4 years ago
7 years ago
6 years ago
10 months ago
5 years ago
9 years ago
4 years ago
5 years ago
6 years ago
