The Best and the Worst of WA

This is a page dedicated to exposing all the lame places in and around Washington, and give some deserved kudos to those establishments that make this a great place to live. I also list places that've not gotten their act together completely, but are not in the dumps either. For each place, I give reasons as to why I think it belongs in that particular category. Note that this is only our opinion, and should be taken as such. All the places listed here have had at least two opportunities to present themselves to me. The categories include:


Food and drink

The Best

Africa Lounge in the SEATAC airport in Seattle, WA
Not your usual airport lounge, given its interesting decor and food choices.
Afrikando on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Very good West African food.
Agua Verde on Boat Street in Seattle, WA
Excellent Mexican food; their Horchatas are great. This was the first place I ever ate at in Seattle.
Alibi Room in Post Alley in Seattle, WA
Decent divey place to hang out and get some drinks.
Amber on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Excellent food, and more expensive Axis (which it replaced), but it seems to have ended up as a similar type of hang out spot with a great patio.
Andaluca on Olive Way in Seattle, WA
Pretty good Mediterranean food.
Araya's Vegetarian Palace on University Way in Seattle, WA
Excellent and completely vegetarian Thai food; with a lunch buffet!
Arriba in the University of Washington's food court in Seattle, WA
The veggie burrito is really good, as is their salsa.
Assaggio on 4th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Pretty good Italian food.
Ayutthaya on East Pike Street in Seattle, WA
Great and reasonably-priced Thai food!
Axis on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent place to hang out and have a conversation. [This changed to Amber.]
Azteca on Eastlake Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent Mexican food.
Azteca on Northgate Way in Seattle, WA
Decent Mexican food.
Azura Bistro on Pine Street in Seattle, WA
Decent Western-style Asian food.
B and O Espress on Belmont Ave East in Seattle, WA
Excellent sandwiches and gyros.
Bada Lounge on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Great atmosphere and good food too!
Banjara on Queen Anne Avenue and Boston in Seattle, WA
Pretty good Indian food.
Bambuza on Pike Street in Seattle, WA
Excellent Asian cuisine.
Barca on 11th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Cool lounge to relax in.
Baskin Robbins in the Northgate Mall in Seattle, WA
Not a bad place to get some ice cream.
Bauhaus Books and Cafe on Pine Street in Seattle, WA
Excellent atmosphere; great place to hang out.
Bick's Broadview Grill on Greenwood Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent American food.
Big Time Brewery and Alehouse on University Way in Seattle, WA
Decent place to get a drink if you're into beer (which I am not).
Belltown Pub on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Excellent atmosphere and decent food.
Bill's Off Broadway off of Broadway Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent place to hang out and relax.
Blue Moon Burger on Republican Avenue in Seattle, WA
Convenient place (for me!) to get a burger.
Blue Water Bistro on Fairview Avenue N in Seattle, WA
Nice patio and a decent atmosphere.
Blue Willow Tea Company on Pine Street in Seattle, WA
Good tea and good food.
Boat Street Cafe on NE Boat Street in Seattle, WA
Excellent sandwiches---quite brilliant, actually! I didn't expect to be so blown away.
Bombay Grill and Lounge on Roosevelt Street in Seattle, WA
Decent Indian food.
Broadway Grill on Broadway in Seattle, WA
Reasonably priced, great service, and pretty good food!
Buffalo Run Restaurant in Marblemount, WA
Excellent Buffalo burgers.
Cafe Allegro off of University Way in Seattle, WA
Nice non-Starbucks atmosphere to grab a cup of coffee.
Cafe Christa on Front Street in Leavenworth, WA
German food in a Mexican style!
Cafe Solstice on University Way in Seattle, WA
Student-like atmosphere with a nice patio to get some coffee/wine.
Cafe Venus and the Mars Bar on Eastlake Avenue in Seattle, WA
Good atmosphere; nice place to get some lunch.
Canyon's on 17th Avenue SE in Bothell, WA
Decent place to hang out considering that it's in Bothell.
Capitol Club on East Pine in Seattle, WA
Decent Mediterranean-Moroccan fare.
Cascadia on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent food and good happy hour atmosphere.
Caspian Grill on University Way in Seattle, WA
Excellent middle-eastern food.
Cedar's on Brookyln in Seattle, WA
Pretty good Indian food.
Central Saloon on 1st Avenue S in Seattle, WA
Good Blues mixed with some beats (at least when I was there).
Cha Bar on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent Thai food.
Chang's Mongolian Grill on Broadway in Seattle, WA
Mongolian barbecue where you do it yourself (spice to taste).
Chantanee Thai on 105th Avenue in Bellevue, WA
Excellent Thai food!
Chapel on Melrose Avenue in Seattle, WA
Very nice atmosphere in this funeral home converted into a bar.
Chiang Mai off of WA 525 in Mukilteo, WA
Decent Thai food.
China Gate Restaurant on 7th Avenue S in Seattle, WA
Acceptable dim sum.
China Harbor on Westlake Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent and really inexpensive Chinese food in a great location.
Chipotle Mexican Grill on University Way in Seattle, WA
Decent Mexican food.
Chutney's on 45th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent Americanised Indian food.
Chutney's Grille on the Hill on 15th Avenue East in Seattle, WA
Decent Americanised Indian food.
Coastal Kitchen on 15th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent Pacific Northwest-style food.
Cold Stone Creamery on Westlake Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent ice cream.
College Inn Pub on University Way in Seattle, WA
Good atmosphere, simple food - good UW hangout.
Comet Tavern on E Pike Street in Seattle, WA
Decent place to hang out.
Convergence Zone on Mukilteo Speedway in Mukilteo, WA
Decent place to get a quick snack or a drink.
Copper Sky on Northgate Way in Seattle, WA
Decent American food.
Cow's Meow on Queen Anne Avenue in Seattle, WA
Excellent ice cream.
Daniel's Broiler on Fairview Place in Seattle, WA
Pricey but very good American-style food.
Dante's on Roosevelt Way NE in Seattle, WA
Decent place to hang out and watch people drink.
Days Inn Town Center Cafe on 7th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent place for breakfast.
Delcambre's Ragin Cajun on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Amidst all the fancy restaurants, this small place shines with spicy Cajun food! I highly recommend the Gumbo and the Cajun Burger.
Del Rey on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Very nice atmosphere and good place to enjoy drinks and music in Belltown.
Deli Baker Enterprise on Westlake Avenue N in Seattle, WA
Interesting Indian-style deli food.
Denny's on 15th Avenue Northwest in Seattle, WA
This is a big Denny's and the best thing about this breakfast food chain is that it's open 24 hours.
Earth and Ocean on Fourth Avenue in Seattle, WA
Very good Pacific Northwest American food.
Elysian Brewing Co on East Pike Street in Seattle, WA
Great food and interesting choice of selections.
Etta's Seafood on Western Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent food, but not as good as Palace Kitchen even though it is operated by the same chef.
Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Good atmosphere and crowd.
Fandango on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Elegant restaurant with some decent food. [This changed to Torero's.]
Feierabend on Yale Avenue N in Seattle, WA
Most excellent place to get German beer.
Finn MacCool's on University Way in Seattle, WA
Decent bar to hang out
Fire and Ice on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent loungey place to hang out.
Five Point Cafe on Cedar Street in Seattle, WA
Decent divey place to hang out -- open 24 hours.
Flavor of India on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent Indian food.
Flying Fish on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Touristy place, but not a bad atmosphere.
Food Court in the Westlake Center in Seattle, WA
As far as food courts go, this one's pretty darn good.
Fortune Inn Chinese Restaurant on East 170th Street in Kenmore, WA
Somewhat decent Chinese food.
FOX Sports Grill on 6th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent sports bar.
Galerias on Broadway in Seattle, WA
Decent Mexican food.
Gameworks on 6th and Pike in Seattle, WA
Excellent place to play games (especially the balloon game).
Garlic Tree Restaurant on Stewart Street in Seattle, WA
Good Garlic-y food.
Genghis Khan Mongolian Grill in SeaTac Mall in Federal Way, WA
Mongolian barbecue--enough said!
Golkonda Restaurant in the Crossroads Shopping Center in Bellevue, WA
Decent South Indian food.
Gordon Biersch in the Pacific Place plaza in Seattle, WA
Decent American food.
Haagen Daas on University Way in Seattle, WA
Decent ice cream.
Himalaya Indian Cuisine off of 196th Street in Lynnwood, WA
Decent Indian food.
Hooters on South Lake Union in Seattle, WA
Decent American food; the eye candy is okay.
Hopvine on 15th Avenue East in Seattle, WA
Decent bar and atmosphere.
Icon Grill on 5th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent American/regional food.
India Bistro on Market Street in Ballard, WA
Decent Indian food; small but inexpensive buffet.
India Cuisine on N 45th Street in Seattle, WA
Decent Indian food. Ask for their hot sauce if you want it spicy!
India Express Restaurant on Broadway in Seattle, WA
Decent Indian food.
Ivar's Mukilteo Landing on Front Street in Mukilteo, WA
Decent seafood that you can eat with a few of the sound.
Jai Thai on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Nice atmosphere and great Thai food.
Jai Thai on Fremont Avenue in Seattle, WA
Not as good as the Jai Thai on 1st Avenue.
James Cook Cheesey Company on 2nd Avenue in Seattle, WA
I am very particular about my cheese, and if you are too, check this place out!
Jillian's on Westlake Avenue N in Seattle, WA
Decent American food.
Joey's on Fairview Avenie N in Seattle, WA
Decent semi-upscale American food with a great view of Lake Union and an outdoor bar. Excellent place to go in the summer and sit outside.
Kafe Neo on Highway 99 in Edmonds, WA
Decent Greek food.
Kanishka on Redmond Way in Redmond, WA
Decent Indian food; good buffet.
Krittika's Noodles and Thai Cuisine on Fremont Avenue in Fremont, WA
Decent Thai food.
Laadla on Fairview Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent Indian food.
Lanna Thai Restaurant on Evergreen Way in Seattle, WA
Decent Thai food.
Larry's Blues Cafe on 1st Avenue S in Seattle, WA
Decent place to listen to some Blues.
La Vaca Restaurant on University Way in Seattle, WA
Decent Mexican food.
Le Pichet on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent French restaurant with a nice outdoor patio.
Little Thai Restaurant on Brooklyn Avenue in Seattle, WA
Excellent and reasonably-priced Thai food!
Louisa's Bakery and Cafe on Eastlake Avenue in Seattle, WA
Excellent place to have lunch.
Mae Phim on Columbia Street in Seattle, WA
Excellent Thai food.
Maharaja on East Pike Street in Seattle, WA
Decent Indian food.
Malay Satay Hut on 12th Avenue S in Seattle, WA
Excellent Malaysian, Thai, Chinese, and Indonesian food.
Mama's Mexican Kitchen on 2nd Avenue in Seattle, WA
Very good Mexican food.
Mandalay on 45th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Excellent appetisers from a variety of Asian countries.
Mazatlan on Lake City Way in Kenmore, WA
Decent Mexican food.
Maple Garden on NE 20th Street in Bellevue, WA
Very very good Chinese food.
Masala on Northgate Way in Seattle, WA
Decent Indian food.
Mayuri on 20th Street NE in Bellevue, WA
Decent South Indian food.
McCormick & Schmick's on Westlake Avenue N in Seattle, WA
Decent burgers (the seafood looks good too).
McMenamins on Roy Street in Queen Anne, WA
Pretty good burgers and a decent place to hang out.
McMenamins/Six Arms Pub on East Pike Street in Seattle, WA
Pretty good burgers and a decent place to hang out.
Mediterranean Mix on 1st Avenue S in Seattle, WA
Excellent Greek food, and open late so you can go there while you're dancing the night away in downtown.
Michelangelo's Bistro and Bar in the Seattle Center in Seattle, WA
Nice atmosphre and a good place for people watching, particularly during Bumbershoot.
New Delhi Restaurant on Bothell Way in Seattle, WA
Decent Indian food.
New Orleans Creole on 1st Avenue S in Seattle, WA
Excellent Cajun food--among the best!
New Star Thai Restaurant on University Way in Seattle, WA
Very very good Thai food--fairly authentic as well.
Nikko Restaurant on 5th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Apparently good fish sushi; good atmosphere, and the vegetarian platter is pretty cool.
Nishino on 28th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Excellent Japanese food (and just limited to sushi).
Noodle House on Broadway in Seattle, WA
Excellent Thai food!
Oazis Indian Curry House on N 36th Street in Seattle, WA
Fairly decent Indian food.
Ohana on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent tropical-themed restaurant serving American fare.
Orrapin on Boston and Queen Anne in Seattle, WA
Excellent Thai food.
Paddy Coynes on Thomas Street in Seattle, WA
Decent place to get lunch and/or a drink.
Pabla Indian Cuisine on 2nd Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent Indian food; very good Samosas!
Pabla Tandoori Garden on Cleveland Street in Redmond, WA
Very good lunch buffet!
Palace Kitchen on 5th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent American food.
Pasta Bella on Queen Anne Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent Italian food.
Pellini Ristorante on Madison in Seattle, WA
Excellent places to check out views of Seattle from the 28th floor. Decent Italian food.
Pho Bac on S. Jackson Street in Seattle, WA
Excellent and inexpensive Vietnamese cuisine.
Pho Huy on Mukilteo Speedway in Mukilteo, WA
Decent Vietnamese cuisine.
Phuket on Queen Anne Avenue N in Seattle, WA
Decent Thai food.
Pike Pub and Brewery on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Kid-friendly place to get a drink or a beer.
Pizza Brava on University Way in Seattle, WA
The vegetarian pizzas are really good.
Pyramid Alehouse on 1st Avenue S in Seattle, WA
Decent American food -- good place to hang out before going to one of the stadium events.
Racha Thai on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent Thai food.
Ram Restaurant and Big Horn Brewery in University Village in Seattle, WA
Great food, and it is my namesake!
Red Mill Burgers on N 67th Street in Seattle, WA
Excellent veggie burgers!
Red Robin in Bellevue Square in Bellevue, WA
Decent American fare.
Red Robin in Northgate Mall in Seattle, WA
Decent American fare.
Renaissance on 2nd and Battery in Seattle, WA
Nice bar with a good atmosphere.
Rice 'n' Spice on 1st and John in Seattle, WA
Excellent Thai food!
Ruby on University Way in Seattle, WA
Pretty tasty Thai food!
Ron and Jerry's on East Broadway in Seattle, WA
Excellent ice cream, better than Ben and Jerry's!
Saba Ethiopian Cuisine on 12th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Excellent Ethiopian food.
South Lake Union Bar and Grill on Thomas Street in Seattle, WA
Excellent American food, especially their Carne Asada burger.
Savoy Restaurant on 148th Avenue NE in Bellevue, WA
Very good Indian food.
Shultzy's Sausage on University Way in Seattle, WA
Great veggie burger!
Sea Garden on 7th Avenue S in Seattle, WA
Decent Chinese food.
Sea Sound Lounge on Blanchard Avenue in Seattle, WA
Cool decor and nice atmosphere.
Sergio's Mexican Cuisine on North 34th Street in Seattle, WA
Very good Mexican food.
Seven Stars Pepper on S Jackson Street in Seattle, WA
Very good Chinese food.
Shalimar on University Way in Seattle, WA
Excellent Indian food since the restaurant has moved up. They will make as spicy as you need it (especially since they've moved).
Shilla on the corner of 8th and Denny in Seattle, WA
Excellent Japanese/Korean food!
Siam on Lake Union on Fairway Avenue East in Seattle, WA
Excellent Thai food--they can make a papaya salad that's hotter than what you can get in Thailand!
Sichuanese Cuisine on South Jackson Street in Seattle, WA
Excellent Chinese food.
Simply Paradise on Broadway in Seattle, WA
Well-prepared Thai food, though the servers need a bit more experience.
Sit and Spin on 4th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Excellent food and a great whacked-out atmosphere!
Spice Rack on University Way in Seattle, WA
Excellent Indian food!
Sun Ya on 7th Avenue South in Seattle, WA
Excellent Chinese food; the dim sum is definitely a great deal.
Taco Del Mar on Harrison in Seattle, WA
Excellent Mexican food---the salsa is really good!
Taco Del Mar at 1st and Union in Seattle, WA
Excellent Mexican food---the salsa is really good!
Tacos Guaymas on Broadway in Seattle, WA
Decent Mexican food. Reminscent of Unamas in California.
Tandoor on University Way in Seattle, WA
Decent Indian food.
Tango Tapas Restaurant and Lounge on Pike Street in Seattle, WA
Trendy Tapas bar/lounge in a nice location.
Tan Duc Restaurant on Aurora Avenue N in Seattle, WA
Decent Vietnamese food.
Taste of India on Roosevelt and 55th in Seattle, WA
Decent Indian food; good buffet.
TGI Friday's on Fairview Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent American food.
Thai Garden on Broadway in Seattle, WA
Decent generic Thai food.
Thai-Ger Room Restaurant on University Way in Seattle, WA
Pretty good Thai food!
Thai Ginger in Pacific Place in Seattle, WA
Decent Thai food.
Thai Kitchen on Bothell Way in Kenmore, WA
Pretty good Thai food.
Thai Kitchen on Renton Avenue S in Renton, WA
Decent Thai food.
Thai of Wedgewood on 35th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent Thai food, with a lunch buffet.
Thai One On on Lake City Way in Seattle, WA
Decent Thai food; great karoke at night during the weekends.
Thai Rama III on Harbour Pointe Blvd in Mukilteo, WA
Decent Thai food.
Thai Tom on University Way in Seattle, WA
Excellent Thai food in a cozy setting!
Than Brothers on University Way in Seattle, WA
I'm not a big fan of pho, but this place is excellent!
The Cheesecake Factory on 7th Avenue and Pike in Seattle, WA
Excellent cheesecakes and sundaes, but their regular food is not the best (heck, Burger King has better burgers).
The Cloud Room on 9th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent place to enjoy views of Seattle.
The Crab Pot on Alaskan Way in Seattle, WA
The garden burgers are amazing!
The Byzantine Restaurant on Broadway in Seattle, WA
Excellent and very tasty Greek food.
The Frontier Room on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent American food - they have a good veggie burger.
The Green Cat on Olive Street in Seattle, WA
Excellent and healthy mostly-vegetarian food!
The Mix on University Way in Seattle, WA
Good ice cream with some interesting flavours.
The Old Spaghetti Factory across from Pier 66 in Seattle, WA
The place to go in Seattle if you like spaghetti!
The Succulent Noodle and Thai Cuisine on 15th Avenue E in Seattle, WA
Pretty good Thai food!
Tia Luis on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent Mexican food with a cool patio.
Tini Bigs on Denny Way in Seattle, WA
Cool lounge with a nice atmosphere.
Todai Redmond on 164th Avenue in Redmond, WA
Decent mostly-seafood buffet.
Todai Seattle in Pacific Place in Seattle, WA
Decent mostly-seafood buffet.
Toi on 4th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent place to hang out.
Top Cat Zeitgeist Coffee Shop on Summit in Seattle, WA
A great place to hang out and drink coffee.
Top Gun on S King Street in Seattle, WA
Pretty good Chinese food.
Torero's Family Mexican Restaurant on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Excellent Mexican food. [This was Fandango and then became Twist.]
Torero's Family Mexican Restaurant on Broadway Avenue in Seattle, WA
Can't the rooftop deck enjoying the Seattle sunshine, watching the action on Broadway.
Torero's Family Mexican Restaurant on SE 38th Street in Bellevue, WA
Decent Mexican food.
ToST Lounge on N 36th Street in Seattle, WA
Good atmosphere, decent food.
Tup Tim Thai on Mercert Street in Seattle, WA
Pretty good Thai food with a fast service.
Twilight Martini Lounge on Western Avenue in Seattle, WA
Very good atmosphere to get drinks with some decent food too.
Twist on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Upscale [ahem] bar that has a good atmosphere and view.
Qazi's on North 36th Street in Seattle, WA
Decent Indian food.
Queen Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant on John Street in Seattle, WA
Excellent Ethiopian food!
Union on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Great somewhat-pricey restaurant.
Union Bay Cafe on NE 45th Street in Seattle, WA
Decent American food.
Union Square Grill on Union Street in Seattle, WA
Decent American food.
Wasabi Bistro on 2nd Avenue in Seattle, WA
Excellent Japanese food and sushi.
Wing Dome on E Olive Way in Seattle, WA
Spicy hot wings! I love them---I highly recommend the 7 Alarm ones. (It's an existential experience--I ate ten 7 Alarm wings in one sitting, without drinking any water, something the waiter said he hadn't seen anyone do before; though the record happens to be 26.) The new standardised wings aren't as hot as before.
Wing Dome on Greenwood Avenue in Seattle, WA
Spicy hot wings! I love them---I highly recommend the 7 Alarm ones. (It's an existential experience--I ate ten 7 Alarm wings in one sitting, without drinking any water, something the waiter said he hadn't seen anyone do before; though the record happens to be 26.) The new standardised wings aren't as hot as before.
Wing Dome on University Way in Seattle, WA
Spicy hot wings! I love them---I highly recommend the 7 Alarm ones. (It's an existential experience--I ate ten 7 Alarm wings in one sitting, without drinking any water, something the waiter said he hadn't seen anyone do before; though the record happens to be 26.) The new standardised wings aren't as hot as before.
World Wrapps in Bellevue Square Mall in Bellevue, WA
Decent food with some variety, but fairly bland.
Yanni's Greek Cuisine on Greenwood Avenue N in Seattle, WA
Excellent Greek food!
Zab Thai on Evergreen Way in Everett, WA
Pretty good Thai food!
Zoe on 2nd Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent food and a nice atmosphere.
Z' Tejas Southwestern Grill in Bellevue Square in Bellevue, WA
Decent TexMex food.
727 Pine on Pine Street in Seattle, WA
Excellent "hotel restaurant" with a nice atmosphere.

The Wafflers

Burger King in 701 5th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Mainstream American burgers.
Burger King in the Harbor Pointe Plaza in Mukilteo, WA
Mainstream American burgers.
Burger King in Harvard Market on Broadway in Seattle, WA
Mainstream American burgers.
Marrakesh Restaurant on 2nd Avenue in Seattle, WA
I am not happy about saying this but I found the Morrocan food to be pretty mediocre.
Purple Dot Cafe on Maynard Avenue S in Seattle, WA
Nice decor, but the food was pretty mediocre.
Starbucks on University Way in Seattle, WA
Organised institutionalised coffee speaks for itself.
Taco Bell on 1 Main S in Burien, WA
Americanised Mexican fast food.
Taco Bell on Highway 99 in Lynnwood, WA
Americanised Mexican fast food.
Taco Bell along I-5 in Everett, WA
Americanised Mexican fast food.
Taco Bell on Lake City Way in Lake Forest Park, WA
Americanised Mexican fast food.
Taco Bell on Mukilteo Highway in Mukilteo, WA
Americanised Mexican fast food.
Taco Bell on Pacific Highway in Fife, WA
Americanised Mexican fast food.
Taco Bell off of I-90 near North Bend, WA
Americanised Mexican fast food. This is an "express" and the service there is kind of dubious.
Taco Bell on Rainier Avenue S. in Seattle, WA
Americanised Mexican fast food.
Taco Bell on Aurora Avenue in Shoreline, WA
Americanised Mexican fast food.
Taco Time in Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, WA
Americanised Mexican fast food; the crispy burritos are good.
Tully's Coffee on Broadway in Seattle, WA
Decent place to hang out and get a coffee, but still too Starbucksian for my tastes.
Wong's China Kitchen on 196th Street SW in Lynnwood, WA
I'm not happy about saying this, but the main dishes here were absolutely the worst I've ever had in a Chinese restaurant; this is only in the waffler category because the appetisers (pot stickers) were very good (otherwise it would be in the worst).

The Worst

13 Coins on Boren Avenue in Seattle, WA
Open 24 hours, and not the best place to hang out. There was one experience where the wrong order was given to us and the customer service after that was very rude. We took the high ground, paid for the stuff we had, and walked out. Be careful.
Taco Bell on Broadway in Seattle, WA
Americanised Mexican fast food; the folks there were quite friendly and nice, even though the quality of service sucked.

Tourist attractions

The Best

Deception Pass State Park in the northern end of Whidbey Island, WA
Surreal views, especially of the sunset, and some great places to hike around.
Experience Music Project (EMP) in the Seattle Center in Seattle, WA
An excellent way to design a museum about music, with all its interactive exhibit ideas. Note that I say "ideas" and not "implementation" since I feel the execution is lacking. In particular, I think the technology to operate the electronic guides could be more sophisticated (and more efficient) and I also think they should stop trying so hard to be "cool" (I'm referring to the narratives where they dismiss certain generations of music as being lame---I think all musical forms of expression have merit). Some of the cool exhibits include the automatic guitar and the related sculpture, the guitar room, and Sound Effects.
Gasworks Park in Seattle, WA
is an old industrial plant that has been converted into a park, with views illustrating the stark contrast between nature and man (who is a product of nature).
Henry Art Gallery on 15th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent Art Museum.
Lake Serene in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness region, WA
As the name suggests, beautiful and serene views.
Mount St. Helens National Monument in Southern WA
Creatively destructive, or destructively creative?
Mt. Rainier National Park in Southern WA
An expansive park featuring the third tallest peak in the lower 48 states.
Rachel Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness region, WA
Breathtaking views; particularly attractive in the fall.
Snoqualmie Falls
Powerful and beautiful falls close to Seattle.
Snow Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness region, WA
Breathtaking views.
Space Needle in the Seattle Center in Seattle, WA
Seattle's most prominent landmark. Worth going to if you're familiar with Seattle on a day with a clear view.
The Waterfront in Seattle, WA
Great place to view the Puget Sound and the Olympic mountain range.
Volunteer Park in Seattle, WA
Located in the heart of Seattle, Volunteer Park is home to the Volunteer Park Conservatory and the Seattle Asian Art Museum.
Wallace Falls State Park in Goldbar, WA
A great place to have a retreat, including a spectacular hike to Wallace Falls.
Wat Washington Buddhavanaram in Auburn, WA
I'm an atheist but this Buddhist Thai temple is interesting to check out.
Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA
I am against the objectification of animals in zoos. Even though the people here have tried to mimic the natural habitat of these animals, it is still a sad sight to see jungle cats (and other animals) used to exploring hundreds of square miles of territory limited to an acre or two at most.

Wafflers

The Worst


Entertainment venues

The Best

A Contemporary Theatre on 7th and Union in Seattle, WA
Great cozy atmosphere to watch plays.
AMC Narrows Plaza on Mildred Street in Tacoma, WA
Not the best AMC theatre I've been to, but it's quite decent.
AMC Pacific Place 11 on 6th Avenue and Pine in Seattle, WA
A very nice set of theatres with stadium seating and big screens. Also has student discounts and a frequent buyer program. It used to be General Cinemas and now it's an AMC---no change really.
AMC Seatac on 20th Avenue S in Federal Way, WA
Not the best AMC theatre I've been to, but it's quite decent.
Aristocrat's on 4th Avenue S in Seattle, WA
Looks like a decent club with two stages and a great potential -- allegedly the drinks are weak.
Backdoor UltraLounge on 3rd Avenue in Seattle, WA
Great atmosphere, friendly people, cool crowd. The Long Island Ice Tea is apparently out of this world. [Closed.]
Benaroya Concert Hall on University and 3rd in Seattle, WA
Excellent place to watch concerts; great acoustics!
Capitol Hill Arts Club on 11th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Not a bad venue, with a cozy second room.
Catwalk on S Washington Street in Seattle, WA
Not the cleanest venue, but not bad either. [This changed to Heavens.]
Chop Suey on Madison Avenue in Seattle, WA
Unpretentious and cool club.
Cinerama on 4th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Excellent theatre with a huge screen to watch a movie (with a crowd).
Club 131 on Taylor Avenue N in Seattle, WA
Decent club particularly catering to the all-ages crowd.
Club Fusion/The Spot on University Way in Seattle, WA
The music is good but the venue leaves a bit to be desired (one unisex bathroom).
Consolidated Works on Boren Avenue N in Seattle, WA
Interesting community party place that is a decent venue to dance in.
Cowgirls on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Coyote Ugly style bar in Pioneer Square.
Crest on 5th Avenue NE in Seattle, WA
Inexpensive prices; decent place to watch films.
Crossroads 8 in the Crossroads Shopping Center in Bellevue, WA
Decent set of theatres.
Deep Down Lounge on Jackson Street in Seattle, WA
Excellent place to lounge and check out a cool electronic music act!
Down Under on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent club, with some good DJs at time (avoid the first room at all costs).
Element on 5th Avenue in Seattle, WA
A slickly revamped Polly Esther's, with a great sound system. Biggest problem is that they take away drinks even if they are left unattended for a couple of minutes.
EMP SkyChurch in the Seattle Center in Seattle, WA
Great acoustics, great sound system, great visuals result in a phenomenal experience -- this is the way a club for music should be designed!
Factoria Cinemas 8 on Factoria Boulevard in Bellevue, WA
Decent set of theatres.
Fremont Studios on N 35th Streetin Seattle, WA
Decent place to hold massives that aren't so massive.
Garage Bowling on Broadway in Seattle, WA
Fun place for a bowling outing.
Heavens on S Washington Street in Seattle, WA
Remodelled Catwalk looks very good, brings in some good DJs, and has a nice atmosphere.
Kenmore Lanes on Lake City Way in Bothell, WA
Decent place to hang out and go bowling and people watch.
Leilani Lanes on Greenwood Avenue in Seattle, WA
Can't beat the karaoke and rock 'n' bowling at the same time.
Lo-fi on Eastlake Avenue in Seattle, WA
Cool atmosphere and dance space.
Majestic Bay on Market Street in Ballard, WA
An old-style theatre with a huge screen and great sound.
Mantra Lounge on Washington Street in Seattle, WA
Decent club that's open late on Thursdays.
Meridian 16 on 7th Avenue and Pike in Seattle, WA
Fairly decent theatres to watch movies in downtown Seattle.
Metro on NE 45th Street and Roosevelt in Seattle, WA
Fairly decent theatres to watch movies near the University of Washington.
NAF Studios on W. Marginal Way in Seattle, WA
Interesting atmosphere and setting; great sound.
Noc Noc on 2nd Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent venue with some decent acts.
Noiselab on E. Pike Street in Seattle, WA
Great venue with some cool shows!
Northgate Mall on 5th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Decent place to go shopping in the Seattle area.
Northgate Theatre on Northgate Way in Seattle, WA
Good place to check out bands, but the slanted floor, which makes for good viewing, is hard to dance on.
Polly Esther's on 5th Avenue in Seattle, WA
Okay atmosphere in a franchise dance club that caters to a mainstream audience. I don't think that much of the club, but if you're into 1980s music, it definitely is a place worth checking out. The music's a lot of fun, exemplying the innocent giddyness of a cool decade, though not always appropriate for dancing (Bad Medicine by Bon Jovi?).
Portage Bay Cafe on Roosevelt Way NE in Seattle, WA
Decent American food.
Premier on 1st Avenue S in Seatte, WA
A new club in Seattle with great sound, atmosphere, and music. I hope it works out for them!
Regal Bellevue Galleria 11 on 106th Avenue NE in Seattle, WA
Decent place to watch films (usually has a very good selection); potential student discounts and frequent moviegoer rewards.
Regal Everett 9 on SE Everett Mall Way in Everett, WA
Decent place to watch films (usually has a very good selection); potential student discounts and frequent moviegoer rewards.
Regal Mountlake 9 off of I-5 in Mountlake Terrace, WA
Decent place to watch films (usually has a very good selection); potential student discounts and frequent moviegoer rewards.
Safeco Field in downtown Seattle, WA
A great place to relax in the sun (even though baseball is such a boring spectator sport).
Seattle Center Arena in the Seattle Center in Seattle, WA
Decent place to watch large concerts with a view (The Space Needle and downtown Seattle) that can't be beat!
Showbox on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Not a bad venue at all, but the crowd separation (due to alcohol consumption) is lame and since it is a mainstream venue, the bouncers aren't always the coolest people though it's a mixed bag.
Studio B on Elliot Avenue in Seattle, WA
A warehouse-style club that gets some good electronic music DJs.
Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall in Tacoma, WA
Great place to have a massive.
Temple Billiards on Jackson Street in Seattle, WA
Fun place to hang out and play pool, if you're into that sort of thing.
The Baltic Room on E. Pine Street in Seattle, WA
Decent place with a decent atmosphere.
The Last Supper Club on S Washington Street in Seattle, WA
I have nothing but utter contempt for places that have a dress code. My philosophy is that it is inane to pay money to someone to tell you how to dress. The Last Supper Club learnt their lesson and now are much cooler about it. Thursday's Open House nights are particularly good.
The Paramount on Pike Street in Seattle, WA
Excellent theater-like atmosphere to check out certain concerts.
The Triple Door on Union Street in Seattle, WA
Decent club for R&B music.
Trinity on 2nd Avenue in Pioneer Square in Seattle, WA
The remodelled Bohemian has a great look and a decent crowd.
Tulalip Casino off of I-5 in Tulalip, WA
So-so casino, with a decent buffet. These guys still have a lot to learn from Las Vegas.
Varsity on University Way in Seattle, WA
Not the best theatre, but it has some cool movies at times.
Virginia Inn on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Pretty good food.
Woodinville 12 on Garden Way in Woodinville, WA
Excellent multiplex with stadium seating to watch films.
Zasu on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
When we went there, it was no cover and they played some really cool hip-hop.

The Wafflers

Contour on 1st Avenue in Seattle, WA
Pretty good atmosphere, and definitely a must check-out for the party animals since it stays open until the next morning on Friday and Saturday, somewhat friendly people and a fairly decent crowd. Sometimes the bouncers can be lame. Since they now have a "dress code" (I've danced there for years with sandals), I predict they won't last very long. I have nothing but absolute disrespect for any place in Seattle that enforces a dress code.
Loews Grand Cinemas in Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, WA
Smelly, dank theatres.
Stadium Exhibition Center on Occidental Avenue South in Seattle, WA
The venue itself is pretty decent, but the security guards there are a bunch of power-hungry boorish thugs (and they were actually quite good to me, but this is based on what I saw). I believe the venue management needs to take responsibility for that.

The Worst

Club Spectrum on East Valley Avenue in Kent, WA
One of the worst clubs I've been to. Semi-decent security, no sense of how to get people in and out, and don't deliver on their promises.

Cities and locales

The Best

Seattle
Almost like San Francisco, but less crowded, more rain and more spectacular vistas. The locales (Fremont, Capitol Hill, Belltown, Downtown, Queen Anne, and U-District) are all pretty cool.
Friday Harbour
Excellent place to "get away" from the hubbub of Seattle.
Port Ludlow
Excellent place to "get away" from the hubbub of Seattle.
West Seattle
Definitely has a character of its own.

The Wafflers

Bellevue
A suburb of Seattle; very clean and sterile.
Burien
Doesn't have too many decent parts to it.
Edmonds
Quaint and somewhat interesting.
Everett
Not bad.
Mukilteo
Also quaint, but boring; a good place to live given the views from the coast.
Normandy Park
A little better than Burien, but not too much.
Puyallup
Okay most of the year, but best during its Fair season!
Tacoma
Might as well be a suburb of Seattle.
Whidbey Island
Rustic; nice place to get away.

The Worst


Ram Samudrala || me@ram.org