This year, Capitol Hill was booming with new restaurants! I’ve sampled many of them throughout the year and in my time living in Capitol Hill, but there are still so many that I haven’t tried. It also doesn’t help that there will be a handful of new places opening this January. In this post, you’ll learn about both my new and old favorites! Keep in mind though that this is not a “best of” post. I am in no way claiming that these restaurants are the best in their category, but these are the ones that I enjoy and they’re the ones that I take my friends to. With that, let’s get started?
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pic cred: Pike Street Fish Fry
Favorite Fish & Chips: Pike Street Fish Fry
Pike Street Fish Fry has been across the street from my school for quite some time, but for some reason, I have always overlooked it. It’s probably cause I thought Neumos, Moe Bar, and Pike Street Fish Fry all merged into one and never gave it a second look. Over the summer, Lisa and I came up with this idea that we would have our lunch break at a different restaurant once a week. Now looking back on it, I think we only did this once and Pike Street Fish Fry was the only place we ever went to, but what a great choice it was anyways! Fish and chips were a common staple for me growing up since I was obsessed with Ivars and Skippers, which means I’m pretty particular about eating it anywhere else. Pike Street Fish Fry is incredibly greasy, but deliciously greasy in the best way possible. That’s like a descriptive heart attack, but trust – if everyone else on the hill and on Yelp says it’s the place you need to try, then you just have to.
*Every third Friday, the restaurant offers free fresh cut frys from 5 – 7PM.
What I order: Catfish or Cod and chips
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pic cred: Seattle Times
Favorite Sandwich Spot: Homegrown
If you’ve been following Yow Yow! for awhile, then you know that Homegrown has a very special place in my heart. Jeanette and I first stumbled on this place several years ago when we were having adventure time in Fremont and decided that we needed to grab lunch somewhere. The sandwich shop is known for their fresh and sustainable ingredients, which means they not only produce the best tasting sandwiches around, but ones that are healthy too. You can find Homegrown on lower Capitol Hill in Melrose Market.
What I order: Turkey, Bacon + Avocado
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Favorite Sushi: Momiji
Before Momiji arrived on Capitol Hill this past fall, I have to admit, I was a little bit nervous about the restaurants nearby serving sushi. I know that there are some that prefer the conveyor belt style because people are still amused with it or want something quick and convenient, but if I have the choice of sitting down for sushi, I will take it. Kevin, Samantha and I have all agreed that this is probably one of the few cuisines that we will splurge on. I went to Momiji twice the week after it opened first to sample the regular menu w/ Kevin and then a second time w/ my girlfriends to try out happy hour. Wasabi Bistro may be my favorite in Belltown, but Momiji is my place on the hill. Their happy hour is varied and includes a great mix of specialty rolls, standard rolls, and other appetizers.
What I order: Sushi Sample A (Eel, yellowtail, salmon, tuna, albacore,) Bad Boy Roll, a variation of the Seattle Tempura Roll served at every restaurant similar to Momiji.
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Favorite Brunch/Diner: Skillet Diner
I nearly burned a hole in my wallet eating at this place every other week this past summer. Branching off of the success of their food truck, Skillet debuted as a diner sometime during the spring and has been a hit ever since. The corner of 14th and Union is still a little crowded even during the winter with customers waiting to get a table inside. The atmosphere? Hipster. The uniforms? Plaid and lots of it. The food? Comforting and filling to the max. There is something for everyone at this diner whether you want a large plate or a small one, a daily special or breakfast for dinner. Who can turn down breakfast for dinner right? The place serves breakfast all day every day so you never have to worry about missing it.
What I order: Skillet Scramble (changes daily,) Chicken Salad Sandwich, Mama’s Meatloaf, Southern Fried Chicken
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pic cred: Mac and Cheese Review
Favorite Late Night Food: Street Meat
[Ugh. Don’t Google Image Seattle Street Meat…] When you’re out late at night on the hill, there are plenty of food options for you to grab, but my favorite will always be a Seattle Hot Dog from one of the street vendors. Sure you could go to Po Dog or you can sit down somewhere classy and hip, but what is more raw (not the dog obviously) and real than grabbing one from someone who is making it for you right there on the spot . It’s probably not the last thing you want to eat before you go to bed, but at the time, it will be the best decision you ever made.
What I order: Seattle cream cheese hot dog with caramelized onions and ketchup
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Favorite Unique Restaurant: Poppy
If you’re someone who gets bored with their food easily (like me) then Poppy is perfect. Orders come in small plates of seven or ten giving you the ability to sample a little bit of everything! There is usually one plate that serves as the “main dish” while the others compliment it nicely. Samantha and I tried out Poppy during one summer evening and couldn’t pronounce slash had ever heard of some of the dishes we were eating, but loved every last bite of it. Each small plate leaves an element of surprise, which makes the entire experience fun. Plus, the restaurant is great if you want to share and sample other plates with the company you’re with. You can find this restaurant at the end of Broadway. If you get a chance, check out the dessert thalis as well. I think it’d make for a pretty impressive first day – just a tip!
What I order: The thalis are seasonal and always changing. You can’t go wrong with anything you order though.
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Favorite Local Pride Food: Dick’s Drive In
It’s the In N’ Out of Seattle.
What I order: A deluxe burger with fries and a milkshake or a root beer float.
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Favorite Cafe: Oddfellow’s Cafe + Bar
It’s hard for me to describe why I like being here so much. The setting is comfortable, the food is tasty and the back patio is the cafe’s best kept secret! Oddfellow’s is in the heart of Capitol Hill and I am drawn to this place every time I’ve got a few errands to run in the neighborhood. It provides the perfect environment whether you’re grabbing a meal with a friend or wanting some alone time and doing work. Come to think of it, I’m not really sure why I haven’t blogged from here before. Oddfellow’s is simply charming.
What I order: Baked Eggs w/ Country Ham, Gruyere & Spinach, B.L.A.T. Chicken Salad Sandwich (Daytime)
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pic cred: SU Spectator
Favorite Mexican Food: Rancho Bravo
Rancho Bravo is Capitol Hill’s gem. I was never a huge Mexican food fan until I came here. It feels weird writing about Rancho because I feel like by now, everyone that has a pulse at Seattle University has been here. This isn’t the first time I’ve eaten here, but since trying other new places on Capitol Hill this year, I’ve realized that this is the only spot for me. Not only is it a student favorite, it’s also just a local favorite as well. I don’t think I’ve met one person who didn’t enjoy Rancho Bravo.
What I order: Bravo Burrito w/ chicken and pinto beans, guac and sour cream on the side.
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This is the first post in the series of recap posts that Yow Yow will be doing! Keep your eyes peeled for more of them in the upcoming weeks.