Best places for cheap eats in Seattle

No one knows how to scrimp on tasty foods like old-time Seattleites. While some of the best places for cheap eats in Seattle have been icons for decades, others are newer hole-in-the-wall ethnic restaurants. It’s more fun to become a “temporary local” and go slumming with the best of ’em at these yummy fast food joints.

Dick’s Drive In

Dick’s Drive In:
115 Broadway Ave E – Capitol Hill Seattle
111 N.E. 45th St. – Wallingford Seattle

Seattleites have been in love with Dick’s fabulously greasy real french fries, yummy burgers, and wholesome milkshakes for over 55 years. Dick’s used to be nicknamed “Ricardo’s 19” when the hamburgers were 19 cents, but that was a while back. So, suck it up and fork over $1.20 for a tasty whole beef burger and hang with the oddballs on Broadway (Capitol Hill) or in Wallingford with the college-to-old-aged kids. Groove on in to real Seattle culture. (Bill Gates has been spotted at Dick’s on Broadway, the one with the oddballs.) Dick’s Drive In has other locales, but these two are the hot spots. Good munchies are served up until last call (2:00 am).

Burgermaster

Burgermaster:
10606 NE Northup Way – Bellevue WA
9820 Aurora Ave. N. – North Seattle WA

Burgermaster has good old fashioned carhops like Happy Days, but they’re more normal with no roller skates. Burgermasters in Bellevue and North Seattle have cult status for their huge juicy burgers with drippy condiments, wrapped in silver foil. No carhops at the U Village location. Why? Is there no respect for tradition?

Vietnamese Restaurant

Huong Binh Vietnamese Restaurant:
1207 Jackson St, Seattle WA

Huong Binh Restaurant in The ID (International District) has great Spicy Beef Noodle Soup, charbroiled pork, sugarcane shrimp, and other Vietnamese dishes with unpronounceable names. Until recently, it was frequented only by Vietnamese people, but it’s catching on. Bring a group and share dishes. The ID is a cool place to hang out. Get brownie points for correct pronunciation of Uwajimaya’s or for hanging out in The ID.

Belltown Restaurant

Noodle Ranch:
2228 2nd Ave – Belltown

Noodle Ranch, the place with the unforgetable name has cheap Asian-fusion hipness, Belltown style. Some favorite dishes are: pad thai, spring rolls with peanut sauce, spicy ranch noodles, green curry, and red curry chicken. This cheap food is in a convenient location and very close to a lot of trendy boutique hotels.

Armandino’s Italian Deli

Armandino’s Salumi:
309 3rd Ave S. in Pioneer Square

To find Salumi, a little Italian deli, just look for the long line in Seattle’s ever-touristy Pioneer Square. Try their great cured meats and their yummy sandwiches, like the messy meatball sub with mozzarella and peppers. For those who can’t get a spot at the large communal table in this hole-in-the-wall, picnic at nearby Waterfall Park (on 2nd between Washington St. and S. Main). Waterfall Park is a tiny oasis with a fake, but beautifully serene, waterfall set in the midst of Pioneer Square urbanity. (Lunch only)

Pike Place Market

Sisters European Snacks:
1530 Post Alley – Pike Place Market

Sisters is not in The Market proper, but in a little alley south of the main Market building. This place can be jamming on weekends. Their focaccia bread is their claim to fame and is used on all their sandwiches. Try feta and marinated eggplant, fried egg with tomato and basil, chicken breast with cheese and tomato, or whatever is on the menu for the day. In the great European style, fresh ingredients come from The Market. This is the closest thing that Seattleites have to a true Italian bella vita.

Mexican Food

Tacos Guaymas
6808 E Green Lake Way N – Green Lake Seattle
4719 California Ave SW – West Seattle
100 N 36th St – Fremont Seattle

Tacos Guaymas is a little chain of Mexican restaurants. These joints are not as authentic as some California dives, but they give Emerald City foodies a cheap fix. The Green Lake location can become one big happy hour, and patio seating is competitive on sunny days, but the soft tacos made with corn tortillas and barbequed pork are superb. Green Lake is a good neighborhood for people watching and stuffing one’s face. The Chicken in Pipian sauce is amazing. (Tripe and beef brains are supposed to be quite authentic.) Get food to go and picnic at Green Lake.

There’s a cute little West Seattle Tacos Guaymas at The Junction (main part of California Street) and it’s perfect, though they have no outdoor area. Cute Seattle cops are huge fans and hang out there between calls. Employees are very friendly.

Tacos Guaymas is also a popular spot in Fremont and has an outdoor deck.

True Seattleites prefer small locally-owned restaurants to giant corporate golden arches or California-based chains. Think Globally. Eat Locally. So follow the locals for cheap eats. In Seattle, folks tame their munchies at Dick’s, Burgermaster, and local ethnic joints.