Seattle restaurants get a lot of hype, and for good reason. Our city is home to thousands of eateries serving dishes for every taste preference, and some of the most critically acclaimed require reservations, a friend of a friend to add you to the guest list, or a little bit of luck.
Those restaurants are great, but what you'll find below is something completely different. These five places are among the most unassuming and well-kept secret locations serving "under the radar" cult favorite dishes. From a humble gas station to a cozy cafe, here are five unexpected places in Seattle where you can find exceptional food.
Shell Gas Station - Beacon Hill
Inside the Beacon Hill Shell Station you'll find great fried foods, but it's the fried catfish that those in the know rave about. Not only is it just a few dollars per serving, it's truly amazing catfish that is superior to many others in the city. Oh, and did we mention you can fill up your gas tank as well?
King's Deli and Grocery - Central District
This grocery mart in the Central District serves the usual sodas, salty snacks, and beer. What you really want to get here, though, is fried chicken and soft serve ice cream. Soft serve is available in a few sizes, make sure you get the larger size. You won't regret it.
Fou Lee Market - Beacon Hill
Fou Lee is a popular Asian grocery store in Beacon Hill, but you'd never know that at the back of the market is one of the city's best places to find hot and ready to eat Filipino cuisine. The adobo is one of the best you'll find in Seattle.
76 Gas Station - West Seattle
Another gas station, another amazing meal. There's a food truck consistently parked at the 76 Gas Station in West Seattle on Fauntleroy Way SW (on the way to the Vashon Island ferry) that serves some the city's best tacos. Service is quick and the people running the truck are friendly. The tacos taste even better when eaten in your car waiting for the ferry to board.
Maruta - Georgetown
Similar to Fou Lee Market, Maruta is a well known Asian grocery store with a deli that you'll love. We especially love their sushi, kara-age, wings, gyoza, and any of their noodle dishes. Their selection is massive and you'll have plenty to try with an excuse to come back for more.