Gourmet Mag’s (Oct 04) “Big Deal / Good Deal” restaurants in Seattle

Big Deal = Gourmet, Elegant food
Good Deal = “cheap” local’s spots

Big Deal Restaurants:

Union
1400 First Avenue
206.838.8000

Lark
926 Twelfth Ave
206.325.5275

Good Deal Restaurants:

La Carta de Oaxaca
5431 Ballard Ave Northwest
203.782.8722

Saito's Japanese Cafe & Bar
2122 Second Ave
206.728.1333

Cheap Good Eats according to City Search
http://seattle.citysearch.com/bestof...005/cheap_eats

1. Gordito's Healthy Mexican Food
213 N 85th St, Seattle, WA
Healthy, fresh and expertly prepared Mexican standbys keep customers coming back to this Greenwood joint.

2. Dick's Drive-In Restaurant
115 Broadway E, Seattle, WA
Seattle's legendary burger-flipping and milkshake-slinging takeout joint, going strong since 1954.

3. Dick's Drive-In
111 NE 45TH St, Seattle, WA
Seattle's legendary burger-flipping, milk shake-slinging takeout joint, going strong since 1954.

4. Agua Verde
1303 NE Boat St, Seattle, WA
Five varieties of tacos, inventive side dishes and Portage Bay views compensate for the frenzied atmosphere of this wildly popular cafe.

5. The Old Spaghetti Factory
2801 Elliott Ave, Seattle, WA
Kitschy Italian restaurant churns out heaping plates of pasta that won't break the bank.

6. Fremont Classic Pizzeria & Trattoria
4307 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA
A welcoming atmosphere and cheap eats keep Fremont locals coming back to this neighborhood pizza haven.

7. Thai Tom
4543 University Way NE, Seattle, WA
Rock-bottom prices and stellar food keep this U-District hangout hopping.

8. Taco Del Mar
2136 1ST Ave, Seattle, WA
Mission-inspired burritos that inspire a loyal local following.

9. Mae Phim Thai Restaurant
94 Columbia St, Seattle, WA
Inexpensive downtown Thai makes for great lunch takeout.

10. Salumi
309 3RD Ave S, Seattle, WA
Traditional house-cured meats, offbeat sandwiches and bargain prices make this unique shop a local favorite.

I'm a big fan of Gordito's and Thai Tom. Agua Verde is fun too (and then you can go kayaking).

Dick's is, well... Dick's. You get what you pay for. And at 2am it is usually just the perfect thing!

In Renton you can always get the Swedish Meatballs with lingonberry sauce at IKEA. They serve breakfast there now as well. Inexpensive and Yummy! -Shakti

I would also add Spuds on West Seattle's Alki Beach for fish and chips. The original Spuds opened in 1935. Definitely a "cheap eats" kind of place.

For desserts, there's the original Dilettante Chocolates Cafe and Patisserie at 416 Broadway in the Capital Hill neighborhood of Seattle.

For the best sandwiches in town, head to Ballard and go to The Other Coast Cafe. Mmmmmm.....sandwiches.