18230 East Valley Hwy, Kent, WA
This is probably the best place for dim sum in the area. I've never tried any of their individual menu stuff. Their dim sum items are super tasty and abundant. I do have two complaints about this place though. 1) The staff/servers are not very friendly. Sometimes typically of Chinese restaurants. 2) It's expensive. Although, living in a Chinese family, I've never had to pay for the bill. It's always crowded here on the weekends with lots of Asians, which is always a good sign. You can bother to make a trip up to Chinatown for dim sum, but if you don't want to hassle with parking and fighting crowds, this place might be a better way to go.
Cam recommends: Congee with Pork and Thousand-Year-Old Egg, Sticky Rice in Leaf, BBQ Pork Buns.
Yelp: 2.5 stars
24060 104th Ave SE, Kent, WA
1948 S 320th St, Federal Way, WA
Jasmine is one of those places that we prepare our stomachs for. It's all you can eat Mongolian noodles and stir fry basically, so you're going to want to get your money's worth. Lots of meats, vegetables, and sauces to choose from. You get to customize your own meal and that's just perfect. I always make mine super spicy. Yes, I do realize this place is self-serve and sort of violates my rule, but you are indeed still given a waiter/waitress and they do bring you drinks, soup, rice, ice cream, etc., so it counts. By the way, the Kent location has nicer decorations than the Federal Way one, but the food tastes the same.
Cam recommends: I typically do noodles with beef, lamb, tofu, and chicken, and add chef's sauce, hot oil, and red chili.
Yelp: 4.5 stars
14804 NE 24th St, Redmond, WA
16876 Southcenter Pwy, Tukwila, WA
I wasn't really all that into Thai food until my 20s and now I crave it a lot. Bai Tong is one of the better places I've tried. Thankfully, there is one location by my work that has a good lunch menu. You're still going to pay >$10 for a lunch, but it's worth it. We don't come here all the time, so it's kind of considered a treat or celebration. There are tons of different things to try on the menu from fried rice, to noodles, to curries.
Cam recommends: Yellow Curry, Panang Curry, Fried Wontons, Pad Sei-Lew, Ginger Beef.
Yelp: 4 stars
603A E Smith St, Kent, WA
From one Thai place to another, Grandma's Girl barely beats out Bai Tong simply because their food tastes better. If you live around Kent, you've seen this place along Smith Street. Not the most aesthetic restaurant, Grandma's Girl resides in a older white residential house. For years, I drove by it twice a day and kept saying to myself that I would try it one day. I'm sure many others do the same. For those of us who have finally taken the plunge, we know that this place is no joke. There are real Thai women cooking this food and it is incredible. Best Thai food in the world for me. Do yourself a favor and venture into this place. Your taste buds will thank you.
Cam recommends: Gang Karee, Gang Panang, Gang Dang.
Yelp: 4.5 stars
1716 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA
Without a doubt my favorite place for soul food around. They've been featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives and have won numerous awards. The fried chicken recipe is a complete secret and the owner won't even tell the chefs how to make it. Other homemade items like lemonade, corncakes, mac and cheese and much more will comfort your tummy and your soul.
Cam recommends: Fried Chicken.
Yelp: 4 stars
251 Winslow Way W, Bainbridge Island, WA
B.I. BBQ is my favorite barbeque restaurant around here, though there are still places I need to try. What makes B.I. BBQ beat the rest of the places I have tried is the taste, the atmosphere, and the price. Get this... an elk burger... $6. Buffalo? $6. Kobe? $9.50. I dare you to find a place with quality meat at cheaper prices around here. Go inside, sit down, and roasted warm peanuts in the shell are delivered to your table. The meal portions are huge. The sides are homemade and amazing. Best mac and cheese I've ever had. Anytime I hear about someone heading over to Bainbridge, I tell them to eat here.
Cam recommends: Any of Their Burgers, Pork Ribs, Beef Brisket, Mac N Cheese, Creamy Corn.
Yelp: 4.5 stars
1420 Fifth Ave, Seattle, WA
610 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA
I believe this is the only nationwide chain restaurant you'll find on my list. Palomino take food that we're familiar with finding at place like The Cheesecake Factory and spruces them up a bit in a more formal atmosphere. I always leave this place satisfied. It's definitely a date night type of place. The happy hour is one of the best in town because it's all day, every day at the Bellevue location and 3 p.m. to close at the Seattle location.
Cam recommends: Gorgonzola Waffle Fries, Chicken Parmesan, Pizza.
Yelp: 3.5 stars
563 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, WA
...and many more
Pagliacci continues to be my favorite pizza place in the whole wide world. Everything about their pies is perfect. Most of the ingredients come from local or regional areas. I think the most amazing part of it is the crust. I don't usually look forward to eating the crust of pizza like I do with Pagliacci's. It's amazing. I could eat this multiple times per week. Most of the locations do by-the-slice, but the Bellevue Square location is full-service sit-down that's worth the wait and atmosphere if you're with a group of people. Their beer and gelato are great, too.
Cam recommends: Extra Pepperoni Pizza, Grand Salami Primo Pizza, Nonna's Pasta.
Yelp: 4 stars
32921 1st Ave S, Federal Way, WA
Peking Wok resides in my hometown of Federal Way. I used to go there all the time with my parents and I still make the short drive over there occasionally these days. Peking Wok is not your typical Chinese restaurant. Alright, so yes, you are still going to find fried crab wontons and orange chicken (I've never understood these dishes), but you'll also find some truly authentic Chinese food. And I've been to China! Lately, when I visit, I've been seeing the place get less and less crowded and that makes me sad. Peking Wok deserves to flourish.
Cam recommends: Hot and Sour Soup, Kung Pao Chicken, and Mapo Tofu.
Yelp: 3.5 stars
420 8th Ave S, Seattle, WA
This should come as no surprise for people who know me. Whenever I talk with someone about local restaurants, I always mention Szechuan Noodle Bowl because it is absolutely my favorite restaurant in the whole entire world! Noodle Bowl not only specializes in noodles, but a variety of other Chinese dishes as well. The food is so fresh and it tastes authentic and delicious. If you live in the Seattle area and you have not visited this place, please do me, yourself, and your tummy a favor. For more, you can read my very in-depth review on my noodle blog.
Cam recommends: Green Onion Pancake, Pork and Napa Dumpling, Szechuan Beef Noodle Bowl.
Yelp: 4 stars
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