1159 Southcenter Mall, Tukwila, WA
I remember the first time that I went to a BJ's Restaurant in Dallas and tried the Pizookie. A giant scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of a just-baked chocolate chip cookie? It's so stupidly simple, why didn't I think of that? BJ's was the first restaurant chain to sell the dish and I'm sure it's one of the reasons people keep going back. I've noticed that just about every other family restaurant has also put something similar on their menus, but for some reason, none of them can quite match what BJ's makes. I believe they now make seven different kinds, plus a gluten-free version. I've tried them all, but I always find myself continuing to go back to the original. What can I say? I'm a plain kind of guy.
Cam recommends: Original Pizookie, Cookies 'N Cream Pizookie, Triple Chocolate Pizookie with Ghirardelli.
Yelp: 3.5 stars
Puyallup Fair
Other Fairs
One of the most popular food items at the Puyallup Fair is the scones. Personally, the Fair is just not the Fair without eating at least a few of these delicious suckers. Fisher has been serving up these scones at the Puyallup Fair now for over 100 years. Now, you can buy their mix in stores or at Costco and make them at home, but it's always better from the stands for some reason.
Cam recommends: Scones... duh.
Yelp: N/A
2124 5th Ave, Seattle, WA
609 Summit Ave E, Seattle, WA
10600 Northeast 9th Pl, Bellevue, WA
Top Pot is arguably the most popular doughnut shop in Seattle. They've been featured on Food Network, Travel Channel, and Cooking Channel. They're a bit more popular because they were sort of the first to start the whole modern doughnut shop thing. That is, move away from the fluorescent-lit fast food look for the up-to-date diner look. But it's their hand-forged doughnuts that are why they are truly one of the best. Top Pot is also one of the few places that President Obama stopped at during one of his visits here.
Cam recommends: Old Fashioned Glazed, Powdered Sugar Cake, Apple Fritter.
Yelp: 4 stars
15255 NE 40th St, Redmond, WA
I have a love/hate relationship with the bakery within Pike Place @ The Commons. When I'm not on a diet, this place is delicious. When I am on a diet, I hate that I have to walk by this place often and can't eat anything from there. Bakeries are hit or miss with me. I've never found a bakery where I've enjoyed every single different item I've had from there. Until now. The bakery at Pike Place is delightful. They make a bunch of different items from cookies, to muffins, to cupcakes, to cakes. They also switch out many of their items seasonally or monthly. I've had many different goodies from them and have never been disappointed. Unfortunately, if you do not work for Microsoft or know someone who does, you won't be able to get into The Commons to try this place. And FWIW, this is not run by the same folks who do the Pike Place Bakery in downtown Seattle.
Cam recommends: Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookie.
Yelp: 3 stars
1400 Third Ave, Seattle, WA
For the longest time, Procopio was the place to go for gelato in Seattle. Then in 1996, Gelatiamo was opened and has taken over as my favorite gelato in Seattle. They use fresh ingredients in their gelato which is made on site daily. They always have 16 flavors out, but actually make more than 40 different flavors. They are also one of the only places I know that makes gelato cakes. You can also find Gelatiamo in my favorite pizza place, Pagliacci, and many other restaurants and stores.
Cam recommends: Stracciatella, Lemon, Rice.
Yelp: 4.5 stars
93 Pike St, Seattle, WA
You're going to quickly find that I am a sucker for a good doughnut. Daily Dozen is a little different in that they only make mini doughnuts. Think of those little bite sized Hostess doughnuts you get at the store. Obviously these are much better with only a few varieties. They definitely keep it simple and it totally works for them. The price is also great as you'll pay less than $4 for a dozen of these devilish morsels. You get to watch these little guys get cooked as their fourteen-year-old Donut Robot Mark II spits out dough right in front of you. When the bag is handed to you, the doughnuts are hot. Sometimes too hot to even eat yet, but that's the best.
Cam recommends: Cinnamon Sugar, Powdered, Sprinkle Chocolate Frosted.
Yelp: 4.5 stars
2800 Southcenter Mall, Tukwila, WA
The Seattle area actually has a lot of great crêpes shops, but Unicone beats the rest for me because of their variety. Unicone is a Japanese style crêpes place, not a French style crêpes place. There's a very big difference. The French seem content on making very simple flavors while the Japanese try to cram anything and everything they can. Hence why Japanese style crepes are perfect for America. There are well over 30 different kinds of crepes you can get here and the price is pretty reasonable. There are even non-sweet varieties.
Cam recommends: Ice Strawberry Banana Choco Whip, Ice Corn Flake Choco Whip, Choco Whip.
Yelp: 4 stars
1200 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA
While roaming the streets of Brussels, Belgium, I stopped at every chance to get a Belgian Waffle. Stalls, cafés, trucks... they were all over the place. Little did I know that I was eating a true "Liège Waffle." Like most waffles, Sweet Iron uses butter, flour, honey, and yeast, but the thing that makes their waffles true Liège Waffles is the pearl sugar. Their fresh ingredients are perfect. There are many different toppings you can get on your waffle, but I recommend trying it plain the first time. My only complaint about this place are the funky hours (Closed at 3 p.m. on weekdays and 4 p.m. on weekends!?!?) and that it's a bit pricey for a waffle, but it's worth it.
Cam recommends: Classic, Ice Cream, Banana Brûlée with Caramel Sauce.
Yelp: 4 stars
139 Madrone Ln, Ste 1100, Bainbridge Island, WA
Everyone has their favorite ice cream place, and hopefully it's not Baskin-Robbins or Cold Stone. Mora is my favorite for a couple simple reasons. First off, they have over 70 different flavors; 48 of which you'll find actually in store. Not sure which one you want? Try a sample. Sample all 48 of them if you want! They'll have no problem with that. Second, they use real, fresh ingredients to make their ice cream. For example, if you get their pistachio ice cream, they actually toast their own pistachios before adding them. And it's not just ice cream that they serve up, but also a delicious assortment of sorbets. I've had their pineapple sorbet once, and oh my gosh, I have a new favorite. Be sure to go here after you've eaten lunch or dinner at Bainbridge Island BBQ.
Cam recommends: Pineapple Sorbet, Chocolate Peanut Butter Moreo, Swiss Chocolate.
Yelp: 4.5 stars
15421 Main St, Ste H102, Mill Creek, WA
I've posted about FROST many times on this blog and have taken even more pictures of the various gourmet doughnuts that they serve up. What makes FROST so great is their quality and ingredients. It is for this reason that it stands alone from the rest of the other places that do unique flavors like VooDoo Doughtnut in Portland or Legendary in Auburn. This is what an upscale doughnut should be. It should be a crime if you live in the area and have never sunk your teeth into the best doughnuts you will have ever tasted.
Cam recommends: Cinnamon Sugar French Imperial, Salted Caramel, Peanut Butter Perfection.
Yelp: 4 stars
Good List: I'd suggest Larson Bakery. I actually ever go there but its in north ballard/crown hill/loyal heights area. 80th and 24th. Get the bollen or bollar whatever it is. My sister says the maple bars there are awesome because the maple frosting is different than anywhere else. Oh and for cinamon rolls I'd recommend maltby cafe. I'm a fan of old school frozen custard too. They have a flavor of the day. There is one on Capitol hill on Pike and I believe one in maple valley.
ReplyDeleteFunny that you had the pizookie on here too. I only found out recently there is a BJ's at southcenter. i go to the one in brea california everytime i visit a friend and can't walk out the door without ordering one.
My bro told me about this warm banana bread concoction at Bahama breeze at southcenter I want to try.
Joe the old recep
Thanks for the tips, Joe! I will have to try those places out.
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