Lunching Downtown
| Somewhat ironically, considering that if I lived just a little down the hill I’d be in downtown instead of First Hill, I’ve spent most of my working career working somewhere that is not downtown. (Except when I lived in Burien. Then I worked downtown.) Somehow I’ve always managed to work in areas with not many places to eat so my lunch options are limited if I don’t want to carry one with me. Never mind saving a commute, I’ve always wanted to work downtown just so I would have a choice of places where I could go to lunch. |  |
Oh, sure, Subway’s fine for a quick, inexpensive and relatively good for you lunch, but I can’t eat there every day. On the other hand, I can’t afford to spend $8 for a sandwich at the mall. (I work very near Pacific Place.) I’ve been walking around at lunch trying to expand my horizons, but most places are either variations on the same old theme (a tuna sandwich is a tuna sandwich no matter where you get it, although some are admittedly better than others) or are ridiculously expensive for somone who is working for a non-profit organization.
I’m hoping to find a few cool places (one I have found is Cafe Loops, on Olive and about 8th), but in the meantime I am definitely open to suggestion.
The Vietnamese place on 3rd near Pine makes decent pho and noodle bowls.
Also, soup at the Dahlia Bakery on 4th between Virginia and Lenora is awesome.
There’s also a bunch of things upstairs in Westlake. Some of it isn’t great, but I was often able to find something affordable and somewhat good for me. There’s also the Market a few blocks away. Three Girls (or is it sisters) Bakery has a sandwich counter with killer sammies.
Bambuza at 820 Pike has a take-out room attached where they just sell the Vietnamese sandwiches or banh mi. Pretty cheap (~$3-4), filling, and very tasty.
If you can get a little extra time, the Noodle Ranch (pan Asian) and Mama’s Kitchen (Tex/Mex) are on 2nd near Bell.
Both places are good.
Not quite in your area, but Mae Phim on 1st and Columbia has all entrees for $6 (tax included, cash only). Also, Bakeman’s on Cherry between 1st and 2nd has a really good roast turkey sandwich for about $4 (also cash only).
I second Three Girls Bakery, which is in the Market, and also the Market Grill has very good clam chowder.
I’ll second the vietnamese place on Third. It’s called “New Vietnamese Restaurant.” I also get a cheap lunch at the Chinese bakery in the market - a couple of potstickers and a humbow for around 2 bucks!
Rice N Roll on Madison between 2nd and 3rd - cheap sushi, with some odd items like the Korean marinated beef roll.
Juice It, with bowls of brown rice and steamed veg, in the Convention Center. The pesto chicken is a particularly good deal, it’s enormous.
Second the soups at the place across from Three Girls. They’re a steal at $4 and miles better than anything at Zoups or whatever.
I was disappointed by the food at Zaina on Cherry, but it’s nice to sit with a beer at lunch sometimes. (I’m from the Detroit area where cheap, good Middle Eastern is everywhere.)
There’s a tiny Mexican place in Pike Place Market (near Starbucks) with some incredible food deals.