Best Places for Cheap Eats in Seattle

Tame the Munchies Like the Locals – Burgers, Tacos, and Other Food

Jun 12, 2009

Locals know the best places for cheap eats in Seattle. Tame the munchies at Dick's Drive In, Burgermaster, Asian restaurants, and a whole lot of yummy fast food joints.

No one knows how to scrimp on tasty foods like old-time Seattleites. While some of the best places for cheap eats in Seattle have been icons for decades, others are hole-in-the-wall ethnic eateries. It's more fun to become a "temporary local" and go slumming with the best of 'em at these yummy fast food joints.

Fast Food Burgers in Seattle

Seattleites have been in love with Dick’s fabulously greasy real French fries, yummy burgers and wholesome milkshakes for over 55 years. Dick's used to be called Ricardo’s 19 when the hamburgers were 19 cents, but that was a while back. So, suck it up and fork over $1.20 for a tasty whole beef burger and hang with the locals on Broadway (Capitol Hill) with the oddballs or in Wallingford with the college-to-old-aged kids. Groove on in to real Seattle culture. (Bill Gates has been spotted at Dick’s on Broadway, the one with the oddballs.) Dick’s Drive In has other locales, but these two are the hot spots. Good munchies are served up until last call (2:00 am).

Burgermaster has good old fashioned carhops like Happy Days, but more normal and no roller skates. Burgermaster in Bellevue and North Seattle have cult status for their huge juicy burgers with drippy condiments wrapped in silver foil. No carhops at the U Village location. Why? Is there no respect for tradition?

Seattle's Cheap Hole-in-the-Wall Asian Restaurants

Huong Binh Restaurant in The ID (International District) has great Spicy Beef Noodle Soup, charbroiled pork, sugarcane shrimp, and other Vietnamese dishes with unpronounceable names. Until recently, it was frequented only by Vietnamese people, but it’s catching on. Bring a group and share dishes. The ID is a cool place to hang out. Get brownie points for correct pronunciation of Uwajimaya's or hanging out in The ID.

The place with the unforgetable name is cheap Asian-fusion hipness, Belltown style. Some favorite dishes are: pad thai, spring rolls with peanut sauce, spicy ranch noodles, green curry, and red curry chicken. This cheap food is in a convenient location. It's very close to a lot of trendy boutique hotels.

Italian Delis near Downtown Seattle

To find Salumi, a little Italian deli, just look for the long line in Seattle's ever-touristy Pioneer Square. Try their great cured meats and yummy sandwiches, like the messy meatball sub with mozzarella and peppers. For those who can’t get a spot at the large communal table at this hole-in-the-wall, picnic at nearby Waterfall Park (on 2nd between Washington St. and S. Main). This park is a tiny oasis with a fake, but beautifully serene waterfall set in the midst of Pioneer Square urbanity. (Lunch only)

This place is not in The Market proper, but in a little alley south of the main building. Sisters can be jamming on weekends. Their great focaccia bread is their claim to fame and is used on all their sandwiches. Try feta and marinated eggplant, fried egg with tomato and basil, chicken breast with cheese and tomato, or whatever is on the menu for the day. In the great European style, fresh ingredients come from the market. This is the closest thing that Seattleites have to a true Italian bella vita.

Mexican Eateries

Tacos Guaymas is a little chain of Mexican restaurants. They are not as authentic as some California dives, but they give cheap Emerald City foodies a cheap fix. The Green Lake location can become one big happy hour, and patio seating is competitive on sunny Seattle days, but the soft tacos made with corn tortillas and barbequed pork are superb. It’s a good neighborhood for people watching and stuffing one’s face. Chicken in Pipian sauce is amazing. (Tripe and beef brains are supposed to be quite authentic.) Get food to go and picnic at Green Lake.

There’s a cute little West Seattle Tacos Guaymas in The Junction (main part of California Street) and it’s perfect, though no outdoor area. It seems that cute Seattle cops are huge fans and hang out there between calls. Employees are very friendly.

Tacos Guaymas is a popular spot in Fremont with an outdoor deck. (TG has several locations in the city.)

True Seattleites prefer small locally-owned Restaurants to giant corporate Golden Arches or California chains. Think Globally. Eat Locally. So follow the locals to find the best places for cheap eats. In Seattle, folks tame their munchies at Dick's, Burgermaster, and local ethnic joints. They also like cheap seafood restaurants in scenic locations.

The copyright of the article Best Places for Cheap Eats in Seattle in Washington State Travel is owned by Christina Gregoire. Permission to republish Best Places for Cheap Eats in Seattle in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.