Nosh Pit

Jemil’s Big Easy: Ready for Business

The Cajun cruiser plans to hit the road on Wednesday.

Posted by: Christopher Werner on Apr 09, 2012 at 02:00PM 2 Comments

That’s some decal job. Photo via Jemil’s Big Easy.

UPDATE 4/10 Jemil’s is good to go.

If all checks out with a health department inspection on Tuesday morning, Jemil’s Big Easy will debut on April 11. The truck is the venture of New Orleans native and seasoned Cajun cook Jemil Aziz; he is launching it with Julie Little, a fellow instructor at Blue Ribbon Culinary Center and Coyote Central.

Assuming all does check out, this week the plan is to hit up the Starbucks headquarters on Wednesday. After that it’s South Lake Union on Thursday and on Friday through Sunday, 922 First Avenue South for the weekend’s sporting festivities. Going forward the schedule includes several of the usual spots—Mondays and Thursdays at Boren and Harrison in SLU, the Mermaid HQ on Wednesday—plus Canopy West at 11061 Tukwila International Boulevard on Tuesdays. Fridays you’ll likely find Aziz back in that First Avenue locale.

Speaking of Boren and Harrison, holy heck are there a lot of trucks parking there now.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Street Food, Seattle Food Trucks, Food Truck Pods, Jemil's Big Easy

Restaurant Shifts and Shakeups

This week: Japanese hot dogs in Fremont, bartenders are bouncing around, and Molly Moon’s is reopening soon in Madrona.

Posted by: Anne Larkin on Mar 30, 2012 at 09:00AM 0 Comments

Many a beer on tap at the newest Elliot Bay brewpub. Photo courtesy of Washington Beer Blog.

OPENINGS

Elliott Bay Public House and Brewery
The newest outpost of the local brewery opened Monday, March 26, in Lake City. The Washington Beer Blog has photos of the interior and some of the food.

Tokyo Dog
The Japanese hot dog truck had its first outing in Fremont this past week, and it sounds like a success. These JapaDog–style hot dogs are topped with east-west flavors, such as furikaka and bacon and the like. Facebook says the truck will be in Wallingford on Saturdays, Fremont on Sundays, for now.

Five Hooks Fish Grill
Eater Seattle reports that the renewable seafood joint is now open in Queen Anne. The restaurant doesn’t have a liquor license just yet, but it does have a very affordable menu.

Cafe Rozella
It’s technically a reopening, but the French-Nordic (think lox and crepes) cafe in West Seattle will have a little soft opening party on Thursday, March 29, then a public grand reopening on April 20.

CLOSINGS

Detention
The U-District bar (that used to be a Po Dog) is closed, says The Stranger. Maybe the owner, Laura Olson, is simplifying, seeing as she just added a brand new Ballard Po Dog to her roster of restaurants and bars.

HG Lodge
The owner (also owner of burger joint Li’l Woody’s) is shutting down the nightclub to make way for a sports bar called 95 Slide that will have a respectable food menu, says Capitol Hill Seattle blog.

SHIFT CHANGES

Chino’s
The self-labeled “urban tiki house Taiwanese cantina” hired Evan Martin (recently departed from Ba Bar) and has big tiki plans.

Tini Bigs and Vito’s
Ian Cargill, previously of Tavern Law Shorty’s will now be behind the bar at Tini Bigs and Vito’s.

RELOCATIONS

Joule
Good news for Fremont, sad news for Wallingford. Chef-spouses Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi are moving Joule into the Fremont Collective on Stone Way this summer.

COMING SOON

My Chef Lynn
A chef from Issaquah has decided to launch herself into the food truck world (Having a car dealer husband helped). She’ll be mostly on the Eastside, but may be Fremont too, slinging lamb sliders and smoked meats.

Yard House
What was once books will soon be beer. The closed Borders location near Fourth and Pike is slated to become Yard House, the Seattle outpost of a California chain.

Molly Moon’s
The mini-Molly’s in Madrona will reopen for the summer on May 1. The pop-up shop will have five flavors and those irresistibly delicious-smelling waffle cones. Also: shakes, sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, and pints from the little shop every day from noon to 10.

OPENING DELAYS

Marination
The June opening of the West Seattle Marination Station has been delayed by permitting problems. West Seattle Blog says that there will be an update in late spring, and until then Alki Kayak Tours will be the “interim concessionaire.”

Add a Comment »

Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, Marination Mobile, Food Truck Pods, Tini Bigs, Chino's, Shift Change, Seattle Food Trucks, Molly Moon's, Joule, Seattle Restaurant Closings, Bar Openings, Closings, Seattle Bartenders, Fremont, Yard House

Restaurant Shifts and Shakeups

Murray’s Cheese comes to town, as does a (reportedly) delicious new Senegalese joint.

Posted by: Anne Larkin on Mar 23, 2012 at 10:00AM 0 Comments

Crisp Creperie, this Sunday at the Fremont Market. (Coffee walnut shake and and a hazelnut-thyme-honey-pear crepe, please.) Photo via Flickr.

OPENINGS

Po Dog
The Ballard outpost of the hot dog–centric restaurant will open today, March 23, according to Eater Seattle. No beer yet, though—the liquor license is still in the works.

Restaurant Marché
Ex-Canlis executive chef and James Beard writing award-winner Greg Atkinson’s restaurant opened last weekend, March 17, on Bainbridge Island. Situated right across from the farmers market, both the menu and the name are market-inspired. The interior is woody and warm, with a color scheme inspired by a walk on the beach.

Evolution Fresh
The first location of Starbucks’ new noncoffee project is open in Bellevue Square with customizable juices, smoothies, and health food galore.

The Gerald
The midcentury-inspired bar and casserole purveyor is now open on Ballard Ave. There are 16 specialty cocktails and a menu with updated ‘60s dishes—devils on horseback, daily casseroles, and grilled cheese sandwiches.

D’Ambrosia Gelato
The Ballard gelateria’s sister shop opened last week on Capitol Hill with more flavors than the original, according to Capitol Hill Seattle blog.

Ballard Coffee Works
The northern outpost of the downtown coffee shop is now softly open at the corner of Market and 22nd. The caffeine dispensary will be truly open March 25, providing the neighborhood with rare coffees and fancy barista technique.

La Teranga
The Stranger reports that there’s a new Senegalese joint in Columbia City. And it’s delicious.

Crisp Creperie
Another addition to the Fremont food pod—this one a sweet and savory crepe truck run by two newcomers who are sure to amuse.

The Pine Box
Capitol Hill’s funeral home turned bar is open, providing the neighborhood with a pretty space and some serious beer action.

CLOSINGS

The Counter
My Ballard says that the custom burger joint has shuttered, reasons yet unknown.

COMING SOON

Shabu Chic
Seattle is getting its very first shabu shabu (the Japanese version of the Chinese hot pot) restaurant this spring. The International District restaurant will be Chipotle-style, with a list of options for a customizable meal. Choose your own broth, then select what to cook in it, dunk in it, and top it with.

Restaurant Bea
Comfort food is coming to Madrona at the end of the month. The owners have plans for a seasonal menu, a chef’s table, and some outdoor seating, come summer.

Murray’s Cheese
We seem to be doing a lot of sharing with New Yorkers these days. We gave them Via Tribunali, they’re giving us Murray’s Cheese, reports Seattle Magazine and the Seattle Times. Mini-Murray’s will be moving into seven QFCs this year, the first of which will open at the University Village branch on March 28.

Kedai Makan
Delicious Malaysian food, cooked by a local chef with some serious Asian cooking chops, is coming to the Broadway Farmers Market this summer. If you can’t wait, sign up for one of the incubator dinners Skelly and the Bean.

BevMo
Via a tweet from Ronald Holden, the wine-spirit-beer superstore is opening up two Washington locations this summer, one in Tacoma and one in Silverdale. No Seattle…for now.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, The Pine Box, Restaurant Bea, Shabu Chic, Evolution Fresh, Capitol Hill Openings, Food Truck Pods, Restaurant Marche, Seattle Food Trucks, Coming Soon, Seattle Restaurant Closings, Coffee, Bar Openings, Ballard, Farmers Markets, Closings, Fremont, Kedai Makan

One to Watch For: Pretzelwagen

Look for her Allison Barnes and her Bavarian knots in June.

Posted by: Christopher Werner on Mar 08, 2012 at 10:02AM 0 Comments

You will want to try these pretzels. Photo courtesy seattlefoodtruck.com.

Allison Barnes says she is bringing Pretzelwagen to the West Seattle pod starting June 3. Barnes will be there every subsequent Sunday for lunch throughout the rest of the month. Are we jumping the gun a bit? Maybe, but Barnes’s wares are worth tracking.

As you may have gathered from the name, Pretzelwagen offers real-deal Bavarian knots, notably the Oma Stein, named for the grandmother-in-law whose recipe Barnes uses. (In his Seattle Weekly days Jonathan Kauffman was a big, big fan.) Barnes also does sweet and cheesy kinds, with cream cheese dips and mustards available on the side.

Years ago Barnes got her start shilling at farmers markets from a stand called Heavenly Pastry, which quickly acquired her a fan base. In 2010 she opened a brick-and-mortar offshoot in West Seattle, but it has since shuttered. More recently Barnes and her 1970s VW bus have been making cameos at street food rallies and supplying Dante’s Inferno Dogs. She’s planning to hit up Seattle International Beer Fest in July, and does expects to add more outings to her schedule.

If all is right in the world Barnes will deliver on that promise. In the meantime she’s off to Germany and Prague to enjoy herself some pretzels.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Street Food, Seattle Food Trucks, Food Truck Pods, Pretzelwagen

Truck Stop: Diane Skwiercz of Street Treats

“Seriously, I can’t live without sweets,” confesses the owner of the bakery on wheels.

Posted by: Christopher Werner on Feb 14, 2012 at 01:10PM 0 Comments

Diane Skwiercz of Street Treats has more than 40 recipes to her credit.

No surprise here: Diane Skwiercz, owner of Street Treats, is a sucker for sugar. “Seriously, I can’t live without sweets. They’re my daily indulgence. I have at least a few treats every day.”

She’s also big on traveling. “I have a fascination with just exploring,” says Skwiercz, an Issaquah native who has visited around 30 countries. “So a mobile truck was a natural fit.”

In June of 2010 Skwiercz launched her bakery on wheels. She’s since become one of the more active members in the local curbside community. Skwiercz organized the now-defunct Capitol Hill Night Market, and last summer she was a vocal supporter of revising the city’s street food regulations.

Here, Skwiercz pulls over for a few questions.

What items sell out first? Our sweet and savory krispy treat. The coconut brownie, all of our cookie sandwiches (the ones without ice cream), and surprisingly a good old chocolate chip cookie.

What else should I try? Our ice cream. We make it from scratch using eggs, milk, cream, and sugar only. It is super old-fashioned and it’s pretty rare to find this style these days. You can have it by itself, in a build-your-own cookie sandwich, or a root beer float.

Where do your recipes come from? We usually start with an idea, then do our research, and then test, test, test. Most times it takes at least a half dozen times.

Best part of the city relaxing street food regulations: Being able to vend in areas where it was off limits before, ilke the downtown core and the University District.

Biggest four-wheeled misadventure? Our second week in business I didn’t lock the customer service awning. We hit a bump and the awning flew open, hitting a metro bus and slashing the back three windows in the bus. We were vending at a Mariners game that evening and we still made it, but lesson learned.

When I’m not in my truck you can find me eating at… Home, I really enjoy cooking. I like trading food [with other trucks], it’s the luxury of the job! And my new favorite is Chino’s on Capitol Hill.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Desserts, Street Food, Seattle Food Trucks, Truck Stop, Food Truck Pods, Street Treats, February Food Truck News

Restaurant Shifts and Shakeups

This week: Spring Hill surprised Seattle with a concept overhaul, Microsoft became home to the newest food truck pod, and Seattle Pie Company announced their move from Magnolia to a pie-boat on South Lake Union

Posted by: Anne Larkin on Feb 03, 2012 at 01:00PM 0 Comments

Seattle Pie Company is moving…to a pie boat. Photo courtesy of their website.

OPENINGS

Eat Local
Queen Anne’s prepared foods purveyor is opening a second shop in the Joule building on Broadway, according to the CHS blog. This shop will be larger than the original Queen Anne location, with a broader selection of artisan-y handmade foods that you can pretend you made yourself.

The Wurst Place
It’s finally opening today, beer and sausage lovers rejoice.

Lunchbox Laboratory
Puget Sound Business Journal reports that the Bellevue outpost of the gonzo Seattle burger shop is opening this Saturday. From that day on the location will be providing its famous giant gourmet burgers every day from 11 to 11.

Mestizo Tequila Ultra Lounge and Grill
In Belltown, what used to be Twist Restaurant and Lounge is becoming Mestizo Tequila Ultra Lounge and Grill, a lounge complete with more than 200 types of tequila, says Eater Seattle.

Microsoft Food Truck Pod
The Microsoft campus is now home to a fleet of food trucks: Where Ya At Matt, Street Treats, and the new Portland-transplant Happy Grillmore, to name just a few, are all moving east for lunch.

Restaurant Zoe
The new home in Capitol Hill is almost ready —there’s hopes to be hosting diners by Valentine’s Day. Though owners Scott and Heather Staples are bringing along most of the staff from the original Belltown location, pretty much everything else will change: menu, logo, prices. Plus they’ve got plans for a deck, kitchen garden, and even rooftop bees.

CLOSINGS

Greenwood Market
Greenwood Market is closing on Saturday, making room for nearby Fred Meyer to expand. Phinneywood reports that as the store’s inventory winds down, there’s lots of Gefilte Fish up for grabs.

Seattle Pie Company
Magnolia Voice reports that the neighborhood is losing Seattle Pie Company. The beloved pie shop is moving to South Lake Union and setting up shop on a boat, making the establishment Seattle’s first floating pie company.

SHIFT CHANGES

Cicchetti
Eastlake’s small plate drinkery has a new bartender, Kate Perry of Tango.

REVAMPS

Ma’ono Fried Chicken and Whisky
Spring Hill surprised us all on Tuesday with news of its pending transformation February 8 they’ll become Ma’ono Fried Chicken and Whisky, with a Hawaiian-inspired menu centered on shared fried chicken dinners. We’re excited.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Pie, Burgers, Spring Hill, Fried Chicken, Seattle Food Trucks, Shift Change, Food Truck Pods, Ma'Ono Fried Chicken and Whisky

New Pod Alert: Microsoft Campus

The Eastside finally gets more food truck action.

Posted by: Christopher Werner on Jan 31, 2012 at 11:29AM 0 Comments

Take note, Microsofties: a Street Treats ice cream sandwich makes for an ideal midday snack. Photo courtesy Street Treats.

Food trucks have largely stuck to Seattle proper, but as of late last week the Eastside is getting a slice of the action.

Renovations of several cafeterias on the Microsoft campus have prompted pods at three locations throughout the Redmond facility. According to a flack for the company, more than a dozen trucks are rotating through the three spots, with at least three operators at each one. It’s an impressive roster, with the likes of Where Ya At Matt, Bigfood, and Street Treats, to single out a few.

This all happens on weekdays at lunchtime and is expected to continue for four months. The pods are open to the public, but the rep hastened to say the trucks are primarily intended to serve Microsofties.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Street Food, Seattle Food Trucks, Food Truck Pods, Street Treats

New Pod Alert: Fremont Sunday Market

Plus other notable developments in the world of street food.

Posted by: Christopher Werner on Jan 17, 2012 at 02:03PM 0 Comments

Like this but with food trucks. Photo courtesy Fremont Sunday Market.

The same folks putting on the Mobile Food Rodeo are corralling trucks for a new pod at the Fremont Sunday Market. Up to ten of them will park there from 11 to 4 starting February 19. For now it’s a monthly thing but “will become weekly as the weather improves,” according to event manager Danniel Linn.

Linn and fellow organizers are busy getting a contingent together for other happenings including Fremont Outdoor Movies. Pod “pop-ups” are in the pipeline for Pioneer Square this summer, Linn added. Of course the Rodeo, with its 35 trucks, booze garden, and whatnot, is the granddaddy of their events, and two of them are planned for 2012. Linn divulged the first one will take place April 28 at 3501 Phinney Ave North. The second Rodeo is happening September 15 but a location is still up in the air. (It’s looking like somewhere in South Lake Union.)

Full disclosure: Seattle Met sponsored Mobile Food Rodeo 2011.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Street Food, Seattle Food Trucks, Food Truck Pods, Mobile Food Rodeo

In Interbay, a New Street Food Pod

Another troop of trucks plan to unite.

Posted by: Christopher Werner on Dec 12, 2011 at 03:00PM 0 Comments

Photo courtesy Buns on Wheels.

It appears another street food pod is happening, this one in Interbay at 15th and Boston.

According to interbayeats.com, ten trucks are on board, though so far only Buns on Wheels is committed. (Find the burger mobile there on Thursdays 11–2.)

Should the pod take off it promises an abundance of excellent eats from the likes of Bigfood, Skillet, Raney Bros BBQ, and Snout and Co., to single out a few.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Street Food, Seattle Food Trucks, Food Truck Pods

Wallingford’s Street Food Pod

Quite a few vendors are on board.

Posted by: Christopher Werner on Sep 30, 2011 at 07:35AM 0 Comments

Parfait parks on 45th and Corliss Wednesday evenings.

A welcome happening north of Ship Canal: MyWallingford and King 5 report a street food pod is in full swing on North 45th and Corliss. Among the vendors are several newcomers—Bigfood, Raney Brothers BBQ, Snout & Co—alongside old hands Street Treats, Here and There, Buns, Curry Now!, Fusion on the Run, and Parfait. Check out walllingfordeats.com for schedule details, and know several of the above four-wheelers are yet to debut.

As for the Capitol Hill pod that flamed out shortly after its debut but organizers said would resurface: still no developments. Diane Skwiercz of Street Treats says she’s “waiting to hear back from some folks and trying to figure out our new fall and winter schedule.” Still, she’s hopeful “something comes through.”

Add a Comment »

Tags: Street Food, Food Truck Pods, Street Treats