September 29: Great State Burger

(No photos for this one -- I started eating and by then, it was too messy to shoot.)

I ran to Uwajimaya in search of a strange exotic recipe ingredient (Australian finger limes), but struck out. For lunch, I could re-do Aloha Plates (mmm... Spam...), try Cheese Meats Bread (grilled cheese did sound good) or try Great State Burger, which I've heard good things about. It's burger time!

Sure, I thought Ivar's was pricey yesterday, but these burgers are priced like I'm in a theme park or a tourist center. Granted, you're paying for the organic, grass-fed, humanely treated cow that's given to you between a couple of buns, so at least I felt better doing it.

I'd considered a double bacon burger, milkshake, and fries, but at $5.50 for the shake, I decided to stick with the fountain Jones root beer. Maybe I mumbled, but the bacon didn't make it into the order.

They handed me a buzzer, and I briefly shared a table in the crowded restaurant with another solo diner. Bzzz. I got my tray, sat back down, removed the burger from its wrap, and had a bite.

That's a tasty happy cow. A little grease and a little "state sauce" dripped into the tray, but the crisp crinkle-cut fries were happy to scoop it up. It's a really good burger and fries. For that price, it ought to be.

Great State Burger
504 5th Ave S.
Double burger combo (fries and a drink), $16.24

Menu from Great State's web site. Don't do the math on the combos.

September 28: Ivar's Fish Bar

I'm not gonna miss that viaduct.

I went out wandering today, maybe Ferry Noodle House? Once I got there, I just wasn't feeling it, so walked past it, out to the waterfront, and turned north. Ivar's! It's a chain, sure, and there's one near my house, but fish and chips sounded good. Maybe I'd feed a french fry to a seagull, like you do.

It was OK. Nothing special. The fish was firm and hot; I singed the roof of my mouth a little. The fries were a little floppy. I added on some clam chowder; good, but not great.

The big downside? The price. I know their Acres of Clams location next door is slightly more upscale than this order-at-the-counter and eat-in-the-shelter spot, but $18.21 for this? Safe yourself $5 and trek up to Jack's Fish Spot instead.

Ivar's Fish Bar
Pier 54 (just north of the ferry terminal)
3-piece fish and chips, cup of chowder, diet coke, $18.21

Feed the seagulls, Ivar!...

...but not on the patio.

Morimoto opening new ramen joint in International District, 2019

Well this is exciting! Chef Masaharu Mirimoto is opening Momosan Ramen and Sake in the international district next year. You might know Chef Morimoto from Iron Chef, but aside from his celebrity status, he’s actually a great chef (unlike some... I’m looking at you Guy Fieri).  Im most familiar with his eponymous restaurant at MGM Grand Las Vegas, which gets consistently stellar reviews. This may be my most anticipated opening of 2019.

More details at Celebrity Chef Morimoto’s NYC Ramen Restaurant Is Coming to Seattle (Eater.com).