I ate at Guadalajara when it was a dive bar and got the only vegetarian thing on the menu- refried beans that, when served, still had the can ripples on the side. The place was converted into a family Mexican restaurant with glass and wood carved tables, giving birth soon after to Selena’s Guadalajara. Selena’s had some staying power and the transgender waitress was phenomenal, but it wasn’t great food and towards the end it got empty and sad. I kept hoping it would be taken over by Rosita’s.
Casa Azul stepped in and seemed to have good food but I think the idea of a Mexican restaurant in that space had been tarnished by the versions of Guadalajara that preceded it. No foodie was going to venture in there. Patty’s Eggnest never seemed to get traction either, plus they suffered from mixed reviews.
We’ve been 3 times to Pam’s Kitchen since it opened, even though as vegetarians that’s meant getting the same thing each time. I still can’t decide if the place is worth going to, yet I keep going back. It’s a happy place that is comfortably full, has good music, and has addictive spice. The food is like Ethiopian but with Indian style breads. For a fun outing it naturally pops up. On the flip side, the food and drinks are overpriced, so if you want a great ginger beer with rum you need to reconcile yourself with paying $9 for a tiny glass of it.
In other restaurant news, Mr Gyros was supposed to open on Monday of this week but was closed as of noon on Monday, so I couldn’t check it out. I’ve been missing falafel sandwiches ever since the Golden Olive left.
Also, a few local restaurants are taking part in “Seattle Restaurant Week” over the next 2 weeks, Monday through Thursday. They serve 3 course dinners for $30: Kisaku, Miyabi, Tilth, and Yoroshiku, with Miyabi and Yoroshiku also offering $15 2 course lunches.
Finally, Wallyhood could really use a restaurant critic with a tart tongue, please let me know if you’re interested. While I could write up a whole book on the ethics of different food choices (fun!), when it comes to how things taste I just want to say “good” or “not good”. Maybe you can do better?
(Note: for tech issues, please email [email protected]. Tech support comments on this post have been deleted since they don’t belong to this article)
Hi Eric, I’ll have to admit some bias here, Pam’s has been my place to go when I want a taste of home without having to cook for myself. I selfishly want them to stick around so that I can always get my fix. Since I can’t single-handedly keep them in business (although I try), I mention them to almost everyone who will listen. Most of the people I’ve brought to have dinner there have loved it, and if they didn’t, I judged them harshly (I’m kidding…mostly).
I can appreciate though that vegetarians don’t have as wide a selection; did you try just the channa and aloo or did you get the veggie combo? The additional veggie sides in the combo are seasonal so this entree changes somewhat-look out for the curried pumpkin in the Fall! You might also try the aloo pies and the callaloo. I tend to always get the curry myself (sometimes the veggie, sometimes a meat option). The last time I was in, Pam also mentioned her plans for other dishes during lunch and some of these would be veggie-friendly as well-just something to look out for.
Hi Dara! I got the veggie combo, which includes the channa, so it’s really their entire vegetarian menu. The food is good, but again you go to an Ethiopian Restaurant and there’s a whole lot more bang for your buck and you’re talking about similar ingredients. Their food is a like a cross between Indian and Ethiopian I think. La Isla in Ballard is Puerto Rican and also has some cross over, like offering plantains, try them if you haven’t!
Pam’s is worth a try. I would skip the expensive drinks. They are expanding the menu as they get going. This place was not cursed for many years. I think Pam’s could work; family run. Spicy food with a good mix of vegs. and meats. Soon goat curry!
We liked the fried plantains, chicken w/salad and rice mixture.
Just had a beef gyro at Mr Gyros. They opened about an hour ago. Yum!
For omnivores who have eaten at Pam’s: what would you recommend from the menu that isn’t veggie? (I.e.: with meat.)
Hi Ffej,
I’d say get one of the entrees with the curried meats with roti. I tend to like getting the paratha roti, unless I want to have the stew wrapped (so it’s almost like a burrito, but not cylindrical), then I go with the dhalpouri.
Pam’s fanboy here. My family and I went to the UW location for years and were thrilled when they moved mere blocks from us.
That being said, being veg, you are missing most of the best plates they offer. The goat, chicken, etc., are some of the tastiest things on the menu and in Seattle. Good on you for going.
Re: the curse – there’s no curse. Multiple bad restaurants have opened up there. Pam’s is a great restaurant and should do fine.
Finally, I’d say the menu price is more reflective of the cost of commercial space in Seattle. It’s so expensive that I’ve noticed menu prices everywhere going up.
My $0.02 anyway.
If we’re talking about Caribbean options as far away as Ballard, I can recommend Bongo’s, across Aurora from Green Lake. Not much more options for vegetarians, but for lunch the black bean burger is quite good, and the plantain “maduros” are fabulous. I mean, really worth going there just to have tasted that.
We also had the veggie combo at Pam’s. It was pretty good food. A pile of potatoes and garbanzo beans can be surprisingly tasty with that sauce or gravy (I did wonder whether it really might have been a chicken base or something, but didn’t ask.) The (non-alcoholic) ginger beer was great, gingery enough to be rather spicy. But the combination did add up to kind of a lot of money for what you get, and I guess we won’t be regular patrons for economic considerations.
As to whether there’s a curse – re #8 – you say “there’s no curse”, and then go on to bring up the cost of commercial space. Of course, curses are technically supernatural effects, so in that sense there sure isn’t any such thing, but on a practical level, it seems to me you might have put your finger right on it.
A favorite pastime is watching the reviews come in for all businesses on Yelp. I notice a great many of the reviews that come in complain about things being overpriced. It makes me wonder if we collectively as a city aren’t really acknowledging the reality of inflation. When TNT opened (btw I love TNT) many people wrote in to say they didn’t think it was a very good value and compared it to Rancho Bravo. But of course a taco truck with a ratty plastic tent over the eating area is going to be cheaper than a sit-down restaurant with nice decor.
But I digress. I love Pam’s and as a vegetarian, I just fill up on the side dishes. Callaloo, string beans, pumpkin. Yum.
Ate at Mr Gyros tonight and was disappointed. As someone who spent my formative years in Southern Europe/Near East/Middle East, I really wanted to love this place. Granted it was the first day. I had a Gyros Combo meal. Gyros meat looked and tasted like it had been cooking for a week….but this was the first day! The gyros was Greek style with Taziki sauce (sp?) cucumbers, onions and tomatoes. It came with fries and a drink. The fries were some of the best in Seattle. I would go back just for the fries, but there weren’t very many of them. Fries come with goat cheese on them which may sound weird but was surprisingly good. Gyros, fries and a can of soda was just under $10 and filled me up completely. Staff were Hispanic and fully focused on learning their jobs. One of the owners was on hand and was friendly and cordial and only one speaking. My hope is that it will get better with time. It certainly has a great reputation. My opinion is that it has quite a way to go to match Aladin on the Ave.
Loved Pam’s Kitchen when it was in the U District and I’m so glad it is here in Wallingford. For meat go with the lamb, but the vegie options are also amazing. Yummy!
I’ve been and really enjoyed the food. I had the Chicken Curry Roti and thought it was great. The ginger beer (non-alcoholic) was also very nice – very gingery. I thought the prices were reasonable – particularly for the food. I’m definitely planning to go back in the future.
Where the heck is this Mr. Gyros anyway? I can’t find any information on it’s location.
Jeff: See today’s post on Mr Gyros, it’s across from Jiffy Lube.
North side of 45th between Latona and Thackery
You forgot about the two months that Salut was there… I think they were only open for two weeks though (http://www.yelp.com/biz/salut-bistro-seattle). I’ve lived in wallingford for just about a year and already seen three tenants in that space!
Hi Eric, I have a tart tongue. I’d love to help out.
We finally had dinner at Pam’s. The Curse will continue.
Dinner was a disaster, we will never return.
1. They have only 10 Entree’s, and of those, two were not available
2. Out of beer, both on tap, and zero bottles
3. My entree the Callaloo came out tepid, to cold. Really. I told the waiter I couldn’t eat a cold dish so he took it back. Then what did I hear from the kitchen? “DING!” My Microwaved Dinner was ready. Further insult, it was STILL COLD
4. What’s up with the walls? No art, no decoration, nothing except for a few undersized pictures. The whole restaurant looks like they are expecting it to fail so they didn’t decorate.
5. Dark
6. Empty. There was only one other party when we arrived at 6pm
7. Servers were unengaged, not friendly. Not that they were rude, but not engaged at all in hoping we would have a nice meal.
8. The owner came out from the back and proceeded to walk around the restaurant eating what looks to be some sort of dessert from a dish. That a big No-No in the restaurant world, never have staff snacking in the dining room walking around.
9. Horribly overpriced. My wife’s entree was $20, and my children’s (which we split) was $15. We ordered a side of bread because I couldn’t eat my entree (which they charged me for, and for which I then politely refused to pay for).
Total was $50 including 15% gratuity (I didn’t want to stiff the help for being ignorant) for two entrees and a side of bread, NO drinks.
Seriously? Who thinks this place will last?
So, I get that there were problems, in varying degrees of importance – some of them kind of predictable for a place that, for example, just started serving alcohol within the last couple weeks – but disaster? If that’s for real, then please let us know when you’re about to visit a local restaurant, so we can stay away.
I’d call that a disaster.
They had one job, which they failed at – deliver an enjoyable meal. That’s what a restaurant is there for.
You get one shot at a new customer, and the management/ownership should do everything they can to establish credibility from the get-go.
Well, no, #22, that’s not necessarily true, or rather, not true for everybody, though I can see that it’s your value.
Restaurants often need some time to get things settled in. Condemning them for failing their “one shot”? They’re our new neighbors. I, for one, am happy to give them a couple shots. If down the road, it’s not working, that’s fine, I’ll dine elsewhere. But I’m interested to see what happens, and I can be a little bit patient. Welcome to the ‘hood, Pam’s Kitchen!
“Jeff on 48th” — man would I hate to be one of his children.
I think he’ll probably find most people wouldn’t have much interest in being engaged in conversing with someone who has such a dark outlook on things circling his little world of self-importance.
John Boy —
Thank you. My sentiments, exactly.
I cringe to think about the example he was setting for his children in this situation.
Well, you can’t tell from their reviews how people actually behave. What you see here in the comments section is more about how people behave when they’re sitting at their computers.
Whether or not you consider it a curse, the size of that space is a genuine problem and it seems likely to sink Pam’s. A venue that big needs a “destination restaurant” that will draw customers from all over the city, and Pam’s doesn’t fit that description.
We ate there this week. The food was OK, and if the prices were 1/3 lower we’d probably go back after they’ve worked out some the new-restaurant kinks. But it’s just too expensive. As we sat there I couldn’t help thinking that we were being asked, as sort of a gesture of good will, to pay the rent on all of the empty tables that surrounded us. If Pam’s occupied a space the size of Sea Thai it would have the potential to become a neighborhood fixture. It’s hard to see that happening in the current location.
Don’t be a “Jeff on 48th” hater just because I stated the experience I had.
My father owned and operated some of the very finest restaurants in Seattle, Palomino, Palisade, Cutters, the Cinnabon chain, etc. I was raised in the restaurant businesses and truly understand the “opening jitters” when a restaurant opens. Stuff can happen, I get it.
This was NOT a case of some opening problems, but a systematic failure of management to:
a. Ensure the food and beverages on menu was actually available
b. Have engaging wait staff
c. Serve food at proper temperature
Uh, if you can’t get those basics right, you have no business being in the restaurant business (and won’t after a while).
Did I mention they really did put my Callaloo into the Microwave?? 🙂
So your Dad is responsible for those evil zeppelins of Satanic deliciousness (Cinnabons), lol…?!
Yeah, and to show that God has a sense of humor, I’m lactose intolerant!
Welcome to Wallyhood. Where armchair restaurateurs await the opportunity to dance your grave. After fully qualifying their credentials of course.
Impliedobserver, that was hilarious!
OK, OK, I admit my expectations are higher than most people’s, having been raised in a foodie family, but please don’t shoot the messenger.
I do wish I’d had a good experience at Pam’s, as I’m getting tired of Thai food (If that’s even possible!) and am hoping another ethnic (Korean Please!) option comes to our neighborhood.
Jeff on 48th = Jeff Lindstrom?
Nobody is saying Cinnabon isn’t successful, but they surely didn’t get there by following your A,B,C’s of systematic success.
Well, I like to think I had a hand (and now-generous hippage) in Cinnabon’s success and I definitely wouldn’t have if they’d warmed the dadgum things up in a microwave! And they’re always nice, damn them. And, unfortunately, they ALWAYS have the bloody things in stock, fresh out of the non-microwave oven. Sounds like those particular ABCs have been systematically successful. Now, if I could just convince myself a rice cake holds the same allure…
John Boy = Blowing my cover
Hello Wallywood 🙂
Firstly many gracious thanks to those who have come in and patronized our business this last month and a half. Thank you to those that have supported us during the build process and while we cleaned the place and added our touches. Thank you to those who welcomed and continue to welcome us to the neighborhood. And to those that have followed us for all those years in the University District and still showing up here in Wallingford. We almost ended up in Fremont. Sheesh!!!
We would have never left the University District. After many awesome memories there the building is old and will be demolished to be rebuilt some time this year. Very good news for that area. The owners were always good to us and we in turn did the best to upkeep our small corner of 50th. Our decision to close that shop was heart felt as we truly bled and sweat our days and years there making it the best we could. But it was eventual.
If there really is a curse on this space I wouldn’t say it affects us. No business can survive without the support of their patrons and we have the best customers Seatte has to offer. And in turn we will make this place successful for many years to come. Thanks Jeff
Went once. I was biased because it was a Carribean joint, expecting a 2 hour wait. Well, surprise surprise, it took an hour for the apps to arrive and another hour for the entrees to come and mine was cold. My wife loved hers, but my son and I were like “never again.”
I’m getting a feeling here there are trolls in Wallingford. Chris you are sir are not speaking truth. We crank food out of that kitchen. Ever since Jeffs review I personally (Anton) have been on top of all the points he made. I would not tolerate my staff sending you out for cold not an hour late. I’ve been on that floor setting the paste front to back. I dare say you never brought any of your issues to light with a server! This is basic communication on your part. After all we are imperfect humans attempting to give you perfect service and how can we do so if you can oblige us with communication? I honestly cannot believe your review of our business as you said it. You came in biased. Unamused this morning.
Mobile texting apologize for the grammar. Please folks introduce yourselves meet our staff say hello make verbal suggestions.
I came in during the soft launch — no liquor license yet. Party of 6. It took that long. If I wait that long for my food I’m not going to say anything about it being cold, I’m just going to eat it and leave. My wife loved it and I wish you every success. The appetizer was delicious.
Hi Anton,
Good for you for jumping into the fray here.
My son and I visited last night and had a lovely time. Our appetizer of Aloo Pies was delicious. Spicy, but delicious. His paratha lamb was fan-freakin’-tastic. I had a rum punch, which was great.
The only down side was my Pelau. It was absolutely delicious, tender chicken, great spices, but waaaaay overcooked. No semblance of rice left. I still ate it, and had the left overs for breakfast this morning because the flavor was that good, but I knew it shouldn’t have been like mush. I assumed whoever was in charge of that dish just took their eye off the ball, so I’ll give it a pass this time. And we’ll absolutely be back to try some more stuff, but that’s something to watch.
One suggestion though, get some more beer. We love our craft beer in Seattle, so having several local options is a must in a restaurant these days. Heck, Fremont is a half mile away, go down and get a couple kegs. 🙂
Thanks for the good meal, and good luck!
Anton,
I did politely bring my cold Callaloo to the young male servers attention, which is when they brought it back to the kitchen. Then when it came back cold again, I told the server to please just remove it. He did and apologized. However, when it showed up on the bill I had to ask him to remove it. That was surprising.
He wasn’t rude, just not concerned enough to offer something else nor remove it from the bill.
Notice I did not stiff the staff, nor show my frustration in person.
Glad to see you are responding to concerns and doing some coaching. That’s great community engagement and I hope it has positive results.
Hi neighbors,
thank you for the constructive responses. It really is helpful!
My biggest issue at present is getting the right folks staffed here. But Im on it. I am hiring servers and kitchen aids at present. Locals are highly recommended to apply. Of the 10 staff members we have currently 7 are local Wallyhooders 😉
We finally got our liquor license so I’m hard at it to come up with a cocktail menu. Fresh Tropical drinks as you wish.
The feedback so far is well appreciated.
I need some of your input in regards to Tap Beers. What do you guys want me to put on tap from our local brewers? I have 2 very light crisp beers at present but have room for 4 more taps. Stella and Landshark Lager. Fire away guys/gals!
Plans to do late night “lounge” live music and our “cutters” menu which is our happy hour menu. This will take time to develop. For those who want quality even at the late our in terms of food and the bonus live local music.
Again thank you. I will keep up with this page.
For me, Stella and Landshark are dive beer, not much different from PBR. I’m not going to recommend anything specific, rather I’d frankly suggest that you keep an eye on some other establishments and just imitate, until you have someone on staff who knows what’s up. If you’re shooting for something like a dozen taps with some rapidly rotating sort of connoisseur options, the Park Pub on Phinney might be a good example – they have Stella, and Rainier, and perennials like Mac & Jack’s, but also some interesting things that your beer fans will be looking forward to trying. If it’s more like, let’s have a couple beers in case someone isn’t up for rum punch, Tutta Bella around the corner seems to have settled on Fremont Brewing’s IPA for their tap choice, you could do worse.
Just out of curiosity, I checked for top rated Jamaican beer. The top 5 were stouts, (and the sixth was a low-alcohol.) My hunch is that Red Stripe, Medalla and stuff like that tastes good when you’re down there, but sitting in a dark, cool, north facing restaurant on a cold grey Seattle day they’re not the thing at all. I’m not suggesting that the stouts would work here, either, really – go ahead and bring in a stout, that’s a great idea, but something local like Pike Brewing.
Mixed drinks are different, no critical reception here. I’m always hoping someone will bring back what I understand to be the original daiquirí, over cracked ice. But if the daiquirí must be blended, then a caipirinha is about the same thing, with the limes more tangible and cachaça for rum. Do like Pecado Bueno over on Fremont, pick something to make in bulk and charge $3 for a modest size drink. They do not have much of an empty restaurant problem.