Seattle’s 10 Largest Restaurant Tales of 2024

What a yr it has been. It’s inconceivable to adequately summarize the highs and lows of 2024, however there’s one thing cathartic about re-engaging with the tales that basically grabbed our readers and captured the temper of the final 12 months in Seattle. From the saddest closures to the triumphs of a solo deliveryman stickin’ it to the apps, these have been the largest moments in Seattle meals information this yr.

Disgrace on us for considering the Barbie bump was over post-Barbenheimer Summer season 2023. Seattle’s adorned restaurant establishment Canlis proved that odes to the Mattel model proceed to seize consideration even a yr later, when in July the entire restaurant was repainted Barbie pink to rework into “Kenlis” for a a doll-themed two-day celebration in August. Naturally, it bought out.

There’s nothing extra healthful within the face of late-stage capitalism than watching a man like Tony Illes rise within the supply wars towards the likes of DoorDash and Uber Eats. Illes made a reputation for himself by charging a flat supply charge, competing with the excessive prices of opponents that hiked charges in response to Seattle requirements for minimal wage employees on the app. We salute you, Tony Delivers.

This story’s outsized impression merely scrapes the floor of what Howdy Bagel co-owner Jake Carter meant to the broader neighborhood. Carter was tragically killed whereas touring in New Orleans in January. The Tacoma restaurant, which is understood to attract lengthy strains, reopened in February with buddies and followers of the store paying tribute to Carter within the type of hand-written notes.

In August, Eater Seattle editor Harry Cheadle reported on the exception to Seattle’s minimal wage legislation that allowed small companies to offer tipped employees a decrease base pay price than non-tipped employees. Permitting the exemption to run out will possible put a squeeze on many eating places within the metropolis subsequent yr and maybe result in broader modifications comparable to elevated use of service charges. In October, elected officers confirmed that they’d enable the tipped credit score exemption to run out as deliberate. Hourly employees in all companies, tipped or not, can be paid $20.76 come 2025.

Seattle celebrated its 2024 crop of James Beard Award semifinalists in January. Included among the many ranks have been Quynh-Vy and Yenvy Pham of Pho Bac, the Boat, and Phocific Customary Time; Aaron Verzosa of Archipelago; the Walrus and the Carpenter; Jenet Becerra of Pancita; Ben Campbell of Ben’s Bread Co.; and Eight Row. They have been joined by Kristi Brown of Communion, Grayson Corrales of MariPili Tapas Bar, Evan Leichtling of Off Alley, Melissa Miranda of Musang, Avery Adams of Orcas Island’s Matia Kitchen, and Derek Bray on the Desk in Tacoma — all of whom have been into account for the Greatest Chef: Northwest and Pacific class. Finally, the area walked away empty-handed.

Construct-your-own pizza chain Mod Pizza obtained its begin in Seattle and has expanded to tons of of areas since then, however currently, it’s fallen on laborious instances. In what’s been characterised as a transfer to avert chapter, Mod bought to Elite Restaurant Group in July.

Cupcake Royale

The early aughts development in cupcake retailers managed to maintain in Seattle for many years beneath Cupcake Royale. The model based by Jody Corridor opened in 2003 on the forefront of the cupcake craze within the PNW. However, like so many issues harmed by the pandemic, Corridor introduced that Cupcake Royale can be shutting down its cafes to concentrate on supply and pickup service.

Seattle misplaced quite a lot of nice eating places and bars this yr — we’re you ʔálʔal Cafe, Two Doorways Down, Coastal Kitchen, that one bizarre Taco Time — however some damage greater than others and for Eater Seattle readers, dry-aged burger favourite forty ninth Road Beast was deeply mourned. The restaurant closed on July 28 inside Honest Island Brewing.

In brighter burger information, Familyfriend completely captivated diners this yr with its smash-hit Kewpie burger — a dish so good it earned an Eater Award. Eater Seattle’s piece on the dramatic rise of Familyfriend on TikTok revealed much more about this Guamian gamechanger, which (by the way in which) has far more than burgers to supply.

Phrase of Andrew Rubinstein’s forthcoming bagel store delighted followers all through the Seattle space after he bought his namesake store Rubinstein Bagels to restaurateur Ethan Stowell. Rubinstein’s new enterprise, Hey Bagel, is slated to open any day now in College Village and you possibly can reduce the anticipation with a bread knife.