Reader Recommendation Requests: Teeth, eyes, cars

All recommendations in the comments, please:

Danielle is looking for a “nice dentist” in West Seattle who is in the Delta Dental Care PPO.

Cleat is looking for an eye doctor recommendation, VSP insurance, “who would be the right one for someone who is diabetic and has skin allergies around the eyes … and has had 5 refractions w/o success in getting an exam that produces eyeglasses which give good vision!”

Sandra is looking for a “reputable mechanic” in WS for the once-over on a vehicle she’s buying.

58 Replies to "Reader Recommendation Requests: Teeth, eyes, cars"

  • Venkat October 16, 2007 (10:45 pm)

    On dentists you can’t go wrong with the Vellings on Roxbury.

    If you have a Volvo or European car, the place on 35th (Swedish Automotive) is awesome.

  • Lisa October 16, 2007 (10:50 pm)

    *Not quite West Seattle….Spencer Automotive in White Center

  • que October 16, 2007 (11:31 pm)

    Also not quite WS, Master’s Auto on 16th in White Center, across from the Albertson’s. We have been taking our cars there for 10 years and I LOVE them. Reasonably priced and incredibly honest and kind.

  • que October 16, 2007 (11:33 pm)

    Oh, and as for dentists, Dr Nakagawa on 42nd in the Medical Dental building near Jefferson Square is also terrific (though I don’t know about the insurance stuff)

  • grr October 16, 2007 (11:35 pm)

    No doubt..take your car to Tom’s Automotive behind Alki Lumber.

  • Bonnie October 16, 2007 (11:35 pm)

    I think Dere Automotive on 35th & Barton is great and reputable. aka, they won’t rip you off. Their number is 206-937-6994

  • bee October 17, 2007 (12:33 am)

    disagree with Nakagawa for a dentist reccomendation. Pick another!

  • jack October 17, 2007 (4:06 am)

    Dentist:
    Dr Chellis is the best. Great care, very pleasant and professional staff. They are in the building on Admiral (IIRC) next to Jefferson square.

    Eye doctor: West Seattle Optix. A few doors down from Easy Street Records.

  • Barbara October 17, 2007 (4:09 am)

    For a dentist, Dr. Naden on Admiral right by Metropolitan Market. I’ve been going there for about 4 years and they are the best. Dr. Naden and the whole staff are great.

  • Renaissance_Red October 17, 2007 (5:14 am)

    Tom’s Automotive has been very good to me. They keep you informed, have costs ready and seem to really care, their customer service is awesome!

  • John Commeree October 17, 2007 (6:06 am)

    Foreign Car Workshop of West Seattle, 4601 37th SW, 938-3972 – next to Doyle’s – worked on my cars for over twenty years – oil changes to engine rebuild – despite the name they work on almost all makes – Consumer Checkbook customer survey places them high in quality and reasonable in price

  • TD October 17, 2007 (6:28 am)

    Dr William Raleigh on California – best dentist
    935-5210 – for adults and kids

  • Melissa October 17, 2007 (6:29 am)

    Dr. Wolfe for a dentist – corner of California and Genesee. VERY gentle, great staff. http://www.westseattledentist.com I’ve moved a bunch and this is by far the best dentist I’ve seen.

  • Teresa P October 17, 2007 (8:32 am)

    Complete Auto Care on 35th and Holden.

    Finding a mechanic you can trust is truly comforting amd the owner Ben is just that: trustworthy and a great mechanic. He even picked me up at home and brought me back to his shop after staying late one evening working on my truck. Can’t beat that for great customer service.

  • m October 17, 2007 (8:44 am)

    Dr. Paul Smits on Cali between Morgan and Alaska Junctions. Super friendly staff, and they have early morning (7am) appointments. I have Delta Dental insurance and have never had a problem with billing or anything like that.

  • Sue October 17, 2007 (9:08 am)

    For an eye doctor, I highly recommend Aaron Weingeist at West Seattle-Highline Eye Clinic at Westwood Village (near Staples). 206-937-9600
    Dr. Weingeist is an opthamologist and I have very complicated issues with my vision, prisms in my glasses, and he’s able to work well with me where others have not. And they do take VSP insurance.

  • Charla Mustard-Foote October 17, 2007 (9:15 am)

    I definitely second the recommendations for Tom’s. They’re honest and predictable and I haven’t seen that in a while.

    And now for something completely different, any recommendations for cat groomers who make housecalls and gardener/clean-up folks???

    thx

    c

  • Frank October 17, 2007 (9:27 am)

    TOTALLY agree with the first poster for dentists. The Vellings can’t be beat.

    Two brothers, and a sister; Mike, Jerry and Molly are the heart of the practice that was once run by their father.

    The staff is friendly and courteous.

    After 22 years of using US Navy dentists I had to find a dentist that took Delta Dental and they were my FIRST choice.

    Frank

  • Frank October 17, 2007 (9:30 am)

    One more on dentists, if you need a dentist for kids…Christine Tweedy is the best. My kids love going to see her for check ups!!

    Frank

  • Ron Burgundy October 17, 2007 (9:31 am)

    Sandra, I recommend Doyle’s Automotive, up the street from the WS YMCA. Family owned and operated for years, they’re the best!

  • Michelle October 17, 2007 (10:50 am)

    I 2nd Doyle’s. I’ve used them for over ten years and never had a problem. Very nice people!

  • flipjack October 17, 2007 (11:14 am)

    Sure take your car to Tom’s UNLESS you are a woman without the oversight of a man. Last time I was out of town my wife’s car a Ford Escort had problems, she took it to Tom’s and they absolutely and intentionally overcharged her for the services and took advantage of her situation. I haven’t found a commercial mechanic I can trust yet.
    I drive a VW and have been really dissapointed with Hans VW too.

  • Anna October 17, 2007 (11:33 am)

    I have been going to Dr. Kirschner since I was a wee lass – even when I lived in far away Wallingford.
    4520 42nd Ave SW # 23
    Seattle, WA 98116
    (206) 938-1777

    Foreign Car Workshop is amazing. They are kind and inexpensive and thorough. My entire family uses them and we all have happy, healthy cars.
    4601 37th Ave SW
    Seattle, WA 98126
    (206) 938-3972

  • Kate October 17, 2007 (11:48 am)

    Disagree with Dr. Wolfe. So painful and the staff not so nice.

  • Jessica October 17, 2007 (12:02 pm)

    I totally second Dr William Raleigh on California!
    great dentist and great staff. I’m pretty sure they do Delta Dental.

  • flipjack October 17, 2007 (12:04 pm)

    I’ll second Dr. Kirschner, Nice friendly people. She goes in and gets what’s need done without selling you on cosmetic improvements like teeth whitening. Great place.
    I hesitated to write, just in case Dr. Kirschner would be mortified to know she was working on Flipjack’s teeth.

  • Dis October 17, 2007 (12:38 pm)

    There are two Kirschner dentists in West Seattle. The spellings are slightly different, and one is a man and one is a woman. They are not related. I would recommend against the man William Kirschner. He’s nice enough and competent, but nothing outstanding. Office staff very impatient about payment, even if not late.

  • Dis October 17, 2007 (12:40 pm)

    Oh and we love Barnecuts for routine car maintenance.

  • Jen V. October 17, 2007 (1:05 pm)

    DERE AUTO on 35th & Barton. I cannot recommend them highly enough. The only honest mechanics I have ever met!

  • Jen V. October 17, 2007 (1:06 pm)

    oh, and for the eyes- Dr. Gormley at West Seattle Optix in the junction. I know for sure they accept VSP.

  • Ron Burgundy October 17, 2007 (1:34 pm)

    Steer clear of Alki Dentist. I went there once. They wanted to repair all of my teeth. Said I had “microfractures”. They are in the business of cosmetic dentistry, not keeping your teeth clean.

  • rdm October 17, 2007 (1:48 pm)

    I like Dr Bond for dentist. Nice staff and very gentle. I normally hate the dentist but he and his staff have been great.

  • hopey October 17, 2007 (2:24 pm)

    Another vote for Dr. Christine Kirchner. She’s on Fauntleroy right next to Blockbuster, across from the Thriftway. I agree that she won’t try to sell you on unnecessary products or procedures… but if you want whitening done, they can certainly take care of you very well too. The staff is great, and the receptionist is super friendly.

  • andrea October 17, 2007 (2:28 pm)

    I will 2rd (or is it 3rd?) the recommendation for Dr. Naden on Admiral and 40th. I have gone to them since I was in my baby teeth, and he, his father before him, and his staff are the best around. As for a mechanic, I will 3rd Doyle’s Automotive on 37th up from the YMCA. Its family owned and operated, as well as truthful and hardworking. For years I went to Firestone on California, only to find them charging me (as a female) twice what they were charging my more knowledgable brother! Plus, they found way too many things that needed to be ‘fixed’ to the tune of hundreds of dollars whenever I brought my car in for just an oil change.

  • dlc October 17, 2007 (2:38 pm)

    I second the dentist recommendation for Dr. Naden on Admiral.

  • K October 17, 2007 (3:16 pm)

    We love Dr. Krieger on California…just north of the junction.

  • chas redmond October 17, 2007 (3:24 pm)

    Put me down as another happy Christine Kirchner dental customer, as is my wife and son. Also put me down as a happy Swedish Automotive customer. Even better for me, they’re both in walking distance (Kirchner is right across Fauntleroy from the Thrifway and Swedish Automorive is at top of 35th/Holden hill area).

  • Katherine October 17, 2007 (3:48 pm)

    Charla, for garden and yard work, I can recommend Steve Richmond of Garden Cycles, 650-9807. He’s very ecologically minded, comes to work on a bicycle pulling a cart with his tools. He’s a Plant Steward, interested in native plants. He also works like a dog. No resting on his laurels or anything else while he’s on the clock.

  • bbilly October 17, 2007 (4:02 pm)

    You can’t get better than the guys at Master’s Auto on 16th in White Center.

  • Kathy October 17, 2007 (5:03 pm)

    I disagree about the comments on Tom’s and women. I’m female with minimal knowledge of cars. I’ve received great service there and I trust them. I feel they’ve treated me with respect. They’re patient with my many questions and happy to discuss options on how to deal with issues on my car — unlike many other places where I’ve felt I was being treated like “the little woman” and I didn’t trust a thing that was said. I think Tom’s is great.

  • karen anne October 17, 2007 (5:27 pm)

    As said by other commenters, I really recommend Dere Auto @ Barton and 35th.

  • JE October 17, 2007 (6:19 pm)

    Another not-quite-WS dentist recommendation:
    Dr. Colin Craig in Burien. Excellent, up-to-date, gentle, thorough. And on the Delta Dental network.

  • The House October 17, 2007 (6:24 pm)

    Dentist – Dr. Bond (tiny shopping center on 35th once you’re across the WS Bridge).

    Eyes – West Seattle/Highline Clinic in Westwood Village

    Car – Sell your car and get a new one. Mechanics generally suck.

  • Patty October 17, 2007 (6:29 pm)

    I love George Naden’s DDS practice on Admiral by Metro Market. Very competent staff!

  • Oliver October 17, 2007 (9:03 pm)

    Our whole family (including our toddler) sees Dr. Joon Kae for our dental needs. What I appreciate about Dr. Kae is that he’s honest and takes a reasonable approach. I have found that many dentists take advantage of patients for personal gain and will tell you that you need unnecessary work. That’s definitely not the case with Dr. Kae. He’s also a really nice, local guy with a family here in W.S.
    3255 California Ave SW
    Seattle, WA 98116
    Ph: 206-935-0100

  • Jerald October 17, 2007 (10:30 pm)

    I second the suggestion of Complete Auto Repair, 35th & Holden. We’ve had years of good service there.

    Dr. Jim Dunham at West Seattle Dental Center is great.

  • Elikapeka October 17, 2007 (10:44 pm)

    Another vote for Dr. Christine Kirchner for dental work, but I don’t know if she takes Delta Dental.

  • Nate October 17, 2007 (11:22 pm)

    Comment for WSB:
    Post the reader recommendations as separate posts, makes it easier to find specific recommendations. And while I’m here…
    * Thanks for all the recommendations for dentists. I’m still seeing my childhood dentist in Bellevue — after 12 years of Seattle residency I’m about done with the drive.
    * Swedish Automotive is the place for us Volvo and Saab drivers.
    * I visit West Seattle resident Dr. Adachi at One Union Square downtown for my vision needs. He’s great!

  • Lisa October 18, 2007 (10:53 am)

    Hands down, Dr William Kirschner for a dentist. Not to be mistaken for Christine Kirchner. Dr Bill K. is at 4520 42nd Ave SW. He is conservative with his work and isnt to gung ho with doing unnecessary treatment.

  • wm October 19, 2007 (11:43 pm)

    Foreign Car Workshop get’s my vote, honest and nice folks run the place.

  • hard earned dollars :( October 28, 2007 (11:43 am)

    CLEAT!

    My eye doctor is EXCELLENT! he’s a real MD, a surgeon so he’s VERY experienced. He helped me determine that I was not in fact going to wake up one day and go blind (retinal detachment) and that my issues were normal. The best thing of all his prices are old school inexpensive. NW Eye wanted $450 DOLLARS for an retinal detatchment exam!!! He only charged me $80!!! He’s a very caring person too. I see him for all my eye care needs. he does regular stuff and the scary big stuff too.

    Bensinger Richard MD
    1221 Madison St # 1200
    Seattle, WA 98104
    (206) 292-6427

  • hard earned dollars :( October 28, 2007 (12:03 pm)

    A big NO on the Swedish Automotive. That place is the most expensive Saab place in town. Would not even volunteer that there were other less expensive ways of fixing things (after market parts, etc) I would NOT go there unless you like handing out money like candy.

    For basic things like check up etc I make the extra jaunt to Midas on 23rd & Rainier. They’re prices are unbeatable (half hour of work is like $25.00 or so) and they go out of their way to help you get the best deal/service even if you’re a woman by yourself. Their hourly price is VERY reasonable and sometimes they don’t even charge you for little things — my spoiler was dragging on the freeway (my bad parking abilities) and they charged me nothing to take it off. also they replaced my whole rear wiper arm, which had been obliterated at the admiral chevron car wash, for ZERO dollars. The best thing is they do the work SOOOO Fast! I just drive straight over beacon hill, left by the golf course and down the hill to get to them. For expensive things that they don’t work on (saab), i buy aftermarket parts or used parts and take them to Scanwest. I save big bucks by not buying genuine saab parts and since my car is used, i’m not trying to keep up with the jones’, just want to have a reliable ride.

  • CanucksFan October 29, 2007 (1:31 pm)

    I wouldn’t recommend Tom’s Automotive. I took my vehicle there and was given an estimate. They phoned a few days later and told me the cost would be THREE times that estimate. I phoned around to five other auto shops and was quoted about half of what I was charged at Tom’s. We’re never going back.

  • A.A. October 30, 2007 (1:44 pm)

    I would very much NOT recommend the opthalmologist @ Westwood Village. I have a disease that has, as a component, eye involvement (inflammation) that can be very , very serious. He second-guessed my diagnosis, which has remained over 10 years and multiple specialists, and belittled my treatment plan, which is a very common, but aggressive accepted standard of care.

    When my partner mentioned her eye issues, for which she had vision therapy as a child, he pooh-poohed them and said there was “nothing wrong” with her vision. Without examining. I walked out of there with glasses that are far too weak. He refused to correct me as far as I need because I do computer work. He said I’d previously been overcorrected. A year later, I am still getting headaches from straining to see. My insurance hasn’t rolled over yet, so I feel very “stuck”

    He was demeaning and rude, and refused to shut up and LISTEN.

    For anyone with particular eye care needs over an above a standard exam, I wouldn’t trust him. This was the elder doctor of the father-son team there.

  • Robet December 16, 2007 (8:59 am)

    I am sure the question is answered but I thought I would chime in on a WS dentist. I found this page on Google and ended up selecting Dr. William Raleigh to visit for Dental care. So I thought someone else might find my experience useful.

    I would recommend Dr. Raleigh’s office for your dental care. They were knowledgeable, helpful, and nice. I liked their dental advice and how they advised me on how to best schedule dental care to maximize my insurance benefits.

    They also appear to be very kid friendly. I observed a kid come out looking very happy.

    Anyway, my wife and son will be visiting in the future.

  • jim February 25, 2008 (2:34 pm)

    Dr. Naden on Admiral Way is terrific if you like a low-key, professional, family oriented dentist. I could spend much more money on my teeth but I believe that Dr. Naden guides me to maintaining a healthy set of choppers w/in a reasonable budget. I really appreciate Dr. Naden’s personality but had to try once or twice to get a teeth cleaner who worked well with me.

    Agree that Alki dental may be a terrific place if you want to spend $3,000 (the quote for work on my mouth after my first visit) to “repair” wear that simply exists in every 40 year old mouth. They have terrific high-res cameras that show clearly how worn your teeth are and then schedule a follow-up where you sit in an expensive office to look at the photos and hear a sales pitch for work that will cost thousands despite the fact that three other dentists in West Seattle never recommended such work. Alki dental is a great example of a rock-solid business plan to pay off student loans and generate loads of cash into the future from people who are willing to spend top-dollar for their teeth (possibly w/out any added health benefits though?). This business model probably works great in LA and will find its share of customers in Seattle.

    Similarly, Swedish Automotive provides the right service for folks who want to keep their car running as if it was new for decades, albeit at a cost. They don’t fool around with anything that the Swedes themselves wouldn’t install on the car as it rolled off the assembly line. Their service is friendly, professional and very detail oriented. These folks know how a Volvo should run down to how the door should sound when it is closed and if it doesn’t sound right they’ll let you know why, what the risks are and how much it will cost to repair. If you want a 10 year old Volvo to drive like it was new trust your car to Swedish. If you don’t mind a rattle or two or possibly a less than showroom quality repair at a lower cost then I’m sure there are other places that offer terrific work of that nature.

    Interestingly, I’m willing to pay top-dollar for services that keep my car running in near-perfect condition but am not willing to pay to make my teeth cosmetically perfect. I guess it has to do with functionality.

  • Jennifer March 25, 2008 (4:32 pm)

    CanucksFan had it right. Yes, Tom’s Automotive has friendly staff that listen to you – but I had the exact same experience with the overpricing. We originally took the car in for a radiator leak, were quoted $150 to fix it, then received another call later that day saying the whole thing would need to be replaced and the grand total would be over $800! We phoned around to a couple of other places and were given quotes for less than half that amount. Tom’s obviously thinks they can overcharge you as long as they have a smile on their face and a cheery disposition.
    Rip Off!!!

  • c May 21, 2008 (2:42 pm)

    any suggestions of where to get a radiator replaced in West Seattle that is not overpriced?

Sorry, comment time is over.