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How are things at Zeek's

Started 3 years ago by livingonthebeach
Latest reply from Wes

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livingonthebeach
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Saw a huge line last night, just looking for some feedback. Keep in mind, it was opening night. How varied is the menu (pizza only, or other stuff), atmopshere, pricing, etc?

Posted 3 years ago #
Sue
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I went for lunch today. It was busy, but tables were available. I was disappointed that they don't have slices yet - they said they'd have slices on Monday - wanted to get through the opening weekend first without complicating things with slices. Unfortunately, I was dining alone and didn't want a whole pizza. They did tell me there is a 10" personal pizza that isn't on the menu, and I ordered that. I'm pretty picky about my pizza (when we did the WSB Pizza taste test, my comments were usually the rudest ones :) but I really enjoyed this one.

I took home half the pizza so I could also have the chop salad, and that was really good and fresh tasting with a nice balsamic vinaigrette - I'd definitely go back again. Service was quick, attentive, and waitress was very pleasant. They have quite a variety of different pizzas (I was boring and just got cheese with roasted garlic) - you can see it on their website. Their "signature" (combo) pizzas seem to be $20.95/$23.95 (med/large), and plain cheese looks to be $13.75/$16.95 if that gives you an idea of prices. They also had beer/wine, although I couldn't tell you what kind since I'm not a big drinker and just glanced at it - did look like a few NW microbrews. The take-out menu I have here looks like it's just pizza, salads and breadsticks.

Posted 3 years ago #
add
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Thanks for the great early review Sue! I think I'll wait a week or two before checking it out...

Posted 3 years ago #
Aim
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We ordered for delivery about an hour ago. The kid who called me back to confirm warned me they were totally slammed and were running about 90 minutes for deliveries. he gushed about how fabulous this community is, and how wonderful the WSB is, and how they're a little overwhelmed, but they're NOT out of food, just figuring out how to best make it work in a timely manner right now.

He was as nice as could be, and despite being obviously very busy he took time out to chat with me a bit and make it VERY clear they really appreciate our (my household as well as the collective "we" of WS) business.

I don't mind waiting 90 min for delivery of GREAT pizza, esp with that level of customer service.

Posted 3 years ago #
hopey
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We called to order carry-out last night and were told it would be at least an hour, they were so slammed. I'm not surprised to hear it's about the same tonight.

btw, you can order salads, pizza, drinks, and ice cream for carry-out or delivery online here: http://order.zeekspizza.com
but if you want a half-and-half pizza (we ordered half Wood Butcher and half Cherry Bomb) you need to call it in.

Posted 3 years ago #
Bonnie
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I can't wait to try it.

Posted 3 years ago #
menolikey
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Too bad they didn't make better plans for the amount of business they generated by the coupons and advertising for their west seattle opening. We called to order delivery tonight, but were told it would be 1.5 hours to get a pizza. That isn't good service. We passed tonight and just ate in. We'll probably give them another chance if we hear their pizza is worth it, but it doesn't speak well for a first experience.

Posted 3 years ago #
WSB
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Having written so many stories in recent months about Zeeks' impending arrival, we kept finding ourselves subliminally craving it, so in the past oh, maybe four months, we've been to the 4th/Denny Zeeks three times and the Ravenna branch once! We'll probably pick an off-hour to try the new one here sometime soon; since all three of us are home-based, we might have the chance to have 4 pm dinner or something. The place looked pretty packed when we drove through Fauntleroy/California intersection about 20 minutes ago.

Posted 3 years ago #
celeste17
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I think that they planned just fine but the problem is that there is only so much space in the oven and so many drivers. When its opening weekend of any place they are going to be slammed. I worked food service for 5+ years and can tell you from experience that the first few days of a new place (especially a name that many people know) its going to be slammed. And with the advanced publicity they have been generating I bet they are busier then slammed. Probably can't take a quick potty break without feeling the pressure.
Can't wait to try it in a few days.

Posted 3 years ago #
Jiggers
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I'm impressed in the remodel. It looks like the Corner Inn was never there. But it's starting to look more and more like Ballard now.:(

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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Ha jiggers. Your so funny I love it. I drove by but they were so busy I didn't stop. One thing I noticed is the parking. There were few places to park close by and people were wlaking over from Thriftway. Can't wait to try there pizza because I hear it is going to be really great.

Posted 3 years ago #
hopey
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Guess you didn't see the parking lot in back?

Posted 3 years ago #
changingtimes
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omg! there spicy thai pizza with the peanut sauce!!! my mouth is watering!!! to bad its only 8 in the morning!!!!

Posted 3 years ago #
grr
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thought about going last night..walked by around 6ish...you people who complain that there's no 'child freindly' places in WS have NOTHING to gripe about any more. Looked like Chuck E Cheeze.

- I'll check out out during mid-week, and probably a little later in the evening after bedtime.

Posted 3 years ago #
michelled
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We got delivery yesterday afternoon. Thrilled to have some new delivery options to our place in Highland Park, since Pagliacci STILL does not find us worthy. We've been to Zeek's other locations many times before, so we knew what to expect and that we already like their pizza.

Delivery took about 45 minutes, which was quick considering how busy they are this weekend. The driver was friendly and the pizza was hot, as were the breadsticks. We got the new quattro formaggi - tasty! My other favorites are the hurricane and the organic drift. One of the things I've always loved about Zeek's is the strong variety of veggie pizzas.

Welcome, Zeek's! We're happy to have a new delivery alternative and look forward to checking out their new space when the crowds thin out a bit.

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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the parking lot in back was full hopey. It does seem like the parking situation is going to be a littel crazy there with three busy businesses on the same block, and the parking is already limited. Maybe the can work out a deal with teh bank across the street for off hours parking.

Posted 3 years ago #
josie2006
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Went tonight and had disappointing service---after repeating our order 3 times to the server who didn't seem to want to write anything down, the pizza was still wrong when it came. And instant iced tea--yuck. That being said, the pizza was pretty good. Place was packed too.

Posted 3 years ago #
SarahScoot
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There's PLENTY of street parking in West Seattle, especially in Morgan Junction. It annoys me to no end when people complain about lack of parking around here. There's really no shortage at all.

Posted 3 years ago #
WSB
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We went after the Sustainable West Seattle Festival today, around 4:30 pm. Busy but no wait. We parked over by Chuck and Sally's - not because we couldn't park closer but we wanted to walk the entire newly revitalized half-block (Zeeks, Feedback, BPP and the new park, which was being nicely used by frisbee tossers among others).

One of the owners, Dan, who I'd met while working on pre-opening stories, was helping out and told us they were overwhelmed by the great response but working hard to handle it. Our service was good aside from being given the wrong check initially. Pizza even tastier than the last Zeeks we went to outside WS. Also shared chop salad (theirs is more savory than Pagliacci's) and Caesar salad.

I was only in the Corner Inn once - to cover the fixtures auction a month after they closed - but wow, what an amazing transition to a high-ceiling, light-filled room for Zeeks. And we were seated line-of-sight looking toward the door to the patio, which of course had lots of takers in the midst of a sunny afternoon.

P.S. If you are on Twitter, @zeekspizza
http://twitter.com/zeekspizza
invited feedback on how they're doing.

Posted 3 years ago #
BigRed
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I LOVE Zeeks Pizza! Last night I ordered online, when a girl called me back to confirm she told me it would be 2 1/2 hours for delivery and 2 hours for pick-up!!! Like Aim in the earlier post, she was very nice and said that with all the local support they have been getting they were super busy. I canceld my order and called Lee's Asian. Oh well, I'm glad they are loved here in seattle. Can't wait for the hype to die down. I love the bar-b-q chicken pizza!

Posted 3 years ago #
menolikey
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Parking has been a problem for ME in the area-- so good for you if you haven't been out and about during prime time when parking is indeed an issue. Zeek's has a good lot in back, so they shouldn't be too impacted by lack of parking. It annoys me to no end when people say "it annoys me to no end" about something they have never experienced -- so they discount it and don't see it as a valid point of view or complaint. We tried Zeek's again last night and it was delivered in 45 minutes. Seemed like nice folks, but what I want is GREAT pizza. The salad was good, the pizza was avg/good, but not by any means great. I wish them well. I'm sure the dine in experience is better than take out. Still, to me and my taste buds, Pagliacci's is tops.

Posted 3 years ago #
RainyDay1235
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Ooooh, cannot wait to try it out! AND they have THREE variations that I would LOVE (unlike the meat-heavy Papa Johns and Pizza Hut choices)!

Howser: Olive oil glaze, mozzarella, parmesan, spinach, red onion, basil, feta & fresh garlic

Super Margarita
Roma tomatoes, red onions, and fresh basil layered over mozzarella, feta cheese and our fresh tomato sauce

Frog belly green: Olive oil glaze, mozzarella, Zeeks own basil pesto, topped with roma tomatoes and a sprinkling of parmesan

YUMM!

Posted 3 years ago #
austin
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I ordered delivery from zeekspizza.com on sunday afternoon, I'm of a similar opinion to menolikey I think. Friendly people, ok pizza. They quoted an hour delivery and it got here in 30 minutes, which was nice. The pizza itself was about average for seattle pizza; unremarkable doughy crust, the pepperoni half was boring but the thai half was super good. I don't order pizza delivery mega often but I'll probably order from them now and again, especially before 5 when the pag won't come out. Definitely want to try that bbq chicken pizza and the veggie version of the thai. Good to have a new option in the neighborhood.

Posted 3 years ago #
sam-c
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sounds good- I need to make a visit soon.
does anyone remember what beers they have on tap?
do they have mac n jacks ?

Posted 3 years ago #
RainyDay1235
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Sadly, the best takeout/delivery pizza is JetCity Pizza IMHO - but they are so few and far between.....

Posted 3 years ago #
B-squared
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Pizza was tasty! was there last night. got there around 5:30pm and put my name down. she said it would be about an hour late so went to BPP - which was fabulously fortunate as i got to watch the mariners pull one out in 15 innings! She actually was able to seat us a little early. food arrived punctually. Chop salad was tasty and Hawaiian pizza was tasty and i will be eating it today MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. wonderful makeover of an eyesore establishment. happy they are here!

Posted 3 years ago #
B-squared
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sam-c i had mac&jacks!

Posted 3 years ago #
nuni
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ordered a pizza last night. They got the order wrong..oh well..the crust was good but the pizza was some weird thai thing that I personally did not enjoy.

Posted 3 years ago #
1sharpcheddar
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Zeek's is great but I'm staying loyal to locals in the Morgan junction like Kokoras. Yummmm

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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Just got back from zeeks and had a couple pizzas. The four cheese and the one with spinach and tomatoes. Good pizza. Just so you know you can't park in front of the store between 4-6. I had to park at thriftway and walk over in the rain. Good pizza though.

Posted 3 years ago #
MrJT
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I would guess that Thriftway is not real thrilled about the prospect of their parking lot being filled up by Zekes customers. Might want to keep that nugget of knoledge to yourself.

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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after having a few drinks and really thinkling about this more, I am kinda displeased with the veggietarian offerings at zeeks. I like what I got but I am hoping for more organic selection. I didn't see anything organic on the menu or did I just miss it? Yeah the parking wasn't where I wanted to go but there was a lot of room at thriftway and I could use the walk if you know what I mean HA

Posted 3 years ago #
MrJT
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NM - Sorry, I'm not familiar with Zeeks menu, so I cannot speak to the organic thing. As for parking anywhere you deem convienient to get where you need, wait until you get to meet the ladies down at GT Towing, they are great gals.

Posted 3 years ago #
Sue
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I ordered online for delivery around 6:45 and was told it would take 40 minutes; pizza arrived in 30. I got the "Thai One On" pizza, spicyness 3 out of 5. Tasted really nice, a little spicier than I would've expected for a 3 (although it's fine - I can take considerably hotter, but always start with mid-range when I don't know how a place makes it). I found myself wishing there was more cheese on it (at first I thought they forgot the cheese), and/or that the cheese was on top of the toppings so they wouldn't keep falling off onto my plate. But it was worth eating with my fingers off the plate - I really enjoyed it and would order it again. Maybe adding extra cheese. :) I'm still craving their chop salad from when I was there on Saturday, so I know I'll be back for that.

Posted 3 years ago #
sam-c
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we made it to Zeek's and I got my Mac & Jacks. the space looks really great, though they need to bring their mechanical contractor back. we sat underneath a roof top unit over near the corner (at Faunt. and Calif) and the dang thing was sooo loud I couldn't hear myself think.

the pizza was really good, we got a half n half of cherry bomb and spanish steps, and both were great. they also have a good deal on Tues and Wed. where if you get a large pizza, you get good prices on other things, like beer and salad. It was crowded too, no parking in back so we parked on the street and walked a little ways.
definitely will be back.

Posted 3 years ago #
wseattlelite
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Pizza is tasteless but what the hell they deliver and it's better than the el cheapo chains. Where's the sauce?????

Posted 3 years ago #
CallMeAl
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I've given it a week, and I've given it a try. There are two points to make:

1) they are expensive. Moreso than Pagliacci -on top of that, they have a $1.50 DELIVERY CHARGE.

2) the service is not what I would expect. After all, how can you compete with Pagliacci's world-class service? -many times I receive my delivery order from Pag's with a card signed by the manager which simply says "Thanks, this one's on us." Really. They simply give me my order for free. I called and asked why and was told they appreciate their customers and enjoy giving them a free order from time to time to show their thanks. Whaa?? You have a customer for life here.

The only reason I would order Zeek's was if I was unfortunate enough to be out of the Pagiacci delivery zone.

Posted 3 years ago #
hopey
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Good: placed my order online.
Good: pizza got here faster than I expected (my house is hard to find), 30 mins instead of the 45 I was quoted.
Bad: got the wrong pizza! (bad me for not checking before he left)
Good: called them & they offered to send me the right pizza ASAP. I agreed, since the first pizza came so fast.

Posted 3 years ago #
Joan
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Visited twice already. That green froggy is the BEST light pesto pizza around and nice, just right crust that is neither dry nor oily, perfect crunch! YUM. And FAST, too. And oooo, the field salad with house rasperry vinegar sauce, WOW!

Eardrum piercing happy-kid shrieks make it too noisy for my usual pizza buddy, however. Maybe the high glass windows and hard surfaces contribute to that? Doesn't bother me, though.

And you cannot tell the space used to be a smoke filled karaoke dive bar! Wonderful remodel!

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
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Next month I am moving out of Pagliacci's delivery area...I have been a loyal customer for years, and have received the same awesome treatment as CallMeAl. I will miss Pag's, their excellent management and the great drivers!

That being said, Zeek's has my all time favorite pie, the Treehugger. It has broccoli on it, folks. How much better can it get? Lucky for me, the new digs are within Zeek's delivery zone!

Posted 3 years ago #
WSguys1978
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We finally tried Zeeks last night, and I have to admit, we were completely underwhelmed. First of all, for 2 med pizza's and a small caesar salad, it was $51.00. That's a tough bill to swallow. The half caesar was literally about 4 romaine leaves with a sprtiz of cheese and 2 croutons....and it was $5.00 just for that.

We did a "pick up order" and when we arrived, the staff was unhelpful and a bit rude (openly commented that we weren't giving them a tip....for a TO GO order).

So, I have to say, we'll remain loyal Abbandonza and Pegasus customers....Zeeks can keep their surly staff and overpriced pie, we won't be back.

Posted 3 years ago #
WSguys1978
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I meant ti include that a large Alki Special, Feta bread and Greek Salad is $36.00 at Pegasus, served up with a friendly staff, can't be beat, certainly not by Zeeks.

Posted 3 years ago #
WSB
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Sorry to hear you had a bad experience. We actually went there for the second time last night - out of town visitors, party of 9, and the Morgan Junction "restaurant district" is what's closest to our house - and had excellent service and good food, although I do agree the Caesar salad needs a little work - if we ever order it again we'll request extra dressing, as it's a bit dry. I've had the chop salad now twice and the half-size plate, for something like $4.50, is a very generous serving - it has chicken and salami in it so it's almost an entree.

Posted 3 years ago #
WSMom
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I had the Zeek's special salad and it was delicious. Our pies were good too, but the meal was very expensive and we probably won't be regular customers.

Posted 3 years ago #
Jiggers
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I love expensive places to eat and drink at, it keeps the riff raff out..

Posted 3 years ago #
lazybeard
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We always get the Caesar salad when we're at Zeek's, and we enjoy it because it's, well tasty. Having had it in Kirkland before recently moving to the west side of the water, we're estatic that Zeek's moved in. If you order a caesar salad next time, ask them to sub the olive oil dressing with a traditional ceasar dressing.

I just ate a slice of left-over tree hugger...soo good the next day :)

Posted 3 years ago #
HMC Rich
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I took my toddler there. The place was packed. The food came fairly soon after we ordered. Unfortunately we were sitting under a ceiling fan and my son was cold. We asked one person to turn down the fan and she said they couldn't. Then we asked the server and he did. Persistence pays off.

The pie was good, not great, but no worse than most of the Seattle Pizza places. Looking at what others ordered, I bet there are some excellent pizzas. We will be going back.

I just wish these restaurants would, if they could, have a little kids area. When I was not a parent I would have either wished they didn't have one or wouldn't have cared. Now, being a parent, it is nice to have a little area for the rug rats.

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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I agree.. an area for the rug rats is good...

busy kids are much quieter than cold hungry cranky kids...

at least their noise is a lot more fun to listen to.

Posted 3 years ago #
KBear
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I hope by "kids' area" you mean a place where kids would eat WITH their parents, maybe where the booths are not back-to-back with other diners. I think part of a kid's experience of eating out should be learning how to behave in a restaurant. Having a play area would be counterproductive, and probably disturbing to other diners (especially the other parents who are trying to teach their own kids how to behave at the table.)

Posted 3 years ago #
WSB
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We started taking Junior Member to restaurants at age 1 month and I couldn't agree more. He never "ran around." And threw a tantrum a grand total of once ... around age 5 ... I remember wrestling him out of Pegasus that day before we even ordered. It's a semi-vicious circle - if they don't behave, you can't take them, but if you don't take them, they won't learn to behave. (They may get accustomed to a wider variety of food, too .. the kid never wanted anything from a kids' menu, he'd even had Caesar salad going back to toddlerhood.)

Posted 3 years ago #