FOOD/DRINK BIZNOTES: Ma’ono closed; Admiral Benbow open; West of Chicago update; Best of Hands x Easy Street

Food/drink notes:

MA’ONO: Though its website says the West Seattle fried-chicken-and-more restaurant is “temporarily closed,” tipsters told us it was permanently closed, and we’ve been trying for a week to reach its owners to confirm that. Yesterday we caught up with Mark Fuller at his new project, the Admiral Benbow revival, and he declined comment on Ma’ono’s status. However, Seattle Met is quoting him as confirming he has closed and sold the West Seattle Ma’ono. The restaurant at 4437 California SW was first opened by Fuller and wife Marjorie Chang Fuller as Spring Hill in 2008, and they morphed it into Ma’ono in 2012.

(added) ADMIRAL BENBOW: Speaking of which – it opened tonight. Main food item, hot dogs – so far!

WEST OF CHICAGO: Shawn Millard was hoping to open the new sit-down home of his deep-dish pizza at 3770 SW Alaska this week, but we went over to check and learned they’re coping with a few last-minute equipment problems, so they won’t be able to open sooner than next week. West of Chicago Pizza Company formerly served its signature pizzas out of a Delridge commissary kitchen; we first reported in October that he was taking over the former Chaco Canyon Organic Café space in The Triangle.

BEST OF HANDS X EASY STREET: Beer and music collaboration for these two – starting today, Best of Hands Barrelhouse has rolled out three new hazy IPAs in cans and on draft. One of them is the Easy Street Records “house IPA,” The Bar Is Open! To celebrate, a release party is planned at Easy Street (California/Alaska) this Saturday (July 9th) at 6 pm – with live music from local bands Panic Grass and Lite Sleeper (which, Best of Hands’ announcement points out, features Frank Gross of Thunder Road Guitars [WSB sponsor]).

18 Replies to "FOOD/DRINK BIZNOTES: Ma'ono closed; Admiral Benbow open; West of Chicago update; Best of Hands x Easy Street"

  • CAM July 6, 2022 (6:07 pm)

    The link to the Seattle Met went to a 404. https://www.seattlemet.com/eat-and-drink/2022/07/maono-closing-admiral-benbow-room-in-west-seattle-re-opening

    Also, please whoever bought Ma’ono do not change anything. 😥

    • WSB July 6, 2022 (6:30 pm)

      Will check once we’re back at hq, thanks.

      • Brad Knife July 7, 2022 (10:38 am)

        Looks like it’s working again (for me at least).

    • LGO July 6, 2022 (6:40 pm)

      Well this is 100% the worst news of the week. WHY?!?! Aside from the poop water I just waded through on the beach!

      • CAM July 6, 2022 (10:36 pm)

        Ma’ono chicken couldn’t cure the poop water ills but it could potentially make you think about them less while you were eating it at least. I wish we’d known it was closing. I would have definitely added it to the rotation more frequently while I still had the chance. 

    • Dan July 6, 2022 (8:06 pm)

      The article is back up.

  • East Coast Cynic July 6, 2022 (10:05 pm)

    Hopefully, Pilsners will be in the future of Best of Hands x Easy Street.

  • square eyes July 6, 2022 (10:24 pm)

    Zippy’s just announced they’re closing this weekend. :(

  • ttt July 6, 2022 (10:37 pm)

    Wait, what?!? Ma’Ono?!?! Oh no!

  • Chicken Leg July 7, 2022 (6:57 am)

    Dear Mr Fuller:PLEASE serve your amazing food at Benbow! Admiral district needs more good restaurants. Please don’t deny us, even if carry out. This quote from Seattle Met gives a glimmer of hope as to what could be: “Fuller’s building a commissary inside the cavernous Benbow space. He’ll sell those excellent fried chicken sandwiches and chicken fingers for delivery only, taking a David Chang-ian swerve into cloud kitchen territory. ‘Eventually we might serve them inside the Benbow,’ says Fuller.”

  • Rocket July 7, 2022 (9:00 am)

    I wanted to like Maono, the spicy chicken sandwich was ok and the to go old fashioned s were nice, but their main item was just way too salty.  Lady Jaye’s has great cocktails and there are plenty of fried chicken options around so you all will be ok.Its sounds like the proprietor continues to generate capital so this is all fine and opportunity for the new in the end. 

  • anonyme July 7, 2022 (10:26 am)

    Restaurants are disappearing from West Seattle (and vicinity) at an alarming rate.  The new construction will guarantee that any replacements will be corporate chains, not the unique establishments we’ve grown to know and love.   Personally not enjoying the changes; seems like more and more money for less and less benefit.  I used to pop up to the Junction a couple of times a week to shop and eat, but no more.

  • emcat8 July 7, 2022 (10:59 am)

    Nooooooooo. No more kimchee mac and cheese? This really is the worst freakin’ timeline ever.

  • max34 July 7, 2022 (11:19 am)

    pre-pandemic vs  during/post-pandemic maono were vastly different.   by necessity, sadly.   it used to be, by far, the best chicken in the city.  we’ll always have those memories of good times with Mitch and the crew backina day.  Huge fan of all Fuller’s spots, looking forward to trying the pirate hot dog bar.   you never know what you need until it’s there. 

  • Chris K July 7, 2022 (11:36 am)

    Ma’ono used to be in our regular rotation pre-covid, but their quality really went downhill during the pandemic.

  • West Coast Nomad July 9, 2022 (1:09 am)

    Ah, that’s too bad about Ma’ono. Really enjoyed it and it was so packed before. Agreed that the pandemic changed things drastically. Some favorites on the menu, including the curry bacon fried rice,  went away, never to return. Good luck to them in their new venture but Ma’ono will be missed. 

  • RLV July 27, 2022 (4:47 pm)

    I was away when the Ma’ono news broke, and I’m very sad to see it go. Those brunches! The kim chee mac and cheese! The fine adult beverages!  Thank you to everyone who worked there. You were my favorite West Sea restaurant.

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