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FOLLOWUP: Changes for White Center’s fire-ravaged block, including two new restaurants sharing one space

November 14, 2023 3:52 pm
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | White Center

(Also published on our partner site White Center Now)

If you’ve been in downtown White Center lately, you’ve probably noticed changes to the fire-ravaged block on the west side of 16th SW south of Roxbury. It’s been more than two years since fires ravaged multiple spaces in this block of businesses. Now seven of the spaces are up for lease to new business tenants (here’s the flyer). The spaces totaling 22,362 square feet could be leased in various combinations, the listing says … Not far south, next to Full Tilt, the Huong Xua Deli is finally getting ready to reopen, with COMING SOON signage … And on the other side of the September 2021 fire site, two venues have uncloaked with plans to share the former Bizzarro Italian Café space at 9635 16th SW:

The Alpine Diner and Bar, touting an “apres-ski” theme, and Big Mario’s Pizza. From the Alpine website:

Try our full food & beverage menu available daily from 7 AM to 10 PM, or visit the bar counter and cozy up to our vintage fireplace in the game room for ski ball and hoops. Enjoy our large outdoor patio with bocci ball and outdoor seating, opening Spring 2024. We share our space with the newest Big Mario’s location, meaning you can order from either menu.

The Alpine is from the same company that operates Lost Lake Café on Capitol Hill; Big Mario’s Pizza has a location there too, one of four in Seattle. The remodeled White Center space is expected to open this winter.

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40 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: Changes for White Center's fire-ravaged block, including two new restaurants sharing one space"

  • Gill & Alex November 14, 2023 (4:14 pm)

    Great news for our White Center!

  • Justducky November 14, 2023 (4:33 pm)

    Any news on the Boba place that was just about to open before the fire? 

    • AMD November 14, 2023 (5:16 pm)

      They will not be opening.  They were not as close to opening as it seemed at the time of the fire, so they took the money and moved on.

  • Michele November 14, 2023 (4:34 pm)

    Great news, an alternative to Proletariat is sorely needed. They’ve gone way down hill.

    • Claudia Williams November 15, 2023 (6:22 am)

      Thank you for calling that out! I’m definitely ready for an alternative.

      • Justin November 15, 2023 (10:44 am)

        Zeek’s down the street is great! 

    • East Coast Cynic November 15, 2023 (12:07 pm)

      I haven’t had Proletariat in a bunch of months.  Has it gotten worse in the past half year or so?  It seemed alright the last time I got a pie from them – maybe slightly under-seasoned if anything. That being said, the competition from another east coast slice place is welcome.

  • waikikigirl November 14, 2023 (4:37 pm)

    Does this mean Bizzarro’s isn’t returning? Dang it we’ve eaten at their other location numerous times and love their food but never got to this location. 😔 so close and now so far away

    • WSB November 14, 2023 (4:37 pm)

      As linked in the story (follow link on “former Bizzarro …”), we reported a while back that they had decided not to come back in WC.

      • Kate November 15, 2023 (10:21 am)

        Any word on the giant Unicorn Bar that was setting up in WC?

    • West Seattle Mad Sci Guy November 14, 2023 (11:41 pm)

      I miss Noble Barton! (Former occupant before bizarro)

      • Brighter November 15, 2023 (2:53 am)

        Me too! their chicken fried steak and eggs…gave hope.  Gone. Isn’t it time for a respectful, replanning and visioning for a brighter White Center? Soo much potential! 

      • D Martin November 15, 2023 (7:37 am)

        Bring back the Noble Barton! For such basic “American” food, it was the best!

        • Jerome November 15, 2023 (10:35 am)

          Hands down Noble Barton is the place I miss the most in all of West Seattle/White Center. Just really, really good food and great staff.

  • shotinthefoot November 14, 2023 (4:41 pm)

    maybe do some research on who owns Alpine before you go thinking this is a good thing for White Center. 

    • CarDriver November 14, 2023 (5:16 pm)

      So, who does own Alpine?

    • KB1000 November 14, 2023 (5:42 pm)

      Actually, it looks like Dave Meinert is not involved in Lost Lake and Big Mario’s any longer. He is still the owner of Huckleberry Square, Mecca and 5 Point. But he’s not involved in Alpine Diner from what I can tell. That is great news. The current ownership team is awesome and operate some of Seattle’s coolest bars and restaurants. This seems like fantastic news for White Center from my perspective. Info on Mr. Meinerthttps://seattle.eater.com/2018/8/3/17646606/david-meinert-sells-lost-lake-cafe-comet-tavern-grims-rape-accusationsThe Alpine Ownership Teamhttps://www.daydreamstate.com/about

      • westseattlebob November 14, 2023 (6:38 pm)

        Thanks KB for the link. I knew he no longer owned Lost Lake!! Can’t wait for a replacement to West 5’s departure that’s closer to home!!

      • PNWHiker November 15, 2023 (2:29 pm)

        It astounds me that anyone wants to do business with Dave Meinert, considering the numerous allegations against him over the years regarding assaults on women. I stopped eating at any of the restaurants where he still has a financial stake. Men like that do not be rewarded – ever. 

    • Do tell November 14, 2023 (6:17 pm)

      Please share. It’s important for the community to know who we are supporting.

    • westseattlebob November 14, 2023 (6:25 pm)

       Maybe you need to do the research! Meinert no longer is a owner of Lost Lake which is the parent to Alpine. He sold when he was accused and also sold Comet.

    • G November 14, 2023 (9:47 pm)

      Glad you said something as his other places would have been on my eat list. will skip his other places.
         Please next time add a link in lazy. my lazy Google search https://www.kuow.org/stories/five-women-accuse-seattle-s-david-meinert-of-sexual-misconduct-including-rape.  Gald to know he is not part of the ownership and will frequent.   Pissed Bizzaro gave up, but understand 

  • Kt November 14, 2023 (5:14 pm)

    Yeah…we need a breakfast place!

    • Rob November 15, 2023 (5:56 am)

      We have one in white center  Youngs diner  crispy garlic chicken side of rice is out of this world 🌎 fantastic for breakfast 😋 

    • amd November 15, 2023 (12:42 pm)

      Young’s has amazing breakfast, and Patrick’s is also delicious (though their hours and dining space are far more limited).

  • datamuse November 14, 2023 (6:36 pm)

    I’m glad Huong Xua is coming back!

  • Truthfinder November 15, 2023 (7:20 am)

    Although Dave Meinert’s name is no longer associated with the ownership group,  he still is a part owner, and is receiving profit sharing from Comet, Lost Lake, and the CHBP group.  I also avoid Huckleberry Square, The 5 Point, and The Mecca, which are 100% owned by Meinert.

    • SDLRDGResi November 15, 2023 (10:06 am)

      Can you please share a source on this? From everything I’ve heard he was forced to sell off his stake in the group that owns Lost Lake/Comet Tavern/Big Mario’s.    

    • Jerome November 15, 2023 (10:38 am)

      I had no clue Meinert owned Huckleberry Square. Appreciate the info, will avoid.

  • PDiddy November 15, 2023 (10:14 am)

    I am surprised after the fire they didnt just tear it down and build like many other areas. Im happy businesses are coming back but that could have been a good opportunity to add some housing with ground level businesses though that would probably affect the dynamic of the neighborhood but this is honestly inevitable.

    • Foop November 15, 2023 (1:44 pm)

      While true there’s a ton of housing projects within 2 blocks that are in progress/ finishing. 10 townhomes in Cambridge plus iirc a 200 unit apartment is in the works along  17th. And a bunch of other townhomes not far away either.

    • KB1000 November 15, 2023 (2:06 pm)

      I agree. As a nearly 20 year Highland Park resident, I was really hoping they would just raze those buildings and start with something fresh that included housing and nicer storefronts. My hunch is that because White Center is unincorporated, it is a risky bet for any investor. Plus, the people that own those buildings are all out of town owners and don’t care at all about this community. They took the cheapest and lamest option available to get themselves back in business asap. 

      • Rovert November 16, 2023 (9:38 pm)

        Could not agree more! It felt like the perfect time to really make White Center turn the corner. Like I’m excited for the places coming in too, just feels like a missed opportunity like you’re saying.

  • Scott November 15, 2023 (10:17 am)

    Bring West 5 back…… it was a favorite!

  • Tina November 15, 2023 (1:14 pm)

    Any word on dottie’s :( i hope they come back. Glad the deli is coming back.

  • aa November 15, 2023 (5:01 pm)

    While I understand the desire to not financially support this person, I can’t help but think of all the staff at the businesses where he may receive some profit sharing funds.  Thinking of a place like Huckleberry Square, how many people could financially benefit from your patronage vs. how much it will effect this one man if you avoid in protest?  Writing off a number of business because one person may possibly profit seems unfair and irresponsible to the businesses as a whole.  

    • CarDriver November 15, 2023 (5:36 pm)

      AA. You bring up a good point. Unless people know for a fact that all the employees committed the same crimes as this person or covered up for them you are painting them as guilty and punishing them for something they had no part of. I seriously doubt you’d want that same standard applied to you, right??

    • HA November 15, 2023 (10:37 pm)

      Um, don’t you think it’s their problem if they want to work for a rapist?And don’t worry, there are always plenty of cars in front of that restaurant. He should have been banished or put in jail a long time ago. 

    • KinesthesiaAmnesia November 16, 2023 (11:07 am)

      A business’ owner does not “possibly profit.” They definitely do profit or they wouldn’t own that business.It is unfair and irresponsible to the people working in those businesses to support their known creep of a boss.

  • The Earl November 16, 2023 (12:39 pm)

    Former location of noble Barton would be more suitable.  Bizarro was barely open. 

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