West Seattle, Washington
18 Monday
Thanks to Mike for the tip! Four months after we first reported that Nacho Mama was on the way for the former Hoang Kim (and briefly Phorale) space at 9418 Delridge Way SW, it’s open. That’s proprietor Debra in our photo, and she’s offering much more than nachos. See the breakfast menu here and the lunch/dinner menu here.
Nacho Mama is still experimenting with hours but currently testing 8 am-8 pm Tuesdays-Sundays, closed Mondays.
You’re invited to a grand opening tomorrow (Saturday, November 12th) in The Junction! Here’s the announcement we received tonight:
Bali’s Himalayan Chai & Salt Snacks Counter is having its grand opening from 10 am to 2 pm tomorrow, Saturday November 12!
Bali’s Himalayan Snacks Counter is hosted inside Puerto Vallarta Mexican restaurant, thanks to owner Eduardo Morales. We’re in Alaska Junction, 4727 California Avenue.
There will be free tastings of Bali’s Pink and Masala Chais and his delicious spicy pakoras and tasty parathas with your choice of sweet or savory fillings.
Stop by and say hi to longtime West Seattle resident Bali Khan, and check out the new venture!
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
At Camp West, soon to open in the ex-West 5 space in the West Seattle Junction, they’re taking the camping theme seriously – yet lightheartedly.
When you walk into the space at 4539 California SW, you’ll notice foldable canvas chairs at the tables by the front window. Temporary placeholders for furniture yet to arrive? No, they’re intentional. “They’re really sturdy!” insist two of the proprietors, Toni Uy and Patrick Haight, presiding over ongoing preparations and training when we visited Thursday afternoon, 5 months after we first reported the plan for the space.
Then there’s what you’ll get for water on your table – not a glass carafe, but a metal thermos.
If you’re drinking something harder, the cocktail might have a name like One-Eyed Squirrel (aloe, vodka, lime juice, and a decorative eyeball, a favorite at Camp West’s sibling in Tacoma, Camp Bar). Plan to pair your drink with food? Unique items include the Snackle Box, a mini-tackle box stocked with meat, cheese, olives, and bread.
Next to it in our photo is one of the mini-grills deliverable to tabletops for roast-it-yourself S’mores.
But let’s broaden the perspective for a moment, as, unless you hadn’t visited the space before, you’ll be mentally comparing at first:
One thing prominently absent in that view – the railing down the middle, removed in the remodel, no longer needed because Camp West is 21+. The north wall is now lined with booths, and the wall over them sports faux greenery, except for the section nearest the front, which is decorated with a variety of items from antlers to an axe to this photo of a well-known West Seattleite camping:
Over the front tables, the south wall has a mural by Andrew Miller, who also painted the one on the alley behind Camp West. That goes up to the bar, which features unique lantern-style lighting:
The focus there (see the beverage menu online) is on signature and classic cocktails, with a “heavy whiskey selection.” (And more whimsical names, like Sweaty Lumberjack.) You also will find four beers on tap – including of course the locally renowned Manny’s – plus a selection of canned beverages, even the 16-ounce Rainier.
At the back of Camp West, you’ll find a tent – seating 8+ for a semi-private celebration spot.
The back is also where there eventually be one lone video screen, not for sports or entertainment, but to support the rustic/outdoor ambience – skiing videos, old Rainier Beer commercials, etc.
In addition to the aforementioned Snackle Box and S’mores, Camp West has a broader menu than its Tacoma sibling – “a lot fancier” is how Haight puts it, but not too fancy. You can see the food menu online too – from burgers and other sandwiches to entrees including seared steelhead and mushroom cassoulet. Camp West has brought “a lot of new equipment” to the kitchen.
So the big question – when will they open? Right now they’re training staff via “friends and family” sessions. Then they’ll open to the public somewhat gradually, with the plan to be fully open by Wednesday, November 23. Hours for starters will be 4-10 pm Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4-midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 4-9 pm Sundays, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
When Thanksgiving gets closer, we’ll be compiling our annual list of which restaurants plan to be open on the holiday. But there’s one place we already know for sure will be open, 
and it requires reservations that are usually booked up well in advance: Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor). They’re now taking Thanksgiving reservations online or by phone (206-937-1600). No buffet again this year, so it’s a three-course plated Thanksgiving dinner (see the menu here), with seatings between 11 am and 5 pm. They’re also again offering take-home kits, to be picked up the day before Thanksgiving.
Too busy to cook amid the Halloween activities? Pecos Pit-West Seattle (35th/Fauntleroy; WSB sponsor) is offering a deal Sunday and Monday:
You can see their menu here.
Four updates from West Seattle purveyors of beverages and/or food:
ANIMATED CAFE MOVING: Tomorrow is the coffee trailer’s last day in the Tony’s Market lot at 35th/Barton. Proprietor Melanie – aka “Ana” – has been there since launching her business last winter. After a week in transition, she hopes to reopen Animated Coffee in its new location – at 4518 Fauntleroy Way SW, same lot to which El Chapulin Oaxaqueño recently moved – by November 5th. One change: “We will be walk-up only to start but hopefully we can support drive-thru in the future.” If you haven’t been to Animated Café lately, she’s been doing themed weekends in which people dressed for the theme get $2 off their order, Her schedule for November:
5th-6th: Second Halloween (wear it one more time!)
12th-13th: Royal Weekend (everyone is royalty this weekend)
19th-20th: Apocalypse Weekend (Mad Max style)
26th-27th: Thanksgiving Weekend (Get Creative)
LA RUSTICA TEMPORARILY CLOSING: The Italian restaurant at 4100 Beach Drive will be closed for much of November. From proprietor Kat:
La Rustica will be closed the first three weeks of November, so if you want to get your fix in before we close, head down today thru Sunday. Because we are doing some work on our kitchen floors, we don’t have a set reopen date but are taking reservations starting the Friday after Thanksgiving. If we reopen before that, we will be sure to let you know. Thank you all for your support, patience and love.
BEDHEAD COFFEE: After a reader inquiry about the status of the coffee shack at 16th/Holden, we contacted founder Michelle. She tells WSB it closed at the end of September, three months after her former partner bought out her share of the business. Whether it might reopen, she didn’t know.
PORTAGE BAY CAFE, WEST SEATTLE: We’ve been reporting on this breakfast/brunch mini-chain‘s plan to expand into West Seattle, taking over the former Agave Cocina space at 4725 42nd SW. Proprietor John told us he hopes to open in January, and that’s now underscored by a sign on the door:
(Thanks to Arlene for the tip.)
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Carol Kelly says managing Alki Spud Fish and Chips is all about “family.” Her own family (above, daughters Ashley and Victoria at left, husband Harry with Carol at right) joined her there this afternoon for the celebration of her 50 years working there.
That big card was there to gather well-wishes, and of course there was cake:
There also were proclamations – this was officially declared Carol Kelly Day in both Seattle and King County!
The proclamations from Mayor Bruce Harrell and King County Executive Dow Constantine (a former Spud employee) note fun facts about Carol’s tenure, in addition to those mentioned in our preview – she started for $1.85 an hour in 1972, hired by the son of one of the brothers who founded Alki Spud in 1935. She also was lauded for her “kindness, leadership, and service.”
While another 50 years might not be likely, Carol told a well-wisher, she’s nowhere near ready to leave yet!
Back in 2010, we talked with Carol Kelly (pictured at right with her daughters) about the 75th anniversary of Spud Fish and Chips on Alki. At that point, Carol had been working at Spud for half that time. Now she’s about to celebrate her own milestone there, and you’re invited to the party. On Tuesday afternoon (October 11), 2-4 pm, Alki Spud will celebrate Carol’s 50 years at the restaurant! Alki Spud’s ownership (whose other endeavor you might recognize, Ivar’s) shared these fun facts about her time there:
Under her management, Alki has served:
More than 5.3 million customers.
She has filleted, battered, and breaded more than 937,000 pounds of fish.
She has wrapped more than 4 million lineal feet of SPUD wrapping paper with the bubbling-cod cartoon around orders.
SPUD has soaked, cut, and fried more than 2.3 million pounds of SPUDs to accompany its orders
She has served more than 3.5 million cups of Coke.
Carol’s two daughters were both working with her at Alki Spud (2666 Alki SW) when we took the 2010 photo; Ashley has stayed with the company and is now general manager of Ivar’s Acres of Clams restaurant, while Victoria left Spud in 2020, by which time she’d become assistant manager. But everyone is “family” to Carol Kelly, the owners note, so she’d be thrilled to see you Tuesday afternoon. (There will be cake!)
Back in August, we reported that Portage Bay Café was expanding to West Seattle. At the time, Portage Bay’s owners weren’t ready to disclose where. Now, it’s out. Last night (thanks to David for the tip) was closing night for Agave Cocina, in Mural at 4725 42nd SW, and today this sign is on the door:
When last we spoke to the proprietors of Portage Bay – famed for its breakfast/brunch offerings at 4 locations elsewhere in the city – they were still finalizing plans, but hoping to be open in West Seattle by year’s end. Agave had been in the space since May 2019, a year after the closure of its original tenant, Fresh Bistro.
(Photo sent by Toni – mural/signage by Andrew Miller)
Maybe you noticed the new coat of paint on the former West 5 building in The Junction (4539 California SW), which as reported here in June is being transformed into Camp West – and now includes the mural-style signage above. We’ve received a few inquiries about its progress. So we asked Patrick Haight, a member of the Camp West ownership team, how it’s going. He says the exterior “was painted to match our color scheme inside,” adding that kitchen equipment and coolers are in place – after a longer wait than they had expected after placing orders in late May/early June – while tables and booths are arriving soon. “The supply chain and available inventory has been challenging. However, we are just being patient in wanting the right equipment to meet our needs. An October opening is where our timeline stands, barring no more delays. We are optimistic and excited to get our Camp West Seattle up and running.” As noted in our June report, it’s a sibling establishment to Tacoma’s Camp Bar.
After a few reader questions about why the Westwood Village McDonald’s is fully fenced off, with major work at the site, we checked city files and noted permits for remodeling and upgrades, and found this summary: “Revise front service counter and internal menu boards. Remove self-serve beverage kiosks and install self-serve order boards. Reconfigure drive-thru approach and relocate trash enclosure.” Another permit file noted “new interior, exterior lighting.” Along with checking those files, we contacted the corporation to ask for more details. McDonald’s USA spokesperson Mike Vizza replied that the restaurant “is undergoing a major transformation that will improve the customer experience inside and out. We are placing a higher emphasis on hospitality by weaving technology into the dining experience, with new self-ordering kiosks and table service that offers guests greater customization and the opportunity to relax while their food is being made.” He didn’t have an estimate for when it’ll reopen, just that “We will be working diligently on the remodel over the next several months.” Other area McDonald’s have been overhauled already, including Admiral four years ago. Meantime, WWV has more burgers on the way, with Five Guys going in just west of the McDonald’s (we first reported that plan in May, and it’s continuing to advance through the permit files).
(File photo)
Just as the West Seattle Bridge reopens, one of the businesses that’s practically next to it has announced a temporary closure. Just received from Luna Park Café proprietor John Bennett:
We recently have felt the after-effects of Covid and have done our best to stay open as much as possible to serve all our faithful customers. Unfortunately we came to the decision to temporarily close in order to do some much-needed systems updates. We don’t know how long this will take us since we want to be the best we can be when we do reopen!
We will be continuing with our current hours (8 am-3 pm) through Sunday the 18th so we encourage everyone to come see us and order their favorite shake, hobo, or Luna special before we take our break!
We look forward to reopening and having another great 30+-year stint!
Luna Park marked its 33rd anniversary earlier this year.
Four and a half months after we first told you about West Wings – the new restaurant moving into the ex-Copper Coin space at 2329 California SW – the opening date is set. We stopped by today to check on the new restaurant’s status and learned they plan to open this Saturday (August 27th) during the Admiral Junction Funktion street party, noon-9 pm, with a “limited menu.” Then the first official day is Sunday, 11 am-9 pm. You can read more about West Wings, whose proprietors are West Seattle cousins Tony and Paul Barbano, here – wings with 15 sauce options (including “Alki Bonfire”), burgers, salads, more.
Quick notes on local food/beverage venues:
OPEN REALLY LATE: The South Delridge burger joint Boss Drive-In (9061 Delridge Way SW) has extended its hours.
Thanks to Mike for the tip.
MOVING SOON: As announced by a banner in the 4500 block of Fauntleroy Way SW, that’ll be the new home of El Chapulin Oaxaqueño food truck in about four weeks.
We stopped by the truck’s longtime location in The Junction, by Lula Coffee‘s drive-thru, to ask about the reason for the move; they said the main motivation is that they need more space. (Thanks to Ian – who also sent the photo – and Ivy for the tips.)
CHICKEN SANDWICHES: As hinted when Ma’ono closed its West Seattle restaurant, its popular chicken sandwiches will be popping up at proprietor Mark Fuller‘s newest venture, the Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way). Mondays and Tuesdays, 4 pm-10 pm, for starters.
ICE CREAM: If you haven’t been to Youngstown Coffee (6032 California SW) in Morgan Junction lately, you should know in these waning weeks of summer that they’re now carrying six-ounce pre-packed cups of Ice Cream Social, homemade-style ice cream from Tacoma, in a variety of flavors. (Vegan options, too.)
Food news? Other biz news? Breaking news? Tips always appreciated via westseattleblog@gmail.com or texted to 206-293-6302.
Thanks for the tips! The renowned breakfast/lunch/brunch restaurant mini-chain Portage Bay Café is expanding to West Seattle. In the past few days, we’ve heard from multiple readers who were dining at one of their existing locations (Ballard, South Lake Union, on Roosevelt, on 65th) and saw printed evidence (one example above) of the plan to come here. However, nothing indicated where in West Seattle they’d be opening. So this morning we reached Portage Bay Café president/co-founder John Gunnar by phone. He confirmed the West Seattle plan and said they’re not ready to announce the location – though he had a hint: The Junction area. They could go public with the location in a week or so, and if all goes well, they could be open in October. Gunnar said customers have long been suggesting they expand to West Seattle, and with the bridge expected to reopen soon, the time is right. If you haven’t been to Portage Bay Café, here’s the current menu. Their motto is “Eat like you give a damn” and they opened their first location (Roosevelt) 25 years ago.
Four weeks after confirmation that the original Ma’ono in West Seattle had been permanently closed and sold, we know what’s moving into the space: Italian food. We’ve confirmed that Dué Cucina will open its fourth location at 4437 California SW. Dué Cucina specializes in “authentic Italian cuisine,” centered on pasta – its founders are both from Tuscany; you can see the menu here. Its three restaurants are on Capitol Hill, in Roosevelt, and in Kirkland. In our brief conversation with co-founder Davide Macchi this afternoon, he told us they just got the keys to the space and don’t know yet how long it will take to get ready to open. They’re hoping it’ll be this fall.
Thanks for the tip; we’ve confirmed that Than Brothers Pho is closing at 4822 California SW, after 16 years in West Seattle. No word on whether they’re seeking another West Seattle location in the future. We reported in 2020 that the building, where the restaurant was a tenant, had been put up for sale; King County Assessor records show it was sold back in April. The new owner is an LLC associated with the Redmond headquarters and owner of Origins Cannabis, which has a West Seattle store a few blocks away, on a site with a redevelopment project under review; Origins declined comment on whether they plan to move or expand into the California SW building. Meantime, Than Brothers is the sixth seventh Junction restaurant to close in the past eight months, after Café Mia, Taqueria Guaymas, Kamei, Lee’s, West 5, (added) and Ma’ono.
A new restaurant will open next month in the former Hoang Kim space at 9418 Delridge Way SW [map]. No, not Phorale – that apparently didn’t work out. Now the space is slated to become Nacho Mama. After its liquor-license application appeared online, we talked briefly to Nacho Mama’s proprietor by phone this afternoon. She told us she’s opening as soon as August 1st, with a menu that will include tacos and frybread, hours 7 am to 11 pm.
That’s the note on the door of Zippy’s Giant Burgers in White Center after its final day on Saturday. We saw it there at 8 pm, when would-be customers were still showing up in hopes they weren’t too late. But they were. WSB reader Margo says her family got “the last Zippy’s burger ever sold” – and sent this photo of her 10-year-old son Chase enjoying it:
Margo says they got that last burger around 3:15 pm. The early sellout was not surprising considering this was the line before they opened at 10 am:
Zippy’s owners Blaine and Rahel Cook announced on Tuesday that they’d be closing this weekend after 14 years. They were in Highland Park for the first three years before moving to a larger space in White Center.
(Thursday photo sent by Corianton Hale)
As reported here last night, Zippy’s Giant Burgers has closed early the past two nights, after selling out of food both nights following their announcement Tuesday that they’re closing permanently after 14 years. Just got word from Zippy’s proprietors Rahel and Blaine Cook that the overwhelming response means tomorrow (Saturday, July 9th) will be their closing day, one day sooner than first announced:
Just a heads up that tomorrow will be our last day instead of Sunday.
Our final food order that we received today won’t be enough to sustain beyond then and there are no deliveries tomorrow.
We are grateful for everyone’s support over the last few days. It has meant the world to us.
They plan to open Saturday at 10 am.
After a year-long closure, what was Be’s Restaurant at 4509 California SW in The Junction will reopen next week with a new name, Bonjour Vietnam. New furnishings, too.
Same ownership – Jade Nguyen, daughter of Be’s longtime owners, who (mostly) retired during the early pandemic shutdowns, after 35 years,
Jade has run The Alley speakeasy-style bar behind Be’s since 2018. She is almost done remodeling the restaurant, with plans for a soft open starting around 5 pm on Summer Fest Eve (next Thursday, July 14th). We talked with her there this evening. Changes include a higher ceiling and new lighting, plus front windows that open.
As for the food, she says the menu is still being finalized but as the new name implies, it’ll have both French and Vietnamese flavors – from escargot and paté to pho, banh mi, and vermicelli bowls. She says making a change just made sense, as trying to replicate Be’s offerings with a different chef after her parents’ retirement just wasn’t working. Another change: The restaurant space now includes a bar.
(Wednesday photo sent by Carolyn Dean)
A lot of people want to go to Zippy’s Giant Burgers (at least) one more time before they close forever after Sunday (as announced two days ago). Two nights running now, we’ve gotten word that they’ve sold out and closed early. The lines started early, too = we went over this morning to confirm they had reopened after the early closure last night, and in the 11 am hour there was already a line out into the parking lot.
(Thursday photo sent by Corianton Hale)
So if you’re going, get there early tomorrow if you can – we’re told they plan to open at 10 am. (Thanks to everyone for the tips and photos!)
(WSB photo from Zippy’s opening day in 2008)
In May 2008, punk rocker Blaine “Zippy” Cook (above right) opened a hole-in-the-wall burger joint in Highland Park and drew a crowd. They followed him to a bigger space in White Center three years later. But now – Zippy’s Giant Burgers has just emailed some giant news: They’re closing. Here’s the announcement:
It is with heavy hearts that we are closing Zippy’s Giant Burgers after 14 years. Sadly, our last day of business will be Sunday, July 10th, 2022.
To say this decision is heartbreaking is a monumental understatement. Over the last two years, we have done everything we could to try to keep Zippy’s open for business. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, all of our efforts have been thwarted.
Our issues are no different from those we’ve all heard about with other businesses closing recently; staffing, inflation, and an unreasonable landlord are the contributing factors that ultimately led us to this decision.
Zippy’s will be open (staffing permitting) the following days:
Tuesday through Saturday 10 am – 9 pm
Sunday noon – 8 pmHeartfelt thanks to the community for supporting us from our humble beginnings in Highland Park to the current location over the last 14 years. It was a good run.
Blaine, Rahel and Jesse
For newcomers, Zippy’s original location was at 16th/Holden, where Wanna Burger/Teriyaki is now. Its current White Center location at 9614 14th SW was previously a halal restaurant among other things; they added more space two years after the move. Zippy’s also had a Georgetown location from 2014 to 2018.
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