"Loretta’s Northwesterner is a classic South Seattle dive (no minors allowed!) that takes its food seriously. Not just one, but three items on the menu—the tavern burger, the fish and chips, and the frisbee-sized pork cutlet sandwich—would be high in the running for best in the city. If you’ve only got room for one, take the burger, which comes with a single small but juicy patty packed with char-grilled flavor, all wrapped up so that the ingredients can steam together a bit before you dive in."

"Pick two: generous, delicious, and inexpensive. Hard, right? At Frelard Tamales, you don’t have to. The half-pound tamales are packed with tender steamed masa and flavorful fillings (both meaty and vegan, savory and sweet). Come by during lunchtime and you can get a full meal with rice and vegan refried beans for under $10 from this community favorite. If the selection is overwhelming, the pulled pork or the cheese and chiles are my family’s favorites."

"There’s lots of great pizza in Seattle in a huge range of styles, but for lunch, I’m typically looking for a couple of slices on a paper plate, not a sit-down experience. The slices from Post Alley Pizza have a crisp, charred underbelly, a nice bubbly crust, excellent high-quality tomatoes and cheese (and not too much of either), and a varying array of seasonal toppings...It tastes like pizza made by a great bread baker, which explains the quality of the hoagie rolls they also bake in-house."

"The kathi rolls from Spice Waala in Capitol Hill are not going to put you into a food coma, but what they lack in size they make up for in flavor, thanks to the multi-day rest all of their fillings take in a spiced yogurt marinade. Equally delicious are the snacks, especially the chickpea chaat, tossed in a pair of chutneys: tangy tamarind, and fresh cilantro. Spice Waala partners with local organizations to provide free meals to neighbors in need—they’re a true community-forward spot."

"Combining the spice and flavors of owner Stevie Allen’s Southern roots with Pacific Northwest traditions leads to things like crab puppies, spiced vinegary sweet potato fries, and crisply fried breaded Alaskan cod with a dusting of spices. There’s no shortage of great fish and chips in Seattle, but Emerald City is a particularly special bargain."