Every so often we get up early and go out and look for a good place to eat breakfast. We found a few good options. Most of these are well established but were new to us, at least for breakfast.
Breakfast in Georgetown
Just North of Georgetown, Jack’s BBQ, 3924 Airport Way South, 206.467.4038, https://jacksbbq.com/sodo/, is a place we have driven by for years without stopping. This is the original location for Jack’s. But, during the time we have been driving by and noticing it they have expanded to multiple locations including the Columbia Tower and South Lake Union, so you may be familiar with them for lunch or dinner. But they also serve
breakfast, at least at their 
original location and at Columbia Tower.
Jack’s breakfast menu is simple: a choice of three breakfast burritos: brisket, sausage or beef and bacon. All three are made with a potato, egg, and cheese base. We tried the brisket (server’s suggestion) and the beef and bacon. The brisket was tender, and that is their best seller. The beef and bacon was very flavorful (it had bacon, after all). They were both worth ordering again, although next time we will just get one as that is enough for breakfast.
The Airport Way South location was remarkably busy for breakfast, both dining in and to go. They have a full bar, even at breakfast. We chose not to include that in the review, at least this time. As mentioned, Jack’s has grown from this location to several, including downtown. They are large enough now that you can get discounted gift cards for them at Costco. We have been back for lunch, already. So obviously we plan to return.
A Popular Hangout in Wallingford
We made our way over to Union Saloon, 3645 Wallingford Avenue North, 206.547.2280, https://unionsaloonseattle.com, just a few blocks North of Gasworks Park in Wallingford. Union Saloon has been open for almost eight years, but much of that was during Covid, and it is a little off the beaten track, so many people are not yet aware of it. But it has a loyal following so it can get quite crowded.
One can smell their biscuits while approaching their location. Indeed, they are very proud of their made fresh biscuits and feature them in many of their dishes (and offer them as a substitution for other items. The biscuits are very good, buttery and flaky and large — definitely worth trying. They bake their own focaccia bread and other bakery items; this may not be the place to take your gluten free friends.
We tried the Saloon Belgian Waffle that comes with a lemon and sage ricotta, with a side of bacon, and the Pork Verde and Eggs, substituting the biscuit for the focaccia at the server’s suggestion. The waffle first: if you are into waffles, this is one to try. It is fairly large. The ricotta topping complemented it so well you may not need any syrup. The bacon was thick cut and grilled medium well — very tasty. The pork verde tasted great — a lively mix of veggies and the pork cheeks and we were glad we had it on their biscuit. It is probably worth trying it again with the focaccia bread when we go back.
We would order both of these items again, but there are several other items on the menu we want to try, such as the duck hash. Somewhat surprisingly, biscuits and gravy is not on the menu at Union Saloon. But we understand it can be ordered “off menu.” They did not admit to any other regular off menu items.
This is a saloon, so there is a full bar. And there is a good chance you will be seated at the bar, even with a reservation. They have some interesting drinks we want to sample, such as their N/A Saloon Spritz, a drink with passion fruit, lime, basil, and soda, but we will need to wait for our return trip for that.
This is a location to which we plan to return. Reservations are strongly suggested, even to sit at the bar. It was full when we were there, including half of the outside tables, and that was in winter. We understand it is much more crowded in the summer.
Back to Capitol Hill
We finally got to check out the new location for Glo’s Diner, 928 East Barbara Bailey Way, (the South end of the complex above the Capitol Hill Light Rail Station), 206.420.4436, https://www.glosseattle.com. After decades of being located on Broadway, Glo’s moved to this off Broadway location about two years ago.
Glo’s offer a wide breakfast selection of traditional American style breakfasts. They have a focus on items with fresh hollandaise, and a killer (by appearance, at least) coffee cake. The menu is quite light on gluten free options — another place to consider avoiding with gluten free friends. We tried their corned beef hash, also a featured item, which included a generous portion with two eggs, hash browns and choice of toast (including English muffin or cinnamon raisin swirl). The hash was particularly good, with a high proportion of meat (vs. potato) and the meat was lean, but not so lean as to make it dry. This was among the better corned beef hash entries we have had (and we have tried many). And for the toast they have marionberry jam bears (like a honey bear) at the table.
Glo’s has a full bar. We will need to go back to review their specialty drinks. Historically the bar may have been busier when Glo’s opened at Midnight for breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays. Now it is simply open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 363 days a year.
The food is quite good at Glo’s. It is priced almost as high as if it were a downtown option, but obviously its success suggests the patrons consider it worth it. The portions are sufficient for leftovers to provide a second meal and that may compensate for the prices. On weekends it can be packed with a line out the door. It is generally easy to get a seat without a wait on a weekday. If you are planning on working through breakfast do not count on wifi — Glo’s does not offer any.
And a Goodbye to a Northend Spot
We have intended for quite some time to investigate the weekend breakfast (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at 125th Street Grill, 12255 Aurora Avenue North, 205.363.8950, https://www.125thstreetgrillwa.com, at the Southwest Corner of 125th North Street and Aurora Avenue North (just South of Lowes). (Those of you who have been here long enough will recall this as adjacent to the Black Angus Motor Inn — not affiliated with the Black Angus restaurants.)
We finally dropped in to try the weekend breakfast at this grill only to discover they will be closing for good April 20 when their lease runs out. Still, we enjoyed their corned beef hash, made fresh daily and accompanied with three poached eggs. Typical of the North End, the prices were reasonable (roughly two thirds or less what you would pay downtown or Capitol Hill).
If you are familiar with this Grill and want to visit before they close, you will need to do so in the next few weeks. The physical plant is deteriorating, but the restaurant is filled with Seattle nostalgia photos, so it might be worth the trip for the blast form the past.
After making a point of checking out dedicated breakfast locations we are left with wondering why so many of them serve enough food for a second meal.
Dining Out is brought to you by Christopher Howard with the help of friends and family. Feedback and suggestions are welcome at chh@f2t.com or 206.669.5956.
