Images

Pike Place Public Market


When in Seattle, it is a must to check out Pike Place Public Market. This large open farmer’s market is like no other.

image

On the far left side at Pike Place Fish Co., check out the flying fish thrown at high speed by the guys transferring fish from counter to the slicers.

image

In front of Pike Place Place Fish Co. is Rachel the piggy bank donated by Fratelli’s Ice Cream in 1986. Feel free to feed the pig.

image

As you move along the market, you will come across the large, beautiful flower shop. Be sure to stop and smell the roses.

image

Once you reach the end of the flower market, don’t think it’s the end. Keep walking along Pike Place and start your foodie adventure at Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. One block further, stop by Piroshky, Piroshky and the original Starbucks for more eats.

(Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA)

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese

Known to the world as one of Oprah’s favorite things, the “world’s best” mac and cheese from Beecher’s Handmade Cheese lives up to its hype. The intense depth of flavor comes from aging the cheese for 18 months. On display at the window, you can witness the cheese making process. Be sure to sample the cheese ranging from the curd to the aged cheese. On your way out, grab a bowl of the mac and cheese or order it online to enjoy when you like.

(1600 Pike Place, Seattle, WA 98101)

Piroshky, Piroshky


I didn’t learn of pirozhkies until this trip to Seattle. They are Russian baked buns with a meat or vegetable filing. They remind me of Spanish empanadas. You can find Piroshky, Piroshky a few stores down from the original Starbucks. Be sure to stop by and grab a mid-day snack. You won’t regret it. 

image

There will be small line but it moves quickly. They offer sweet, meat or vegetable pirozhkies. I went twice, and each time, I got a savory pirozhki.

The salmon pate is adorably shaped like a fish. The bread was amazing. Its sweetness balanced the smoked salmon and cream cheese filling.

The beef and onion reminded me of Porto’s potato balls but with a flaky crust.

(Pike Place Market, 1908 Pike Place, Seattle, WA 98101)

The Original Starbucks


You may see Starbucks on nearly every corner around the world but if you didn’t already know, it all started in Seattle. Located at Pikes Place Market, you won’t won’t easily bypass this place considering there is always a long line to enter the original Starbucks.

image

If you find the wait too long to order a drink, don’t worry. You can easily go to the next Starbucks, since it won’t be the only Starbucks you see in Seattle. There is nearly one on every corner.

(Pike Place Market, 1912 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101)

Fremont Troll


Seattle loves art. So much that the government will fund a good portion of it. On just about every corner you can find some sort of statue or art display. The Fremont Troll was the winning design to the Fremont Arts Council’s plan of rehabilitating the area under the bridge, which was becoming a dump. The troll is holding a real Volkswagen Beetle, while its one eye is a hubcap. When you visit the infamous troll, feel free to climb on the troll. 

(3405 Troll Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103)

Stumptown Coffee Roasters


Originated in Portland, Oregon, Stumptown Coffee has made its way to Seattle. People call this place hipster, I call it a legit wake up call. The coffee is strong but the quality is there. I also liked how this place was not crowded which makes it a great place to get work done.

Hard Knox Cafe

These days the Dog Patch neighborhood of San Francisco is looking to face lift everything, but one place that hasn’t changed in the past 16 years is Hard Knox Cafe. This inconspicuous restaurant, located across from Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous ice shop, serves up hearty Southern style comfort food. For $13, you can get a three piece fried chicken dish with two sides of your choice and corn bread. The fried chicken is meaty and perfectly crisp. The mac and cheese is the classical hearty and cheesy mac and cheese that everyone loves. My favorite was the corn bread. It was sweet and moist.

They also serve chicken and waffles and ribs of all sorts. I’m definitely going back to try those next.

If you’re in the Richmond district, look out for their second location.

Locations: 2526 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
2448 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121

Torta Ahogada

Torta ahogada is a drowned sandwich, which is a typical dish of Guadalajara. The birote bread has a crunchy crust, which allows it to withstand the sauce, and a soft interior. This regional bread is filled with fried, chopped pork and then submerged in a chili pepper tomato sauce. Top it with raw onions and cabbage and enjoy! Tip: It’s messy so have napkins handy!

Tejunio

Tejunio is a popular drink from Jalisco’s neighboring state, Colima. It is made out of corn dough mixed with water and piloncillo (cone shaped unrefined brown sugar). It is boiled until thick and then fermented. It is served cold with lime juice, sprinkle of salt, and a scoop of shaved ice. You can find this concoction sold by street vendors. I bought mine in front of Instituto Cultural Cabañas.

Elote Man 

The Elote Man, Timoteo Flor de Nopal, has been turning healthy corn into a heart attack snack for 27 years in Lincoln Heights. For $1.50 you can get corn on a cob or a bowl of corn topped with a heaping spread of mayonnaise, generous drizzle of butter, even coating of Parmesan cheese, and a dust of chili powder. When you to try to eat the corn, it’s a game of balancing the newly gained weight of the corn, about half a pound, so it doesn’t lose to gravity. Don’t worry! This doesn’t scare people away. On warm summer nights, the lines can get long so go early before he runs out. He’s open from 9:30 pm until 1 am or until he runs out. It’s worth it for this heart attack concoction that will change the way you eat corn. You won’t be able to eat it any other way.

(2338 Workman St., Los Angeles, CA 90031– by the 99 cent store)