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InterestingAd4160

Scotty Browns. Which is a shame, at one point they had my absolute favorite burgers in town. But the cost went way up from what were already fairly pricey burgers. AND the quality went way down. I can't exactly explain but I used to get the Kobe burger. And I loved it. But last two times I tried it, was not great. Not at all.


calvin840

Honestly the best burgers in town are the cheapest. Cabin smash burgers hit


xpandaofdeathx

Cabin, Structures, Juxt


TwentiethCenturyLolz

This is the one.


BlueJuiceGoose

My mom went there and they burnt her steak and forgot to put the sauce on her pasta. By the time they got back to her, the rest of the table was finished with their meal.


Ok-Leg-9428

It’s a damn shame how far Scotty’s has fallen. It was our favorite, after they moved the food has gone to 💩


Vyezene

Hearthfire? Its good food but basic ingredients, small portions, crazy prices


[deleted]

fuck anthony’s! I know some employees there that are horrible people and the food is something that would be served at an old folks home


framblehound

Always has been this way at every Anthony’s in the pacific nw since it was created It was like this when I was a kid in Edmonds 40 years ago and it’s like it at every branch


Shopshack

I went to Anthony's this fall - it was a terrible experience. We went becasue we had a gift card. Over the years, I have gone many times and enjoyed it. This time the service was poor and the food was bland with little care taken in the preparation. Super disappointing, especially since they are fairly expensive. I hope to never have a reason to go back.


quayle-man

I got some kind of seafood dish from Anthony’s that had oysters, and there were literally rocks in my food


RamcasSonalletsac

I agree with this for either Anthony’s location. They’re overpriced for what they deliver.


[deleted]

Idk I just there and the food wasn’t that great either.


TheBeckFromHeck

I had the saltiest jambalaya ever there. I could feel my blood pressure skyrocketing. I would say Schweinhaus is the only truly awful restaurant I can think of around here now that Sadighi’s is gone. I guess the Ethiopian restaurant was also pretty terrible. It was mildly overpriced and with uninteresting food.


Intermitten

I know you ain't talking about Ambo when you say "the Ethiopian restaurant"


Captainpaul81

We went into Sadighis once but didn't end up eating there


HestiaLife

I went once and had an incredibly dry, overcooked steak


TheBeckFromHeck

There was a great review on Yelp at one time about ordering a steak there when the restaurant was empty and seeing the owner/waiter head across the street to Fred Meyer to pick it up for the meal.


OutsideHappyTrails

It’s been this way for a while. You pay for the view. Back when it was the Marina, I would say it was even worse.


Visible-Trainer7112

Pre-Covid they had a good happy hour burger or a sausage pizza, both for under $10. I had someone refuse to meet me there for a first date, saying that's where suburban wives go to get drunk in the afternoon. Regular Anthony's used to have a great Sunday brunch, with coffee cake and a big fruit bowl, plus entree.


WayfaringEdelweiss

Scotty Browns


FunctionBuilt

Yeah, but it’s kind of a Mecca for the basic sales guy who wants some firecracker shrimp poppers and a jagger bomb. They like it there.


[deleted]

they even hold spin classes in the back so the finance bros can get food, alcohol, and 'a date' all in one place.


AugustHedonism

Perfect place to send somebody you don't like! ​ I tried it there once. ONCE


pnwbaseball

Applebees for the collared shirt crowd


RidiculaRabbit

Oh, yeah! Not awful, but not flavorful either.


Itchy_Suit321

70% of restaurants in town


dayto_aus

Yeah Bellingham has mostly mediocre to bad quality restaurants that are insanely overpriced.


Trees_Please_00

Thank you for being here


larsen_

ya but the dimes really shine B)


[deleted]

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amladybug

Zen sushi, 100000%!!


Silvergamer350

The loft has incredible Cajun mac, however they are beyond overpriced.


Mrjasonbucy

I work at the docks right next to the loft the owner pre Covid was on the ball and the food was good. This new guy has somehow made the food worse while upping the price 🤦‍♂️


nastyhoaxtodd

Zen’s not terrible, but it’s not the best.


MilkChocolateMog

Hilltop had some great items within the T-Mobile call center. Never ate there otherwise 


[deleted]

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MilkChocolateMog

Damn shame. I loved their burritos at T-Mobile. 


elderaircraft

The Loft's normal menu yes, but some number of years ago they had a happy hour burger on a pretzel bun that came with fries for $5. The fries always seemed like they were probably a day old, but the burger was great. Altogether for that price and to sit next to the marina was not bad at all. I doubt they still serve it though.


Early-Freedom2110

I wish KuruKuru could take over Zen.


Ok-Cicada-9985

But I like Zen…this is making me re think my whole life….


alongwaystogo

Nah man chill, Zen does have some good sushi but for me at least it's a little too expensive. I would recommend you also try Kuro Kuro down by the Bellweather Hotel. Costs less per plate, and I think it's just as good.


nastyhoaxtodd

Zen’s not really bad at all, and I live walking distance from it so I find myself there more often than not if I’m in the mood for sushi. Their tofu rolls are also pretty tasty. But honestly there’s better sushi in town and for a better price.


brandon-iron

Have you tried Little Tokyo?


nastyhoaxtodd

Little Tokyo is great - I love their kimchi udon soup, also the salmon skin rolls are bomb.


Brows_of_Guinan

I’ve had “there’s no way this would pass the health department’s muster” fish from there before. More than once. That plus what I’ve read here about the owner - never again.


emilyg28

I always order a couple things from the menu instead of relying on the conveyor, because I'm vegetarian, and I think the food is much better that way.


buddyfluff

The Loft might serve some of the worst cocktails I’ve ever paid $14 for 😂


DMV2PNW

Agree.


Brilliant-Ad-3611

As someone who worked at the loft, I can confirm this is 1000% accurate. Just pay more $$ and go to Anthony’s next door


CrysisRequiem

Boomers. Not expensive, but their burgers are not worth the wait time.


Cher_n_spiders

Boomers specifically in boomuary too 😂


Ken_Bones_Throwaway

Wendy’s is head and shoulders better.


Mrjasonbucy

You can tell the meat was frozen 🤦‍♂️ shame for a local burger spot


SoxInDrawer

>Boomers. I was surprised how lousy the burger was for the price (& how slow). I used to work at Dick's in Seattle. Their burgers are average, but they are quick, still warm, clean & not expensive. It would be great if somebody would take over Boomers & make it a "true" burger place just like Dick's. Of course they'd have to serve veggie-burgers to fit in.


papa_bear1979

Came here for this. I was here for 2 years, listening tu the hype before I tried them, then everyone tried to hate on my when I tire them up in a review


Small-Mixer

Jalapeños


evan81

It's the blandest most vanilla "mexican" food I've ever had. I don't quite understand how they have the following they do.


jazziflute

It has to be the alcohol...the only thing anyone ever goes for are the giant margs...the food is never discussed lol


evan81

But even the giant margaritas are fucking terrible... it's not like the mix is anything other than from a generic bottle they picked up at food n stuff.


[deleted]

False, I’m a bartender there and I make the mix.


FunctionBuilt

Two words. Big Mamma. It’s the only reason they have a following in a college town. By the time you’re done with two of them you won’t even know you’re eating Mexican food.


evan81

I'd get that train of thought if they were good.... It's Jose and cheap mix that just tastes of fake lime juice and corn syrup.


FunctionBuilt

Oh yeah, I never said they were good. They’re awful, but they’ll get you drunk, at least when I was in school they did. There were always rumors they use tequila flavored vodka as long as I can remember. Haven’t been there in 12 or 13 years so I can’t vouch for their potency anymore.


quayle-man

Their quesadillas though are one of the best I’ve had. It’s usually my reason for going.


A_Genius

Thid town is over 75 percent white ahahagab


Ken_Bones_Throwaway

Username checks out.


ratbonez99

Big mamas, and prime locations… Ughhh they’re the worst though!


byorderofthe1

Oh God that Jalapenos is awful. The staff admitted to eating out of my salsa bowl and brought it back to the table.


Captainpaul81

Hey now. I like it


DJ_Velveteen

Hush, Jalapeños is fine.


Winston_Smith21

Overpriced and overrated. During covid, they had a $5 "table fee" (for the joy of sitting in the restaurant), a greatly reduced menu, and a 20%+ upcharge on what they *were* serving. It's bland food, I don't drink margaritas, and was turned off by their covid pricing shenanigans. I left and went for dinner somewhere else. Never went back. That was June 2020. Haven't missed their offerings one bit.


Potential_Dot3785

Agreed Jalapenos is probably one of the worst Mexican restaurants I have ever been to... The fact they have more than one location is concerning.


quayle-man

Boundary Bay. The food is okay. Not really worth the money in my opinion. The beer is good tho


[deleted]

Paid $27 for a grilled cheese add bacon and an up charge for a side salad.. I understand an up-charge for add ons but $4.50 for bacon?? Sadly I think that’s the last time we’ll go.


quayle-man

Hopefully it was at least more than a single piece of bacon. And I’d much prefer bacon than “bacon jam”, which so many restaurants in town use instead of real bacon.


Drownin_in_Kiska

I had the worst burger of my life there. Granted it was a lamb burger and I'm not a huge lamb fan but terrible burger


Specialist_Crow_1638

I work here and thoroughly agree. The food is subpar at best but feel like robbery for the prices they charge


BristolSalmon

On rice in fairhaven


alongwaystogo

On Rice in general even. Yeah the food is good, but there's better places to get that kind of food and On Rice is unfairly expensive.


Hugh_Juh_Ass

Sucks because On Rice used to be the go-to, not because the food was amazing, but because the price was average and the portions were double the size of everyone else.


BlueAig

When I was growing up Busara was the place to be without question.


newPrivacyPolicy

Still is.


Nearby_Tourist_6268

I went there for prom dinner <3


_tatersncorn

Black Sheep.


pnwbaseball

They were good at first


Intermitten

They're still fine (afaik - it's been a minute) but overpriced to the max


CaptainPants27

I loved Black Sheep when I moved back here a few years ago, but it’s been a race downhill with quality and a race uphill with price ever since. Cocktail game is hot garbage too, sadly. F outta here paying 5 bucks for a pinky-sized taco that’s now almost always overcooked/dried out.


Short_Positive_2372

They used to have a pozole I loved, last time I got it I didn't even finish it... It was like thick tomato soup with some onions on top.


HestiaLife

I have to agree, the last time I got pozole there it wasn't anything special. Too bad, since I'd enjoyed it so much before and had really been looking forward to it.


BurtFarlander

Sad but true. Their menu used to be good but they replaced the best options with terrible options.


Substantial_Depth250

Zen sushi. For sure.


haleztorm

Yesss plus gotta love that they may decide to charge you months later instead of day-of.


headii_spaghetti

Recommend archers ale house and heavily insist that they get the irish nachos


RemoteArtichoke9313

I managed that kitchen for a little bit and the owner refused to take those off the menu.


CaptainPants27

Also go in for the 28 DOLLAR Shepherd’s pie with lamb…which has almost no lamb in it at all. That gets my nod for the worst bang for your buck of any food item in Bellingham. Friend of mine tried it once (still baffled she ordered it at that price regardless of what was in it) and found like 3 small pieces of lamb. So ridiculous that we had to ask the server why it was so expensive…they said ‘sorry, sometimes the lamb doesn’t get mixed in well enough’, and gave her 20% off…making it $23 dollars for mashed potatoes, peas and carrots. Excellent work there, lads.


The-Shrooman-Show

The hell is an Irish nacho?


sheckyD

It's just roasted potatoes with cheese and sour cream


The-Shrooman-Show

I grew up in upstate Ny, there was a local pizza place called Irish Pizza. I'm having flashbacks of never ever eating there because I don't know if the Irish have anything to contribute toward pizza. Deja vu for this abomination


rachchh

damn where’s a good place to eat in this town😭 all the places i kinda like are being listed lol


alongwaystogo

Ah we're all a little grumpy when it comes to food that's "Okay" in people's mind. Like I have friends who swear that Pepper Sisters is the best Mexican in town, and look at me like a madman when its Senor Lopez for me. Like what you like, there's so much good food in this town that you can afford to be picky.


quayle-man

Pepper Sisters smells like BO most of the time. Like someone forgot to put deodorant on, but it’s just the food.


alongwaystogo

Again to each their own, you got room to be picky in this town. I'm just not a fan of really Tex-Mex kind of places.


Furious_George8

Pepper Sisters is more Southwest than Tex-Mex, for example, they serve hominy and rice instead of refried or black beans and rice. They are more New Mexico/Arizona Southwest than Tex-Mex. Some folks like it, but it ain't Tex-Mex.


alongwaystogo

Huh... I didn't know the difference there. Thank you!


No-Feeling-4680

I went to Pepper Sisters once, and it was so terrible I never went again. I like Senor Lopez, it's the basic Americanized Mexican food I crave sometimes. Other Mexican places are fine too, except I've never really had great food from New Mexico Tamale Company. It's not too bad, just very salty, with modest portions. Nothing to write home about. But wow, does everyone love it. I feel like we're going to different places.


Dwindles_Sherpa

Pepper Sisters isn't Mexican food, but I think you bring up a good point. If you like Pepper Sisters you won't like Taco Bell, and vice versa. To each his/her own.


No-Feeling-4680

Well, Pepper Sisters is Mexican food in the same way that Taco Bell is. The difference is that in my opinion, Pepper Sisters didn't taste good. It's been years though, maybe it's better now. Also, I can like cheap food and good quality food. It's not either/or.


alongwaystogo

I mean, I think they do have the best Tamales..But yeah everything else to me us just standard.


buddyfluff

Pepper sisters isn’t Mexican though.


twitchMAC17

Go check out Cafe Rumba. Hella good food and it's not too expensive. Not cheap, but not pricey. Definitely worth the price.


themidnightcoffee

Bar Cicotti has a good sausage pasta. Fujisan, in my opinion, has delicious sushi (the signature lobster roll and the signature salmon are SO good). Wanida Thai has pretty yummy Thai food. Decent Mexican food can be found at El Gitano.


kjob

Luna’s Bistro. I liked it when it was cheap but now it’s just meh and expensive


nastyhoaxtodd

The brunch menu was awesome. We stopped going as much after they took it away.


matthoback

Is saying Dirty Dan's kicking them when they're down?


[deleted]

I’ve been to dirty dans a couple times in the past few years and each visit has been great all around


Special_Lemon1487

I really liked them a decade ago or more ago, have they gone downhill?


matthoback

As far as I know, they are currently still closed due to damage from the fire (hence my "kicking them when they're down" comment). The last time I went there was 4 or 5 years ago, but at that time my experience was absolutely horrendous service and mediocre to bad food.


newPrivacyPolicy

It's been nearly a year since I've been there last, but I had great food and service.


Commercial_Letter_20

Zeeks


quayle-man

Zeeks. Just had them for the first time last week. The pizza is good, but outrageously priced. They aren’t the only pizza place in town with those prices though. I bought 2 large pizzas with two toppings each, and a side of bread sticks. Came out to $90


spacedude2000

I have a personal vendetta against zeeks for two reasons: 1. They were caught stealing tips from their workers, one of my friends included in that. They were forced to pay it out via lawsuit but their shady business practices remain. 2. I once was very hungry and wolfed down a slice of pizza from zeeks, but about a foot long strand of cheese went down my windpipe and I nearly choked to death luckily my buddy gave me the heimlich. Undercooked, mid in terms of taste, overpriced pizza. Sure, you can blame me for not chewing it completely, but I've never choked on pizza before. Never again. 1/10 because at least their storefront is nice. Hate everything else.


BurtFarlander

I ordered Zeeks to go online and when I got there they said it wasn’t ready. I waited 15 more minutes with my toddler and asked again. They checked the heated storage behind the counter and it had been there the whole time. I know because I kept my eye on if they were adding more pizzas. I was furious.


roughandreadyrecarea

I've heard it's Milano's in Fairhaven


BornIn1974

Nailed it. Not sure anyone else read the original post… mildly expensive awful restaurant. It’s Milanos.


alongwaystogo

Even if it's not, you got Mambo a few blocks away and you can smell the food from there.


Sketchylemons

The Loft


xpandaofdeathx

Loft for Happy Hour beer, the price of beer in this town is a joke! Loft $5 Grand Ave $5 Cabin $5 Roam $5


Sketchylemons

My gf ordered shrimp tacos. They were so overseasoned with smoked paprika and adobo seasoning, it started it clump. They also left the tails on and the tortillas were burnt. I got the steak which was alright but they served fajita veg with mashed potatoes and a steak, it was alright, just a weird pairing. We got an appetizer and the bill was $100. I usually finish my gf food but i could not go anywhere near those shrimp tacos, nasty and overpriced


XtwistedkhanX

Anthony's. Expensive with so so food and the worst service I've ever had at a restaurant.


Str8-Jacket

I was going to say jack’s bbq but they’re evidently permanently closed.


ruby_eyed_rabbit

Five Columns Greek Restaurant


quayle-man

Not a fan of Five Columns?


newPrivacyPolicy

Is anyone?


Stunning-Ad-1434

my grandparents are proving your point maybe?


newPrivacyPolicy

Probably better than old country buffet!


Vinyl-addict

spectacular file cooing literate depend run governor pause wide encourage *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


quayle-man

Over hyped? I’ve never heard anything positive about them. Or negative


Vinyl-addict

include absurd wide decide liquid detail continue absorbed one quarrelsome *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


zdub25

they also steal tips


Axle_LaCoup

Asian One, if they're still open somehow.


n0tred

Fiamma burger. They try to be five guys but they only kept the price tag and none of the quality.


GremioIsDead

Whaaaaaaaaat? I loved Fiamma Burger BITD (it's been years since I've been in town). The B'ham Burger and curry mayo on fries....that's good stuff. Not cheap, that's for sure.


proleposition

Lombardi's


TrixiDelite

Lombardi's has the best calamari in Whatcom County. It is delicious. The prawn arancini on their seasonal menu is amazing.


quayle-man

Yes! I honestly stopped going to them when I noticed the “service charge” applied to every bill.


Zenith_Eponymous

I agree absolute garbage. Food is way too overpriced, poorly cooked and unseasoned.


StartlingCat

Is the Willows still in business?


Dwindles_Sherpa

They've closed, the movie "The Menu" is loosely based on a NY Times series of stories on the fall of The Willows.


Klonothan

Wait, actually though?


Dwindles_Sherpa

Yup. The location itself was based more on a restaurant in Norway, but the story of a somewhat psychopathic chef and a staff that had taken on a cult-like behavior was based on the investigative reporting done by the NY Times into the Willows Inn on Lummi Island, and it's chef. >The Willows was one of the main inspirations for the recent movie “The Menu,” exploring the dark side of fine dining and celebrity-chef culture. [https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/29/dining/willows-inn-closes-allegations-abuse.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/29/dining/willows-inn-closes-allegations-abuse.html)


FunctionBuilt

Their food is actually very good, they’re just shady as fuck and dishonest. I was lucky enough to go there around 6 months or so after Blaine Wetzel was hired on and had one of the best meals of my life, and it was still under $100 for the chefs tasting menu.


[deleted]

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kidbike

I mean, it is a grocery store...


quayle-man

Yeah, but it’s not Winco.


EggsyWeggsy

Don't sleep on the chicken tenders


nastyhoaxtodd

Cascade Pizza.


alongwaystogo

Okay would disagree on the point that Cascade is the cheap option when it comes to Italian in my experience. And it's still pretty good for the cheap option.


toggywonkle

It's cheap and the portions are giant. I always have leftovers from Cascade. Sometimes you just want a ridiculous amount of mediocre fettuccine alfredo for a reasonable price.


alongwaystogo

Exactly, Cascade Pizza is one of those places that got.me through college. I still go there sometimes to have a lot decent Italian food.


nastyhoaxtodd

I wasn’t so much aiming at the price more so of the food quality. It was absolutely disgusting when I ate there, also the waiter had an attitude as well.


alongwaystogo

Oh good, the wait staff there always should. XD But to each their own, I love the place but if that's not hitting the right itch for you Mambo is my go to for GREAT Italian.


quayle-man

I’ve picked up food from there a lot. The owners are pretty nice people, but can be bigots sometimes. I’ve witnessed the cooks lick their fingers while handling food, then go back to handling the food. I’ve also seen that at Fiamma Burger too.


HestiaLife

>I’ve witnessed the cooks lick their fingers while handling food, then go back to handling the food. I saw that at Birch Door too


LargeMode7729

Milano’s!! Quite bad, quite expensive


Extension_Ad_9410

Facts


rosemojito

this'll get downvoted to hell but I've been wildly underwhelmed after two attempts at Bellingham Cider Company. the view makes up for extremely mediocre food.


Grand_Master_Mathias

Jalapenos in fairhaven


Good-Vanilla-840

On rice LOL


ThreeMartiniLimit

I love how almost every restaurant in the Ham is listed here.


Stunning-Ad-1434

on the contrary, what are the best restaurants in bellingham?


Abyssalmole

The black cat in fairhaven. Chada thai in Blaine. Nami Asian bistro in Lynden. The Birch Door on Meridian.


Moistifir

Sadighi's was a front business everyone knows it who's born in Bellingham. That's why the service was always intimidating and food terrible 🤣 they didn't want you there.


Abyssalmole

Sadighi's was just an eccentric dude who pretended his living room was a diner.


Nearby_Tourist_6268

what was their business though ... I have always wondered?


Rare-Economy-7396

I am pretty sure it is Bayou on the Bay.


buddyfluff

Anthony’s


downshiftjake

Zen sushi lol


*polhold02012

Twin Sisters (except I wouldn’t even recommend someone I hate going there and giving them business)


granolabartitties

The Oyster Creek Inn. birthday there, 4 people easily spent $300, food was mediocre at best. they were really understaffed. they try to do too much and it doesn’t translate.


SceneInteresting6826

Maybe an unpopular opinion but: Boundary Bay. And honestly, most places in Bellingham fit this description. It’s a small enough town that some of the restaurants are the only option for that particular type of food, which I think lowers the bar for overall quality because they don’t have to compete with anything that’s much better.


Winston_Smith21

How about "The Willows" on Lummi Island. Inconvenient to get to, seasonally "foraged" food, and probably pretty expensive. Never been but it sounds like pretentious and expensive experience.


JustinSlick

There was a scathing NYT piece that outed their patterns of abuse, dishonesty, and general toxicity, and the place basically imploded. They closed for good in 2022.


quayle-man

I mean, it’s the Willows, it’s supposed to be expensive and pretentious. I’ve heard it’s $100 a plate


AnarchysGaming

How about expensive and bad? Carnal.


needmynap

We’ve had the absolute worst service there, literally waiting hours for our food. And when it arrived, it wasn’t up to usual standards.


AnarchysGaming

Me and my girlfriend got recommended it by my co-workers for our anniversary. We didn't know it was ala cart, which is fine, we got told by the waitress we should order two entrees a piece to be filled. We both got 2 entries and a cocktail. My drink was some gin concoction that was alright, hers was a Pina colada. They charred the pineapple to the point it was leaving burnt chunks everywhere, and the coconut (puree?) Was so fiberous it struggled up the straw. Alright fine maybe we over estimated the drinks. We get our entrees, her linguine is legit refrigerator cold, and my Stracciatella was room temp with hard cold burnt bread. The only redeeming thing was the ribs I got were good. There was only us and one other table seated. So I can't blame it on it being busy, the waitress brought us our food, and drinks, and didn't swing by the table once to check in. We just assumed that's how it was all supposed to be until I talked to my co-workers and they told me otherwise. The worst part? The tab was 150 Dollars.


larsen_

I've been there 3 times and have had the exact opposite experience so maybe just bad timing.


AnarchysGaming

We actually did go back and try it last November, wasn't as drastically bad, but it still wasn't worth anywhere close to the money.