La Isla Bomb-ita!

I know that Madonna song is about San Pedro, but it's hard not to get it stuck in your head when dining at La Isla. This amazing Puerto Rican restaurant in Ballard is certainly where my stomach longs for me to be. Popular for a damned good reason is the Pernil Special: slow roasted pork shoulder that's been "marinated for days" in some kind of magic elixir, making it super tender and flavorful. Also mind-blowing is the Pastelon: a Puerto Rican "lasagna," layered with sweet plantains and cheesy goodness, plus your choice of meat or veggies. All entrees come with a generous helping of house recipe rice and beans and tostones (or sub these with sweet mash or maduros), plus their incredible mojito garlic sauce. Smother everything on your plate in it or try to resist shooting it straight from the dish. Get a box for your meal so you can have dessert. They have the best Tres Leches in town. And with lunch and happy hour specials (half-price apps and strong cocktails, 3-6 and 10-1 nightly), there are plenty of ways to lower the bill. If eating and drinking isn't enough to entertain you, they'll set you up with Dominoes.

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Restaurants • Extended Coverage Area

Dogmatic About Pancakes

Living in the UD, I sometimes miss the old IHOP and pancakes at my beck and call. But then I remember the Blue Dog Kitchen and I remember just how much I was slumming it with those nasty gut-bombs and sugary syrups. Blue Dog does "build-your-own pancakes" with an extensive array of bases (like buttermilk, oat bran, blue cornmeal, and poppy seed) and toppings. Fruits, nuts, chocolate chips and syrups combined any way your little heart desires. They're even available wheat-free for more delicate digestive systems. If pancakes aren't your thing, they'll also do an omelet for you, and throw in a piece of fresh bread for good measure. Cafe D'arte supplies the coffee but the Dogs brew their own chai in 10 different varieties, including ginger spice and lavender. If you prefer lunch, they've got that too: Deli-style sandwiches in 20 different varieties. The dog may be blue, but your stomach won't be. The only downside to this place is that the pancake service is limited to the mornings. But I suppose an adult has to adhere to a meal schedule sometime.

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Coffee , Restaurants • U District

Have It Your Way. Really.

So it's not a mom and pop burger joint. It started in California with franchises springing up in some unlikely places across the country (and the world). And maybe I'm just falling for the glamor of an evil empire on the rise. But when a place boasts 312,120 different possible burger combinationa (any mathematicians want to contest this figure?) how can you not? Because of the insane array of choices, their Build-Your-Own-Burger forms can be a little overwhelming. I find it's best to start with a sauce and go from there. You can be simple as you please (beef burger, American cheese, lettuce, regular bun) or highly experimental (turkey burger, soft ripened brie, hard boiled eggs, ginger soy glaze, dried cranberries on English muffin). It's all up to you. They just provide the high-quality ingredients. Especially impressive are their house-made veggie patties, an ingenious combination of grains and veggies mashed together and fried to a golden brown. Don't miss their Wednesday happy hour, which pairs 4 sliders with 4 microbrew samples for $4. Save room for a milkshake, which can also be combined however you please. It doesn't get any more "have it your way" than this.

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Restaurants • Ballard

Looks Aren't Everything

It certainly looks sketchy from the outside and its proximity to the dodginess of Lake City Way certainly doesn't help. But if you can put look beyond appearances and venture inside, you most certainly won't regret it. With three different menus (American, Chinese, and Vegetarian) it's difficult not to find something you like. The house-made noodles are the perfect combination of chewy and salty and come in a number of different dishes. The vegetarian sweet and sour ribs are a saucy bit of fried heaven. If you're feeling adventurous, order something off one of the colorful signs by the register. Those are the owner's suggestions and are sure to be amazing. Don't miss the weekend brunch with eggy pastry delights and some dim-sum type items. The steamed bun selection (apart from the lackluster vegetarian bun) is outstanding. However, be prepared for spotty service. Depending on how busy they are, (and often, it's VERY) you may wait a long time for your food. Fortunately, there's always take-out. Trust me, it's worth the hassle. This is some of the most authentic (and delicious) Chinese food you will find in Seattle. Just ask the authentic Chinese families who crowd the dining room!

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Restaurants • Extended Coverage Area

Breakfast All Day

Roxy's website states that they're "Seattle's only NY Jewish Style Diner." But this is not a case of beggars-can't-be-choosers. Roxy's is the poo. Their gargantuan menu lists an endless array of delights for chosen people and Goys alike. Have a burger (or veggie patty) any way you like it, eat breakfast all day (bagel sandwiches, latkes and eggs, tater tot omelet), or go the traditional sandwich route with a Rueben, Patty Melt or enormous Pastrami on Rye. Naturally, it all comes with a crispy pickle. Wash it down with a pitcher of beer or the bubbly chocolate goodness of an Egg Cream. Weekends bring $2 Champagne Cocktails or Mini Marys. As for sides, they've got 'em in spades. Potato Salad, Slaw, Matzoh Ball Soup, Sweet Potato Fries, and Tots just to name a few. If you're still hungry after all that, you can get some pie or Rugelach from the glass case. It doesn't hurt that the decor, with the cushy booths and colorful mural, is as sunny and inviting as the wait staff. The only downside is that they close at 7 pm every day. But they're Seattle's only NY Jewish Style Diner so you'll eat when they're ready.

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Restaurants • Fremont