(raincityburgers.com) – Roosevelt
How I heard of this place: I first found out about Rain City Burgers while walking by it, and noticing that the previous burger joint had shut down. Months later, my friend, Jenna mentioned having heard good reviews. And now, searching for a nearby burger establishment to appease my friend Chris’s craving.
Type of cuisine: An establishment offering a wide range of burgers, appetizers, sides, veggie burgers, shakes and more. “The new owner has been on restaurant business for few years with great passion of serving people with fresh and healthy burger. Starting June, rain city burgers are going to serve a healthy 100 % natural beef throughout the week including Sunday. Natural beef refers NO ADDED HORMONES, NO ADDED ANTIBIOTICS & 100% VEGETARIAN DIET. You can now expect great burgers with excellent customer service plus nice and clean environment in Rain City Burgers.”
Ambiance: A small, corner spot on NE 65th Street and Roosevelt Way NE, the brightly colored green walls with white and blue accents welcome patrons. An order counter, above which can be found the colorful chalkboard style menu hosts friendly staff, who greet you warmly as you enter. Two tables with four chairs each are at the front, against the floor-to-ceiling windows, to your left as you enter. Just beyond the entrance and to the right, along the wall is a bar with stools, available for a handful of other diners. The neon walls are covered with local sports paraphenilia, including a Sounders clock, Mariners flag, Seahawks posters and more. The space is quaint and cozy, intimate and friendly, with a very casual feel and easy setting in which to feel completely at ease.
What I ordered: At the suggestion of our chef, my dining companion selected the Sounders burger ($6.49) and I, the second most popular, Mariners burger ($5.49). The Sounders burger came with grilled jalapeno, garlic, bacon, pepper jack cheese and the most intriguing, absolutely delicious surprise: cream cheese! All on a Kaiser bun. The Mariners burger offered lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle, avocado, bacon and American cheese (which I substituted with Swiss) and Rain City sauce. We had a side of tater tots ($1.99), a vanilla-based raspberry shake ($2.69) and a chocolate-based peppermint shake ($2.89) to wash it all down.
What I loved: The cream cheese was the unanimous winner! Reminiscent of the famous Seattle-dog, the cheese melted and added a texture of creaminess to the hot, freshly grilled burger. The entire combination was perfect. The tater tots, too, are worth mentioning, as they were absolutely crispy on outside and soft and tender on the inside. Some of the best tots I’ve sampled in recent months…and were highly complimented by my dining companion.
Why I loved it: The space is casual and comfortable, the staff friendly and helpful, the food delicious and worth returning for more!
Cost: Low ($3.59 to $6.49 per burger, no sides included)