(bobsburgersandbrew.com) – Tulalip, Washington 

How I heard of this place: When I was growing up in Bellingham, our local Bob’s was in the Fairhaven neighborhood. During our high school years, friends would come to Bob’s for a huge burger, big enough to share, and large, flavorful jojo’s. Meeting up with my friend Tahirih for one last meal in my single-hood, we decided to meet half-way between Seattle and Bellingham and found Bob’s in the middle.

Type of cuisine: Burgers and brew. While the menu offers everything from chicken and beef burgers to pastas and sides, Bob’s is really best known for the large, flavorful burgers that keep patrons coming back for more.

“Bob’s Burgers & Brew is great burgers and so much more. When you join us at Bob’s, you get a wonderful dining experience with fast friendly service, a warm welcoming atmosphere and food so good the flavor explodes in your mouth. We use only the finest ingredients, prepared fresh when you order. Choose from over 20 gourmet beef and chicken burgers or try our tender hand-selected cod. If it’s sandwiches you want, we have those too. From French roll to grilled, our sandwiches are addicting!! We also offer a great selection of gourmet salads for even the heartiest appetites. Open daily for breakfast (at select locations), lunch and dinner. We have a great kid’s menu and our spectacular Brunch every Sunday (at select locations). Whether you are looking for a unique dining experience for an intimate party of 2 in our fire-side room ( in our new franchise locations) or a gathering of 20+, you will always feel welcomed at Bob’s. If you’ve never tried breakfast at Bob’s, you don’t know what you are missing! Top quality ingredients prepared just the way you like them. From Eggs Benedict to “Hungry Bob’s” to French toast or pancakes. Bob’s breakfasts are the best!! The lounge is a great place to hang out with friends or meet new people. Watch the game on our plasma TV’s and enjoy the ambience!! So sit back and relax with an exquisite gourmet burger and one of our great signature cocktails or a frosty cold premium beer-on-tap. Only the best for our customers!!  Bob’s is the natural choice for great food, great service and a great dining experience! We look forward to serving you!!!”

Ambiance: The large restaurant, only slightly viewable from the windows looking out over the parking lot, feels very dark and dimly lit inside. This is probably the greatest reason for boasting fake plants along the lights set towards the tall ceilings. Pale yellow walls are accented with light greens and blue shades against hanging lights that help to add brightness to dining tables. Framed pictures of Seattle, including the Space Needle, landscapes and even some of wildlife are found throughout the space, track lighting adding to the glare against glass, are easily viewed from over the booths completely taking up all seating options in the venue. Large windows with blinds pulled up to about 3/4 of the way. The green faux-leather, cushioned seats and plaid fabric, cushioned backs make for a comfortable dining experience as music from the 1980s plays on the speakers overhead.

What I ordered: On this visit, I was craving a chicken burger and opted for the Bacon Ranch Chicken Burger ($11.99) where “No small appetites [are] allowed!” This char-broiled chicken breast is covered with melted cheddar cheese, thick slices of Hormel smokehouse bacon and topped off with Bob’s own house ranch dressing, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise to finish off the burger. My dining companion selected the Honey Mustard Chicken Burger ($10.79) with grilled chicken breast, spiced to perfections and served with pepperjack cheese, mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato. Each of our dishes came with jojo’s and a side of ranch (for dipping).

What I loved: I always love the jojo’s at Bob’s! And nothing seems to have changed in their flavor and presentation since I last dined at one of these establishments probably more than a decade ago. The Bacon Ranch Burger, my first time ordering it, left nothing to be desired! While my dining companion was less than thrilled with her selection, she was an immediate fan of my choice, and shared a portion of my plate.

Why I loved it: The food is good, the portions plentiful, the setting casual and the staff friendly. A great spot to catch up with old friends over a two-hour meal and feel completely satisfied. 

Cost: Average ($10-$12 per burger entree)