5 Spot

the breakfasts here are always always always yummy - they should stick to that. fresh ingredients, large portions, it's all good. the regional dinners are hit or miss. little italy was fabulous, baja isn't as hot. their food tends to be very hearty/greasy, too much fried stuff, not enough flavor. the fish tacos were good but heavy on the grease since the fish was deep fried. even the sides are heavy! the service is attentive but can be slow. but like i said, the breakfasts are the best part about 5 spot and will keep me coming back. more

When I went to the 5 spot for the first time about 5 years ago, I was like "wow, this is THE Seattle restaurant for the general crowd." They do diner food, hence the mainstream feeling, but they do it well and they add themed twists. To my dismay, for several years, I found the themed entrées to be quite small, though flavorful. One time I got 3 tacos, and they were about 2.5 inches long - I don't care if there were 3, they were tiny! Recently, I treated a big group of friends who helped me move to a 5 spot dinner, thinking "Oh, it will be just ok." That was not the case! I had the pork chop dinner, and it was great. Very clean flavors, mild herbs, and fresh veggies. I forget what the theme was, but my five fellow dining companions enjoyed their meals very much. I have not had the opportunity to reevaluate their breakfast, however. I remember the long waits (where in Seattle do you not wait at 10am on a Sat/Sun?) and the burnt hashbrowns that sat on the griddle for a liiiitle bit too long. The bloody mary's made up for the mishaps, though it left with an "eh" feeling about their breakfasts, as they too declined in quality through the years. TIP: Their late night happy hour (10pm and beyond, I think) has excellent prices. PBR for a buck, mac and cheese for five bucks, red beans and sausage for five bucks and a few other things. Its a great pit stop before going out, or if you want some late night grub. more

I used to live on Queen Anne and my wife an I ate here probably once a week. The nice thing about the menu is about 50% of the menu changes quarterly. The menu choices that change are quite tasty and some of the standards on the other side of the menu are just as good. I really like the brisket on the normal menu. Breakfast is also good here but can be quite busy on the weekends. The biscuits and gravy are very good. more

I LOVE the food here, and the service is just as good - but breakfast starts at 8:30 on the weekends, and by 9:00 there is a 30 minute wait, standing-room only with unwashed, barely-dressed, hung-over couples. It is anything but a nice relaxing breakfast. You are crammed in mostly small seating areas, always in view of the 20 or so people standing, staring, waiting for you to finish, and never out of earshot of the people barking at each other in the kitchen the non-stop orders. If you like biscuits and gravy, or griddle cakes of the pancake or french-toast variety, this place rocks - you will get about 1lb of hashbrowns and the scrambles start with 3 eggs and luscious ingredients - so bring your appetite. While they're known for their bloody mary's, the one I had shoulda been called "red vodka" and wasn't the cure for anything. Don't bring your grandparents or family full of kids here - I saw parents lamenting almost to the point of fury the high demand and long wait for strangely precious resources - high chairs and booster seats. It's downright neato to have your ice water served in Ball canning jars, portions are generous, and the breakfast meats are all top quality. However, if like me, you prefer an atmosphere a bit less hectic, stroll down the street to the Queen Anne Cafe, sit in a big booth and enjoy a long, relaxing bottomless cup of coffee with your Sunday paper. more

Really, what else can you ask for in life? Five Spot is a long-time favorite of Queen Ann residents. Besides a hearty core of home-cooked favorites, like roast chicken and pork-chops. In addition, it has a rotating theme menu which runs the gamut between Italian to southern cuisines. The reason why I love going there is the cheap late-night menu, which goes nicely with a strong bourbon-based cocktail. The breakfast is also reputed to be excellent. more

But don't kid yourself. Sunday brunch isn't Sunday brunch without the 5 Spot. This Queen Anne standard is hard to beat for regular brekky plates (flapjacks, eggs and sausage) or the more exotic dishes they serve to reflect their rotating regional menu. Get there early enough (before 10 am), and you have a chance at their one-of-a-kind coffee cake or morning specials. Get there anytime after 9:30, and you might as well be ready with your newspaper for the 30min+ wait. Dinner mimics the breakfast scene, especially on weekends, but either way its worth the wait. more

The 5 spot is a must-go in my book. Every three months they change the "theme" of the menu to different parts of the US. New Mexico, Little Italy, Springfield, etc to name just a few. The food is very, very good and also unique. The menu changes with each new theme but also keeps a few of the favorites all year round. The staff is helpful and fast. This place is always packed so expect a wait and get there early. more