Von's Restaurant

THIS REVIEW IS OF THE BAR AT VON'S - NOT THE RESTAURANT. Over the years I have been to Von's numerous times. It's very close to where I work and also I had a girlfriend who worked there so I would frequent there often to see her. But it had been a while since my last visit until recently. First, as an avid martini lover, I have to say this is not a legitimate martini bar. I'm sorry, but Cosmopolitan's and Lemon Drops, and certainly grape koolaid drinks in martini glasses are not martinis!! Unfortunately, I think these are the drinkers who they are trying to appeal to instead of your top shelf stodgy business men who really know what a good martini is. Our waitress was fine. Not great, but not bad either. I've heard that the service can be questionable and downright bad, and have experienced this myself before, but on this occasion it was fine and we were there from 6:30 to 10:30 and managed to hit BOTH happy hours. Food: typical bar food, a lot of deep fried stuff. However the spring rolls and the dipping sauce were scrumptious and I hear that they have a good signature salad which I did not try on this evening. But down to my real message to those of you looking for a good evening out = BEWARE OF VON'S. The martinis are not cheap, something like $7.25 each. But when the bill came, it read $7.25 +$1.50, $7.25 + $1.50, &7.25 + $1.50. Huh? So ask the waitress what the extra $1.50 charge was and she explains to me that at Von's they make all of their martinis doubles and the $1.50 for was for a double martini. So the problem I have here, is nowhere was this advertised nor was it ever mentioned by our server. Also, if those were doubles, there would be no way that I would have been able to walk out of there not to mention that the martini shaker was 1/2 the size of a real one!! THEY WERE IN NO WAY DOUBLES!! Unethical business practice if you ask me. Overall I get the impression that Von's is trying to capture tourists and convention goers who are not very familiar with Seattle, or want something close by to the Convention center. They can rip them off, give them bad service, and don't have to worry about repeat business..... more

Slow cooked barbeque, way its meant to be. I can never decide what I want whenever I come here. It is just too hard to decide. Do I get ribs, chicken, or brisket? Each comes slathered in the best barbeque sauce in the city and a choice of heavenly sides. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. You have to come here. more

Had the nacho's and the chicken tenders at Von's and both were excellent. The nacho's had some slow-cooked pulled pork in them and tasted great when washed down with a Maker's Manhattan. The decor is kitchy but it works. Overall, a comfortable place to relax and have some good BBQ. Vegetarians may want to give this place a pass. more