Seattle: Mike's Chili Parlor

So after some computer issues, let the blogging commence...

PDXGwailo hit's the road again and sends us in some awesome burgers.

Now in the hands of the 4th generation, Mike’s Chili Parlor has been serving their “secret recipe” chili solo, or with burgers, dog since 1922. I saw this on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” and it seemed worth checking out. A modest place, a little north of downtown Seattle, Mike’s appears to be the last building standing in a big to-do of urban renewal. I’ll bet there was a fuss about that when the developer wanted that whole block!

In any other city, Mike’s would just be the friendly neighborhood bar, and it appeared the customers today (tho they were few) were “all the usual suspects”. I walked in, read the menu board, and the printed menu, and a waitress told me to sit down and she would take my order. I asked if I could go outside on the patio, and she said she didn’t think it was open, but then she unlocked the door for me and led me outside.

I ordered the “Chili cheeseburger combo” for $7, and a Sprite to wash it down. It was a massive serving, a fork affair, a large burger and bun covered with chili, cheese, and onions, the sandwich almost happily floating in the soup. While the patty itself was indistinguishable in its own right, the great chili and the experience was enough to overlook that.

Mike's Chili Parlor
1447 NW Ballard Way
Seattle, WA 98107
206.782.2808