Seattle Eats

This week, host Brandi Fullwood talks to Brady Ishiwata-Williams, the chef and owner of Tomo, about his go-to spot for big birthdays, out of town friends, and honestly any day that needs an upgrade. Hint: a skatepark-view omakase run by a chef that makes the whole night feel like a perfect DJ set.

Discussed in this episode:

• Why eating at your friend's place hits different
• Foie gras of the sea: crispy, fatty, briny
• Hokkaido uni that melts in your mouth like ice cream
• Pro Tip: be cool... the restaurants are reviewing you too — Brandi got "good vibes"

Seattle Eats is a podcast about Seattle's food scene and the best things to eat in it.

Do you have a question for the Seattle Eats team? Do you want to share your go-to-spot to eat? Give us a call at 206-543-8510 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at [email protected].

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jim Gates. Lucy Soucek helped produce and edit this episode. Our host and producer is Brandi Fullwood. 

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you take into account quality, quantity, and the overall dining experience — what bites around Seattle give you the most for your money? This week, host Brandi Fullwood duels Tan Vinh in a screaming good meal deal battle royale (they’re not really going to battle, they’re just gonna talk about the best value bites around town). 

Read more about these bites: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/pho-potle-seattle-area-restaurant-debuts-build-your-own-bowl-concept/ 

Discussed in this episode:

• Pho-potle’s value in going viral 
• Tacos Cometa’s carne asada only menu
• Nomadic Wine Bar’s under the radar flatbreads
• A dive bar cheesesteak with a side of good vibes
• And a voicemail from one of you lovely people! 

Seattle Eats is a podcast about Seattle's food scene and the best things to eat in it.

Do you have a question for the Seattle Eats team? Do you want to share your go-to-spot to eat? Give us a call at 206-543-8510 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at [email protected].

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jim Gates. Our host and producer is Brandi Fullwood. 

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

Correction: Everything is fried in beef tallow at The Rebel but the confit garlic is actually made with avocado oil. A previous version of the episode said that the confit garlic was made with wagyu beef fat. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Host Brandi Fullwood talks to Emily Kim,co-founder of the Pastry Project and the founder of Crumb Magazine, about her go-to spot for a great meal. Kim seeks out Masakan, a Malaysian pop-up, wherever they spring up. From the pop-up booths to catered meals, their meals have become a fixture in her life.

Discussed in this episode:

• Hawker stall realness at the Ballard Farmers Market
• Beef rendang that makes you feel like family
• Pandan before it gets a Trader Joe’s moment
• And curry puffs, curry puffs, curry puffs. Crispy, buttery, and aromatic

Seattle Eats is  a podcast about Seattle's food scene and the best things to eat in it.

Do you have a question for the Seattle Eats team? Do you want to share your go-to-spot to eat? Give us a call at  206-543-8510 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at [email protected].

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jim Gates. Our host and producer is Brandi Fullwood. 

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From ancient grains to firefly squid, Seattle’s newest restaurants are trying it all. This week, host Brandi Fullwood talks to Seattle Met food writer Naomi Tomky about the restaurant openings— and one closing— that are hot on critics' minds. They discuss why these long-anticipated openings have diners and critics buzzing and which ones you’ll want to try.

Read more about Seattle restaurant openings: https://www.seattlemet.com/eat-and-drink/2026/04/xian-noodles-ethan-stow ell-gordo-steak 

Discussed in this episode:

• Beast & Cleaver — a fan favorite makes a weeknight change
• Gordo Steak — a steakhouse with fresh tortillas
• Cafe Lolo — ancient grains-to-table 
• Kakurenbo — omakase with classics and firefly squid!
• And... what's actually “working" in the Seattle restaurant scene (hint: Spicy Hunan Kitchen)

Seattle Eats is a podcast about Seattle's food scene and the best things to eat in it.

Do you have a question for the Seattle Eats team? Do you want to share your go-to-spot to eat? Give us a call at 206-543-8510  and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at [email protected].

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jim Gates. Our host and producer is Brandi Fullwood. 

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Call your friends, call your partner and maybe call a babysitter… It's Seattle Restaurant Week! From April 19 to May 2, restaurants are serving prix fixe menus for $20 to $65. But with over 200 hundred participating spots, how do you decide where to eat? Host Brandi Fullwood talks to Seattle food writer Harry Cheadle about which Seattle Restaurant Week menus have the best food and better deals.

Discussed in this episode:

• Time traveling for juicy, buttery palm wine
• The DINKS vs parent SRW experience
• Wearing hiking boots to eat a 14oz steak
• $65 Cajun dinner for two (includes cocktails) 

Read more about Seattle Restaurant Week: https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-restaurant-week-do-the-math-get-a-baby-sitter 

Seattle Eats is  a podcast about Seattle's food scene and the best things to eat in it.

Do you have a question for the Seattle Eats team? Do you want to share your go-to-spot to eat? Give us a call at 206-543-8510 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at [email protected].

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jim Gates. Lucy Soucek helped edit and produce this episode. Our host and producer is Brandi Fullwood. 

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, host Brandi Fullwood talks to Victor Steinbrueck, the chef and owner of Local Tide in Fremont, about his go-to-spot to eat in the city. He's been going to this late night dim sum spot with his family, his friends... really anyone for 25 years.

Read more about this story a list of what to order: https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-late-night-spot-this-seattle-chef-has-been-going-to-for-25-years 

Discussed in this episode:

• Being a 25 year regular 
• Organized chaos at a late night dim sum spot
• How to order for a full squad (hint: ask for the whole fish) 
• Local Tide’s new spot coming soon.

Seattle Eats is a podcast about Seattle's food scene and the best things to eat in it.

Do you have a question for the Seattle Eats team? Do you want to share your go-to-spot to eat? Give us a call at 206-543-8510 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at [email protected].

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jim Gates. Lucy Soucek helped edit this episode. Our host and producer is Brandi Fullwood.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 This week host Brandi Fullwood talks to Seattle Times food writer Jackie Varriano about what a gal has to do to get a good ham sandwich around here. Jackie has reviewed dozens of jambon beurre sandwiches (French for ham and butter) and she has plucked the best ones from the bunch to share with us.

Read more about Jamon Beurre from Seattle Times food writer Jackie Varriano: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/seattles-best-french-sandwich-seeking-out-the-perfect-jambon-beurre/

Discussed in this episode:

• The alchemy of salty ham, good creamy butter and pockets of pickle.
• Jambon Beurre Spring
• Channeling Anthony Bourdain at the neighborhood cafe
• Ham, ham, and more ham.

Seattle Eats is a podcast about Seattle's food scene and the best things to eat in it.

Do you have a question for the Seattle Eats team? Do you want to share your go-to-spot to eat? Give us a call at 206-543-8510 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at [email protected].

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jim Gates. Our host and producer is Brandi Fullwood. 

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, host Brandi Fullwood talks to Seattle Times critic Tan Vinh about the nominees for the James Beard Awards. They'll breakdown the restaurants up for nomination and help you make a reservation before it gets too tough. Plus, what these awards mean for the Seattle food scene.

Read more about the James Beard Awards nominations in the Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/james-beard-awards-2026-2-seattle-chefs-named-finalists/ 

Discussed in this episode:

• Anonymous judges of the food industry Oscars
• Tidepools and teamwork on the plate
• Putting a ‘W’ in the chat for Washington wine
• "Acceptance speeches" from the chefs at Atoma and Surrell  

Seattle Eats is  a podcast about Seattle's food scene and the best things to eat in it.

Do you have a question for the Seattle Eats team? Do you want to share your go-to-spot to eat? Give us a call at 206-543-8510 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at [email protected].

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jim Gates. Our host and producer is Brandi Fullwood. 

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week host Brandi Fullwood talks to Seattle Times food writer Bethany Jean Clement about which pastries to snag at bakery tucked inside of Seattle’s City Hall. 

Read more about this story from Seattle Times food writer Bethany Jean Clement: https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/this-gift-of-a-bakery-is-hidden-in-plain-sight-at-seattles-city-hall/ 

Discussed in this episode:

• "Activating" downtown with a bakery inside Seattle City Hall
• Conchas so good you don't even need coffee
• Bakery fails even the crows won't eat 
• A pastry with cashew cream, poblanos, and corn that's way better than soup

Seattle Eats is a podcast about Seattle's food scene and the best things to eat in it.

Do you have a question for the Seattle Eats team? Do you want to share your go-to-spot to eat? Give us a call at  206-543-8510 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at [email protected].

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jim Gates. Our host and producer is Brandi Fullwood. 

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week host Brandi Fullwood talks to Seattle Met’s Naomi Tomky about finding truly special and exceptional fries in Seattle.

Discussed in this episode:

• Washington Middle School’s absolute mastery of the French fry
• McDonald’s beef tallow era (RIP)
• The lingering scent of garlic sauce
• And whether In-N-Out fries are actually good

Read more about the best fries in Seattle from Seattle Met’s Naomi Tomky: https://www.seattlemet.com/eat-and-drink/seattle-best-french-fries 

 

Seattle Eats is  a podcast about Seattle's food scene and the best things to eat in it.

Do you have a question for the Seattle Eats team? Do you want to share your go-to-spot to eat? Give us a call at 206-543-8510 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at [email protected].

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jim Gates. Our host and producer is Brandi Fullwood. 

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.