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What 11 Seattle Chefs Order at Their Fave Greasy Spoon

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When it comes to greasy spoons, Seattle's coffee mug runneth over. From the 24-hour diner to the dive-bar that also slings great hash to the original blue collar Georgetown bar that serves up American classics without irony, there is certainly no shortage of places to get pancakes, bacon and eggs.

To help launch Greasy Spoons Week 2013, 11 chefs have enthusiastically pitched in their oil-slicked picks. Here now, an alphabetical map of where they go and what they order.


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The 5 Point Cafe

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Brendan McGill, Hitchcock: "I've loved the 5 Point ever since my Belltown door guy days. We'd get off work at 3, head back to my place and hang out for a few hours, then wrap up the night with a handful of shots and breakfast at the 5 Point. These days I only wind up there if I've got a red-eye to gear up for, or jet lagged and wake up at 4:00 am hungry. Still a great hot, crispy chicken-fried steak. And you can't beat the people-watching."

Bay Cafe - Fishermen's Terminal

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Eric Tanaka, Tom Douglas Restaurants: "My favorite joint is the Bay Café at the Fishermen’s Terminal in Ballard. I always get the veg omlette with sour cream instead of cheddar. It has a wonderful view of the water and the food is solid."

The Dish Cafe

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Angie Roberts, Hollywood Tavern: "Consistently good, not fussy, coffee while you wait, wall of hot sauce."

Easy Street Records & Cafe

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Lucy Damkoehler, Sugar Mt. Bakery: "Easy Street Café in West Seattle is my favorite place to get French toast. I always order the Frances Farmer French Toast. It's the closet thing to dessert I can get away with for breakfast."

Easy Street Records & Cafe

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Mark Fuller, Ma'ono: "I love the Horton Heat Hash. This hash has corned beef and bacon. It's spicy, delicious and filling. The hash is served with 3 eggs how you like them."

The Shanty Cafe

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Eric Hellner, Metropolitan Grill: "I haven't hung out in a greasy spoon in years — not for any reason other than schedule/life. A million years ago I use to go to The Shanty for breakfast a lot. Mostly to try to fix a hangover. I just ate the usuals: sunny side up eggs, potatoes, pancakes etc."

Leny's Place Bar and Grill

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Matthew Lewis, Where Ya At Matt, Roux: "I always end up at Leny's for the wings. I have not found a place in Seattle that does them better. I know they are breaded, which is 'not traditional' and why I did not call them Buffalo wings, but they are good! Make sure that you specify the original sauce. Sometimes they try and get fancy and it is just not the same."

Loretta's Northwesterner

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Tyler Palagi (r), Charlie Garrison (l), Radiator Whiskey: "Charlie and I go to Loretta's in Southpark for the double dirty-ass cheeseburger and hand cut fries! So good and greasy! Delicious!"

Luna Park Cafe

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Bill Morris, The Rainier Club: "Luna Park in West Seattle for the good, tall, old-fashioned shakes, typically good burgers and onion rings."

Mecca Cafe

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Jason Vickers (l), Chris Andersen (r), FEZ: "Chris's pick is the Luna Park Cafe for a heap of fries and a chocolate malted milkshake out front in the sun, although it's pretty great inside as well. And as for me (I'm originally from Worcester, Massachusetts, where they once produced diner cars for trains), I'll tell you The Deckhand at The Mecca Cafe has always been my favorite as you get a little of everything:some browns, couple 'a cakes, links and bacon and toast (always an English muffin for me)."

Vera's Restaurant

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Sam Crannell, LloydMartin: "I love Vera's in Ballard.Quick with service and egg cooks you can trust. After a late night out, the next morning calls for the country fried steak and two sunny side eggs. It's a lifesaver!"

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The 5 Point Cafe

Brendan McGill, Hitchcock: "I've loved the 5 Point ever since my Belltown door guy days. We'd get off work at 3, head back to my place and hang out for a few hours, then wrap up the night with a handful of shots and breakfast at the 5 Point. These days I only wind up there if I've got a red-eye to gear up for, or jet lagged and wake up at 4:00 am hungry. Still a great hot, crispy chicken-fried steak. And you can't beat the people-watching."

Bay Cafe - Fishermen's Terminal

Eric Tanaka, Tom Douglas Restaurants: "My favorite joint is the Bay Café at the Fishermen’s Terminal in Ballard. I always get the veg omlette with sour cream instead of cheddar. It has a wonderful view of the water and the food is solid."

The Dish Cafe

Angie Roberts, Hollywood Tavern: "Consistently good, not fussy, coffee while you wait, wall of hot sauce."

Easy Street Records & Cafe

Lucy Damkoehler, Sugar Mt. Bakery: "Easy Street Café in West Seattle is my favorite place to get French toast. I always order the Frances Farmer French Toast. It's the closet thing to dessert I can get away with for breakfast."

Easy Street Records & Cafe

Mark Fuller, Ma'ono: "I love the Horton Heat Hash. This hash has corned beef and bacon. It's spicy, delicious and filling. The hash is served with 3 eggs how you like them."

The Shanty Cafe

Eric Hellner, Metropolitan Grill: "I haven't hung out in a greasy spoon in years — not for any reason other than schedule/life. A million years ago I use to go to The Shanty for breakfast a lot. Mostly to try to fix a hangover. I just ate the usuals: sunny side up eggs, potatoes, pancakes etc."

Leny's Place Bar and Grill

Matthew Lewis, Where Ya At Matt, Roux: "I always end up at Leny's for the wings. I have not found a place in Seattle that does them better. I know they are breaded, which is 'not traditional' and why I did not call them Buffalo wings, but they are good! Make sure that you specify the original sauce. Sometimes they try and get fancy and it is just not the same."

Loretta's Northwesterner

Tyler Palagi (r), Charlie Garrison (l), Radiator Whiskey: "Charlie and I go to Loretta's in Southpark for the double dirty-ass cheeseburger and hand cut fries! So good and greasy! Delicious!"

Luna Park Cafe

Bill Morris, The Rainier Club: "Luna Park in West Seattle for the good, tall, old-fashioned shakes, typically good burgers and onion rings."

Mecca Cafe

Jason Vickers (l), Chris Andersen (r), FEZ: "Chris's pick is the Luna Park Cafe for a heap of fries and a chocolate malted milkshake out front in the sun, although it's pretty great inside as well. And as for me (I'm originally from Worcester, Massachusetts, where they once produced diner cars for trains), I'll tell you The Deckhand at The Mecca Cafe has always been my favorite as you get a little of everything:some browns, couple 'a cakes, links and bacon and toast (always an English muffin for me)."

Vera's Restaurant

Sam Crannell, LloydMartin: "I love Vera's in Ballard.Quick with service and egg cooks you can trust. After a late night out, the next morning calls for the country fried steak and two sunny side eggs. It's a lifesaver!"

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