Shwarma King

Shwarma King
4337 University Way NE
Seattle, WA  98105
(206)-529-3223

Shawarma King website

I'm getting back into the review of restaurants on the Ave in Seattle's University District.  Checking back, I see that I have a couple reviews started, but not finished.

Well, here goes.  I like Shwarma King basically because I like falafel.  They have good falafel, eat in or take out.  The eat in option is a bit difficult as the television is a mainstay - which is distracting, noisy, often upsetting.

The food is good - and cheap.

Friendly folks!

Customers glued to the screen

Yummy falafel!

Sweet Alchemy Small Batch Homemade Ice Cream

Sweet Alchemy Ice Cream

4301 University Way NE

Seattle, WA  98105

206-632-0243

Just recently a new ice cream place opened in the space that was previously occupied by Haagen Daas.  So on a blazingly hot April day, I dropped by to give it a try.  The young man behind the counter offered tastes.  I tried the mint chip Mint chip, the mint is from fresh mint, so a bit more wild than expected, and I tried something else but it was obviously not memorable.  He recommended the Cookies and Cream, so I went for that in the smallest size they offer "Pico".  The Cookies and Cream was nothing to write home about.  It was bland, having little distinguishing character or flavor.  There was a Chai flavor and a Thai Iced Tea flavor.  There was even a vegan option (dairy free) that sounded a bit like Chunky Monkey (banana, chocolate, and nuts).  Those may have made me happier but sometimes I can be my own worst enemy. If there is a next time, I'll go for more tastes.  I just think that a small business with limited choices should limit those choices to only the fantastic, flavors that are mind-blowing and will increase their clientele.

The best part of the cone was the waffle cone itself.  They are made right there.  It was fantastic.  Fresh and flavorful and crispy and engineered so that it didn't leak from the bottom point.  It's only a dollar extra to have the ice cream in a waffle cone, so go for it.  It's definitely worth it.

They also sell other things such as cookies and brownies, possibly espresso.  In the end I spent $4.93, $3.50 for the Pico, $1.00 for the cone, and $0.43 in tax.  For that kind of money, you can buy a lot of ice cream at the grocery store in tried and true flavors, but heck, it was a hot day, and do you know how many calories are in a half cup of premium ice cream?!?

i see food cajun

i see food

4311 University Way NE

Seattle, WA  98105

(206) 547-1111

i see food website

I See Food is a relatively new addition to the food offerings along the Ave.  I checked out the menu posted in the window several times before finally deciding to try it out with one of my colleagues.  The plan was to meet there at 11:30 am, to avoid the lunch crowd.  

I arrived at 11:30 to a completely empty and cold restaurant.  It was quite peaceful until the televisions were turned on as well as loud music, perhaps to give the impression that the restaurant was not empty, but quite lively?  My colleague arrived a bit later as well a a few more restaurant clients.  I asked the waitress to reduce the volume of the music so that a conversation would be possible.

The decor is modern.  You are greater by a wait-person and seated, allowing time to review the menu.   Your order is taken at the table, and your check is brought to your table after you have eaten and you pay from the table.  Containers for leftovers are available at no additional cost.

In addition to the regular menu, there is a lunch special for $10.99, and a large chalk board includes more offerings.

My colleague ordered the gumbo lunch special with cajun fries and hot apple cider.  The fries were basic potato french fries with a bit of cajun-style spice sprinkled over them.  She reported that the gumbo was very good.

I ordered the deep-fried tofu and the vegetable fried rice.  Both were yummy, but the proportions were very large.  While ordering, I talked to the waitress about ordering the vegetable fried rice, one of the lunch specials, with tofu rather than crawfish, chicken, or beef.  She didn't understand the concept - which is unfortunate.  It would seem to be fairly easy, as they have the ingredients, and they do not currently have a lunch special that is vegetarian.

In their defense, I have to say that the food was excellent.  There was enough for 2-3 lunches and would make a nice offering at a potluck.  The deep-fried tofu was lightly breaded and crispy on the outside and the vegetable fried rice was nicely seasoned, contained fresh vegetables, and was not greasy.

I would eat here again, the food was good, but since I did not qualify for the lunch special pricing, it's a bit expensive for every day. I would also suggest they open at 11:00 am and warm up the environs, at least most of the year, reduce the ambient noise coming from music and televisions, and update the lunch special menu to include vegetable fried rice with deep-fried tofu.

Sureshot Coffee House

Sure Shot Espresso

4505 University Way NE

Seattle, WA  98105

(206) 632-3100

Sure Shot Facebook page

Just about anything I have to say about this place has been said before.  Here's an example:  One opinion found online...

I felt inexplicably uncomfortable going in to this place.  The music was loud, the clientele unkempt.  The coffee was good, but expensive. 

Would I go back?  Why do you ask?

Mee Sum Pastry

Mee Sum Pastry
4343 University Way NE
Seattle, WA  98105
(206) 632-7298
Mee Sum Pastry website

Mee Sum Pastry is one of my favorites.  I'm particularly fond of the sesame balls, available for about $1.50 each.  They are filled with red bean paste and are deep fried.  So these are not for daily consumption unless you are have given up your job and are working out at the gym 24/7 and managing your dietary intake of other foods, but they are really good, really.

They also have hum bow, even veggie hum bow.  These are slightly less decadent and also easy on the budget.  And they have bubble tea, really yummy bubble tea.

Actually they have a lot of good food, but I usually drop by for hum bow, a sesame ball, or a bubble tea.  I have been

known to order a "real lunch", but the way this place works is that you order at the counter, pay, and wait. The wait for hum bow or sesame ball is very short - these are already made and sitting in display cases at the counter.  For other menu items the wait can be considerable depending on what you order and how many other orders are before yours.  There are tables for customers and it appears that many people do eat there.  It's popular, so if you want to eat in, arrive with plenty of time to scope out a table, order, pay, and wait.  I have to admit that I have never had the patience to do this.  I have ordered take out though.

It was very good and sizable and reasonably priced.  So, since I really like Mee Sum, I should make a point of eating there, at a table, with friends.  Some day.  Anyone interested?

Yunnie Bubble Tea

Yunnie Bubble Tea

4511 University Way NE

Seattle, WA  98105

(206)547-9648

Yunnie Bubble Tea Facebook Page

Yunnie is possibly the first place that I had bubble tea.  Now, I like bubble tea, particularly milk tea with tapioca.  I favor the fresh fruit flavors, using real fruit, and taro flavor.   All of that is available at Yunnie.  When I first visited Yunnie, it was usually filled and quite popular.

Nowadays, Yunnie is often deserted.  Why is that?  I can only guess.  Perhaps those who like bubble tea have become more selective.  There are many places that serve bubble tea around the University District and there are some places that do a superb job.

In response, Yunnie seems to have broadened their menu.   Coffee?  Hot dogs?  I don't think that it has helped.  The once somewhat difficult to read menu has now become close to impossible.  You really need to know what you want before going up to the counter.

But basically, Yunnie serves up a passable bubble tea, still, for a reasonable price (no bargain).  Whatever else they serve, well, who knows.