Cold beer, good music, and plenty of skewers of meat and veggies– Japanese izakayas are built for the afterwork crowd. Johnny Courtney, the chef and co-owner of Atoma in Wallingford, tells you about his favorite and why you should put it on your list of restaurants to try next.

This week, host Brandi Fullwood finds out how this 2026 James Beard finalist unwinds after a long day and what he orders to celebrate the end of the day.

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 seattleeats@kuow.org.

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Seattle Eats is edited by Jim Gates. It’s produced by Alec Cowan and Brandi Fullwood.

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you want good barbacoa, you're gonna have to put in the work to make it. Making it the traditional way is a 24-hour process that involves roasting lamb, goat or beef in an underground fire pit until the meat is velvety and almost melts on your tongue.

And if you're not making it yourself, finding the real thing can take some digging, too -- a deep search on Facebook Marketplace, or asking around the neighborhood.

This week, host Brandi Fullwood talks to Gustavo Sagrero, KUOW’s immigration race and identity reporter about his search for traditionally-made barbacoa and how it led him to a family barbecue.

Read Gustavo’s story on barbacoa here: WA immigrants continue traditional Barbacoa, despite looming threats of deportation

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 seattleeats@kuow.org.

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Seattle Eats is edited by Jim Gates. It’s produced by Alec Cowan and Brandi Fullwood.

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You don’t have to have the right equipment, or a secret location, or a car to start foraging. Plenty of tasty foraged foods are easier to find than you might think: your backyard, parks, and local trails.

Alexis Nikole Nelson, also known as the @BlackForager on TikTok, wants to make it easier. She has a new cookbook that teaches expert and novice foragers how to find and eat the mushroom, berries, and flower petals. Happy Snacking, Don’t Die is packed with delicious and informative recipes for every season.

Seattle Eats host Brandi Fullwood spoke with Alexis live at Town Hall Seattle as part of the Seattle Arts & Lectures speaker series. Alexis talked about experimenting with recipes, how she connects her indigenous and Black ancestry to her practice, and what it means to be a "filthy vegan."

Check out the rest of the Seattle Arts & Lecture line up and snag tickets: https://lectures.org/

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 seattleeats@kuow.org.

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Seattle Eats is edited by Jim Gates. It’s produced by Alec Cowan and 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 critic Tan Vinh about why he loathes smashburgers–the flattened crispy patties with lacy edges. He’ll share where to get the best juicy, big burgers in the city instead.

You can read more about why Tan prefers big juicy burgers in the Seattle Times: Seattle’s 4 best big burgers: No smashed patties, just juicy beef

And why Tan is passing on smashburgers here:

Smashburgers took over Seattle. Why? Our food critic has thoughts

Discussed in this episode:

• Little Beast, Ballard – The “classy trashy” signature burger
• The Shambles, Roosevelt – The Shamburger
• FlintCreek Cattle Co., Greenwood – cheeseburger special
• L’Oursin, Central District – fast-food-style burger

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 seattleeats@kuow.org.

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Seattle Eats is edited by Jim Gates. It’s produced by Alec Cowan and Brandi Fullwood.

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Birthdays should be special. Where should you celebrate yours?

This week, Host Brandi Fullwood and friends of Seattle Eats share their favorite places to celebrate a special day. Spoiler! Our perfect birthday restaurants have tarot, fried catfish, and soy sauce ice cream.

Discussed in this episode:

• The Corson Building, Georgetown
• Monsoon, North Capitol Hill
• Iconiq, Mount Baker
• No.9 Alley Hotpot, Bitter Lake
• Rainier Restaurant, Othello? Rainier Valley
•  Halfseas Wine Bar, Ballard
• Ramie, Capitol Hill
• Needle and Thread, Capitol Hill

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 seattleeats@kuow.org.

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Seattle Eats is edited by Jim Gates. It’s produced by Alec Cowan and Brandi Fullwood.

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Typically, getting food in a brewery, you can expect some simple classics: maybe some tavern pizzas or pretzels, some peanuts. This week, host Brandi Fullwood talks to Seattle Times food writer Jackie Varriano about great neighborhood breweries with even better food.

Read more about brewery food from Jackie Varriano at the Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/four-seattle-breweries-with-great-food-from-fair-isle-to-aslan-brewing/

Discussed in this episode:

• Kochendorfer’s kebaburrito
• Blue fin tuna tostadas at Fair Isle’s La Marea
• French fry sandwich at Figurehead Brewing
• Deck oven pizza at Aslan Brewing
• A surprise hack to elevate your salad at Rhein Haus

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 seattleeats@kuow.org.

Seattle Eats is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. It is produced by Alec Cowan and edited by Jim Gates. The 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 and food writer Harry Cheadle squeeze out the last drops of summer, one new restaurant at a time. Think retro pizza shop, dry-aged seafood and Puerto Rican coffee.

Discussed in this episode:

• Stevie’s Famous Pizza, Phinney Ridge
• Sea’d In, Capitol Hill
• El Cerro, Capitol Hill

Check out a load of other new restaurants in Harry’s column Opening Night in Seattle Magazine: https://seattlemag.com/food-drink/opening-night-sead-inn-tries-something-a-little-different-with-seafood/

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 seattleeats@kuow.org.

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. This episode was edited by Jeannie Yandel.

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, host Brandi Fullwood talks to Tina Fahnbulleh the chef-owner of Gold Coast Kitchen about her favorite lunch spot on First Hill, George’s Polish Deli.

Discussed in this episode:

• Adventurous eating vs comfort food
• Snails, pickles, and herring make the best soups
• Finding a little bit of home in a deli

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 seattleeats@kuow.org.

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. Jeannie Yandel also edited this episode.

Become a member today at kuow.org/eats.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.