Located on Rainer Ave South between Walden and Estelle, Willie’s is a locally owned and operated BBQ restaurant that grabs your attention with their big and bright neon sign atop their entrance. 3427 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144 206-722-3229
Seattle has become an awesome restaurant town. The proliferation of master chefs able to combine cuisines with amazing entrepreneurial skills, has led to multiple restaurant districts from the heights of Queen Anne Hill to the valleys of SLU.
But, sometimes I hunger for reality . Seattle has become poor in real restaurants … the sort of place that used to be run by an immigrant from overseas or perhaps by someone migrating to the northwest from one of the less culturally homogenous parts of the United States such as the wonderful African-American South, Boston’s North End, or the Bronx.
I have been visiting White City for my immigrant fix, but what if I want American food?
That is Willies. Nothing fancy, just simple, traditional, southern African-American food . The emphasis is on ribs, brisket, homemade hotlinks, with the usual sides of greens, beans, corn bread and and potato salad. Oh yeah, there is stuff I don’t eat … chitterlings being a good example but I am also not big on mac’n cheese. I also hesitate to recommend the fried chicken. It’s not bad, but with Ezell’s few blocks away, the competition is tough. If you really want chicken at Willies, go for the jerk chicken. My wife loves it. BTW … the corn bread is so so. Made in muffin tins because, I think, this sort of food goes best with white bread.
The best part, however , may be the simplicity of this place. Often, the only staff is Willie himself . Sometimes is a great lady behind the counter. People come in, order takeout or watch whatever’s running on the TV while they eat. Pretty simple!
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