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Mission (West Seattle)

2325 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 937-8220
Website

Categories: Bar, Restaurant

Restaurant Details

  • The deep, dim room feels like a private compound, a grand refuge on a still-sunny evening (or a rainy one, for that matter). The décor cleverly plays on '60s Mission ranch style with geometrical wrought iron and an immense flagstone wall; rough lath cutouts highlight the bar. The house margaritas are quite good (which figures; the owners are from El Camino). The short but appealing Mexican menu is well priced, and the food looks very pretty on the plate. Order the ceviche. Recently, superfresh halibut (the fish varies) had, extraordinarily, the pillowy texture of scallops. It's excruciatingly, deliciously the tartest ceviche in town and easily the boldest, best thing on the menu.
  • Features: Bar/Happy Hour, Late-Night Dining and Romantic
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Serving Hours: Dinner 5-10 pm, late-night menu 10 pm-midnight, bar until 2 am daily.

Bar Details

  • Chic little Mission is equal parts restaurant and lounge; the reasonably priced Mexican food is hard to resist and everyone orders margaritas. Happy hour drink specials run 5 pm to 7 pm daily and a late-night $5-snacks menu (served 10 pm-midnight) includes a mole steak sandwich and hit-the-spot nachos.
  • Hours: 5 pm-2 am daily.
  • Happy Hour: Daily 4-6 pm, 10 pm-midnight ($1 off wells, drafts, house wine, margaritas).
  • Features: Full Menu, Happy Hour and Snacks Available
  • Scene: Cocktail Lounge

The Stranger's Reviews of Mission

 
 

Average Rating:
  • 3.71000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (8) RSS

Newest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a review of Mission
8

Southwestern food in West Seattle

Mission has dark, rich colors and woods that make it feel intimate and warm. The service has always been outstanding and the drinks are good and reasonably priced. The food is almost all amazing--with the exception of some grainy ice cream, I've liked everything and loved almost everything.

Southwestern food carves its own niche. You'll find smoky, warm chipotle and flavorful green chile sauces. This isn't Mexican, Mexicali or Texmex food (good stuff, all). These ingredients come from a different climate and a different combination of cultures. It's good.

If you live in the neighborhood, walk over. If you don't, it's a bit of a challenge to bus. It's cheaper and easier to park than anywhere downtown.

Posted by MJ on October 27, 2008 at 11:57 AM · Report
7 Comment Pulled
6

An Excellent Standby

This place is where we go when we are too tired to cook dinner. It's reliably delicious and the service very attentive. There are plenty of vegetarian options on the menu, and I heartily recommend the plantain chips and guacamole, served with 5 long delicious, crispy plantains sticking out of a wine glass. I wish they would include more plantains, because it's always awkward to finish that last odd one. Everyone wants it, but doesn't want to seem rude. In addition, I recommend the veggie enchiladas, yam tacos, and fish tacos. Watch out for the rice, though, it's got a lot of stealthy heat. They have a deal where you can order certain items off a special menu and receive a movie ticket to the Admiral Theater next door. A nice community-building idea, but somehow I get the feeling that a $14 burrito more than covers the movie ticket price. ($3) This place is often compared to Matador, but I will choose Mission every time.
Posted by naomi on December 28, 2007 at 1:56 PM · Report
5

On a Mission

Two of us walked up last Sat night at 7:30, got the last table and had great food and good service. I had read the stranger reviews and was ready for the ceviche and slow service, but they seem to be reading the same reviews because everyone working was friendly and helpful. The decor is cool, and on a busy Sat night the best seat is upstairs by the second bar. For us we had our own bartender and service close but not too close. The food was good and quick to come. The ceviche was tastey but small for an appetizer for two. The pork adobo was flavorful and the rice and black beans went well with the homemade tortillas. I want to have a critizism but it is tough on my first visit to Mission. Just one thing- Loose the TV'S A quick aside: All upscale mexican style food is benchmarked on La Carta de Oaxaca in Ballard.
Posted by Special Protection Officer(SPO) on November 18, 2007 at 3:07 PM · Report
4

NO WAY

This was by far the worst service i have ever gotten. Drinks took 20min while the waitstaff let our beers sit at the server station to get warm and flat. Food is always amazing but i will never be going back, i personal dont have two hours for a meal and two beers. i would be much more understandind if our personal server had more then three tables but i can asure you, she didn't. i may have put up with her rude comments and rolling eyes. Good luck to the resturant i dont give it much time. Maybe you should re think your lazy front house staff..
Posted by Ride on October 30, 2007 at 12:57 AM · Report
3

4 out of 5 ain't bad.

4 out of my last 5 visits to Mission have been great. The last visit had my girlfriend and I waiting an hour, watching people sneak into seats under the sleepy staff's nose. Then, we were sat at a table which was meant for 2 drinks..not dinner. The staff spent more time chatting at the bar than talking to customers or picking up orders. My girlfriend's steak in her steak salad tasted like an old fridge. I've been there before several times, with my son, girlfriend and my Mom when she visits. But, I hesitate to go there again, which I wish wasn't the case.
Posted by mattereaterlad on June 1, 2007 at 7:15 PM · Report
2

Pick and choose

Avoid the banana chips and guacamole. The quesadilla is a matter of taste. However, the flautas and empanadas are to be devoured. Beware the drink you order. Stick to margaritas. Pretty eclectic crowd. Good place to migrate to or from.
Posted by Nay on May 24, 2007 at 12:46 AM · Report
1

homemade tortillas? I'm there!

Great spot for getting some drinkys and tasty snacks. The upstairs bar is a fun little hideaway in the early hours, before 7. Fish tacos are my standby, but I'm sure I'm missing out on the more meaty entrees.
Posted by lil' snacky on May 15, 2007 at 12:07 PM · Report

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