Tools

Map

image
+ Enlarge this image

Bimbo's (Capitol Hill)

1013 E Pike St
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 322-9950

Categories: Bar, Restaurant

Restaurant Details

  • Fat, tasty burritos, pretty good everything else. Sometimes crowded, which means a wait, and sometimes the service is infuriatingly slow. The new location has lots of daylight and a nice bar for dining solo.
  • Features: Bar/Happy Hour, Cheap Eats and To Go
  • Cuisine: Mexican and Vegetarian
  • Serving Hours: Mon-Thur noon-11 pm, Fri-Sat noon-2 am, Sun 2 pm-10 pm

The Stranger's Reviews of Bimbo's

 
 

Average Rating:
  • 2.78000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (24) RSS

Newest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a review of Bimbo's
24

good

I love eating here, burritos are great and so are the tacos. The tacos are not as good as the real mexican ones sold out of the parking lot of home depot on aurora, but good. I can only speak on behalf oh the tacos, burrito supreme, and quesadilla which we get on a regular basis.

They've screwed up my order a couple times and didn't recognize it until after walking home, but I guess thats bound to happen after eating there at least 50-75 times over the past 6 years, when they were in their past location w/ chas.
Posted by macker on November 14, 2008 at 9:12 PM · Report
23

I think I missed something…

I'm not quite sure where these other (negative) reviews are coming from. Perhaps a new wave of waitstaff has come through since the other reviewers went to Bimbos/Cha Cha?

The handful+ times I've went, the food service was quick, even on a packed Saturday night. We went on a weeknight once, ordering our food downstairs and even then the service was friendly and efficient, even though the food was coming from upstairs.

Sure the bartenders may have a sneer on their faces, lest we forget this is a "hipster" hang out. Not the best Sangria, yet not the worst.
Posted by Rachel L on September 18, 2008 at 2:16 PM · Report
22

Loud & Hearty

The food is pretty cheap (under $7 for a huge veggie burrito thats packed with goodness and they have tasty extras you can add like cilantro) and so is the beer if you can put up with PBR (the good stuff is over $4). The music is entertaining and pretty loud which might annoy some people. I'm not sure where the other reviewers are coming from but service has been more than satisfactory even on late nites. If you're expecting servers to fawn over you then maybe you should go to the Herbfarm or something.
Posted by biju on May 29, 2008 at 5:58 PM · Report
21 Comment Pulled
20

Joyless Burrito

There's something about Bimbo's burritos that sucks the life out of me every time. But you don't come to Bimbo's for the food. You come for the people and the beautiful decor. Just don't eat anything and you'll be fine.
Posted by Jimmy on January 16, 2008 at 10:56 AM · Report
19

Bad Burritos

The burritos are completely flavorless and dry. Why this place continues to be highly rated by The Stranger, I will never know.
Posted by Seattle Mexican Food Sucks on January 15, 2008 at 7:32 PM · Report
18

nachos

i like bimbo's a lot. their nachos are great. sometimes the music is too loud, but also sometimes they play great stuff. they played the gremlins 2 soundtrack once. back to the food. the burritos are good, but not as good as the nachos. cozy place with good staff.
Posted by josh on December 22, 2007 at 11:37 PM · Report
17

Bitching...

Bimbo's deserves a sliding scale: 5 stars for kitsch, 1 for service (but who cares, honestly?), 3 for a limited menu designed to hit that famished, cheap, and possibly hungover spot. I wish they had a sliding scale for spiciness, though; the burritos aren't spicy, the hot sauce is too spicy (well, I suppose it could technically be perfect if you have more gross motor control than I do when dealing with those little bottles), and there is no in-between. The new location is cute, and feels loads larger than the old one. Still hard to not be bitter about condos.
Posted by jabberwockgirl on October 23, 2007 at 6:24 PM · Report
16

Disgusting!

Only if you want food cooked for you by (literally) unwashed smack junkie rock scene types wearing filthy clothes. The attitude is as bad as the smell -
Posted by Ugh on October 15, 2007 at 8:25 PM · Report
15

attitude

"gee, i'm getting tired of being vibed here for not looking like everyone else -- i think i'll go next door to the cha cha -- shit, it's even worse over here!!!" i'm clearly not hip enough to feel comfortable here, so i just hit up taco bell.
Posted by hee on August 31, 2007 at 8:51 AM · Report
14

yumm!

great location, cute inside, delcious chicken nachos at a decent price! one of my favorite place on the hill.
Posted by babysonfire on August 30, 2007 at 2:51 PM · Report
13

if i wanted a bunch of dry rice, i'd go to a wedding

The food at this place is so mediocre that I have been embarassed every time I suggest to a friend that we eat there. Why do I keep forgetting that the burritos are dry and flavorless, the menu lacks depth, and the beer has been skunked TWICE out of my four times visiting. Why? I guess the convenience of the location and the funky, pleasant atmosphere lure me in, like a Mariner to the rocky bottom of a Mermaid's lagoon. Sailors, do not be fooled by the funny hats on the wall! There is better Mexican food on a truck parked up Aurora. BEWARE!!!
Posted by go_ahead_and_try on August 26, 2007 at 12:15 PM · Report
12

Just as good as ever

My latest foray into Bimbo's was not at its old digs, but rather the new. In case you are wondering, the food is jsut as good as it has ever been...at least the burritos. Service was a bit slower than I would have liked, but this may have been a function of the staff getting used to their new location. While I am normally a huge fan of the garlic mashed potatoes, this time around they were not near as delicious as in times past.
Posted by prmsrng3 on August 20, 2007 at 12:50 PM · Report
11

romantic burritos

DO you believe a burrito joint can be romantic? Well, it can. Cozy little tables with candles and a soft lit interior can make Bimbo's Burritos a romantic adventure. If you have business cards, old concert tickets, or any flat interesting scrap, plan on leaving one under the glass top table for future burrito eaters to enjoy. To top off the experience, have a delicious margarita, brought to you by a hip, anarchist, yet sweet staff member. Oh, and the burritos are HUGE!!!
Posted by 1015saturdaynight on August 16, 2007 at 8:25 PM · Report
10

Bimbos is bitchen

The service has always been shit at this place, but are we going for good service or just cheap Mexican food that isn't Azteca? Honestly, you get decent Mexican food in a cool setting, and that is what this place is about. Now that it is the Cantina, hopefully they will step up the service as well.
Posted by NumberTwo on August 8, 2007 at 9:47 PM · Report
9

Poor Service, Poor Food

Bimbos is sort of like a vapid shaloow blonde woman. All style and absolutely no substance. If your idea of a great restaurant is being treated like crap then by all means go to Bimbos. In spite of it's amazingly fun decor, this place is a disaster. The food while huge enough to feed a a small family, is bland, and without any flavor. I ordered the chicken burrito and received a large mass of bland dry chicken with slightly undercooked potatoes. The salsas were watered down and very unappealing. But it was the service that was the most disappointing. Anytime someone gives tells you "please, always get your food to go. Never ever dine there" that should tell you that this establishement needs to train their staff in the art of customer service. So unless you enjoy humiliation along with your food, avoid this place like the plague.
Posted by steelkiwi on July 25, 2007 at 7:55 AM · Report
8

no-meato only

That's my favorite, and no need to worry about what might be it the meat. Fully satisfying, delicious, and the new location is quite an improvement if you ask me (though a little less kitchy, which is unfortunate... could do without the creepy Mexican wrestlers staring at me...).
Posted by nix_dee on July 19, 2007 at 3:43 PM · Report
7

Fond memories of Slayer

The first time I went to Bimbo's, many many years ago, I remember being surprised (and somewhat impressed) that a restaurant would ever play Slayer as background music. I have to say, I can't remember the food at all. Velvet paintings, right?
Posted by jezebel on June 28, 2007 at 11:22 PM · Report
6

Kitschy

The food has always been pretty tasty to me, and the decor is amusing (if somewhat grimy and tacky). Not a place to go for amazing service, but if you want a tasty burrito in a divey atmosphere, you are on the right track
Posted by A-Dawg on June 5, 2007 at 6:34 PM · Report
5

Nachos to go!

The chicken nachos were great. I got them to go so I didn't witness any hipster 'tude while I was there. I got my food quickly and plenty of it. I do wish they have better salsa. Otherwise I was pretty pleased.
Posted by Nay on May 24, 2007 at 12:05 AM · Report
4

Yeah, But How Are Their Nachos

Why in the hell would I want sunflower seeds in my burrito? This place ain't too great but I've had some pretty decent Nachos here. Shredded beef and jack cheese.
Posted by Nacho Critic on May 19, 2007 at 5:14 PM · Report
3

sunflower seeds!!

Don't be snobby, Californians. You're not coming to Bimbo's for Mission-style... you're coming for the sunflower seeds in the burritos, the quick service, the casual but bizarre ambience! Sit by the bathroom and you get the perfect mix of noise and weird decor. (Look up.)
Posted by Katelyn on May 18, 2007 at 12:32 PM · Report
2

Gameboy

The food is ok. But the service sucks!!! People don't want to listen to bad music cranked up so that you can't hear the person sitting next to you. I can go to Taco Time and get better service.
Posted by Game boy on May 16, 2007 at 6:21 PM · Report
1

I've Never Understood This

Any San Franciscan would get up and walk away in disgust at what they serve here, and the crowd of hipsters makes me want to die. It's not terrible; but it's Taco Del Mar with a hundred coats of disgusting paint on it.
Posted by Fnarf on May 16, 2007 at 4:28 PM · Report

Add a review


Click the stars.

Optional

Bimbo's
Nearby and Recommended

Comet (Bar, Club)
Capitol Hill 922 E Pike St    phone (206) 322-9272
  • 4.00000/5 Stars.
 (based on 3 reader reviews)
Neighbours (Bar, Club)
Capitol Hill 1509 Broadway    phone (206) 324-5358
  • 5.00000/5 Stars.
 (based on 1 review)
Honey Hole (Bar, Restaurant)
Capitol Hill 703 E Pike St    phone (206) 709-1399
  • 3.68000/5 Stars.
 (based on 19 reader reviews)
Kincora (Bar)
Capitol Hill 518 E Pike St    phone (206) 325-0436
  • 5.00000/5 Stars.
 (based on 1 review)
Ballet (Restaurant)
Capitol Hill 914 E Pike St    phone (206) 328-7983
  • 4.27000/5 Stars.
 (based on 11 reader reviews)
Coastal Kitchen (Restaurant)
Capitol Hill 429 15th Ave E    phone (206) 322-1145
  • 3.56000/5 Stars.
 (based on 9 reader reviews)

Are we missing something?

Need to correct our info about Bimbo's?

!Add or Edit
Location