13 Coins (Downtown)
125 Boren Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 682-2513
Website
Dark and swanky, this 24-hour dining den blends a mid-'70s bachelor-pad vibe with pricey, retro grill fare. The Coins is most famous for its seating—both the row of high-backed cushy swivel chairs at the long counter and the cushy-walled booths. Sitting at the counter is sort of like piloting a '70s spaceship, while the booths are like good versions of padded cells, dark leather ones that you're committed to voluntarily. The food gets mixed reviews at best, but if you need an expensive omelet or steak-and-lobster combo at 4:30 in the morning, this is your place.
Categories: Restaurant
Restaurant Details
Bar Details
The Stranger's Reviews of 13 Coins
-
Seattle's Best Booths Nov 25, 2010
A Very Special and Weirdly Particular Restaurant Roundup
-
The Happiest Hour: The Extravagance of 13 Coins Apr 16, 2009
-
Bar Exam: The Return of the Night Owl Lounge Feb 28, 2008
-
Eat & Tell Nov 22, 2007
Celebratory Gorging
- Write your own review of 13 Coins »
Average Rating:
Reviews/Comments (15)
RSS
15
Didn't see much on the menu that looked good and then saw the crab salad. Yum. I hadn't had one for awhile. What a disappointment! Yes, there was some crab, but also wedges of hard unripe tomatoes, LOTS of lettuce and not much else. And it cost $28! Never again
14
This place is a cool alternative.
I just like it. Dark, smells good, unusual food choices. Good variety. I need to remind myself to eat their more!
13
Stopped in on a Saturday evening bout 5pm and expecting to see my favorite chef at the front of the line but was told he was let go. Can't figure out why! he was the only one in the past 4 years with the knowledge and willingness to please every or any of my requests as weird as it might sound.
Guess they take crappy food serious at 13 coins downtown. I'd go every Saturday and he would never say no. What ever I asked the answer was always the same "I can do that"
Not sure how to spell his name I think it's Horhay or something. If anybody knows where he is at now please let me know. I need my Oyster stew his way was delicious and full of flavor a must have. Watching him cook and interact with the rest of the crew was entertaining and fun chemistry and team work not there anymore cooks look like amateurs.
Guess they take crappy food serious at 13 coins downtown. I'd go every Saturday and he would never say no. What ever I asked the answer was always the same "I can do that"
Not sure how to spell his name I think it's Horhay or something. If anybody knows where he is at now please let me know. I need my Oyster stew his way was delicious and full of flavor a must have. Watching him cook and interact with the rest of the crew was entertaining and fun chemistry and team work not there anymore cooks look like amateurs.
12
You people are crazy
I sat in the best retro bar and drank cognac like a damn king on a Monday night with the real professionals. It reminds me of the Red Fox Room in San Diego. Old school, unapologetic, with steak and eggs at 11 at night.
11
I've had two great dinners at 13 Coins in the past month and they continue to have terrific service with high quality food and beverage. Love the calamari! Perfect place for a business breakfast too!
9
This was a Seattle Gem for so many years...until it sold. The quality of the food just isn't there anymore. The new owners have made probably necessary suts but its jus tnot the same. Prior to the sale it was a 4 star joint, 24/7 quality...now its a 2 at best...even the great menus are now ordinary ones, no pizzazz and nothing special. Its so so sad.
8
dirty
even when you sit at the bar and watch them prepare your food... it still seems dirty. no thanks.
7
Go for the Prix Fixe Holiday Meals
I have never witnessed any of the sketchy people or behaviors that many of the reviewers below do but I will concur that the 13 Coins offers generally mediocre food for high prices... That being said, I usually end up at the 13 Coins for their prix fixe holiday meals as opposed to late night dining. If you go then it's usually just a bunch of old people and families with lots of out of town relatives who don't want to cook. My boyfriend and his daughter and I went there for Thanksgiving last year and it was great - good food (nothing special but a decent plate of turkey, stuffing and all the fixins), the kid loved it, and the price was right. Plus, I admit I really dig the "private" booths and high-backed chairs at the counter. Atmosphere definitely trumps the food here with one exception - the calimari steak. Fucking delicious and highly recommended if you're a calimari fan, although you won't recognize it if you're used to eating the battered rubbery version that is too often served in restaurants. This is tender, flavorful and melt in your mouth good.
6
Nostalgia, Crowded & Still Smells Smoky
This place would be great if they could fumigate it. Oh & if you think you can waltz right in & get a late night table - fuhgetaboutit, it ain't gonna happen. A couple of friends & I wanted to pitch our tent their one evening after hitting the town & after 10 minutes the hostess didn't even acknowledge our presence - why did we wait (we really wanted late night food & were interested from a nostalgic perspective).
5
Overpriced, Mediocre Food
Hubby was out of town, damned if I was gonna cook. So with nostalgic memories of going there in the 1970's (disco!!), I dragged my 2 teenagers there to chow down. What a disappointment. We ordered pasta alfredo, which was so bland, we kept having to salt it. The other dishes were so forgettable, I can't even remember what we ordered. I'd never go back, and yes, it's overpriced.
4
never again
I went to 13 Coins once, and I'll never go back. The food was phenomenally bad, and overpriced to boot. Rubbery scallops, cold pasta, soggy sandwiches, crap all around. I was with a party of ten and none of us were happy with what we got. The server was a pro and I swear he was embarrassed by what he put in front of us. This was over a year ago, and I heard they made some chnges, but I'm not willing to spend that much money to find out.
3
Old timers
I was not into this place the many times I went but then grandma came to town and I realized this is exactly the place for her. She was buying so I got the prime rib. HUGE! medium RARE. Perfect. It is expensive and I'm sure there are better steaks in town but the decor makes grandparents who like to eat out "fancy" feel comfortable in an old, gangster owned joint type of way. Don't have any expectations of getting healthy food, just the good, loaded with butter artery clogging way and the portions are really big. So refreshing after being subjected to over designed small plate places. Order a gin & tonic.
2
Striped Shirts, Popped Colars And Gelled Hair
High seat backs, $13 nachos and off duty strippers.
A no star that magically becomes a full blown 2 star after 3am!
1
late night only.
eaten over the fighting of a pimp with his two hos at 3am. the food was greasy and overpriced. but when you're drunk in the early morning, you may overlook the prices/quality for the amazing lascivious atmosphere.
13 Coins
Nearby and Recommended
Alibi Room
(Bar, Club, Movie Theater, Restaurant)
Downtown
85 Pike St #410
(206) 623-3180
(206) 623-3180
(based on 5 reader reviews)
Pike Pub & Brewing Company
(Bar, Restaurant)
Downtown
1415 First Ave
(206) 622-6044
(206) 622-6044
(based on 4 reader reviews)
Downtown
808 Post Ave
(206) 621-7777
(206) 621-7777
(based on 2 reader reviews)
Are we missing something?
Need to correct our info about 13 Coins?
Add or EditLocation
The Stranger Suggests
Critics' Best Bets
Music Arts & Food
The Stranger
RSSSeattle Art & Performance Quarterly
A complete guide to Seattle's current art, film, dance, and theater season.
A complete guide to Seattle's current art, film, dance, and theater season.
Facebook
Twitter
All contents © Index Newspapers, LLC
1535 11th Ave
(Third Floor),
Seattle, WA 98122
Contact Info |
Privacy Policy |
Terms of Use |
Takedown Policy
