Beth's Cafe (Green Lake)
7311 Aurora Ave N
Seattle, WA
(206) 782-5588
Website
This beloved institution has sat on the same sordid stretch of Aurora since 1957 and has never lost an ounce of its caustic charm: the impeccably greasy hash browns, the old jukebox, the cheerful graffiti on the walls, and the awesomely bizarre mix of diners. Don't expect service with a smile; do expect some of the city's best sausage gravy and hangover-curing omelettes, made with either six or a dozen (famous!) eggs.
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Restaurant Details
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Reviews/Comments (23)
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23
Thank You Cute Server With Dark Hair and Glasses
I nver felt the need to write a review on anybody before, but after walking out of Beths Cafe with some really cheap food tonight,($0.00), I had to write and say thanks, that Philly Cheessteak hit the spot, and was worth the wait. I also wanna say thanks to the hottie with the beautiful fake smile that served me the coffee, it was very sweet of you to treat me like a homeless person and not charge me for the food, appreciate that, but still wondering why you kept asking me for my cream, I would have thought working in a cool cafe like that you would have all the cream you can stomache. Oh and sorry for the tip, it must have fell through the hole in my jeans, I will have to catch you next time when I can afford another bus ride downtown.
22
any one know the waiters name that has dark long hair? and he's skinny. looks kinda hispanic he's hawT!
21
The most AGGRESSIVE/RUDE STAFF!
Some may say that the staff's aggressive and crude behavior is part of Beth's "charm," but I think it's inexcusable. When I went there for the first time I had a humiliating experience with a busboy, couple of waiters, the hosts, and possibly the manager(s).
So this is what I apparently did wrong: Selecting Journey and Queen on the Juke box. The entire staff blatantly moaned and groaned saying outloud "UGHHH, not Journey!" and "UGGGH, not this song again!" At first I laughed it off and thought the staff was joking with me...boy I was wrong.
Feeling guilty, I go back up to the juke box to change the music and this is where it gets bad: the female hostess yells to her co-workers repeatedly "HEY, IT'S THAT GIRL AGAIN AT THE JUKE BOX! SHE'S GOING TO CHOOSE ANOTHER SONG," then the busboy accosts me and says in a serious and cold manner, "People always play Journey and Queen....don't even think about playing Stairway to Heaven...blah blah blah," then another worker approaches me and gives me a dollar and says "Here's a dollar for your song." Also, a quarter of way through "Bohemian Rhapsody" that same busboy stopped the song. I was shocked. Not to mention, all the customers were staring at me...I felt humiliated.
Many businesses, especially retail, play the same annoying music over and over again so why should Beth's be any different? They're job is to serve the customer with a smile and give them the best experience possible even if they have to listen to repetitive music.
The next time you go to Beth's, play Journey's Don't Stop Believing over and over again because I don't want to stop believing in positive restaurant service.
So this is what I apparently did wrong: Selecting Journey and Queen on the Juke box. The entire staff blatantly moaned and groaned saying outloud "UGHHH, not Journey!" and "UGGGH, not this song again!" At first I laughed it off and thought the staff was joking with me...boy I was wrong.
Feeling guilty, I go back up to the juke box to change the music and this is where it gets bad: the female hostess yells to her co-workers repeatedly "HEY, IT'S THAT GIRL AGAIN AT THE JUKE BOX! SHE'S GOING TO CHOOSE ANOTHER SONG," then the busboy accosts me and says in a serious and cold manner, "People always play Journey and Queen....don't even think about playing Stairway to Heaven...blah blah blah," then another worker approaches me and gives me a dollar and says "Here's a dollar for your song." Also, a quarter of way through "Bohemian Rhapsody" that same busboy stopped the song. I was shocked. Not to mention, all the customers were staring at me...I felt humiliated.
Many businesses, especially retail, play the same annoying music over and over again so why should Beth's be any different? They're job is to serve the customer with a smile and give them the best experience possible even if they have to listen to repetitive music.
The next time you go to Beth's, play Journey's Don't Stop Believing over and over again because I don't want to stop believing in positive restaurant service.
19
I went in this past Saturday evening around 10 PM to meet two people who had travelled here from Georgia and specifically wanted to go to Beth's, as they had been there years ago on another visit. They did not know I was coming so were seated and had just gotten their food when I arrived. They were seated at a booth for four (as that is basically all Beth's has). I asked the "waitress" for a menu and she refused, saying there was a "no joiner" policy on the weekend. I thought she was kidding as I have (nor has anyone I've spoken to since) ever heard of something so nonsensical! She went about her duties completely ignoring me, except for the occasional sneer and nasty look in my direction. The guy in the booth next to me said he had been refused service because he was in the restroom when she came and took the other members of his table's order - so three of them were served and he was not (although they did give him a milkshake, somehow.) I asked another waitress what the deal was and she reiterated this "no joiner policy." I asked to speak to the manager because I said I wasn't joining their ticket, just ordering something on my own and sitting at their table. This "manager" came to the table, snarled nastily, "that's the policy, deal with it" and walked off. The first "waitress" came back (clearly trying to smooth the situation so she wouldn't lose her tip) and tried to explain this "no joiner" thing was there so that the tables could be turned over sooner - I asked her about the two people that were sitting behind us playing cards holding up a table for four. She said they came in as two people...again, this made no sense! I asked, "so you're just refusing to serve me, right?" and she snarkily said, "with an attitude like that, yes." So I, a paying customer, was not allowed to order...still not sure how the guy next to me was "allowed" to have a milkshake when I couldn't even get a cup of coffee!! Upon leaving I asked this "manager," who was running the register, to explain how a paying customer could not even get a cup of coffee when there were empty booths in the restaurant and no one waiting to be sat in them. He nastily said, "That's the policy. If you don't like it, don't come back!" I said he was behaving like a d**k, so he called me a "f*g" and told me to leave. Not only did this homophobic manager belittle me in front of family, he was an absolute unprofessional! Beth's has never been known to be more upscale than it is and has always been happily accepted as such, but when a paying customer innocently comes in, is refused service because of some arbitrary policy and is then called a f*g by the manager, there is something very VERY wrong!!
More...
18
Absolutely no thought put into the decor at all; sorry, Beth, but a bunch of stuff children have drawn--the majority of which is tattered and grease-splattered--does not qualify as "decor." The food? Some say satisfying, I say nauseating. The omelets come in two sizes--six and twelve eggs. The larger of these two is served on aluminum serving trays because, evidently, there is not a plate large enough to contain its girth. Oh, and the aforementioned omelets glisten with what I can only assume is that disgusting spray-on Pam shit. Ewe.
In a city as large as Seattle, why is it impossible to find decent breakfast spots? Moreover, why do places such as Beth's exist in a city this large?
If you have no taste buds, please go to Beth's. Also, if you're some middle-aged Seattleite desperately trying to stay hip--definitely go. Otherwise, avoid this restaurant like the plague.
In a city as large as Seattle, why is it impossible to find decent breakfast spots? Moreover, why do places such as Beth's exist in a city this large?
If you have no taste buds, please go to Beth's. Also, if you're some middle-aged Seattleite desperately trying to stay hip--definitely go. Otherwise, avoid this restaurant like the plague.
17
I think we'll survive. . .but the jury's still out. . .
I'm not sure what was more charming. . .the smell,the universal coating of filth, or betting whether they would hit the garbage bucket next to our table on their next try. . .I'm sure they'll clean the place up after they close tonight. . .oh wait, they never close. . .hmmmmmm. . . it's all clear to me now. . .
16
Sloppy Bliss
I'm just going to pre-cursor this review by saying I was extremely intoxicated (as it was my birfday) when I went to Beth's last year.
HOWever...the food was perfect (but then again, what isn't on your birthday?) for the occasion. I'm sorry, but any 9-12 egg omellette has a special place in my heart. I...well, heart ommellettes.
And the peanut butter brownie milkshake? I'm not kidding when I say I bragged about that sucker for a WEEK. I couldn't get it out of my head.
Really.
Like a cartoon, you can't take this place out of context and expect some sort of fine dining. It is what it is.
15
Greasiest of the Greasy Spoon
I am a health freak (or try to be) and I still love this place. Like most people I believe that it is healthy to occasionally do unhealthy things from time to time. As such I eat at Beth's three to four times a year. I am surprised (but glad) that the place has not been shut down - the workers do not wear gloves when handling food, and it's pretty surprising the 'no smoking' policy is (however begrudgingly) enforced. Nonetheless, if you feel like some unhealthy but delicious grub after walking around Green Lake after hours, this is the place.
13
the quintessential "greasy spoon."
being from new york, i know diners. i'm sorry, but, seattle, you ain't got 'em. this place is perfect for the "i-drank-too-much-give-me-greasy-food" munchies at the end of the night, after the bar or the morning [read: afternoon] after the bar.
12
same 'ol shithole
I first visited Beth's in '93; back then it was a disgusting roach creche that focused on serving Sysco corp. offerings the likes of which you'd find in any low-grade cafeteria. But the draw was the self congratulatory bobo-hipsters working the joint and the frenzy of late night drunks and wannabes. And the service... you could starve waiting to order. In the almost 15 years since then, Beth's hasn't changed a bit. Still need a hazmat suite to enter the bathroom. Still a great place to show off new tats and piercings. But it was never really the kind of place you want to take seriously as far as eating is concerned. On the other hand, where the hell else in the north end can you go at 4am shortly after realizing your acid trip won't end for another 12 hours?
11
The place to go late night
If you like listening to the converstations people have after a night of partying, this is the place to go. The food is very decent for a greasy spoon type place, and the staff will take care of you no matter who you are, what you've been doing, or how dirty your hair is. The hash browns are to die for, you can get one REALLY big pancake instead of a few little ones, the coffee keeps coming, and they even have some decent vegetarian choises for those of you who don't eat anything that once had a cute little face.
10
Still The Best
I will never condemn Beth's Cafe. It welcomed me to Seattle and has been welcoming ever since. With the proliferation of fancy California-influenced eateries sprouting up everywhere like cancer, and institutions that make Seattle Seattle going away... Beth's remains the best on all fronts, ambience, service, personality, food.
Yeah, you're gonna get your anti poseurs, but while they're bitching about what a shithole the place is and how much the food stinks, I'll be sitting in the corner minding my own fucking business and eating for the lot of 'em.
I hate omelettes. But I always make an exception at Beth's, which has got to tell you something. Their hash browns are piping hot, crisp, fresh and real. And by accident, while pregnant five years ago, I discovered their chili, OH MY GOD. I would like to make love to this chili.
9
Not What It Used To Be
Beth's has been skating by on reputation and fond memories for years now. With the introduction of the smoking ban, Beth's has lost a lot of it's flavor -- and now you can actually taste the food. There's really nothing to Beth's to recommend it over Denny's, except the crowds of young rowdy kids, the drunks fresh from the bars, and the hit-or-miss cooks. I'm amazed the health department lets the place stay open. I used to love this place when I was in high school, but the charm has gone.
8
must-visit
if you enjoy smoking pot well into the wee hours of the morning, then beth's should be dialed in on your autopilot for soem of the greasiest, nastiest food to fill your fiending stomach. spend time admiring and appreciating the crayon-art posted on the walls throughout the place, and try your hardest not to forget your order or otherwise wig out when the server comes to your table. i like to think of beth's as the atlas or coastal kitchen for the lowlifes of the world. in other words, a complete and utter paradise for real, honest people looking for yet another way to shorten their dim, fucked up lives.
7
Greasy, Smelly, Patrons Gorging - I Love It!
This is the rare occasion where I rate a greasy spoon a 5 star - however there really aren't that many of them left in the city & Beth's is a classic. Thank god for the smoking ban, because at least now I can see my 12 EGG OMELETTE! If you're going there to have an intimate chat - fuhgetaboutit, it's loud, crazy & of course I'm talking about late night dining (the best is the assorted crowd watching you get for free).
6
So bad it's good
The food is average but you go for the atmosphere. I love that the waitstaff will poor water on you if you get out of line and the cooks are happy to joke that they put things in the drunk guys food to mess with him. It's a punk rock atmosphere and tons of fun.
5
Greasy Spoon with Just the Right Slide
Too many years of music, shows and late nights studying lend easily to bad all night diner food.
I love Beth's. They have plenty of bad music in the jukebox and the waitress brought me ice when I nearly broke my ankle in the back parking lot. The food has the perfect combination of slip going down and is awesomely filling.
The perfect end to a day.
4
Beth's Crapfe
I've been eating at Beth's for pretty much 20 years, and it's always sucked. I have no idea why I kept coming back, but no more. I'm over the boring poseur hipness, the worst sausage gravy or coffee-like swill ever, soggy hash browns, nasty bathrooms etc. They've lost their place as my latenight snacking place.
3
The best poison
Beth's is a greasy spoon that I have a hard time reviewing because I feel sick every time I leave but at the same time, what criticism can you level at an institution like Beth's. And where else can you convince a drunken friend to eat a 12 egg omlette at 4am? Oh, don't forget that they have a video game room in case there's a wait for a table.
2
Beth's is the Damndest
It's not just the spectacularly satisfying (if not spectactular) food. Its not just watching the hot staff scream at each other, kiss and makeup, and then start throwing things again. It's the rumor that Tom Waits secretly owns the place. That's why Beth's is magic.
1
The Good, The Bad and The Uggo
I hate the stupid shit on the walls and I think most do. But you also like to see Your shit on the walls and that's why you don't care about it. The food? Oh it's fine. It's good and consistent and what you expect. Greasy ass spoon and delicious.
Beth's Cafe
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