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West 5 (West Seattle)

4539 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 935-1966
Website

Good, down-home food–impressive meatloaf, classic mac 'n' cheese–served up in a most pleasant nouveau diner. The happy hour (daily 4-6 pm) is one of Seattle's best, with a $4 happy-hour menu featuring such "lounge classics" as sirloin steak bits and crab cakes.
Categories: Bar, Restaurant

Restaurant Details

Bar Details

The Stranger's Reviews of West 5

 
 

Average Rating:
  • 4.38000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (13) RSS

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13

Chartreuse Liquor + Key Lime Pie = YUM

They haven't had the Chartreuse Key Lime Pie in a while but it *just* popped up again on the menu - definitely worth the try. And I just tried the steak bits, which were very tender. But, yeah, I LOVE the mac-n-cheese... with grilled chicken melted inside.
Posted by abunni on August 28, 2009 at 1:43 AM · Report
12

Dont forget about the tamales...

Wow. Try the tamales once. Seriously. The guys in the kitchen know what they are doing. You'll be hooked afterwards. Service is outstanding, and at least as good as the food. Not a pretentious place so you can get by with old sweats and a hangover hat if needed.
Posted by Jonathan on January 23, 2008 at 7:07 PM · Report
11

The Mac is soooo good

This place has the best Mac n cheese in the city of Seattle. I can't stop getting it when I go there so I haven't branched out to other stuff. The place is cute and well I like California Ave. And the staff is very nice so really it's just the best lazy Saturday lunch. Very homey and cozy. I like the 50's theme. My one thing is that service is slow but really just enjoy it.
Posted by Red on October 26, 2007 at 12:05 AM · Report
10

Style with your drink

The guys at West 5 (former Microsoft execs) have done a great job of bringing a bit of class to the West Seattle Junction (I know, I should clarify that with ALASKA, but c'mon, is the Admiral and Morgan junction really anything to write home about?) The place is comfortable, and their food, while not too creative, is damn good. While they do close up too early (c'mon, it's a bar, stay open later than midnight), they get my respect.
Posted by BorisSWort on August 17, 2007 at 12:05 AM · Report
9

West 5 Stars

How nice to have a bar/restaurant in Seattle with a hip and fun flair, great menu, and great drinks, but without all off the pretentious hipster bullshit that poisons so many of Seattle's great spots. At West 5 you check your ego at the door and sit down to read its charming and ever creative menu of great tasting drinks and food. Cozy, happy, and fun; don't leave West Seattle without stopping here. Try the Scarlet and Black (A dark porter with a splash chambord) for an awesome liquid dessert. And I wish I could end this review without talking about the Mac and Cheese but OH MY GOD!!!
Posted by I on August 10, 2007 at 6:11 PM · Report
8

not too impressed

After looking at the menu a few times, I never did go in to eat until my friends insisted on eating there once. I was disappointed, since I make some damn good meatloaf, mac n' cheese and Sloppy Joes. Frankly, with their prices, I'd much rather cook it myself and invite friends over than eat there. I guess I'd rather eat comfort food at home, since it is some of the easiest food to cook.
Posted by WS local on August 9, 2007 at 1:43 PM · Report
7

Excellent!!

Its been said a million times, but I'll say it again....BEST MAC AND CHEESE AROUND....PERIOD!. I love this place. The atmosphere is great, and the service is always excellent. The only place Ive ever been where I could order a Sloppy Joe. Drinks are well made as well. One of the best places to eat in West Seattle! And one more time....MAC AND CHEESE!!
Posted by abrasivefire26 on August 8, 2007 at 2:08 PM · Report
6

Hello 1958

Meat Loaf, Mac-n-Cheese, Sloppy Joes, Cobb Salads. These are things of excellence at West 5. The atmosphere is wonderful and the drinks are great. One of the best Happy Hours in Seattle. If you like June Cleaver eating and Dean Martin Drinking this is the place for you.
Posted by Somestupidname on July 11, 2007 at 2:21 PM · Report
5

Meatloaf like Mom used to make

My mother was a culinary whiz, must have been the major in home ec - anyway, West 5 wins the blue ribbon for excellence in meatloaf! Their mac 'n cheese wins hands down as well. So if you're in the mood for something both familiar and very tasty then head on in for good food in a fun casual atmosphere. Another nice touch is a full bar with very well crafted martinis - love that key lime pie tini!
Posted by funmeister on July 11, 2007 at 9:42 AM · Report
4

Awesome

The halibut sandwich deserves all the raves, and I love that it comes with yummy potato salad instead of the predictable fries. Also try the cobb salad and the rice & beans. The 50s atmosphere is great, you can tell they've worked really hard on every detail (excellent cocktail menu, fabulously comfy big yellow armchairs, photos of old West Seattle, vintage neon) to create it and it all works. The only caveat is you can't be too hungry when you show up because it often takes awhile to get your food. I'm very happy they are now open for lunch!
Posted by Jezebel on June 27, 2007 at 9:10 AM · Report
3

nice and cozy

The halibut sandwich IS great and we had the mac and cheese with jalepenos and andouille sausage - Plus their tomato soup with the blue cheese is bitey (in a good way). Everyone was friendly, no attitude, low key, and nice and dark. Certainly not as yuppie as Matador across the street
Posted by WSP on June 26, 2007 at 3:05 PM · Report
2

Keep looking..

The Mac & Cheese isn't that great, (bland & pasty), the meatloaf isn't thrilling, but the drinks are above average. The wait isn't worth the while, but the wait staff is more than kind. I appreciate the attempt and hopefully, in a year or two they'll have their act together, because W. Seattle needs some good grub, without the 'tude.
Posted by mattereaterlad on June 1, 2007 at 6:52 PM · Report
1

Just for the Halibut!

The mac n cheese gets rave reviews (deservedly) but the real star is the halibut sandwich - truly the most tasty snack ever. Everything is fresh, housemade and tasty.
Posted by lil' snacky on May 15, 2007 at 12:00 PM · Report

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