Eating a salmon sandwich in the Pike Place Market sounds like a descent into tourist hell. It's telling, then, that the Market Grill--an unassuming little eatery just a few flower stands north of the market's brass pig--has a loyal following of locals who keep returning for its excellent salmon and halibut sandwiches ("Voted best halibut sandwich in the Market" according to a sign. Really? They vote on that stuff?). Fact is, folks often have to wait for a stool to open up after ordering, and some wind up just standing at the front counter to eat.

The sandwiches ($8.95) feature grilled baguette-style bread, with optional lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, and homemade tartar sauce or rosemary mayonnaise (ask for extra if you're a condiment junkie). Cajun "blackened" seasoning coats the fresh fish (currently Alaskan king for the salmon, but it varies according to "whatever's good") and gives the fillets a spicy kick. About the only weakness is that the bread is sort of chewy, making things splat out the sides when you take a bite.

If fish doesn't make you jump up and down, you can also get versions with prawns ($8.95) or chicken ($6.95). Or else bag the sandwiches altogether and go with some sides: The Market Grill's homemade coleslaw and clam chowder are mighty. The slaw ($1.50) is wonderfully basic, nothing fancy, sweet and peppery with bigish hunks of cabbage, while the "old-fashioned" chowder ($3.50/$4.50/$5.50) is simply insane--rich and buttery and with a slightly spicy finish, with dill and chunks of carrots, potatoes, and onions. It might not sound that impressive, but--ye gods--I'd brave the teeming hordes at Pike Place Market again--naked, with beef brisket duct taped to my body, through a Princess cruise liner's worth of ravenous, fat Texans--just to get another cup of that stuff.