By Ben McBee June 13, 2025

Between stories of wage theft, feuding business owners, and demands of 7% to 20% on top of your bill, Seattle’s food scene is starting to feel like the Wild West. Hope you’ve polished your fork and knife, because here are some of the latest bulletins.

Construction of a new breakfast sandwich spot in Capitol Hill’s Melrose Market is no yolk for existing tenants. In fact, Eggslut, the Instagram-famous breakfast sandwich spot that started as a food cart in Los Angeles and quickly cracked the international market, is causing quite the ruckus as it builds its nest. The issues stem from extensive, full-length window coverings advertising the spot’s impending opening; neighbors say the ads make the entire space appear closed, citing serious drop offs to their own business.

Those in the know with West Seattle’s dining scene are probably aware of JaK’s Grill’s move to bigger digs across the street. Perhaps more subtle are the other adjustments, on the menu and in philosophy, all designed to keep the restaurant successful in the industry’s new reality. Guests can expect to see more vegetarian and different protein options, with a focus on supporting local producers.

You’re scrolling down your favorite brunch spot’s menu when your eyes alight on something new. No, it’s not the bottomless pickle juice mimosas (umm, who asked for this?) nor is it the Spam eggs benedict (actually, that sounds pretty good). You’ve discovered the mandatory service charge, an ambiguous and increasingly ubiquitous addition to dining out that raises questions like, “Should I still tip?” or “Who exactly is this going to?” Find some answers and a list of tip-free, service charge-free restaurants in Seattle.

Pagliacci Pizza, which is building a new location (the 27th in the Puget Sound region) near the recently finished Redmond light rail station, has plans for another forward-thinking form of transportation. Drones. That’s right, through a partnership with Zipline, a company currently testing deliveries for Walmart in Dallas, your pie may soon arrive from the sky.

The microbrewery and taproom on East Pike Street will shut up shop after eight years of business in Capitol Hill, according to a recent announcement from owners Tilray. The company did not provide a reason, nor a final date, although the news did come with a commitment to looking for a new location. Anheuser-Busch sold Redhook (which bottles and cans its beer in Oregon) to Tilray in 2023 for $85 million.

New Zealand-style ice cream is the hottest, er, coldest sweet treat trend to reach Seattle’s sweet tooth in a while. What exactly sets it apart? As “real fruit ice cream,” the recipe calls for a standard cream or vegan base, that’s then mashed and swirled with strawberries, mango, blackberries, even kiwis. Find it at shops like Many Bennies (peep the edible googly eyes) and Highland Park Corner Store.