Inexpensive but good lunch around Pike Place Market?

[alki_chick]

Looking for the best cheap eats in and around Pike Place Market area. I keep going back to the same places, Falafel King, Mee Sum, Mr. D's and Beecher's. There has to be better choices that won't cost me an arm and a leg for lunch right?

Looking between University and Pine, and First and Fifth. Thanks in advance.

[mr.nelso]

At $11, it may seem a little steep, but a catfish sandwich at Matt's counter is a truly chowish experience. Pay attention to the array of hot-sauces on the counter, which are seriously useful with the catfish sandwich. In the past, this has been acompanied by good salad, bread and olive oil.

[malarkey]

Matt's in the Market, the catfish sandwich. I have dreams about it.

[Willy3000]

I second the recommendation of World Class Chili. It's world class. You can order it in a bunch of different styles, and you sit at the counter and eat it. Someone there has a passion for chili and it shows.

[mr.nelso]

I had the opportunity to visit Cincinnatti a few years back, so I asked chowhounds where to go to try Cincinnatti Chili. The consensus was Skyline, so I went. I was not impressed. The pasta bed was overcooked and the cinnamon was way out of balance in the dish. Not something I would order again, for sure.
I came back to Seattle and saw that Joe had a Cincinnatti chili at World Class, so I tried it, in the spirit of comprehensive chowishness. It turns out that a person who wants to really understand the subtle delights of Cincinnatti really needs to come to Seattle. Furthermore, his nearly oxymoronic Vegetarian chili will blow you away with flavor.

[zacfi]

I ate at El Puerco Lloron in August at about 1pm on a Monday. It may not be the busiest time but I was surprised at how deserted it was for lunchtime. The food was good but there were maybe 3 or 4 tables sitting there. Is it still popular? There used to be lines there, but that was 20 years ago when I lived in Seattle. Some of the other places mentioned were also there 20 years ago. For all the change I saw in Seattle there is still a lot the same.

I also had my kids there and they didn't like it at all even though I steered them to stuff I know they like. It may be more authentic, but that doesn't mean the kids will like it.

[terrier]

Still there, still popular, a bit overpriced for the small portions I think, but definitely a cut above any other Mexican downtown.

[seattledebs]

I loved it when I was a kid living summers in Seattle. I ate the al carne tacos. My brother visited a year ago after being away for years and that was one of his must-visit places, due to memories of favorite foods.

So, it may depend on the kid.

[maggie]

OK, remebering that it is almost WINTER, you can enjoy the view and the occasional sun break inside while eating the best lentil soup over rice at Turkish Delight--all the way at the north end of the market--some of the best (and best for you) lunch in the market.

[rcallner]

The gyros at the standup counter on the main drag are messy and tasty and satisfying, be sure to get tzatziki. Heck, what's it called.....near the south end of the market in sight of the pig.

[not the bad Steve]

Disagree: while the meat is cooked on the spit as opposed to being griddled, it is not cooked and sliced to order; rather, they slice big trays of it beforehand, and permit it to become waterlogged on a steam table.

[rcallner]

Oh, dear, that's disheartening but good to know. I confess to not having a sammich there for several years, now, and it sounds like it's been taken over by the Dark Side.

[mrnelso]

At the other end of the market, almost to Pike and Western wine shop, is Turkish Deight and they still sliced Kefte Kabob off the spit the last time I looked, but it is always good, served in warm Pita with vegetables.

[charmedgirl]

Dude, not the last time I was there (about three months ago). I watched as the woman behind the counter sliced it off the rotating leg of lamb and it fell into my pita. Maybe you went on a super busy day?

[not the bad Steve]

Glad to hear they did it right for you.

Mine has been out of the steam table all 5 times I've gone on the last few years, covering the range from busy to dead.

[christy319]

Oh, I forgot, Pike Place Chowder is good too. They have other seafood soups besides chowder, as well as salads and a crab roll.

[mrnelso]

World Class Chili, below and behind Delaurenti's is great,as is Delaurenti's itself, for pizza and salad. Across the street is the Girls bakery and Jack's Fish Spot (with the tanks).
Another vote for El Puerco Lloron: get the dozen tortillas

[Olympia Jane]

Mmm, yes - Jack's Fish and Three Girls Bakery - right across from each other. Jacks's for a bot bowl of the steamed mixed mussels and clams, or the crispy salmon fish and chips. Three Girls Bakery for the meatloaf, marinated eggplant or reuben sandwich, soup of the day if it sounds tasty and a brownie, macaroon or other sweet for dessert. And a loaf of buttermilk rye or rye tzissel(sp?) to go.

[gore]

Thanks, mmelso, Jacks's was a great tip. I stopped there on my one-day visit to Seattle, ordered the salmon and chips, and felt like an insider. (The glass-enclosed seating setp at Three Girls Bakery is so outrageously adorable they could serve tuna out of a can and I'd want to sit there.)
Best of all about the markets -- the great attitudes of everyone working there. Not icky nice, but genuine and food-forward. You all should be proud.

[MightyMac]

Agree with you seattledebs except I get a petite triple cream from beachers instead of DeLaurenti's and wait around all year for Sosio's Oh my god Peaches and Ambrosia Nectarines.

[seattledebs]

Agree with El Puerco Lloron and Cafe Yarmarka.

If it's a nice day, my favorite market lunch is cheese from DeLaurenti's, bread from Le Panier, and fruit from Sosio's, all eaten at Steinbrueck Park.

[howard 1st]

if you like falafel king (who buys his gyro meat in boxes already cooked and sliced; mr. d's on pike place is much better) it should be easy to find other places you'll enjoy. right next door is the crumpet shop whose sandwiches (when their fresh bread is available) are the best in seattle. on the ground floor of the corner market, across from fero's meats, is a filipino lunch counter whose food i really like. 100 feet north, in the sanitary market next to the emerald kettle (whose food has been the worst in the market but new owners just took over...) is a vietnamese place whose name avoids me that is quite good and shockingly inexpensive.

[barleywino]

the Korean buffet (they charge by weight) at Century Square plaza between 3rd and 4th and Pike and Pine

the food court upstairs at Pine and 4th (try the pad ki mao or pad see euw at Noodle Zone (Thai))

[christy319]

Market Grill, Piroshky Piroshky, Cafe Yarmarka (for pierogies), El Puerco Lloron, La Buona Tavola (all in the Market).