Restaurant Roundup: Smoked Brisket and Baseball Bites

Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.

By Ben McBee March 13, 2026

A crowd gathers on a grassy field near a Baseball Bites food truck, with groups sitting on blankets and enjoying smoked brisket. Trees, buildings, and hills form the backdrop under a clear sky.

Grasslands Barbecue’s Texas-style brisket draws long lines when the Hood River food truck pops up in Seattle.

Photo courtesy of Grasslands Barbecue

The Emerald City does St. Patrick’s Day well. Between the brews and hearty meat stews, there are plenty of ways to revel with Irish cuisine while learning about the country’s culture (like how the holiday started with more of a somber tone). Of course, Kells’ festival is already in full swing and you can bring your best soda bread recipe to the bake-off at Shawn O’Donnell’s in Everett, but if your heart desires the simpler pleasures (a pint of Guinness in a cozy pub), give Murphy’s or Owl ‘N Thistle a try.

Now raise your glass to these fine stories.

BBQ, get ya BBQ

Grasslands Barbecue and its signature Texas-style brisket have made many a mouth water over the years—and many a smoked-meat fanatic waits in line for close to 5 hours. That might just be what it takes to get a taste when the Hood River, Oregon-based food truck pops up behind Holy Mountain Brewing in Interbay this weekend. Frozen packages of its wares will be available to take home, but as with every item on the grill, they’re liable to sell out fast.

Appetizing arena news

Climate Pledge Arena and the Kraken have announced Old Log Cabin Distillery as their official local whiskey supplier. Not only can fans continue to enjoy specialty cocktails “The Enforcer” (nectarine purée, peach and lemon juice, and bitters) at games, but the nearby distillery will host game-day watch parties and star on the menu at 32 Bar & Grill, located on the second floor of Kraken Community Iceplex within Northgate Station. The Mariners are also adding some flavor to their upcoming season, with quesadillas, tacos, and more from El Rinconsito, Piroshky Piroshky pastries, and fish and chips in a souvenir ferry boat coming to T-Mobile Park.

Be a tourist in your own city

That’s the call to action of RIDER’s “Local’s 3-Course Dinner,” a menu that’s “specifically designed for Seattle residents featuring a specially curated selection of Pacific Northwest-inspired and seasonal dishes.” Served nightly 4-10 p.m. at $55 a person, the dinner offers a starter of clam chowder or pear and Brussels sprout salad, then diners choose a main course of double cut pork belly, beurre blanc salmon, or porcini mushroom and duck ragout gnocchi, finishing with a sorbetto or gelato from Olympic Mountain Creamery.

Easter eats in wine country

Easter is coming, so if you’re looking to book brunch, you better hop to it. On Sunday, April 5, Willows Lodge in Woodinville will offer a buffet in the Sammamish Ballroom overlooking a vibrant herb garden. Guests can expect brioche French toast, egg frittatas, thyme roasted potatoes, and more, plus a prime rib carving station and chilled shellfish raw bar. On-site restaurant Barking Frog will also serve an elevated Easter brunch menu in a warm, relaxed setting.

CEOs are just like us

At least that’s what the leaders of global fast food chains are trying to tell us lately. Jasmine Donovan, CEO of Dick’s Drive-In, got in on the viral trend with a much more relatable, Seattle-approved style, saying “It’s just weird we’re filming me eating” as she chomped on a burger for a recent Instagram video. She did in fact love her products, especially the chocolate shake.