Counter Culture
Read More ›
Counter Culture: Brileys BBQ
The best ribs in town? You'll have to go to Lake Forest Park.
Seattle might not be the first city you think of when it comes to barbecue — but head north to Brileys BBQ and you’ll see why that narrative is changing, one rack at a time. I’m calling it now: these are the best ribs in town.
Tender, smoky, and perfectly caramelized, the ribs scream Southern goodness, complete with a beautiful smoke ring that comes from many hours of preparation. No sauce is needed, but the housemade mild sauce is so good it borders on addictive. (Don’t let “mild” dissuade you — it’s packed with flavor.)
But wait — don’t sleep on the sides. I have two personal favorites: the Brunswick stew and the cornbread. The stew is rich, hearty, and packed with smoky meat and vegetables that will make you wake up in the middle of the night craving it. As for the cornbread, there seems to be two camps: sweet and cakey versus savory and dry. I’m definitely in the first camp, and this cornbread is everything I want. A piece of advice: dip it in the mild sauce. You’ll thank me later.
About Counter Culture
Brandon Ferguson is a CFO by trade but a foodie at heart. He has a passion for small, humble restaurants that rarely make it onto the radar of mainstream food critics or glossy dining guides. Join him as he discovers warmth, tradition, and authenticity along with great food.
Follow Us
The Magic’s in the Making: Theo Chocolate Co-Founder Joe Whinney Finds His Next Act
After stepping away from the chocolate industry, he never thought he’d return. Now, he’s launched his second chocolate company with history-making treats.
For years, Joe Whinney was Seattle’s own Willy Wonka, complete with his own chocolate factory. One of the cofounders of Theo Chocolate, Whinney applied his passion for social and environmental justice to the brand, using organic ingredients and fairtrade practices that ushered in a new era for the industry. He remained at Theo’s helm until…
Counter Culture: Three Great Burgers Hiding in Plain Sight
A Ballard sandwich shop, a private club in South Lake Union, and a Mountlake Terrace Greek restaurant serve up burgers worth seeking out.
Sometimes you want a burger. You just don’t want a burger joint. Maybe the person across the table has something else in mind, maybe you’re looking for a new neighborhood spot, or maybe you’ve learned that a burger can be particularly good when it has to earn its place on a menu devoted to other…
Restaurant Roundup: Wine O’Clock and Brief Beef
Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.
With the closing of Mi La Cay Restaurant on Oct. 29, it’ll be hard to ignore the sizable hole left in Little Saigon—just look how long the lines were in its final days. For 34 years, the noodle shop was a community gathering place not only for the Vietnamese community, but for diners across Seattle….
Restaurant Roundup: Oysters Benedict and a Bar Tartare Tease
Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.
Even if you’ve lived in Seattle your whole life, chances are there are still unexplored culinary secrets tucked away in the recesses of Pike Place Market. An obvious hit with tourists, walking tours—like the ones offered by Savor Food Tours for nearly 20 years—are a great way for locals to get reacquainted with their city,…