Restaurant Roundup: Burger Month and the Big Game

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

By Ben McBee January 30, 2026

A person with tattooed hands holds a tray with a cheeseburger on a decorative plate featuring a red starburst and blue eye patterns.

The T$ Burger from Chef Taylor Thornhill of Ciudad, part of Lil Woody’s Seattle Burger Month lineup, built with grass-fed beef, cauliflower kraut, Gruyere, and charcoal aioli.

Photo courtesy of Lil Woody's / Ciudad

If you’re trying to garner good luck ahead of the Seahawks’ super-sized Super Bowl rematch (Sunday, Feb. 8) with the Patriots, look no further for good omens than the party hosted by Victory Hall at The Boxyard. It’s all-ages, free, and there will be craft cocktails, Métier Brewing beers, NA options, plenty of food trucks, and games like giant Jenga and cornhole to create a tailgating atmosphere. Oh, and don’t forget the 23-foot indoor screen.

Now to take your mind off those pre-game jitters…

Between two buns

Nothing warms the hands up midwinter like a piping hot burger. This February at Lil Woody’s, during the local chain’s self-proclaimed “Seattle Burger Month,” you’ll have the chance to get your gloves on four new burgers, created by five local chefs and served up each week as a special. Chef Christina Siegl of 84 Yesler, Chef Taylor Thornhill of Ciudad, Chef Yasuaki Saito of Saint Bread, and Chefs Trinh and Thai Nguyen of Ramie will all share their exciting ingredients, like a bone marrow butter, a cauliflower kraut, a Japanese hamburger steak patty, and a Vietnamese herb aioli. Leading up to the event, you can even try last year’s favorite, courtesy of Sophon’s Chef Karuna Long.

Make it weird, but romantic

Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, which makes it the ideal time to set life aside for a night out with your boo. This article makes the case for spending quality time somewhere less conventional. You could bond over your shared love for cats at Seattle Meowtropolitan, enjoy a tropical undersea adventure at Inside Passage, get your medicine at The Doctor’s Office, or even run away to the circus at Unicorn. Whichever you choose, it’s sure to be memorable.

The reviews are in…

Do you live and dine by Yelp? Then the platform’s Top 100 is probably of interest to you, but it might be difficult to guess Seattle’s two restaurants on the list. Ludi’s Restaurant & Lounge lands at No. 25, wowing guests with its Filipino breakfast dishes called silog. Aroy Mak Thai Food comes in at No. 44, where the can’t-miss menu item is the khao man gai and housemade ginger sauce. Both are going to the top of our bucket list.

A can’t-miss croissant

There’s a pastry so perfect in the Central District that your life would be better with it. Thankfully, Eater’s Harry Cheadle shared the tip for Temple Pastries. The chocolate rye croissant has layers that would make Shrek envious, while offering a sweetness that’s balanced just right. While you’re there, you might as well grab a cruffin, macaron, or doughnut. Know this: inventory is lower on weekdays than weekends, but it’s much easier to get in and out on a Tuesday than facing the line on a Saturday.

Staying the course in Gig Harbor

Down by the docks, a historic, family-owned spot is joining another local business that knows its way around a waterfront. Following owner Dylan Stanley’s retirement, Tides Tavern is now a member of the Anthony’s family, joining the Kirkland-based company’s slew of restaurants with maritime views. Just about everything will remain the same, from the staff to the menu, however, it’s currently closed for a month to allow time for kitchen updates.