One overnight wait in line, one gigantic bite out of Seattle fast-food history—earlier this week in the University District, 30 to 40 people beat the dawn (but not Sam Darnold) to be the first to eat at Raising Cane’s first location in the city, which officially opened Tuesday morning. For some, 9 a.m. might seem a tad early to enjoy crispy chicken strips, but not for this intrepid crowd—or the Girl Scout who saw an opportunity to sell some cookies to the queue. Fellow business owners see it as proof of the growth in the neighborhood, which saw 37 million visits last year.

The signs of recovery on the city’s dining scene don’t stop there.

I’d rather eat with the sinners that cry with the saints

Billy Joel sang it best—and his famous lyrics (perhaps altered slightly for dramatic effect) are fitting for another buzzworthy opening coming soon to the U-District. Sinners Pizza is set to sling New York-style pies in the former Supreme space, bringing a Las Vegas ambience thanks to owner Ryan Kunkel’s background as a casino operator. Keep an eye on social media for more concrete details on opening dates.

Local picks at Pier 66

Seattle’s newest festival Winter by the Water (Saturday, Feb. 21) invites locals and out-of-town visitors to lean into the slow season by supporting local businesses along the waterfront. During the event, Intentionalist, a platform that helps people eat, drink, and shop small, will curate the BECU Vendor Marketplace inside the Bell Harbor International Conference Center. There, you’ll be able to get out of the elements and dig into favorites like Pan de la Selva, PJ’s Classic Ice Creamery, Seatango, Umami Kushi, Bonhomie Coffee, Seeking Ferments, and more. 

Bubbles and Vietnamese bites

That’s the promise at Bong Bong Bar, a new tasting room coming to Woodinville in June or July that will offer Champagne alongside cocktails and food drawing on the Vietnamese and French heritage of owners Andy Phan and his wife Brooke. Expect to see a deconstructed banh mi charcuterie board as well as woven noodles and spring rolls to go with sparkling wine flights, lychee mimosas, French 75s, and Vietnamese coffee cocktails. The space will be located at Harvest, a multi-use development that includes The SOMM Hotel.

Keep the Korean food coming, please

As a foodie, it’s always fun to add a new dish to your vocabulary. For us, the latest enticing bite is dwaeji-gukbap, a hearty Korean pork and rice soup made with a savory bone broth that will be a specialty at BusanJeong, a new restaurant coming to Capitol Hill. The project, set to open in the next several weeks, will be international restaurateur Hoyeon Park’s first venture in the United States. He hopes to evoke a warm, hometown feeling for customers. 

Fish and chips is back on the menu

Yes, we know there are plenty of places to enjoy salty, breaded cod and crisp potatoes year-round, but at Sunfish, which just reopened following its typical winter break, the basket of salty goodness just hits differently under a chilly gray sky. Chowder is another hot item with guests—take it to-go across the street to enjoy on the benches at Alki Beach.