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Monsoon Courtesy Geoffrey Smith/Monsoon

Have It Your Way

Who says you need to decide between classic street-food bites and elevated chef’s creations? Here’s where to find delicious versions of both.

A plate with three tacos filled with grilled meat, topped with avocado slices, pineapple chunks, onion, and cilantro. A lime wedge is on the side, all set on a dark, textured countertop. Tacos Chukis Jessica Huang

TACOS

Keep It Casual

Tacos Chukis

What began as a secret spot on Capitol Hill is now Seattle’s best-loved chainlet taqueria, where corn tortillas burst with nopales, carne asada, or adobada and grilled pineapple. Each one is a miraculous $2 apiece. 219 Broadway E; facebook.com/TacosChukis

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Gracia

Chef Chester Gerl grinds strains of heirloom corn to make the tortillas that come stuffed with lamb barbacoa or battered cod. 5313 Ballard Ave NW; graciaseattle.com

A bowl of Vietnamese pho with beef slices, green onions, and broth. Black chopsticks rest on the bowl. Plate on the side has fresh basil, bean sprouts, and lime wedge. Spoon is placed nearby. Monsoon Courtesy Geoffrey Smith/Monsoon

PHO

Keep it Casual

Pho Bac Sup Shop

The spacious, highly Instagrammable newcomer in the Chinatown–International District is still a casual hole-in-the-wall at heart. The soup recipes date back to the city’s first-ever pho shop. 1240 S Jackson St; thephobac.com

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Monsoon

Capitol Hill’s fine-dining Vietnamese favorite uses all-natural, high-end cuts of beef in its lunch and brunch pho. The result is an elegant, extra-rich take on this comforting staple. 615 19th Ave E; monsoonrestaurants.com

A tray with two burgers and two servings of crinkle-cut fries, accompanied by two small cups of ketchup. The burgers are wrapped in brown paper, revealing lettuce, cheese, and tomato in the sandwiches. Great State Burger Jessica Huang

BURGERS

Keep it Casual

Great State Burger

The simplicity makes this growing burger chain a winner: organic, grass-fed patties with American cheese, pickles, and tangy sauce. Burgers are even better with some crinkle-cut fries. *Multiple locations; greatstateburger.com

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Cortina

In his sleek downtown dining room, restaurateur Ethan Stowell reimagines the humble tavern burger as a colossus of tender beef, Beecher’s cheese, and artisan bacon. *621 Union St; ethanstowellrestaurants.com

A white plate on a wooden table featuring crispy fried chicken pieces accompanied by two small metal cups of dipping sauces, one dark and the other red. A white ceramic jug is partially visible to the side. Ma'ono Jessica Huang

FRIED CHICKEN

Keep it Casual

Bok a Bok

Light-hued, crackle-skinned Korean fried chicken is dished up at a compact counter with kimchi mac and cheese, tater tots, and surprisingly great biscuits. Multiple locations; bokabokchicken.com

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Ma‘ono

A sojourn in brine, a soak in buttermilk, a dredge in spiced flour—a ton of effort goes into the deep-golden, craggy pieces of bird that built this West Seattle restaurant’s fan base. Order a whole, half, or quarter bird in advance, and pair it with some of chef Mark Fuller’s elegant Hawaiian-inspired sides. 4437 California Ave SW; maonoseattle.com

*Visit Seattle Partner

Written by Allecia Vermillion for the Visit Seattle Official Visitors' Guide

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