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Bellingham, WA Restaurant Critic

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Bellingham Restaurant Critic

My family loves to dine out. We are always looking for the best Mexican food, the best Chinese food and so on. We always critique the food and discuss what we liked and why, and if we would come back and why or why not. No one has given us the official job of Bellingham Restaurant Critic so we gave it to ourselves! I thought it was time that we share this information with the community and give you a chance to chime in with your opinions and give your restaurant recommendations as well. We are not restaurant critic professionals, we just know what we like!

Railroad Avenue Restaurants

Bellingham, Washington

The Bellingham Restaurant Critic is starting with Railroad Avenue because there are so many good restaurants clustered there together. One night after a community theater production of the Music Man in which my husband performed, our son took us to Railroad Avenue to sample the late night hang outs of the college students.
Railroad Avenue is a great place for people watching as well as good food.

Train Tracks Leading to Bellingham

San Juan Islands in the distance. Washington State.

Train Tracks Leading to Bellingham, with San Juan Islands in Distance, Washington State
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The Woods Coffee Shop on Railroad Avenue

Ten Locations in Whatcom County

Woods CoffeeThe Woods Coffee Shop is a big favorite of ours. The first one they opened is about 4 blocks from our house so we wasted no time in familiarizing ourselves with The Woods! The shops are decorated in a soothing palette of brown and tan coffee colors. There are big cozy leather couches and chairs, and wonderful fireplaces. The Woods is a big local favorite and has become the preferred place to meet a friend for coffee. I have been to the Railroad Avenue location, and just like ALL the locations, the coffee is always good and the baristas are friendly and helpful. Kudos to whoever does the hiring for The Woods. We have been to several locations in the last several years and have found the staff to be friendly, ALWAYS! We have never had a bad experience at The Woods.
Don't miss The Woods Coffee!
Photo by Adam Loomos. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Do you love The Woods Coffee?

The Woods Coffee gets Thumbs up from the Bellingham Restaurant Critic!

Youth Group New WoodsAre you a satisfied The Woods customer? The Woods now has their own bakery and their Cinnamon Mountain is not to be missed! Lots of cinnamon and cream cheese frosting. What is your favorite menu item?

Photo: Study Group at the Flatiron location. Photo by Brian Stuart. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

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    TabbyCakes Feb 17, 2011 @ 9:02 pm | delete
    Great lens! Blessed!!
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    Adman121 Jun 6, 2009 @ 4:08 pm | delete
    Oh, the Woods Coffee. I've never actually been to this particular Woods, but if it holds with the tradition of the others, it's a great place. By and by, the Woods are clean, earthy-looking coffee shops spread around Whatcom County, primarily in Bellingham and Lynden. The nature decor makes it a fun place to sit and read, write, or just think. In Lynden, Woods has become the place to meet for any reason, either as a destination or a starting point, probably in part because they have locations in East and West ends of town, plus one in the middle (Bender, Safeway, and Fairway, respectively).

    I am a big fan of Woods Coffee, and if the Railroad Woods holds true with the rest, I'm sure it will be a fun place for anyone to visit.
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Mount Baker

Near Bellingham

View of Mount Baker from Artist's Point, Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington, USA

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El Capitan's on Railroad Avenue

What did the Bellingham Restaurant Critic think?

El Capitan's Bellingham WA
El Capitan's is across the street from Fiamma Burger. On the weekends they stay open until 2 AM. They sell Hempler Jumbo Dogs, Polish Sausage and Bratwurst, which is a high quality local brand. The buns are steamed and they have all the fixings that you would expect and maybe a couple more. It is a campy place that the kids like to frequent. The twenty-something crowd loves the place. El Capitan's is definitely a part of the colorful late night downtown scene.

Photo by Dianne Loomos. All rights reserved.

Do you like El Capitan's on Railroad Avenue?

Bellingham Restaurant Critic gives El Capitan's a thumbs up.

We see the appeal of El Capitan's to the younger crowd and the hot dogs are good. The Captain has found a niche and filled it. What do you think of El Capitan's? Are you a fan of the hot dogs or the piratey atmosphere?

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    Adman121 Jun 6, 2009 @ 3:44 pm | delete
    El Capitan's is good: I usually just stick with the jumbo dog because I'm not adventurous enough to try the Polish or the German Smoked. But the real reasons to go to El Capitan's are: 1. it's open very late, 2. it's cheaper than the Pita Pit, and 3. the atmosphere is just so much fun. Railroad Avenue and the surrounding area are pretty much the hub of Bellingham's night life, so late-night trips to El Capitan's nearly always include some fascinating people watching experiences. The restaurant has kind of a pirate theme going, but that's not the part that I love. I just love that El Capitan's is so unique in style and experience.
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    bradyboo May 30, 2009 @ 3:18 am | delete
    When it gets late and I get hungry... usually I have to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while crying. But if it's a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, and I can sweet-talk a friend into driving me into Bellingham, El Capitan's is the place to go. I love the dogs, the wieners, the sausages, brats, links, and the chips. The music always makes me tap my feet and sway my hips (which is why I always get mustard on my shoes and have problems digesting my German smoked). The visual atmosphere is always attractive as well. The walls are laced with local art, and the condiment bins are heaping with pickles, jalapenos, and sour krout, like a vinegar-soaked version of the Chiquita-Banana-Lady's hat. The majority of the customers are content, sleepy people who have just let out of the bars (which make people-watching a real treat). The whole place reeks of magic and mustard, fairy-dust and franks. The pirate paraphernalia is just the icing on the cake... or the relish on the polish. Amen
  • Reply
    Tahoefox May 30, 2009 @ 2:38 am | delete
    Hold the phone! El Capitan's has chips and Pretzels too! I know they used to carry Boca Dogs, but I don't think they do anymore.

    Also, I do love their Brats. And their German Smoked. Aww, shoot, everything there is good.
  • Reply
    hkdavis May 28, 2009 @ 2:49 am | delete
    When my friend Adam (The son of stargazer00) first told me that there was a hot dog stand open at the unholy hours of the night I admit I was skeptical at best; especially when he told me it was kind of a hole-in-the-wall place. But his description hardly does El Capitan's justice! From the fresh smell of hot dogs and sausages mingling with sauerkraut , to the friendly staff and the always lively music, the atmosphere El Capitan's exudes is one that brings me and my friends back time and again.
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Hot Dog!

Bellingham, Washington

Close-up of a Hot Dog
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Mallard Ice Cream on Railroad Avenue

Bellingham Restaurant Critic says......

Mallard Ice Cream, Bellingham WAAcross the street from El Capitan's is Mallard Ice Cream. They have lots of unusual sounding flavors such as Rose, Avocado, Green Tea, Cardamom, Coconut Chocolate Chunk with Almonds and Lynden Blue, made from Lynden Blue dessert grapes. While standing there a man walked by me with some ice cream and I asked him if the ice cream was good there. He said it was the best. He said he had quit drinking and taken up ice cream as his addiction. He had been sober for 16 months. I congratulated him and figured the ice cream must be really good!

UPDATE: Stopped in at Mallard for some Coconut Chocolate Chunk with Almonds. The standard for us is always Hagen Dazs and Mallard measured up pretty well. They make their own ice cream and it is definitely good quality and not full of air. I gave it a 5 out of 5 and my husband gave it a four. Thumbs up! Probably go back there to try some of their other flavors.

Photo by Dianne Loomos. All rights reserved.

What do you think of Mallard Ice Cream on Railroad Avenue?

The Bellingham Restaurant Critic wants to go back!

Mallard Ice Cream is known for its unusual flavors such as Lavender and Black Pepper. There are a lot of lavender fields in the area so that is a natural. Do you love the ice cream? Which flavor is your favorite?

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Bellingham Restaurant Critic, Bread Border

Fiamma Burger on Railroad Avenue

Bellingham Restaurant Critic says:

Bellingham Restaurant Critic Garlic FriesFiamma Burger bills themselves as Bellingham's All Natural Premier Burger Joint. The burgers are good but what we really loved were the Garlic Fries. We liked them so much that we went back the next day for more. They are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, tossed with diced fresh garlic and parsley with Parmesan cheese on top. The side order of Garlic Fries is $2.95 but you get a dollar off if you get a burger drink and fries combo. These go for about $8.50 at the Safeco baseball stadium in Seattle but Fiamma Burger's are better, cheaper and closer to home. It was clean, fast, and the staff was friendly. Thumbs up to Fiamma Burger for their Garlic Fries!
photo used under the Creative Commons License: Garlic Fries by Jason DeRusha

Have you been to Fiamma Burger on Railroad Avenue?

Do you agree with the Bellingham Restaurant Critic?

Fiamma Burger, Belllingham, WA
We loved the garlic fries at Fiamma Burger and we will go back for those. Do you like Fiamma Burger? What do you like there? We want to know.

Photo by Dianne Loomos. All rights reserved.

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Snowboards in the Snow

Ride Mount Baker, Bellingham, WA

Mount Baker, Washington, Snowboards in the Snow

The Bagelry on Railroad Avenue

Do you like the Bagelry?

The Bagelry Bellingham Washington
The Bagelry is a definite favorite of the younger generation. A teacher at the high school is known for bringing Bagelry bagels to class. Mr. Cheesman, if they remember nothing else from your class, at least you made an impression on them with Bagelry bagels!

Photo by Dianne Loomos. All rights reserved.

Are Bagelry Bagels the best?

What bagel and spread do you like best?

If you have visited the Bagelry please enter your comments here. What did you like or dislike about it? What is your favorite menu item there?

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    Adman121 Jun 6, 2009 @ 4:16 pm | delete
    I, too, was a big fan of Rob Cheesman, AP English teacher at Lynden High School. The Prometheus Raven-Fire Bagel Award was awarded to one student each month, the one who stood out among all of his classes, and that lucky student was given his or her choice of bagel and spread fresh from the Bagelry. The award itself, by the way, was based on the Greek myth of Prometheus and the Native American myth of the Raven, both of whom reportedly brought fire to mankind. I suppose there was supposed to be some sort of metaphor between Prometheus or the Raven bringing fire to mankind and that lucky student bringing enlightenment to the class, but that's not the point.

    The point was the bagel.

    While I never did win the Award, I did manage to get a taste of the Bagelry through Mr. Cheesman. The Garlic bagel with a leak spread was definitely my favorite, though they have so many options its difficult to pick just one as better than the rest.
  • Reply
    hkdavis May 28, 2009 @ 3:07 am | delete
    Mr. Cheesman was my favorite teacher for many reasons. He was loud and eccentric, and not least of all he had the Prometheus Raven Fire Bagel Award. Why it was called that I'm sure he explained, but the only reason I remember it is because of the coveted position of the student that held that award. Granted, free food to a teenager is never a bad thing, but there was something about The Bagelry that compelled us to achieve excellence all in the name of a good bagel and some spread.
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Bellingham Restaurant Critic, Bread Border

Avenue Bread on Railroad Avenue

The Bellingham Restaurant Critic says Thumbs Up.

Avenue Bread Bellingham WashingtonWe visited Avenue Bread recently to sample their offerings. We had the day's special which was a sandwich of turkey, cranberry cream cheese, pesto, mixed greens, cucumber and red onion on rosemary bread. That was really wonderful! Their Blueberry English Cream Cheese Scone was fresh, light and very tasty. Coffee was good too.

I would definitely go back for a sandwich and to try some of their other breads.
Avenue Bread is a great place for people watching if you sit at the counter which looks out the big front window. You will see lots of college kids but we also noticed several retired people coming in for bread.

Photo by Dianne Loomos.

Have you visited Avenue Bread?

The Bellingham Restaurant Critic likes it!

Do you like Avenue Bread? What have you tried there and did you like it or not? What is the best item they offer?

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Bellingham Restaurant Critic, Bread Border

Casa Que Pasa on Railroad Avenue

Have you eaten at Casa Que Pasa on Railroad Avenue?

Bellingham Restaurant Critic, Avenue Bread

Casa Que Pasa is famous for its Potato Burritos. After reading all the great reviews on Yelp, we decided to try this a while back. One of our group really liked the potato burritos and would make a special trip back for them.

Are you a fan of Casa Que Pasa?

What is your opinion of Casa Que Pasa and the Potato Burrito?

The potato burritos with their special sauce at Casa Que Pasa keep the customers coming back. Are you a fan? Do they have something else you like better? What about the atmosphere?

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    Adman121 Jun 6, 2009 @ 4:01 pm | delete
    Casa Que Pasa is another Bellingham standby. It may not be very authentic, but it certainly is fun.

    I for one would unreservedly recommend the potato burrito (as, it appears, would most of Bellingham) but if you do order it, you had better be very, very hungry. The potato burrito is simply massive, to put it bluntly, and it's quite delicious as well.

    I hear they also have pretty good tequila, but as I've yet to reach the magical age of 21, I can't speak from personal experience.

    By and by, I'd say that Casa Que Pasa is definitely worth the trip, but not if you're in the mood for actual Mexican food.
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Beautiful Mount Baker

Another breathtaking Bellingham sight.

Mount Baker from San Juan Islands, Washington State, USA
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Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro

Another Railroad Avenue Favorite

Bellingham Restaurant Critic, Root Beer

This is a place to get your beer, bluegrass, backgammon and even a book club! Boundary Bay Brewery is a no smoking restaurant that welcomes all ages. They brew award winning beer and the food is great too! They even brew their own root beer.

Macaroni and Cheese for Lunch is very tasty. We were there for dinner probably a year ago and it was very good. I think another visit from the Bellingham Restaurant Critic is in order! An all around cool place!

The T-Shirt they sell: "Save the Ales."

Let me know how you liked Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro.

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    RyanRE Dec 15, 2009 @ 6:51 pm | delete
    This is a great Bellingham lens! As far as Boundary Bay goes, I can't say that I am love with the whole menu. With that said, the mac and cheese is pretty good. I also like the fish tacos. The beer however is truly outstanding. You have to try to Boundary Bay IPA when you visit Bellingham.
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Bellingham Restaurant Critic, Bread Border

Cafe Akroteri Greek Restaurant

Delicious Greek Food

Cafe AkroteriWe hold Greek restaurants to a high standard as my husband has something of a Greek heritage and I've been cooking Greek food for my family for 29 years. Usually we go one time and never go back. Cafe Akroteri is different and we are delighted to have discovered it. We were attending the Chuckanut Radio Hour at the Leopold and noticed Cafe Akroteri across the street. It was full when we went into the Leopold and it was full when we came out. We thought that was a good indication so we came back the next week for lunch. Our son, who spent the summer of 2010 sailing in Greece, came with us. Between the three of us we ordered lamb souvlaki, stuffed grape leaves, pasticho, and baklava.

The stuffed grape leaves were our appetizer and these are always a test for us because stuffed grape leaves are my specialty. They are my family's comfort food. We were surprised to find that they tasted very similar to mine except they were a little more minty. They were served with the avgolemono sauce which I do not make. I may have to rethink this. The sauce was wonderful!

The lamb was on skewers on a bed of rice and was tender and very flavorful. The rice was heavenly! Tzatziki, a traditional yogurt-cucumber condiment, was served with the lamb and was so good!

The pasticho, which we call pastitso, is another of our family recipes. At Cafe Akroteri, it was a little different from our recipe. As far as I could tell there was no onion, no cinnamon, and little, if any Romano cheese. Still, it was very good. You can see my pastitso recipe HERE.

Cafe Akroteri 4



Each entree was served with a Greek salad composed of tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese and Greek dressing. Our son said the salad reminded him of the delicious salads served on the schooner in Greece.

Our waitress, Laura, was friendly and made us feel very welcome. Our experience at Cafe Akroteri will definitely bring us back for more. Our taste buds were dancing when we left there!

I almost forgot to mention the baklava! We split a serving of baklava for dessert. It was very, very good without being overwhelmingly sweet. Delicious!

Photos by Don and Dianne Loomos.

Do you love Cafe Akroteri Greek Restaurant?

Two thumbs up from the Bellingham Restaurant Critic

Cafe Akroteri 3Cafe Akroteri is not on Railroad Avenue but it is in downtown Bellingham and it was so good that we thought it deserved a spot here.

1219 Cornwall Avenue,
Bellingham, WA 98225-5077

(Between: Holly & Chestnut)
(Near: Maple St E & Cornwall Ave)
Phone: 360.676.5554

What did you think of the food at Cafe Akroteri?

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Bellingham Foodie Blog

Restaurant Reviews from Bellingham and the surrounding area

From the blog author:
BellingHamEats.com is a foodie blog from a foodie family in Bellingham Washington 98225. We love food and especially food prepared by talented people striving to please us! From day to day, meal time to meal time, we explore Bellingham and Whatcom County restaurants...
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Wa State Ferry Nearing Colman, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Bellingham Restaurant Critic, Bread Border

Reviews from Yelp for the Railroad Avenue Area

The Bellingham Restaurant Critic plans to try all the places missed!

Here's what Yelpers have to say about Food in 98225

Mallard Ice Cream (Bellingham)  
"Fair ice cream at best. Just being a home town tradition is not good enough for me." more
Trader Joe's (Bellingham)  
"I quote Yelper Gina I.'s boyfriend: "Trader Joe's has convinced people that processed junk food is okay under the name of Trader Joe's." Hahahahaha......." more
Bellingham Farmers Market (Bellingham)  
"I love markets, and this one is amazing! So many handmade goodies, delicious eats, fun live music, and great people watching. You can eat and peruse or..." more
Lafeen's Donuts & Ice Cream (Bellingham)  
"I have to admit it has been a little while since I have been to Lafeen's. I used to live pretty close and would pick up a donut from time to time but they..." more
Sirena Gelato (Bellingham)  
"Great gelato. :) Three sizes, they take cash or credit and have a large variety of flavors. They also have fantastic ice cream sandwiches (though I would..." more
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A typical rural Washington scene.

Red Barn in a Field, Washington State

Red Barn in Field, Washington State, USA

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Best of Bellingham on Twitter

What's Happening in Bellingham?

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Bellingham Restaurant Critic, Bread Border

Railroad Avenue Happenings

Bellingham

Beaver Inn to reopen in new location; old spot becoming State Street Bar
Waller recently moved the Beaver Inn to the former House of Orient space at 115 E. Holly St., near the Railroad Avenue intersection. Last week's wild weather in Olympia delayed the issuance of the liquor license, but he is hoping to get open sometime ...
Waterfront walkway in Port Angeles slated to be built this summer
artist's rendering shows the esplanade is expected to be built on Railroad Avenue west of the ferry terminal in Port Angeles this summer. By Tom Callis PORT ANGELES ? The benches and bike racks have been designed and the tree species and color schemes ...
Effort tries to count Whatcom County's homeless population in single day
"We get a third" of the total, said Northwest Youth Services Executive Director Riannon Bardsley, who was talking to young people Thursday on Railroad Avenue as part of the homeless count. The count was difficult, she said, because her agency doesn't ...
Luca's Rolfing Studio moves to a new Bellingham space
The studio is now at 700 Dupont St., upstairs from the Cascara Center near the C Street intersection. It was formerly at 1103 Railroad Ave. Owner Luca Williams said the business moved because Boundary Bay Brewery purchased the building and has plans to ...
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Bellingham Restaurant Critic, Bread Border

I hope you enjoyed the tour of Railroad Avenue restaurants.

Will you be visiting Railroad Avenue in Bellingham?

If there is anything else you would like to see on this lens, if I have left out any Railroad Avenue restaurants, please let me know in this guestbook. Thanks for reading!

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stargazer00

Hello and Welcome! I am a wife and a mother of three grown sons. I love the whimsical and the quirky. I love to read, cook, design T-shirts, make squidoo... more »

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