Unplugged: Best Diners
The case for diners in this, our modern age is as follows: They are great.
Editor’s note: this winter we’re celebrating everything unplugged. These are actual, IRL, non-screen experiences to be had in Seattle NorthCountry, a.k.a. Snohomish County.
Going unplugged is a good choice, an worthwhile option to consider. Connecting to others and the world around you is a benefit to mental health. If you’re a conscientious traveler, please stay tuned to our blog and social media channels (@seattlenorthcountry) for more travel inspo in the real world.
Visit soon.
The case for diners in this, our modern age is as follows:
They are great. They offer classic American fare. They are a dying breed, being replaced by “concepts” and “fusion” and cookie-cutter-interior casual dining joints that purport to serve “clean” food, which is a nebulous marketing move, at best.
Sometimes you just want a booth, a cup of coffee, and some comfort food. In this spirit, the spirit of no-frills dining, we offer the following roundup of diners in our neck of the woods.
Totem Diner, Everett
It can be hard to find a parking spot At Totem Diner, don’t let that deter you. That’s a good sign.
You can’t miss the place. The totem pole reader board is a dead giveaway – usually there’s a food-related pun or a quip posted to draw your attention.
This is a diner’s diner. The kind of place that has a coffee pot on a burner and the wait staff calls you “hon.” No joke. Totem Diner has been an Everett institution since the 1950s. They serve up the classics for breakfast – eggs, pancakes, hashbrowns – and lunch – BLT, cup of soup, cobb salad. The little booths fill up fast with waffle-eaters, lending a bustling atmosphere of clinking silverware and camaraderie bathed in an ambient scented atmosphere of maple syrup.
Grab a cuppa joe and try to leave room for the pie. Betcha can’t do it.
Mountain View Diner, Gold Bar
The last stop for roadside diner food for motorists and hikers heading east on State Route 2. Breakfast, burgers, and one of those revolving pie carousels. This is what awaits you before or after a day in the mountains. Get your strength up before a trek in the hills, or fuel up after a wooded jaunt.
In any case, you’ll have no shortage of options to select from the menu.
Jeno’s, Monroe
Maybe every small(er) town has a spot like Jeno’s. It’s the kind of place that’s seemingly been around for forever. It’s tucked away off Main Street in an inconspicuous brick building with a small sign. Is the food anything to write home about? No, not really. But it is the kind of comforting fare that will fill you up and leave you satisfied. And it’s not trying to be cute or innovative. No pretension here. The pace is slower, allowing you to chat with buddies or loved ones over a meal.
Grab a small booth and take your time. The world rushes on outside, yet there’s always time for another omelet and coffee with a side of smalltown charm.
Kate’s Café, Everett
Have you experienced the power of Greek food for breakfast? No, hear me out. Imagine falafel and tzatziki with a side of a veggie omelet. You wouldn’t expect this flavor combo to be a savory powerhouse. But here we are.
Kate’s is the brunchiest spot in downtown Everett. It’s brunch for brunch connoisseurs. Yes, the hash browns are covered in a thin film of grease, yet it perfectly compliments the fried eggs for a breakfast that satisfies with warmth and salt and comfort. This is not a joke. Sometimes you just want a brunch with falafel on the side.
