Birrieria Grumpy's excels at birria in all forms - Review - Seattle - The Infatuation

"Aside from a few sepia-toned business parks and the occasional casino, there’s not much going on along this stretch of the Interurban in Tukwila—except for the excellent slow-cooked beef at Birrieria Grumpy’s. This casual counter used to be a classic Italian joint (there are still booths decorated with scenes of Italy), but now it’s all about Mexican food, particularly their namesake dish. Here, birria comes in a wide variety of forms, including pizzas, tortas, and ramen—and pretty much everything works. Or you can just get it as a cheesy taco, with melty meat that drips with juices even before the consommé gets involved. Don't worry about making a decision on the expansive menu. It’s hard to go wrong. Food Rundown Quesabirria Tacos This is the classic route for birria, with just enough stretchy cheese to keep things interesting without getting in the way of the meat. And the consommé soaks into the orange-tinged tortilla just right. photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley Birria Ramen If you’ve ever considered just slurping a bowl of consommé like it’s soup, well, now’s your chance. Sure, the noodles are straight from a package, but everything else is slow-roasted and cooked with care. The deeply rich broth somehow skips the greasy oil slick while keeping all the sweet, roasty flavor of the consommé. Add a squirt of lime for brightness, plus a generous handful of finely chopped red onions and cilantro. photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley Arroz Con Pollo Outside of the birria, this restaurant nails the simple stuff too. Their take on a classic chicken and rice dish is cheesy and creamy, loaded with tasty stir-fried veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, and onions. If you’re not in a beef mood, this is the move. photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley Chips & Salsa These aren’t free, but you absolutely should still get them. The corn tortilla chips are well-salted with glittery flecks that catch the light like they’ve got paparazzi around. And each order comes with two equally terrific salsas: one that’s creamy, herby, and bright, and another made with habaneros that brings some serious heat. photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley" - Kayla Sager-Riley