Jack's BBQ - South Lake Union (SLU)

"We’ve had better meals at the SLU Jack’s than at their SoDo location, so you’re in good hands eating lunch here. And despite being smack in the middle of a bunch of South Lake Union lunch spots, you can almost always grab a table in the chill space that looks like a honky-tonk bar. The perfect meal at Jack’s is a pulled chicken sandwich topped with barbecue sauce and slaw, with a cup of queso mac and cheese on the side." - Aimee Rizzo

"A lot of people like to say that “quality over quantity” is a good thing, but those people have probably never had the huge quarter-pound sandwich at Jack’s Chicken Shack (a new pop-up at the SLU location of Jack’s BBQ). This is the poster child for quality and quantity, with crispy-battered chicken that’s moist and delicious thanks to a buttermilk brine, a toasty brioche roll, homemade pickles, and coleslaw. But the best part about this sandwich is their “kickin” sauce, which tastes like a beautiful cross between sticky, sweet BBQ and a kind-of-spicy General Tso’s. The whole thing comes with fries, and you should absolutely order copious amounts of smoked honey mustard and roasted garlic ranch for dipping." - carlo mantuano, aimee rizzo

"When choosing between locations of Jack’s BBQ, it’s important to note that the original is the only one worth seeking out—and not just because this superior location has ceiling mirrors above the cutting boards where you can watch the oddly intoxicating reflection of brisket being chopped. The food here is also much better than the other Jack’s outposts. They have tender pork ribs coated in a thick pepper crust that peels off like tree bark, and the jalapeño cheddar hot links are so snappy that it sounds like a poetry slam in there. However, it's the excellent side of corn pudding with sweet whole kernels suspended in a cornmeal custard that should grace every stainless steel picnic tray. Enjoy it all among the wooden beams, neon beer signs, and one too many animal skulls." - Kayla Sager-Riley

"Standouts on the roster of regulars this year include Turkish-inflected Texas-style Outsider BBQ." - Harry Cheadle

"A lot of people like to say that “quality over quantity” is a good thing, but those people have probably never had the huge quarter-pound sandwich at Jack’s Chicken Shack (a new pop-up at the SLU location of Jack’s BBQ). This is the poster child for quality and quantity, with crispy-battered chicken that’s moist and delicious thanks to a buttermilk brine, a toasty brioche roll, homemade pickles, and coleslaw. But the best part about this sandwich is their “kickin” sauce, which tastes like a beautiful cross between sticky, sweet BBQ and a kind-of-spicy General Tso’s. The whole thing comes with fries, and you should absolutely order copious amounts of smoked honey mustard and roasted garlic ranch for dipping. If you’re not in the mood for a sandwich, Jack’s also sells tender baskets, a chopped salad (completely covered with cubed crispy chicken), and side dishes like potato salad, coleslaw, cornbread, and queso mac and cheese. But we highly suggest you being in the mood for a sandwich." - Aimee Rizzo