Loretta's Northwesterner
Bar · South Park
8617 14th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108
Highlights
Burgers, steaks, salads, beer, and a great patio
Burgers, steaks, salads, beer, and a great patio
"There are plenty of places in town where you can grab a cheeseburger and be on your way, but the best takeout burger comes from a dive bar that doesn't specialize in to-go orders at all. That's because Loretta's incredible double tavern burger comes snuggled up in wax paper by default—allowing the charred patties, gooey american, and pink special sauce to combine forces for a few minutes before promptly making you a very happy human. One of these along with a side of thick hand-cut fries travels well, whether you're strolling across the street to eat at Left Bank with a glass of chilled red bubbles or driving it home." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley
"You probably already know that Loretta’s serves one of the best burgers in the city. The double-stack in question is always charred gorgeously, with melty cheese and special sauce seeping throughout each grilled patty. But what you might not know is that if you make your way past the bar, you’ll hit a stone-covered backyard with a bunch of tables and an outdoor fireplace complete with piles of logs. Hanging with some friends out here is kind of like partying on a tricked-out campsite—only with cold beer, way better burgers, and a significantly lower chance of getting poison oak." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley, gabe guarente
"The tavern burger at Loretta’s is like a backyard dad burger, but better. This charred thing with special sauce, pickles, plain American cheese, and onions lives up to the hype, and tastes just as good with a beer at the bar as it does wrapped in wax paper to go." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley
"While there’s a “deluxe” cheeseburger that the menu says is “restaurant-style,” Loretta’s Northwesterner is a bar, and you want the Tavern. This classic burger, possibly the city’s best, shows off simplicity done well: beef with a nice char, pickles, onions chopped small, American cheese, and special sauce that’s heavy on the mayo — all on an unobtrusive, squishy bun. (You can find the same burger at sibling restaurant Star Brass Works, but the fries are considerably better at Loretta’s.) Vibe check: Loretta’s could be called a dive, but it’s not a scary or dirty kind of dive, just a classic Georgetown spot." - Jay Friedman
"The popular tavern burger here gets a lot of hype—but don't just grab that beefy smokeshow and run. Pull up a bar stool and stay awhile inside this divey South Park institution. They’ve got plenty of plush booths, TVs permanently turned on, and beers under $5, which is a modern economic miracle in Seattle. Loretta’s makes for a great group hang, particularly in the little-known back patio that rivals some of the city's fanciest outdoor seating." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley
