4. Restaurants

The Hi-Life

5425 Russell Ave NW, Seattle, WA, 98107
  • (206) 784-7272
  • Store is closed

The Hi-Life Menu

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  • Brad C.

    Of all the Chow restaurants, this is my least favorite. The service and food are always a bit lacking compared to the others. But its a safe bet and good for kids and when family is visiting. Parking blows, but such is today's Ballard.

    (3)

  • gabriel e.

    Ate here last night. I got the Oven Roasted Chicken (bomb). We had two appetizers, a couple sides, wine and a Tuna dish and some Pasta dish, and deserts. It was all really good. 4 adults and a kid for like 160 bucks. I have been here like 15 times. They have pretty much always delivered. I read someone say she thought the OJ was from concentrate but I disagree. I think one time I asked and they told me it was Juice Works... This would explain the price point... Ordering juice is always a rip off though it seems like. Bloody Mary's are the bomb. One time I did get some weird little limp piece of celery, that was too bad. Solid wine list. Good mix of carnivorous and vegetarian options.

    (4)

  • Mark B.

    Living the Hi-Life! One of our favorite breakfast and lunch spots in Seattle. Ok first of all it's in Ballard which holds a big spot in my heart. I love all inclusive neighborhoods and Ballard meets that well. Hi-Life is a bright spot in an already cool neighborhood. I believe the building was the old original fire house.

    (4)

  • Scott F.

    One of my favorite breakfast spots in the Seattle area, simply because of one item: 'Clean up on Aisle 12' - delicious way to get your veggies done early in the day (add one of their great bloody Marys for extra). I don't generally like loud places like this, so we get away from the kids by always sitting at the bar. Also, a bit pricey.

    (4)

  • Grove A.

    Every time I'm in Ballard, I HAVE to go to Hi-Life at least once! Excellent brunch and lunch specials. Fantastic wood-fired pizza. Great atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Tara W.

    I have celiac disease and I only eat at 2 other places that are totally GF, I heard from my boyfriend that they had a gluten free menu and could accomidate allergins. When I asked questions about the gluten free menu and what preventitiave practices they took regarding cross contamination cutting boards ect she seemed irritated and said something along the lines of " well it's ok unless you have celliacs disease" their was no elaboration on if they could or an apology. I completely understand about not being able to guarantee cross contamination but a little bit nicer attitude and if she hadn't said disease so loud. I understatnd if she hates her job but we all do so that's not a very good excuse. Mind you I'm just one unhappy customer with one complaint but it made me feel like a freak for having that attitude in response. I felt really upset and called to talk to a manager after we came home, he apologized and offered to make it up to me but I'm not interested in going back ever. Ruined my new years eve!

    (1)

  • Erika W.

    I really WANT to love Hi-Life...the space is beautiful and lively and right in the heart of my favorite part of Seattle - Ballard. The problem is, every time I go I face disappointment. The food is hit or miss and it's pretty spendy for pub style fare. I will say that the butternut squash pizza is pretty outta this world, but everything else I've tried has been sort of...boring and unoriginal. The staff is friendly but this restaurant is simply too large for the size of the kitchen, so be prepared to wait a LOOONNNGGG time for your food to arrive. I waited for SIXTY minutes before I got a cold eggs benedict last Sunday. To the staffs credit, they did end up paying for our meal. Still....I don't think I'll be back soon.

    (2)

  • Rosie W.

    I like this place! I noticed Hi-Life when I was walking around the Ballard Seafood Fest. As we were walking back to the car, I caught a whiff of an absolutely delicous aroma coming from Hi-Life. It was Save the Salmon (Eat Pig) day. They were grilling whole pig and chicken out on their patio. $15 a plate (pig, chicken, or combo), live music, beautiful day are a good combo. It was a great atmosphere. Food was a little bland but not too bad.

    (4)

  • CynthiaGirl S.

    Four years ago I dated a guy from Ballard and he liked to come here because he had this spoiled little punk who only ate about three things ever and one of these three things was pizza. The Hi-Life has pizza. Also, they give you crayons and a kids menu which serves to entertain the kid longer than if you took him to some place you, the grown-up, might otherwise like better. Back then, though, there would be a wait on a Saturday night at 6:30. But since Olde Ballard has much more to choose from now, an assortment of empty seats greeted us when we arrived last night. As I remembered, the menu provides plenty of good choices of your garden variety comfort food, the service is friendly, cheerful, and prompt, while the background noise has a distinct romper room din in it. I liked my Ceasar salad plenty fine, but my present BF declared the food "like eating at Denny's." Still I would go there again. I like fun-spirited places, and now that it's not as crowded as it used to be, I might like to sit at the bar and have the Stock Market Special one early evening. They charge you what the Dow closed at that day, Monday through Thursday, until the special runs out.

    (3)

  • Steve M.

    Why bother? The salads suck, the special was some gritty clam/veggie dish..it sucked also. The waiter was cool and friendly..the beer selection (like most seattle places) was good..but come on I like history of a building like anyone else..it can't be that hard n Ballard to be a good (if not great) place to eat!!! Why bother!!

    (2)

  • Anton Z.

    A step up from a greasy spoon is...a smudged fork? Nice ambiance and service, but just ok food. Selections are pretty limited, and there were little things that seemed off. My scramble had sausage and peppers, but definitely needed salt. The parfait was tasty, but clearly had been sitting because the granola was soggy. However, the espresso and toast were both spot on! Since their other place, the 5-Spot is so good, it was worth trying...but probably not a place we'll add to our list of brunch places.

    (2)

  • Marie S.

    Great decor, great burgers and even better fries. Only complaint (and this might be a personal pet peeve) is when I asked the waitress for menu suggestions, she says, "Well I don't eat red meat, but...." Uuuummm... this place is a glorified burger joint, right? I don't care if you eat red meat or not, CLEARLY I do, which is why I came to the HiLife, so just tell me what's popular. Next thing you know the bartender is gonna tell us he "doesn't drink." Burger was great though. Truly delicious. I ordered it rare too, told the waitress I like my meat bloody and moo-ing. No I didn't. Tempted though. Is that mean?

    (4)

  • Grant M.

    We've been to Hi-Life a couple of times and returned last night so I thought I'd scratch out a quick review. The Ambiance is alluring to say the least. Even though it was 75 degrees and we love sitting outside we turned that down to sit inside. It would be a shame to not take advantage of the environment. The food here is possibly a bit overpriced but the quality is decent. I had the Brown butter gnochi which was better than expected and my daughter had the Rosemary Chicken which arguably is the best thing on the menu. We also had the Brick Oven Asiago which I wasn't impressed with. Service was excellent, ambiance was superb and the food was very good. The only reason I don't give it another star is because I didn't have any OMG! moments with the food. You won't go away thinking that the food sucks though so it's still a decent experience.

    (4)

  • Z Z.

    3.5 stars actually. We got there at a weird time on a Sunday, in between brunch and dinner so the menu was somewhat limited and we could only sit in the bar area. We actually asked if we could sit on the patio which was connected to the bar but they wouldn't let us which was a bummer but whatever, we were close enough to the patio that we could still enjoy the nice weather. I got the grilled cheese and tomato sandwich and substituted a salad for the fries. The salad was good, nothing great but the grilled cheese and tomato sandwich was fantastic. It was so good, I loved it. My friend got the wild mushroom pizza and she really liked it, it was obviously baked in a wood burning oven which was a nice touch. The inside was super cool, it used to be a fire house. I would go back there, probably at dinner to check out the expanded menu but I sure did love that grilled cheese.

    (3)

  • Jessica W.

    Food was great! I had the "cleanup on aisle 12" and enjoyed it thoroughly. Even though it was father's day we were able to get in relatively quickly. The server was very attentive and answered all of our questions. I will definitely be back at some point when I'm in Seattle again.

    (5)

  • Ali D.

    I love the happy hour at Hi-Life! If you're looking to shake up your usual, visit this old firehouse turned restaurant for a really laid-back yet classy vibe. On Tuesdays they have all night happy hour. What's not to love about an all night happy hour? Try the $5 cheeseburger that's served pretty simple with cheddar, Mama Lil's aioli and a crispy onion ring. It's certainly not the best burger in the world, but it's a nice little snack and/or dinner that pairs well with an ice-cold beer or glass of wine (just $3.75 for either on HH!) If you're in the mood for something a bit richer, their mac and cheese is a delight and has a smoky kick, with the addition of roasted anaheim peppers. Mmm. My next thing to try is their brunch which I've heard is fabulous - stay tuned!

    (4)

  • Joey D.

    I used to go watch bands play at this place in the early '90s..and if you were there, you remember the old wood fence that you'd stand in line next to waiting to get in, peaking through the cracks at the venue...it's the old Ballard Firehouse...and you can still see the pole that the firemen slid down in the old days. It's a really nice joint now. I've had breakfast here...its really good. But most of the time, my wife and I hit the Sunday night FRIED CHICKEN DINNER. It's really really good. Not too greasy, really tasty. I'd suggest it to anyone that likes fried chicken. Check it out...oh and they also have a side of mac n cheese that is beautiful....try that with a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale out of the bottle and you might just make a standing reservation.

    (4)

  • Alex K.

    I've only ever visited The Hi-Life for dinner (not their famous brunch) but the experience was wonderful. My girlfriend and I split the butternut squash pizza ($13) which came with 8 pieces and was a more generous serving than I expected. I ordered the savory sweet tea (yum!) and she ordered a whiskey peach drink that was strongly poured but absolutely delicious. The friends we were dining with got a large salad, ravioli entree, and a small plate of asparagus to split. Overall everyone was very happy with their meal. I'd say that the prices were definitely on the high side ($9ish for small plates, $16+ for entrees) so I can't see myself eating here too regularly. But the food was quality and the service was exceptional. Maybe I'll return for Happy Hour when things will be a bit more in my price range.

    (4)

  • Sarah Z.

    My husband and I went a little late on a Sunday morning before going to the Ballard Farmers Market and we had to wait a bit, but my oh my was it worth it! It is located in an old firehouse, poll and everything. I got the chilaquiles and I can't remember what he got for the life of me because I was so enthralled with mine. Needless to say, either show up early or make a reservation, you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Courtenay A.

    Hi-Life is solid. Inexpensive M-F breakfast specials (though sometimes the biscuit in the "Biscuit and Gravy" is hard/overbaked... I'm guessing they use day-old biscuits for the morning special). Service is almost always good. If there's a line (which I've only ever seen on busy weekends) it usually goes by quickly because the staff are efficient and the restaurant is big. I only wish they opened an hour earlier and offered a classic eggs Benedict.

    (4)

  • Katie H.

    This is the brunch you have been looking for in Ballard. All in all, delicious food and a really fun location make for some tasty late mornings. I had the opportunity to have their Firehouse Benedict, cinnamon roll, and Fancy French Toast. I was really impressed by each of these dishes. The Firehouse Benedict was my favorite. Sometimes, dishes such as these can get oversalted, but it was perfectly seasoned. The potatoes- OMG! I could eat about a gallon of those! The cinnamon roll was flaky and tasty, a sweet confection, but not too sweet. It's one of the best cinnamon rolls I have had in Seattle (especially since that awesome bakery in Magnolia closed down :( ). The Fancy French toast was excellent; however, I do have to disagree with the Yelp reviews that say it is the best in town. Don't get me wrong, it is absolutely excellent, but I believe Geraldine's has the best French toast game in town. The portion sizes were generous, and the coffee was good. It was an excellent meal. Seriously, the food is worth any wait you may have if you go later. The brunch dishes have unique spins on classic menu items that are incredibly delicious. 2 things that keep me from giving this place 5 starts: The waiter was a tad surly; there were a few things that made us go, hmmm. We still tipped the appropriate 20%, but no more. The place was pretty busy (but if you get there earlier, it's not so bad; I didn't even have to wait for a table), so I know homeboy was workin' it. The service was fast and efficient, however, so it wasn't so bad. The other part (which isn't really the business's fault, but my stars are just an indication of my experience, nothing else) that wasn't so cool was the parking situation. Nowhere in Ballard is known for its awesome parking, so no big deal, but it was a little time consuming to find a spot. I look forward to a return trip here!

    (4)

  • Nancy G.

    The ambience combined with a great gluten-free menu and a very knowledgable waiter made this an exceptional dining experience. The coffee was excellent and the cups stayed full. My granddaughter was less than impressed with her French toast so they removed it from my bill. I had the stacked enchilada which was flavorful and more than I could eat. Daughter had Cleanup on Aisle 12 and is already plotting to make it at home. Wonderful meal and a fun location

    (5)

  • Grace X.

    Charming atmosphere in an old firehouse. The brunch menu has some special options like the enchilada dish. Potatoes are very flavorful, I highly recommend ordering it as a side if your brunch doesn't have it! Portions are filling though, so you might want to share extras.

    (5)

  • Sharon C.

    Just came in here for lunch and had a delicious BLT. I really want to come back for breakfast though because I saw lots of delicious breakfast/brunch plates! The service was good and our food came to us fairly quick. This spot is good for people with children. Our server tended to our friend who brought their four year old really well! This is def going to be a come back place! Parking is horrible though... Especially on Sundays because of the farmers market!

    (4)

  • Rosa O.

    I was here last Sunday for breakfast and things were really busy! In addition to the regular seating, they have extensive bar tables that are available for the 21+ crowd. Luckily, my friends and I were all of age, because the rest of the tables were full up. I opted for the french toast, orange juice, and a side of bacon. My companions ordered the benedict and the corned beef hash. I'll admit that I turned down the hazelnuts and espresso mascarpone which normally adorn the toast, but I can tell you that the toast held up well on its own. I didn't taste the benedict but my friend loved it. The corned beef hash was a little light on the beef, but still good. The bacon was probably the best part of the meal. Each side is three pieces. Our server had initially forgotten it (and later apologized really sweetly) but it was thick, perfectly between crispy and soft, and just flat out delicious. We ended up getting another order because it was so good! This place was a solid breakfast! If I lived in Ballard, I might go back, but it's a little too out of the way to go regularly.

    (3)

  • George Kenneth M.

    Best fried chicken ever! Crispy skin, nicely seasoned and no skinny chicken parts. I love their French onion soup! Delicious broth and perfectly capped with cheese. I keep coming here trying to find a bad meal so far I've failed. Their service staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the food.

    (5)

  • JoAnna L.

    Stopped by here on a lovely Saturday for a friend's going-away party. Parking can be found on the street if you get there early enough. I'd actually never even heard of this amazing bar/restaurant and was excited to get to go there. It's in a 100 yr old firehouse and the decor still has an old time feel yet a little modern. Their happy hour is pretty nice; cheap wood-fired pizzas (the margherita & sweet potato goat cheese ones were so yum!) and my Maritime pilsners were decently priced too. We all had a really great time celebrating a really awesome person and I'd love to stop by here again, especially for brunch! PS, the bathrooms are all the way upstairs!

    (4)

  • Taylor K.

    I love happy hour here! Honestly my favorite place to go, grab some food and share with my boyfriend =] I've also been here for dinner and the menu has lots to choose from. My go-to items are the macaroni and cheese or the pulled pork sandwich. My daughter loves it here too! They give crayons and paper, a plentiful menu (even for picky eaters!) and for $2 you can get cookie dough to decorate for dessert. PS: they have a seasonal drink called the Scary Mommy and I loved it! Thank goodness I was told I'm not a scary mommy LOL

    (5)

  • Austin Blake P.

    Love this place! Great service and you definitely don't leave hungry. Portions are nice and big while still being delicious! Quality brunch in a great environment!

    (4)

  • Thomas M.

    Good and affordable beer selection. Nice interior and exterior seating.

    (4)

  • Wendy T.

    I have been coming here for years and always get good service and can honestly say I've never had a bad meal here. While it's not going to blow your mind away culinarily speaking, the food is consistently good and the service is solid. You can almost always get in with a big group, it's kid-friendly, AND they have great happy hour offerings. It's a go-to so when you can't decide where to take out-of-town guests or where to get a last-minute brunch, here you go.

    (4)

  • Ardie M.

    went here for a birthday brunch. wasn't really expecting a lot, but their food was awesome! love loveddddddddd their bacon! wasn't overcooked and too crispy like most places cook it. french toast was deelish! im glad to come as a group cause then you get to taste the variety in their menu. highly recommend this place to at least try once in your life or if you're just in the area. friendly staff, the restaurant has a nice ambiance to it and the bartender was super cool to serve us mimosas that wasn't heavy on the OJ.

    (5)

  • Bridget L.

    We really enjoyed this place for a late lunch one weekend. Delicious and we will go back. I ordered French toast. But not just any French toast, It was Vanilla custard dipped Batard griddled & topped with espresso-mascarpone and sugared hazelnuts. So heavenly. My husband ordered the chicken pot pie which he claimed was one of the best he's eaten, EVER. There is a really neat atmosphere that seems like you could just come as you are and bring the kids too. I loved my food! The service was excellent with great recommendations.

    (5)

  • Brian C.

    An update, and a happy one: if anything, even better than before! Not only are they good for breakfast, but they are consistently so. Pretty much perfect. Friendly, prompt & attentive service. Relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The food (biscuits and gravy with eggs) was as it should be: well executed, carefully presented. It sounds simple, but most people screw this up. Everything on the plate was done from scratch: perfect eggs, fresh-baked biscuits, and a rich, generous real-cream & sausage gravy that would make my grandma proud; none of that viscous white sauce and hamburger bilge served up at most joints. You forget how very good gravy can be until you eat something like this! And the value: a plate of old-fashioned happiness for $6.50. $6.50!!! Hello..! The 90's are calling, they want their prices back! Best value for breakfast in Ballard, if not Seattle proper. And if you are inclined, $3.75 drink specials as well: a morning happy hour! Don't miss this, people.

    (5)

  • Brian M.

    Breakfast here was great. "Station 18" was delicious (eggs, bacon, pancakes) Service (Iris) was outstanding. Atmosphere fun and fresh. Coffee was a little stale, that's the only complaint.

    (5)

  • Kyra F.

    We came for the breakfast on a Sunday and had a really nice time here. The orange juice is squeezed on site, which I think I awesome. Good hearty food in a family friendly environment. I was so happy we got here as early as we did, it filled up fast. I can wait to come back!

    (4)

  • Ray And Josh M.

    Ray: We switched things up a little bit last evening. Josh decided that we should just drive to Ballard, then head out on foot and decide where we would visit. It was a great idea. We parked just on the outskirts of town and started walking. In a few blocks we were drawn toward a very attractive establishment called The Hi Life. It turns out it used to be the Ballard Firehouse. I actually saw Hot Tuna there years ago. The atmosphere of The Hi Life is really nice. Lots of natural light. I like that a lot. We seated ourselves in the bar and were greeted by a handsome waiter who took our drink order right away. I went with my all time favorite, Boundary Bay IPA. We actually arrived for the "early menu" which (it turns out) is served from (I think) 3:00-5:00. The early menu has some burgers and sandwiches and I decided on the burger with a slice of cheddar cheese. I guess that would make it a cheeseburger, but the cheese was listed as an option, so I mentioned it. The food arrived in a timely fashion. The presentation was pretty nice for a burger. The burger itself, however, was nothing to write home about. I mean it was pretty good, but I have had better. I would be interested in dining at The Hi Life for the dinner menu, but I think I'll wait for Restaurant Week. It's pretty pricey. But All I can evaluate today is the early menu, so considering everything, I award The Hi Life 4 stars. Great venue, I hope to return soon! Josh: This Thursday we landed at The high Life in Ballard. I've been here a couple times before, but not for a while. Our abnormally early dinner time (this week it was right around 4:30) restricted us to the lunch and happy hour menus, which is a shame because The High Life's dinner menu looks impressive. The dining room is pretty large, high ceilings gives it a very open, cathedral-like airy feeling. Exposed brick walls and lots of dark wood give the High Life a very warm, comfortable atmosphere. We took a seat in the bar and were greeted promptly by our friendly server. I ended up ordering the burger (very nearly ordered the pulled pork) and a Boundary Bay IPA. The food arrived to the table in no time, and I immediately set about the business of making it disappear from the plate. The fries were great, the burger was a bit bland, not the best burger I've ever had. The bun was tasty, and the burger itself was good sized and everything, but it was just missing something. Over all I liked the High Life. Despite the bland burger I'm going with 4 out of 5 stars. The service was fast and friendly, the atmosphere was great. Maybe play around with some savory seasonings for that burger for the 5th star.

    (4)

  • Z b.

    Overall, pretty good. The biscuits that they use for the biscuits n gravy were surprisingly some of the best biscuits I've ever had... Delicious! The $5.75 fruit plate left a bit to be desired. Not enough variety and not enough fruit to warrant the price of it. The sausage? I don't know if it's homemade or whatever, but I personally was not a big fan of the "rustic-ness" of it. I'm sure people will disagree, but I prefer that 1950's perfectly circular style of sausage that I'm used to from my youth.

    (3)

  • Brad H.

    The Hi-Life in Ballard features a unique place to enjoy your meal... an old firehouse. The menu variety is good, the food quality is fantastic, the drinks are made strong and the service is friendly and fast. Parking can be a bit of a challenge, but this is Ballard. There are normally spots a few blocks away from Market Street. Overall this is a great place for a quality lunch or to meet friends for drinks. The happy hour here is also a wonderful value.

    (5)

  • Sharyl B.

    I wanted to like the Hi-Life; I really did. It's located in a fantastic building with a big green "EAT" sign on the exterior, it's in downtown Ballard (my preferred stomping grounds), and it has a self-consciously goofy name--I just knew it was going to be one of my new favorite spots. Eh, perhaps not. My husband and I went there last night after I'd gotten all dolled up in a sexy, low-cut dress I'd been waiting to wear since January. I was ready for a night of good conversation in a hip restaurant. Well, we were seated on the left side of the restaurant (facing into the restaurant from the door), which apparently is Family Central. I don't have anything against families, but I admit I was a little disappointed that I essentially dressed up for a bunch of drooly babies. And, I was seated right next to a fairly vocal one, which didn't exactly set the stage for a night of good conversation. Fair enough, I thought; next time we'll sit on the right side of the restaurant (the over-21 area). I ordered three of the small plates for my dinner--corn fritters, duck crepes and a baguette filled with three cheeses. My husband got the roast chicken dinner. I was a little disappointed with the fritters and the crepes--they were both fairly bland. My husband had the same to report about his chicken. The baguette was really good, until I bit into a very large piece of raw garlic (which, incidentally, left me with horrible garlic breath for the rest of the night--ah well). The server wasn't incredibly attentive, though we didn't die of thirst, either (because our water glasses were refilled by other people). Still, it would have been nice for him to check up on us occasionally. Despite everything I've reported above, I do think I'll return to the Hi-Life eventually. The building is just too cool, and it's very conveniently located for me. However, I'll sit at the bar, and I'll eat dinner beforehand. ADDITIONAL TIP: On Saturday nights, the Hi-Life only takes reservations for 6+ people.

    (3)

  • Mongoose C.

    Apparently a good happy hour is all that counts. . . . Well, my fond memories of hearing Israel Vibration at the ole firehouse have now been replaced by the WORST Daube de Boeuf ever. Apps' were sloppy and small, the waitress hustled and and did her best to accomadate my bizzare and late tabel of twelve, but her smile and effort couldn't make up for the the 39$ Daube a Boeuf which was dry, unseasoned and overshadowed by the bed of 25 cent egg noodles and butter. THATS HARD. Ditto on the Duck Confit, dry and difficult to enjoy. And with five or so people, someone who calls themself a chef, cooking on the line at once, there must be someone there keeping an eye on things. Maybe they are more interested in Happy hour Horse Bleep. . . The French flag which apparently was hung in honor of their "Paris Menu" should have been ripped down. . . In fact I may go back for that purpose alone. All in all, stick around for the happy hour, if you can stand the dry personality of the place. Chow foods has spread its qualiy as thin as properly sliced Prociutto. . . Peace

    (2)

  • non o.

    Hi life is a nice place. I like the atmosphere and the restaurant itself but their food. Hmm... I can't pick the food to order. Yet I still go there maybe 3 times a year? I like their pizza though. The owner of this place owns a pizza place in South Seattle. I liked the place. That's about it.

    (3)

  • Tim O.

    Great place to go after a movie at the Majestic Bay (or any time). The Beecher cheese plate was great w/amazing warm bread to compliment. The grilled salmon was perfect, as well as the salads. Wine choice is nice, but a little price. 2 glasses of wine (1 each) was 50% of our total bill. We're sticking with beer next time. :)

    (4)

  • Kevin B.

    I go here often but mostly because it is close and convenient. However, I've never figured out why this branch of the Chow chain is always subpar compared to The 5 Spot, Coastal Kitchen, and Jitterbug (sadly, now discarded). While the food is decent enough to return, it seems like the place is missing character, spirit, and service compared to the others. I swear the coffee is a different brand, taste, and never seems hot enough - a very curious departure from the 5 Spot. I've only been here for breakfast so can't comment on other times of the day. I will agree with Jennifer P. that the marscapone french toast is incredibly yummy and, I think, their best dish. However, I will warn you that if you eat it all you will be incredibly stuffed. I think the menu ought to warn you that humans should only consume this dish once a year! It is so yummy to the point of sinful but, of course, oh so bad for just about every part of your body.

    (3)

  • Rachael L.

    Came for brunch again and it was still great. I love the old firehouse location and I appreciate that the breakfasts are large, hearty and somewhat unexpected. I love the use of kale!! My bloody was spicy and the coffee mugs on the table were appropriately full. I'm a fan and Hi-Life is at the top of my list for brunch in Ballard!

    (4)

  • Chris G.

    I haven't spent much time at the bar here, but the wife and I did have dinner, and were sorely disappointed. The food was bland and overpriced, and the service left much to be desired. With all the other good spots in Ballard, I won't waste my time here again.

    (2)

  • Tom N.

    Hi life is the best breakfast for the dollar in Ballard. This is especially true during the weekday. So try it. Staff is generally good but the place gets slaked during the 10am rush on the weekend

    (3)

  • Damon D.

    I have been coming here for years and love this place. I don't know why I have never wrote a review before but I went there last night and they were slamming. My wife and I were lucky enough to get a seat at the bar. I have been in the restaurant for most all of my life and this place has an amazing staff. They communicate well with each other, maintain composure while getting rocked and always had smiles regardless of rude people. We started out with the brussel sprout pinwheels, I had no idea what to expect but they were original and delicious. I ordered the steak and my wife had the ribs. I am picky and like my steak to be cooked perfect. They did an awesome job and nailed med-rare. The ribs were ginormous and took the remainder home for a snack later. The manager Mars does a great job acknowledging the guests and checking in with people. He stopped by the bar to make sure everything worked out for us. The bartender (I think her name was Lori) was super fast and she kept a good balance of taking care of the bar and taking care of the drinks on the floor. I love that they have a menu that changes every 3-4 months and always awesome it. They also have an outstanding breakfast, happy hour daily and all day Tuesdays and a great chicken dinner on Sundays.

    (5)

  • Francella D.

    Good for breakfast; not for dinner. I've had brunch here a few times over the past few years, but recently took a chance on dinner. First the waitress took our order for wine and an appetizer, but she did not regale us with news about the specials (as customary). I should have realized. I pawed through the menu, looking for a mention but my friend noted that the specials were on the board. Sure enough, I turned around to find that there was a giant chalk board hanging over the grill, and there was a special right in the bull's eyes of that board--It said "rib eye." There was other stuff on the chalkboard but it also appeared on the menu so there was really no "value add" in that. The waitress came back and we were ready to order. My friend went first and ordered the chicken. I ordered the special to which the waitress replied--"oh, we're out of that". REALLY. NICE to know. "It's on the board," I said, surprised. "Yeah, we haven't taken it down yet." THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT A CHALK BOARD. I sent her away as I didn't have a "back up" because quite frankly I didn't know I was going to need one. My friend went to the bathroom then, and after a while the waitress came back to take our order again. I indicated the empty seat (as in, we both aren't here to order right now), and she said "Oh, I already know what HE wants." REALLY. I ordered the salmon. The food was OK, not great. My friend and I agreed that it would be a much better place to go for wine and "tapas style" food. No entrees. And when we left, the nonexistent special was still being promoted on the chalk board.

    (3)

  • Dwayne S.

    Thee BEST French Toast I have ever had. I also had a Farmhouse something or other. The food was the bomb. And my waitress Adrienne was one of the most beautiful women I've ever met/seen. She was VERY nice and attentive.

    (5)

  • Hanafi L.

    Can I offer some new insight or recommendation at the Hi Life? Yeah! We were fortunate to get seated in the small area past the bar where there are only 6 - 8 tables. I'd suggest trying for that if you're hoping to have a quiet conversation. There were 4 of us and we struggled a bit deciding "how" to eat, and settled on going for a variety of small plates. We discovered that the family style Clam Chowder bowl was plenty for us to each have 2 cups. It was decent chowder too, but I'm not a huge fan of bacon bits. Having grown up in New England, such ingredients would be compared to putting mayonnaise on a pastrami sandwich, or perhaps lox on a blueberry bagel. My dining partners decided that I should choose the wine! (We are all recent acquaintances or they would have known better than to take such a risk.) I chose a Rioja, at $37, which really was pretty good. This was a stab in the dark, but I figured that it would be better than the $27 bottle and damned well better be palatable at that price. The beet salad was pretty good, even if a little shy on beets. My date and I both wanted that, which I took as a great sign, since we have only gone out a couple of times and finding mutual tastes was rather exciting. We had the mixed sausages, MahiMahi, some little drumsticks, and maybe something else that has slipped from memory. All in all, decent food, if not exciting, pleasant ambiance (particularly in the quieter spot), nice bottle of wine, and the bill with tip came to $116. (By the way: They don't accept American Express.) After reading some other reviews, my next visit will have to be for breakfast and that French Toast!

    (3)

  • sally B.

    pretty good food- but bad service- maybe they're just new? We had a party of 6 or more, which meant the tip was included in the bill (our waitress explained this to us in too much detail) It seemed this gave her liscense to talk to us like schoolchildren, and neglect our table. watch out....

    (2)

  • John T.

    Best part of our experience was the service. We had a large party of 18 and our server did a fantastic job with us. Kitchen staff also did a nice job of getting our meals out together, which can be hit or miss with this many people at other places. That being said, the food was just ok. No one seemed particularly delighted with their meal, but no one seemed disappointed either. I had the lamp chops, which had a nice flavor, but were extremely fatty and very, very rare. I understand that you don't want to overcook lamb, but getting the rare lamb off of the fat was pretty difficult for the most part. Too many great places in eat in town for a return visit though.

    (2)

  • R M.

    I really love Hi-Life. The food won't blow your mind, the noise level can be high, and it's not a great date spot (other than the bar later in the evening), but it is consistent, and it is good. Hi-Life is our stand-by spot to bring out of towners and big groups of people. Their menu is diverse and updated frequently- the quality of ingredients is high, the staff are all friendly and intelligent, their happy hour menu rules, and the building is beautiful. It's been great for both my small-town-Alaskan-dad and happy hour drinks with friends. Love!

    (4)

  • Hauke G.

    I give the good ol Hi-Life a thumbs up, just because. Its vibrant enough to keep you satisfied, but not so specific you feel cornered into any one style. You can sit in any of 3 scenarios: The bar, the dining area, or my favorite - the grill. The grill is great cause you get to watch the staff cook away and learn a few tricks too. The bar is decent, though the tenders can be spotty. Drinks are good and they have a solid brew tap line-up. The food is good - not amazing or anything, but solid. They change it up frequently, so watch out - your favorite from today may not be there tomorrow. Pizzas are good, burgers/steaks are good. All in all - good. What would make this place GREAT? If they served "High-life" on tap. Ill keep lookin for it. 'Til then, its a good solid option when nothing else is calling your name in Ballard...

    (4)

  • Lesley S.

    Yum Yum Yum. Polenta has never tasted so good. Honestly I would be happy with a salad and the side of polenta. HOWEVER...the service isn't all that it could be. Some days, they're on it and some days it will take you 30 minutes for someone to take your drink order.

    (3)

  • Jim C.

    My first visit to Ballard since moving back to Seattle brought us to this trendy neighborhood eatery bustling with a young crowd enjoying food and drinks .. Definitely not the Ballard I recalled from my childhood. The menu looked promising with a complete variety of comfort foods. However, my craving for meat lead me to one of the best burgers I've had in Seattle so far. Although $10 for a burger seemed a little steep, a big portion of extra crispy thin cut french fries helped justify the expense. Overall, the food was great. Ambiance and service were excellent.

    (4)

  • Aaron M.

    This is like the 5-spot but without the long wait. The brunch is always good and I love the firehouse restoration. I have come here a couple of times for lunch and the limited** fish and chips were fantastic. The prices are resonable. Anyway enjoy! **They only serve the fish and chips on Friday and only while supplies last so get there early.

    (4)

  • DeathandFood H.

    I'll admit the building was made me interested at first in eating here. Is there anyone who doesn't think Firehouses are cool and secretly didn't wish to live in one as a kid? I know I want to. Going in I had no idea of what kind of food they served and was expecting pub food and other American classics. I was surprised by the additional seasonal menu which they claim is inspired by Paris and by the range of food and price points. The menu ranges from small plate (and they are small) all under 10 dollars, some around 5 dollars, entrees and American classics in the 10-25 range and the season selections which include family size platters for 25-40 dollars. We thought it was funny that they picked Paris rather than France as a choice of a region with good wine. While there are many good wines served in Paris, there are no vineyards in that region and the food in Paris is so not reflective of the food in the many regions of France. Paris seemed more of an inspiration for the seasonal food than culinary basis, with many dishes being based on the apple which isn't a big staple in French food. However it was clear with the dishes that they pulled the love of all things cheese and the combined of strong flavors and ingredient to make rich dishes. That said the food was very interested and there were dishes on the menu that I have never seen before and most of the dishes worked well. We picked three dishes from the seasonal menu and one from the small plates. There was a mix up with the order and we ended up getting another seasonal starter for free. We started with the daily seasonal special which was wild mushrooms wrapped in ham and served on polenta with a cream sauce. At first I was surprise at how small the dish was until I took my first bite. The ham didn't over power the wild mushrooms while the polenta was the real star. I seriously could have eaten that polenta by the bowlful. The dish was full of flavor and texture and each bite made me happy. The second dish we had was fried ravioli, the outside was crisp and breaded while the inside was rich creamy filling. I found it ok but my wife loved it and ate most of the ravioli. The third dish we had was the baked apple filled with Gorgonzola cheese. Our meal was basically one huge cholesterol bomb and it was good. I liked the sweetness of the apple against the pungent taste of the cheese. I think it would have been a good final course. The fourth dish was listed as a single serving of Crepes Sarraine, buckwheat crepes with a cheese and sorrel filling served with white beans. There was actually two rolled crepes (not the way they are usually served in France) and they were really good. I love buckwheat especially for savory crepes, and it complimented the filling well. I would have liked for the sorrel to have played a stronger part as it is rare to see it used in the US and it is a great herb. The beans were very disappointing and I almost feel like I need to gather chefs in Seattle together and do a remedial class in how to cook legumes. They were over cooked and lacking in flavor. The final dish was a salt cod casserole almost a gratin. In looks and texture it was like hachis parmentier, which is a casserole of mashed potatoes and minced beef covered in cheese. The dish was certainly not french by origin but that didn't stop my French wife from lovely it and she said it's one of the most unique dishes she's had in Seattle. We finished our meal with a Pot Du Creme which seemed to be made with milk chocolate or just too much milk and was far too sweet to really be Pot Du Creme but most people would just find it tasty and enjoy it. The bill with two bottle of sparkling water, one creme soda but no tip was 57. I'm sure if we are back in the neighborhood will stop in there again especially once they try a new cuisine. Also we were there on Thursday and I was happy to see families eating out which seems to happen so rarely in Seattle. There are lots of seating and it looks like a great place to have a meal for a group of 8-12 people or larger.

    (4)

  • Julie F.

    The Hi-Life isn't a place we ever choose to eat, but it often becomes a place we "end up," because we know that we can get the basics: pizza, a burger or eggs any time, provided there's not a considerable wait, which seems to be the case more often lately. There is a lack of consistency between dishes and we are left with differing levels of satisfaction at our table. When the fries are good, they're great. When they're not, they're mushy, but at least they're thin. The burgers are tasty, the All day breakfast ("the nighthawk") hits the spot at any time of the day. I've found many of their dishes to be too salty, but the Fancy French Toast is definitely worth a visit. It's served with candied hazelnuts and espresso marscapone cheese, which may be a bit much for breakfast, but definitely worth sharing with friends.

    (3)

  • Jonathan B.

    I went in having heard some horror stories about price and the food. When I saw the prices on some of their entrees I was appalled until I realized that it was for a family style situation. The wife and I really enjoyed out food, drinks, and the service. I like to be able to see the kitchen, and also liked the open space. It did end up a little pricier than we expected...but it was decent.

    (3)

  • AJ R.

    Everything was OK- nothing fabulous. I heard they had an incredible grilled cheese and it was just OK. Burger was great. Friends had breakfast and they both liked it. Service was good. Nothing too write home about... wait, isnt that what Im doing.

    (3)

  • Jeff F.

    I don't understand the popularity of this place. Two breakfasts, two orders of cold eggs. A cold latte and grunt when my wife asked for another. No need for the third try; you're out.

    (1)

  • Amy B.

    My boyfriend and I had an outstanding experience today at HI-life! We are first timers , as soon as we let our server Brad know he helped direct us to the most AMAZING breakfast ! We had the seasonal eggs Bennie..gruyare (okay so I can't spell) on it!! to die for...the best pancakes I have had in seattle...he directed us towards getting a side of gravy with the biscuit that came with out meal so we could try one more thing. soooooo good. also weekdays have happy hour morning so our drinks were only 4$ each!( also very tasty) Brad was quick, friendly, helpful and present without hovering...exactly what I want in my server. So yes.... we will be back :)

    (5)

  • Katie H.

    There is nothing vegan on the menu, but they did make me veggies without butter on them. The salad was good. I didn't think I liked Brussels sprouts, but after eating them here (with hazelnuts!) I eat Brussels sprouts once a week. The downside: The service was really, really, slow. Our server forgot two glasses of wine, and disappeared when we were ready to pay the bill.

    (3)

  • Katie G.

    I'm always looking for places to take the parents (and in-laws) when they come to town, and I've decided this place has made it closer to the top of my list. I live in Queen Anne and so get lots of requests to go to the 5 Spot, but truthfully, I'm VERY over the 5 Spot. Food's always a little too greasy, service is a wee bit slow/unpredictable, and the ambiance is a seems like it'll be fun, but it's usually just a bit off. Now it's sister restaurant the Hi Life is a bit of a different story. Food was top notch. Been here twice now... once for a super fun dinner where there were lots of shared plates and great wine/beer. The second time was yesterday -- took the parents, sibs and an ex-foreign exchange student who was in town -- and it was really lovely. We've got a wide variety of eating restrictions in my fam -- three vegetarians, one that eats nothing but meat, an anti-carb papa and a mom who's WAY into organic/local stuff. Everyone found something they were super happy with on the menu and the service was friendly and attentive. We spanned the menu -- some got brunch-y stuff (french toast was awesome) and others got sandwiches. I will make a plug for their beet salad. Also, the atmosphere is just a little more posh and fun than the other CHOW food spots. The bathrooms are a bit of a hike, but hey... it is an old firehouse afterall. Only problem would be parking, but hey... they are in the heart of Ballard. Anyone else looking for a great weekend spot w/ the parents, I'd say go here. Then you can always cruise the market, or hit up the cutesy shops around. I'm definitely checking out their happy hour sometime soon.

    (4)

  • Jessica R.

    I love the Hi-Life because I can get interesting adult food and bring my children with me. Like all the Chow Foods restaurants, this boisterous restaurant, in the old Ballard firehouse, is very kid-friendly. They have a nice kids' menu which includes burgers and pizza. They have some standard items on the regular menu and then a rotating menu that focuses on different geographic regions. They've done Spain, France, Greece. The special menu features family style entrees--giant platters of food, tureens of soup, bowls of salad. On my last visit I had pork chops with a fig compote, marscarpone polenta and kale. I inhaled it. They also have a fantastic brunch menu. I adore the Clean Up on Aisle 12, a vegetable hash with fried polenta cubes and eggs. Delish. There's a late night menu here from 10-midnight that features $2 pizzas. You can't beat that. It's a great place to bring a group but make a reservation. Waits can be long.

    (5)

  • Nina F.

    We have been here three times for Sunday Brunch and all three times have been very disappointed. I thought I would give them a third shot today but again, disappointed. First, the brunch time is packed so you can expected to wait 20-30 minutes for a table. I have no problem with this. The problem comes after you are seated. You can expect to wait at least 30 minutes for your food. The problem appears to be that they have a small kitchen that is not able to cook enough food for the size of the dinning room. After 30 minutes it takes to get your food, you can then expect to never see your server again until the bill is ready. You will not get drink refills and you won't be asked how your food is. This is a repeated experience with at least 6 months between visits. It is not worth a visit. You are better off going to the Waffle house up the street.

    (2)

  • Geoff N.

    I had one of the most satisfying lunches in a long time at the Hi-Life today and nobody even had to take off their clothes. My friend, Ginger and I had spent the morning (meaning early afternoon) Christmas shopping and our stomachs were pulling in to the hungry-town station, so we decided to stop in for a break. Our server was remarkably attentive. Maybe he just had a small section, or maybe he put a little extra something in his Wheaties this morning, but he was on the ball like an ugly step-sister. Our drinks were never empty. Our order was quick. He even had waters set at the table next to us before the party sitting their even arrived. When the host asked if someone was already sitting there, our waiter said, "I just heard you were bringing two over, so I got their waters ready." That, my friends, is service. The food was easily as good as the service. I had a fantastic black forest ham sandwich, which tasted exactly as if the pig had been killed in Bavaria... I dare you to tell me otherwise. The sandwich was grilled with Gruyere cheese and cherry peppers. Maybe it was because I had gone starvin' Marvin', but the combination of spicy peppers and slightly tangy/savory cheese was amazing. At one point, Ginger started telling me a story, which warranted a concerned response, but I couldn't get the heavenly taste of the cheese out of my head. Apparently the juxtaposition of sensational indulgence with serious conversation caused my face to rapidly convulse between a frown and a smile. When she finally asked what the hell I was doing, it took me a bit to untangle my thoughts. The motto of my story is: If you are hungry in Ballard, go to the Hi-Life. Just make sure you talk only of silly things if you do.

    (5)

  • Aly B.

    As you may have garnered from my other reviews, I'm a big fan of mac and cheese. I went to the Hi Life for - yes - mac and cheese. They had a tiny portion on the appetizer menu and I was about to order that when the server told me to order the mac and cheese from the kids menu because it's a bit bigger. I'm so glad I heeded her advice! The mac and cheese from the kids menu was the perfect amount and their mac and cheese was delicious! I'll defs be back for it! :)

    (4)

  • Jasmine M.

    Dave's back!!! Viva la Dave!!

    (5)

  • Emily D.

    This place is by far one of my favorite happy hour stops. Wouldn't say that I'd really go for dinner or other meals to this place, but the happy hour suits me well. The drinks and food are all priced $3. All for the low price of usually $15 I will leave full and buzzed if not well on my way to Drunk depending on whether I skip the food and just drink instead. Also happy hour runs that extra half hour until 6:30 so those late comers can still get in on the food. They have a decent variety of food available, and you can get either house red/white wine or beer. Another bonus is that you are always able to get a table or a seat at the bar, and the service is quick and friendly. Also try the dessert Pot de Creme it's very very tasty!

    (4)

  • Laura P.

    I love dining out for breakfast/lunch and always have a hard time choosing savory over sweet. Challah french toast with a cinnamon dulce de leche sauce or breaded egg whites with runny yolks? Pizza from their wood fired oven? hmmm. Now I'm hungry again. update- 11/4/07 Haven't been here since we moved to town a few months ago and it was high time that we hit the Ballard farmer's market, so The Hi-Life it was. The wait wasn't too long- maybe 20 min. Got the Buenos Omelet but wasn't thrilled. I don't often complain about greasy food but jeez. . . I ended up switching plates with the hub and eating his oatmeal. Generally I don't order oatmeal, no matter how steel-cut, fancy schmancy they are (just make them at home already!), but that's what I finished with. I previously gave them 4 stars, but I'm down to 3. Maybe a dinner visit is in order for their wood oven pizza. On a weird side note, the stairwell to the bathroom reminds me of another time and place. It smells exactly like the Snow Park Lodge in Deer Valley, Park City, UT. The mixture of wood burning and food just transports me to DV. For some it might be a good thing, but for me it might mean that I won't be back to the Hi-Life. sorry!

    (3)

  • Becky W.

    If you know me at all - you know I love breakfast and when a breakfast outing is made, you can bet it will be the breakfast, lunch and dinner of the day. We sat on the patio to enjoy brunch. It was busy, but that's the tell-tale sign of good food, so be patient people! Bloody Mary (extra spicy), strong black coffee & water all served very promptly. Each server who walked by asked how we were doing whether they'd been assigned to our table or not. I had the Ballard Market Rumble: thin layers of egg interwoven with mushrooms, zucchini, braised greens and soft silky cheese. Vegetables & eggs can often be a risk with me, I take the texture of food very seriously, but here they were done just right and the veggie to egg & cheese ratio was perfect. On the side were potatoes and multi-grain toast. The potatoes were spiced with cumin, perhaps? Interesting, but I had to add some additional condiments as well to give it more kick. Overall a lovely experience - looking forward to someone at my table ordering the Fancy French Toast, Biscuits & Gravy or Pancakes so I can enjoy bites off of their plate :)

    (4)

  • John H.

    I'd always wanted to go here, thinking it was a bar. Turns out, it's really more of a restaurant, and not a bad one at that. We went with the beef stroganov, seered tuna, and flatbread plate - all of which were very good. Pretty wide wine selection, and reasonably priced. The mixed drinks menu is also extensive, and something I'll likely be working my way through over the following years. On the downside, the open doors do leave you a little cool at night, the waiter's attentiveness wasn't quite perfect, and just like the Olympics, they don't take American Express.

    (4)

  • Erin K.

    Super cute place for breakfast. The host was funny, and made even my cranky father-in-law smile. The service after that was spotty, but it could have just been the waitress we had. Food was divine. I had such a hard time choosing between what was on the menu and the specials. Never usually a problem to have too many good choices. I ended up with the french toast-- dipped in vanilla custard, topped with sugared hazelnuts and espresso-mascarpone and real maple syrup. Yes, it was as good as it sounds. And now that I am describing it, I am remarkably unhappy with the apple and hot tea in front of me... dammit Hi Life, why are you so far away from me?!

    (4)

  • David K.

    Mmmm... nice-looking space, enticing menu, but it failed to deliver, at least as far as dinner was concerned. Any restaurant serving braised short ribs should know this take a long time to cook; what I got had the consistency or rubber bands and not a lot of flavor, either - the sides were at least cooked but also surprisingly lacking in character. Our main server was great, but the others seemed less than happy to be at work....

    (3)

  • Cassandra G.

    Excellent cocktails (Elderflower Kiss!!). Beautiful building. Warm and helpful staff. Great season menu. Try the clams! :)

    (5)

  • Adam M.

    Good service, decent breakfast. I dunno, i kinda miss the old music venue that was here. A trip to the bathroom means going upstairs where they do karate or something. Update: i went here for dinner and it was outstanding! they earned another star (and a half!) for the service (we had 2 or 3 people checking in on us constantly, which turns out was not annoying) and for the ice cream. The bartender screwed up our drinks, but it was fixed promptly. This place makes a bomb-diggety caesar! The pizza crust isnt perfect. kinda fluffy and bland, but i'd eat it again.

    (4)

  • Bernadette E.

    where's the pole?!?!?!? i pondered that question as I happily gobbled down a burger with blue cheese and fries... this restaurant USED to be a fire station DAMNIT!!! Where's the pole?!?!?! i shall look harder the next time I come to visit... didn't have HH food so i couldn't tell you how it was, but the burger was excellent!!!

    (4)

  • maddie s.

    I came here with a BIG group for my 21st birthday on the 3rd, they have a room that fit all of us that is slightly off the bar. The food was delicious, as were the drinks, our waitress was great. I really like this place, and hope to come back soon!

    (5)

  • Kat H.

    I've been to the Hi-Life a couple of times, and while I won't turn down an invitation to go there, I'm also never in a hurry to go back. The space is really nice--gotta love that fire pole. They do a better job than Tutta Bella with a neapolitan-style crust in their brick oven. I've ordered some drink specials there before and have been unimpressed (and actually a little annoyed that I didn't get beer, instead, if my ginger whatever was going to taste that funky...and don't get me wrong, I love ginger!). Can't complain about the service. I guess for me, Hi-Life is just lacking that certain je ne sais quoi.

    (3)

  • Stephanie H.

    Here's my eat-at-the-bar pick for Ballard. It's a nice bar with good beers and wines available and all the dishes I've had here are tasty. We keep showing up late not wanting to eat full meals, so I think I've had most of the side dishes which were all good. The service has always been good but not spectacular, but that's fine. So now I'm trying to figure out why we go back as much as we do - I think it must be our Ballard eat-at-the-bar spot because it has a lot more vegetarian options that are high-quality than any of the other Ballard eat-at-the-bar spots we've picked out...

    (4)

  • Just Y.

    I've always liked the big reclaimed firehouse look, with the open kitchen, full bar, counters at both, lots and lots of seating, and even outdoor tables. I've never done anything but breakfast or brunch here, but those I've done a few times. I've always found the food to be OK, better than larger commercial breakfast diners, but not very adventurous even when compared to their sister, Endolyne Joe's. I try to order a selection from their specials instead of off-menu in the hopes of having something that wows me, but it hasn't happened yet. For the most part, once we finished our wait for a table, service ranges from acceptable to pleasant, never extraordinary but never rude. I had originally opted to give them 3 stars, but after yesterdays visit, I'm knocking one off. After waiting to be seated and having been subject to the hostess' out loud swearing when a group before ours left without telling her, we then spent close to an hour at the kitchen counter, with a full view of the line as well as a good portion of the back. Seems the lead cook doesn't mind using foul language in front of customers either. During our stay at the counter, we were appalled at the behavior of one particular short haired waiter that took it upon himself to be as big and loud of an ass as possible towards one of the line cooks manning the secondary station by the oven. Never a polite word, never a polite tone, and accusations of this poor guy ditching his station and leaving everyone hanging when (and as I said, we were right there) he hadn't. We were equally shocked at the condescending and disrespectful attitude of the lead cook towards this line cook, taking the waiter's side when she didn't have a single clue what had transpired, and then reprimanding the line cook in front of the customers. Later, she was nasty to him again when she gave him an incorrect order and he did what was instructed instead of reading her mind. I don't care even a little if there is a back story, or if this was a onetime situation - it was wrong to mistreat and belittle your staff (let alone in front of customers) and I don't see us back anytime soon.

    (2)

  • c h.

    Food is usually good, but the service is usually poor. We quit going there.

    (2)

  • Ian O.

    This was probably the 5th time I had been to the Hi-Life and I have never been disappointed. Today I had a late breakfest/lunch, some might even call that brunch. The meal was great, had the french toast. Great service, they were always ready to fill my water or coffee. They also didn't rush us out of there when we were done eating. I would recommend this place to all of my friends and I know I'll be going back. In my quest to find the cities best pulled pork sandwich I've found one I haven't tried yet.

    (4)

  • Maria C.

    If the food was as fine as the decor it would get 4 stars. The remodeling job on the old Firehouse was superb and this is a good place for a business lunch or a quick, casual get together with friends. The lox omelet was pretty good and the grilled cheese and tomato sandwich I really liked. If you stick with the standard American fare menu you should be fine, but I have been told to stay away from the pizza. I haven't tried it myself, but I have a friend who won't go back just because of the pizza. During fine weather it's nice to eat in the cute little outdoor area.

    (3)

  • wade m.

    We came here for a celebration dinner with a limited menu selection from their Columbia River menu. The bruschetta appetizer was quite good with a nice mix of flavors. We had a red wine blend that was very tasty - wish I could remember the name. I had the summer spaghetti. It seemed like a rather brave dish - combining crab, prosciutto, corn, and pea vines with spaghetti - and I admire the results. A little too oily but it tasted good. The Sweet had pan roasted salmon, which was fine but nothing outstanding (and the portion was rather small). I had a taste of the buffalo skirt steak, which was also very good. For dessert, The Sweet tried their berry shortcake. The biscuit was the size of my face, and the berry combination was fresh and simple. I tried the blueberry lemon meringue pie and this was a disappointment. The blueberries detracted in flavor and texture (almost like they were half-shriveled) from the otherwise passable lemon custard, and the crust was a bit tough. Our service was excellent and attentive without being overbearing, and the atmosphere of the old firehouse felt relaxed but upscale. The bathroom was a bit of a trek up the stairs. It was decently clean, though my fellow users should avoid basketball: there were balls of used paper towel littering the floor next to the large basket trash can.

    (3)

  • Laura P.

    The Hi-Life lives in a beautiful space in Ballard, but the food is not so beautiful. The service always seems stressed and overwhelmed, they are very business-like I've never actually been spoken to like much of a person there. I went for brunch once, and the eggs baked with in a ramekin (French style I think they called them) were so overcooked and dry that they were almost inedible. I went once for lunch and it was so mediocre for the price I heaved a big sigh. There are so many better places around town, you should really go elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Shirley B.

    I'm definitely a service person. When I get good service, I notice it. And when I don't get good service, I definitely notice that too. I think I returned to Hi Life 2 times after receiving very inattentive, slow service. And it's just 2 times too many. I thought perhaps it was a bad night or the server had too much to smoke. But it seems endemic to the culture at Hi Life. Sure the place is spacious but the servers can work on being more attentive about bringing drinks and the check. Sheesh!

    (2)

  • Krissi P.

    Great breakfast!! Like lots of places, you can tell the difference when different people are cooking so my meal of choice can vary (blueberry pancake & a side of griddled potatoes) but even when it's not the best, it's still pretty great! The wait staff is really friendly and helpful for the most part (I recently had a slightly sub-par server, but the food made up for it) and the rotating menu always makes me wonder why I only go there for breakfast. . . And what's not to love about eating in an old firehouse?

    (4)

  • Jeff K.

    The Hi-Life knows breakfast. Great comfort food without the grease and great coffee too! Just be prepared for a wait on the weekends, but it's SO worth it!

    (4)

  • J J.

    Looong wait for service (and the place wasn't too packed) and the food is on the greasy side. My veggie fajita was runny... I think their mac & cheese is overrated. It is a decent place to grab a bite, but there isn't anything to rave about.

    (2)

  • Robin N.

    Man, I had a very 50/50 good/bad feeling tonight in regards to my review of the Hi Life. First impression - 1. totally awesome building (old firehouse), and I love that part of old Ballard anyways... 2. walking in, I thought the old firepole with the female mannequin legs and skirt sliding down it were hilarious, and my friend, who's been there multiple times, never even noticed it until I pointed it out! 3. We were seated quickly, a nice plus. Positives: - menu had nice choices, and I love how the one page was a "changing menu" (currently Paris), like the Coastal Kitchen does. - great atmosphere - I loved the lighting and the vintage poster decor (big fan of 1920's/1930's advertising posters) - good music and not too loud -wood oven cooked burger was very tasty Negatives: - I actually thought it was a little pricey for some of the items on the menu... felt like you were more paying for the ambience around you than for the quality of food. Not bad, but just not worth quite that much... - Our waiter was very pushy... kept asking if our bill was ready to be rung up, and then when we were trying to split it up with our cards, he stood there waiting for us, as if they were closing or something (about 9:45 at night, and there wasn't a line of people waiting for tables or anything...) Sometimes I wish that restaurants here in the USA were more like Italy or France, when you can just sit there and sip your wine and enjoy conversation after dinner for as long as you damn well please! - The bathrooms were located in another country. Or at least, it felt like they were located in the neighboring building... very far away... what? The Hi Life couldn't afford to build in some restrooms of their own?? Overall, I'll give it a 50% on the coolness factor.

    (3)

  • Maria L.

    I hesitate to review some place for its burgers, because I think most people will tolerate even a sub-par burger if they're hungry enough. That said, Hi-Life makes a respectable burger with beef that they say is local free-range beef. While I like that Hi-Life actually took steps to procure this type of beef (and the additional step of telling people about it), I think they also have a responsibility to note that the USDA defines "free-range" very loosely. All it means is "coming from animals who ate grass and lived on a range". No other criteria is defined (like the size of the range or the amount of space given to each animal) and there are no standardized measures set for the animal's quality of life or what happens once the animal has been fattened to market weight.

    (3)

  • Mariana P.

    Great burger, it was made with free range beef from Walla Walla..... not that I can usually tell the difference between ground beef, but this was an awesome burger. awesome bartender. I really liked the decor too. This would be a great place to go on a first date. The one thing that I did not like is that they did not have any heffs on tap and that was kind of a bummer.

    (4)

  • Mary F.

    My husband and I went here for the first time recently. With us were our two toddlers. The service was great. Our server was quick to adapt the service to our childrens' needs and did not seem at all put out by them. And the kids' menu was one of the most comprehensive I've seen lately. Not to mention the fact that the kids' food was darn good -- the fries were downright addictive. Our dinners were great, as was the apple pudding dessert. As a bonus, because we were there right at 5pm on a Sunday-Thursday, we were able to have one their "Bell Ringer" specials. The specials are priced according to the Dow Jones -- i.e. divide the Dow by 1000 and you get the price of the meal. When we went we got a plate of pork roast, mashed potatoes and green beans for under $7. For obvious reasons they only serve a limited number of these, so I imagine if you get there later than about 5:30 you have no chance of getting one. But we prefer to go early with the kids so as to not disturb other diners, so it's a great deal for us. (It occurs to me that maybe I shouldn't be telling you this . . .) My only reasons for not giving 5 stars is that (1) we've only been once and (2) the entrees (other than the bell-ringer) were a bit pricey for us. Although at $5 each the kids meals were pretty reasonable, and given the quality of the ingredients I may be asking for too much for it to be cheap too.

    (4)

  • luvtotravel J.

    Eh- I wasn't too impressed. We went for breakfast. My friends were thrilled and found exactly what they needed. I ordered a quiche and got this overcooked rubbery thing - sooo not what I expected. I guess I love really greasy big plated breakfast places and this just didn't cut it for me. Service was eh. They weren't too busy and our water never got refilled. Probably wouldn't come back.

    (3)

  • Mary M.

    I love this place! It's a fun, hip place and you can watch them cook if you eat at the bar, which is super fun to do. I have had breakfast and lunch there, it's really nicely done food, just creative enough to entice without leaving that comfort food feeling which is why every girl goes to breakfast.

    (4)

  • J K.

    One of my favorite places to eat. I don't know exactly what puts it in the 5 star category. Maybe it's the Rainier beer on tap. Maybe it's the building. Maybe it's the food. Not sure. But I love it.

    (5)

  • Rodney L.

    Candy and I celebrated our 7th wedding annivresary by trying brunch at this popular place in Ballard. She had the French Toast and I went with the Beunos Omlette. She liked the hazelnuts that were sprinkled with her entree, but thought the price was a little much. They tasted very good (I liked the light syrup and artisan bread). My dish was okay (chorizo sausage wrapped with prosciutto flecked eggs), but we were won over by the hash browns (spiced with paprika). Just the right amount of heat. I was very tempted to order a side of spuds to go. Excellent service and atmosphere. FYI, the restrooms are up the stairs (though an elevator is available) and you have to look for street parking.

    (4)

  • melody r.

    i just went here for sunday brunch with my friend and her entire family. a group or about 14. let's see...we had to wait a while for a table, which is totally understandable for a huge group on a weekend. the waitress was super nice, and the bloody mary was the best ive ever had. i ordered the ballard market rumble. it's a scramble with fresh veggies and hash browns. it was sooo much food! the scramble was delicious, though i wasn't as impressed by the hash browns as i has expected to be after reading other reviews.they weren't crispy enough. kinda sludgy. the place is cute; it's an old fireplace in the middle of ballard, and the market is right nearby so you can walk down with a full belly.

    (4)

  • C B.

    This places went WAY up in my book the day they accommodated my enormous family for brunch. 2 days before Christmas...no one had made a reservation (bad communication), and we didn't even know how many total we would be....thus our party trickled in over the course of 20 mins and grew from 8 to 14. The staff kindly and graciously reseated us 3 times to accommodate us, and only once did one server say "Next time, just call for a reservation" without an iota of sarcasm. We were total a-holes for busting that and they were super nice about it. Maybe something has changed bc I remember getting some attitude from the staff at one point in the past, but not this time. And they give little kids crayons and paper and let them decorate cookies. The food is fine though not life changing (that's why they get 'only' 4 stars) but I have to give them props for helping us out.

    (4)

  • Barbara M.

    Not good, very long wait for medicore food. BLAT was cold and fries were not cooked (raw) and very greasy. Eat somewhere.

    (2)

  • Natala M.

    This is a ballard classic: solid food from local restaurant group chow foods served up in the old ballard firehouse. Weekend brunch usually means a line. When the weather is nice, the outdoor seating is great. Overall, I like the food -- but i also order the same thing every time: ballard lox omelette (lox, goat cheese, spinach) but made with egg whites and i replace the potatoes with sliced tomato. The lattes are great. I've also found the service to be great -- and they seem to handle families with kids well. If i go on my own, i typically sit at the bar and have always enjoyed it.

    (4)

  • Alice H.

    I had a BLAT here that was actually very wonderful! This place is a breakfast all day type of place, not bad at all, fairly quick service also! Fantastic atmosphere. A really great place to come and meet frinds for lunch or dinner! I will most definitely come back again!

    (4)

  • Lindsey B.

    I so wanted to love The Hi-Life, but I don't. I love that is in an old fire house and that's about it. The menu just feels random to me. I have been three times (like I said wanting to love it) and each time I stare at the menu and NOTHING sounds all that great. The portions are way too small and the prices way too high. So yeah,.... really cool firehouse remodel, really overpriced food. That's all I've got.

    (2)

  • R R.

    I'm giving three stars simply because I only ordered from the Happy Hour menu. Who knows, maybe the full menu will blow me away? Happy Hour here was busy but not packed on a Friday evening. Since my date and I were headed across the street to the Majestic Bay to see the new James Bond flick, we didn't want a sit-down meal. Happy Hour bar nibbles fit the bill. The bar tiny Mac & Cheese was delish, cheesy and hot. Even the non-mac fan date had a bite and pronounced it "tasty". Bar burgers were indeed quite small. The meat was good, but the bun, a sort of house-made roll, badly needed salt. The pane con formaggio was the most delicious, cheesy and savoury. We also had the bar-sized salads. The house was lovely, fresh butter lettuce with a touch of radicchio for zing. House made vinagrette was good. Date had the Caesar, which he enjoyed; he's a Caeser fan. We had only Happy Hour drinks (which include draft beers, shots, house wines and well highballs--i.e. no martinis, but gin & tonic is included). House wells were good, skillfully made, with decent, though certainly not remarkable, well liquor. Friendly bartender kept us in drinks.

    (3)

  • Kimberley D.

    All the chow foods places are reliable enough that you know it won't be total crap. That said, something just wasn't doing it for me about my first visit to this one, and it's hard to put my finger on exactly what it was. The breakfast (eggs with vinegar and breadcrumbs over potatoes) definitely wasn't bad, and I do consider myself a bit of a snob about breakfast. Maybe it was the price. It was packed and we had to wait awhile to be seated, so I'm apparently not in the majority with my indifferent sentiments. I did enjoy the humorous dish titles/descriptions on the menu.

    (3)

  • Mark B.

    Came here for lunch recently to try their burger cooked over wood. It sounded really good and I had high hopes. Unfortunately, the smoked wood flavor was about the only dominant flavor in the burger. It was like eating smoke with some bread and sauce. I like the atmosphere of Hi Life and the service wasn't bad. They were a little unorganized, but not to the point of irritation. Just wish the burger was better. Their restrooms are also difficult to get to and on a cold day the restrooms are freezing. I don't think there were heated at all.

    (2)

  • Carrie G.

    I have only been there for lunch but have never gone wrong with their daily mac n' cheese specials. Always leaves me full but craving the leftovers soon after. The price is definitely worth it and the food makes the far travel worth it.

    (5)

  • Latife N.

    I'd heard it was a good place to take kids and that the food was "pretty good." But last night the cook must have been ON because it was was really, really good! Hi Life's menu features standard dishes on the left side and a seasonal 'theme' menu that changes ever few months on the right side. Four of us took on the family-style Moroccan theme, and we grubbed on moist, flavorful halibut with veggies and some really great middle eastern style lamb over couscous. Had good beer and a great bottle of wine. The brocolini side was perfectly cooked if a little underseasoned. The dinner salad was also top notch-- I detected a little rose water in the dressing: innovative! As far as being good for kids, well, they do supply you with crayons and a colorable place mat. My kid was still too wild and I shovelled food between his escape attempts. Perhaps no place is great for a 2 year old. This may be controversial, but I prefer Hi-Life over its cousin the Coastal Kitchen, which I find too cramped and noisy.

    (4)

  • Jizzo D.

    Inconsistent and corporate in atmosphere.

    (2)

  • Elizabeth A.

    Man, I wish the old Ballard fire house was still the Ballard Firehouse. I saw some of the worst bands of the 80's perform during their "last" tour there. It was an institution for hairbands and tying one on for cheap in Ballard (before it became a challenge to tie one on for cheap in Ballard). Moving on. I have given The Hi-Life several chances to wow me. T and I have eaten there for breaky, lunch and dinner (several mornings we ended up there out of desperation). Each time we end up having part of our order undelivered or incorrect. The food was, for the most part, tasty. And the liner notes for the dishes sound pleasing and original. That said I would never recommend them to...well anyone. It just seems a bit pretentious for what is served. Service is pleasant but slow and sloppy. I wanted to like this place. Really I did. Not because of the Chow Foods folks and their reputation, but because I had spent so many happy hours there that I wanted the good times to continue. Let's just say I am disappointed. Not very disappointed, just disappointed. That said, I can't leave this posting without adding that the beet salad was really good. Hopefully it wasn't one of the seasonal dishes.

    (2)

  • Lydia P.

    This was my first time at The Hi-Life, and I had the Serrano Ham Sandwich with caramelized onions on grilled bread. It was pretty good and the portion was more than enough. The french fries could have been a bit crisper but all in all, it was a satisfying meal. I think I may have to go back just to try the Brazen Harlot breakfast... after all, anything involving goat cheese and the word 'harlot' in the name must be sampled.

    (3)

  • Lady G.

    Their bread pudding is the best I've ever had. It's often loud and noisy, and sometimes the wait staff ignores you, but it's good food. I usually don't go very often due to how expensive it is for small portions, the service, and noise, but it's definitely a place I would recommend or take a friend to. The food is definitely tasty enough and they always have creative dishes.

    (3)

  • Courtney P.

    So I usually give a place a few chances before I go ahead and write something bad about them. It's my attempt at giving them the benefit of the doubt. Well my recent trip has warranted this negative review and it has nothing to do with the food. As everyone knows, Chow foods restaurants have amazing food. You cannot negate that. However, the servers at the Ballard Hi Life are rude, uncaring and act like your every request is the hugest most inconvient request in the history of waiting tables. It is ridiculous. Plus I HATE that they only have 2 salad dressings at a time and most of the time they are blue cheese and red wine vinegarette. Both dressings that I LOATHE! I always get good food there but I cannot stand to be treated that way when I am eating out. I think my last trip to the Hi Life was my last trip. The only reason they get two stars instead of one is because the food is good. The way you are treated just isn't worth it.

    (2)

  • Diane R.

    Very nice ambiance. Had a Salad Nicoise which was good but not fantastic. Great staff. Super friendly.

    (4)

  • charles t.

    I have only been in a few times, but I have enjoyed the food and the atmosphere, and the service. They have a combination of ingredients and preparation that I really appreciate, however, I cannot think of how to describe it at the moment.

    (4)

  • Mary Beth G.

    I went to the Hi Life with 12 friends for a pre-bachelorette party dinner. Thanks to the Hi Life's smart thinking, the challenges of going out to eat in a big group were for once not something that fell to all of us- highly important as our level of intoxication would have interfered with our ability to calculate a tip and our individual shares while splitting the bride-to-be's portion amongst the other 11. Pros: the server was fun, the prices were good, the beer was delicious, and they SPLIT THE CHECK WITHOUT US EVEN HAVING TO ASK, AND ADDED THE GRATUITY. This was fantastic, I can't tell you how many times I've gotten the stink eye from some irritated server when I ask for a split check. Why do they make this seem like it's harder to do than paint the Sistine Chapel? Anyway, I digress. The only con for me was my dinner left my mouth on fire. I had the brisket sandwich, and by the menu was not prepared for all that spice. I tried gobbling my fries to dull the spice sensation, and lo and behold they were also covered in pepper. I know some people love spice, but it's not always my thing and I need to be warned. That's all. Highly recommend it for a group outing, just beware of the peppers! Think I'll check out HH there someday.

    (3)

  • Jenny N.

    One of Chow Foods more recent ventures, this bar and restaurant located in the old Ballard Firehouse plays home to a rotating menu that includes foods and wines from a specific country. Dishes on the specialty part of the menu are family-sized, meaning a small entree will easily feed 2-3 people and large is enough for more of a crowd. This is a great place for groups, though a very picky gourmand will find someonthing to complain about as some dishes are excellent while others are so-so.

    (3)

  • Amy N.

    I visited Hi-Life for the first time about month ago, after a lengthy stroll through Ballard's Farmers' Market. I've sampled the breakfast here (French Toast was delicious) and one lunch item (chicken sandwich and salad). A good breakfast/lunch transition restaurant should have just enough items for each meal to encourage the customer to come back and try the other items they didn't manage to order the first go round (the perpetual sweet vs. salty conundrum that comes with weekend brunch). The first time we went here, my friend and I sat at the bar and were waited on by a very cheerful and fun bartender (several female bartenders here and a male host--nice gender mix in terms of restaurant jobs). We ordered excellent Mimosas and had enjoyed the nice decor. Time #2 was the chicken sandwich, again with nice but not exceptional service. Chicken sandwich was tasty but the salad was boring and kind of bland (think about six or seven pieces of mixed greens and that's it). Overall, I would recommend Hi-Life for a great breakfast joint, though, still doesn't beat the Dish, in my opinion. Nice place to bring the parents for a mellow and pleasant breakfast.

    (4)

  • Najin K.

    I loved this place so much, I got the sweet potato seasonal hash and the station 18 which had bomb thick bacon and legit real maple syrup, the service was great and the design was beautiful. The whole atmosphere of this place is just great!

    (5)

  • Nio S.

    So for brunch my wife and I decided to check out this place since we have had our eye on this restaurant forever. First good sign of the restaurant was there was a lot of people waiting to be seated. The amount of people willing to wait for this place says a lot. As we were seated, the waiter starts us off with our drinks. My wife got the White Peach Sangria and I just had an Orange Juice. Then for the meal she got the Croque Madame and I got the Fancy French toast and Save the Pig(scrambled eggs) which ended up not being Save the Pig because I got a dish with bacon in it and sunny side up eggs. Either way I ate it anyway and told the waiter later on and he still charged me for the Save the Pig to make up for the mess up on delivery. The Croque Madame tasted very hearty and lots of flavor. My fancy french toast was really fancy with the type of bread they used which made it super delicious. The so called Saved the Pigs had some large cuts of bacon that were extremely delicious as well. This place is a definite go to spot for breakfast/brunch. We will be coming back here again for another weekend breakfast/brunch. Happy Eats Everyone!!

    (4)

  • Amanda K.

    The food here is decent, but I don't think anything is exceptional. They are known for their brunch, which to be honest I think is just okay. The building is fun, in an old firehouse. The main reason to go here, and why I have frequented much more this year, is it is kid friendly. Look around, and there are many families. The food is kid friendly, they have high chairs, and the wait staff is clearly used to accommodating families. Pre-kid, I was here maybe 2 times in 7 years of living in Ballard, but more than doubled that in one year of parenthood.

    (3)

  • Sabrina G.

    I've been to the 5-spot for brunch and wasn't super thrilled with the food. When my brother and sister in law said they wanted to take me to Hi-Life for dinner, I wasn't super enthused but trust their opinion. They said it was their go-to restaurant and after dinner last night, I can see why. While I can't speak to the brunch foods, I will say the entrees and drinks we had there last night certainly did not disappoint. The smoked steelhead and mussel stew was sweet, savory, a little smoky and creamy without seeming heavy. Sliders were packed with deliciousness and actually worth the cost--no skimping on flavor or meat and was enough for my husband to feel full with just that. The sole special was perfectly paired with accompaniments and my sister exclaimed it was the best fish she's ever had (high praise, she and I have had mouth watering fish elsewhere over the years). The real star for me was the butternut squash pizza with pancetta. That was hands down the greatest pizza my husband and I have ever had. The first words out of his mouth the next morning after waking was, "man, that squash pizza was amazing." 4 stars for service but I'd give 6 stars for that winter menu. I can't wait to return and feast again.

    (5)

  • Nico D.

    Hands-down the worst meal of our Pacific Northwest 2-week vacations. Everything about this lunch was HORRIBLE: Long wait to be seated, long wait to order, really long wait to get the food, long wait to get the bill. When the *hot* water for the teas arrived, it was tepid. When the food arrived, it was tepid. Both our scrambled egg dishes were overcooked and bland. My scrambled eggs were supposed to be topped with melted grated cheese but the eggs were so cold that the cheese never melted (you can actually see on my picture). The semi-smashed potatoes were greasy. The only redeeming feature is that our waiter was very friendly. I think that the main issue is that they are woefully understaffed: the couple of front-house staff and the couple of kitchen staff were running around trying to extinguish fires and were constantly behind. And this was at 11:30am, with merely 25% of the tables full. Can't imagine what it would have been at 1pm... If this is the best they can do, they might as well shut the place down and let professionals take over.

    (1)

  • Nick H.

    I haven't reviewed high life yet? Yelp fail. My bad. The S.O. and I often frequent this Chow Foods establishment when brunching in Ballard. If you show up early there's usually no problem getting a table, or at the very least a couple seats at the bar. They've got a number of dishes to choose from and usually an interesting special or two. They have a fantastic brunch bar and some terrific bloody marys (often something seasonal and fun). I love their margaritas, but often get something off their rotating cocktail list (ask your server for the list--they only list a couple on the menu). My favorite dish is the enchilada stack--it hits the spot whenever I've got a craving for something spicy. Layers of corn tortilla, pork, guajillo salsa, black beans and cheese topped with two eggs your way (get them sunny-side up, over easy or poached--make sure they're still running, and send 'em back if they're not). It comes with delicious smashed potatoes, but I usually sub fresh fruit (no charge!). The Migas is also excellent, and my lovely brunch date loves the Huevos Emilia and Cleanup on Aisle 12. Service is here is fast and efficient, and they always work hard to get your order right and keep you happy. It's a solid option for any meal, but one of the best for brunch in my book.

    (5)

  • David R.

    Breakfast / brunch is really good and never disappointed. Skip there happy hour, they were understaffed so the service was sloppy and the food was terrible and overpriced cuz they didn't tell us it was happy hour!!

    (3)

  • Justin V.

    I've now visited The Hi-Life two times while on business trips in Seattle. Each visit for breakfast and each visit has given me a reason to return on my next trip. From the cool layout of the old firehouse to decadent breakfast menu options I'm just an all-around fan of this place. Recommended for a low-key, great tasting morning visit to anyone in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Nancy C.

    Ordered the "spring" waffles and they came out very soggy... If you order, I'd suggest getting the sauce on the side. We also had the firehouse benedict which were average but the smashed potatoes on the side were on point.

    (2)

  • Christopher M.

    I am just moving my business into Ballard and being new to the area I enjoy trying local businesses (especially brunch/breakfast). First I will apologize for not remembering my servers name. Me and a friend sat at the food prep bar and our server along with the salad guy were EXCELLENT. Even though we came in at a time when they were super busy and out of OJ (only momentarily) our serving 'team' had smiles on their faces and great attitudes. I am someone that doesn't mind flagging down my server. After spending time overseas you get use to asking for what you need and going about your meal. Everyone was happy to help and although we waited a bit long (rush hr on Sunday *duh) our food came out hot and they accommodated a change in our order on the fly. Protip: Let the host know you are ok with sitting at the food prep bar, it may not be as intimate but you are surrounded by staff walking food by and you can say "I want one of those" to anyone around. Just be ready to unbutton your pants by the end and roll on out.

    (4)

  • Opal D.

    Service: When we first arrived we stood in line at the hostess table with no hostess in sight for about 5 minutes. I had to ask the waiter to refill my empty water glass twice, although he would refill my coffee when it was still 3/4 full. Food: The nectarine cobbler waffle was unique and tasty although the waffle could've been crispier to give the entire dish more texture, it was all very smooshy. My husband did not like his dish, said it was the worst croque madame he's had in Seattle and that it didn't have enough cheese. Overall: Average; we wouldn't come here again anytime soon.

    (3)

  • Jared O.

    Great spot with awesome food! Had the Drunken Cherry waffle and it was amazing! Service was great, the staff was very friendly and made great suggestions about the menu. Food came out fast and everything tasted great. A really great spot to hang out and enjoy a meal.

    (5)

  • Jessica M.

    As a fan of seeing great rock shows at the Old Ballard Firehouse back in the 90's, I was skeptical of going back after it became the Hi-Life. My husband and I stopped in to check out the bar happy hour and were pleasantly surprised! Still a lot of character inside and the restaurant has it's own kinda cool added in. The service was excellent, the happy hour menu was extensive ($4 & $5 options), the drinks were strong enough and the crowd was hip. We ordered the mozzarella cheese sticks (only two but they were handmade, big and delicious), pizza (small but tasty), mac & cheese (amazing, more cheese than noodles but amazing none-the-less) and bbq sliders (can't go wrong). Would definitely return. My only wish is that the happy hour was extended into the restaurant. We have a small child and rarely go to happy hours anymore as they typically are limited to the bar which doesn't work for our family dynamic anymore. :(

    (4)

  • James L.

    The food here is the only thing that accounted for this horrific experience this morning... By far, the worst breakfast experience I have EVER had. It was truly directed by our servers shitty attitude and careless approach to customer service. We hadn't even sat down and she was hounding us about beverages... Seriously, cool it turbo. I ordered coffee, which when you order coffee at breakfast it is usually kept full... Only one refill once food was delivered. No check back, no refills, even on our water... The attitude reminded of what I expect when I go to a dive bar, but at least at a dive bar you still get customer service. She seemed like a pissed off Muppet who could give two shits about us being there. We were the inconvenience that plagued her unhappy existence. In all my years working in the service industry we were told one thing: Leave you effing baggage and drama at the door, period!!!! The other waitstaff were really into caring for their tables. Unfortunately we got the disgruntled pissed off one. Sort of reminds me of the old sign outside of Deja Vu as you drive down Lake Shitty Way. Yet this can be translated as; 100 great servers and one pissed off horrible one. We placed our food order, and then she questioned me and became puzzled when I asked for a second plate as we were going to split a side of 'cakes. Fast forward to food delivery, here is where her true lack of attention glistened. Wrong food in front of the wrong person, which she responded "oops", in the most aloof manner ever. I had the Firehouse Benedict, very tasty yet lukewarm as it had sat up there for a bit. She had the Clean up Hash... The 'cakes didn't taste right, but was our server around... You got it, NOPE. Again the other waitstaff were being very attentive to their tables, and we played host roulette and lost. Now I have been there MANY times before, in fact, I even used to work there (many moons ago). This is NOT the type of service I come to expect from a Chow Foods establishment. She is really doing a detriment to the establishment. If I return, it will be to the bar area, where the bartenders know how to interact with and care for their customers.

    (1)

  • Heather H.

    Good for bigger groups or families. The menu and staff were fantastic because you have the benefits of space and all the kinds of omelets you could set your heart on. Also a huge rave for the spicy bloody mary! Do get! Aside from those perks, this wouldn't be my first choice to have a Sunday brunch at. It was pretty packed in there, lots of kids running around, the works. It's also a bit pricer than I had expected. Between the omelet and a bloody mary you're looking at almost $30 for brunch.

    (3)

  • lyra r.

    They have the most amazing bacon on Sundays. The noise level at 9-10am is optimal for drowning out the sound of my kid narrating what the servers are doing. I can barely hear him from across the table. I'm not complaining. THE. BACON. No omelets though :(

    (5)

  • Brian L.

    I'm glad I finally came here with friends and sat at a fire-pit table outside on a semi-chilly night. The building was staring at me in the face every time I walk down Market Street. Outdoor seating was perfect for this evening! Tried one mixed drink, the blueberry something something. It was really good. If you're one of those dudes that needs to maintain a macho image then it will definitely be effeminate if you get this as it's served in a "dainty" martini glass etc etc. The beers in my opinion are limited as there wasn't much that struck my fancy. That's just me. I had the BBQ Sliders and the Mac n Cheese. Both were good, and smallish portions, which enabled me to get two (listed under "small bites") .. Mac is one of those dishes that I am very critical of, as I feel like the best Mac I have ever had is from my favorite burger place in Chicago, and is now the standard. But this Mac is definitely really tasty, so I am sure you would be happy to get it. Sliders, good also. Dubbed "Suicide Sliders" but I lost my ability to taste anything spicy long ago so I can't speak to the actual spice level. I don't think it's that hot, though. Really cool spot, and I'll plan on coming back at some point.

    (4)

  • Serena G.

    Great brunch! This is located very close to the farmers market, so if you pop in for a nice brunch you can walk right over. The wait staff is very friendly and the prices were average.

    (4)

  • Mojdeh S.

    How I heard of this place: My friend Tahirih told me about, and introduced me to the Hi-Life a number of years ago, when we went to sample their special-of-the-day mac 'n cheese. Type of cuisine: An assortment of menu options are available to entice every diner who sets foot in Ballard's American Grill. The establishment boasts itself on "bringing order to Seattle's seasonal mood disorder" with rotating seasonal menus, featuring "the best of our four seasons here in the Pacific Northwest". With an emphasis on wood fired grill and brick oven, everything on the line turns out tasty, full flavored foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ambiance: Located in the historic Firehouse No. 18 built in 1911, the neon sign outside gives one the reason for visiting the Hi-Life: EAT DRINK.The interior is large, open, spacious, with high ceilings. Booths line the area at the window-front and black, wooden tables and mis-matched chairs are available for larger parties (seating from eight to twelve people around a circular or rectangular table setting). The kitchen is open and in plain site of most seats, giving patrons the opportunity to see the organized and clean shelves and cooking utensils. Soft music plays in the background as the crowds begin to enter the dining area. Slightly more dim-lit bar seating is available to the right of the large doors and the curtained foyer in the entrance. The lights in the restaurant are dimmed at six o'clock to create ambiance and give the evening mood way as patrons gather for dinner. The Hi-Hife also has a fine little private dining room available for adults only, which can host a combination cocktail party and sit down dinner for up to 40, and includes your own private bartender. What I ordered: I had to be the last to order at our table of eight before making a decision. The menu, while not formidably extensive, still had several highly alluring options. Beginning with the dining companion to my left, we had one order for the Cast Iron Bronzed Rockfish ($15.75), spiced & seared Pacific rockfish over smoked polenta & adouille hash with sauteed kale, one small plate order for the macaroni & cheese ($6.25), baked en casserole with roasted Anaheims & four cheeses, three orders for the Hickory Smoked Spareribs ($17.00, each), house slow smoked ribs, spicy Big Wheel BBQ sauce, french fries (one served naked with a side of mashed potatoes instead of fries) & salacious slaw. Continuing around our table, we had one Pizza Margherita ($10.75) with mozzarella, fresh basil, and pomodoro sauce, a special order (because I have yet to find it on the menu!) calzone ($?) stuffed with spinach, mushrooms and ricotta and served alongside a butter lettuce salad. I ordered the Wood Grilled New York Strip Steak ($19.75), cooked medium-well with a demi glace, h.t.g. mashed potatoes & broccolini sauteed in butter. Several orders were placed for soda beverages (free if you check-in via Four-Square on your mobile device). What I loved: Of the four things sampled (the rockfish, ribs, calzone and steak), I must admit that I enjoyed my own dish the most! The creamy, smooth mashed potatoes, hearty and comfort-induced, balanced smashingly with the buttered broccolini, still crisp, yet tender and the flavorful, grilled, large chunk of steak. I enjoyed the peppered rockfish and the sauteed kale with which it was served. The calzone offered a nice, light flavor, feeling less carb-induced and more fresh. The ribs were said to be dry, but the small sample I enjoyed fell off the bone without effort and tasted more of meat than of marinated, BBQ goodness. Why I loved it: We had not made reservations ahead of time, but (perhaps the early dining hour, 5:30 p.m.) were seated quickly and enjoyed our large party meal over good conversation and laughter. The wait for water and soda refills was long, but the staff friendly. Cost: Average ($10.50 - $19.75 per dinner entree)

    (4)

  • Tim M.

    Very cool setting in the historic old firehouse. It was clean and airy and it was very busy. I ordered the lamb burger and it was delicious. All the food ordered at my table looked great and came quickly, especially for a table of 10. Waitress was friendly and very helpful and my glass of iced tea always had tea in it. The steak fries that came with the burger were amazing, EXCEPT for the exceptionally large ones (and there were some BIG ones) that weren't as well done. The large fries bordered on being undercooked, and just lacked flavor. The small ones were great. Overall, it was a very positive dining experience, I would go back in a heartbeat.

    (4)

  • Dean M.

    Pricey and kinda fancy, but good food and atmosphere. Went to a dinner party here, the place was packed, but we had great service, fast drinks and they easily accomodated a large group.

    (4)

  • Kathryn V.

    I really enjoyed the hi-life. Me and 3 friends went and ordered different dishes to try. The french toast definitely is delicious, and the potatoes were one of a kind. We had a couple drinks each and the bill was still under a hundred dollars. Very good price for good food and drinks. We went on a Sunday and the parking isnt all that great, but worth it!

    (5)

  • Alana K.

    Almost made it in time for their weekday breakfast happy hour (select menu items are only $5.75 until 11am). Missed it but thoroughly enjoyed the migas scramble (with roasted Anaheims, avocado, cotija, and tortilla strips served with house potatoes and tortillas). I don't remember what everybody else had, but no plate went unfinished. This is the old Ballard Firehouse (remember when they used to have shows here?), so you really can't miss it coming up Market. Bright and airy with exposed brick. Attentive staff. And they're dog friendly (where in Seattle isn't these days...), so bring your pup.

    (4)

  • Jessica D.

    I love this place. The food is good. Not always everything I want but consistent and delicious. But what really sets the place apart is the atmosphere. Unlike many other places this is a great place for *insert just about anything here*. Want a great place for a date? What about a family dinner? Group party? After your day of painting your house and still in coveralls? Somehow this place manages to be all things to all people without it being strange. I have no idea how but it's true. I've literally seen folks coming in from their construction gigs in the same bar with folks who are dressed to the nines and it's not seemed weird at all. And that's what I love about the place. Come as you are, however you are and you'll both be welcome and comfortable here and more importantly your experience won't be affected by anyone else. I should add that while it has a TV I didn't even remember that until I saw the questions below this review... so yes, it's there but not invasive. Honestly how a place can be good for all the things I don't know but this place does it. So yes, it's a great place for that.... whatever it is that you're trying to do. It's even a great place to go as a single person who just wants to sit, eat a meal and read a book which is my usual. Awesome.

    (4)

  • Becky R.

    This place has a great selection of breakfast food, the only time I come to eat here, and it's super tasty. They have gluten free and vegetarian options as well as meat n stuff for the carnies. Be prepared for a wait on weekends for brunch / breakfast. Try the scrambles and know the pancakes are insanely large and you likely will need to share. Lucky you! Prices are decent, hours are good, staff is cool, and my favorite are the scrambles. Yum!! I wish there were gf French toast or gf pancake options. It's not difficult, but thanks for at least making a menu that clarifies what is for sure gf. Minus a star for not having hash browns and for telling gluten free customers they get fruit instead of potatoes. Just dot fry the potatoes people! How hard is that? I can wait. Minus another star for this fruit thing. Offer me toast instead of fruit. Fruit and protein do not mix (yep it's a fact), and toast is super cheap, even gluten free toast. I'm grateful I can eat here. I hope the gf menu improves in a way that involved floury, starchy goodness - not "fruit" or some other substitution that is not a real substitution - it doesn't count if it would never have gluten in the first place.

    (3)

  • Angelo R.

    It's a great place for drinks. The atmosphere provides a large space but feels cozy. It doesn't get too loud and they don't pipe in loud music, which is a big plus to me. Good selection of beers and good service. The food is pretty mediocre. I've been there for all different kinds of meals. It's still a go-to hangout for me in Ballard, but mostly for drinks.

    (3)

  • Kate O.

    Amazing food! Great service! Cool environment! I got the corn beef hash/eggs. Sooooo yummy! So much flavor! Seasoned perfectly! Not a bland thing on my plate! Bf had biscuits and gravy. So much food! Huge portion! Tasted homemade with huge chunks of sausage in the gravy. Would also recommend the peach sangria. Cute outdoor tables with fire pits. Overall, service was excellent & food was even better! Will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Katie O.

    While I had been here once before for dinner, my most recent visit blew me away. My sister warned me that brunch may be packed, but we were seated immediately at a table where we could talk quietly or watch the kitchen. Hi-Life's brunch menu is a thing of beauty. If I hadn't sworn off sugar, I would have gone crazy over some of the pancake options. As it was, the biscuits and gravy sounded perfect for this semi-Southern girl. Our server recommended the half portion if I wasn't absolutely starving, and I'm so glad she did. The half serving with just one biscuit was humongous! Besides being absolutely delicious, I was quite satiated by the end. I have every intention of returning when I have a gigantic appetite, and hopefully am consuming sugar again. Gotta get those pancakes!

    (5)

  • Madeleine H.

    I was immediately impressed by the ambiance the restaurant has. Being an old fire house, it feels very homey and communal. The food was great! I had the sweet potato and butternut squash hash and it was incredible. One of my favorite things was the crushed red potatoes! However wonderful the food, ambiance, and service was, the waitress thought my boyfriend was a woman from behind (because he has long hair) and called us "ladies". No harm done, but maximum awkwardness.

    (4)

  • J H.

    Stopped in for happy hour, and while they had great specials and food was ok, service was extremely slow and not very friendly. I think it was because they had one person waiting tables and bartending for the entire happy hour area. We gave our credit card to pay and it took about 10-15 minutes for us to get the check back to sign. Maybe if you sit in the normal dining area service won't be this bad. Great location and decor, but you get what you pay for in terms of service when you enjoy the happy hour.

    (2)

  • Lucy D.

    Went for the Sunday Fried Chicken Dinner. The chicken fried dinner comes with fried chicken, mashed potatoes w/ gravy, green beans, carrots and biscuits. It's per person and served family style. The chicken was OK, nothing amazing but a pretty good deal with all of the sides. Everything about the meal was perfectly fine, it all tasted how it was supposed to - not much else to say about it.

    (3)

  • Ryan W.

    I visited Seattle four times during the process of moving. Three of those four times, The Hi-life was a stop on our list. Twice for the Sunday dinner (if you like fried chicken at all - you must try this dinner) - a huge plate of fried chicken served alongside plates of sides. Admire everything as it arrives to your table. You'll most likely be taking half of your chicken home. Everything is so delicious here. I wouldn't worry about still being hungry after dining, either - that ain't gonna happen. The other time I was here, I had the lamb burger - very good - but I was wishing it was Sunday the whole time. You just can't beat that meal - and it's not expensive either! Hi-life has a pretty decent beer selection as well. If I had any problem at all with the meal it was probably that the side-to-chicken ratio isn't close at all. All of the sides will probably be gone by the end of the meal but the mountain of chicken will look like you didn't eat any of it! Hi-life is a cool place to dine. Lots of options (but really only one if you're there on Sunday), cool environment, friendly staff.

    (5)

  • Hannah L.

    Eating here was an absolutely wonderful experience. My boyfriend and I picked this place on a whim for dinner tonight and had the best time. The atmosphere is fun and friendly, very spacious and open. The food is amazing. We ordered a pepperoni pizza to split and an order of garlic bread and mac and cheese. BEST mac and cheese I have ever had. The pizza was wood-fired, fresh, and quality, quality, quality. We were seated near the open kitchen so we watched our it being made. Our server was very friendly and helpful; the whole staff gave off a welcoming vibe. I cannot wait to eat there again. Sidenote: they offer Mocktails, which were also quite delicious

    (5)

  • Robin M.

    Gorgeous old firehouse building mixed with paintings and the occasional random movie poster. The cocktails are always on point (I'm a girly drink drunk so I can vouch for the Blueberry Raindrop and the Springtime in Paris) and the drafts are solid. For being in the heart of Ballard, I would think they could come through with more vegetarian options. I believe on Wesnesdays they have a veg day but that doesn't help much for my boozy brunch options. However, they are always happy to sub out meat for avocados so who am I to complain? But the crushed potatoes? JAM. Not a spuds fan but I will tear those up. Now the real trick is to get in around 2:30 for brunch then stick it out for happy hour at 3pm.

    (4)

  • Rachael O.

    Crappy service, okay food.

    (2)

  • Jackie W.

    Came here for brunch on the 4th of July for my first time visit to Seattle. Our server was really nice but unfortunately it took a really long time to get our food which I can understand with a holiday crowd. Our group just sat around and caught up. I ordered the Mimosa which was ok but I definitely could have used a more full cup of it! The Bloody Mary's all looked really good too. For food, I ordered the Croque Madame which was an amazing size and just flat out pretty looking. The taste was a little bland which was disappointing but the potatoes on the side were great! The place had a very cool vibe too and overall was A-OK!

    (3)

  • April J.

    I really love this place for brunch, the have a polenta veggie hash that keeps me coming back pretty often. But i love the atmosphere with the old firehouse. The staff is always nice, great drinks and the menu always has something fro everyone. I can take non-adventurous eaters here but also satisfy my food tastes as well. Also great for kids!

    (4)

  • B. C.

    The service was excellent and the setting was very unique. I only gave it 3 stars because the restaurant wasn't very full but they still took a long time (35+ min) to serve my friends and family (party of 5) and the food was not priced to match the quality of which we received. It wasn't a bad experience, but I'm not labeling this as a must-see. It's a fun environment, especially for the firefighter-lovers.

    (3)

  • Jessica F.

    I went for brunch with my girlfriends. The service was a bit on the slow side but the food and white wine sangria were worth the wait. I had the corned beef hash with perfectly poached eggs, it was so yummy. The white wine sangria was delicious. Would have gave it five stars if I didn't have to wait 15 min for the sangria.

    (4)

  • Sal A.

    I went to Hi Life with my family and it always has tasty food. My only complaint is that there aren't enough breakfast options especially if you don't eat pork. If you're a vegetarian then forget about it! We sat outside which was a nice treat considering the weather. They even have gas heaters for each table. Fancy French Toast is the best French toast I've ever had!

    (4)

  • Dennis R.

    In addition to Sunday chicken dinners and great breakfasts, the Hi-Life is a great spot to drop in for lunch or dinner any day of the week. I've also reserved a long table on an early December evening the last two years for a group I belong to. It's an excellent place to have a group dinner.

    (5)

  • Nathan M.

    Good food and friendly service. The ambiance of the dining room is cool, as it is in an old firehouse. But for the price to quality ratio, I get the feeling that eating here is a status activity. I like that it exists though. It's more interesting than your typical "more expensive than it needs to be" establishment.

    (3)

  • David B.

    Burgers etc. Burgers come with the best fries I've ever had: sufficiently crunchy and crispy for my taste, without the soggy mealy interior that most fries have.

    (4)

  • Paul M.

    It's a fun, if expensive, hangout.

    (3)

  • Joan S.

    Busy busy busy Food better then average Atmosphere nice Waitress attentive Would definitely go back Went on a Sunday morning had brunch Very nice people Go!

    (4)

  • Dwayne P.

    I really enjoyed the breakfast here. The breakfast burrito was delicious! And the fried potatoes that came with it even better!

    (5)

  • Sean C.

    Got seated and waited for a while before our drink order was taken. And in that time, another customer came in, sat at the table next to ours, and had her drink order taken care of. The dish I had looked like the same amount you'd pour out of a chef Boyardee can, with some green garnish and two strips of garlic bread to dress it up as "gourmet." I was not impressed with Hi-Life, and I left still hungry.

    (2)

  • Elisabeth W.

    Second time I have been here for brunch (love that they serve breakfast until 3pm) and it was amazing. Eggs, potatoes and toast, so good! Everything seemed fresh and was delicious. Parents split a sandwich and a salad and loved it. Only downside was our waitress was slow to greet us and we waited a while to be seated but that is expected on a Sunday in Ballard. We def be back again

    (4)

  • Jennifer M.

    Great good and friendly service. It's comfortable to go with a group, on a date, with family & kids for brunch, and even dining alone in the bar. I like their seasonal menu and love the regulars, especially brunch. I highly recommend Clean-Up on Aisle 3, Ballard Scramble, and be sure to check out the seasonal specials.

    (5)

  • Shenoah C.

    Excellent food! I had the Sunday fried-chicken dinner and it was honestly the best fried chicken I've ever had. The rest of the meal was just as good!

    (5)

  • Mike M.

    Even though I haven't had breakfast here I'm willing to bet that it's way better than the dinner food. I've had better French onion soup from a can, my drink was bland and nasty, the pizza left a horrible aftertaste, and the service was friendly but slow. Had a bad food experience the first time and it took 9 months before we returned and just confirmed why I haven't been back. Eat dinner at your own risk.

    (2)

  • Natalie W.

    Brunch, brunch, I love brunch! We roamed here after a workout based on some Yelper's praise. I could kiss them! I can't believe it took me so long to visit. I loved the breakfast menu and the wait wasn't too long for a party of two- about 10 minutes. The vibe was fun. We could see the kitchen and could clearly tell/feel that the space use to be a fire station. We were seated at a tall bistro style dark wood table in the bar/lounge section and it made our meal fun- I love dangling my legs and it helped with the workout cool down. Our server was genuinely nice and helpful. I like people like this. The flavors infused in our meals were better then your typical brunch places. Even the potatoes tasted better the good and the dishes had fun names. Our server's seasonal coffee cake suggestion was right on- especially since I'm not a huge fan. Prices seemed a little on the low side for the style of dining which made me smile. Think like $8-10. The Hi- Life just got awarded the Best Breakfast Dish Name by Seattle Magazine. My study of the magazine made me realize I had been slacking in my review frequency and prompted me to write. The Hi Life is good- I am a fan- you will be too.

    (5)

  • Lindi C.

    Much better than Miller! This review is for brunch only, as this is the only time I've ever eaten here. Sometimes a girl just has to get off the hill and have brunch at a place other than Glo's and Charlie's, ya know? I have been here a couple times now after striking out at the Dish and not wanting to wait in line at Senor Moose for brunch on Sunday. Each time I've been, I've only had to wait about 20 minutes tops for a table. I think it helps that there's usually only 2 of us too. I think the big tables are in high demand. There's actually quite a lot of young families eating here. It didn't seem like a very kid-friendly place from the outside. But, trust me, it is. It can get a bit loud at times, especially if they seat you in the 2-tops next to the open kitchen. Instead of the usual chit-chit of Sunday brunch go-ers, you get to hear the chefs yell, "Up on 28!", "Alex please!", "Fire french toast!", "86 Salmon!", etc. Having worked in many restaurants, it doesn't bother me much. The clatter of the pans, the clinking of plates, the yelling of the chefs, the whining of the servers...it's almost like background music to me now. But, I could see it bothering some people. The service here has always been good. Our server this weekend actually talked to us like he was our friend, but not in that annoying, crouch-next-to-your-table way. It just seemed he was genuinely nice and wanted to make sure we had a good time. The food here is great. I'd say it's better than your average brunch fare. The french toast is phenomenal. Listen to this....Vanilla custard dipped Columbia bread griddled and topped with espresso-mascarpone & sugared hazelnuts. Uh, yum. I'm seriously kicking myself for not ordering it yesterday. Along with the food, the coffee is also good. I believe they serve Cafe Vita. It's a nice little bonus to have good coffee along with good food. I don't think the food here is cheap, but it's not much more expensive than other brunch spots that don't have food half as good...and if you order the french toast - trust me, it's worth every penny.

    (4)

  • Tina P.

    Foodwise, this place would have been three stars because the food was good. But not special. I had a veggie omelette and it did the job. But what won me over was their host! He was a breath of fresh air on an overcast morning. Not only did he greet us quickly but also made a silly joke out of seating us when he had mistakenly thought he had an immediate open table. Even though we ended up having to wait 10 minutes he handled his mistake well and laughed about it with us. Our waitress was just as nice, checking in enough but not too much. I love great staff! Makes a restaurant more appealing even if the food isn't spectacular.

    (4)

  • Rodney W.

    Well, after reading the great reviews about this place I feel a bit one sided. We ran into the hi life after wondering around Ballard this past Saturday. The look and feel of the old fire house gives a very inviting, come as you are atmosphere. The staff was..nice. But this is about the food! We ordered the short ribs, over charred and over cooked with absolutely no taste other that burnt fat. We also had the BBQ brisket sandwich. I am sure the the meat was good but with the LARGE amounts of onions over powering the hoagie it was tough to tell. The saving grace to this place was the sweet selection of beer on tap. As soon as we ordered our food we looked around and noticed everyone had ordered the pizza so maybe that is a safe bet? maybe next time.. ps bring some muscle for the front door..that thing kicked my butt!

    (2)

  • Yuh-Line N.

    breakfast/brunch place. living in ballard, you go to the hi-life. that's all there is to it. it's decent and you take your friends there. get up feeling hungry? walk down to to the hi-life, get a giant OJ and order a veggie scramble. you come out happy, full, and ready to go back to sleep on a sunday afternoon.

    (4)

  • Kirsten K.

    I'd give this place 3.5 stars if I could. I had a great sandwich there over the weekend with heirloom tomatoes. It was quite delicious, but nothing super original - especially for the price. It was also odd because we were all charged more than the price listed on the menu and were charged for a drink we didn't order. My friends ordered pizzas, which were shockingly small. The service was a tad slow and too relaxed for my taste, but I still had a nice time there. I wish they had more vegetarian options on their menu. I hear they do a vegetarian Wednesday, which I'd like to come back and try.

    (3)

  • S V.

    What can I say.... the food was good as was the service. We ordered apps, dinner, and dessert everything was tasty. I like the atmosphere and it's much easier to get a table in the dining room than in the bar.

    (4)

  • John N.

    This was really just ok. Maybe it was an off day, but when you have a wood-fired oven, the expectations go way up (see Delancey review). Made the mistake of ordering pizza here. It was a little early so maybe they had 'just' started the fire? Pizza was almost undercooked, WAY too much sauce and not very good sauce at that. Very tart, heavy handed and out of balance. Cheese was just ok as well. Also ordered a burger which actually was the saving grace here otherwise this would be one star review. I'd be willing to try again but after one visit (so maybe this is unfair after all), I have to give it 2 stars. Maybe I should expand to breakfast which all of the other restaurants under the same company umbrella do expertly....

    (2)

  • Mike S.

    great great restaurant. used to be an old fire station. you can still see the old fireman pole above the bar. friendly staff. amazing food. highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Heather W.

    I love Chow Foods, but the past two times I've been to Hi Life I've left wishing I'd gone somewhere else. I love the old Firehouse and I love their menu concepts but...the food just ends up one punch short of "wow this is really good". Everything on the menu can be procured somewhere else in Ballard and is usually done better. I'm not giving up on you Hi Life, but you need to turn it up a notch.

    (2)

  • April R.

    I worked as a waitress for two years. I have a lot of patience & understanding when it comes to a dining experience. I tip like an ex-waitress. Yesterday, though, I left a $4 tip on a $40 bill. Why? Because: 1) I shouldn't have to spend the entire 50-minute-wait for my food trying to figure out who my waitress is because every time someone comes up to my table, it's a different person. 2) If I wait 50 minutes for a plate of EGGS & HASH BROWNS (not two of the most notoriously slow-cooking dishes), some sort of apologetic acknowledgment would go a long way. 3) Three cups of coffee during a 90 minute dining experience does not strike me as obscenely excessive. Why did I have to ask random passing servers for *both* refills? 4) If the kitchen runs out of an ingredient that's supposed to be in my dish, come up & tell me. Ask me if I want something else. Most likely it'll be totally fine with me. But you have to ASK ME. Assuming that I don't know what the yells of "86 zucchini" mean & that I won't notice that my eggs don't have any zucchini is the WRONG thing to do. 5) Don't make me find you to ask you for my check. Oh, & this wasn't the server's fault but seriously, this place was stuffed full of babies. I hate babies. Especially when I'm trying to eat. P.S. The food was just okay.

    (2)

  • Ray Z.

    I walked into the joint, expecting the typical Chow Foods experience: predictably decent food, predictably decent service. I was wrong. The food was easily 50% more original, better executed and tastier than at the other joints. The service was easily 50% more attentive, friendly and helpful than at the other joints. Our dining experience was easily 50% more pleasing that at the other joints. I am easily 50% more likely to return to Hi Life than to the other joints. 50, I say, and not a percentage point less! p.s. We did not get Hi at the Hi Life.

    (4)

  • Eugene C.

    I really like the atmosphere of this place. High ceilings with rustic furnishings. It has a very warm, homey feel. The bartenders/waitstaff are very polite. The food is good, but a little overpriced. They usually have some interesting beers on tap that are not standard at other places. The breakfast is probably what they do best, but their dinner entrees are also good. I would describe it as a slightly upscale neighborhood bar.

    (3)

  • Jon W.

    I came here on Monday with a local cousin of mine and his friend. I was very glad that they suggested this place. First of all, the atmosphere is great, the old converted fire house makes for lofty ceilings and wide open spaces. Even the partition walls have miniature firemen figurines that adorn their tops. Service was great and efficient. One thing that I have learned about Washington State while up here is that there are more small breweries around here that I have ever seen before! This is wonderful for a beer loving hop-head like me. I have yet to have a bad beer during my stay in and around Seattle.... Way to go Washington! I ordered their Gnocchi with Smoked Prosciutto and something else. It was ok. The smoked Italian Bacon was way too flavorful and overpowered the otherwise nice and balanced cream sauce and dumplings... I was kinda disappointed, but the overall experience makes me give this place the 4 out of 5 that it deserves...

    (4)

  • Mulva V.

    The food is generally pretty solid, if not memorable. I find most Chow Foods places are like that. We did go here at the last minute for dinner as the place we were planning on going to had closed--for good. For a place that's not off-the-charts, it was busy, but we did get a table at the bar after a 15 minute wait, so not bad. I will say this, the service was pretty good considering how busy they were at the bar.

    (3)

  • Rosey J.

    I'm a fan of their awesome bread pudding, very different. It's scooped out like a mash potatoes and ever so yummy! The portions are huge though. Had pizza and other stuff but they were not as memorable. I would come back for the bread pudding itself. The ambiance is upbeat and fun.

    (4)

  • Sean E.

    The Hi-Life has the second-best brunch in Ballard. We used to go to Volterra when Senor Moose was spilling out the door, but now we sometimes drive to Ballard just to go to the Hi-Life. This is a Chow restaurant, just like your friends Atlas and the Coastal Kitchen. The breakfast menu isn't as broad as those two, but they make up for it by having really good French toast (using rustic sourdough) and biscuits and gravy (with just the right amount of sausage). Although the menu is mostly breakfast standards, there are enough interesting twists to entertain both people who've been in the same rut for 50 years and people who want to try something new every week. Brunch runs about $10-$15/person As you've probably noticed, the restaurant is in an old firehouse. The Hi-Life pulls off about as warm an atmosphere as possible given the high ceilings and giant windows. Although the initial experience at the door can be a bit hectic, there's rarely a wait even on a busy morning. With the exception of one server who repeatedly let our coffee mugs run dry (she never glanced at our table as she was walking by), everyone has been helpful and friendly. Think of the Hi Life as "Chow meets Ballard". Don't let the casual atmosphere fool you into being surprised that your food is slightly fancier than expected. There aren't any great revelations, but it's delicious, reliable, and large enough that you won't have to wait an hour for a table if you come at the wrong time. Give it a shot next time you're too hungry to wait for Senor Moose or The Dish.

    (4)

  • John S.

    Visited the Hi-Life for Dine For Darfur night with some friends. I can't believe that I hadn't been here since it was the Firehouse. I think my last time there was to see Quiet Riot play (fuck yeah! - you're sooo jealous) in like 2001! They did a nice job in the renovation, very similar feel to their other places. We started off with some apps; coconut shrimp and fondue. I didn't notice what they cost but unless they were like super cheap they weren't worth it - they were both super small! Four small shrimp (so we each got to try one) and I'm actually cutting mine up into smaller pieces thinking it will make it last longer?! I'm such a dork! The fondue was a tiny little bowl of cheese with four small sticks of grilled bread. Hmmm, won't make that mistake again. On to dinner, the theme for the night was Greece so I was pretty psyched about that, until I saw that all the entrees were over $30!! WTFIUWT!? As it were three of us ended up ordering off the Greek menu anyways because it all sounded so good. My girlfriend stuck to the regular menu and got the pan roasted halibut which was decent. BH and I ordered the highly recommended (by our server) pork chop platters (oh - BTW they said each one could feed 2-3 people but there's no fucking way, absolutely not!) and KH got the lamb kabobs. We agreed that the pork chops were good but not spectacular. KH liked her kabobs. We tried several different Greek wines to go with it that were decent but not outstanding. On a positive note, we ordered one serving of the bread pudding for desert and it (ironically) was a huge bowl that was enough for all four of us. And it was good! Overall I was somewhat disappointed in the Hi-Life for dinner. When the bill came I felt like I'd been robbed for what we got (at least $ went to a good cause). I'd be willing to go back and give it a shot for HH or brunch though.

    (3)

  • Paul F.

    Came here for breakfast yesterday. It was good, worked just fine for us walking around looking for a brunch. The service was fast and nice enough, the food was really fast and good, and the price was moderate. I'm not sure I'll be back a lot, as there's less in my mind that's super special, but this place beats the crap out of Julia's or some other places I've been for brunch. But I think I like Portage Bay more. I will say that I had this veggie hash, and it had cucumbers and beats in it, and I never thought about eating those things for breakfast, but now I'd consider slicing some up and throwing them in with my potatoes when I'm cooking at home in the future. So props for enlightening me Hi Life restaurant!

    (3)

  • David W.

    Hi Life looks great and the wait is never that long for brunch. The food is hit and miss, never exceptional. For me, the Hi Life is the perfect place for last minute brunch or to take out of town guests. The last couple times I've gone, at least one person at the table got cold food. Truthfully, if your mid-western parents come to town and you want to take them to out for breakfast or early dinner, this is the place.

    (3)

  • Jim S.

    Simply awesome. We were impressed with the flavor and quantity of food. We had breakfast that was wicked. A great spot, a definite stop everytime we r in the Seattle area

    (4)

  • Lisa V.

    Came here for Sunday brunch to catch up with my friend. It was a hoppin' time and we weren't in the mood to wait for a table, so we headed to the bar for a couple of stools. I love places with hooks for your purse. We started with a couple of IPA's ($6) and a Sierra Nevada ($6). Seems unholy to not have a microbrew in Seattle while visiting. Since it was the Paris menu, I had the pork sandwich and my friend had their grilled cheese ($8). My sandwich ($10) was on the fattier side so I had to manuevuer around that and take my knife to cut off those parts. I am not a fan of that. And the bread was grilled but soaked in olive oil! I think I must have gone thru three napkins to soak off some of the oil. The cranberry mustard on the side was delicious to dunk in though. And as much as those skinny fries are hip and trendy, I stole some of my friend's normal ones. Much better for dipping thank you very much. I guess it was their nod towards like a steak frites, but this was not cutting it. The fries were so thin that they were basically fried toothpicks! I am still a fan of this restaurant though, I know I just ordered something kind of off from what I would normally order. The restaurant was rehabbed from the days it was the Ballard Firehouse which was much more a venue / bar. I thought the renovation was very nice. This is part of the Chow Foods restaurants in Seattle which are connected to: 5 Spot, Atlas, Coastal Kitchen & Endolyne Joe's. I love that this restaurant collection is a good addition to each neighborhood they are in and mostly are good "dinery' kind of places. They were all serving comfort food before it was trendy.

    (3)

  • M. C.

    The salmon burger is soO good! I always have that. Too bad it may be leaving the menu, but there is still lots of good stuff to be had! Our servers name was Jonah and he was very friendly and had a great positive attitude! We Liked him instantly and cant wait to comeback!

    (4)

  • Dave W.

    Just had a very good lunch. My buddy ordered the burger and fries--definitely worth it. I ordered the Winterwich vegetarian sandwich with a side salad. The garden salad was surprisingly tasty.

    (5)

  • Sharon F.

    It's very family friendly, which is the main attraction for us. It's hip enough to bring your single friends to, but the kiddos are definitely at home here with the high noise level and extensive children's menu. Definitely a better atmosphere than the former Denny's or the Pancake House (which is just as expensive and doesn't have yummy mimosas!). The service can be so-so, which is why it's not five stars in my book. The hipster wait staff can have a "too cool for you" attitude. Their core menu has been pretty much the same since they opened, and is pretty solid American food with a wonderful and large breakfast offering. They also have a "featured" menu which changes quarterly and is based on the food of a worldly wine-producing region. The featured menu includes several appetizers, family style plates and usually a breakfast and a cocktail.

    (4)

  • Sara K.

    I LOVE this restaurant! The ambiance is great, always very friendly service, and an amazing breakfast menu, plus breakfast happy hour M-F. Need I say more?

    (5)

  • Karen Y.

    This is an old place for me to review as I have only been their once but first impressions count so here goes. Upside - value for money on the specials - each day they have a Blue collar special - I went on Wednesday and it was meatloaf day. Spicy meatloaf admittedly but it tasted good to me and everyone who ordered it cleaned their plate and at 7.93 for the plate I was very happy. Downside - The place is impressive on the outside however it is a bit cold on the inside. Recommendation - don't order a martini you will be fleeced but do order the blue collar plate!

    (4)

  • Nick S.

    It's unfortunate. Over the years we have been here a number of times and often left feeling cheated. Had a burger here today; good service but a crappy burger. Patty seemed frozen and of low quality - the kind you can only have as medium or medium well at minimum. Disappointing, considering the price tag and the potential.

    (2)

  • Julian B.

    LOVE this place! AWESOME $3 happy hour menu (which is all day tuesday), awesome 8am-11am $5 weekday breakfast menu, great atmosphere and kickass staff, including a bunch of my friends that work there. It's within walking distance of my apartment...nothing really bad to say about this place. It used to be the old Ballard Firehouse, so that adds to the atmosphere. See you under the bar.

    (5)

  • Andrew F.

    This was a great place, excellent food, and a great menu to choose from. I went here with a few friends for a weekend dinner. The interior of this place is wonderful, I liked the theme they had going on. Our server was very polite and happy to be serving us. We were even talking about her and didn't know she was listening to us! I ended up having one of the "platter" family items. I split the meal with 1 other person and it was just the perfect amount. It was a new item on the menu, Leg of Lamb. It came with potatoes, and a wonderful sauce drizzled over the top. It tasted great, and I would definitely go back. Below is a photo of the meal: flickr.com/photos/rubill… If you're in Ballard and need a nice place to have dinner, Hi-Life would be up there on the list of recommendations from me.

    (4)

  • Mandy C.

    This is a gem in Ballard. Excellent brunch. Deeeelish. Big, full of bustling friendly servers and families eating eggs and fresh dishes with seasonal offerings in them. I absolutely loved their Cleanup on Aisle 12 chock full of veg & polenta and eggs. All things I love. Especially beets. mmmm just thinking of this dish makes me half-slobber on my keyboard. I like this place and feel like it's just a very Ballard spot with a nice big interior in a cool old building.

    (4)

  • Sarah M.

    My dish was only so-so, but I'll still give a good review because the experience was really great and so was the other food. I had the eggs with busted yolks with breadcrumbs and chili oil ($7.50), that for some reason I expected to be runny, but they were more like really dried out spicy over easy eggs, I wasn't into them. My friend had the biscuits and gravy, and they were some of the best I've had, with lots of fresh herbs, and only $7! HUGE! (tip, you can order a half order, the waiter offered, but my friend went with the full order and didn't finish it) Their spicy Bloody Mary was decent, not the best I've ever had, but good, and where were the olives? Love the atmosphere, and parking right outside on a Sunday afternoon.

    (4)

  • Joey K.

    So I went back to give this place a second chance, it was surprisingly better. Good happy hour, cool bartender. Way better this time.

    (4)

  • Bek K.

    I'm having such a difficult time figuring out how many stars to give. Food: varies from 3.5 - 5 stars. Drinks: 4 stars (GREAT beers, very good cocktails, great wines) Service: either 1 star or 4 stars. Never in-between. Either terrible service (CHECK YOUR BILL BEFORE YOU PAY!) or really good service. Ambiance: fun, comfy. Sundays are jam-packed full of families / little kids, fair warning.

    (2)

  • Julea R.

    Not once, but TWICE! Perfect Biscuits and Gravy. Plenty of hot coffee. Very friendly service. Not too spendy. THANK GOD. Because after a long night of unleashing my inner Childlike Empress all about the streets of Ballard singing "The Never ending Story", I needed a good stabilizer.

    (5)

  • Holly T.

    i've always liked going to the Hi-life. They have a vegetarian day, a long happy hour, and a neat building. The autumnwich is really great too. Also they have great pancakes. yumyum

    (5)

  • Clayton B.

    Pretty good breakfasts here with a decent variety of a menu. While, out of the three different dishes I have had for breakfast, nothing has floored me I still find it a nice mix-up from regular haunts. Been here for lunch a couple of times as well. Again, nothing too great but it's close to work. The decor inside is, however, top notch. The high ceilings and exposed brick and beams is on point for this spot. If you happen to come in and hear LOUD thumping above, don't be frightened; it's just the dojo above in session.

    (3)

  • Carrie H.

    Aahh... another chow food restaurant. I frequented Coastal Kitchen when I lived on the hill and have not been to one recently. This one seems to be pricier than others (don't you think?), but we were hungry the other day, and had yet to go here. We rolled up right at 5:00 when dinner service was starting. Since it was a gorgeous day out, we sat outside. It was so lovely out, and loved looking at the idiot drivers trying to do u-turns on that little street... dumbass... We both started with a little something - me a salad, him a bowl of French Onion soup. The salad was huge. I only ate half of it, but it was delicious and filling. The soup was also great. We actually switched halfway through and he ate the rest of my salad and I had the rest of his soup. Frickin' delicious. For an entree I had the roast chicken, with green beans and roasted potatoes, with some type of sauce. Mine was pretty good. Chicken was moist, green beans cooked but not too cooked. Hubby had a steak salad, dressing was pretty sweet for him, and steak was too done for him ordering it medium (as per the suggestion of the server, who advised that medium-rare is usually more on the rare side). We will probably be back again, but only when we don't mind dropping some dough. For the money there are better things in Ballard, but this place is good for a change of pace.

    (4)

  • Katy L.

    The following really only applies to the Hi-Life's Sunday night fried chicken dinner. First of all, I called the Hi-Life around 4:30, crossing my fingers to make a reservation for 7 people at 6:30. The incredibly courteous man on the phone was able to pull this off (b/c we were all over 21 and could thus sit in their large bar section). He also warned there may not be enough chicken. The service was excellent. All but one of us had the chicken, which was cooked very well. It was moist on the inside and cool enough to bite into (though I would have preferred it piping hot). Not too much of a crust and not greasy. For $13.95/person you get a whole lot of chicken, mashed potatoes, a biscuit and a very small portion of carrots and green beans. The biscuits tasted fine but are definitely not the biscuits my southern grandma makes. Gotta love fried chicken and eatin family style.

    (4)

  • benjamin t.

    Great breakfast! Interesting menu.

    (4)

  • Ridley B.

    I think one of the best things about this place is that it's family-friendly without being all the things you think of when a restaurant is designated family-friendly. I can bring my young son and still have an adult meal. The food is tasty and comforting; the desserts are quality. My only complaint would be that the bread items (biscuits, buns and so on) always seem a little hard or dried-out. But avoiding that is easy- just pick something else.

    (4)

  • Brad W.

    Sunday night fried chicken dinner. If you're hungry and like fried chicken, its highly recommended. You will probably have enough for lunch the next day. The skin is extra crispy and flavorful and the whipped potatoes are creamy and delicious. You won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Oliver T.

    I had breakfast here one morning while visiting my sister in Seattle. The food was good and the decor was charming. I had the spicy hot chocolate and it warmed me right up.

    (4)

  • Sara M.

    I love the Hi-Life for brunch, it is definitely one of my favorites. However, it shot to the top favorite a few weeks ago when I introduced my boyfriend to the Hi-Life. He is from the midwest and oddly kind of a picky eater. He ordered the corn cakes (orange) with bacon and i don't think that I've seen him happier in a restaurant before. I was so envious of his meal, even though mine was completely delicious and amazing as usual. The service is always good and prompt, however I don't like sitting next to the window (bbbbrrrr). I am not a big fan of the dinner as I found the selection limited, or maybe it's because I'm just a big fan of brunch.

    (4)

  • Laura E.

    The burger ordered well-done was served raw in the middle. If you are going to serve me a burger and charge $11.75, plus $1.00 extra for cheese, it had better be exceptional. It wasn't. I was told by the wait staff that the fries were excellent. Meh. The fries were standard and nothing worth noting here. If they cannot cook a burger well, why would I shell out even more for the pricier items on the menu? Giving this place two stars because at least the wait staff were professional and friendly.

    (2)

  • Kris R.

    We went there for brunch in a group of 6 people and had a great time there. The food was great, the atmosphere was nice and it was pretty easy to find. The price was on-par with what I expected, so we were pretty happy to leave a decent tip. The reason I give it 3 stars instead of 5 is for two reasons: We waited over half an hour outside for a group of 6, which we were expecting, but it took almost an hour for the food to get to us once we were inside and ordered. One should not have to wait an hour and a half for food when we knew exactly what we wanted. Service was pretty shoddy. If you're going there, you'll have to figure out some compromise between keeping warm and having a coat they won't take for you. Ballard can be cold in the morning, and we weren't the only ones freezing outside while waiting for our table. I would say Hi Life lived up to its reputation that I was told it had of "Long wait, great food". One last thing: There's a blackboard above the kitchen that has the specials on there. We didn't see it until we'd been looking around for 20 minutes, wondering where our waiters and food went.

    (3)

  • Joshua S.

    Money spent here is like paying your way into heaven. The Fancy French Toast is not only the last meal i want before i die but the very reason for my death. i think if i died choking on this because i couldn't stop shoveling it in my mouth, i would die a happy man. Good coffee, booze, breakfast. Servers were great, the atmosphere is amazing! Bathrooms are palacious! And it's in one of the greatest neighborhoods of any city, Ballard!

    (5)

  • Quinn R.

    I am a big fan of Hi-Life. Any place that has a spot to sit outside so I can eat with my dog automatically gets high marks..throw on top of that good food and you've won over my heart. I really enjoyed their pizza particularly the greek pizza. Tonight I went for the pepperoni which did not disappoint. The drinks are another story. First night had a tasty but small mojito tonight my second visit my mojito was not nearly as tasty but twice as big....so consistency is lacking on this front. I'm generally more forgiving on the drinks front...but like to be able to know what to expect if i've been somewhere before...this fact alone almost cost this review another star...

    (4)

  • T H.

    Great place to go for simple, but really good food. Their pizzas and happy hour menu is really good, and their breakfast is one of the best in Ballard. Why not five stars? While this place is really good, nothing they do is exceptional. If you're looking for good food, good atmosphere and a good beverage go here. If you're looking for "something" different this isn't your place.

    (4)

  • Tanner K.

    I love the HiLife! Not once in my 4 years of frequenting this place have I left unhappy... I love both of their happy hours, breakfast and late night! The servers and bartenders are always friendly and talkative which is always a plus in my book... If in Ballard the HiLife is a must!!!

    (5)

  • j j.

    over the last year and a half i've been there a dozen-ish times. my observations as a patron and having had a decade's worth experience in front of the house from 1 to four star houses, and would really like to be able to fully support a local to me restaurant. but some points - hopefully a manager reads this and takes it to heart. the place could be great, and a solid asset to the neighborhood. 1. food and preperation can vary between mediocre and solid. never have they hit it out of the park, but also never have they completely fallen down as to the quality and preperation - though they've flirted with disaster once or twice. several times it's approached brilliance, which i suppose is why we've kept coming back. hoping a local place will hit it's stride and consistently perform to potential. 2. don't bother with Sunday brunch-hour. you'll wait a half hour for a table, another hour (today, longer!) for your food to arrive, and another half hour for your check. time them, we have. two seperate Sunday occasions. two hourse for eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns? really? how is that acceptable? today the food arrived cold, we ate it anyway... we were starving. sometimes it's this bad here, but not usually. the wait is always there on Sundays, but until today at least the food was hot. the waitress was sympathetic, but ineffective and distracted. obviously part of the "B-team" of staff that gets stuck with Sunday mornings instead of the more lucrative Friday/Saturday night shifts. not her fault entirely, the MANAGER needs to get reamed for the quality of service and training. 3. service has always been spotty, usually bad. . i was in restaurants front of the house positions for over ten years - i'm first to give a break to the waitstaff, knowing just how hard they have to work.... but for a corporate entitiy that this restaurant belongs to and how they are trained the waitstaff is just not able to execute. sorry, but it's the truth. rules for dining here..... if it looks for "middle busy" your chances are better for decent service.... when business is slow, service is bad. when business is booming, service is bad. middle busy, service is workable - at least in my admittadly anecdotal experience.

    (2)

  • Lori B.

    Been there, done that. If it weren't for my man working there for a while, I don't think I would have gone as much. It's definately not at the top of my list- but I will say they have really good food (changing the cultural menu every 3 months is unique about the Chow Foods chain- Endolyne Joe's, 5 Spot, Atlas, Coastal Kitchen, Mioposto).... But it's got a very corporate feel even though it's leaning toward the cultural feel of Seattle. We have had family outings here, but you need a decent chunk of change. Once in a blue moon we'll just pop in to the bar for a couple (I like having my Aspal) but that's it. Nothing that catches me about this place. And parking can be a b****.

    (2)

  • Christie P.

    Solid breakfast joint. Lots of smiles for Caffe Vita coffee and week day breakfast specials. Got myself a double stack and 2 pieces of bacon for 5 bucks. Considering the thickness of the bacon and I couldn't finish my pancakes, it was worth the cash-ola. The service was the only lacking thing. They made sure we were seated promptly and drinks were provided, but then their attentiveness slowly got less and less. Also, considering there were just four of us - it took a while to get our food. I'd still go back, but only if I'm near by.

    (3)

  • Jason T.

    For me, this place is all about solidly executed versions of simple comfort food. It's not going to change your life, but on an average night you'll have a decent meal. Not cheap, especially if you order a good bottle of wine, but not very expensive either. I guess I've been lucky, as we've had good service the three times I've been here, once by myself and twice in groups. The food is miles above the quality I've had at sibling Coastal Kitchen, though I realize that's not saying much. The atmosphere is reasonably cozy considering how high the ceilings are, and the staff is as pleasant as you are.

    (4)

  • Anne M.

    Had a great time here, and enjoyed good food, and friendly service! Jonah was the bomb!

    (5)

  • Tiffany G.

    Best Happy Hour In town. Seriously. My husband and I are always looking for places to go out, that are a good "bang for our buck". You can't do much better then Hi-life. The pizza's are amazing, the ingredients are always fresh, and they are usually enough to fill up on - at 4 bucks thats a deal. Other food items are awesome too! The drink specials are really good too... and the selection of beer and quality of their pours, is whats keeping us coming back. On tap they have the best selection of mico beers and always at the right temp. The wells and wines are not bad for 3 bucks either!!!

    (5)

  • Megan B.

    Came here for dinner a while back. I can't remember what I had, but that's fitting, because I think it was just ok. The inside of the building is cool, being an old firestation, but they haven't done much with it. The service was ok, the noise level was pretty high with a bunch of rambunctious children having too much fun. I guess it would be good for families, but for a couple, it was just ok.

    (3)

  • Mina W.

    Went here with a group and had a near- perfect experience. Our waiter was one of the nicest people I've ever met. No way could that guy have been a Seattle native (I am one, so it's OK for me to say that). The food and drinks were excellent and the price was surprisingly reasonable. I highly recommend this place for a group. Make reservations.

    (5)

  • Angela S.

    I came here late on a Sunday night on a double date of sorts. It was sort of a night cap. I got a sangri-tini and it was amazing. The beer looked good too. My boyfriend got a piece of chocolate cake that was good but soooooo rich. We stayed for awhile and no one tried to kick us out even though I'm sure they all wanted to go home. All the staff is super nice (and attractive.) Apparently the building is an old firehouse so its pretty large. I'm sure its fun in here when its busy or if you're with a large party.

    (4)

  • Brooke S.

    ...another good place to take parents to, people! Very cool atmosphere. Parents like it when there are things to talk about like, "this used to be a fire house, isn't that cute?", and "look you can watch them MAKE the pizzas right there". It's a little too pricey for me to justify going to just with friends on a whim, but a good, casual-but-nice spot for birthdays or mother's day. The service is FANTASTIC. That's fantastic in all caps because it really is. They have a rotating menu that's seasonal, I think. Their breakfasts are different and very well done. I got this bread pudding here one time, and I'm still thinking about it because it was so, dayum, good.

    (4)

  • Me H.

    I hadn't met a chow food restaurant I liked until this past Saturday. I met some girlfriends for "blunch" there, I actually suggested it I felt I needed to give them a fair shot just because I didn't like Endolyne Joe's or Atlas doesn't mean I wouldn't like The Hi-Life. We arrived early for a Saturday, 10:30am, and were seated right away. I decided on one of the New Zealand breakfast options the Mum's Bacon & egg pie for $8.75. It was eggs, bacon, tomato, spinach and cheddar cheese in a flakey pastry crust and it was served with these griddled spiced sweet potatoes that were amazing and I wanted more than to top it off they had a nice kiwi fruit salad which went perfect with the pie and sweet potatoes. I was pleasantly surprise with the quality and taste of the food at The Hi-Life, at other chow food restaurants my biggest complaint is the lack of flavor and layers and textures with the food but the Hi-Life everything I had was great. Our servicer was memorable not because he was great and not because he was awful but because he was the optimity of a dumb blood, if dumb blonds were gay boys with brown hair who worked at The Hi-Life. He flittered about the section refilling coffee cups and taking orders, there's no way I wouldn't remember him he made me smile and laugh which is a hard thing to do sometimes. The only downfall is parking, there isn't any you have to find street parking or a lot and pay to park. I finally found parking about four blocks away which was fine when I arrived but when it was time to leave it was raining so I had to dodge rain drops so I didn't melt in the rain.

    (4)

  • Stan F.

    The Hi-Life is one of our favorite late night restaurants and part of the Chow Foods chain. They are open till 10PM. Their menu keeps changing. Before, they used to have world-wide regional favorites. Most recently, they have turned to seasonal favorites. My biggest like about Hi-Life is that when they have a good menu, I want to eat there all the time. My biggest gripe is when they have a bad menu, then I am counting off the days, weeks, months before they switch to the next menu for which I am hopeful. In the meantime, we usually mix it up with some small plate appetizers, side vegetables, kids menu, and one or two of the entrees. In general, the Ceasar salad can be quite tasty with a nice lemony flavor. I like all of their morphed versions of salmon cakes. Their grilled steaks are nice too. I don't like their pizza, some of their other small plate items which can be pretty small but yet have a sticker price of an entree item. The kids macaroni and cheese is way too good. We get this for our daughter and hope or fear that she will not finish it so that we will have to help. Some of their desserts are good. I like their Tin Roof Sundae with lots of peanuts over a mountain of ice cream and topped with sauce. We have also had their breakfast. I like their green eggs and ham. Hi-Life can be either very creative or off the mark. As long as I live in Seattle, though, We will still be frequenting their restaurant.

    (4)

  • Ryan K.

    One of my favorite places to go for food or a casual drink. All the food that I've had here has been amazing. They have a decent amount of micro brews on tap and a full bar. The place is an old fire station and is really interesting.

    (5)

  • Kathleen A.

    Gave this place two chances as it is right down the street. Not going back. First time - soggy pizza and empty restaurant. Second time a salmon burger that fell apart and was overseasoned. Can't speak for breakfast which is their specialty I heard. We went on Saturday night and there was hardly a wait - not a good sign.

    (2)

  • Christopher T.

    The Sunday night family fried chicken supper was awesome. The chicken was plentiful, juicy and fried to perfection. The mashed potatoes and gravy were perfect and they have a great selection of micro-brews on tap. I will be coming back!

    (4)

  • West S.

    Decent brunch place. Had the biscuits and gravy after reading other reviews. Gravy was a little old/too thickened but not overly so--better than too thin/runny... Biscuits were very good, spicy bloody Mary was average.

    (3)

  • Alex M.

    First of all: Best French Onion Soup in Seattle. Hands down. I came here on Friday night before joining a friend for her birthday celebration at Stoup. Chose the french onion soup and a grilled pear salad. The soup I've already addressed. It was everything I could ask for in a french onion. My only qualm is that the price tag seemed steep at $9.50 . Frankly, I expected a larger serving and put this one at $7.50, but the Gruyere on top was very good which I'm sure contributes to the price tag. The grilled peach salad, though, I was a little disappointed by. A grilled peach (good!) accompanied by arugula and pecans just isn't enough of a salad to really wow me. But good and seasonal, so I'll give them that. Loved that the hostess gave us two table options! Also, I was glad I'd made reservations on a Friday at 6:30. :)

    (4)

  • Dan O.

    Tries to hard.. Fails to hard. Came in here for dinner- menu reads well, a lot of sustainable organic buzz words. Kudos on the burrata with tomatoes- very good but crostini accompaniment nearly took a tooth out-tasted stale. Over salted with sea salt.. Had to scrape it off. Ordered 10oz sirloin Medium Rare with red bliss potato- subbed in haricot vert. Got a measly piece of cooked meat, probably 1/4inch thick- no grill marks or hard sear- I don't know how they cook it... Oily French beans and massive quartered red bliss potato with a hint of burnt garlic. Steak looks like IHOP or Applebee's .. Pedantic and sad on top of over oily veggies. Wife got pulled pork- she had 2 bites ..just as bad on a hard roll. I'm not going to discuss Flavors here... B/c obviously it's not a recipe issue but a technique one... The food was over done or sloppily prepared. The menu as I said sounded good- but what we got was not on the menu... But rather it's lesser cousin.. Maybe even three times removed. As a final kicker... The cooks on line looked a mess.. Tshirts and hipstery caps... One guy in a jacket - If you're going to have an open kitchen.. At least try to look like you didn't just roll out of bed to cook my dinner. Overall- it's a well intentioned restaurant... That clearly lacks the discipline to execute properly.

    (2)

  • Ilyssa R.

    Pretty nice place--we stopped in on a slow Tuesday afternoon. Good location and lots of menu options. I got the Balsamic chicken sandwich (sans bread) and they were super accommodating about my dietary modifications. They brought me salad with dressing on it when I asked for it on the side, but whatever--no big. Unfortunately, boyfriend got the burger and it was cold. He didn't finish it. The fries were pretty good, though. Service was fine.

    (3)

  • Jason T.

    Great breakfast spot. Got the Fancy French toast. It was extra fancy. Espresso mascarpone was really different in a very good way. The custard and bread from Macrina they used was right on point. The hazelnuts weren't necessary for me but we're tasty. Pretty cool restaurant an old firehouse and it looks like they have a private dining area for large groups. My companion got the biscuits and gravy, which were huge. I'm not sure if I would order them unless I was prepared to take a long nap and had some stretchy pants handy. Service was friendly and the food came out quick. I will definitely be back for breakfast.

    (4)

  • Esther W.

    Dinner here is... pretty spectacular! Especially the burgers and cocktails! Here on a saturday night, and the restaurant is comfortably empty. But what's really awesome is the service here. Definitely one of the best waitresses I've had. I think for the most part people come here for the breakfast and fried chicken, but dinner options are pretty hefty. You have the option of pizza, burger, steak, salad etc. I ordered the lamb burger and arguably that was one of the best lamb burger I've ever had. It's medium-well, extremely tender and juicy. The steak fries were killer too. It comes with a side of goat cheese dip and ketchup. But you can request other dips (like blue cheese if you want) But be warned, it's pretty spicy, which I think comes from the pepper. The cocktails here are super well made, and the sangria is tasty. Cocktail + burger + tip and taxes made it a $30 meal.

    (5)

  • Jackie T.

    I really wanted to like this place, mostly due to its convenient location and the pretty presentation of its plates. But, I just can't understand: - Apple fritter special served cold - Greasy, still dripping bacon - Sourdough bread used in French toast After each course I kept hoping the next would be better. But the only thing I really liked was the fresh-squeezed Oj that my dining partner ordered. At these prices, there's really no compelling to return. Walk just a few blocks to Skillet for delicious brunch. Very good service.

    (2)

  • Emily H.

    Used to come here regularly, but this was my first visit in a few years. Didn't really have a reason for the hiatus, just got distracted by trying new things, but my return was a tasty one. They have a great variety on their breakfast/lunch menus - you can be good (options like oatmeal or their farmers market hash) or you can be bad (benedicts, pancakes, etc). They also have a list of seasonal menu items that keep things fresh and interesting. I went with their green chile grits (no chorizo). Came with the aforementioned grits, black beans, pico, and a pair of sunny side up eggs. Two thumbs up! The Stumptown coffee flows freely and the service is friendly. Atmosphere is also nice, housed in an old firehouse with high ceilings. Only downside to that is that the bathrooms are a bit of a trek. I'll make my hiatus much shorter this time!

    (4)

  • Nancy R.

    Went out with some friends last night. Sat out on the patio with a fire lit table. The staff were amazing. When they saw we were interested they did a fare amt of hanging out. Fun. The food was phenomenal from the roasted chicken to the burrata to the butternut squash pizza. On the drinks. They tried really hard but I've been spoiled by the master mixologist down the street. All in all a fun evening.

    (4)

  • Paul P.

    This is our go-to place in Ballard for a high-quality yet affordable meal. The renovated old firehouse provides a unique and beautiful atmosphere. The service has always been good. The food above average. The Pot Roast Dinner is seriously some of the best pot roast I've ever eaten. Dependable and delicious!

    (4)

  • Lanny K.

    I walked in here and it smelled GOOOOD. We were seated immediately, and taken care of rather promptly. Our server was attentive and friendly. Not in a creepy way, just nice and interested in keeping our waters full and making sure we liked our food. I like it like this. Please don't try and be my best friend. I don't know you - I'm eating my dinner. ANYWAY I had to use to rest room at some point (because of the constant water-filling) and wandered in the direction the "RESTROOM" arrows were pointing me toward. It took a second, but I saw that I had to climb some stairs. Okay, well. No big deal - I just had to go to the bathroom. So, finally at the top - the bathrooms are lovely. It was upon my trek back down that I realized that these "historic" stairs were actually, quite precarious. They were steep and the railing seemed a little... well, flimsy. If you've got a little kid on the verge of wet knickers, you probably won't be fond of this either.

    (3)

  • Bert S.

    I've eaten here a number of times, and must say that I've never been disappointed. The food is always good, and a bit on the home cooking side in my opinion (which is good). The menu changes from time to time, and there's always something to try. Full bar as well and they get points for having the Corpse Reviver #2 on their menu, one of my favorite drinks. You won't be disappointed eating here!

    (4)

  • Pascale C.

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!!! First off, BEST bloody marys in town. You have a choice between the regular bloody mary of the firehouse (too spicy for me but still delicious!) Second, the wait staff is ALWAYS friendly and funny. The food comes fast and they are always fun to joke around with. We normally come here on weekends (post-party/hang over cures). The food is perfect after a late night of drinking...or whatever. I always get the biscuits and gravy for breakfast. BOMB! I get the half portion and its only $4!! If you come in the evening get the pizza. Its AMAZING. Seriously. So effing good. Try the Margarita Pizza! Good drinks, great ambiance. Really, there is nothing bad i can say about this place.

    (5)

  • Casey A.

    Just tried out happy hour for the first last Friday, never stopped in there before for some odd reason. After a little bit of a wait, we managed to get a table, ordered a couple of pizzas and salads, all of which was pretty good stuff, definitely above average happy hour fare, and the prices are great. Really like the atmosphere of the old fire station, big wood bar, dimly lit but not too dark, definitely will be adding Hi-Life to the happy hour rotation!

    (4)

  • Brenda F.

    I've been seeking out great places to eat Hi-life is on my list French Onion soup is sweet with all the carmalized onions & the stringy melted cheese all the to bottom of the bowl & stayed hot to last luck of my spoon so good I returned for more, & if u like family style fried chicken dinner hands down awsome. The flavor of seasoning used was tasted in every bit of that crisp juicy goodness gravy & mashed potatoes made me wanna get more Great value for a family see u there on any Sunday for Family Style

    (5)

  • Rae C.

    I seldom write yelp reviews even when I have negative experiences, however I thought it necessary to give back to a community that has served me so well. I have visited Hi-Life twice in the past month. I went the first time for b/fast based on the relatively positive reviews and had a great server and the food was good, especially the French Toast as some reviewers suggested. So only fitting, it became a spot that I would boast of and take my friend who was in town visiting this fateful weekend when I had poor customer service from Gwen the manager on duty. Seating and service was quick. No complaints there. I have always been curious about their fried chicken on Sundays, so although I was not extremely hungry, I inquired about adding a side of chicken to my order. The server said my only option was the kid's meal which was around $8 dollars. It was more food than I wanted, but I figured $8 was doable. There was an advertisement showing the kid's meal for $7.99. I was happy that I was getting to sample a variety of their dishes. The customer service debacle began when the bill came. I realized that chicken meal was billed at $10. I looked to my friend and said, "did he not say this was $8?" Why would he drop off a bill and not address the change in quoted price? Mind you, while $2 may not seem like a big deal, it is when you are making decisions based on faulty pricing. So I kindly asked the server why there was a change in his original quoted price. He informed me that Gwen (mgr) told him he had to charge me a fee for purchasing the kid's meal, a fee he was not aware was policy. I looked at him and said, "well what does that have to do with the customer, you quoted me one thing and simply change the price w/out communicating such!" At that point I asked to speak to the manager. She came over, I shared my concern/dissatisfaction to which she just spewed policy and the fact that there was nothing she could do. I looked at her in amazement. There's nothing you could do? You have poorly trained your staff and you are making the customer pay for lack of organizational training/polish? After 5 mins of her spewing excuses, she then says, "well I can take care of it if you want!" I responded, "you can do what you'd like, but you should have simply said that from the beginning!" She took the bill, my ccard and walked off. When i received the final bill I realized that she left the extra charge on the bill. Amazing! I am concerned about an organization that will lose a customer over $2 than simply take responsibility for their lack of training and promise an improved experience in the future. It's really not rocket science. By the way, the chicken was only ok, the mash potato was great, bread pudding ok.

    (1)

  • Patrick W.

    My wife and I stopped in for Sunday brunch and found it was packed. We waited to ask the hostess if the bar was open seating, as she was busy. After putting someone else on the list, she completely ignored us until a second hostess arrived. I can't tell if she was ignoring us to be rude or she was just very un observant. Either way, she seemed a poor choice for a hostess position.

    (2)

  • Alex D.

    I've had brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour here - all great! They have a pretty varied selection across the board, and always have some fun stuff from the Ballard Farmer's Market on the menu.

    (4)

  • Valentina N.

    Friends and I came for brunch. Packed restaurant but we were seated, attended to, and served pretty quickly. Everything we orders was delicious! I has the eggs Benedict... So perfectly crafted I want more!

    (5)

  • Jackie T.

    The food is good enough here and they have the seasonal rotation features that are always fun. Today I had a Fall pizza with goat cheese, pancetta, butternut squash and a balsamic sauce. Very tasty! I continue to be floored by to heir prices. I mean $12 or $13 for a sandwich or salad at lunch and $14 for fish and chips. For dinner it makes more sense. I hate that you have to tell upstairs for the restroom but otherwise the atmosphere is cool in the old firehouse.

    (3)

  • Bea G.

    Decor: Awesome. An old firehouse vibe, with large doors and exposed brick. Also an open kitchen. Food: Good but not great. We got steak and pasta, and both were tasty but didn't hit it out of the park. Service: Could be a bit more attentive. Price: ~$50 for two people, just dinner Overall: Love the building and location. Wish the food was just a bit better for the price.

    (3)

  • Kyle W.

    Best happy hour in Seattle that I have found. My wife and I's "go to" spot. Always great service, fun drinks to try and their pizzas are awesome. Also, it's our tradition to come here every Easter morning and that's not changing any time soon.

    (5)

  • Yewondwossen A.

    I ordered the #18. It was a satisfying meal, if not spectacular, especially after a good walk from Queen Anne. My over-easy egg was perfectly cooked. The pancakes have a bit of whole wheat, nutty texture; not overly sweet. The bacon was perfectly crisp. $12.05 with tax. Servers are very attentive.

    (4)

  • Chris H.

    I'm not usually one to go for the sweet dishes at brunch, but the Challah French toast sounded to good to pass up. Two large pieces of delicious bread with sweet spice butter. And to top it all off, maple syrup made with Fireball Whiskey! Too good. Hurry up and get yours, it's only here for a while. And for the non-sweet toothes like me, a side of sausage or bacon helps to round the dish nicely.

    (5)

  • Ashley B.

    Went here on a Friday round 830 pm. Few friends and wanted to grab a bite and drink before going out. It was pretty dead and it took forever for a server to ask our drinks but they do have a good selection. We had pizza and lamb skewers. The food was not bad but nothing to write home about. Server was super friendly but absolutely no where to be found. Had to go to the bar to get our check. Honestly wouldn't go back.

    (2)

  • Laura P.

    Comfort food at it's best! I've been here for both breakfast and lunch, and they're equally delicious!! Each menu has a plethora of options that are yummy and mouth watering. Breakfast: I "tried" to be good and ordered The Ballard scramble which consisted of scrambled eggs, roasted zucchini, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, braising greens, a pinch of garlic & Parmesan cheese. Served with smashed red taters & toast. (i opted for the fruit bowl which was a lovely assortment of fresh in season fruits) My friend ordered the french toast with creme' fresh - that sounds WAY better but my scramble was actually really yummy! Lunch : One of the BEST french dips I have ever had! House roasted lean beef on a Macrina Guiseppe roll with horseradish cream. The bun was crunchy but didn't fall apart at every bite (like some crunchy bread can do) and the meat was cooked perfectly along with the delicious Aus jus! It's a great atmosphere with friendly and fast service along with delicious homey comfort food. They are owned by the same people who do The 5 Spot (and more) - so you know it's good!

    (4)

  • Roxannr E.

    My daughter and had breakfast Thursday and it was delicious. I had the Enchilada Stack and she chose off the gluten free menu. My was spicy but not too much, eggs perfect and crispy potatoes. I had pineapple mimosa and she had fresh squeezed orange juice. The parking was rough but you expect that in Ballard. Excellent place for breakfast.

    (4)

  • Anya D.

    Time for an update! Pros: KID FRIENDLY. Yes. Honestly, it's the only reason we even come here any more. Kid friendly restaurants in Old Ballard are few and far between so Hi Life works on that level. They have mac and cheese and hot dogs for the kiddos, and my kids are crazy about the whole fire-house theme. So if your party includes kids - by all means, check out Hi Life. As far as options beyond mac-and-cheese and hot dogs... Their pizzas are greasy and dry, burgers are flavorless and dry (notice a theme here?), their salad greens are bruised, wilted and sad looking. Their breakfast scrambles... to say that they look messy and unappetizing would be a slight understatement. Bottom-line: there are many many choices in Ballard that are far better than this place.

    (1)

  • Drae B.

    This restaurant is a warm interior space. Exposed brick, solid wood tables, quirky nooks. The toilets are up two flights of steps but that is y only complaint. I want there for Sunday breakfast. 15 minute wait for a table and high chair. (Let me day say this, if you have children this is a great spot. It felt like 60% of the restaurant had high chairs/car seat holders when I went.) I have had a miga - amazing! And also French toast - to die for (but a small portion) Worth going and better than portage bay in my opinion.

    (5)

  • Liz R.

    Come for the inventive menu, tasty cocktails and fabulous atmosphere. Stay for the consistently top notch cooking, friendly and accommodating staff and rotating art selection. Seriously, I've been coming here for years and I have yet to see an egg not perfectly cooked or a staff member be anything short of amazing. Hi-life, you're the best.

    (5)

  • Jeanne N.

    I came here tonight with my hubby, son & daughter-in-law to beat the heat in our own kitchen on one of the rare 90+ degree days in the Puget Sound. We wee seated at a sweet outdoor table that had it's own fire pit (not on, thank goodness) and cooled down in the shade of the over-sized umbrella in no time at all. We ordered a variety from the menu. My daughter-in-law & I ordered small plates of apricot, honey & cotija cheese bruschetta, a flat bread with grilled seasonal veggies (corn, summer squash & zucchini) & chipotle creme, tiny spicy BBQ sliders & cherry bomb slaw (it was the bomb) and a summer salad with almonds & strawberries - - every small plate was perfection & fun to share around the table. My son got the special of the night; it was a was a huge pork tenderloin Sloppy Joe which he completely enjoyed with the best home style steak fries I have tasted at a restaurant in ages (sorry Red Robin)! My hubby order the Wayhu beef hamburger (they also have a lamb burger, but he doesn't care for lamb) & wonderful hand cut fries that were thinner than the steak fries but just as good - - also he ordered the beef cooked medium & it was cooked just right. His burger was huge BTW & piled with his choice of cheese (blue) and a salad size portion of lettuce, tomatoes & red onion. The buns on the sliders, the burger & Joe all looked artisan made, were tasty & held up well to the toppings. We will head back to Hi Life again, I'm sure of it. Oh - - FYI: Tuesday night is "happy hour" all night in the bar, too!

    (5)

  • Abigail R.

    Went there with a large group for dinner. Really friendly and accommodating staff, but the food was no more than "ok" and with too high of prices for what I got...

    (3)

  • Wennie H.

    The atmosphere is great. The interior, inviting and warm. I love how open it is and how you can see into the kitchen. I love being able to watch the chefs. The service was great. I ordered the winter's roast chicken with balsamic & honey glaze and oh-my-damn. My girlfriend is a vegetarian and even commented on how moist it looked. The mashed potatoes were delicious, that was probably the only thing that I ate in its entirety. The lady ordered the mac and cheese, which was considered a "small plate" but she ate half and was full...it was a big portion! We also ordered the pear clafoutis, that was okay. I wish I had ordered the winter cookie or bread pudding! I'd definitely come in again!

    (3)

  • Emi L.

    This is a great restaurant with a really versatile and accommodating space and menu. Highlights include: -Breakfast happy hour ($5.75!) and they didn't charge me for my drip Stumptown coffee -Butternut squash pizza (even better with some wine during happy hour) -Family friendly -Gracious and prompt service; hardly ever a wait

    (5)

  • Chelsea J.

    I gave Hi -Life another shot for brunch. I got the original corned beef hash this time and it was just okay I think. Nothing wrong with it but it just seemed bland and not very interesting. With so many other choices in Ballard I won't be back for brunch. Too bad because the atmosphere is really cozy and fun! I've heard they have a good happy hour. For now Hi-Life is a-ok in my book,

    (3)

  • Jeni B.

    The Hi Life is great for breakfast or happy hour. I still have not been for lunch or dinner and would like to try their chicken supper. I am a fan of spicy but avoid the spicy egg breakfast. It has bread crumbs and is made with a spicy chile oil. I could not even taste it less than halfway through. My mouth was overwhelmed and I had the hiccups. Their pork belly hash was great and my boyfriend had a French toast with espresso marscapone that was delicious. My mom had a healthy breakfast with root vegetables that was also tasty. I have had happy hour there twice and enjoy the butternut squash pizza.

    (4)

  • Allison L.

    THE COFFEE, woohoo, surprisingly delightful. The server was completely pleasant, even during a crowded Sunday morning. The food wasn't over-the-top delicious, but was a solid choice with the perfect variety. LOVE love love the SLAM option for pancakes/waffles - always needa lil bacon and eggs if you opt for something sweet. Essentially, I think you can add on eggs/meat to any waffle or pancake dish for ~$4... clutch, especially if you need that protein for beach activities later on :)

    (5)

  • Phil C.

    Sat at the bar and had remarkable service, to the point that each happy hour menu item was verbally described in detail, including the waitress' personal favorites and reasoning for them. Must-have: Cheeseburger, $3 generous pours of a house red Very good: Calabrian sausage pizza, roasted beet salad Never again: Chik'n fried portabello Overall, seriously good food here so it's really just a matter of flavor preference. I'm stoked to try out the mac and cheese next time. And the sliders. And the bread pudding. And....

    (4)

  • Brittany L.

    I really like the Hi-Life. It's cozy, really cool architecturally, the service has been good and the food/drink I've had hasn't been half bad either. What adds to my good feelings over the place could be my nostalgia for when it was a music venue simply called the Ballard Firehouse. The only true downside to the Hi-Life is the parking but a little patience goes a long way. Take a couple loops and something will probably free up!

    (4)

  • Charlie T.

    I like very much. Always good and friendly. If you have kids and ordering a small pizza you might want to sit at the counter so can see how it's made. My kids seem to enjoy the fireplace oven thing.

    (5)

  • Marie B.

    Usually stop here for the early bird, breakfast, or brunch and much preferred buttermilk pancakes over 5 Spot in Queen Anne. I had lunch once here and was pleasantly surprised. I had three visits to partake of their Sunday Chicken Dinners. But what elicited this Yelp shout out, was tonight's dinner where I ordered the Wagyu Beef and Venison meatloaf that came with mashed potatoes, bacon gravy, and perfectly roasted carrots and parsnips. Delicious! So delicious my 10 1/2 year old also scarfed a least a third of it! As always, pleasant and efficient service and a great selection of menu items. (in a Homer Simpson drone but instead of doughnuts, insert Wagyu Beef and Venison meatloaf) Memorable!

    (4)

  • P D.

    Good place to go for brunch. Was pretty crowded so sat at the bar. Awesome wait staff, pretty funny, good drinks, food was decent (above average), but great but not bad. Nice ambiance.

    (4)

  • Melissa G.

    Came here with my friend based on the yelp reviews and was not disappointed. Great ambiance and service. I had the winter steak salad - excellent! And tried my friend's BLT - also excellent! The only thing I would've like would've been a piece of toasted bread of some variety with the salad. Otherwise a perfect! It was $29 for both our meals which I think was fair based on the ingredients and portion size. I'm willing to pay $15 a meal if it's as good or better than I can cook for myself. Taking the husband back because he'll love the old firehouse and the variety of beers they have on tap.

    (5)

  • Kathy A.

    Friends had the bean burger which was tasty. I had the Rueben sandwich and loved every bite. The beet salad wad ok would have liked more beets and needed more dressing. Service was quick.

    (4)

  • Jessica B.

    This review is for brunch, mainly. Time and time again I find myself back here when hungry on a Sunday. Mostly for their fancy french toast. It's the best I've ever had in a restaurant. End of story. Big custardy pieces of sourdough griddled to perfection, topped with whipped espresso marscapone and garnished with candied hazelnuts. I don't really ever remember what else we order, because that's generally the main attraction. I've never had anything here I didn't like. Drinks are always good - the last time I was in there was an Apple Shine cocktail on the board. It tasted like apple pie in a glass, ice cream included. If you want to go for brunch, don't try to ask for any exceptions - they promptly cut off their outstanding brunch menu for what I consider to be a very substandard (in comparison to brunch offerings) Happy Hour menu. The minus one star is due to the fact that I have also received occasional snotty service. Most of the servers have been great. The food is always without reproach. Although the attitude dished out for some of these servers is enough to subtract.

    (4)

  • Claude P.

    I google 'd late night happy hour places in Ballard. The Hi-life came up as one of the choices recommended. I hadn't eaten most of the day and was starving when i came in. The server who greeted me after making eye contact with her was nice. She allowed me to go sit at the bar. I got to the bar and the male bartender on duty seemed friendly at first, but really would have liked me to order a drink. I just got the happy hour burger. Holy shit did they have small beef patties. The burger was deciptively small. I mean the onion ring that was stacked on top of the patty was big, but I was expecting more meat. It turned out that there was more bread than I was expecting. Meat to bread ratio was an estimate of 35 to 65. The bartender did not seem genuine, i work in the food service industry, I recognize good service. He was more interested in his colleagues that got off work. Which is fine, but to ask me how the food is while I am chewing and then when I respond, not listening to my response. Then continuing the conversation with colleague right in front of me. I only gave 2 stars because of how good the food (chicken dinner, brunch) and some of the other staff are.

    (2)

  • Jaclyn P.

    By far the best happy hour in Ballard! $3.50 wells, $5 pizzas and food options. The butternut squash and goat cheese pizza will blow your mind! Delicious! The staff is always super friendly, the atmosphere is very comfortable and classy-ish. My friends and I go here all the time.

    (5)

  • J J.

    OK, I've gone here lots of times, always for brunch on weekends and weekdays. A while ago, I would've given a solid 5 stars, but now that I've gone lots of times, I'm just meh. I'm just finally over the often completely irritating service. I'll qualify this by saying that there are some servers there who are simply Amazing. Sadly, it's just only a few servers I can say that about; the rest are consistently rude, snottly little hipsters--from hosts, to bartenders, to servers. The food is usually pretty good. Love their pancakes. Went here for dinner once, and it was so heinously overpriced, I was in shock. Well, anyway. Don't think I'll be going back. My Hi-Life phase has passed.

    (3)

  • Abbygale B.

    Such a rad place to have breakfast or dinner! I love historical buildings and this one is beautifully kept. Our waitress was fantastic and the food was so delicious. Every bite someone at the table was "yummmmm"-ing! I got the quinoa black bean burger for lunch and looooved it. Everyone else had breakfast and it looked great. Would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good bite to eat! Oh and the portions are pretty huge!

    (5)

  • Gul G.

    Located in a cutesy spot in Ballard, I loved the old fire station feel of Hi-Life. Its summer and the giant doors let in a cool breeze - its great! The food was average. We tried the Campfire Cast Iron Egg Bake and a three egg omelet. Both were just okay. Served with potatoes and salad. Had a couple of pints of the Portage Bay Pilsner which was good!

    (3)

  • Emily H.

    Awesome atmosphere for a unique brunch. Vibe was more of a bar scene, delicious bloody Mary's, interior of an old firehouse and a great place for a summer meal.

    (5)

  • Crys C.

    I've eaten here a couple time when in the area and it never disappoints. Side dishes are plentiful and the variety of breakfast items are much appreciated. Great vibe, good service.

    (5)

  • Greg S.

    What a great joint. I've been here for breakfast and lunch. Service was prompt and not bothersome. The food is amazing. The corned beef hash was absolutely incredible. I ordered a side of gravy and I will mention that it was so good that you could eat it by itself. Spicy bloody mary was decent. For my lunch visit, I had the reuben. It was pretty good and I would order it again. They have a good selection of beers on tap too. You wont be disappointed trying this spot.

    (4)

  • Kerbey H.

    My husband had the tuna salad. The tuna was kind of bland but fresh. I had the summer pizza. It was delicious. It was a flat and crispy pizza so still hungry after I ate it. I am not a big fan of crust and did not like that it had a lot of crust either. Overall it was pretty good. Love the atmosphere. It is in an old firehouse.

    (3)

  • Clifford H.

    Great selection of different dishes. You can get a solid, hearty meal, or keep it simple with some a la carte options. I opted for the oatmeal with local fruits, and an endless supply of Stumptown coffee. Try and grab an outdoor table and enjoy the Ballard neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Beth F.

    You need to have Fried Chicken Supper Sunday here. You do. What, exactly, am I talking about? Every Sunday night, starting at 5pm, you can go have family-style fried chicken dinner for $14.50/person. Each person gets half a chicken (no joke), a biscuit, and you're served greens and mashed potatoes and gravy to share. Their buttermilk fried chicken was scrumptious (this is not the kind you get from KFC with TONS of crunchy stuff on it, it is YUM). The biscuits were so good that I wished we each had two, not one. We were served long green beans (I think the veggies are seasonal?) and they were prepared so well it had us all asking why we don't eat them more often. Potatoes and gravy were satisfying, but not memorable (possibly only because everything else was amazing). We also ordered a couple pitchers of sweet tea for the table. I enjoyed it but it was not quite sweet enough for some of my Southern friends. In terms of service - excellent. We made reservations for eight and were seated right away. It was a friend's birthday so we also brought a cake; while some restaurants frown on this, our server held it in the kitchen while we ate so that it would be out of the way and brought it back with plates and a serving knife. Our server didn't hover obnoxiously but checked in often enough that we knew he was around, if needed. And, finally, when we asked for the check to be split, he didn't flinch (he may have even asked if that's how we wanted it, I can't recall for certain). I'd be curious to try their other food but, for now, I look forward to my next artery-clogging fried chicken dinner.

    (4)

  • Anne R.

    I really like this place. Service is good and everyone liked their food. We went for brunch on a weekend and didn't have to wait for a table. We'll have to go back for lunch. The white peach sangria reminded me of living in California!

    (4)

  • Jessica L.

    When I moved to Ballard in March 2013, the Hi Life was one of the first places I went. It's just cool looking, being in a restored old brick firehouse. I have since been there for breakfast, brunch, happy hour, and dinner on several occasions. The food in this place hasn't disappointed me yet. I'm a big fan of their salad dressings, most notably the orange balsamic. Speaking of dressing - the Mama Lil's aioli that comes with the onion rings make them an A+++++. Big win: these things are all found on the very, very reasonably priced ($4!) happy hour menu. Also of note: breakfast. During the week, they have an epic $5.95 menu. Even that portion is freaking ginormous, though. Go to breakfast there with a huge appetite - everything is delicious. Thinking about their breakfast makes me want those blueberry pancakes and bacon again. Getting to this point in my review of the Hi Life without mentioning the fried chicken is a modern marvel: the Sunday night fried chicken dinner is EPIC and fully deserving of CAPITAL LETTERS. EAT THE FRIED CHICKEN. ...and you'll have it for lunch the next day, also. The only reason that this isn't a 5 star review is service. On more than one occasion, service has been BAD. Like really bad. However, there have also been times when service has been good. Our best experience was at brunch when we were out on the patio with our dog seated at one of their awesome fire tables, another bonus. So basically, what I'm saying is, go to the Hi Life whenever, but Happy Hour (which happens often) and Sunday nights are gonna be extra awesome for your wallet and tastebuds.

    (4)

  • Angela K.

    I want to make their Tuesday happy hour my new tradition! Originally I made a reservation for 10 through their website, not realizing happy hour menu is only for the bar area. They readily accommodated me and got us a great table. The sparkly gin rosemary lemonade was the perfect combination of sweet and alcohol. And the butternut squash pizza was so good we ordered a second. I also definitely recommend the beet salad and their bread pudding. Our waitress split our check without even having to ask and have us feat service! Will definitely be back, hopefully next Tuesday, if I didn't work

    (5)

  • Kathy L.

    We were really excited to try this place out but won't be going back again. Our group of six was quoted 20 minutes for a table. It took over 45 minutes for them to seat us, when they really could've seated us earlier by pushing two tables together, rather than seating two groups four people who came in after we did. By this point, we figured anywhere else would take just as long for a table so we decided to stay and give it a go. It was another 45 minutes after ordering that our food showed up. No explanation from the server, no checking in to see if we were okay... The food was decent - definitely not worth the wait or the price. More than anything, we were disappointed in the service - our server knew we had been waiting for almost an hour to get sat and yet, she was inattentive and absent. A wonderful surprise awaited us at the end - 18% gratuity was added to our bill. That explained why she probably didn't care to check in on us. It was really disappointing to have been charged nearly $100 for my husband and my meal, for okay food and horrible service. Don't waste your time (or money!) here!

    (1)

  • Jenna M.

    Came here for dinner on a Friday night for reservations for 2. Upon walking towards the establishment, there were a huge group of guys near the patio deciding where to pregame next. Once I was able to bypass them, I was able to find the front entrance of the restaurant. Food seem overpriced. I expected a nice thick scallop and I actually ended up with 3 thin patty scallops hidden in a bed of greens. The warm scallops did not compliment well with the cold greens. My friend ordered the butternut squash pizza which was extra thin and was a bit sour for her taste. The pomegranate cocktail was not sweet or yummy at all! It seemed they watered it down. Apparently Hi-Life is known for their breakfast, so why not close for dinner hours? Not sure how you can mess up on eggs, but I may try the breakfast portion and update my review. For now, I would stay away from the dinner menu.

    (2)

  • Nicole F.

    There is a one-armed female bartender here that is the most amazing, hard working employee I've ever seen. My husband and I went here on a Sunday night to have some BBQ ribs, but the place was packed so we sat at the bar. We watched her all night as she took food orders, drink orders, cleared tables, opened champagne bottles, emptied the dishwasher in the bar--all of it with one arm and not missing a beat. My husband and I said to each other that we would hire her any day of the week, we were so impressed. The food here wasn't the greatest, so we're not sure we'll be back for the food--but we'll definitely be back to buy some drinks.

    (4)

  • Lyndsey N.

    On a sunny Sunday in June, I called ahead to make reservations for 4 at 6:30. My boyfriend and I decided to go early and grab a quick drink. Unfortunately it took 6-7 minutes to get someones attention after sitting at the bar top. I'm a server at a restaurant in Seattle and understand this happens, but sheesh, a hello would be nice. I observed the staff make off handed comments to one another and they looked mad at each other. We finally sat down at the table when our friends arrived (although the host lost the the call-ahead name). Service was SLOW, though our waiter was nice. We ordered and the food (Sunday fried chicken dinner was good, with a huge portion that is easily shared. However, the snidest, rudest, server dropped the food off. He forgot several things (including steak knives, even though our friends both ordered steak. Then snapped at us when we asked for the knives and the side that he forgot to bring. Our waited didn't check back until the very end. Our friends ribeye steak was overdone and almost inedible. I wouldn't go back here.

    (2)

  • Diana E.

    My least fave of the Chow Foods spots. My second trip for lunch in the space of two months and I'm finding myself wanting more flavor and punch for my buck. But! Let me be sure to point out: The waitstaff is always very helpful and friendly - very prompt to fill glasses, bring requests, etc. They have a great crew! The food, however, is just "meh". The first time, my French Onion Soup was really just a super salty broth. I saw lots of onions but there wasn't a strong onion flavor. Today's chicken sandwich was just bland. There was some balsamic on the bun (not on the chicken) and it tasted like there was no flavor added while cooking - just a grilled breast added to some mozarella and basil. My salad with the raspberry vinaigrette had more bite. Maybe my problem is that I don't order breakfast items here - maybe I'll try that next time - if there's a next time.

    (2)

  • Brad S.

    We made a reservation through OpenTable about 8 hours before arriving, only to show up and find that they had no record of it whatsoever. They then "made room" for us in the bar section. Nice. Ambience was good, and the outdoor tables with built-in fire pits seemed cool. Service was decent. Food was way overpriced (4 scallops and a handful of greens for $21), very slow to arrive, and only moderately tasty. The strawberry shortcake for desert was also sub-par. $150 for two couples - one round of drinks, below average entrees and dessert? No thanks. Not going back.

    (2)

  • Krisi J.

    Used to be better. (My husband and I are Seattle breakfast veterans from the 90's: Five Spot, original Julia's, etc.) Coffee is still good and strong, scrambled eggs are decent, but where are my spicy hashbrowns?! Turns out the kitchen is trying to save time (and/or $$$) and just cutting up potatoes and frying them to a crisp. Guess I'll have to go to the Coastal Kitchen..... Tip: turns out you can ask for past menu items. My husband liked the old mushroom omelette from a few years' back. Wish I could ask for those hashbrowns.

    (3)

  • Evelyn F.

    Tasty brunch, I had the rainy day hash ($10) and we shared the St. Germaine carafe for $12 on a Saturday late-morning. This is a very popular place, many families were noticeable here. We got seated in the bar quickly, but our server was a little slow. I'd love to try them again for brunch, but maybe go earlier to get faster service? The hash tasted great though, and the bar seemed to have a great selection of alcoholic breakfast drinks and beers. Many options on the menu. The vibe in this place is nice, and I enjoyed the bar area. The bathroom is up a couple flights of stairs, but that didn't really bother me. All in all, an enjoyable brunch that I'd like to do again.

    (4)

  • Brigid C.

    This is our family's go-to brunch outing. It works well for us because my son and I can get breakfast items and my husband can get something more lunch-like, assuming we come on the weekend. My son gets the Fancy French Toast every time, and the request for all the toppings on the side is always accepted with a good attitude. Typically I get something with eggs, toast, and potatoes, but this visit (Monday 1/20/14) I was enticed by the description to try the Carrot Cake Waffle. It was certainly tasty, with plenty of spice and traditional carrot cake flavor, but I'm not convinced that the rum-raisin syrup added much (truthfully, I'm not sure that the syrup I was served was even different from the syrup that came with my son's French toast, but it seemed too petty to bring this up). Sometimes I come by myself on a weekday morning to take advantage of their Not-so-early Bird specials. It is a pretty good deal. Even though the Five Spot is in our neighborhood, we like to come to this place for breakfast more. On weekends (or holidays) you will have to wait in either place, and I think this waiting list moves faster. We've had lunch and dinner at the Five Spot many times, but I've never gone here for anything but breakfast/brunch. Will most likely try it eventually. This is a safe bet for a place to go with kids where the food is still actually good.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth L.

    Average diner - didn't understand the hype about Hi-Life given its Yelp reviews. Seemed more or less a family restaurant in Ballard. Fare: Didn't find the food particularly memorable - of the 10 dishes ordered, lamb chops and pork chops were excellent and nicely presented. Friend enjoyed the quinoa/black bean burger, which seemed worth trying. Service: Host was good (managed to seat our party of 10 on Good Friday w/o prior reservations), but that's seemingly where the service stopped. Friend who ordered the pork chop was served wrong dish, which took another 20+ min. to replace, at which point she was starving. Not a good experience. Might return for HH for good drink/food specials (daily 3 - 6:30/10 - close, Tuesday all night) $3 well, draft beer, house wine $5 house cocktails, wine $4 small plates, $4 petite pizzas, $5 burgers

    (3)

  • M J.

    Came in on a Tuesday nite for dinner with a friend. Had the Gnocchi and it just wasn't to my taste. (Mainly because I'm 8 months preggo). In any event the server was amazingly nice. She did a great job. she noticed that I was not into my entree - when the check came it was removed - something i didn't ask for nor expect at all. I tipped her triple. I haven't had service like that since I left NY/NJ 4 years ago. Mos definitely be coming back. Next Time I'll get the burger. I hear they are amazing.

    (5)

  • Clarissa B.

    Great service, great food! (doesnt hurt that my little sister works here:) Waitress was very helpful letting us know about menu items and quanitites. Fried chicken on Sunday nights is amazing! Awesome drinks as well! WIll definitely coming back and bringing more friends with next time!

    (5)

  • Diane L.

    It's been awhile since I've been back to Hi-Life and it was average as expected. Came here for brunch with a group of 7 and we didn't have to wait long for a table at all on Sunday at noon which is always nice. The service was attentive and friendly. I ordered the burger which lacked seasoning which is always sad. The fries were great and were great carriers for their yummy garlic aioli. It seems to me that the food here is lackluster but safe. Always nice when you don't have to wait long for brunch on a weekend day but I guess there's a reason this place never gets super crowded...

    (3)

  • Katie K.

    With a big dining room and fast turnover, this is a great no-hassle breakfast place in Ballard. I've had the Ham Scram - which came with delicious perfectly cooked eggs and curried hashbrowns, which were a little on the soft side (I really prefer crispy-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside hash browns.) Also, they had breakfast cocktails - the Pomegranate Splash was lovely. On a second visit, I had the Fancy French Toast, and it is fabulous! It's a huge huge plate of sot french toast, with an amazing marscapone cream. I love french toast, and this is the best french toast you can buy in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Sally D.

    Not only is the food, history of the building and atmosphere wonderful, the STAFF is amazing!! Thank you Chris, Mars and your wonderful bartenders for helping to make our company Treasure Hunt a great success!!

    (5)

  • Rose B.

    I came here with my dad and stepmother. My stepmother doesn't understand the rationale of locally sourced meat - which this place boasts on their menu. I think it's cool and worthwhile. I have to say the waitress we had was super awesome. She really took care of us and we had a few requests (no lemons for me, extra lemons for her, can I get a straw, blah blah blah). The fish and chips I had wasn't the best (I think I had all fried and little fish) but the chips were good and everyone else's meals were great. I thought the menu prices were quite reasonable too.

    (4)

  • Maret S.

    We've been here twice and have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves each time. The first time I got a french onion soup so rich and filling, it was all I needed. My husband got a lovely roasted chicken with corn and pepper succotash. Recently we joined some friends there for happy hour and were pleasantly surprised at the quality and variety of the happy hour menu. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area.

    (4)

  • mcbealer X.

    Hi-Life is getting an update! I have gone back to visit several times since that long-ago December debacle. I have always left pleased. I was initially invited back by Dave the manager, and I'm glad I gave them another try. Their Not-So-Early $5.55 Breakfast Special still exists. And I've enjoyed this deal tremendously, usually opting for the Barrio Burrito sans chorizo. Service has been prompt and not-over-the-top which I hate first thing in the morning. Another family favorite is the Sunday Fried Chicken Supper, with ample portions and (according to my son) delicious chicken. I can't wait to check out their Bloody Marys and sit at the fire pit tables outside. Delicious food, friendly servers and a gorgeous space. Hi-Life - it's election year and you got my vote.

    (4)

  • Lei Z.

    Loved the ambience. The food and service were pretty good, too. Will definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Jasiah R.

    Before I get into the two stars I would l like to say the location is an old firehouse that is almost unrecognizable on the inside. However it does have an open kitchen which I do enjoy. However my stepmother and I had a rather bland lunch. The acorn squash soup resembled the texture of warm baby food. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant.

    (2)

  • Emily D.

    The food was quite good, but there was a bit of an issue with them running out of water glasses and we were served with dirty glasses that had some sort of red smears on them. Not totally sure the good food outweighed that. Service was a little slow as well...but it seems like our rocky experience have been an exception to the norm as the place was very busy.

    (3)

  • Rachel H.

    The Hi Life is a roomy restaurant housed in a gigantic brick firehouse in Ballard with enormous archways and sky-high ceilings. The dramatic historic setting is the best thing about Hi-Life. That and the fact that the Hi Life is a family friendly establishment with both indoor and outdoor seating. You've probably passed this place a hundred times and noticed the Sunday chicken dinners sign and the giant firepit tables in the front of the restaurant located underneath each arch and you promised yourself one day you'd be back to try this place. I know we had. Well we finally made it back, and we learned a few things. We learned the food was just average. We had an uber thin butternut squash flatbread pizza and a Caesar salad. Our littlest guest had a hotdog and fruit off the kids menu. We learned that the service was friendly. We learned that their pricing seemed more than fair, almost unbelievably low, but then when the food arrived and we saw our incredibly thin flatbread pizza and our small Caesar salad, we thought again and realized the prices were probably in line the petite portion size. We learned that Hi-Life is perfect for a late lunch, if you missed the window, say its 3 pm and you need to cool your jets and sip a Boundary Bay IPA and have a sandwich, then this is your spot. Its not our favorite place in Ballard, but having this old firehouse in your back pocket may be worth an add to your Ballard repertoire.

    (3)

  • Stephen B.

    After 4 or 5 times, I have to say; Just not that great. Today, while the food looked good, it was stone cold. The problem here is the service. My estimate was our server had 4-5 tables. She couldn't handle that many. If you are a server, you know that is nothing. Just not that great.....

    (2)

  • Lauren H.

    Hi Life is one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle for both food and atmosphere. Their seasonally-changing menus keep me interested throughout the year and their amazing happy hour keeps me coming back multiple times in a month. The retired fire house is a really neat setting and it captures the style of the Ballard neighborhood perfectly. If you're looking for local, northwest food that is flavorful and comforting at the same time, this is it. I've fallen head over heels for their butternut squash pizza, fried chicken and mashed potatoes, bread pudding, and scrumptious cocktails.

    (5)

  • Liana R.

    They change their specials by the season. I don't care if you THINK you don't like quinoa, you HAVE to order the quinoa black bean burger *smacks lips, licks fingers* superb! Sit at the bar, chat it up with Brad and Will and have yourself a delicious snack/drink/app/dessert/Marg pizza. They have Fried Chicken Sundays, Happy Hour from 3-7 and a TOP-NOTCH staff. Coffee sometimes tastes burnt, so look for a fresh-brewed pot prior to ordering!

    (4)

  • Christopher L.

    Had breakfast here with a friend this morning, and had impeccable service throughout. I ordered off the menu, which was no prob for these cats. Never once looked around for a coffee refill. Our waitress was killed it. Wish I knew her name. Nice work.

    (5)

  • Kristine A.

    I love this place. They have great food, great drinks, and amazing prices during Happy Hour! I highly recommend this place for brunch. Just make sure you have some time to enjoy it. Also a great place to go with friends.

    (5)

  • A.J. S.

    Eggs. Beans. Avocado. Salsa. Breakfast specials. Coffeeeeeee The happy 4 star review is mainly for brunch, as I've been a handful of times. There is nothing like starting a relaxing Sunday with great eggs, Stumptown's Hair Bender coffee and fantastic service before a spin around the Ballard Farmer's Market. So great. I love good breakfast service where if feels like the server is trying to drown you in coffee and you leave scratching your neck and twitching like Dave Chappelle. I've been for dinner once and it was only okay...a little overpriced and a little underwhelming. The ahi was expensive and small, everything else was eh, okay. EXCEPT for the espresso bread pudding. THAT my friends, was tremendous. I would return for that bread pudding EVERY DAY if I could. Definitely high on our rotation of Ballard Breakfast spots. They list as follows: Smoke Shop: Cheap! Go when spent too much the night before. Portage Bay Cafe: Crazy long wait too many times. :/ Senor Mooses: Great chilaquiles, spotty service Bastille: A delicious treat yourself brunch spot! Besalu: Best quiche in the world! Cafe setting.

    (4)

  • Adriana K.

    Of all the places I have brunched in Seattle (and there have been a few), I find Hi-Life is the most consistently good. Nothing phenomenal - but their menu changes with the seasons, and awesome biscuits and gravy, I always like to try one of the seasonal dishes, and its great for families and taking out of town guests. Plus plenty of outdoor seating (be prepared to potentially share a table), and service is always friendly. One of my favs!

    (4)

  • A B.

    Service and food was far better on a second visit. I didn't want to go here because of the last experience, but it was the most convenient place, so we went. Not too bad this time.

    (4)

  • Samantha G.

    I have to agree with Eugene C, Hi-Life has a warm and homey feel. My friend and I were able to get seats right away so it was nice we didn't have to deal with a long wait like some of the other breakfast joints I normally frequent. One of my favorite dishes to order for breakfast is eggs benedict, so I immediately ordered the Hi-Life Winter Benedict. This dish was a little different from a traditional eggs benedict, where gruyere cheese croquettes replaced the english muffin and was topped with a sharp cheddar sauce instead of hollandaise. Now, I have only tried one other place that did a twist on this dish (which didn't go so well) and I have to say that the Hi-Life did a pretty good job on it. I did enjoy the texture of the gruyere cheese croquettes, which was crispy on the outside while the inside was soft and warm. Although I like this dish, I still would choose traditional eggs benedict over it. Besides that, it's a nice break spot in the neighborhood.

    (3)

  • Thomas V.

    We went for the Sunday night fried chicken meal. I feel like the breading could have used more seasoning, but it was good! Mashed potatoes and biscuit were good. The Moscow mule was alright..my standards are high though (Rachel's ginger beer/Montana bar). The Hi-Life IPA was good though!

    (4)

  • Mike J.

    I will revise this review after a second visit. But basically I arrived there, for lunch, a total of two tables were seated, one guy at the bar. Every server saw me seat myself at the bar, the bartender was nowhere to be seen. I sat there for about ten minutes, actively ignored by the entire waitstaff. Finally a server watched me stand up and put my jacket on, I gave a friendly wave goodbye and shrugged as I walked out. So I can't tell you about the food or drinks. It was a nice building.

    (1)

  • Ashley D.

    I came here with a friend for happy hour and I was hoping to sit at one of the tables with a fire pit in the middle, but sadly the only have happy hour in the specified bar area. Their happy hour had a lot of awesome sounding things to eat, so I had a really hard time deciding! I ended up getting the margherita pizza which was only $4! I also got their house white wine and a whisky ginger (well drink) which were each only $3.50! I definitely recommend trying their house wine- the white wine I got was really good. Unfortunately my pizza was not nearly as good as my drinks as it didn't have very much cheese and was a little over cooked. However, my friend got the pepperoni pizza and it was much better than mine. The waitress was really friendly and fast with our drinks, and even let us move inside (we were on the porch) when we got too cold. I haven't been to dinner here, but I definitely recommend their happy hour since they have great prices on both food and drinks and a lot of awesome options for food.

    (5)

  • Glenn C.

    We've been here twice. Once for brunch which was ver good. More recently we went for dinner. The kid's Mac and cheese was enjoyed. Other adult entrees were spotty. Most disappointing was the duck confit which was tough, not crispy and showed no evidence of being confit! The accompanying Brussels sprouts were tasty, but a bit undercooked. It is unlikely we will come back for anything but breakfast.

    (3)

  • Sarah A.

    They have Boulevard unfiltered wheat on tap--possibly my favorite beer. Give it a try if you like wheat beers. It won't disappoint. My friend and I ventured here for happy hour on a Wednesday. The outside of this renovated firehouse looks awesome. I love the exterior look and the way the restaurant extends out onto the sidewalk so you can enjoy your meal indoors or out (you can even sit inside right next to one of the giant doors and get the best of inside and out). The inside is also gorgeous with rustic exposed brick and lovely wood tables. The decor on the other hand looked a little bit more like a country kitchen than a trendy urban restaurant. And the music was great, but was a mix of oldies pop and Frank Sinatra-type songs. I just felt like the place can't decide what theme they want to go with and it ends up coming off like it was all just thrown together. The service was friendly, which is always a plus. My friend and I ordered the pizza and caesar salad. The salad was extremely skimpy even for the small price of $4. It could barely classify as a snack--more like a sample. The Caesar dressing was extremely tasty though and were the salad bigger, I would order it again. The pizza had FRESH mozzarella on it which was a huge plus. The crust was mediocre, but ultimately for the happy hour price, it was a good choice and worth a try.

    (3)

  • Weegie K.

    Loved the food, service and atmophere

    (5)

  • Deborah J.

    Busy as heck around lunch time on a Sunday, but sat at the bar to avoid the wait. Prompt/friendly service! Apple melt sammich was delicious, fries were a little too salty for my liking but still decent. Lovely decor/feel inside--exposed brick SWOON! Complaints--parking is a nightmare (at least around Holiday season) and the bathroom was upstairs which was fine for me, but I'm wondering if it's accommodating for disabled patrons (no elevator I could see--could be wrong).

    (4)

  • Fatima D.

    Amazing food, ambiance, staff and location! I have been trying new breakfast/brunch places and will definitely come back here. Parking was not bad at all as someone else mentioned; just drive around a couple of times. Staff greeted us as soon as we walked in,; we waited for only a couple of minutes. It is not a stuffy place with tight seating as some of the spots in Ballard-there is actually room around you which I loved. The waitress came immediately and was very helpful. The food was absolutely great! This is the perfect example of how a restaurant should be run-amazing food, staff, location, everything! If you are just visiting or have lived here for long time, Hi-Life should be on your to go list regularly! And I eat out a lot!

    (5)

  • Benjamin G.

    This is an update after returning here for a happy hour. Honestly, I'm really sad I don't live in Ballard anymore to take further advantage of their awesome deals. I went through a burger, a plate of fries, a number of beers, and I walked out the door with a satisfied wallet to top it off. That just further establishes this place as a goto.

    (4)

  • Nicole B.

    Hi Life was highly recommended by some locals and exceeded our expectations. Great service, menu and breakfast this morning. Don't pass up their specials. We had their summer bfast specials and both were super yum! After touring around Seattle the last few days this was prob the best service we've received. We actually got kicked out of the first place we were going to have bfast at because I tried to walk inside because it was raining. Apparently that's a big no-no at this other place. We were so happy to then drive to Hi Life. Don't let the parking situation turn you away. Or the fact that it's in a busy area. Once we parked we sat inside listening to catchy tunes and admiring the architecture before we were seated. Fun atmosphere, great good and even better service. We learned this morning not to take for granted the little things when going out to bfast. Like being able to walk in the door to wait for your table. Thanks Hi Life. Next time we're in town, we'll be back for sure!

    (5)

  • Mark S.

    Great place for breakfast/brunch and lunch. I ha Renton tried the dinner menu but um sure its as good as brunch and breakfast. Finding parking is a little hard but you'll come across to one no problem. I like the fact that I am eating at an old fire station its pretty cool. Menu is great and service is top notch I'd go back again anytime!

    (4)

  • David S.

    Cannot go wrong with anything on the breakfast menu. Great food, a little pricey, but you get what you pay for.

    (5)

  • Kenny V.

    Only stopped by for dessert, but I've heard good things about their fried chicken. I love the old fire station turned modern restaurant look. Service is great, attentive and quick even on a busy night. The bread pudding and chocolate brownie were tasty and rich. Definitely coming back to try lunch/dinner here.

    (4)

  • Alicia M.

    Met a fellow Ballardian and friend here tonight for HH. HH is from 3 to close on Tuesdays which was PERFECT! $3 glasses of wine? $4 apps? I'm sold! We had the pizza which was good. Also had the bbq sliders. I personally wouldn't order the sliders again. I've already decided what I'm ordering next time: mac n' cheese and the black bean/quinoa burger. And I will for sure be ordering the bread pudding again. It was delicious! Once I got home, I actually wanted to go back for another round of the bread pudding since HH was still going. Hubby said no. You win some, you lose some. All said and done, I would definitley recommend Hi-Life if you're in the Ballard area.

    (5)

  • Brittany V.

    Neat place! Our we ordered the breakfast enchiladas and the portions were generous and food was very tasty. We will definitely be coming back!

    (4)

  • Nic B.

    Th Hi Life was hitting all the right notes when we showed up for Sunday brunch. Beautifully renovated building, wonderful service, and great food. The seahawks game was on, which I appreciated, while my gal appreciated that the sound wasn't blaring like ti would be at a sports bar. We had great conversation, ate our awesome food, then tuned in for the final few minutes of the game. followed our meal with some coffee drinks and everything was just working. Minus one star because the front door lets in lots of cold air and the flimsy curtains they have up really don't make any difference.

    (4)

  • Andrea B.

    A couple of months ago we had a a fabulous Ballard wedding. With two very different families coming together (one foodie family and another with a "conservative" palate) we were worried it would be difficult to find a good location for a rehearsal dinner. We chose the private room at The HiLife because we love the food and people there and it ended up being the perfect place. My mother in law wanted to be in charge of everything, so I put her in touch with Anthony and he was able to help her plan a lovely evening remotely from Phoenix. Their back room is very charming and was a nice intimate space for our families to meet in. The food as always was great and everyone was very friendly and helpful. Even though it can be a very laid back restaurant it also felt very elegant and special. The HiLife started off our wedding weekend perfectly and we are so grateful to everyone that made it happen.

    (5)

  • Kyle W.

    Good quality, consistent food but a little lackluster. Their bacon is super thick and pretty much amazing but nothing else really stands out to me.

    (3)

  • Meredith R.

    I used to really like this restaurant years ago, but the last three times I've been there in the past two years have been disappointing. We were there last week for lunch, and my food was adequate at best. I asked for fruit instead of potatoes, and got two slices of the most tasteless melon that I've had in ages - at a time when delicious melons are plentiful, and a mediocre piece of an orange. The iced tea was watery. My past two experiences were similar. (The service is always fine, no problems there.)

    (2)

  • Serena S.

    I've come here for breakfast, brunch and lunch on varying days of the week, and have always had a great experience. The food here is always delicious, and I've had great luck with the service! On a recent visit, I got the Duck Salad, which was a special for their regional menu. That thing was AMAZING. I've never had smoked duck like that, and i'm STILL thinking about it! Their breakfasts are always fantastic, and an ample serving size. The Hi-Life is in the old ballard fire station, which gives it a fun, quirky atmosphere. Great place!

    (5)

  • Sanjose K.

    Would not honor happy hour breakfast during the holiday season, which is why we came. Website made no mention of this. Waitress was nice, interior was cute and quaint. Order the pancakes and bacon special and did not care for the cakes. Very wheaty, not fluffy or buttermilky. I think that's the style of the restaurant, but not so much my style. Ordered the grapefruit and St. Germain carafe and that was good, but not strong.

    (3)

  • Mary P.

    They've really improved this place since I was here a few years ago. Menu great, including lots of GF options. The staff was so nice to the kiddos I had with me. We'll be back

    (4)

  • Queen Cuisine C.

    From the first step into the venue, I did not feel like I was walking into a restaurant, I felt like I was walking into the warm home of an endearing relative who embraces "family" and knows how to throw down in the kitchen. The staff was friendly, inviting and knowledgable about the menu. We decided to dine at Hi-Life on Sunday for a specific reason, we were on "Mission Fried Chicken"...which is their Sunday special and raved about by many. As we made our way to our table, it was a bit tough to stay focused on the mission because EVERYTHING we saw along the stroll looked really good. I almost got distracted by the chicken pot pie I saw being devoured by another patron - but then I saw a family platter of the fried chicken go by and I snapped back to the mission at hand. However, we lost one along the way - one person in our party opted for the "Winter Pizza" - some lamb/bacon stuffed sausage, with onion and other fresh ingredients that she gobbled up rather quickly. Based on how quickly it disappeared and the look of satisfaction on her face, I say it was a definite hit. The remainder of the party had the fried chicken, accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes, amazing carrots, and a homemade biscuits. I normally stay away from fried chicken because while the flavor is usually good, I usually fall into a guilt trip when I see the grease left on my hands - knowing that most of the grease is floating around in my system. NOT THE CASE AT HI-LIFE. Not only was this chicken so that it would make my "Southern Girl" mother toss her recipe - this chicken was not greasy at all. The chicken breast was large, plump and pleasantly juicy. Getting a bit of the chicken on the fork, with a carrot or two, and a small tip of potatoes and grave was an absolute taste of '"Home Sweet Home Cookin' "!! Oh and another thing, even if you go there completely starving (like I did), you may not be able to finish it all in one sitting. The meal includes 1/2 chicken - yes, four large pieces of deliciousness. Looking forward to having my leftovers for dinner tonight. I cannot wait to return to the Hi-Life, I already have my eye on a few other dishes. I would have rated this place 5 stars, but the homemade biscuits were just barely OK. If their biscuit recipe is changed to a "cream biscuit" that would be awesome.

    (4)

  • Melissa S.

    I really wanted to like this place as I had heard that it was pretty good. We ordered onion rings to start, which were crunchy but lacking taste, and ordered the petite filet, the flat iron, chicken, brussel sprouts, and a ceasar salad. The beef was awful. Not only were both choices super low quality beef but completely dry (cooked at med rare - how is this even possible?) and severely lacked flavor. The chicken was the prize of the night, super moist and had a great accompanying sauce. The brussel sprouts were the next highlight but over salted. The ceasar was....well, a ceasar. For the price point, we were very underwhelmed. Put the very slow service next to it and you get customers that don't return. Sorry Hi-Life, we tried!

    (2)

  • Anuj K.

    This place was good, no wait for our group of 5 for Sunday brunch and a great selection of pacific NW foods. I ended up having the Migas, which was pretty tasty. Reasonable prices. The server was really fantastic and conversational when we wanted it. The mimosa jug sounded really appealing, but I didn't get it. I saw a sign for the Friday night (i think?) chicken dinners - friends told me it is good, but I haven't tried it and won't try it. The major downside to Hi-Life is that it is located in Ballard (I find it to be the most inconvenient place to go to).

    (4)

  • Myra A.

    This is your slightly average breakfast restaurant with the upped coolness factor of being in an old firehouse and their specialty drinks always look delicious, though I have yet to try any of them. The food is a little expensive for what you get, methinks, but I have to say that they have a FANTASTIC breakfast happy hour Monday - Fridays: $5+ breakfast options - way worth it! I want to give this place a 3.5, but I think some of that comes from being not a huge breakfast person (I prefer Portage Bay or Toulouse Petit, but those places are definitely too expensive for my budget to be a regular!) so I upped it to 4 because a lot of my friends really love this place and I can see why. Last time we tried going, there was a 25 minute wait, and for good reason.

    (4)

  • Paolo V.

    I've been to Hi-Life a handful of times, mostly spontaneously. I have to say I always leave thinking to myself, "This was a good idea.". The beer, and drinks are very good here. I love the vibe in the place. It's pretty big and open and you can see everything that's going on for the most part. The kitchen is settled in the back under a big chalkboard that tells you specials, soup of the day, drink specials, etc. The Service has always been really good in my opinion, sometimes lacking when it's busy but it's understandable and always a small worry once the food arrives. So far i've had the pulled pork (Loved it, try it if you're into pulled pork!), most of their pizzas are VERY good, and the other day I tried a burger. It was VERY good and reccomend it highly. The fries are on point as well. You can't go wrong here. Fun fact is that this place used to be the old firestation, or so I hear. So it's definitely a gem in my book. Give this place a shot.

    (4)

  • Peter D.

    I'm at a loss for why there always seems to be a crowd waiting outside of this place on weekends. The food was mediocre, at best. Nothing was very interesting or flavorful, and some items taste like they were thrown into a microwave before being tossed onto our table. The service didn't help their cause, either. It was all we could do to flag down our waitress for a second round of drinks (we never were able to order a third due to lack of attention), and we waited over 30 minutes for our food.

    (2)

  • Andres M.

    Awesome Saturday brunch with no wait time. Really yummy cast iron enchilada! I would definitely come here again.

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    I went here for dinner on a Saturday night around 6:15. No wait for our reservation-less party of 10. I started with the french onion soup, and it was fine. It wasn't out of this world, but it was a solid soup and it was nice and hot. I then went with the mahi mahi special as my entree. The fish was cooked really nicely, the potatoes were great, but there was way too much black pepper on the dish, it was like they doused the fish with it. The service was very good and accommodated our group very nicely. I would return.

    (4)

  • Robin G.

    This place does not live up to its awesome location and sexy old firehouse building. We were a party of 4 on a regular old Saturday, and after about a 30 minute wait we got seated, but then it took over 2 hours to have brunch because of the super slow service. They were ridiculously understaffed. When the food finally did come out, a lot of it was cold and all of it was just mediocre anyway. It's too expensive of a place to have such bad service and boring food.

    (2)

  • Nguyen T.

    This was by far one of the worse brunch places I've ever been to. We came there with a group of 8 people and was told that the wait was 20 minutes. 45 minutes later, we finally had to ask the 2 hostesses who were gossiping up front how much longer the wait was. After peaking over the barrier at our table, which was still occupied they responded with "I don't know, they're still sitting there". We weren't offered water, menus, or anything else for waiting for more than double the time that was estimated. After almost an hour, we finally were seated and ordered drinks and food immediately. The wait for the food was almost just as long as the wait to be seated. When I asked our waiter how much longer the food was going to be, he looked across the room at the kitchen then said "It'll come out when it's done". I obviously knew that food generally comes out when it's ready. I would've preferred if he actually went to check with the kitchen of what time they think it would've been done. The food came out, and it was mediocre. I would not pay $15-$20 for food that was barely any better than the food I get at Denny's, on top of the terrible service from beginning to end. Needless to say I will NOT be going back nor will I be recommending this place to anyone. You might as well go to Denny's or IHOPS for that kind of food and service and save yourself $20.

    (1)

  • Michael A.

    I really like this place for breakfast, the food is good, the drinks are good, and there is usually very little wait. The service is good, and the atmospher is good. That's all I can really say, it's a good place. Should definitely be on your breakfast/brunch when in Ballard.

    (4)

  • Bryce S.

    We had several small plates and they were all tasty! The bruschetta and uni noodles were particularly good.

    (4)

  • Janelle R.

    Okay, so I admit, I'm not really into fancy eating. The whole mixed greens things go over my head and calling crispy bread "crackers" is a little weird to me. So, needless to say, this is not my kind of restaurant. Paying $36 dollars (without tip) for two fancy salads that aren't filling is not my type of meal. Good flavors, but way too expensive for what it is.

    (2)

  • Shunnie C.

    Visiting from out of town. Hi-Life was recommended by friends who lived in this neighborhood. Came here for breakfast with my wife, we sat at the bar for the real local experience. My breakfast burrito was incredible, the potatoes were great, crunch and crispy; tender inside. Eggs perfectly cooked. The Bloody Mary was very spicy, I love a spicy bloody. I could easily be a regular here!

    (4)

  • Zelda E.

    I want to knock off a star for bad service, but that gravy was just so damn delicious! We came back today for Saturday breakfast, kids grand slam, biscuits & gravy, and firehouse Benedict. Everything was great EXCEPT the Benedict was stone cold. Stone cold. Unfortunately, our server never returned after depositing our plates, so my famished (and not as picky) husband ate it anyway. Disappointing, for sure. We didn't bother to complain, as obviously given no opportunity, he ate it. But we probably won't return (until I get another itch for gravy, yum!)

    (4)

  • Noel S.

    We love to eat breakfast here. Clean up on aisle 12 is my fave. Lisa is a great server and always happy to accommodate all my special requests, half a cup of coffee with whip cream. Yum....

    (4)

  • Leslie M.

    I really want to thank our server here. Unfortunately we had a major blowout from a diaper and no change of clothes. The server handled it so well and got us everything we asked for. It was a funny/embarassing situation but everyone made the best of it. The kids loved the noodles and coloring pages. The pasta was great.

    (5)

  • Stephanie N.

    This place gets my praise for two reasons: #1: The breakfast cocktails are fantastic. (bourbon apple cider) #2: Chicken dinners on Sunday are expensive, and the portions are too large, but sweet jesus that chicken is finger lickin!

    (4)

  • Hoby V.

    We often go here when people visit from out of town, since they serve a variety of well-sourced and nicely prepared food in an atmosphere that is welcoming for people in all stages of life. If you or your guests aren't pining for a particular nationality's food or some kind of extreme cuisine then this is the place to go, since the chances are very good that they'll like something--if not many things--on the menu.

    (4)

  • Jeanny M.

    MMmm...I took the morning off and we enjoyed a pleasant weekday brunch here. We were greeted promptly with a smile and offered inside or outside seating. We went with outside in some shade. We juuuust missed their "Not So Early Bird" specials so I decided on the Walla Walla Wakeup. Hub picked whatever the daily special was and we shared a corn cake. Service was spot-on, everyone helped out..none of this "not my section/customers" deal..but it was everyone. Probably 4 people helped us the whole time we were there with refills, ordering, checking in, bring out food, etc. The servers were very nice besides and looked liked they got along with each other. The food was yummy! I've never had a savory crepe before, but this was tasty with pieces of REAL corn off the cob, crispy and soft on the inside potatoes, goat cheese, and onions. I had strawberries on my plate which I moved to the corn cake. The server was right---a full order of corn cakes would have been too much. The hub enjoyed his tasty scramble. We were in and out in about 40mins. This is so far my preferred CHOW location (Atlas sucks, 5 Spot is just ok), but I haven't been to Endolyne Joe's yet.

    (4)

  • Joel R.

    I've eaten at the firehouse twice now and the food is solid. Nothing remarkable about it, but everything tastes good enough, the atmosphere is nice, and the service is pretty friendly. The beer selection is good enough, although the cocktails aren't much to write home about. Again, not so remarkable, but the place is reliable and that's worth something.

    (3)

  • Sara F.

    The perfect date for an evening in Ballard: Start out here at the Hi-Life, and sit in the dimly-lit bar for happy hour. Try their magnificent $4 Margherita pizza, or their large Caesar salad, or maybe their Mac 'n Cheese? All $4. The sliders are thick and juicy but it's a smaller meal. Then, head across the street for a movie at Majestic Bay, which has a romantic, old-school charm to it. *Seriously this would be an awesome date. Make sure to leave early though, you know you'll have to park in Tim Buk Tu, or circle the block 17 times before you find a spot. Service was okay, nothing special, and the bar tables are thisclose to one another. ..Which is okay if you're a twosome but a little molesty for a foursome. Also the "Hi-Life" sign outside is mass ugly; doesn't match the ambiance inside at all.

    (3)

  • Jacque L.

    I've been here several times for breakfast/brunch and it is always a delight. I enjoy trying out their breakfast specials. Breakfast Pizza was a hit, Jalapeño Popper Scramble didn't hit the mark as well, but still good. Friendly staff, kid friendly. It's a place I feel confident to bring out of town guests to for great breakfast.

    (5)

  • Jason Z.

    Breakfast has always been an exceptional experience, and that's where the 2 stars come from (so wanted to 3 star because of great early day food, but couldn't because of the following). I hate to score low... but the dinner ruined them as a restaurant I would be proud to take my visiting friends and family to. Went there with a party of 7 at 5:30, the hostess asked if we "could be done in an hour". That was after she was on the phone with a (possible) customer for ~3 minutes. Sat, and service was very good. Non-alcoholic drinks were prompt, alcoholic drinks took LONG. But the server was polite and notified us the bar was backed up. Then, after ordering from a VERY limited menu for a vegetarian, I spent $15 for French Onion soup which was good, and a (8 dollar) beet salad that was lame. Expect more from a street vender. My whole family felt that it was nice that we could be seated with such a large party (again, 7 people), and that the waitress was great, and they have a great breakfast. BUT, dinner just ruined it for me. When I spend over 200.00 (2 cheaper ETOH drinks included) for a dinner for 7, we shouldn't leave upset and regretting we went there. which we did. I will not go there for dinner again, unless things change. And, here's the worst part, I probably won't go there for breakfast either because of the horrible dinner experience. Grrrr. I liked them, great art, great ambiance, great service.... but it's all about the food and experience. Moving on.

    (2)

  • Simone T.

    Great breakfast spot. Came here w/a friend this am before heading to the airport. I had scrambled eggs w/yummy cubed ham & toast. Gave my friend my potatoes. She had biscuits & gravy - a HUGE portion, FANTASTIC gravy!!! She ended up taking more than 1/2 home. Yummmmm...

    (4)

  • Laura L.

    The rarely give a five star review, but let's face it, we've been in Ballard for more than three years and this place is always welcoming. They're great with kids, have a great brunch (though crowded!), consistent food (only the very rare issue, and always fixed or comped), great beer selection and fun mixed drinks. I'm always relieved to come back from a trip out of town to walk into the Hi-Life and be welcomed home. Favorite mainstays are: Brunch: Biscuits and Gravy, Stationhouse Lunch: Chicken Pot-Pie, BLAT Dinner: Onion Rings, Roasted Beet Salad, Pulled Pork Sandwich The Hi-Life is also very accommodating for groups if you call ahead. Families are most welcome here. I will eat here again... and again... and again...

    (5)

  • Addy C.

    I've mostly gone here for happy hour, and their happy hour is really great. The burger is delicious! The atmosphere is fun. I would really recommend going here.

    (4)

  • Matt R.

    Had a really excellent breakfast here last weekend with some friends. It was Saturday at about 11am and we got a table right away. Service was prompt, the menu is extensive, and the Migas I ordered was really fantastic. The place is pretty nice inside- but I didn't feel a bit out of place with the hangover I was nursing. There seemed to be a lot of other hungover people there too (you can tell who they are because they are ordering Bloody Marys). Although I would go back there in a second- I have to Minus a star because the menu is pretty expensive for what you actually get.

    (4)

  • Tracie B.

    Great place for family - but who calls it Hi-Life? My entire fam still calls it the Ballard Firehouse, my dad (a Ballardite) didn't even know what i was talking about when I mentioned Hi-Life ;P its a great place, we go there often. The food is good, the place is stylish, kid friendly, nice and always clean. We have a favorite dining game there.......guess what they ran out of tonight! - before the server comes & tells us :) love you guys - really!!!

    (4)

  • Georgie M.

    Hi-Life is one of those wonderful and novel restaurants That is to say this is a fun place which always surprises. Their location is great in downtown Ballard near the movie house. Their pizza is out of this world as is most of their menu. Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Kim M.

    This is my go to for Happy Hour with friends. Frankly I went during regular dinner hours once before and my experience wasn't as good as during Happy Hour. The food is ample, and priced well. It's usually crowded during this time the wait staff has always tagged teamed the drinks and food. They will even allow you to put the bacon on the side etc. The Happy Hour tends to run longer than other places, which is important when meeting friends with varying schedules. Nothing but positive things to say about this great place in a Ballard if not Seattle landmark. Not an option for those with kids, but sometimes it's nice to just be with the adults.

    (5)

  • Patti S.

    This place is great! Got there early, don't know about the night life but happy hour had great food and prices. Very good food, pizza's are great, sliders, salad, wanted all of it! And everything we tried was great. Service was good, can't say anything was wrong! I'll be back. (I wasn't paid to post this but if they want to comp me, well, I'll be back anyway) thanks!!!

    (5)

  • Diego S.

    I love the food & drinks: Corned beef hash... oh my this was good!

    (4)

  • Amy F.

    This is one of those places that I often wonder why I don't visit more often. The food is always good and consistent which , in my book, is what makes a great restaurant. Housed in a former firehouse the atmosphere alone is enough to draw you in and the cocktails and food will make you stay longer.

    (4)

  • Elaine K.

    We came here for the first time to their daily 3-630 happy hour. That sounds like a pretty sweet happy hour...except that the food was only ok...nothing terrible but also nothing amazing. It's in our neighborhood and parking is relatively easy so we may come back for the convenience but not so much for the food.

    (3)

  • Monali P.

    I've been remiss in writing a rave review for one of the few places I'm a regular at. This is my place of bliss, where I actually look forward to getting up a bit earlier so I can start my day off on a delicious note. Helps that I can walk to it too. From the incredible early bird breakfast specials to the stellar service, and sweet happy hour, I can't say enough good things about this place. The only reason they get a star less is that a few times service and food has been a tad inconsistent. And, I haven't sampled lunch and dinner here yet. Kinda addicted to the breakfast. So, if you've never been, I highly recommend going during the weekday (if you have flexi work hours or are funemployed) and ordering the $5.55 special (runs from 8:30-11am so if you're not a true early bird, like me, this is still do-able). Really good deal but you have limited options if you want the deal. My favorite is the goat cheese scramble. Soft, creamy eggs served with these amazing, and I do mean AMAZING potatoes. I think they both bake and fry these beauties. They're greasy and crunchy and salty on the outside and soft and warm on the inside, and when done right, quite hard to stop eating. Sourdough toast is served with the dish and it's well filling. Accompanied with coffee (which by the way Hi-Life just brews better than other places I've been to) this is my favorite way to start my morning. The pancakes, corned beef hash with poached eggs, and burrito are also money. And as for the regular brunch menu...mmm, so good. Always good. Try the french toast and omelettes. Honestly, the servers are awesome too. Sure, sometimes they have been short-staffed, but I love that it's half empty on the weekday mornings, and that when we are obnoxious and move two times to accommodate friends arriving at different times, the staff does not flinch. They are (almost always) quick to refill my coffee, ask how my food is, and recommend some specials, with smiles. I only recently tried out their happy hour (which runs ALL night on Tues). You must try the plum vodka cocktail. It's like an elevated, more mature version of a cosmo, with more tang, less sweet. The butternut squash pizza is solid, as is the sausage and corn pizza and beet salad. Lots of good food to choose from. My folks are picky eaters and they requested coming back to Hi-Life for brunch on their visit here, just two days after I'd first taken them. I'm telling you, this place rocks.

    (4)

  • Janette C.

    This is one of my favorite places to eat in Seattle. I love their butternut pizza. I get it almost every time I come and it's only $4 during happy hour! I also love their french toast with honey lavender butter, but I almost cried when I found out it was a seasonal item. worth the wait though. I hope they put it back on the menu next spring or summer.

    (5)

  • Julian H.

    Hi Life it is a great spot in the heart of Ballard for some comfort food. I like their drinks and the food it is good. The atmosphere is noisy, but nice because most likely families and neighborhood people make the place very warm and busy. The service it is great too.

    (4)

  • Kiera S.

    Great place for weekend brunch, but be prepared for a long wait. Love the veggie options, like Cleanup on Aisle 12. French toast is good if you're looking for something sweet (I usually opt for savory). Ambiance is fun (old firehouse).

    (4)

  • Marcus T.

    It's been a month and a half since my fiance` and I moved to Ballard and we've been searching non-stop for a great hangout that has a fun crowd, good service and great food and that we can see ourselves being regulars at and we have finally found it! Brunch today was so great. There were 5 of us bruised and battered from St. Patrick's Day shenanigans the night before and in need of a miracle. After some delicious bloody mary's and coffee we devoured an equal mix of breakfast and lunch food and not one of us had any complaints about a single thing. Every entree was portioned well, flavorful and creative and the BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato) was especially splendid. This place has a great feel, nice staff, good selection and a full bar so I'm excited to go there for dinner/happy hour some time as well as check out the late night scene. One suggestion: can you please add chicken strips to the menu? I've never had a favorite bar/restaurant where I couldn't order chicken strips and it's the only thing missing from this place :-)

    (4)

  • Stephen C.

    The bartender mixed nice cocktails and helped us out at the end, but our server mysteriously vanished after our entrees were served, never to return. And the room was half empty. When we notified the hostess that we needed our check, she ambled over to the bartender to tell her that, then returned to wiping down menus with a blasé attitude. Weird. I know Chow Foods restaurants don't know how to cook vegetables, and I've almost accepted that, but now their service sucks too? Fail.

    (1)

  • Lily S.

    I think the Hi-Life served me the best Migas I've had yet. While most restaurants serve the Migas in a giant tortilla as big as my head, the Hi-Life serves it w/ smaller tortillas ON THE SIDE. Which is awesome, absolutely awesome. C's Ballard Market scramble was also fantastic. Excellent flavour and the potatoes...YUMMY! Our server was pleasant and quite prompt, despite the fact he was also pouring drinks all morning (does that sound strange? "drinks all morning?") for the other patrons in the restaurant. The space is an old firehouse, which I heart. I loves me an old timey brick firehouse! Thank you Hi-Life - we'll be back for brunch again.

    (4)

  • Derek B.

    10:30 AM SATURDAY BRUNCH: Large place, so no wait at 10:30. The old firehouse is cool building, but place still feels corporate somehow? Downside the menu is large and always seems hard to be confident in your selection, and what you ordered is not exactly as good as you hope for. I personally love my crispy roasted potatoes for brunch and my day mine were just mediocre. My frittata was bland and a bit greasy. On the good side, during the week, with a $5.50 breakfast special seems like a great deal! and good place for cheap meet up and say hey brunch to an old friend. Also seems accommodating for larger groups. If you want to treat yourself to quality, not the place, but if your hungover and want some OK brunch food in your belly maybe with a cocktail, or just looking for affordable OK food at decent proportion, this could be your place.

    (2)

  • Emily F.

    H.T.G. mashed potatoes means "Honest To Goodness" mashed potatoes. Whooptie funkin doo. Don't bother the waitress asking -- they just mean regular mashed potatoes. If they insist on such a name, they need to add an asterisk to the menu.

    (3)

  • Minda w.

    I want to slide down the fireman's pole! I wish. =P This is a really cool renovated firehouse restaurant. Great place to hang out. While the food is just average, it seems like a great happy hour spot. Fancy French Toast : A different kind of French toast. I liked the espresso-mascarpone which helped to offset the sweetness of the bread. A dish to be shared because this is just too sweet for one. Salmon Omelette : Great hash browns. Very crisp. Fun to eat. Awesome wheat bread with marionberry jam. So so omelette. Cheese is a bit too strong. Would like to see a bit more substance/flavor of the salmon instead of the intense cheese flavor.

    (3)

  • Akvile H.

    I've been here twice for lunch and both times I've greatly enjoyed the service and food! The place is spacious, they have a really good menu (however no matter what time I come in for lunch since I work near by, I can't stray away from the Migas!) It's just THAT tasty! The service can be a bit quicker (especially since both times I came in, they weren't very busy), but the servers are super friendly, nice, and polite. I would like to come here and check out their dinner menu. Overall it's a cool spot in Ballard..good food and drink menu, would recommend checking it out!

    (4)

  • Bryan C.

    We are at the Hi Life every Saturday for breakfast. We love this restaurant and the staff. They take great care of regulars and new comers alike. We counted 9 families there for breakfast the other day. The corn beef hash is amazing, as are the Migas. My only request is make the Richard Sherman Lockdown a regular menu item. It is amazing. Come for a nice meal and don't worry if your kids make noise. The people with the hangovers are sitting all the way over in the bar.

    (5)

  • Sara G.

    Slightly overpriced. The menu is nothing special, and would be acceptable at a lower price point. I would go back for Breakfast, but never again for Dinner. It just can't compete with all the other amazing options in Ballard.

    (3)

  • Robin F.

    Happy hour breakfast! The corned beef and hash is amazing! The staff is hit or miss, but the food keeps me coming back.

    (4)

  • Ashley P.

    My fiance and I have been coming here for about two years. It used to be our favorite breakfast place in Ballard, but lately the quality seems to be declining. The hash browns are mushy, overly seasoned and too salty. They didn't used to be that way. Yesterday I subbed fruit for the usual toast that comes with. I was expecting a small bowl of cut fruit, but instead, it was just a sliver of watermelon, an orange slice and a small piece of honeydew. More of a garnish than a side of fruit. Like other reviewers have said, I expect more for $9.75 for a breakfast entree. On the upside, the bacon is still thick and tasty, and the coffee is still good. The weekday breakfasts are a better value at only $5. Also, happy hour deals at the Hi-Life are still great. I love the black bean burger, the harvest pizza, and the mac and cheese. I also like the seasonal offerings on the dinner menu, e.g. roasted root vegetables in the fall/winter. We'll keep coming back here, if not for breakfast, at least for dinner/happy hour.

    (3)

  • Joel P.

    Most reasonably priced dine-in in Ballard. Food is pretty good. Large portions.

    (4)

  • Kelly A.

    I came here for happy hour today and had a great experience. I sat at the bar and the staff was very friendly. Having recently moved to Seattle, I haven't met that many people to hang out with, and the bartender was very helpful in putting me at ease and also making casual conversation with me. I had a couple draft beers (odin red ale....delicious) and a gin and tonic. I also ordered the butternut squash pizza. The toppings were really great, but the crust was pretty flavorless. However, for $4 its probably worth it just to eat the "innards" of the slices anyway. Overall, a really good snack before dinner. I really do not agree with some of the yelp ratings. Having been heavily dependent on them as a new Seattle resident, I was somewhat nervous about coming to a "3.5" restaurant, but I feel that my experience was much better than some of my fellow yelpers.

    (4)

  • Nancy K.

    One of my favorite places for any meal. The food is always fresh and well prepared and they'll work around any restrictions w/out problem. I've had many things on the menu and always been thrilled. I think I'll hit the happy hour again soon.

    (5)

  • John T.

    We love the Hi-Life and eat there fairly often. The food is top notch and the menu is really diverse. We've eaten there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with no complaints. We bring our young child there and are very rarely the only family in the dining room. Which is great, because there's always some other kid there making too much noise so nobody notices our kid making noise . . .

    (4)

  • Lucas M.

    Deelicious breakfast with good coffee and great service in a nice building. Pretty tough to beat!

    (4)

  • user a.

    Sunday brunch...dont eat at the counter, fun to watch the kitchen, but bad service!!

    (2)

  • Mat W.

    Doing good straight forward food, and making it well. I was sold on the pulled pork sandwich after reading it was smoked 10hrs prior to serving. The pork flavor was quite good. Moist, juicy, great natural smoke flavor. The sauce had decent flavor, but nothing crazy -- just a little zing. However, it coupled nice with quality bun and homemade coleslaw on top. Add delicious crunchy onion rings, and you've found the way to my heart. Parking sucks and is on the street. But, that is majority of Ballard these days. Service was reasonable. Prices are average, although it looks like they run some good deals for breakfast and fried chicken night. The inside of the place is pretty wide open, and i liked the vibe

    (4)

  • Erin R.

    Hook 'n Ladder Hash with kale and beef brisket, A must have for hash lovers, be sure not to miss it! Huevos Emilia, beans full of spice and a hint of sweet, So rich and delish, you'll be sure to Tweet. Benedict special had bisquits and gravy, Paired with some OJ, this meal was quite savory! Sit down to brunch, grab your fork and your knife. You won't regret the decision to head to Hi Life!

    (3)

  • Johnny W.

    Too hungry to wait 20-30 minutes at Portage Bay (I was swayed into giving them another shot), we went to Hi-Life instead. While there was a small line by the time we arrived at 11am, being a party of two we were still seated immediately. At this time of the day, you get access to both their brunch and lunch menus, which meant a good variety of food to choose from. Having been craving French toast for a while, I opted for exactly that, while my friend got the Ballard Lox Omelette. I wonder if our waitress was amused by our shocked expressions when the food arrived, neither of us expecting such massive servings. Their French toast was easily twice the amount of food you get at a place like Denny's, with each slice being a good two inches thick. First bite took me by surprise, because the taste was nothing like I was expecting. But I came to like the flavor of the espresso mascarpone pretty quickly, with my main complaint about the dish being that it was a bit too heavy on the vanilla flavoring. Something to keep in mind when ordering this is that it'll easily feed two or more people (both props and shock to anyone who can finish it themselves, as I started feeling queasy from all the sugar after the first half slice), and that it's probably sweet enough that you can just pass on the syrup altogether. Service is friendly and relatively quick, albeit slightly distracted. Also, considering the amount of food you get here, prices are pretty darn good (my French toast came out to be a little under $10). Oh, and the whole old firehouse brick wall look? Totally rocking.

    (3)

  • Tom B.

    Another Chow Food breakfast mecca, IME. I really dig this place. Parking is a bit of a hassle, as it has become all over Ballard in the last few years. But this place is worth it. First of all, it's in an old fire station. Not only is it cool to reclaim and repurpose old buildings, but the visual trade-offs they get for doing that work are really amazing. Huge brick tower for their sign, gorgeous old brick walls, gigantic dining room with humongous double-height, double-width doors they can open in the summer, funky arched engine bays for the kitchen to sit in. They've added a huge, semi-antique-looking barback against one wall, and reclaimed most of the ground floor as dining rooms around that. There are tiny businesses sharing the upstairs, and you learn this because you have to beat feet upstairs to find the restrooms. The restrooms are really nice, though, spacious, bright, and airy. Well decorated, too. CF deserves some points for that. All the CF breakfast amenities are here: heavy crockery plates and mugs, gargantuan diner flatware, amazing fresh coffee cake from a different recipe every day, perfect hash browns, perfect bacon, good coffee, fresh-squeezed juices, funny menu, classic dishes, good specials, and awesome service. I never think twice about having breakfast at any of these places. They're essential. I've been so many times that I've seen the occasional mistake here and there, but without a doubt they have a little empire of breakfast places going that is consistently spectacular.

    (4)

  • Will G.

    One of the most overrated places I know of. It has a nice-looking interior, although the vibe is decidedly hipsterish (that's a negative, for me).. The food, however... the best word I can think of is just "lame." Breakfast is pretty simple, and I generally very much enjoy restaurant breakfasts. However, I've tried several different plates here, and everything is notably bland. Prices are fine, but I could make twice as tasty a dish in my kitchen in 6 minutes. I know people who love the Hi-Life, so maybe that's why I have a definitively bad opinion of it--I tend to especially dislike things that I would otherwise be indifferent about, but other people LOVE. That's Hi-Life for ya, in my estimation.

    (2)

  • Holly D.

    How did I go on so long not knowing about the Sunday Chicken Dinner!!! Lightly breaded and crispy with mashed potatoes, gravy, a biscuit and green beans, it was a wonderful way to finish up a relaxing Sunday. Not only was dinner great but I really like the comfortable feeling of the building and prompt attentive service. This place is worth your time!

    (4)

  • Gideon A.

    I've ordered the Fancy French toast numerous times. With so much bread (which is good) the menu says "Vanilla custard dipped Batard griddled & topped with espresso-mascarpone and sugared hazelnuts." I asked for extra hazelnuts and espresso-mascarpone, It looked like same amount from previous visits and better yet I was charged $1 for the extra stuff which the waiter didn't even tell me. It would of been better to explain the extra charge while I was ordering.

    (2)

  • Doug C.

    I love the places that preserve an old building or house and turn it into a business. Rather than knocking the building down and creating a new featureless utilitarian space that could be an apartment/business/condo/warehouse, a place gets refurbished and maintains a little character. And so the Hi-Life is a converted firehouse that now serves as a restaurant. You've got the nice brick interior with high ceilings and ample space. If you tacked on a fireplace and let people slide down poles then you'd have the perfect atmosphere. Although I think of it as a breakfast/brunch place, they do serve dinner here with a limited menu gap between 3-5 pm. It had been a while since I was last here, so while walking by with a friend, we decided to stop on in. Keeping with the firehouse theme, I went with the Station House #18 which comes with two eggs, meat (ham, bacon or sausage; I went with the sausage), and two pancakes. This is standard breakfast fare, although the pancakes are large enough that they spill over the plate onto the table. While a slight cleanliness foul, this does mean that you won't leave hungry. The price isn't the cheapest in the Seattle area for standard breakfast food, but it's not egregious either. I've never recalled slow or chippy staff here and even on the weekend it has a more mellow vibe. Overall, it's a pretty good brunch choice.

    (4)

  • Dennis D.

    It's an old fire station! There is even a cut-off fire-pole above the bar. :-) For this visit I just came for the drinks, which were good. They've got a decent selection of mixed drinks and local brews on tap. I suggest the Porter and the Manhattan. Mmm No Discover here though, so bring another card or form of payment.

    (4)

  • Austin A.

    Great and friendly staff, with good food, and a great happy hour. Try the butternut squash pizza.

    (4)

  • Iggy S.

    Walking down the street in Ballard on Market St. on break from the Ship-yard. This building didn't look like a restaurant, I notice a sign for a dinner deal. Well I decided to walk in and see the menu. Wow! this place had a wood fire stove, open kitchen, well organized in the Art of culinair. clean, and a full-bar. There were many great items on the menu and served at certain times, example: breakfast only till 1100 and lunch 11-3, and dinner im sure you get it. I was there lunch only. MMMMMM not going to tell you what "I" ordered, but come and see for your self.

    (4)

  • Kristie G.

    We love love love this place, the food is great and the service is totally awesome! Parking is a bear though. Not being a fan of pizza, I have to say that this pizza is the best I've ever had, really crispy crust and unique toppings! Don't like mac and cheese either except here, don't know what they do to it but boy oh boy is it good.

    (5)

  • Mike C.

    This was my first time here. I had the French Toast. It was huge!! And very tasty. I had to get half to go. My friend had a busted yolk thingy. She liked it a lot too. It had the right seasonings and not too spicy. I like the size of the space. The staff was very friendly and attentive. This is the nicest firehouse I've ever had breakfast in. Too bad the firemen aren't still here too.

    (5)

  • cole y.

    My girlfriend and I had dinner the other night. We both had salmon ( a little over done, but that's not what I want to talk about) The service was AWESOME. Our server Marlin (like the fish) was so very attentive without being a pest and the bartender ( I forgot her name) provided me with perfect pairings for both my entree ( Pinot Noir) and my dessert (Irish Coffee). The food was mediocre due to the slightly over salted fish that was over cooked, but as I said earlier this review is for the amazing staff. They made a bad night into a great one. Thanks

    (3)

  • Sarah C.

    PUT YOUR WHITES ONLY SIGN UP ALREADY! It's not every day where you wonder if your race is playing the part in how you are treated and served in a restaurant. Welcome to the 2000`s hi life! wow it's overpriced for what you get! Really small portions and not that tasty, even if you are not a picky eater don't bother with this place when there are tons of great spots in Ballard. The service sucks too, they seemed really uncomfortable serving us and looked annoyed when we entered the establishment. They had a please wait to be seated sign and no host to seat us? How long were we supposed to wait? I've tried breakfast and dinner here and was disappointed my two and last visits here, its just overpriced diner food with snobby attitudes for service and be prepared to remind your waitress to put your order in to the cooks or you might sadly watch all the people who came in after you digging in while you sit there starving. Even a glass of water would be helpful.

    (1)

  • Kelly L.

    We were getting our oil changed across the street at Axis and our mechanic told us about Hi-Life. Walked across the street at 10am on a Saturday and were seated promptly for two. We ordered the Hi-Life Winter Benedict and Fancy French toast. Servings were huge! My boyfriend loved the Winter Benedict - it had Gruyere cheese croquette topped with pit smoked ham, poached eggs & sharp cheddar rarebit sauce. The cheese croquette was what really did it for me. It added a crispy texture to the usual Benedict and the slices of ham were very generous. The Fancy French toast was a bit disappointing. The bread that was used tasted sour and I like my french toast sweet so I barely finished it. Loved the building, space, vibe and little bronze firefighter looking at us while we ate. Overall, would come back again to try other things on their menu.

    (4)

  • Adrienne R.

    Multiple times I have gone to Hi-Life and been told they were out of something on the menu. It's fine, sure it happens, but how about telling me when you bring the water instead of when I've decided on what to order and am left hanging with what else to get? But, the bartender fellow with the glasses that seems to work often breakfast/brunch time is way awesome so we go back still. I won't again. We went on July 4th after a long day out to get some food then head off to fireworks. We get seated and our drinks show up so I order the hickory chicken [$16.50 for chicken? Really? Whatever, I'm starving], ohh but they're OUT of chicken. OK... great. Well... How about a $16 pork chop then? WHY NOT. Well... how about 20 minutes later there's still no pork chop. People are seated near us, ordering, eating, and leaving and still no pork chop. Finally noticing our empty glasses the waitress asks if we'd like another round and hey, we have nothing else to do so why not... The people next to us order the salmon special only to be told there's no salmon either. They order salmon burgers [but they have salmon for burgers? Whatever, not our order] which arrive long before we get our food. Almost 30 minutes later and I see our waitress walking with plates... I tell my lad if it isn't our food then we're leaving and he agrees. She stops at our table and sets the plates down. From the start I could tell the pork chop was overdone. The sauce on top was congealed and the sweet potatoes were burned to the skillet so when you tried to pick them up with a fork they shredded to nothing... all 8 little cubes. Thankfully the corn was salvageable and my lad shared some of his food with me. So $40 each down the drain for some of the worst food I've had since moving to Seattle and it's the last dime Hi-Life will get from me. I'm done... as done as that piece of drywall they called a pork chop.

    (1)

  • Miriam E.

    The food was pretty good, a little pricey though. The crabcakes were almost $11, but only came with two golf sized ones. My biggest complaint is the attitude of the staff. Our waiter was condescending in answering questions, although he was very knowledgeable about the food.

    (3)

  • Crystal G.

    Terrible. Terrible. Just terrible. After raving about the food here I took my girlfriend - I hadn't been in years and they were offering their special three-course meal so it was a no-brainer when we were looking for something to eat. We both ordered the steak for our main course. She ordered medium rare, while I ordered medium. When the waitress brought them mine was medium and hers was medium well. WTF. Sent it back. Asked for mid-rare. Since we were sitting right next to the kitchen I then proceeded to watch the main cook (green bandana) get flustered, lose his cool a couple times, and screw up sending out food repeatedly. Further, the guy who was cooking the steaks told him over and over that he had a mid-rare sitting there for him...for our table...however he just left it sitting there on the counter. Tick tock tick tock. Finally it went out. Not to us. To another table. Our waitress came by to check on us but we didn't have the food. She then went back to the kitchen to inform them we didn't have ours. Whoops, throw a steak on the grill. Now it's done...again....but it just sits and sits. When we FINALLY get it there is no apology at all from the waitress and it is now medium at best. Not even close to mid-rare. By then it just got packed up in a to-go box. The manager was wandering around the whole time. It was clear food wasn't getting out right and despite walking by our table and seeing the frustration and lack of food, he didn't try to rectify the situation. Despite the food being really delicious I just can't deal with that kind of service.

    (2)

  • Marty G.

    I gave this place a 2nd chance recently after my first visit 9 months ago. This was for dinner both times although it seems most people on here prefer their breakfast. The sliders are over-priced for their portion so try to catch them on happy hour if you can. There are only 2 small sliders slightly larger than a golf ball and the BBQ pork is a pretty spicy. It seems that quite a few of their dishes have to be spicy for some reason. I'm ok with some jalapeño on some things but I don't think it belongs in Mac n Cheese. I tried a friends pepperoni pizza and the crust was decent but the pepperoni seemed spicier than most I've had and left a bad after taste as well. It would be nice if this place replaced the "summer corn" icon on their menu, which seemed to be on every item, with a "pepper" symbol of some type to indicate spicy dishes. As you can probably tell I'm not one for a burning mouth while eating my food. Im sure those of you who do would probably enjoy it. The atmosphere was nice and it wasn't too loud. Service was ok, however we were seated in the bar section so it was expected to be a little slower. Our waitress/bartender did do well with keeping drinks at our table.

    (2)

  • Sandra R.

    I love their brunch on the weekend. The dishes of the day sell out quick. Their migas are incredible, and their veggie concoctions like "aisle 12" are amazing. Try their "honest to goodness mashed potatoes" and you won't regret it.

    (4)

  • Victoria C.

    The food hit the spot, but it's a bit overrated and overpriced for what it's worth. 1. The atmosphere is ambient. It's a great place to take a date. It looks like the place was converted from an old fire station, so it has the whole high beamed ceiling, dark wood thing goin' on. 2. Once seated, the waitress was chatty, friendly, attentive. But the getting-seated part took some time. I guess we came at a busy time (6pm on a Sunday), so can't complain too much about that. 3. The food was okay, but nothing special. I ordered the winterwich (a warm sandwich with roasted sweet potatoes, beets, arugula, brown mustard, and gruyere). The bun was plain--nothing special, and the side salad was tiny. My friends got the hickory smoked beef sandwich, and again, nothing too exciting. It tasted nothing more than beef strips drenched in BBQ sauce. And the fries resembled McDonald's french fries. For $12, I expected something more than the average corner deli meal. I mean, it was tasty enough that we ate all our food, but still. 4. Apparently tonight was "family style fried chicken night" or something like that. We came at 6pm-ish and they were already out. They market it as the special of the night, so there were a lot of unhappy people. They need to have more of the stuff in stock.

    (2)

  • Sonia C.

    This place is just solidly good. I've come here a couple times, and while it's not really special or unique, it's always very satisfying. Things I love about the place: 1. The menu changes every few months, but they keep some old standbys as well. Most recently, we tried some French-inspired braised pork with plums which was juicy and tender. 2. Great juicy burger and fries. The burger is big enough to be very filling, but not so big that it falls apart when you try to eat it. 3. Tons of small plates that are great as appetizers, but can also be combined to make a meal. We tried the small mac & cheese which was very rich but tiny as well as a goat cheese spread made interesting with the addition of some spicy peppers and a bunch of flash-fried spinach. 4. Solid dessert menu. 5. Great service. Our waiter had lots of recommendations and was very knowledgeable about the menu. Overall, this is one place that seems to never disappoint. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Derek H.

    We've had great food every time we've come here. The service has been amazing each time as well.

    (5)

  • Georgia W.

    Finally! A restaurant where everything tasted as good as it sounded. The menu makes it...hand's down, the most delicious cleverly written, mouth watering menu in Ballard. The Irishman at my table ( aka Brother in- Law) confirmed that the "Irish Feed" was spot on. Including the soda bread with whiskey butter. I'm still dreaming about the fluffy, wheaty pancakes I stole off my sisters plate. And the" Ballard Market" scramble chock full of veggies looked just as tempting. Delish Stumptown coffee to wash it down. Lunch is in order- the chicken pot pie is calling me. And the mint, ginger cocktail or "buenos blueberries" on the rocks. Attentive service. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Kris P.

    Hi-Life is probably my favorite Ballard restaurant, supplanting Golden Beetle (which is still excellent). It can be uneven at times--not everything is mind-blowing--but if you get the seasonal items, you've got a great shot at some really tasty food. The cocktails are always good and sometimes incredible. I've been particularly happy with the pizza and the salads. The classics are usually pretty good. I get one of their peppery Bloody Marys for brunch on a regular basis. However, the seasonal items are where they really shine. In the winter they did a butternut squash soup that was excellent and a grilled cheese sandwich that was transcendental. Last fall they had empanadas that were so good they kept selling out before we got there. They did a sundae with bourbon-soaked cherries last year that was the second-best dessert I've ever had (best was a piping-hot brandy-custard apricot tart fresh out of the oven at Besalu). They seem really committed to seasonal eating, and I think rotating through the menu like that keeps them on their toes and keeps them from getting bored with those recipes. I've never had a problem with service--sometimes a little on the slow side, but never to the point of really annoying me. If someone was only going to try one restaurant in Ballard for a full meal, I'd say make it Hi-Life.

    (5)

  • Eric A.

    We used to have nice things to say about the Hi-Life. The Apple Crisp (No longer a menu item), the breakfast, and, on the top of the list, the Sunday Chicken Dinner. After our experience last night, we may not ever have nice things to say again.... A few days ago, we made reservations for a party of ten to celebrate my Birthday. They were polite on the phone, asking for a phone number to call and confirm the reservation, which I gave gladly. They did call and confirm the reservation, and when the number in our party changed, I called them back to let them know. When we arrived for dinner (early) we were told that the kitchen was out of chicken. Is there a new Chef? Who perhaps does not know how to read a reservations log, and gauge how many people he will be serving? If I am asked as a courtesy to provide the number of people in my party, should I expect a call if the establishment is out of what my party is coming in for? To be out of chicken on chicken dinner night would be akin to going to the Old Spaghetti Factory and being told they have no Spaghetti. By the way, since there were a number of children in our party, we DID go to the Old Spaghetti Factory, and we had a great time! We will find a new place to celebrate birthdays and such. Maybe these guys have just been there too long, and it's time for a change. In a city like Seattle, its provide or perish, and this establishment is on its way to perish!

    (2)

  • John M.

    Ate here a couple weeks ago and it was pretty good. While there was some confusion about who our server was the food itself made up for quite a bit of it. Had the pork ribs and they were excellently flavored and the portions large. Falling off the bone. Drinks were good, but nothing stellar. Above average!

    (4)

  • Nina W.

    Oh. Yes. I did enjoy it here. I guess I have to admit that I sometimes act like a snob and pretend to know all of the awesome places to eat in Seattle and the North End, but sometimes I get slapped in the face by a suggestion of a place I know nothing about at all. And, in my "hood" no less- I was born in Ballard and spent many years of my childhood here as my grandparents remained in Ballard for many years. Major ego check. Hi-Life was one of those places that I literally knew nothing of. And I was definitely happy with the meal, and the awesome ambiance, (and the company, consequently). The restaurant itself is beautiful. Lovingly re-purposing the old firehouse brought a twinge of nostalgia to my little heart, and I think it's an amazing utilization of the space. I'm not however looking forward to climbing stairs if I ever have to use the facilities there. But, it is what it is. They had an interesting collection of cocktails on the drink menu, but I went for a beer, they had Boundary Bay IPA on tap. I was crushed to learn that the one thing on the menu that got me really, really excited (fried green tomatoes) was the only thing they were completely out of. There was a ton of variety on the menu- Small plates consisting of salads, sliders, and fried items, and dinner sized plates of proteins and carbs and veg, homemade pastas, and pizza. An eclectic mix for sure. This is a good place to come if you don't know what you want to eat because there's something for everyone. I wasn't gonna do the pork chop, but it came with the two sides I wanted to try most (cheesy grits and mustard greens), so it was my logical choice. What came out was a skillfully portioned plate of fabulous food. A perfectly grilled and spiced double chop, juicy, a little fatty, but not grisly. My porky goodness was served on a fluffy, umptious bed of the creamiest, expertly seasoned, immaculately cooked and just-cheesed-enough cheese grits. I am literally still reeling just from the cheesy grits. However, the tiny pile of mustard greens were not so inspired, and just lay there limply on the plate, so they weren't as awesome as I had hoped, but the flavor of the green went amazingly well with the pork. I would have preferred a larger portion of greens than what was presented, as well, but when it comes to braised green leafy things, i'm like a goddamn brontosaurus or something as far as the portion i'd like to consume. The whole plate was drizzled with the jus from the pork, and it was just the right touch. I ate the whole plate. I even sucked on the bone to my chop. I was tempted to lick the plate clean. With a menu that changes seasonally and what looks to be awesome patio seating, I will be back soon to try the summer menu. For sure. (Yes, you're taking me again!)

    (4)

  • Brian K.

    Great vibe, delicious food, good service. I had the butternut squash ravioli. Served on a bed of spinach, with onions, some kind of peppers, or something spicy. Really good. Yum...yes I cleaned my plate. Cool place. Maybe sometime I can go back for Fried Chicken Sundays.

    (4)

  • Howard L.

    Good food. Good service

    (4)

  • Anyong N.

    I can recommend this place for breakfast/brunch, but definitely not for dinner. Breakfast options are tasty and plentiful at a reasonable price. Dinner options are tasty, but severely overpriced for what you receive (which is very little. We were still hungry afterwards.)

    (3)

  • Chelon t.

    I had a date with myself the other night..after stressful week at new job, sore as a mother from attempting things I should not. Damn sitting down to that all night Tuesday happy hour was bliss! I'd attempted the Tuesday before with a friend but we weren't quite feeling it then. Too light and quiet perhaps? This time there was a small crowd but still space to have my own little quiet table with reading. The $3 glass of house red wine was actually pretty dang delicious. In general I don't know $2 buck chuck from my mother, BUT this smooth glass inspired me to even ask what it was! (Please, like I recall. But the easy mellow flavor bouncing happily in my mouth inspired me to at least ask!) Also tried the squash pizza that was extremely thin, crispy, and nice combo of flavors.. spice from peppers sprinkle of goat cheese sweetness of the squash salt from small bits of pancetta I believe? The ceasar complimented the flatbreat..not wild or fancy with anchovies (which is a nice flavor bomb in it's time) but bright and lemony. The salad rounded out the perfect little trifecta. I'd like to try again and hope to reclaim the bliss that was that evening! (In the form of bread pudding perhaps?)

    (4)

  • Mallory D.

    Great pizza, great service, great atmosphere. Will be back time and time again.

    (4)

  • Elynne G.

    I've always wanted to come here, there are so many places in Ballard, I get side-tracked a lot since this is not on the same stretch as the other restaurants. We really walked right in on a Tuesday night only because we found parking right in front of the restaurant. Hi-life is definitely a cute little place for families and hanging out with friends. The food is good, unpretentious and you get a heaping amount of food for the price you pay. Definitely worth the money if you're sharing plates. I ordered the squid fry (or fried calamari) and it came out delicious. It was crispy and addictive. The romesco sauce didn't do much for the flavor but the fried jalapeno slices with it added the fantastic zing to each bite. Loved it! The hubby ordered the french onion soup. It was, good, but there was a funky after-taste. I am wondering if they had added brandy or some sort of alcohol. And it was a little too sweet for my liking. The melted cheese on top of the toast is substantial, the whole dish could be a meal itself. For mains, I had the pork chop with corn and roasted sweet potatoes. It was definitely a meal best shared! There was a whole corn and tons of sweet potatoes. The pork chop was juicy enough, a little more well-done that I would've made for myself but that's ok. The only bad part was there was so much paprika or pepper in that sauce that it was burning my mouth. Was slopping up as much water as I could. The pulled-pork sandwich was how I've always pictured pulled-pork sandwiches to be. Juicy, spicy and definitely one of the best places I've had in Seattle. The onions rings were HUGE! Hubby said they were fantastic because he ate them all before I could have a piece! Service was overall quick and efficient. I guess it helped I was there on a non-busy night. Will come back for Sunday chicken dinner.

    (4)

  • Ezra B.

    Get the stacked enchiladas for breakfast/brunch. Amazing. Cheese the used smelled weird but taste amazingly good. Potatoes were super crispy and delicious. Salad looked legit and pancakes looked killer. Warm and cozy place dishing out I'm sure good beers and good food all day. Got really jammed up around 1 on a Sunday but was pretty quick.

    (4)

  • Melissa K.

    I've been a fan for a long time. I liked them before I had a kid, but I have to say, they REALLY are welcoming to families. They have slings for car seats and tons of highchairs and boosters. They have a kids menu with the standards and with healthy options. Grilled chicken with a veg? Yes, please! The staff is hardworking and friendly. I prefer their breakfast over their dinners. Not that the dinners are bad, but the breakfasts are amazing. Love the Migas, Love the Italian Farmhouse, Love the Stationhouse, Love the pancakes, Love the specials, Love it, Love it all. Fresh squeezed juice and good coffee are both part of it. I never feel rushed. THANK YOU HiLife.

    (4)

  • Nicole J.

    I've only been to Hi Life twice but I am already a major fan! I took my mom there tonight for Mother's Day and even though there was a bit of a wait (go figure...major holiday) it was worth it! It's Sunday so they were doing their Fried Chicken Family Dinner which was AMAZING! Literally they bring out the biggest plate of delicious home fried chicken, potatoes, veggies, biscuits and gravy. GUARANTEED you will take some home!!!! Everything here is amazing. And it's American food amped up a bit. The add gnocchi, artichokes, candied lemon flakes, etc to give it that little EXTRA that just makes it AMAZING. And you can't beat the atmosphere. Set inside an old fire department its a got a really nice, rustic laid back feel. Can't beat it. I love that all the servers are really chill in jeans and alot of them have tattoos. Can't beat Seattle. And to top it off, it's in an awesome part of Ballard. You can go have dinner than walk around and do some shopping. The one downside, it's a BIT pricey. A burger is about $12.75. But it's expected in that neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Julie L.

    how i have not yet yelped about this lovely restaurant, i do not know.... this review will be based solely on my 20 or so breakfasts eaten here. I typically sit at the bar alongside my bar loving bf...he feels like we get better service there, ...i like sitting up higher and disrupting the service with my chatting..;-) These you must simply order without hesitation: clean up on aisle 12, station ladder something( sorry the name may be off some), the corned beef hash, their pancakes, their eggs, their bacon, their corn chowder, their pizzas, their coffeecakes, their potatoes, their sausage,....you see what I am getting at?? They have probably the best breakfast in most of Seattle, seriously. oh, and nice dark roasty "just the way it should be" drip coffee as well. One of the waitstaff, Brad is our fave to chat with while he does his whirling and twirling at the bar, Someday, i must try his Spanish coffee!! it looks wicked yummy. ambience- great place for nurse a hangover or just because you want delicous food in your belly.

    (4)

  • Kenneth G.

    The best breakfast I've had in the Seattle area. Very intuitive waitstaff. Great coffee (stumptown). They have inventive unknown items along with breakfast and lunch classics. I have never eaten something there that I haven't loved. Ever.

    (5)

  • Shawn F.

    hands down the best french toast i have ever tasted. service was quick and friendly. would definitely return and highly recommend

    (5)

  • Timothey S.

    Met up with some friends for a drink (or two...) a few nights ago at the Hi-Life. Despite living right around the corner, I had never been. We had a great time. The very next morning, I ended up there again (with different friends) for breakfast. it was the best breakfast I have had in this city. Clearly - i love this place - and I hope you do to. Great drinks - great food - great style - great location. I heart it.

    (5)

  • Amber B.

    If you live in Ballard Hi-Life is the hot spot on the weekends. I'm so glad I stumbled upon it one hungry morning. Come to find out it is a secret everyone I know has been hiding. The menu is really simple - it will take you 2 minutes to read over and you'll still be stumped on deciding. They have eclectic names for things like "Clean up on Isle 3" and "The Corpse Reviver". I typically order the Eggs with Busted Yolks and the Firehouse Mocha. The wait staff also yell orders to the cooks and everyone wears plaid. Not sure if that is a dress code thing or just a sad level of hipster.... I have been told that their Sunday night chicken dinner is good too. Not sure what part of Hi-Life to emphasize, but it is one of top 3 faves for blunch/breakfast/brunch in Seattle. Check it out!

    (5)

  • Sonia L.

    Ambiance. I love that word. It means, you know, it feels good to be there. Now, maybe that says more about me than it does the place, me being not exactly anywhere near the norm even for Seattle, but since it's my review, I suppose I rather define the norm. Hadn't thought of it like that. But back to the Hi-life. A good place to be. There's a sense of rightness, goodness, and about-to-be-fed-ness. And there are the high ceilings, which, as many of us thinkers know, allow your mind the space to stretch properly, which of course aids digestion. You're probably thinking, "what about the FOOD, woman? Tell us about the food!" It's good, it's good. Relax. You'll be okay for food. The service is also very good, I must say. Friendly, almost friend-like wait-staff. Don't forget to try the free dating advice. A great way to impress a first date, by the way. Try it and see.

    (4)

  • Ti B.

    It was ok. I loved the atmosphere, the service, the warmth (same as atmosphere...ha!), and the wine selection tasty. We ordered a margherita pizza to start and the acorn squash soup (which was unbelievably delicious!!). That was the end of it. It was too early premeal to judge anything else, but over all my experience was PERFECT!! :)

    (5)

  • Scott D.

    Great place to bring the family my son is 2 and crazy but the staff was very patient and helpful. The food is amazing. Been here many times (see check-ins) and plan to keep coming. Haven't had anything bad here yet. The menu changes which makes me want to keep going back. It has everything I love about eating out and its still family friendly. Things I liked: gnocchi!!! pork chops!! Happy Hour!!! BBQ pork sliders.

    (5)

  • Colleen D.

    I have frequented this restaurant a lot on my own and in groups. I love the food and the service is spot on. BUT when I called today to make a reservation on Sunday (Mother's day) for two people, me and my Alter abled, Mom they said they don't take reservations. Which is weird because I made them before (just last week). So ok now they don't take reservations, apparently during the day it is first come first service. Not a problem I'm easy going and open and can stand in line and be on the list with the rest of them. But what the problem is, is my mom is alter abled and on a scooter of which she doesn't get off of to transfer to a chair, those transfers are only done in the privacy of her own home for dignity reasons. It is a large device and can be accommodated at this restaurant because they just did it last week for dinner. She was so grateful that they had set aside a place in their side room for her to fit and enjoy dinner at the table with her family last week. She has commented so many times how nice they were. So I had a bright idea to take her there for Mothers Day since she was so comfortable and really enjoyed it. But that was not to be the case today. The man who answered the phone would not accommodate a one off request for an alter abled person during the afternoon sometime when they are not taking reservations (my request was anytime between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.). Really? you can't make an accommodation for one elderly alter abled person who just wants to scooter up to a table and have a meal with her daughter. Shame on you Hi-Life! Whomever it was that answered the telephone on 5/8 at approx. 11:25 am (a guy). shouldn't be allowed to represent your restaurant. I think allowing one or even three to five place holders for those with disabilities to make a reservation on a day that you are not taking reservations is OK and I think most people would understand. Bad business!

    (1)

  • K B.

    Just a quick word of praise for the fabulous food and great prices at happy hour. We went there after a long, tedious bus ride from downtown last Friday. What an oasis of calm. Beautiful building, excellent service too. Pork sliders at happy hour prices cannot be beat. Wine for $3.50? In Seattle? Priceless.

    (4)

  • Angelina L.

    We came here for lunch after a morning of errands. What an amazing space!!! It's so open and large. I also like the fact that you can see the kitchen. The place was pretty slow, but given it was a weekday and not normal dining hours, it didn't surprise me and I'm glad because we were able to get right in. With a 5 year old that was starving, this was a good thing!!! Because I mostly heard about this place for their breakfasts / brunches, I decided to try their biscuits and gravy. OH MY GOSH... I have never seen so much food, no I was not able to finish it, and it was good! My girlfriend had some sort of sandwich which had this amazingly good peach topping with garlic fries and dressing they gave, something like ranch, (after asking for some) for her to dip her fries in ... SCRUMPTIOUS!! Of course, the 5 year old had a hot dog... Giggle... I ended up having a mimosa, to stick with the breakfast theme. My girlfriend had some kind of cucumber vodka drink and the rim was salted with cucumber salt. Ooh that was good!!! The prices were decent and the service was good. When in Ballard again, I would definitely return here!!!

    (4)

  • Eric K.

    This place would probably be three stars for me (rating it based on a late night hangout spot) if it were not for the late night food. There aren't a lot of places serving decent food late in Seattle but Ballard seems to have several of them. Some day I should probably stop by for their full dinner menu. I wondered in after 11 on a Saturday night and ordered the onion rings, caesar salad, and two orders of the BBQ suicide sliders. All three of the items were fairly small. I'd say the sliders (two small ones per order) were my favorite, then the salad, and finally the onion rings. But I'm not a huge onion ring fan so that is to be expected. I was pretty impressed with the food. But that was probably because at $4 each (happy hour prices) and being that it was after 11 pm I didn't have high expectations. But each item somehow perfectly inhabited the space between cheap, horrible tasting food and expensive, fancy, and super delicious food. Hi-Life kept the plates simple and I think that served them well. Hi-Life is also a great place to learn life lessons. I picked up several while waiting for my group to join me from the table next to mine. These included but were not limited to: 1) All Asians live at home with their parents. 2) The quickest way to get an engaged female friend to walk away from a table is to tell her she is like the younger sister you never had. Except you want to have sex with her. Like tonight. Trust me, it worked quite well. I won't be making a trip to Ballard just for Hi-Life but if it's late and I'm in the area I'd happily make a return visit. After all, who knows what I might learn next time?

    (4)

  • Cami G.

    I've been to the Hi-Life many-a-time and apparently it has escaped me to write a review! Until now! Maybe I live too much of the High-Life to remember stuff like this. So their flat bread pizzas are excellent. Probably my favorite thing on the menu and they change up their toppings regularly so you don't feel like you're ordering the same thing every time. Last night I had the Butternut Pizza with butternut squash and goat cheese. SO Yum. For appetizers we had the tiger prawns and guac sauce but this was kind of a let-down: $12 for six small shrimpies and sour cream tinted a shade of green. Cheesecake was shared for dessert. This had potential but the cranberry topping tasted like it came from a jar. Service was top-notch. Very attentive and accommodating. Check out the paintings scattered throughout the restaurants hanging on the exposed brick walls.

    (4)

  • Anhdao L.

    Visited for the first about a month ago for sunday brunch and left really stuffed! Portions are pretty generous, wasn't able to finish my French toast but that's what husbands are for right? :) We sat in the bar but personally didn't like the high tables, the food took a little long but it was super busy. However, service was good and was seated within 5 minutes. We will definitely come back to try other items on the menu!

    (4)

  • Lisa B.

    Such a fun place! I came here with a couple of girl friends, all the doors were opened up and it had such a great feel! The bar tender was awesome and we had such a blast! GREAT happy hours with good beer on tap, I will definitely be returning and trying out their food because it looked/smelt amazing as well!

    (4)

  • Lauren W.

    Get the artichoke risotto cakes! Very tasty. The vegetables that come with -- wood-oven cooked asparagus and sauteed pea shoots, I think -- were super delicious, as was the sauce. I love the feeling of the Hi-Life. The food can be very good, but isn't always all I had hoped for. Nice people.

    (4)

  • Brent T.

    This rating is strictly based on my Happy Hour experience. This place has both a food and drink special and has Happy Hour all day on Tuesdays! The brick oven petite pizzas were fantastic and for $4, you can't go wrong! The burgers and quesadillas are also very delicious as well and they are only $5. Plus with all draft beers, house wines, and wells for $3, this place is one of the better happy hours in the area. I believe the final bill came out to $40 for 5 people and we ordered enough food to feed about 6-7. The bartender was very pleasant and made sure we had a positive experience as well. Also want to preface that I actually had dinner here as well and I'd rate it 3 stars for that specific experience. The food is average bar food. But it's definitely worth a try during Happy Hour.

    (4)

  • Thomas J.

    Breakfasted here a couple of times, and both times it was good, both for the people watching, and the food. First, the people watching. For some reason, there were a great many real estate agents here, and we picked up on that by listening to the conversations from a distance. Strange. There were a large number of groups and couples that were fun to mock from a distance. Second, the food. The menu was great, the eggs were cooked perfectly, and the bartender knows how to operate the espresso machine. I'll go back - no line on a Saturday holiday morning goes a long way when you are hungry and in a bit of a time-crunch.

    (4)

  • Ryan S.

    Love this place. Been coming here every thursday night for happy hour for a while. The service has always been great, and our waiter/bartender remembers our drinks. Started trying out the breakfast recently and my wife and I love it! She is constantly asking if we can go after church on Sunday's. The French toast is what I prefer, while she likes the pancakes. I recommend this place all the time, and take family here every time they are in town.

    (5)

  • Derek P.

    I keep Hi-Life in the "safety" bucket [for places to eat]. It's a good neighborhood restaurant with a [rotating] seasonal menu, happy hour, Sunday night fried chicken dinners and brunch. Hi-Life also happens to be one of the most family friendly spots in Ballard. But I can't will myself to give the venue anything higher than a 4 (which is pushing it). Why? I like this spot for happy hour because it brings the price of dishes down to where they should be. But non-happy hours dish prices seem high for what you get. In general food is ok with an occasional "oh-wow I really liked that" - usually what's on the specials board.

    (4)

  • Ashley F.

    After three more visits in the past couple of months, it was time to update to a full 5 stars! I've been in on several occasions for the $5 not-so-early-bird specials, and every time I've been very satisfied. This morning, I had one of the best breakfasts ever. I decided to treat myself to today's special, crumbled sausage, balsamic infused tomatoes, arugula, white cheddar and egg scramble topped with pesto. It was absolutely my favorite dish I've had at a Seattle restaurant. Also, I have only ever had Kris as a server, and he is outstanding. Friendly, attentive (without hovering), quick to address any issues and one of the main reasons I keep coming back. Do yourself a favor and go to Hi-Life!

    (5)

  • Cortny P.

    This place is awesome, never a bad meal, BUT came here tonight for a late night meal and was informed that they do not have ranch here. I mean are we even in America?? Who doesn't have ranch dressing? The service is usually good, and like I said good food. Also NO FIREBALL. What the heck people?

    (3)

  • Angel W.

    I find the chow foods group getting less and less impressive. There's nothing outstanding about it and Hi-Life is their worst in my opinion. Went this last Sunday because it's very hard to please my mom who lives out of town. She prefers places like Denny's. I'm surprised she doesn't find this place too fru fru actually. We had a party of 6, waited just for a bit, no big deal on a Sunday for brunch. That's expected. Pros: Good coffee, friendly server - though she was a tad slow. Cons: My mom's toast was burnt - burnt. I saw it. I don't know how you don't notice that toast is burnt and then decide to still serve it. Mine was perfect, so there was a noticeable difference. Again, my mother swears she likes this place so she takes a bite and says 'Mmm' to spite me. But that's my mom. She likes to be right when she suggests a place and hates everything that's my idea. Ah family. She also said she ordered pigs in a blanket - which implies pancakes. She got a ham steak and no pancakes, and hashbrowns and eggs. She swore this was fine and she didn't want the pancakes anyway, but it was clear they served her the pig and poke and not what she requested. I ordered the corn beef hash. I have to admit, I've fallen in mad love w/ Americana's hash on Cap Hill. It's divine so my standards are high. But this wasn't good at all. It was like a combo of mashed and solid potatoes but all clumped together almost in a large potato patty w/ everything else mixed in. It was like a solid unit. The meat was ok - but awfully fatty and chewy and I couldn't tell pieces of that between pieces of potato. Not tender and the whole thing didn't have much taste. Nothing was said to the server about the incorrect order or the burnt toast since my mom insisted it was fine and I didn't want to make a fuss. But when family isn't in town, I eat elsewhere like Silent Heart Nest, Wild Mtn Cafe or Skillet or Americana. Much better quality and consistency.

    (2)

  • Angie J.

    We went for the pig roast & stayed for the music.. or we went for the music and stayed for the roast. :) We sat outside and listened to a live band, watched people throw caution to the wind and 'get down'. I've rarely had such a good dinner experience for less than $20 pp. Going to the Annual Ballard Back Alley Pork-Fest is going to be on my calendar for next year.

    (5)

  • Junko S.

    If you're looking for some delicious goodness for breakfast, lunch or dinner in Ballard and you decide to go to the Hi-Life, you've made a wise choice. It's a great date spot (head to the bar) and it's also perfect when you have kids in tow. My favorite is their breakfast menu - my go to's are "Clean Up on Aisle 12" or the "Fancy French Toast". The ambiance is lively, the waiters always friendly, great food and drinks. Two thumbs up.

    (5)

  • Heather K.

    I've been here twice now and I really love it. Most recently, my coworkers took me here for a baby shower lunch! Both times I had pizza - the butternut squash the first time and the artichoke/pesto the second time. They were both fantastic. I didn't realize the artichoke pizza had salami on it (I'm a vegetarian) and the server was really great about me sending it back (I hate doing that, but she made it less uncomfortable). They serve breakfast until 3:00 and I look forward to going back for their fancy french toast. The atmosphere is really nice as well. The building is a large brick building that is unmistakable (notice the huge Eat/Drink sign) and inside it's large enough for groups while keeping a cozy feeling. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Frances T.

    I had read the reviews before visiting Seattle and was sadly disappointed. This place was nasty! I had the ribs and I've never had bad ribs but I did here. IT WAS NASTY! I couldn't even cut the ribs, the sauce was not good, and the meat wasn't tender.

    (1)

  • Joe B.

    I've been to the Hi Life a number of times and have always left rather indifferent but last night's dinner has confirmed to me that it just isn't worth spending my money there. The Wife and I were heading down for some pho but got lucky with a parking place right across the street from Hi Life so on the spur of the moment we head on in. I do like the atmosphere of the place with all the brick but it does cause things to be a bit loud. Anyway, The Wife got her Manhattan (which she says is the best she ever had) and I had the Elderflower Kiss which would make a great summer quencher. Looking over the menu we decided to go with the small plates. The Wife chose the calamari and roasted root veggies and I the bacala and the hanger steak soup. The squid was well cooked but they seem to use garbanzo floor which gives it an odd flavor. I applaud their wish to give an old standard a new twist but I'm not sure it totally works. The root veggies were OK and it came with a good hunk of goat cheese but no bread or crackers to go with it. The rest of the plates were completely downhill. The bacala came with a fried greens salad with a vinaigrette then three salt cod balls on top. The bacala was fried so dark it looked black! I have to assume it was meant to be since it was brought to my table. It was dry and really needed a sauce of some kind. The soup of the day was horrid. It tasted like a thinned out bad gravy with some mealy rice kernels at the bottom. There were big chunks of steak in the bowl but they really didn't have any flavor to speak of. Next time I want a light dinner with a drink I'll head down to Ocho where they do it right.

    (2)

  • Alli D.

    Although packed on a Sunday morning, the time between putting our names in for a table of 7 and being seated, coffee mugs full, was only about 5 minutes. The members of our party straggled in, but the waitress checked in with each new addition and made sure everyone had beverages. The only problem was, our last person never showed up, so we had to wait quite a while before we were asked if we wanted to order. But that's hardly her fault. I had the Engine House #18 (or something-or-other), which was 2 pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Another guy at my table ordered the same thing, and I'm almost happy, almost ashamed to admit that I finished more than he did. But you know how I love my pancakes. It was pretty good, but you can get the exact same breakfast at pretty much any breakfast place, and probably for less money. I've had the pizzas a while back and remember them being good. (Note to self: return for lunch to confirm this.) One thing that's disappointing is that there aren't any firefighters running around. Hmph.

    (3)

  • Sarah H.

    Stopped in for brunch on a Tuesday and sat at the bar. I had the cinnamon swirl french toast with apple chutney. It. Was. Awesome. An involuntary yummy sound sort of awesome. I'm not usually a french toast sort of girl, but if all french toast were to taste like this, I would be okay eating nothing else for the rest of my life. The spicy Bloody Mary was pretty decent too. The service was great and the staff were pleasant. I can't really comment on my friend's food, as I was in my french toast haze, but I know she's been here several times and keeps coming back. I look forward to coming here again!

    (5)

  • Jeff E.

    Great food in a neat old fire station. During peak times, there may be a short wait for a table but you won't be disappointed. Street parking only.

    (4)

  • Chad R.

    Awesome. Great breakfast, fast and friendly service. I'm just visiting for the week and stopped in for a quick bite. The place was classy, clean and friendly. I had pancakes, eggs and bacon. They were all top notch! Of course, the coffee just kept coming!

    (5)

  • Erich R.

    Breakfast is reliably tasty and reasonably priced, considering the large portions. For two, expect to pay around $30 (after tip) for a pair of hearty entrees and coffee. Even when its busy, as it often is for weekend brunch, the restaurant is spacious enough that you don't feel like your eating in crowded cafeteria. Service is okay, not really noteworthy in either a good or a bad way. If possible, I'd give 3.5 stars but Hi-Life is tasty enough to get the bump. Try: Biscuits and Gravy, Chile Verde Slinger

    (4)

  • Ari S.

    I crave the food here. Migas? Hazelnut French Toast? Heck yeah! And the OJ? Oh, the OJ!! And today, I have one /more/ reason to love it. For a while, I've treated this place like... well, like a treat. It's pretty close to home, but always seemed to have a line on weekends. I showed up today (a Saturday) at 10a, thinking I'd have to wait a while, but was OK with that (knew what I was in for - wanted to catch up with a friend - etc). No line! Sat immediately! In fact, there were still empty tables /after/ we sat down! So I ask, and got it from the source: The trick is to go on weekends during nice weather. When the weather turns down, the lines get longer.

    (4)

  • Jon D.

    Have you ever had that feeling where you just know you're going to like a place before you even set foot in the door? This was my experience with the Hi-Life on a recent brunch excursion to Ballard. I'm not sure of the original architecture, but I'm willing to guess that this is an old converted fire house. At least that's what it looks like from the outside. All brick building with HUGE front doors (that are probably wide open in the summer time) and all in the heart of Ballard - a neighborhood that you just can't help but love. Even though it was technically lunch time by the time we got there - we opted for breakfast fare. There are some fantastic scrambles/omlets on the menu. I can vouch first hand for good hearty crunchy bacon and quite simply some of the best hash browns I have tasted in a long time. Oh, and did I forget to mention that they serve Cafe Vita coffee here? In my opinion, some of the best coffee in Seattle! I'm glad that my first impression of the Hi-Life was spot-on. Absolutely loved it. The staff was great and the food was fantastic. I'll be back for sure!

    (4)

  • Scott K.

    HOLY HAPPY HOUR BATGIRL!? I just ate a delicious thin crust six slice personal pepperoni pizza cooked in a brick oven for 3 freaking Scoots! Happy hour highballs or house wine for 3 Duckets! I live half a block away and I don't know how the hell I missed this! The Hi Life has a family restaurant feel that I just can't get over, and it's a little too bright for me, but it's a consistently fine restaurant, with an interesting and comprehensive menu. Breakfasts are delicious and just different enough to get your attention, and they make a mean Bloody Mary! What more do you want? Oh yeah... If they could just re-design the interior so I'm not reminded that I need to bring my grandmother here next time she's in town... they'll fill the place! ... a band on the weekend wouldn't hurt either.

    (4)

  • Jess D.

    Beautiful building and decent service. The food was sub par for the price. I ordered the $18.50 yellow fin tuna, which comes with red potatoes, asparagus and artichoke. The fish was good albeit small, as well as the reduction and asparagus- although there were only two tiny spears. The potatoes tasted a day old and reheated and the artichoke tasted canned. I was starving upon arrival and ate everything, but the artichoke bits. Needless to say, my wallet felt raped when I left as my taste buds were underwhelmed.

    (2)

  • Libby W.

    I go to Hi-Life once in a while, but really only when all my other Ballard options are off the table (closed/over-crowded). Hi-Life gets a new chance once every 4-6 months. They are consistently "not bad." The service has always been good. The food always leaves something to be desired, competently prepared dishes served room temperature. I have been here for brunches and dinners, nearly came for the family-style fried chicken dinner but they were out of chicken! There are "Not so early bird specials" M-F from 8:30-11 for the value price of $6 and I do like the old Ballard Firehouse location. If you want easy diner food Hi-Life is fine. If you want a meal experience that will have you making yummy noises and raving to your friends, walk a few blocks, there are better options nearby.

    (2)

  • Chuck W.

    With as limited of a menu as Hi-life has you would think they would strongly focus on the items they have. Nothing at the Hi-life is unique and everything is far from impressive, I saw chef coats but nothing on my plate reflected a chef qualities. B.L.A.T adding avocado is a great addition to a B.L.T although avocado needs to be ripe if your going to serve it. Salads are cheap, all the components in a salad even at the highest retail price are very cheap, my associate ordered his salad without bacon it was clearly made with bacon then picked visibly clean of bacon only for him to get into large mouthfuls of it further into the salad. They are very cheap (not on this menu) why wasn't it thrown out and a new one made? What kind of mismanagement is going on here? Also invest in some new water glasses these appear to get chunks of food stuck to them after they hit the dishwasher, or replace the dishwasher (machine or person makes no difference) Also invest in a duster and get your lackadaisical, stand around lunch staff to do some cleaning around the place the outside is a strong misrepresentation of the cleanliness of the inside.

    (2)

  • Hannah H.

    The boys and I ate here today because we were visiting the locks and I wanted a place that took reservations and credit cards with three boys waiting in line is never good. This place was perfect! The food was good and the fries were AMAZING!!!! The kids did the design your own cookie for dessert and got a real kick out of that. The older boys had the fish and chips ($10.50), little one had hot dog ($4.75) and I had a cheese burger( $11.75). I gave this place 4 instead of 5 stars because I drive a mini-van and parking on the street is not my strong suit. While I was able to find parking if it had been any busier I would not have been able to. For those that are used to city driving/parking it would be fine. Definately on my list of places to go back to.

    (4)

  • Patty S.

    I like it here. The restaurant is cool and the staff is laid back, really nice because they are normally super busy. The food here is good, not super creative, but local and fresh. I like the seasonal pizzas, those are good. They make the best lattes. OMG they're simply divine. I totally recommend.

    (4)

  • Katie G.

    You want to love this place... great space, open kitchen, good vibe....but then you sit down, take in the price points (for generic sounding food), your server looks at you like you have two heads when you explain that you can't have sour cream on your soup (dairy) and then ignores your empty wine glasses and/or requests for condiments when the food arrives. I'm sorry. Too many awesome restaurants in Seattle to bother with one that does not seem to care. I still really want to like you High Life. Maybe you can sway me with Happy Hour?

    (2)

  • r s.

    Although we didn't partake since we were about to hit the road, it was refreshing to find a place willing to help you get your drink on with breakfast. The converted firehouse was cool, service was decent, and the food was tasty. We had the Corned Beef hash and French Toast. The hash was real homemade goodness, with very flavorful brisket. So few places with the real deal anymore. The French Toast was positively decadent. If you have a sweet tooth, it delivers.

    (4)

  • Amanda W.

    Better than grandma's chicken! =) (no offense grandma) The only reason that I'm not giving this place 5 stars is because of the long wait for their Sunday night Home style chicken fried dinner. I wish I could give them a 4 1/2 ,because the food was that good! We had a party of 6 and waited about an hour and 1/2, however the wait was well worth it! Their chicken dinner is so amazing! We plan on coming back very soon! While their was a long line the guy taking the reservations and seating people was so nice. So if you have a large party without a reservation be prepare for a long wait, however be patient the food is worth it. (also don't be a jerk and yell at the guy too hurry up or complain how long you been waiting, this is a really popular meal) They have been doing this dinner for about 2 months they said and have to increase the amount of chicken they have. I can't wait too come back =) 1). If you have a large party call ahead and make a reservation, it will save you from the long wait 2). Each person that orders gets a half a chicken, yummy biscuit, green beans, and some yummy mash potatoes. 3). Children are 1/2 off so expect a decent amount of children there (adults are 12.50) 4). They only have so many chickens for this meal so don't come too late or you'll be sorry. 5). The easy way we found to pay for the bill was to just split it evenly, because we all got the chicken dinner and a drink The place itself has a lot of history which adds to its appeal. It is in a fire house that was build in 1911. You can't miss this place it has a neon blue EAT sign.

    (4)

  • Jenn Q.

    One of the best breakfasts I've had in Seattle. Sitting outside in the sun always helps too. The patio area is perfect. The coffee was also some of the best I have had in a while. All there is to say!

    (5)

  • Robyn P.

    All things considered, I'm definitely a fan. Every time I've come here, I've gotten good food and great service, and I really dig the atmosphere. It's super cozy and laid-back, and even when packed, doesn't get so noisy that you can't have a normal-volume convo w/ your dining companion(s). At my last visit I got just what I needed: a bigass burger, fries, wine, and a comfy seat on which to enjoy it all. The burger was yummy and juicy, but the fries were served on the lukewarm side and were slightly over-crispy. Whatever pinot gris we had was delicious. My friend ordered the mussels with sausage and crostini, which I sampled and loved. I'm ordering that next time. Generous portion of perfectly cooked mussels swimming in a tasty, meaty broth. Yum. The Hi-Life is one of those places you can count on for a good meal at any time of the day. Their HH is great, too. It's my new Atlas when it comes to foolproof breakfasts. Gotta love hearty plates of bacon and eggs, and coffee that'll perk you right up and out of any hangover.

    (4)

  • Jonathan C.

    Quick tip: Sunday morning you will wait a long time if you have a party more than 4. Everyone on Yelp raves about the French Toast so that is what I had and it was as everyone says... AMAZING. It must be drenched in half and half overnight. The outside is crusty and the inside is like a moist cake. It has a slight hazelnut flavor that is truly remarkable. I tried a bite of the BLT... blah. Tristen's Amigas scramble was good but nothing to write home about. I'd wait again for the French Toast but not for anything else I saw or tried. Another tip: if you have to wait to get seated walk a couple blocks to Cafe Fiore and have a delicious espresso.

    (3)

  • Rebecca H.

    We easily got same day reservations for 8 at 6:30 pm on a Saturday, which in Seattle doesn't bode well. The old firehouse is a cool building. It's dimly lit. Most people at dinner were over 60 and couldn't read the menu without a flashlight. The kitchen changes the focus quarterly, we went during "basque" quarter. I grew up in Bakersfield, which is basque food central for the west coast, and the menu at Hi-Life was not basque. Where was the tongue, spaghetti, french fries, set up, beans for the soup, salsa, etc. Sure, it may be basque inspired, but it isn't traditional basque. I had a salad (limp floppy greens and watery dressing) and a burger (burnt on the outside, pink on the inside). The fries were good. I wasn't impressed. Everybody else enjoyed their meal, the pork, soup, and ribs off the basque menu. We ordered a couple of desserts to share; they were overly sweet and just ok. Dinner for 8, with a few drinks, was about $250 with gratuity included. I wouldn't go back here unless I needed to find a place quick and get a reservation. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't great. Parking was hard to find and when you are toting around older people, that's not a lot of fun. And seriously, is there anywhere Don B. hasn't been? We eat at all the same restaurants in Portland, I shouldn't have been surprised to see his review on the Hi-Life. That guy gets around.

    (3)

  • Carly L.

    Didn't hate it, didn't love it. Since it was a Monday and my Paseo craving couldn't be answered, I had some time to kill before a massage, and was hungry. I decided to re-try here.. I hadn't been here in a couple years, and was looking forward to a delicious egg type brunch thing. Unfortunately, I just missed the good deal they have M-F for five bucks... five different choices of breakfast til 11AM! Damn it! I settled on a smoked scramble with potatoes, bacon and eggs over easy. There was potential for greatness but the over seasoning of the dish led to not even really able being to enjoy that sweet and smokiness that smoked salmon can have. I enjoyed my orange juice, but at $3.50 for a glass, I would like fresh squeezed. I know it wasn't. Service was fine, made sure I was OK, but I felt a bit rushed in a nearly empty restaurant. I'll find somewhere else to go in Ballard for brunch.

    (3)

  • Lea Ann M.

    Brunch review.... Coffee - awesome Stumptown brew Service - A+ Parking - always a bitch on the weekends in Ballard Had the Migas - eggs with Anaheim chiles, avocado, Cotija cheese & tortilla strips. Potatoes with the "Diablo dust" (cayenne??) were awesome, but the eggs were dry. Sis had the fancy french toast. It was extremely rich and decadent but so much so it is hard to finish - she was in a sugar coma. It's a pretty spendy meal for what you get. I think I'll be back for the Bloody Mary's and some toast. The beverages looked quite tasty!

    (3)

  • Tonya H.

    This old firehouse turned into a restaurant is great! I like that they have "a late early bird" brunch during the week for super cheap and huge portions. Their firehouse bloody mary is spicy and well worth making a trip up the stairs (or elevator if you need one) to clear your sinuses. I have had the buttermilk flapjacks with bacon, the sausage biscuits with eggs, and pork tacos with onion rings. All three trips have been well worth it and I love the atmosphere. They have the season Jolly Roger on tap as well. That's a definite plus for dinner!

    (4)

  • Jennifer P.

    A firehouse! HOW CUTE! I just wish I could eat this restaurant all up, it is so cute. BUT ANYWAY! It used to be that if you wanted to get Seattle's best french toast, you used to have to come to my house and BEG me to make some for you... Now you can just go to the Hi-Life. Although you'll have to do without the yard sale furnishings and dust bunny ambiance. How sad... I know it will be hard, but you can do it for the vanilla custard hazelnut espresso marscapone oh-god-need-I-go-on? french toast. The service is just what you would expect of a Chow Foods establishment - Fast! Friendly! Efficient! But really, who cares about that when you have the best french toast ever? Unfortunately, I can't tell you what any of the other food tastes like, as I cannot resist the pull of 5000 calories of bread. (But can you blame me?)

    (4)

  • Neda G.

    I'm giving this place a 2-star rating because the service was horrible. The food was good, had to send back my steak once and probably would have sent it back a second time if they wouldn't have taken so long the first time. I asked for my steak to be medium rare and it was medium to medium well... The steak was still good , just not the way I wanted it. The bread pudding was amazing, and my appetizer onion rings were pretty good as well. The onion ring sauce that came with it, AMAZING!!!! The waitress didn't seem to be organized with her tables and there was a cook with a green bandanna that was so flustered. He was losing track of which meals went with which tables, and you could just see the frustration on his face. If I were to go there again, I would get my food to-go, so I wouldn't have to deal with the service.

    (2)

  • Heather F.

    The Hi Life is just cozy. I had delightful and delicious dinner here the other day. I took advantage of their bell ringing daily special ,which I recommend to those who still want and like to go out to dinner but need to pinch those pennies.(It's a set daily special menu, so check their website to see what it is the day you go). The pricing is based on what the Dow Industrial Average is at the end of the day, which happened to be under $8! They do this Sunday-Thursday. Bottom line: It was a good deal, good food and good service.

    (4)

  • Bobby H.

    I was wandering in Ballard on a Sunday night, where I found this place in the corner with a huge sign that says, Sunday Night Family Style Fried Chicken. I'm a huge fried chicken aficionado. I give this place 5 frickin stars for having the best fried chicken I've ever tasted. This is pan fried chicken, something of wonders. Crispy on the outside while holding on to the chicken (not peeling off like skin). Very juicy and tender, even the breast pieces. Although the breast pieces were overcooked, one bite and the juices fly all over the table like an adult film (you're welcome for the visual). I still need to come back and try the french toast which everyone raves about, but this place is already super high on my list.

    (5)

  • Pamela D.

    Sarcastic people have a way of worming themselves into my shriveled and blackened heart. I just love them. The people that work at this place are truly awesome. From the host, who spotted us and immediately turned on the charming snark, to the waiter who made the most inappropriate jokes....Awesome. In true drunky form, I ordered a drink called a Corpse Reviver. It had absinthe in it. Dude. Really. Absinthe. At $10 a pop, it's not the cheapest, but two of them is quite enough to perk you up and make you feel all warm and fuzzy. My food was insane. When you order any of their roasted meals, the waiter turns and shouts "ROASTER!" over his shoulder, to which the cooks in the open kitchen reply "RRRRROOOOAAAAASTERRR!" What. The. Hell. My rrrrrroasssssterrrrr was taking a bit longer than expected, and our waiter appeared to explain why it was late. Something about cosmic forces. He was insane. I loved it. And when the food arrived, I was totally blown away. The roast chicken....literally a dead bird. Half a bird. Plopped on the plate and cooked to perfection. SO good. Being a carnivore has never been more delicious. After two drinks and a coma-inducing meal, I stumbled out of here knowing that I'd be back. Tasty.

    (5)

  • Stacy T.

    I'd been to the Hi-Life for drinks once but never for food, and after my brunch time experience I'd have to say it's a good place to go. First off, they get one star for serving brunch until 3pm everyday! As for the food, we tried the french onion soup, which was good but not great. After our meal, we decided it wasn't really necessary and we probably won't be ordering it again. However, the 2 breakfast entrees we got were pretty good. I loved the Fancy French Toast (vanilla custard dipped Columbia bread griddled and topped with espresso-mascarpone & sugared hazelnuts). The bread was a little tough to cut through, but it was very tasty. I spread the espresso-mascarpone on all four pieces of bread. It had just a hint of espresso flavor, so it wasn't overpowering. The contrast between the crust and the center of the bread slices was very appealing. Combined with the maple syrup, it was just the right sweetness and I had half of it to take home! Ooh, and the sugared hazelnuts just had a hint of sugar, so you could really taste the hazelnuts. So one star for this. I also ordered a side of their potatoes. They had a mildly spicy seasoning on them, but could've used some salt (I added some) and a little more butter! So okay, but not the best hash browns of my life. My boyfriend got the Italian Farmhouse Rumble, a scramble with spiced Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, scallions & grana cheese. The ingredients were delicious, but I felt that the eggs could've been much fluffier. The dish also came with a side of the same hash browns, good but not great. However, the toast that came with the rumble was excellent. Perfectly toasted and lightly buttered, tasted great with the freezer jam at the table. Another star here! Overall, it was pretty good but not in my list of best brunches ever.

    (3)

  • Jocelyn A.

    I come here once a week for the $3 drinks/food at happy hour. The beer menu is mostly great local beers and the house wine is better than most. The food is actually really good quality, not just the standard fried fare. The butternut squash pizza has roasted garlic, spicy peppers and yummy cheeses...for $3! They also have really good bread pudding with espresso caramel for happy hour. The other desserts are really good too, including a homemade butterscotch pudding. Great atmosphere, great beer and yummy food...at an amazing price!

    (5)

  • Allison Y.

    AMAZING! This is the perfect spot for a late brunch. The wait was approximately 30 minutes at 1 in the afternoon on a Sunday which isn't bad for brunch and well worth the wait. There's plenty of shops around to wander into while waiting. The bloody mary's are so good, although I could have done without the GIANT celery stick since I don't enjoy celery. Other than that, it was tasty. All 8 of us had zero complaints about our meals. The portions were large enough to share with another. I had some kind of egg scramble with lots of tasty veggies. The ambience of the place is so fun. Converted from an old fire station there are still characteristics that resemble the station such as the oversized doors and fire poles. Don't be alarmed when you go to the bathroom and see people wrestling. Upstairs they rent out different areas. Prepare to spend around $20 for a bloody mary and a meal.

    (5)

  • Jennifer H.

    Awesome food/drinks and friendly staff. Kinda spendy but what do you expect? It's in their name. Their bourbon custard French Toast is to die for, but you'll wanna split it. Their lunch/dinner is really good (can you say pulled pork sandwiches) but I definitely go here for the breakfast.

    (4)

  • Amie S.

    So far, this place has not disappointed. We stopped in for a second try at dinner. This time, I had the Steak & Frites, and the boy had their special honeyed-Fried Chicken w/cheesy mashed potatoes and broccolini. The steak was melt-in-your-mouth tastiness, and I was already sold on the fries from last time,so it was all good. Mmm-mmm. In addition, the service was great. The topper was the fantastic cocktail special they had going: Air Mail. Some kind of heavenly blend of rums, juices and more booze. Even at $8 each, I was loving them - and wishing they were on the drink menu permanently.

    (4)

  • Amy G.

    I've wanted to come here for a while, and my boyfriend and I finally made it there a couple of weeks ago. We went a little late on a weeknight, so it was pretty empty when we arrived minus a loud group of gentlemen in an alcove off of the bar area. I'm fine with that though. We decided to sit in the bar. The bartender was helpful and explained to us what the seasonal features were (French at the time). I decided to go for the lingcod, one of the seasonals and my boyfriend got a penne dish off of the regular menu. The fish was really good, but the rest of the stuff on the plate made me wish I had more to eat. The greens were kind of yucky, and the beans were good but a little bland. My bfs food was pretty good, but not outstanding. I wish we had gotten there for the bell-ringing specials b/c they sounded really good. Our dessert was some type of apple tart that had a sauce with fennel in it. Sounds weird but it was strangely tasty. Although, it may have been a little too heavy on the sauce and the bartender said so too. I think I would try this place again sometime, it just wouldn't be at the top of my list.

    (3)

  • Katie A.

    We came here last night for some home cookin,' Atlas Foods style. Can't beat the ambiance here, when you're in search of: 'man, it's effing cold out- I could really go for a hearty meal and some cozy atmosphere.' They're serving up an Italian menu right now and while a lot of the entrees looked pretty good, most of them were heavy on the cream and/or the cheese, which generally means 'off limits' for me. This was fine though b/c most Italian food is pretty heavy on the dairy. I went with the roasted chicken with green beans and potatoes and couple of glasses of a Petit Syrah. It took a good 15 minutes for my wine to get to our table, as the waitress forgot about it. The chicken was just okay. The potatoes and green beans were actually quite good. And the second glass of wine arrived at my table promptly after asking for it. Our service was pretty good and the woman waiting on us was fun and relaxed. My dining partners had the lamb risotto and the burger, which they really enjoyed. A little steep for what we had, but that was only b/c of the wine and beer we had ordered. I've had breakfast here before and it's pretty decent, as is lunch. I have a feeling that once I've tried HH, I'll probably be a fan.

    (3)

  • Janice V.

    Horribly bad service @ 7:30 on a Saturday night. Waitress was busy with a large table which was fine but she had 0 backup and we went without water for 20 mins watching other wait staff fold napkins across the restaurant . Calamari had potential...bacon chowder soup was nice. Butternut squash pizza was good too. Management nonexistent.

    (2)

  • Melisa A.

    Seriously! Best pancakes ever. And the bacon was pretty close to the best ever. If I lived in Seattle, I would go here every weekend.

    (5)

  • Allison W.

    We came on a Sunday night for the fried chicken! Coming from the south I am very picky about fried chicken :) Their's didn't disappoint! The seasoning is unique, the chicken is tender! The only critique I have is that they served carrots with the potatoes...I would have preferred corn on the cob! Bring on that starchy carby goodness!

    (4)

  • Valerie Q.

    Like any place serving brunch in Ballard, it's been long waits for the food to come (about 45min twice now). And it doesn't help when the servers have attitudes from being overwhelmed. Had breakfast there twice and lunch once. Nothing great. Hash browns were definitely not so great, and it's not cool of them to not mention that they come spicy. The menu is too off the wall for me to want to try dinner there. I'm only rating this a 3 Star only because my friend is a cook there. Otherwise, it would be a 1 Star.

    (3)

  • Megan M.

    Great service! I have never had a bad meal here! It is always delish!

    (5)

  • Kirk C.

    Great dinner, beautiful space.

    (4)

  • Angie K.

    I'm a little concerned that the average score on Yelp for Hi-Life is under 4 stars, because it's a solid 4-star place. It's a great place to go with friends or visitors because it's relatively hip, yet comfortable, the place is huge so you never have to wait long for a table (at least I haven't had to) and there is a variety on the menu of food choices, portion sizes, and prices. All of this and you can still keep a little foodie street cred since there are some really nice cocktails, beers and well-made dinners on both the regular menu and the "festival" menu, which many of the Chow Foods joints, is a rotating regional menu. I've tried everything from small plates to full dinners, soup, pizza, it's all good. I think my favorite thing there is actually the French Onion soup, but I really like French Onion soup. My husband raved about a pork chop he got there once. Every time I have been there, the service has been outstanding. One time, my sisters were in from out of town and they wanted to do karaoke, while I, their older sister, was clueless, the waitress even found an employee who was into karaoke to give us some recommendations, and they were good recommendations, saving my ass and providing a whole night of entertainment long after we paid the bill at the Hi-Life.

    (4)

  • Taylor B.

    I have lived in Ballard for two years now, and the Hi Life has really become a second home. Excellent staff of servers, bartenders and cooks, along with a seasonal menu which pleases at least 98% of the time. They recently started a special five-buck breakfast menu for the 8:30 to 11:00 crowd, and it is quite a good deal...with coffee and tax you still get away for ten bucks. Their current menu features some excellent fish, a spaghetti with fresh crab and corn which is superb, and a lovely seasonal green salad with fresh strawberries. No one has mentioned that you can get wine by the glass in half-portions (3 oz) which can be a very good thing if you've already had one or two of their potent cocktails. My only gripes are the very meat-centric menu...they do wonderful fish, poultry and veggie dishes, just not enough of them. Second gripe is a very short menu of bar food for late at night. The little three-buck pizzas are good and a good deal, but...they're still just pizza. The Hi Life is one of the anchors to the Ballad dining scene, and one of way too few places which serves breakfast. I'm glad they are there!

    (4)

  • otto p.

    My son and I stopped in on Sunday afternoon. There was one other couple in the dining area, it was 330 in the afternoon. The hostess/waitress took us to a very small, romantic table for 2 nestled against a wall, but not the kind of table I like when i'm out with my 7 yr old, who often likes to sit next to me, so I politely asked for a booth (there are a dozen or so and all were empty). Her reply, and keep in mind it's 330 and the place is empty, was "I'm sorry, we are full of reservations for 5 o'clock." That's as far as we got. If the thought of keeping tables clear an hour and half ahead of time is more important than accommodating the only customers in your restaurant then you've got a lot to learn about service, and guess what, service counts.

    (1)

  • Megan S.

    I used to be a regular for happy hour. Love the cheap, good little pizzas and drinks. I think I just ended up running w/a different crowd and hadn't been here in probably over a year. So my man is an old skool Ballardite and had never been the The Hi Life. I think OG Ballardites have an aversion to this place since it took their beloved skanky Firehouse music venue away. Being that I never witnessed the glory of Ye Olde Firehouse, I don't give a crap. We decided to do Vday early this year on Friday the 13th. Walked right in and caught a table. Boy were they overrun w/families! But lately I've been feeling the biological clock so all I could really think was, "aren't they cute???" Anyway, thought that was a change, but of course I used to prowl the happy hour here, not the dinner scene. Many items look delicious on the menu so we decide to get some fabulous entrees. I had the risotto w/lamb and he had the chicken. I can't remember the real name of the chicken deal, but the waiter immediately called over his shoulder to the kitchen "Fiesta Chicken!!" I guess its very fancy and takes 25 min., the waiter warned. But we had a full bottle of white wine so we didn't care. Plus we ordered the duck prosciutto. It was all delicious, but I think I ended up preferring the chicken overall. No room for desert, but I think we'll come back sometime for the glorious happy hour.

    (3)

  • sarah b.

    The fried chicken dinner is awesome, but otherwise I'd say they're more of a 2.5-3 star place. Best things about hi-life= super kid friendly, efficient, friendly service.

    (3)

  • Jammypac B.

    Stumbled in here a few weeks ago for a last-minute dinner out with the family. Tasty, fresh food? Check. Good value? Check. Really friendly, on-top-of-it waitress that answered all of our questions and made time for a little small talk? Boom - check. It didn't blow my socks off, but it was a really pleasant experience and I'll definitely be back. Oh, they're currently in the middle of a "southwest/texas" phase for the season and have altered the menu and decor accordingly. DO ignore the atrocious western paintings on the wall and DO order the beef brisket.

    (4)

  • Bradley N.

    When we came with friends last summer, the rotating menu featured Spanish tapas - ALWAYS a good choice when eating in groups. The beer was local and cold, the brick-oven pizza was a nice change from road-trip fare, and I got to spend time with a best friend (and his wife + kids) whom I had not seen (in person) in something like four years. And ... and it's in Ballard (ultra cool neighborhood) in a restored firehouse with soaring ceilings, great woodwork, and many spaces for eating and drinking. Perhaps Seattle eaters have extremely high standards - it's a food mecca, even by NorCal standards - but I found myself very happy here. Maybe it was the company. But the food and drink ain't bad at all.

    (3)

  • Joe K.

    Stopped in for lunch. Had a decent pizza. Decent bar, nice size, staffed by a friendly fellow. Good number of tables, should be ok for groups. Nothing stunning but seems like a solid option.

    (3)

  • Sarah S.

    I've only been here for breakfast, and most of the time I'd rate it 3 stars - the breakfasts are fairly good - (really good biscuits and gravy and I like the farmer's scrambles), but everything else on the breakfast menu is average/decent. We decided to try out the $5 breakfast weekday special and got what we paid for - a strangely flavored corned beef hash and a bland goat cheese & herb scramble. At least my egg was cooked right. I asked if they had a wheat option for the toast and was told no (I thought that was odd that they didn't have any wheat bread back there, especially since this is a common request these days). We barely finished our breakfasts. Service is friendly.

    (2)

  • Pony C.

    i've generally always been pretty happy with my experiences at hi-life. the huevos emilia is AMAZING though it seems as though the last time i ordered it the portion was a little small. my gf and i make regular visits during the week for their not-so-early bird specials, where they have a half dozen selections for $5 until 11 or 11:30 (i can never remember). I've fallen in love with the biscuits and gravy. the early bird portion is a single biscuit, split and covered in sausage gravy with three eggs. sooooo goood! the coffee is very tasty and the service is generally pretty good. specials can be hit or miss. i've been amazed at some of the stuff they've put together but had a special scram a couple weeks ago that wasn't up to the standard i hold them to. they are always trying new things and their menu rotates enough to keep it interesting but they keep their standards around. it can be a little spendy but as someone who feels he's gone enough times to know - it's worth it.

    (4)

  • Phil S.

    This place has a nice look and feel, and the food isnt half bad too. The transformed fire department with the wood burning grill is a nice effect. I ordered the ribs, which came with corn bread and lightly fried green beans. It was all really tasty. No complaints,.. I actually though the green beans were very good. The place really "Texas-y" ... and if you've ever been to Texas you know that what I mean. This place had all of the highlights, the Texas flag.... longhorns, etc. I guess it is a little fitting for the type of food they have. It's worth going to. The food is very good... atmosphere is nice.

    (4)

  • Andrea K.

    Parents were in town and were doing the token "take your friends out to dinner" night. I yelped and yelped, searching for that balance of a bit nice but not TOO nice so it wouldn't be too pricey for six friends. And there were two vegetarians in the group. It was a lot of yelp researching. This was a great choice--the menu was very extensive, and had a great balance of some nicer stuff (my parents ordered the scallops, they also had various seafood and meat), as well as wood-fired pizzas, burgers, nice sandwiches, pastas, etc. I split the butternut squash pizza and the winter-wich with a friend. They both were fantastic. The drink list was also great--my dad was able to sample some of the great Seattle micro-brews. Vibe is also really cool-it's in an old firehouse so the building is beautiful. Plenty of families there on a Friday night with young kids, but it wasn't too crazy or loud by any means. I'd definitely go back again, with or without parents in tow.

    (4)

  • Danielle H.

    We went to Hi-Life this week during our staycation and took advantage of the midweek not-so-early bird specials in the morning. Their corned beef hash is on point, but I wasn't a huge fan of the breakfast panino. I've also had better coffee, but the restaurant itself is really great and we enjoyed our meal, so I have a hard time taking a star away for one less than awesome dish.

    (3)

  • jessica c.

    There is only one time in my 20-something years so far that I've ever walked out of a restaurant -- and this time almost became the second time. There is no reason whatsoever that my breakfast should take one hour unless is it some culinary masterpiece. Breakfast is one of the quickest meals to make and neither my boyfriend or I ordered anything complicated. Ham, hashbrowns, eggs, and french toast. Not complicated. It was a Sunday morning and I understand Sunday's are typically the busiest breakfast day of the week. I mean I've been to Patty's Eggnest and waited 30 minutes before to be seated, but then have always gotten my meal served to me in less than 10 min after that, so it evens out. Here, we were seated right away, but it took about 10 minutes for the waitress to even come by and take our order and then about 30+ minutes after that our food finally came. 15 minutes in I saw the table right next to us that had literally ordered 2 minutes before us get their food so I thought... "oh sweet, our food is probably coming out next!" 10 minutes later... still nothing. 10 minutes later the table is done eating and getting their check. FINALLY 35 minutes of waiting later our food comes out. It is piping hot, which is great, but leads me to believe that they forgot to put our order in to begin with, seeing as the table seated on the other side of us, which got seated about 20 minutes into our waiting game got their food about 5 minutes after us. Hmm, doesn't make much sense? The food was ok. I got pineapple french toast and the size of the toast was good, it was thick and fluffy.. but there were only a handful of pineapple chunks on top and a dallop of whipped cream. The waitress never came by with any syrup and never asked it I wanted any. Like I mentioned, I came to the conclusion that our waitress must've forgotten to put our order in or the cooks skipped over it by mistake. If no one wanted to take the blame, I get that, it's kind of embarassing but not once the entire time we were there twiddling our thumbs that the waitress ever came over to say something like, "i'll go check on your food" or "your food should be right out" which to me is the unacceptable part. Guess she didn't realize we'd been sitting there for 30+ min with no food in front of us. It's too bad too because it's not like she was mean, she actually seemed really sweet but just never acknowledged the fact that it should've never taken that long to get french toast and eggs. Cool building, but bad service always turns me off so I doubt I will be back.

    (1)

  • Erin M.

    We are Hi-Life regulars. We haven't gone for dinner so I can't comment upon that but I have a hard time believing it would be less than great! We are there regularly for brunch and late lunches and it has become our go to when people visit from out of town. The menu changes regularly so we never get bored. We've got a two year old and the staff is just great with him as well. The food is solid, the prices are good, and the staff is efficient and attentive. Favorites--kid loves the kid's pizza (the crust is awesome!), the goat cheese and herb scramble, the breakfast burrito, the BLAT, the onion rings, usually the specials are quite good as well.

    (4)

  • Dave B.

    It seems like I go to Seattle twice a year to visit friends. They live just north of downtown in Ballard. I'd never been before they bought their skinny house. Recently, they moved. Lucky me... they are still in Ballard. Ballard has a great mix of urban and suburban. There's a great central feel with restaurants, bars, shops, and a theater. Dozens of new places pop up between my semi-annual visits. The area is going through a tremendous growth spurt with condos abounding. I'm worried the economy's downturn that this place will be really hard hit. Well, Hi Life is one of the first places I went to. It's all the place I've returned most to. My friends joke about my relationship to this firehouse turned restaurant. I really like it. From the roasted beet salad to the beet hash (affectionately known as "Clean Up On Aisle 12" with beets, braising greens, turnips, onions, other vicarious vegetables & polenta squares), I've enjoyed this place. --- Yes, I love beets. They are the candy of vegetables when roasted. The atmosphere is really cool with the exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and large doors where the firetrucks used to pull out from. The place is always crowded, but never too full to accomodate another party after a short wait. Service is the one area they could improve upon at the Hi Life. It's not bad, just uneven at times. If you find yourself in Seattle, make the short trek to Ballard and enjoy some of the Hi Life. It's worth it.

    (4)

  • Iris M.

    I've been to the Hi-Life a few times and both times I had a nice experience. Went for Brunch on a busy Sunday and the place was packed. We sat at the bar and only had to wait a few minutes before being seated. Because it was so busy, service was a little slow. The breakfast dishes were very creative and executed well. The portion size was perfect. I had the Clean-Up on Aisle 12 Hash, which was really delicious. Beets, braising greens, turnips, onions, rutabaga, served with a polenta square and a side of wheat toast and two poached eggs. I felt like I was eating autumn. It was great. My friend loves the Huevos Emilia and if you like Huevos Rancheros, you will most likely love this dish. The food was good and the prices were good, but unfortunately, I got sick a few hours later. Most likely from the eggs, but hey, I was warned. :( This does not stop me from going back to brunch at the Hi-Life again, but I'll probably stay away from undercooked eggs next time. Actually, I think I may go back today.

    (3)

  • Ken G.

    I was recently here with a friend and overall this place is okay. The restaurant is casual, but still cool in its own way. Considering this place has the atmosphere of a bar or pub, the menu items are actually pretty interesting. I had a pulled-pork sandwich that was pretty good, although I think they over did it with the vinegar since I could really taste it...the side of fries that arrived with the sandwich were good - crispy but not overcooked. I think my biggest problem while I was there was that it took a long time for anything to happen. We were seated promptly, but it took about 15 minutes before our order was taken, then it took another 25 minutes before the food arrived (considering that we both had simple sandwiches ordered, I didn't think it would be a big deal). The staff was friendly and nice, but I guess it would have been nicer to have received a bit more attention...maybe they were short-staffed that day...? This place is good for hanging out with a friend or group of friends; even for taking mom and dad to. I wouldn't bring those little ones here, though: they have tall ceilings and once that baby starts crying it will be heard by everyone!

    (3)

  • Michelle Z.

    I ventured to Hi Life for the first time to on MLK day to meet up with colleagues and toast our day off with brunch. When we decided upon Hi-Life, I was surprised to learn the old Ballard firehouse and Hi-Life are one in the same. I feel like I'd driven past this location many times but never quite knew what lie inside. Brunch here was...in a word "meh." Nothing great. Nothing too awful either, but I really wasn't impressed. First off, nothing on the menu gripped me. I had absolutely zero urge to order one thing, everything again was just "meh." Finally, I decided on the migas, figuring you can't go wrong with migas, right? Literally a half hour later...perhaps even 40 minutes (it felt like an eternity), we received our food. This after many attempts to stare down our waiter and one half-assed apology, "sorry, it'll be out soon..." Uh-huh... Well my migas was decent, but the tiniest portion ever. Ironically presented on an enormous plate. I felt like I had to censor my eating and eat at a snails pace as to not lick my plate clean while my dining companions were still buttering their toast. (Sigh). Yet again I go out on a limb to try new brunch places, and still have yet to really be wowed. This is probably my last time in here unless I am invited to join others. There are just too many quality, order time-efficient, portion-generous brunch places in this town to give this place another go.

    (2)

  • Rod H.

    If you like happy hours, they have a good one. Three dollar drinks and four dollar munchies. Easy to make a meal for ten bucks. The food is very good and the prices are very reasonable. I had a smoked brisket with corn bread, potatoe salad and a terrific red cabbage slaw. My guest had an individual pizza and a pasta dish. We shared a great ruhbarb crisp for dessert. Give it a try!

    (4)

  • Michelle V.

    Best place to eat with a toddler in tow. Breakfast of French toast or biscuit and gravy are delicious. Service is almost always good. Mostly they just get busy and, well, rarely can places keep up. We still love you. BTW I support this place too because they provide many of their recipes on their website. And, if you're stuck their chef will respond to email inquiries. Good for you to share your knowledge and goodies with the simple folk. Also have an amazing late night happy hour. Yum! Ps. Leave some room for the Tin Roof.

    (4)

  • Scott B.

    Love the fancy french toast! The wait time is not bad and the service has always been consistently good.

    (4)

  • Vicente G.

    First off, I do like the space and the service here is friendly and helpful. I am basing this review on the brunch I had recently. My go-to order at any brunch place is their meat and potato hash, whether it's made with corned beef, braised short rib, or in this case smoked brisket. That way I get a decent baseline for which to gauge other dishes. BIG MISTAKE! Hi-Life's Hook 'n Ladder Hash was, literally, beef stew drained and served with poached eggs on top. I was so disappointed. This was the first time I've ever had a stew-like hash and I didn't like it. The boiled potatoes, kale, squash, and onions combined with the vinegar flavor from the poached eggs was not what I was expected and so unappetizing. :-( My side of bacon was the saving grace of my breakfast - wish the strips were thicker though. So, if you're not in the mood for drained stew, don't order the hash!

    (2)

  • Cameron B.

    The Hi Life is a sold 3 stars in my book. Located in the old Ballard Fire Station, they make a great use of the old station's layout with seating and the kitchen. The bathrooms are a little walk upstairs, but for me it's not a big deal. A few of us went there on Friday evening and the restaurant was bustling, but we were able to get a seat immediately. They have a full bar and the bartender has usually made some good cocktail in the past when I've been here, but for this time we just opted for a few glasses of wine, which they have plenty of pour by the glass options. For dinner, I ordered a summer pasta, which was fairly unique and surprisingly good, because i am not a fan of cream based pastas. It was a spaghetti tossed in brown butter with Dungeness crab, pea vines, corn, and prosciutto. We were too full to have desert, but I will definitely come back here to try their brunch and other dinner options. A safe bet. Hi Life is also close to the KC Metro #44, #17, & #18 if you are coming or leaving by bus.

    (3)

  • Brad R.

    Descent beer selection (8 local micros on tap) and full bar. Large wrap-around bar, tall ceilings, and cool brick interior. Great place to grab a beer and lunch mid-week. The pork sandwich was excellent and you can't beat the garlic fries.

    (4)

  • Joe I.

    By far the worst burger I've ever had. How does a restaurant mess up a burger?!? Well first, the server missed the part where I said CHEESE burger, then it comes lukewarm on a brioche. I love brioches but not as the bun on my burger. The texture and consistency of a brioche does not compliment a burger. Then when I asked for some toasted bread to replace the brioche, the server was super condescending. She also repeatedly gave me the food and drink that my friend had ordered, so clearly food service is not her forte. Hi Life! Burgers aren't difficult to perfect, yet you manage to do it...no need to change though, I won't be back. Too many other good places in Ballard to eat at.

    (1)

  • kim h.

    I really want to give this place a 4 star bc it's usually very good. Food, service, and atmosphere. But the times it's not so good it really does a good job at being awful... Worst experience I had there was the time the super sweaty guy spilt brown sugar All over my lap and barely apologized. He didn't look fit for working around the kitchen like he had been out all night and was super sweaty with giant pit stains right? He decides to put our food on the table by reaching over this wall. He was shaky and knocked the sugar and almost the cream too onto my lap. I totally understand shit happens I work in the service industry and have had my late nights, and just total fuck up moments. but he just made some lame joke about how at least he saved the cream bc that would have made a real mess... Well if I had dumped sugar on a customer i would at least clean up the table and area and maybe comp the coffees or whatnot. He never mentioned it to our waiter and I am sure I looked like I had an problem eating bc there was sugar all over the floor and my pants were sticky. But I have had a few awesome waiters here. Some are super friendly and funny. Hi-life also has grrrreat blueberry pancakes, and rock my world oatmeal (thats what i got that was knocked all over by waiter mc shakey). They also seem to have great beers on tap and spicy spicy bloody marys! The coffee is strong and I continue to go back. It's just had it's moments :/

    (3)

  • Jackson R.

    That has to be the best 5 dollars I've ever used on breakfast. And that breakfast that I speak of is the Not-So-Early-Bird special 5 dollar weekday goodness. The panini is a greasy delight: think of a sausage-and-egg McMuffin that doesn't make you shit your pants 5 minutes after ingestion. And then improve it even more with fluffy-yet-crispy ciabatta, hot pepper and breadcrumb-encrusted egg patty, stretchy melted cheddar, and a herbed sausage patty. Service was attentive and exactly what I'd expect from a brisk breakfast joint. I need to come here more often, if only to have Rainier on draught.

    (5)

  • Kat F.

    I came in here at about 3:30 on a hot afternoon when I was tired, stressed out and pissed off. They have a limited menu in the hours between lunch and dinner that includes some basic sandwiches and salads. They were out of the ingredients to make my first choice of sandwich - a portabello panino - but went way above and beyond by offering to come up with something else vegetarian for me. They asked what I like; I said anything and the result was an incredible grilled avocado sandwich with caramelized onions and tomatoes and some sort of red pepper relish...I wish this thing were on the regular menu! I didn't ask for them to create something special for me; they offered happily to do it and charged me less than my original order would have cost. They turned my day around! (The glass of pino gris I drank probably didn't hurt either.)

    (5)

  • Thigh C.

    I'm not really fond of waking up so early just to have a sit down breakfast in a restaurant. Unless, I'm on vacation or a "tourist". My family came here so early like 9:30'ish on Saturday morning - just for the experience. Restaurant is half full. I'm amazed... on early Saturday morning??? French toast is great... sausage is great, potato with rosemary I think is delicious... etc. I was expecting a tiny portion of bread etc. but when I saw it, everything is over sized! (for me though). I didn't finish my food but I tell you, everything is delicious. We were done like 11 or 11:30 and the place is getting packed! Busy but not chaotic though. I might come back again. Recommended for breakfast.

    (5)

  • Don B.

    Pros: tasty food, nice, open floor plan, decently good service, Vita coffee, yummy bloodies. Cons: Waiting, ASSpensive, value. The food here is good, don't get me wrong, but its pretty damn expensive for what you get. Been here 2 times now and have been happy with my selections. The first time it was the Ballard Lox Rumble (lox and cream cheese scramble), and the second time it was the French Farmhouse (D'avignon sausage, gruyere and onions). The Farmhouse was way better, by far. Had an apricot coffee cake that wasn't half bad. My wife had some veggie stir fry with poached egg on top that was really tasty (and looked quite filling). Their bloodies are really tasty. I was kind of appalled at the price. The food should be about $1 or $2 cheaper per item for what you get. Especially if you remember what the prior use of the venue was (Ballard Firehouse - butt-rock heaven). It seems a bit pretentious, but then again, what restaurant that rose from the ashes of a fallen ass-metal venue wouldn't be? I left full both times, and happy the second time. The first time not as happy, because somehow I ended up spending $35 on breakfast. The second time someone sported for my meal, so I left extremely happy. :) All in all, this place is worth going to. Especially if its sunny out, because the outside seats are fantastic. Although if I were you, I would make the drive up to Cap Hill and go to the Coastal Kitchen (sister restaurant) instead. I thought it was better there and the prices were more reasonable.

    (3)

  • Paul M.

    I love Hi-Life. The menu can be hit or miss (it changes every season), but the wide variety of dishes, BIG tables, great service and atmosphere make it my number one spot to bring out-of-towners, friends and family. It's also by far the nicest place you can bring your kids in Ballard (they have a great kid's menu, with mini-pizzas and custom baked cookies they can decorate themselves!).

    (4)

  • Daren D.

    If I'd pick one memory from my experience here, it would be this: OMGOSH THE CORN CHOWDER WAS AWESOME! It's funny because the bowl we ordered, I thought it was for one person (when actually it was the "family/share/2+" bowl.... so I gobbled almost all of it up until we all realized it WAS the family portion. OOPS. lol. Oh-but-it-was-so-goooood! I went here quite awhile ago, so I don't really remember anything else. I think the service may have been jus' a bit lackluster. I love the structure though; a renovated classic firehouse. Coool. It's Ballard/North End, so what do you expect... parking can be rather tough. Perhaps a small note, if you have to use the bathroom, try to do it before or after your visit; because you may have to walk upstairs (ohohoh, chilly...).

    (4)

  • Rick S.

    Visiting from out of town, and my sister takes me here for breakfast. And I am glad she did! The food was great. The portions were huge. And the staff was nice. Had a mimosa, and they didn't go light on the champagne portion of it. Next time I'm in Seattle, I'm going to suggest we return here for breakfast.

    (4)

  • Alyssa C.

    Came here for late night happy hour! The service was AWESOME despite being really busy, they let us sit in the dining room and still served us happy hour. Yay! $4 pizza is actually really good, with interesting flavors like butternut squash and asparagus. The quinoa black bean burger was a big disappointment though - I was pretty much staring at my friend's pizza the whole time. The beet salad was fine - if I were to go back I'd ordered a pizza and a moscow mule with their homemade ginger beer!

    (4)

  • Katherine N.

    I have driven past here a few times and decided to give it a try for brunch today. Their take on chicken pot pie is really interesting and good. It's a huge biscuit over a soup like chicken. I like picking at the biscuit so it gets soggy in the mixture and it's very filling. The order also comes with a side of caesar or I think it's fries. I forget but I got the caesar and it filled me up nicely along with their nectarine sangria. MMM :) Yum. My date got a number 11 and really enjoyed it as well as the hot chocolate. (Which he ordered two of) It's a really nice place and the staff seems friendly. I will be coming back.

    (4)

  • Nija C.

    I must say this is one of the BEST brunch restaurants ever. I immediately felt at home walking in. The ambiance is warm and inviting, and the staff are stupendous! Travis, the waiter, was attentive and made sure my coffee was always hot, my pancakes were moist and delicious, and the potatoes were tender. I have to say I tipped well and encourage everyone to come to this establishment. Fabulous restaurant, fabulous meal, fabulous staff. The only thing I regret is buying a delicious cocktail with my food.

    (5)

  • Zak A.

    We had breakfast out for 3 days in a row on our trip to the Seattle area. This place was far superior to the other 2 places. We loves the service and the detailed menu. This place really took the extra culinary mile. Our waitress was experienced and helpful. We were so happy with the campfire skillet with veggies, the enchilada stack and the biscuits and gravy. The ambiance was a little under lit but other than that our experience was flawless. The manager heard that we were from out of town and had really enjoyed our meals so he came over to our table to thank us. This was the type of place that would keep us coming back for more if only we lived closer.

    (5)

  • Sally M.

    The worst server ever! He has no personality, very short & curt. I felt like walking out & leaving but we had already ordered an appetizer and drink. This is my 1st time here, really wanted to love but since I LOVE the 5 spot! The staff there are so great which made me go back every week! But this place was such a disappointment! Will never come back!!!

    (1)

  • Darrel K.

    Service slow. Waited 20 minutes before server showed up. If you are ADA forget handicap parking as there is none. In fact ADA parking seems to be nonexistent in and around this city. 30 minutes past and still no food. No doubt the city planners all come from a long line of morons. Food just a step up from Army MRE.

    (1)

  • Teresita C.

    I finally figured out Hi-Life. It's a basic diner, that is perfect for families with young'uns and older folks. The last two times I came here I brought one of each of those. The young parents were happy it was kid-friendly, and my girlfriend's mom and her bestie were happy there were non-spicy, basic choices. I was underwhelmed with my salad/ bean burger, and found a distinct lack of flavor/spice. While this is fine for the intestine-ally challenged, for me it was a drag. On another occasion my beet salad was limp and small and sad, like a little-person clown at the end of a long day doing tricks for a spoiled child's birthday party. What am I rambling about? Well, I have time and energy to think of things that might amuse me when I'm eating this food. Housed in the old Ballard Firehouse, I wish something more eccentric and interesting could live in this building. Nothing bad, just very, very average.

    (3)

  • Michael S.

    The Food: My wife ordered the Station 18 and I ordered the Waffle Slam. We shared the smashed red potatoes. We both really enjoyed our food. The potatoes were had great seasoning and texture. The waffle was a bit on the hard side but had great flavor. The bacon was big and it was nice and crispy but not dried out. I'm not going to describe our food in detail. I just want to say that we enjoyed every bite. Service: Service was great. Our servers were friendly and the food came out relatively quickly. Our server was fairly new but did a good job explaining menu items. Atmosphere: I think this place is an old fire station. It has a mixture of brick and wood the looked very nice. It was very open and wide. It didn't feel cramped at all. There was some light rock kind of music playing on the speakers. The place was very clean, too. Price: I felt like the price was reasonable for the quality if food and atmosphere. It's not the cheapest place to eat I suppose but it's not outrageous, either. Plus, you get a lot for your money. Clientele: There weren't that many people in the restaurant that day but it seemed like a very clean cut crowd. Mostly 30s and 40s types. I would be comfortable bringing a family with kids here.

    (5)

  • Kimberly B.

    I appreciate that I can usually get a seat at the bar here. The food is not too bad either. Had a chicken chili this weekend which was loaded with yummy white chicken. I have always received good service.

    (4)

  • Kelly S.

    Had the winter steak salad. It was delicious. The staff is great and the ambience relaxed. Great place for group gatherings.

    (4)

  • Claudia A.

    Food was pretty good.. Benedict was alright, potatoes were on point. Super tasteful! I was disappointed by my mimosa.

    (4)

  • Robert G.

    Excellent breakfast spot! French toast is amazing and so are the biscuits and gravy. The service is more diner style sureliness than fancy restaurant but it works. I was thoroughly satisfied!

    (4)

  • Kaleigh H.

    The atmosphere here is so warm and cozy! The food is awesome! Definitely try the Firehouse eggs Benedict if you can :) Love it!

    (4)

  • Griffin E.

    Sunday brunch in Ballard seemed like a good idea after a morning charity sports tourney. We had 8 people, all of whom were pretty famished and eager to try this place out. We'd heard supportive recommendations about this place before and having walked by it plenty of times during Ballard pub crawls, it seemed inviting and interesting. Certainly worth trying out for brunch right? We arrived at 11:40 and put our name down. I know larger parties can sometimes take longer but we were surprisingly given a time of "about 20 minutes". Gladly we decided to hang around and peruse the menu. About 30 minutes in, I asked one of the two hostesses where we were in the queue. She assured me that after a party of six that we were next and that it would be dependent on either a table finishing up quickly and paying/leaving (they were still eating) or a party that had finished and were just chatting. There wasn't anything we could do - we'd sunk in a lot of time already and were committed to seeing it through. We waited roughly 45-50 minutes before we were seated. Our service while seated was average and nothing to praise. Maybe they knew that our party of 8 would have the mandatory 18% tip thrown in, so why try to impress? That's a whole other issue but overall the water came slow and the food came excruciatingly slow. We gave our orders the first time our server came through because we'd already memorized the menu in the 50 minutes we sat waiting for a table to open up. It took us nearly another hour before the food showed up. Our server came by a couple times to refill coffee but did not initiate conversation in assuring us our food was on its way. We had to ask about 40 minutes in what the status of our order was. Now -- this wasn't on the server per se. It seemed like a lot of the tables were experiencing slow service... This is something the kitchen needs to work on. Find a more efficient way to expedite and work together to crank out some hash browns and eggs! The food was okay -- several people in our group got eggs benedict but half the eggs were almost cooked through. No runny yolk. Hash browns were greasy and a little soggy. Bacon and pancakes were done just fine and the freshly squeezed orange juice was good. Our server also botched the bill -- is it just me or shouldn't a server know his tables and if he sees several couples sitting as a group, shouldn't he offer to split the check before bringing out a giant bill that patrons have to itemize? There was some confusion and he had to re-run our cards with split tickets (but surely, they insisted on the 18% gratuity... I'd give 10% personally for this experience). Even with the split checks, they goofed on who had what but by then, it was nearly 2.5 hrs for brunch and we just wanted to leave. TL:DR - hostess staff needs to set expectations better. If you can't seat in 20 minutes, don't tell customers the wait is 20 minutes. The server was largely inattentive and came by twice in the nearly 1 hr wait for our food. The grub itself is hit and miss. 18% gratuity by default is hog wash especially for such a poor experience.

    (2)

  • Candi K.

    Ehhh.... This place was OK. Came here for Sunday fried chicken dinner. Service was slow. Chicken was ok, breading could use more seasoning. Mash potatoes were good and biscuit too. Would I come back? Ehhh... Get better chicken at ezells for same amount of money.

    (3)

  • Doug C.

    Breakfast, lunch or dinner you can't go wrong. I stumbled on this place for breakfast a couple months ago and have been back twice since. Great menu with a varied selection and a great space to enjoy a couple of drinks during dinner. Try the ribs - thank me later.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :8:30 am - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Breakfast, Brunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

The Hi-Life

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