Zayda Buddy’s Pizza & Bar
5405 Leary Ave NW, Seattle, WA, 98107
Zayda Buddy’s Pizza & Bar Menu
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Address :
5405 Leary Ave NW
Seattle, WA, 98107 - Phone (206) 641-9855
- Website https://www.zaydabuddyspizza.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Tue, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Dior W.
get the tots- incredible.
(5)Anthony E.
Would give zero if I could. Took forever to get average food. Won't be back. We watched tables turn all around us and not only did we not get food, they weren't even filling waters. Not once.
(1)Alexander C.
My rating is for the food and beverage because I love Zayda. The reason for writing the review, however, is to point out that the bartenders need to learn when to cut a customer off. Sitting on the back porch of the coffee shop next door last night a friend and I were repeatedly verbally berated by an absolutely shitfaced girl on the Zayda porch. After asking countless times for her to leave us alone and quit trying to make slurred conversation our only way out was to move inside. To the Zayda staff--if a customer can hardly stand or speak simple sentences, quit serving them.
(4)Brandon C.
Great Minnesota pizza and good cheese curds. Chill environment. Had some great beers on tap as well. Come check this place out.
(4)Dennis S.
Miss Minnesota?! Love the Vikings? This is your place. Food doesn't shy away from being purely Midwest, white bread and all. Overall, the food, drinks and service is good. The price was a little pricey given the quantity, but not to the level of being ridiculous. They've got plenty of TVs - all seats seemed to have a view of sports.
(3)nikki g.
Kim S. You suck. Also maybe your egotistical bullshit is made up. As far as you know the 'waitresses' or 'bartenders' were complimenting you. Get the fuck over yourself. This place is awesome and there is no other Seattle place that is so open and friendly. I came to Zaydas with a hangover. Now I'm good
(5)Cait C.
Me and the man came here on Saturday for some grub. We ordered the Space Case and Minnemosa, but really good! The Space Case was especially strong but still delicious. We ordered the chili and cheese tots and the infamous cheese curds. We were thoroughly impressed with the tots compared to the curds. So good and so filling! Really great place to watch sport and transport to Minnesota! Even saw some Vikings fans catching the game. Pretty neat place for food and drinks. No weekend HH though only M-F from 3-6 pm and Sunday-Thursday from 10 pm- close. We will definitely be back for more tots!
(5)Sabrina S.
Back in December, my hubby and were going to attend a performance at the Paramount Theater in downtown Seattle. Rather than drive downtown, park, and find a place to eat we chose something in Ballard where I work. My husband is sometimes hard when it comes to making a decision on where to eat, so I picked Zayda Buddy's because I knew he'd be happy if he noshed on their food. It was pretty quiet that night - maybe 2 other tables - but unlike some restaurants were service actually suffers when it's quiet, our friendly waitress gave us attentive service. I had one of their bloody Mary's which was the bomb dot com. Hubby had a beer - can't remember which one. We pretty much snacked at Zayda's and I can't remember what I had for dinner that night, aside from the green bean casserole as an appy. It was legit - not as legit as when I make it, but for restaurant made it was great. I think my hubby had a behemoth of a burger, to which he enjoyed. Zayda's is a fun and funky bar with a menu that offers a little bit of something for everyone!
(4)Will B.
A little slice on Minnesota right here in Seattle WA. Cheese curds are the real thing. Poutine is on point. Tater Tot casserole, you know you're the right place. All the great Leinenkugels available. TV's showing MN sports teams whenever possible and on a Friday night = Star Trek: The Next Generation. I had the Green Olive burger the last visit and it was everything it was supposed to be, GREEN OLIVES. I could not handle the oliveness but if you're looking for the next best thing to the original from Anchor Bar in Superior WI, that was it.
(5)Lolee J.
I love this place! It's one I the few places that I can get good red beer. The food is fantastic! And every server I have ever had has been so nice!! Their wings are some of the best I have had in seattle!
(5)Jo L.
This is pretty much your standard dive bar for a pretty nice area. I love the decor with the wood paneling and comic books! The outdoor area in the back is small but really pleasant to sit in on a sunny day. The tables are a bit rickety, so watch your beers on them. Service was pretty good; the guy at the bar was pretty friendly and after our initial order at the bar also came by to see if we wanted more beers. He also brought the check out for us. Since we dropped in for drinks so I can't comment on the food, but tater tot Tuesday sounds amazing.
(3)Jacqueline N.
Our favorite dive. The cheese curds here are amazing. Totally unpretentious. One time our friend came from Spain and we took here here, where the waitress gave us a free jello shot. Awesome! PS: Yes, they really do have the best bloody mary in seattle!
(5)Candace B.
They have tater tot nachos!! Me and my boyfriend stopped into this bar to close up his birthday & I'm glad we did. Our waiter was super nice, helped with a couple beer suggestions and kept us pretty entertained. Almost felt as if we had been friends for a while. The tater tot nachos (Should call them tachos) were SO good. Perf bar food. There was a gnat that kept flying around, but we named him Jaspers, so it's all good. My only complain would be that it was super cold, due to the door being open. But our waiter was kind enough to close it- PROBLEM SOLVED! Perfect place to come grab a couple drinks and indulge in fatty foods. I also heard they have a breakfast pizza? I will be back you for you!
(4)Kayla B.
My partner loves the poutine! So delicious. I had the cheese curds and I melted in in my seat. So good.
(4)Chris H.
The food and vibe here is a weird ultra-stereotype of the Midwest, about as authentic to Minnesota as "The Dukes of Hazzard" was to daily life in the rural South. You could look at the menu and think "this is comfort food," but a few bites in and you're going to be able to feel your arteries hardening.
(2)Harin G.
Alright Zayda Buddy's...if you were a person, you would be one of the first friends I made when I moved to Seattle from Minneapolis. I appreciate how at ease this place is. Everyone always has a great attitude and is warm (Minnesota nice!) and we love watching the Vikings and Wild games here to gather with our Minnesota peeps. Ciprian - the bartender who hails from MN as well, is always a warm friendly face and always takes time to chat about MN and other happenings. Thumbs up to her - she may not remember our names but her acknowledgement every time is incredibly welcoming! Their pizza is THE BOMB. It's flakey and thin crust really hits the spot for me. Every pizza they have is great but my personal favorites are the Kimchi ZZam and the Taco Pizza. yum yum yum. They have free tots on Tuesdays. Douse it in aardvark and you have yourself a lovely partner to an ice cold refreshing drink. I can't come here all the time because I would weight 300 lbs if I ate their food regularly, but I sure appreciate the chill and welcome atmosphere! p.s. Don't be naive and think that you can show up 15 minutes early to a Vikings game and get a seat. I once drank a bloody mary while using their gum ball machines as a table because I didn't get there early enough.
(4)Julia D.
Great beer selection, super amazing pizza to go, very loud and busy. We got the mac and cheese and while I, personally, don't remember eating it, my man says it was weird and had too much random stuff in it. I trust him. I'd eat the pizza every day.
(4)Karen G.
The best place in Seattle to watch the Vikings (Skol Vikes!!). They have great Bloody Mary's and the pizza options are all delicious.
(5)Amber O.
Great little space in Ballard! Reminds me of the bar from How I Met Your Mother. The cheese curds were an awesome little snack before I dove into the delicious Tuna Melt. I would love to try their pizza next as it looked like a great choice.
(4)A.J. S.
Sooo I'm not sure where the connection is between Minnesota and tater tots, but Zayda Buddy's makes one. Am I upset about this? Only when I've eaten too many. They also have fried. cheese. curds. These are dipped in marinara sauce, or, if your ateries aren't full already, you can dip them in Velveeta cheese sauce. Not that I've ever done that before..ahem. They have drinks that taste like Kool-Aid, massive Bloody Mary's, thin crust pizzas..waffle and egg sandwiches on the weekend, and if you'd like some sports with your cholesterol, you will have several large TVs to stare at. I've never seen a single vegetable here, although I suspect they may have salads available. My crew is too busy drinking the cheese to investigate this for me. The staff is nice and helpful and wont judge any kind of cheese drinking going on around our table. Last night we hollered at each other about sexual lubricant in mixed company there.* So Zayda Buddy's is a legit spot for tater tots, melted cheese and an rousing good time. *I promise I am a healthy and dignified adult %84 percent of the time.
(3)Michael K.
Place seemed fun, food was pretty good, but waitress managed to forget our coffee's twice and service was really slow. They were busy, but they had 3 wait staff on, so for such a small joint, it seems like they could handle it. The orders were also messed up for 2 of us. Overall, a great place to watch sports, but not sure they're wait staff is on top of things. Either way, I would probably give them another chance....
(3)Blake J.
Pretty good food i had the rostbeef cheessteak it was hard to eat but good my girl had the chili cheese tater tots those were better all in all it was good but nothing that makes me go damn i want more....
(3)Sara S.
Wowww what a huge disappointment! Absolute garbage! I wish i could rate lower. My boyfriend and i went here excited because we used to live in Minnesota and have been missing the Juicy Lucy but what we ordered was nothing close it tasted like burnt meatloaf sandwich neither of us ate anymore than 1 bite before throwing it away!! The fries were bland and tasteless and the tots that i had to pay two dollars extra for were bland and soggy!! Not to mention my portion of tots were tiny! What am i paying extra for. Then when we asked for a side of ranch our waitress didnt even bother to tell us id be paying an extra dollar for it especially when it comes watered down!!! I will be telling everyone i know to never come here!! Dont waste your money like i did i spent $30 for food we just threw away!!
(1)Robin E.
The pizza is great, best I have had so far in Seattle. Loved the cheese curds which made me homesick for Wisconsin. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I would definitely recommend it.
(4)Mojdeh S.
How I heard of this place: I first heard of Zayda Buddy's when a friend told me I had to try it...specifically for their tater tot casserole. It didn't happen on this visit, but the menu was just too enticing to limit myself. Type of cuisine: Claiming to be, "Ballard's only Minnesota-style pizzeria! Our thin crust pizzas are made with 100% Wisconsin mozzerella cheese and fresh California tomatoes. We proudly boast a righteous selection of Midwest beers including Old Milwaukee, Blatz, Leinenkugels, Grain Belt Premium and more! Zayda Buddy's is a full scratch bar - ALL our drinks are made fresh - no pre-mixes. Try our amazing Klement's brand bratwurst and natural casing hot dogs from Wisconsin, and our totally awesome tater tot hotdish." Ambiance: A bit of the 1950s meets a 2010-Ballard pub. Framed pictures of drawn or printed birds line the walls, as do photographs of the owner from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Exposed brick walls also host neon signs boasting the brands of a plethora of ales available at the bar, the area to the left as you enter the establishment. Seating at booths ranging in size from spots for two to spots for up to eight (cozily), on hard, wooden pews with black, leather, padded head rests. Wooden tables, thick and hefty, hold the heavy (in more ways than one) foods at your table. What I ordered: Being out for a walk and brunch, I was waiting for the establishment to open in order that I might sample one of their limited breakfast options - namely a breakfast pizza, dough topped with scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, onions, olives and tater tots! But when my dining companion decided to order off of the regular/lunch menu, I couldn't help but pick up my own copy to see what my other options might include. He opted for the Deep-Fried Pepperjack Burger ($9.99), a 1/2 pound hamburger patty coated with Zayda's special peppercorn seasoned breading, deep fried till it's got a righteously crisp seasoning on the outside & juicy burger on the inside And... topped with pepper jack cheese & brown gravy. Lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle and condiments are all served on the side. A side of tater tots (for an additional $2) and a small bowl of Caesar salad (additional $2), with crispy, buttery croutons and grated Parmesan cheese, were also requested. Turning my attention to the burgers, the neon arrows all pointed me to the Stuffed Burger ($9.99), a 1/2 pound hamburger patty stuffed with bleu cheese & bacon bits topped with lettuce, onion & tomato. And to do it right, Zayda adds even more bleu cheese & crispy bacon on top. With a side of tater tots, and all of that deep-fried goodness, I was more than satisfied for the rest of the day! What I loved: The tater tots were my favorite of all aspects of this meal. The Caesar salad not unlike what you could make at home with a store-bought creamy Caesar dressing gave us the greens we wanted, but little more. The deep-fried burger had the most amazing flavor - with the peppercorn seasoned breading and the crispy texture. The salty bacon and pungent, creamy bleu-cheese were delicious amidst the one-inch thick burger patty. But the tots. The tater tots, fried to crispy perfection, lightly salted, well-peppered and not at all greasy are worth returning for...as is the tater tot casserole. Why I loved it: The food is heavy, hearty, filling and full of flavor. The staff friendly and the space like your second home. Office space up a ladder from the kitchen and into a loft make for amusement as diners every so often see people stand up, heads touching the ceiling and calling down to the staff below. Television sets well prepared for Super Bowl Sunday and other sporting events, with which to enjoy a plethora of gluttonous foods. Cost: Average ($7.99 - $9.99 for burgers and small entrees)
(3)Bill R.
We've be going to "Buddy's" since they opened.. We love the atmosphere the friendly staff and the food. The pizza is scrumptious with the cracker crust.. We typically do 1/2 Olaf and 1/2 Ballard bridge. Yummm! I also like the 70s ambiance with Farrah and Charlie's angels memorabilia.... You know..when the Vikings were relevant. Today we asked for extra crispy French fries with our poutine..yes folks..they have awesome poutine that any self-respecting Canadian or hot-dish-lovin Midwesterner will crow for. They were happy to accommodate because tater tots can get soupy ya know. Drinks and meals were great today as always. Thanks for being a consistent treat.
(5)Marie B.
Husband has been curious about Minnesotan pizza, so finally on 8/18/14 we decided to check it out. Place was fairly busy on a Monday evening. He had a Magner's Cider ($5), a cup of the beer cheese soup w/ popcorn ($3.99), a small Ballard Bridge pizza ($17.99). I had plenty of iced water, half a tasty spinach salad ($5.99) and managed to eat only half an order of tater tots ($5.99). Plenty of pizza and half the tots were taken home. Surprisingly, the tater tots were fine nuked and topped with over easy eggs for a later breakfast. I steered away from the pizza. I had a tiny taste while at ZB's and unfortunately, it reminded me of a sausage pizza from Godfather's. Many, many other dining choices in Ballard, but at least we can say we tried ZB's.
(3)Em E.
Midwest themed sports bar offers hearty grub with zero pretension, perhaps to the detriment of quality. I LIKEY: I ordered a pesto chicken pizza, my brother had a chicken sandwich. We were initially bummed that the hot dog meal we were eyeing was not available, but c'est la vie. The pizza was delicious, cooked well, tasty, perfect size and portion of toppings. YUM. My brother raved about his sandwich, while delighting in the novelty of getting a side of Pringles with his meal. BOO: I ordered an Old Fashioned, and had something covered in grenadine that came back. A quick glance at the menu showed me they probably substituted what I ordered for something similar-ish... however, I wish they had told me they were going to do that. I enjoy an Old Fashioned for the smoothness of the whiskey, and a touch of sweetness. Giving me top shelf whiskey (which I requested, not knowing what was coming) and then soaking it in sugar, grenadine, and sour was pretty gross. I would have ordered something different, but our server was also the bartender, and the place was full, so we never really saw her after the initial order. COMING AGAIN? Tasty pizza, TVs in every direction to keep an eye on the game, and the novelty of the theme would bring me back, eventually. However, if I return, I'll be ordering a beer and sitting at the bar.
(3)Kim S.
I went here with my husband to watch a hockey game and had a great time. Over the course of two hours, I had three glasses of wine. I left to cook dinner and kissed my spouse goodbye so he could finish watching the game. My husband ran into a colleague after I left who said that bartender was talking about me. He told my husband's colleague exactly what I had to drink and that I got "angry," "had enough," with my husband and left. Really? Really. I don't get mad about anything, but going to a bar and having the bartender gossip about a customer to a stranger is not cool. Shame, shame on the professionalism. I won't be back. Sucks. I really liked it there.
(3)Heather V.
Zayda Buddy's is a sports bar, but cool enough for people who don't love sports bars. With it's fun mid-western vibe (we lived in Wisconsin for 2 years and were always shocked at how nice mid-westerners are), the food and drinks are good enough to return for. Nice vegetarian options, good veggie burgers and pizzas, we've had dinner and brunch here, each time pretty good. Zayda Buddy's has a little bit for everyone, carnivores and veggies alike. The beer selection was OK (I like triple style ales, they don't need to be from Belgium, there are tons of good ones from domestic brewers and ZB doesn't have any), plenty of cheapie beers. Decent cocktails, just don't expect anything fancy -- think no frills vodka tonics, they're strong enough to get your buzz going. Fun place to watch the game and meet your pals from Ballard. Nice staff, not a long wait if you're hungry. Not bad.
(4)Kristin S.
I love this place. The beer list is fantastic. The cheese curds are drool worthy. This is a Minnesota / Midwest themed bar with all the tastes from home. Parking is a nightmare but its definitely worth circling the block to find a spot. Also the wait staff is very nice, Minnesota nice.
(5)Bryan K.
It breaks my heart to say this, but I am about done with Zaydas. My girls love going there and over probably a hundred previous visits I did too, but the last four straight times we have gone the service has been absolutely horrendous. We don't get utensils, we don't get water, we order and then watch the same type of food come far faster for tables that came in well after us, we never once have someone come over to check on us (no exaggeration- the last three visits there have involved ZERO combined check-ins from anyone after the food arrives), we have to hunt down someone to give us a check so I can pay the bill and leave a mostly undeserved tip. It drives me nuts to say this about a place that used to be so great but I just can't take it any longer...my daughters will miss going there, and eventually I will try it again and might be surprised to get the great service and attention I am used to from so many previous visits, but right now there are just too many other good places within a few blocks of there for me to waste my time and my money on a place that has so little interest in satisfying the clients who want to love it so much. That was a long sentence but hopefully it encapsulated my frustration and disappointment...please Zaydas, get better again before its too late.
(2)Aaron K.
I moved to Seattle from Minnesota nearly eight years ago, and somehow I never managed to visit this place. Frankly, I'm ashamed it took so long. In a very brief amount of time, for reasons I can't fully explain, ZB's became my favorite bar on the planet. As a huge Vikings/Twins/Gophers fan and midwestern townie bar aficionado, I can only say the place just felt good and right and I can't wait to go back. Also, the Sauerkraut Sander pizza blew my mind.
(5)Harley Q.
Almost all of my extended family lives in the mid-west (MN & WI) and I've been to many ah' bars (even as a kid- yes, it's still legal to bring children...to a bar). Anyway, this place hits the mark as far as mid-west ambiance and seems like almost a replica of a tavern in MN. The food is hardy comfort food (breaded! fried!) that doesn't disappoint in terms of flavor and portion size. If only Zayda Buddy's had Minnesota prices. The cost was on par with other places in Seattle ($10 for a cocktail) but the happy hour deals looked great. If you hoping to snag a seat to catch a game I'd recommend getting here early. This place is a fun, laidback bar that didn't disappoint.
(4)Emily D.
One bad apple.... Unfortunately, this review has gone from 4 stars to 2 stars based solely on our horrible waitress. My husband & I along with our 3 year old hit up Zayda Buddy's on a Sunday around 430pm for a late lunch/early dinner. We were literally the only table in the restaurant, along with 2 locals sitting at the bar. At first, it looked like our service was going to be fine. Our waitress came over to greet us right away, she took our drink order & returned with our drinks right away. We ordered for the kiddo, letting her know that we'd be ready to order in just a sec. Unfortunately, she never returned. We could see her at the bar dancing & talking to the locals. We tried numerous times to get her attention. Nothing. The kiddo's food actually arrived before she came back to take our order. Unfortunately, she got his order wrong. We had to ask the person who delivered the food - nope, she didn't even do that - to correct our order & ask her to come back so we could place our own order. We could see him speaking to her, but instead of coming back, she proceeded to stand in the kitchen & talk to the cooks before returning. Her attitude continued to get crappier & crappier as time progressed. Clearly, she didn't want us to be there, or simply didn't feel like doing her job. We finally did get our food but my husband never got the second beer that he ordered, and we had to hunt her down to get the check. While I understand that not everyone has had the experience of dining with a 3 year old, surely most servers have an understanding that the process needs to be slighly quicker than usual - especially when we make a point of dining at slow times so as not to be annoying. She also made a weird a comment as we were leaving - "Wow, now that you're parents, your lives sure are different, huh?" While this is true, her tone was unbelievably rude & the comment from a stranger was totally out of line. Not going back unless we can be sure she's not our waitress. A shame too cause their pizza is super, my kid loves their grilled cheese & tots, and the other server that brought our food was great.
(2)Matt J.
Love the pizza and Minnesotan feel. My favorite is a pizza with sausage, roasted garlic, red onion, mama's lil peppers and basil.
(4)Allison P.
Cheese curds so good!! Love their buffalo chicken pizza super crispy thin crust! Friend got the deep fried burger and said good. Great happy hour deals. Will be back to try more items. Service friendly and helpful, but kinda slow.
(4)Susan W.
Went her last night for the first time with hubby & friends. Finding a parking spot was a bi##h! Had to circle the block a few times & ended up parking 2 blocks away & walking. The cross street intersection is dangerous!! Weird angles & 4 lanes across Leary Way. Finally inside scored a table at 5:30 on Saturday night with no delay. By the time we left abut 7pm there were groups of people waiting. The restaurant is actually quite small. I picked a Wisconsin beer off the menu to try. Schells Firebrick. It was a good hoppy Amber Ale, Hubby went with the 3 Grid IPA. Both tasty. Ordered an apie of tater tots & fried cheese curds for our table to share. Great idea since the food took a little while to arrive so we weren't chewing on our arms while waiting. My friend Angie ordered the special veggie sandwich with side salad. Looked excellent! Hummus, tapenade, spinach, artichoke hearts & more. Her hubby ordered a cheese burger adding bacon. Not bad looking but not great. He got the fries with his burger. They looked too thin for me. I prefer a fry with a little more oomph to it. Their son got the kids pepperoni & sausage pizza. Pretty darn good size for a kids pizza. Hubby ordered the stuffed bacon blue burger with a side salad. His burger was awesome! I would get that next time. I had the fried chicken dinner with the tenderloins. It was served with mashed potatoes & gravy and a salad. It was supposed to be served with a pretzel roll but they didn't give me one. No worries. I couldn't finish 2 pieces of my chicken & most of the potatoes anyways & brought the leftovers home with me. Ordered a second beer to go with dinner the Two Hearted Ale. I think it was even better that the Schells. Friendly & efficient service. I would go back for sure & would like to try the pizza.
(4)April M.
we like this place...the staff is cool,the food n drinks are good and they always have the games on... A+
(4)Katy H.
Pretty cool hangout spot in Ballard! I have a few Midwest gal-pals and they had wanted to check out Zayda Buddy's for ages. On a Ballard bar crawl we landed here for a quick round of drinks. We didn't try the pizza (though I really want to next time!) but I enjoyed a big tall bloody Mary while my friends had wine and beer. Lots of TVs to catch the game and random stuff on the wall to look at while you chat. Good service, and tons of space. Consider coming here if you have a large group.
(3)Caileigh A.
There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home... Every time our Wisconsin crew heads to Zayda Buddy's for game watches, we feel a little more at home -- especially when we beat the Vikings or Gophers! We love the atmosphere of Zayda Buddy's, the laid back style of dining, and the friendly faces and staff. And their cheese curds aren't bad either, though we're quite biased given our true cheesehead roots ;) It's hard to find GOOD fried cheese curds in the Northwest, but Zayda Buddy's is about as close as it gets in downtown(ish) Seattle. And they've got Summer Shandy and Honey Weiss, so you can't go wrong when washing down your hotdish. Yum!
(4)Brian L.
Zayda Buddy's is a great place to grab some real mid-western food. The first time I came here I only had a beer and some deep fried cheese curds (made with real Wisconsin cheese) but the second time I ordered a pizza. Their pizza reminds me in almost every way of pizza from Wisconsin and my parents (who grew up in Wisconsin) completely agree. I will be going back here often.
(4)Misty N.
What a great Minnesota themed bar. Tater tots with my breakfast? Yes please! Awesome mimosas with Swedish fish served on top! Friendly staff and good food!
(5)Marisa B.
Zayda Buddy's is a neighborhood bar that seems to have been transported straight from the Northern Midwest to Seattle (perhaps by Tornado). The atmosphere is always friendly and comfortable (lots of spacious booths). It's the perfect place to catch a game. And the huge menu full of comfort food is awesome. I don't usually like Poutine, but they use no nonsense gravy and Wisconsin cheese curds so it never disappoints. I did try one of their personal pizzas at happy hour, but the crust wasn't my style. There are so many other options to choose from it won't stop me from coming back.
(4)Mai N.
It's unfortunate for my waistline, but we go here every week and grab a specialty pizza: the Border Patrol, minus the jalepenos, add Lil' Mamas, light on the cheese, heavy on the sauce. It's great every time. We usually order a bigger pizza to take home then eat the leftovers the next day. Cold Zayda Buddy's pizza is just as good as the hot one.
(5)Tom B.
You have now left the pacific northwest. Please return your seat to the full upright position. This place makes no bones about wanting to be your full-service Minnesota culinary depot. They actually seem to celebrate all things upper midwest/great lakes, with NFC North football posters from every team, cheese curds, chicago dogs, Michigan beer, and every junky combination of tater tots and other artery-clogging comfort food you can imagine. You walk in and it's a celebration of lighted and motorized beer sign from our latitude--Rainier, Oly, Hamm's, Leinenkugel, Old Style. From Puget Sound to Lake Erie, they have tons of cool electric beer signage from the 60s and 70s. The old-school decor extends to the beveled wainscoting, the Farrah Fawcett poster over the urinal in the men's, the Burt Reynolds Playgirl centerfold in the women's (two girls in our group proudly displayed their iPhone photos of Burt upon returning to the booth). The service is super friendly and funny and right on top of it in every way--really nice and easy-going staff. They know the menu, they know how to orchestrate substitutions, they know the beers. They're on it. The menu is a showcase for how cardiologists get multiple summer homes. Deep-fried cheese curds, chili cheese tots, poutine, sloppy joe dogs, mac and cheese, mac and cheese PIZZA, a couple dozen other pizzas, including breakfast pizzas. And, yes, they serve breakfast, too. The pizzas are awesome, tons of flavor, thoughtfully prepared, great crackery thin crust. The crowd here is friendly and fun. Last night, it featured the world's loudest Seahawk fan. Every big play, good or bad, she made some kind of noise that made me think somebody either broke in and tripped the burglar alarm or the tea was ready. And this was just pre-season. And that's what I like about Zayda Buddy's. You don't have to wait for the regular season. This place goes all the way to the wall with starch and grease and beer 365 days a year.
(4)Bob Z.
This is a funky little place, I like it a lot. How many bars are you going to find in Seattle that have a section on the menu for the beers of Wisconsin, or the beers of Minnesota or Michigan? You gotta love that. Probably the best place in town to watch a Packers or Vikings game. I came here for lunch. The Reuben is awesomeness in a sandwich. I washed it down with Pig's Eye Pilsner, which complimented it nicely. You can get fires or go with Tater Tots for the complete experience. I need to come back some time and try the pizza.
(4)Corey Y.
Tots Tuesday. I'll fully admit that's mostly why I'm giving 4 stars. (Well, that and the wings are crazy tasty and the bar staff are friendly as all get out. Music's not bad either.) Maybe that makes me a shallow Yelper. But when you tell me that I get free tots with my drink, you've made this tot fan deliriously happy. Totally going back next time I'm in Ballard. (Hopefully on a Tuesday!)
(4)Raina D.
Came in on a Saturday night for some noms, however the power was out in most of Ballard so everyone else was here as well so probably more busy than is typical. --- Food: Billed for having "Minnesota Style Pizza" I am still scratching my head about what the heck that means. I'm from MN and didn't know we had a style--according to the menu, it involves WI cheese and CA tomatoes.... They do offer a lot of Midwestern style dishes---tater tot hot dish and fried cheese curds to name a few. We ordered the sauerkraut pizza, mac and cheese, and chicken sandwich. All were reasonably good but not necessarily Midwestern per say. For a bar, we were satisfied. +1 Ambiance: Seems to have a crisis of identity having sports memorabilia from all over the central US on the walls. Lots of booths/tables, clean, and appropriately dark. +1 Service: They were unusually busy, so I'll give them a pass for not being particularly attentive. We had to wait for a table and they were pretty kind about getting in there ASAP, but after we were seated, it was random that we got any prompt service. +1/2 Convenience/Price: Prices seemed a bit steep, usually easy to find street parking in the area for no monies. +1/2 Other Factors of Awesomeness: Nope. +0
(3)Eric P.
I've been going to Zayda Buddy's for about 5 years or more. At first the pizza was really good -- every time. The cheese curds were crisp and delicious. It was unique. And it was an every other week type place. Not anymore. Now, if you want the pizza done right, you have to ask for it "well done." Otherwise it'll come out "nearly done." They cook it until the cheese is melted and no more. A good pizza has some char. COOK IT. The cheese curds are the same way, almost there. Sandwiches have never been good. Just don't get them. Today was the last straw. Our server hates her life. She needs to leave. She literally left a trashed table next to us the entire hour or so we were there. Clearly she's not cut out for the service industry. And this type of server is an indication of where Zayda Buddy's has gone. Another kitchen nightmare. I'm done with this place.
(2)Ann C.
BACKGROUND MUSIC is WAY TOO ******* LOUD. When your waitstaff can't hear customers, during LUNCH, and you won't turn it down, you'd better have excellent food. Unfortunately, I ate there days ago, but can't remember what I ate. It was edible, but nothing special. Oh yeah, it was the poutine. I wasn't expecting anything as good as Skillet's poutine, but I was expecting it to be better than the basic fries & gravy from McDonald's in Canada. It wasn't. There's no reason to have the music cranked that loud around noon, especially when customers are subjected to the same songs three times over because your playlist is so small. Then again, it may have been because we were there so long. It took a long time to place our order, longer to get our food, and way too long to get our check. If a restaurant is going to leave customers waiting for their meals for so long, at least provide free WiFi (so we don't have to try to connect through Cafe Fiore). I think I'm done with this place, at least for a year or two.
(2)Andria R.
A great place for comfort food. We ordered mac n'cheese, tator tots, and chicken strips and liked it all. I am from the NW so I don't really understand the Midwest thing but if you are looking for comfort food this place has it! Very good! Just don't come if you are on a diet!
(4)Cassie T.
The pizza at this place reminds me of the pizza of my youth. It's really good flat crust pizza. The decor is nothing special, but it's fun. ZB's is our go to whenever we come back from a trip or want to watch a game. Super easy going. Most of the staff has been there forever and they are all super cool. It's nice to sit on their back deck, drink a beer and soak up some sun.
(4)Brian B.
This place has been my favorite late night hangout ever since it's opened. They've steadily figured out how to price their food, which has been good for them, but I wish things were cheaper like in the ol' days. They have some of the best wings in town and their pizza is amazing. I love the Eric the Red pizza, although the tapenade and tomato pizza sauce somehow has a heat capacity that is higher than any known edible substance. Burns my mouth every time, but so worth it. You have been warned!
(5)John M.
I have been here many times over the years and found the place to hit the spot when you are in the mood. And by mood, I mean the mood for tater-tots. They have them, they are good, and they are cheap. Zayda buddy's pizza is also pretty good and generous. The staff has been consistently very good and the ambiance is nice and comfortable. Bit noisy at times, but nothing exceptional.
(4)Ingrid R.
If you are from the Midwest, or like the Midwest, you'll like this place. I used to live in Michigan and while there I discovered Bell's summer beer Oberon. They don't distribute west of the Mississippi, but I went to Zayda Buddy's and almost fainted when I saw Oberon on the menu, in November, no less. They have OBERON people!!!! This is the only place I've ever found it outside of the Midwest and it makes me so happy. If you're there, try it, or not, so I can have more. Good pizza, good atmosphere for friends or families, good service, and Oberon. Highly recommended
(5)Allison S.
Always the best wings! Great service, relaxed environment and the Chelsea Chelsea keeps me coming back. Mac and cheese on top of pepperoni pizza? Um yes please.
(5)Alyssa W.
Yum Yum Yum! The atmosphere in this place is great. I tried cheese curds for the first time in my life and they were phenomenal! I also sampled the tater tots and ordered the Mac n Cheese! YUMMMMMM My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys an explosion on their taste buds. They only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 was that the service was a little slow. But the food is worth it!
(4)Elizabeth K.
This was my first time to Zayda Buddy's. It won't be my last. Loved the atmosphere. Great music. I must have gone on '80's day. Michael Jackson, Hall & Oats, Earth Wind & Fire. Gotta love it! I ordered a cheeseburger and fries. Forgot to tell my fabulous waitress to make my burger well done. No problem! Swapped it out for a new one lickety split. Juicy flavorful burger with thin cut fries. Delish! My waitress, Kammy, was super knowledgeable about the menu. Very attentive and friendly. Even brought me a cheese curd sample.(I'd never had one before) So tasty! I could tell she was very happy and proud to be working there. Thanks for the wonderful experience Zayda Buddy's! I'll be back soon!
(5)Michael A.
Every time I go here, this plae is amazing. Everything is great, the pizza, the bloody marys are the best in Seattle, even the greek salad here is fantastic. They do late night pizza, fried cheese curds, and great drinks. The staff is always nice, and the place is rarely fully packed (unless a Vikings game is on). If you want a no hassle bar, with great food, drinks and atmosphere, the is the best place in ballard. It's not douchey, it's not full of bro's, it's just a nice comfortable bar.
(5)Morgan L.
I love this place! If you are a wings fan, this place is a must. We went with the spicy fried- which were soo good, and they had a great side sauce (we think it was bbq sauce mixed with mayo). They come deep fried and meaty, with the sauce on the side. Now that I think about it, I have never had wings like that! Next visit we will try the other option for wings, which aren't breaded and have the classic buffalo sauce. We also ordered the Taco tots.... they were nice and crispy, served with a side of sour cream. My own tiny complaint? Not enough taco seasoning on them. If you are looking for a chill place when everything else is Ballard is over crowded and (hate to say it) full of douchebags- head over here!! My boyfriend and I can't wait to come back.
(4)Chloe V.
I've been to Zayda Buddy's a handful of times over the past 5 years and I've found the experience to be consistent which is nice. Their cheese curds are out of this world. I could eat baskets of them! Minnesota style pizza isn't my first choice for pizza, but the pizza is good and they have an interesting selection of toppings. I like the cozy booths for small groups and the bar for a large group. Overall a consistently good bar with friendly servers! One downside is it can be hard to find street parking close by, but that is a common problem anywhere in the heart of Ballard.
(4)Casey N.
YUMMY! The Zesty Wings here are the best chicken wings in Seattle. For sure. They have a house made blue cheese that is amazing. Mostly because it doesn't really taste like blue cheese of which I am usually not a fan. The menu is very extensive. I also really enjoy the greek salad. We also had the fried cheese curds but I wasn't a fan. The have dubbed themselves midwestern cuisine and being from Ohio allows me to say that they have pretty much nailed it. The super laid back server guy during the day is my favorite. He makes cooking and serving and everything else he's doing there seem effortless.
(4)Andrew G.
Drank my fill of Midwest beers! The Ballard Bridge Pizza rocks!!
(4)Eric H.
Fun atmosphere, tasty blackened catfish. Surprisingly-not-bad beer from Wisconsin (Leinkugel Amber). Bland hot dogs.
(4)W S.
I have always had good service and great food up until last night. Really though, I understand that mistakes happen but I also want mistakes to be addressed and on that note I am incredibly impressed with management/ownership quickly addressing my experience. Food, on all other occasions, has been great and I would highly recommend Zayda's any day.
(5)D h.
Maybe it should have been a 5-star. Someone recommended that I should eat here. I was not disappointed--even excited to find it. I have been back several times in the last two months. Since I am from Minnesota, this is almost home. The Reuben sandwich is great. Then I tried the Pizza, Wow. It is almost, if not as good, as my favorite pizza place which is in Minneapolis, Broadway Pizza-pizza like it should be with plenty of sauce and a bit spicy. Now I won't have to go back home to get great pizza. Now do I get pizza when I go there or something else? The waiter James is great.
(4)Chris R.
Minnesota does a few things very well: - Cheese curds - Hot dishes - Snow removal - Being nice - State fair (The Great Minnesota Get-Together) This place does none of these even partially decent. Steer clear of the hot dish, tots and curds. The pizza is below average and the place is dirty. When the waitress told me to "skip" the fish sticks I should have just skipped the whole thing. The kick in the pants for me is when the waitstaff tell you something on the menu is crap, but it stays on the menu. Hello... if something on the menu is crap, take it off of the menu! Typically I look at several factors for my rating; wait staff, environment and food. The two stars is for the waitress. The unfortunate part is Zadya Buddy is a real person after whom this place is named. I feel bad his name is associated to this food.
(2)Chris B.
Being a Mid-Westerner, Zayda Buddy's holds a special place in my corn-fed heart. Their selection of Mid-West brews, tots and Viking games on Sundays is a unique offering to the city of Seattle. I've had two experiences in the past month which continue to prove to me that the Mid-West knows comfort food like no other. Experience #1, I was viewing the second game in the playoff series pitting the Twins against the Twin-vincible Yankees. Yes, we lost. However, I was comforted in the fact that I was drinking quality Mid-West beers and surrounded by the cursed Minnesota sports following. A plethora of Twins caps graced the dining area. Experience #2, I had one of the best pizza experiences of my life when I discovered that home made mac n' cheese is, in fact, an amazing topping. The combination of thin crust, red sauce, mozarella and mac n' cheese created the pinnacle of comfort food. Seriously, if you're a Seattle-ite feeling the blues (and about to throw yourself from the Aurora bridge), eat this and all of your problems will be solved (at least momentarily.)
(5)Eric M.
Loved this place! My wife and I are both from the home-state and when we got a taste of the cheese-curds, my first thought was Minnesota State Fair! In addition, we ordered the buffalo wings (also fantastic) and the Minnesota Mexican pizza. The beer list was also quite impressive (for beers our grandparents drank, anyways) - Hamm's, Schmidt, Olympia...and many more. The location was good, though off the main drag in Ballard (which depending on how you look at it, can be good or bad); the building it's housed in is very cool and the decor is quite appropriate. The amount of tables/booths is right for the size and the vintage Grain Belt signage (quite collectible these days) fits perfectly.
(5)Garrett H.
Be prepared ladies and gentlemen, this is my first 5 star review. This whole journey started on my way to the Wild Mountain Cafe for what I thought was the best bloody mary in town, and guess what the only day they are closed all week long is on Tuesday. What is a boy that works retail to do other than ask a strange street lady for advice. She sent me an my crew to Zayda Buddy's, thank you vagrantette. We were put off at first because we were looking for a breakfast place to cure the slight hang over from a good time the night before and were going to leave after our bloody mary...but then things started going really good. The bloody mary came with cheese curds in it. that is right cheese in it, thank you Minnesota Jesus, and a beer chaser. "We have to eat here," I related to the rest of my party and we got menus. Can I just say that my hang over has never been cured faster than with the deep fried burger smothered with pepper jack cheese? Serve that with a side of pringles and you just made my whole day. The food was good, the server was stoned and attentive, and every drink came with a side of tator tots. I love you ZB and will be back, the next time I decide that my liver is evil and must die!
(5)Michael T.
This places is actually quite fantastic. I've never been here during busy times, but the Ruben sandwich is really good, as is the mac and cheese.... Ohh..... the mac and cheese. Its worth the trip just to taste that mac and cheese. I'm going to minus one star for the beer (I had the viking gold) not being as good as I think it should have been.
(4)Christopher O.
I was born in Missouri. Now, Missouri is a little bit southern-fried as far as the midwest goes, and we don't have any great lakes bordering us. But trust me, it's close enough to home. When you look at the menu, and you can't believe somebody decided to put THAT on the menu, it's hit a chord. I have never actually tried their pizza. If I did, maybe my view of the place would be different. But I've had an array of their appetizers, casseroles, and sandwiches, and I have to say; nary a misstep so far. And if you hate the beer they have there, well...actually, recently I have learned something new about beer lately that has somewhat altered my perception of some of the great lakes lagers...but still...if you can't appreciate that they went so far out of their way to get Stroh's, Blatz, Old Milwuakee (which is actually a damn fine beer for a cheap lager) Schlitz, Grain Belt, and so on...man, just stay at home and drink Sierra Nevada for the rest of your life and don't go outside. Hipster Irony aside, there is something to a lot of those crisp, light, cheap, Milwaukee lagers. Each one has its own distinct flavor. Its maybe not for everybody, but it is its own taste. I, for one, kinda like 'em. And then they also have Leinenkeugel's, which is like the craft beer version of PBR. And on top of that, it's not like they don't have some good craft beers available besides the sort of quarky range of Pabst Brewing varieties. How do you not like deep fried cheese curds? Don't eat here too often, the food is just stuffed with fat and starch. But still go there. It's soooooo gooood.
(5)Old F.
New Year's Eve, all is quiet indoors but the food was 2/3 great! Ordered up a Minnesota Mexican and a Farmer's Market, plus some garlic cheese bread. First the meh, Garlic Cheese Bread. Didn't travel well, given we drove from Zayda to West Seattle. By the time it was opened up, the bread was cold and the marinara dipping sauce was clumpy. Might revisit this one, if we end up eating at the bar. Now the mmm. Minnesota Mexican. Described as "a Taco seasoned beef, black olives, onions,, cheddar & mozzarella cheeses. Topped with cold diced tomatoes & shredded lettuce." and well with the exception of the next days 'reward' for all the seasoned beef, onions, and cheddar cheese, this was a great replacement for a man who has been searching for a Godfather's Pizza Taco Pizza, replacement. Word of caution though, a 12 inch might be too much for one person but too little for two, choose your size carefully. My spouse on the other hand had the Farmer's Market, described as a "Mushroom, white onions, green pepper, broccoli, & black olives" and considering she ate her personal pan size portion, it was good. Overall, this place despite the garlic cheese, came off being not too bad, and we will definitely look them up, the next time we have a craving for a slice of thin crust. Cheers
(4)James M.
This place really is just a standard "slight trendy Ballard" bar. Food is what you'd expect, people were okay, prices were high. The cocktail menu is crazy long and why? They have a great Midwestern beer selection. But $4 for a Old Style borders on gouging.
(3)Beth H.
I just don't get this place. I went a handful of times because midwest friends got midwestern boners at the thought of Zayda Buddy's pizzas and general artery-clogging cuisine. First of all, the interior is uhh, well...they can't decide whether they want to be a crappy chain like TGIF or a divey hole in the wall. They achieve neither. Their food is ridiculously over priced. Seriously, I'm not going to pay almost ten bucks for two Costco style hot dogs (yeah, I know they say they're imported dogs. Whatever. Unless they're coming straight from the farm to my table, they're nothing I can't get at the supermarket) with stale, cheap buns. I also tried their pizza (was that a expired package of pita bread for a crust??) and I swear their sauce is Campbell's Tomato Soup. Absolutely nothing has impressed me here and I feel I've given them and their food more than enough chances. Just go to Hattie's Hat instead.
(2)Katie S.
This place is kind of weird to me for some reason. I think the creepy photos of the man on the wall did it in for me. Or possibly the fact you can get a mac and cheese PIZZA or a deep fried cheeseburger. My friends were really wanting me to get that burger, instead I opted for the Stuffed blue cheese and bacon burger, which by the way, was not stuffed. It was sufficient in getting rid of my hunger, but I would have been happier if it had more bacon and more blue cheese as advertised. Was a bit disappointing they didn't serve half portions or anything and there wasn't anything below the $7 mark besides some soup and fries. Not impressed at all.
(2)Alex F.
I've had the privilege of coming here a few times now, and Zayda Buddy's consistently delivers. Pizza is delicious, the fried cheese curds are amazing, and there is a great beer selection too. Great atmosphere too, whether you are pulling up a table/booth or sitting in the bar.
(4)Yee V.
A friend of mine had found this place while searching for "Minnesota style pizza." Well, he's from MN and he wanted something close to home! We're all from South Seattle, so the drive was a bit since it's in Ballard, but there wasn't any traffic on 99 and there was also a Mariner's game going on (Griffy Bobble Head night!!). This was my first time down in the area. It is actually quiet lively, especially on Market St.. Lots of people walking up and down the street and hardly any street parking. But we managed to find one within 20 minutes. As we walked in, we were immediately seated. There was six of us, but the table could easily seat 8. Our waiter was friendly and attended to us nicely. Water, Beer, Cocktails, Bloody Mary's.. it all came easily. I'm not an alcoholic drinker, but I was told the Bloody Mary was very good and it came with a side of Rainier tap (which was also very good). I think it was well worth the price. As always, we ordered too much food!! For appetizers, we only got cheese curds and some fish sticks. But as for the main course, we ordered three of the largest pizzas they had! We went for (1) the Ballard Bridge, (10) Chickaboom, and (11) Chelsey!! Chelsey!! pizzas. The pizzas came out cut into squares which was a lot easier to eat and pull apart. We all grabbed pieces from each pizza and went away to filling our stomachs. We ate up about half of each pizza. It seemed as if the outer pieces with the crust had a better taste than the inner pieces with toppings. LOL The crust was very good, it was thin and wasn't too crispy, almost like pita! It reminded me of some take n bake pizzas or maybe even some frozen packaged ones, but a bit better. My favorite of the three would have to be the Ballard Bridge and my least favorite would be the Chickaboom. I'm the type who loves supreme combination pizzas and I'm pretty open to any kind of combination, but I think the blue cheese in the Chickaboom killed the taste for me. That pizza alone was a bit too salty for my liking. The Ballard Bridge is pretty much a meat lover's pizza. If you're in the area with a few friends, it's worth stopping in. It's not overly crowded nor heavily over priced. Get some pizza, grab a few drinks and hang out a bit. The atmosphere is comfortable and easy going. I wouldn't mind taking a drive back out for another tasting! Next time I'd like to try the Border Patrol pizza!!
(3)Alishea T.
Don't go during the day. Service is off and they can't seem to manage making a half and half pizza on the day shift. Night is perfect attentive servers amazing food and great atmosphere.
(4)Tom C.
cool joint - but it caters to the Vikings so beware before you head down for Sunday football looking for any other game.
(3)Sarah T.
Imagine my surprise to fly all the way from Minneapolis to eat at a Minnesota-style restaurant in Seattle! I thought it was a neat but strange branding/marketing idea, one that would only work outside of Minnesota, of course. That being said, I'm not entirely sure what constitutes Minnesota-style food. The thin/crispy crust pizza? Lefkes? Grain Belt beer? Naming your drinks after Minnesota words doesn't quite cut it to me at least. Regardless of the issues I have with the theme, the food was pretty good. I ordered a very tasty pizza (after being persuaded by friends to not try the Kimchee pizza), my boyfriend had the chili dogs (massive, btw) and our friends had burgers (I think). Everyone was happy with their order. We were also dining on a Tuesday-- free tater tots! Can't go wrong with that. The drinks are strong and unique here, too, and there's a good beer selection (not just from Minnesota, thankfully). I can't recommend the happy hour, because we arrived after it ended, but I hear good things about it from our friends there. Next time I'm in Seattle, I'm definitely going back. Maybe just to try the "this-isn't-lutefiske" cocktail haha.
(4)christine k.
If your from the mid-west this is a little slice of home, my husband and I just moved here from Minneapolis and we LOVE this bar. They have all the old school beer your parents used to drink, like Old Milwaukee in my case and cheese curds, which are to die for and lets not for get hot dish!!! Great service and relaxed feel, keep it coming Zayda Buddys!!
(5)Bob C.
Tastes like home. Anyone who grew up in the midwest will appreciate this place. Especially if you went to college there and played beer pong or bags while drinking old style or schlitz. I'm not going to lie, I still have an old style everytime I go home, and it's obligatory to have one at a Cubs game. I only wish they had more of a selection for the Leinie's other than the sunset wheat. The pizza's not bad for Seattle standards (unless you're a pineapple and asparagus with a side healthiness), but it doesn't hold a flame to pizza back in the midwest. Still, A for effort. The bar is lacking in atmosphere, but it's not a bad place to start off the night, throw a few back and play some Euchre.
(4)Ms G.
I'm being generous with two stars here. I don't think this place has anything to offer, and the Minnesotans I went with (who like the place a lot better than I do) aren't impressed with the Faux-Flyover theme ZB claims to have. They were puzzled by the concept of Minnesota-style pizza. (which is not a great value) I found the menu to have nothing worthy, and unless you are a fanatic about having somebody else cook Tater Tots for you (this is really crap food!) at a big markup, what's the point? And where's the Kids' menu? Was in a group of 8, and saw/sampled a good chunk of the limited menu. To call the stuff 'ordinary' would be a compliment. Service was glacial, and the crap music was deafening. After we got them to turn it down, it reverted to TOO LOUD shortly thereafter. (we were the only customers there....) Ballard has a surfeit of great food destinations, and plenty of OK places. This place is neither.
(2)Chad J.
I have been all over the world. Check that -- I have lived all over the world. There is a difference. I'm originally from a little town in Northwestern Wisconsin called Superior, which of course shares its name with the Lake. Growing up in all of the places that I grew up that were not Superior, or in Wisconsin, or anywhere near the midwest, that part of the country was always 'home' because that's where Grandma and Grandpa lived. I visited Grandma and Grandpa for an entire summer when I was fourteen. I was a miserable early-teen, and I will always regret the small amounts of hell that I would regularly put them through because they had the gumption to want to spend time with their eldest grandchild. I wasn't the worst kid, but I could have been better. I took them for granted. Bear with me here, it all pertains to the review. Honest. One of the things my grandfather liked to do was drink beer. He drank a lot of beer. The day for us started around nine in the morning, when we would drive down to Four Corners and get our daily rations. He would get a half-rack or case of Old Milwaukee and I would get a six-pack of Coca-Cola. Sometime later, we would often head out to some of the local taverns, because minors can (or at least could then) sit at bars. I sat at a lot of bars in the Superior area that summer. One of the most curious things I noticed about the Wisconsin bars was the propensity they had to serve pizza. There is a bar in Superior called the Shamrock. If you've ever heard of Shamrock Frozen Pizzas, it's not a coincidence that they have the same name as the bar. Last night, a Domino's ad got me. I was hungry and seeing the pizza on TV did me in. The local Domino's closed recently and was replaced by something called Paradise Pizza, which looks all the world that they ripped off CPK's logo. Evidently, they were enjoying paradise when I called, because nobody bothered to get the phone. So I hit the internet and punched "98103 pizza" into Google. I was considering Roma's and then decided to try my luck in 98107. Minnesota-style pizza? Authentic midwestern beer? I got a good chuckle at that, and had to find out what it was about. I swear I went home last night. I can see why other people might pooh-pooh the pie, but tastes in pizza are wide and varied. My father would appreciate this pie, I bet. It has the crust just as he likes -- paper-thin and toasty. I wonder where he got the prediliction for that? Could it be from growing up in southern Wisconsin? As far as the midwestern beers go, they have Leinenkugel's, Hamm's, Old Style and Grain Belt. I swear I've not seen Grain Belt available anywhere since I was nine. My only gripe with this place is their attention to detail. No olives means I really don't want olives. Really. But I will be back. Frequently.
(4)Carrie H.
Pretty decent food, and let's not forget Burt Renolds naked in the bathroom... the service though? I think perhaps they fell of the proverbial turnip truck yesterday (or perhaps even this morning). I decided on a cheeseburger, but instead of cheese, asked to have avocado (ask Andrew F if I like cheese on my burger, he knows!). The server said no problem - as the cheese was the same price as the avodcado - she then proceded to ask how I want my cheeseburger cooked. Wait, what? When it came, it did not come with cheese, so obviously she heard me right... I'll be back. Thanks Zayda Buddy's!
(4)HEATHER W.
Went out of our way to go to Zayda Buddy's to be ignored. Both the bar tender and server looked at us. We then waited 5 more minutes and finally gave up when the server decided to clean off tables rather than helping us. 20 empty tables in the restaurant but I guess that one really needed to be cleaned off. Another fact you you may want to know is there were only two other patrons in the establishment. I hope the owner reads this because he needs to know his servers on Sunday 9/4 at 0230 were to busy to help some of his repeat customers who will only come back if we see Sarah or Jocelyn,who btw are both fabulous!
(1)Carla H.
Cheese curds and Leinie's on tap. What else do you need?? Their pizza is decent but I have certainly had better, service can be a bit slow but the place always seems to be busy so I am not surprised. I live on the other side of the lake so getting here is an excursion. When we come it's all about the cheese curds and midwest beer selection. Also love the Burt Reynolds PlayGirl spread on the wall in the womens bathroom. Is it any wonder I feel the need to make multiple trips during my visit?
(3)angela l.
There was nothing exciting about Zayda Buddy's. The atmosphere was a clean, dark bar like feel with a brick wall, beer neon signs and art, and the TVs above the bar. We ordered fried cheese curds that came with marinara dipping sauce. They were fine, but nothing worth praising. Menu items were traditional American meals your mom made such as tuna casserole, tater-tot dish, sloppy joe, and grilled cheese. They also had pizzas, with thin crust that looked good. Plus, they had hamburgers and a fun drink list. I ordered the grilled cheese since it came with Velveeta cheese and I was craving something homey. This was a horrible grilled cheese. I've had better at IHOP and Denny's. The bread was burnt on one side, it seemed like they forgot to put butter on the bread. The bread was dry and crunchy instead of gooey and chewy. It was like they over-toasted the pieces of bread and put some cheese in the middle. Aweful! The french fries were good, but I'd rather just go to Dick's for fries. My husband ordered the sloppy joe. It should have had much more sauce on it. The ground beef was like the consistency of meat you'd use to make tacos - it just didn't have enough sauce. It would have been better if they used Manwich.
(3)Amy L.
I went here last night for a Happy Hour...I thought it was random to have happy hour at a pizza joint but it was perfect. Great pizza and the beer list was good too. Oh and the music was even more AMAZING. It brought you back in time to the 80's - 90's. I felt like I was in junior high...they even had powder soap in the bathroom! It is hard to find, but worth it once you get there! It was soo sooo fun :)
(4)Liz M.
i dig this place overall pros: cheese curds yummy grain belt beer tater tots (i don't care about the tot casserole because i am not midwestern and even when i lived in minnesota for grad school i didn't eat "hot dish" or whatever the hell you call it... ) service is friendly if you complain the drink isn't strong enough they'll bring you an extra shot...free.. or maybe just me ... cons: music is hit or miss- can be fun or just annoying kinda slow but i don't really mind that but some might be bummed out about that food overall is just bar food...not great not bad.... even after living in minneapolis for several years i don't get the "minnesota pizza" concept? i didn't know cutting pizza into squares was minnesotan? neither has anyone that i know that has come out to visit me from minnesota? they are always intrigued to find out what minnesotan pizza is...then disappointed it's just cut weird... oh well... i generally like this place for a mellow hang out kinda place that has cheese curds... that reminds me of minneapolis...but when you leave it's not -20 outside....score...
(4)patricia r.
Again this another one of these places that I drive by and had no idea it was there, it was only that a bartender at one of my watering holes recommended this places that the bf and I had to try out and again were not disappointed. Went there at hh and had the $5 pizza which was very good, the bf had the $5 cheeseburger and fries which he liked alot, a typical burger with all the trimmings and your fries, he said very flavorful burger and fresh veggies to top it with. We went on tuesday (tot Tues) where you get a basket of fresh tots with each beer you order for free yum yum. There bloody mary with all the shit that comes with it including a beer chaser is of big interest to me, have to try with bad boy next time. Server and bartender were great as well.
(5)Just Y.
I think you either "get" this place, or you don't. No one in my party did, hence the rating. Looking to explore beyond the core Ballard dining blocks, we ventured 'round the corner to this new construction place enticed by the nice looking dining room, kitschy midwest/heartland neon decorations, and the promise of pizza. I don't really care what your motif is, this is Seattle and you best have a good beer selection. They didn't, strike one. I don't quite know what you call tomato sauce covering a large, flat, tasteless, crisp cracker, but it isn't pizza - and no amount of toppings is going to change that. Strike two. I'm not 18, this isn't my first time eating out, and this isn't the backwater - I don't really need a strike three to rule a place out. There very well may be other good things on the menu, but I'm not about to waste my money to discover them.
(1)Mark S.
I went because I had a specific hankering for a tuna casserole my Mom makes (though she has no connection to the Great-Lakes-region). I tried both the tuna and the tater tot dishes. Tasty, great, exactly what I was after. Ignore the complaints about the pizza and how thing-X is not authentic Minnesota/Wisconsin/etc. and try a casserole. Better yet, I suggest trying TWO because that will bring on the sweat embrace of death via cardiac arrest that much sooner. If, instead, it brings on the slow immobilization of, say, diabetes then I want my money back.
(4)Kelsey F.
I finally came back, this time prepared to eat. And I came back with reinforcements in the form of the boyfriend, my brother, and my SIL. It is important to note, before we go any further, that my SIL lived in Minnesota and was, in fact, so happy to be in a slice of home that she wore a Mall of America t-shirt AND she cried. While laughing. True story. (Also true story - her and our server had the rest of us laughing so hard that I wound up crying. My sides actually still hurt when I think of the server's amazement. "She's CRYING! Cheese curds make her CRY!") So, four of us and it's lunch time. Here's what was ordered: -1 beer of some unknown type. Apologies to the boyfriend. -1 bloody Mary which was AMAZING - like a little pickled garden. With beer on the side. -1 mimosa. I admit that I was lured by the knowledge that it came with a swedish fish. (And now you know which of the four of us ordered it.) -1 gravy boat (french fries in gravy - we added cheese and sausage because we're gluttons for punishment) -1 deep fried cheese curd (with marinara sauce!) -1 tater tot hot dish -1 Ballard Bridge pizza -1 Chelsey!! Chelsey!! pizza -1 Saurkraut Sander pizza Yup. It was going to be an awesome day. Here's what we learned: we learned that the Saurkraut Sander pizza was the best thing ever. There was a vinegar-y, briney tartness to the sauce (thanks, saurkraut!) that just made that pizza extra special. Everything else was solid, unhealthy but tasty food - and a note that a certain someone (the someone who ordered the Chelsey!! Chelsey!! pizza) discovered that the way to make a pepperoni pizza covered in velveeta and shells better is to add french fries soaked in gravy. Note that this certain someone doesn't have a name that sounds like the pizza, so don't be lookin' at me. Maybe it was the day, maybe it was the company. Maybe it was the server. Maybe it was a mixture of all of these things, I don't know...but this place is slowly becoming a favorite place to grab a drink in Ballard. A drink and some gravy fries. I'm just sayin'.
(4)Brittney G.
Didn't know cracker crust was so good!
(5)Adam Z.
Great pizza and service! We came here for my girlfriend's birthday and although they dint take reservations they were nice enough to reserve the long table in the bar for our group. We all ordered a different pizza and everyone thought it was great!
(4)Ron S.
I normally love this place (pizza is awesome), but the last three times I've been the service has been horrible. This time (yes, I'm here right now) we waited 10 mins. to get a menu (yes, just one for two of us). Haven't had a refill on our beverages and have been waiting 35 mins. for a burger and a salad... I'll be thinking twice before coming here again soon.
(2)Chris B.
If you go to Ballard for anything try Zayda Buddy's. And when you are looking over the menu do go past the the deep-fried cheese curds! Oh so good! They come with marinara sauce but ask for a side of their brown gravy. Absolutely amazing! I also had the gravy boat, good and I like "wet fries," kind have wished the fries were thicker but they use a thinner fry. But place has got just a good vibe and feel and the staff is good. Check it out!
(4)Hailee G.
To being by clarifying my rating... I would like to give a 5 for food and a 3 for service... so it ended up culminating to a 4. Wow the food is excellent here!!! I don't think I'll ever have a regular item because everything is so delicious, I want to try it all!! Some of my top favorites... the Rachel Sandwich, Reuben Sandwich, and the to-die-for Minnetonka (kind of like a cheese steak... shredded thin cut roast beef grilled with onion, green pepper and mushroom all on a hoagie bun with cheese sauce on top!). All of the pizza is good too. My boyfriend got the deep fried 1/2 pound pepper jack burger and said it was excellent. Overall, on the outside this place looks kind of like a dive bar, but on the inside, you will never want to leave the food is so amazing!!!
(4)J K.
Awsome little kitschy pub. I love all the local beer memorabilia. Great cobb salad and tots.
(4)E S.
So, my buddy and I were in the mood for cheese curds. And no, we didn't want fancy seasoned curds (you know who you are). We set forth to Zayda Buddys. Fortunately we found parking nearby and didn't run into any of the notorious Scandinavian street gangs that roam the streets of Ballard at night. The dining room was pleasantly full. Meaning, it was easy to find a table but there were plenty of people around so it wasn't depressing. We were debating what type of pizza to get and our awesome awesome waitress Sarah suggested we split (half one style pizza, half another). The cheese curds are what you'd expect. Meaning, if you understand the concept that deep frying anything automatically makes it at least 37% better, then you will be very happy with these curds. The pizza is thin crust, which is apparently a Minnesota thing. Not thin like NY style, but thin like a pita or cracker. Also cut into squares instead of wedges. So, you can say "I ate 20 slices" and not feel too bad. I ate so much I could still taste those golden fried cheese curds the next morning. I would totally go back.
(4)Alicia L.
Great MN bar! Tasty cheese curds and pizza. I've only been there Sundays for football and it is always busy, so make sure to get there early or plan to wait.
(4)Jamie P.
no, no, no. Urp city! went for Sunday brunch. Were beginning to think we werent going to get served when water was plonked down. "Do you know what you want? We're very busy" Whatever, I'm not even going to bother explaining the whole experience. A-Z it was terrible. its been 4 hours and I can't stop burping tater tots. If you want to see something truly amazing open a packet of their jam.
(1)Joe S.
Can someone please tell me what "Minnesota style" pizza is? I grew up in MN and I've never heard of it, unless you mean Heggie's frozen bar pizzas! Anyway, we were missing home and stopped in awhile back. I wanted a Leinie's and she wanted hot dish of some type. We were able to get that, no problem. The walls were lined with MN trinkets and postcards, but they still have a decidedly Seattle feel. We found the staff to be pretty cold and bored. Three stars because they import Midwest beer and i saw my hometown on a wall. Otherwise, ill make hot dish at home.
(3)Audrey H.
Came here last night for the first time, after a co-worker suggested it. There happened to a Vikings game on so there were fans pouring in but the servers seemed to be keeping up with all the tables. Of course we tried the cheese curds and they were quite yummy. The boyfriend ordered a burger and I had a corndog. Boyfriend said the burger was pretty good for being only $4. The corndogs were good but I've never met a corndog I didn't like. The beers kept coming and were always served iced cold. This place is literally a gift that keeps on giving. The bathrooms were clean and I enjoyed staring at furry Burt Reynolds to look at whilst peeing. Boyfriend felt shafted that the Farrah Fawcett pic in the boys room was clothed. Will be back!
(4)Megan R.
I've never actually eaten here before, just enjoyed the fun and different types of canned beer they have. The service was insanely good - the servers were prompt and answered all my questions about what the beer tastes like (im comparison to the local beers we have) and made great suggestions. I would like to try the pizza (even though some of the reviews were not amazing) but it looked good when I was there!
(3)kat s.
I'll order for you right now: for two people, split the green bean casserole appetizer and a 12-inch pizza. Your food will be approximately 5,000 calories and $25 together. The green beans will be kinda mussy and obviously out of a can, but covered in an addicting cream of something sauce. You think to yourself that you could have cooked this for $1.09, but that's not the point. You have more shame than to make green bean hot dish at home, I mean come on, you go to the Ballard farmers market every weekend for fresh, local organic purple colored green beans. Then the pizza arrives, and its cut into squares! Just like in Minnesota. And the the crust is thin like Minnesota, but the toppings are infinitely better, because fresh basil doesn't exist in Minnesota, at least not on pizzas. Throw in a pitcher of Linney's and its like a trip through the northern woods of Minnesota without driving through Bob Dylan's depressed hometown (shout out to Hibbing, MN!) or being charged by a moose while canoeing. If not convinced, in the ladies restroom there is a photo of a naked Burt Reynolds lying naked on a bearskin rug. Yep, seriously. This place is all about novelty and excessive caloric loads.
(4)Todd S.
Deep fried cheese curds and Tater Tots FTW!!
(5)Michelle Z.
My boyfriend and I went out Monday night on a double-date in hopes on indulging in the famous Madame K's pizza...Unfortunately, Madame K's is closed on Mondays (grrr....) so we turned to Plan B. Since we were already in Ballard, and still in the mood for pizza, we decided to pop on into Zayda Buddy's. I didn't know much about this place aside from reading in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine a while back that it was a "Minnesota bar," or had that down home Midwest charm...ideal for my Midwestern sweetie. Half the items on the menu are preceded by the phrase "deep-fried," or something else equally artery clogging that tastes delicious but goes straight to your gut. The service was slow, but worth the wait for the savory pizza. We ordered two 14" pies, the blue cheese and chicken one was by far my favorite, a great flavor combination, with a crunchy crust. Our server was very slow, but apparently their pizza is also notorious for the long wait, so I'll cut her a little slack. While I don't know if it'll live up to my upcoming review of Madame K's, I could definitely go back for another pie.
(3)Adam K.
3.5 really. So they are billed as a Minnesota bar, and growing up in Bloomington I figured I should check this out when it was recommended. Walking in, yep - it does kind have that tiny bar feel. Not specific to MN but lets just use our imaginations on that - the walls are adorned with MN gear and a Leinies neon welcomes you on the way in. OK so beer - yes a lot of MN locals with a lame wisconsin beer but oh well maybe you need a flashback to your days of not knowing good brew so go ahead and have a Leinies. I would actually suggest one of the Summits. Minneapolis micro - but they really need to get in the GNP. Food is really good there. Everything we have ever ordered has came out really good. Hot Dishes are pretty good and do have that feeling of what mom or gma used to make (a "hot dish" is a casserole for those of you who don't know). The pizzas are billed as MN-style. I didn't know MN had a style of pizza and haven't quite figured out what the style is but they are pretty tasty. Cheese curds. Yap. I said it. order these deep-fried bundles of joy to start off.
(3)Lea Ann M.
Mmmmm..good! The potato salad was just like grandma's. The Ballard Bridge pizza was delicious - love the square cuts - made me think of elementary school but the taste was no comparison! We will back many a' time since it was so hard to decide what interesting thing to order off the menu....hamburgers with cream cheese and green olives? tater tots? fries with gravy? reubens? ohhhh so many choices! To paraphrase Aaaarnold, "We'll be back!" Service - great Drinks - good pours
(4)Christyne B.
Zayda Buddy's pizza is delightful. I prefer a thinner crust on my pizza, which ZB delivers on. The waitress was really sweet and was ribbing with my dad so points there for having a good personality. Pretty much anywhere I can go get a Rainier (pronounced Rahn-yay) tallboy is high on my list of OH EFFING HAY-ELL YES. I took away one star because I ordered their tator tot casserole and, seriously, there were only like 5 tots on it. WTF, man! That is a super dirty tease, yo!! You can't *call* it tot casserole when said tots are merely a glorified garnish on top. I mean, evidently you can but I think that it is underhanded and sneaky. Total false advertising. Especially because they have a sandwich board outside regaling the fantazmaness of TOTS! But I digress! It tasted pretty good and I was in excellent company that night so I won't hold it against them tooooo hard. I like the feel and vibe of this joint and will return for a quick beer or a late night nosh fest with friends.
(4)Josh H.
This place is great! I would go here again and again. This one was a recommendation from a friend. I checked it out on Thursday night, and there were plenty of people there. The spicy fried wings are awesome (though, go easy if you ask for hot sauce... the habenero is wicked), and I had the mac-n-cheese pizza which was indescribably delicious. Drinks were standard price for the Seattle area, and the service was excellent! I want to try more and more food here... definitely I'm going back. You should too!
(5)Erik L.
Zayda Buddy's focuses on traditional American fair. Great place to go if you are craving some and to lazy to make. The food was average and we tried the basics: fried cheese curds that came with marinara dipping sauce, sloppy joes, and grilled cheese. The grilled cheese was pretty bad and was served on dry bread and burnt on one side. The french fries were good. The sloppy joe was a little dry and could have had more sauce on it. After going there I have been told I need to go back and try the pizzas, and hamburgers.
(3)Jason F.
Being from Minnesota, it's hard not to feel like home here. The food is plentiful and fairly accurate to what I remember when I go home. Cheese curds are Delish, but nothing like the state fairs. The tatertot hot dish is missing the cream of mushroom soup I remember, so it seemed a tad bit dry according to my lunch guest, but overall..I love this place.
(4)Kathleen M.
I totally dig this place! I have been to Zayda Buddy's twice within the past week and a half and had great service and an excellent experience on both visits. They pride themselves on their Midwest charm. Owners are originally from Minnesota and have decorated this upscale, trendy pizza joint with picturesque beer signs, nature paintings, family photos, and a pic of Burt Reynolds all nakey in the women's restroom. This is my kind of place! I was born and raised in Wisconsin, so Zayda Buddy's is home sweet home to me with their Wisconsin cheese and Midwest beer selection. But this place is so much more than a beer and pizza joint. They have burgers, hot dogs, brats, LARGE salads, and my favorite...drum roll please... CASSEROLES!!! Woo hooo!!! I am in love! I ordered the Tater Tot Casserole twice! (Well, they call it a hot dish, but this thing is so good that they could call it crap on a stick and I would still devour it)! Tater tots, cheese, and beef. Gooood stuff! The side salads are topped with a beet, garbanzo bean mix, which is hella good. The ranch dressing is perfect (trust me, I know my ranch dressing) ...not too thick, not too thin with little to no garlic in it. And, and, AND they have this killer BBQ sauce that is mixed with ketchup and mayo that they serve with their chicken fritters! I could dip everything in that crazy little sauce. Wait, I did dip everything into that crazy little sauce!!! What a great time! Booths are cozy and lit with neato light fixtures, they have comfy leather bar stools, and a tasty cocktail drink menu, which includes old school favorites such as Screwdrivers and Bloody Mary's. Great atmosphere, filling food, and a good time!
(4)Samantha D.
Recently relocated midwesterner- and I love this joint. I enjoy the laid back atmosphere, drink specials, and pizza. My boyfriend and I always get a medium tomato, mushroom, and spinach, (so good!) and we usually have plenty to take home. I hear the "cheese curds" are great, but like I said, I've only ever gotten the pizza. Accolades being presented- I will say that I would have given this place 5 stars if my leftovers re-heated a little better. Fresh out of the oven, the thin crust is crispy and delicious- but RE-heated in the oven, it's flimsy and a little soggy. Now this may sound strange, but my fave thin-crust pizza pies back home have no problem holding up through an oven-reheat; must be a recipe or topping- to- crust ratio thing! Who knows?
(4)Dana K.
They were out of what i wanted but everything we got was really great. The waitress was one of the best we've had in Seattle, and went out of her way to put together things that were not exactly on the menu. (I usually hate this because my sister cannot go a meal without ordering off menu.) I recommend getting a mixed greens salad with anything you order. The roasted beets mix they put on top is great.
(4)mugabo m.
Took a chance on the macaroni pizza and deep fried curds, and wasn't disappointed. The beer was crappy and cheap (they have good beer, too, but I was in the mood for Hamm's), service was pretty good. A+, would eat again.
(4)Megan S.
I really wanted grilled cheese and tomato soup the other day and I figured Zayda's is "down home" they gotta have what I need. Um...no. No, they don't. They have overpriced velveeta so I aced the idea of grilled cheese. Ok, now what? Everything else is like a zillion calories and again, food I could make at home yet overpriced. I ended up selecting the bbq roast beef sandwich which ended up being quite delicious and a bit spicy. Me like. Now for sides. With the sandwich order you get your choice of Pringles or fries. Now that's cute, real cute--Pringles? But again...I'm going to pay how much for crappy potatoes? Ok, but you can get a salad for....2 whole dollars extra!?!?! WTF? Ok, I think this Midwestern kitschy joint wants your arteries to clog as soon as you step in the restaurant. And ok, I shoulda known, but I thought I'd give Zayda a chance. This is only my second time going to Zayda's. The first being last fall where I ordered the mac 'n cheese cuz that's my most favorite meal in the world and I'm always on the look-out for fabulous cheesey pasta. I was disappointed with their mac 'n cheese. It was..A-ok, but not the fabulousness I desired. So again...A-ok is all you get Zayda. The service was also blah. We sat ourselves as the sign instructed. The waitress brought the menus and asked how we were, but then left just as quickly without asking if maybe we'd like something to drink. Meh. Unlike some of the reviewers, I do actually like the decor. Its fun. I mean who doesn't smile when they see a large poster-sized framed photo of Kermit the Frog riding a trike? Actually, the interior is what was most comforting to me. It reminded me of some joint my family and I would have gone to growing up in Renton. Ah, the blue collar suburbs. Totally. Ok, maybe I give you another chance, Zayda. I think I'll have to try that pizza I've been hearing so much about.
(3)Grove A.
Awesome, thin crust pizza in a casual, funky Ballard location.
(4)Kelly B.
I'm in love with you, Zayda Buddy's. Not only do you mention a Superior, Wisconsin bar that I've been to several times on your menu, but you serve "hot dish." I miss my Grandma's hot dish, but yours was nearly identical. I'm also in love with you Mr. bald friendly waiter guy - your Midwestern charm is extremely authentic.
(5)Sara N.
I'm sorry, no. You cannot call this tator tot casserole. 1) There are hardly any tots! Clearly there should be more tots. 2) There should really be some vegetables in here, like corn or green beans or SOMETHING. You're seriously trying to pass off a few roasted red peppers? I grew up in the Midwest and I never ate a roasted red pepper until I moved OUT of it -- least of all in my tot casserole. (Granted, that might just make me uncultured rather than authentic.) Still, I had really high expectations. Perhaps that's why I was so disappointed. I was hoping for a little slice of home right down the street in my PacNW neighborhood. Maybe I'd be happier if I drank Schlitz? It's just so sad that so many people leave Zayda's thinking that's really what tator tot casserole is like. Because it isn't! It can be so much more glorious, people! It can have so many more tots! Don't be foooooooooled!
(2)Wayne M.
This place is great! Relaxed but nice, clean interior. Minnesota/Midwest themed place. Great selection of can beers (which always goes over well with me). Good food, although it is all of the "Heart Attack" style. Fried cheese curds, hot dogs. corn dogs, tator tots etc. I had the Stuffed Burger which is a patty stuffed with crumbled blue cheese and real bacon bits and then covered with MORE bacon and blue cheese. SO GOOD! I saw a couple of reviewers refer to this place as a dive. It isn't. It's clean, comfortable has some flat screens for sports, but is not strictly a sports bar. Great place for food, brews and a laid back night with friends.
(4)Joseph M.
Good beer selection and happy hour. Lots of TVs for sports.
(3)Aaron O.
I'm from the Midwest so this is like a little slice of home. I come for the great selection of Leinekugels and they used to serve Grainbelt and Summit. The tots, cheese curds, stuffed burger, square cut crispy thin crust pizzas. They'll have throw a Minnesota game on the TV for you. And there's the picture of Farrah Faucet in the bathroom
(5)T S.
I moved to Seattle after living in the Midwest for a decade. I go here when I need a cheese curd fix. My only complaint is that I wish they offered fish fry on Friday nights like you'd find in Great Lakes towns. Friendly waitstaff and reasonable prices/portions.
(4)Sarah S.
Tater Tot Tuesdays are pretty cool: every drink purchase gets you a free side of tots. Be wary of the misleading signage, though! Tuesdays are Happy Hour all day for DRINKS ONLY. The Happy Hour food specials are available at some kind of weird hours that were scrawled really tiny on the sign. That's what I get for not reading the fine, fine print. The breakfast pizzas and the other food I've had there is all pretty good. I've never gone when at least one thing wasn't misprepared - mushrooms left off a burger, medium rare burger brought well done, etc. The bad things about this place are as follows: - Crazy slow service - If you don't tip well, prepared to be ignored on your next visit - Non-alcoholic drinks and desserts are not on the menu. I asked what they had that was non-alcoholic, and the waitress said, "Coke products, lemonade, apple and cranberry juice." I foolishly assumed she meant Minute Maid lemonade to go with the Coke Products, but it was homemade and $3 for a single glass with no refills. It was passable lemonade, but dude, it's lemon juice and water. That ain't ever worth $3 for one glass. The moral of the story is this: make sure everything is made crystal clear before you commit. The waitresses are not super forthcoming about details. I was excited about this place 'cause it's close to home and they have wifi (and come on, free tots!) but the service has made me think twice about returning.
(2)Betsey S.
There is no way these prices would fly anywhere in Minnesota... especially for "Minnesota Comfort Food." Blue collar food at white collar prices. $4.95 for a CUP of soup?! It was tomato vegetable, and I'm pretty sure it was just leftover pizza ingredients, including the tomato base. My bad for ordering it. Casey said the deep fried Pepperjack Burger was only so-so and was a missed opportunity for the chef to create a special spicy sauce. He liked the Reuben. The pizzas are definitely the way to go, good thin crusts and cut in squares which makes them really awesome for sharing. But beware of the '"Gentle" Viking.' It is chock full of roasted garlic which will still leave its mark on your breath. Pitchers are $14 for everything except Rainier, which is $13. Is there a happy hour in this joint?? We had a $5 coupon from Val-Pak which the waitress neglected to deduct from our bill, but since we'd just had her correct the number of beers we'd had (they added a round we didn't drink), we thought 'forget it.' But all this didn't stop me from going there two days in a row, and I'll probably be back. I'm not sure why. I guess I just really am sort of intrigued (still) by the concept here, as well as the beers I've never heard of, being a Northwesterner. Ladies, do not miss the Tom Selleck stall.... or is that Burt Reynolds?? There appears to be some debate. All I know is, seriously gross belly button.
(3)Adam S.
Tried this place again. Actually tried it three or four more times. It has come around. The pizza cheese is much less salty. The staff is better and over all I really have an enjoyable time here. You can bring in your family and go down memory lane with beers like Blatz, Stroh and so many more. The other entrees on the menu are definately worthy and the last two time we went, we didn't order pizza. Good job winning me and my family back. I am a believer.
(5)Amanda K.
I have only been here two times. This place is just okay. I went here for a happy hour with one of my girlfriends and I was excited to try the "midwestern" restaurant. I am from michigan and we don't eat "hot dish", sure I grew up eating tater tots, but that's about the connection I had to this place. I guess this restaurant is more minnesotan. That being said, the first time I went here I ordered a burger and got the wine on happy hour special. The wine was a good deal, and the burger was not that great. We ordered pizza from here with other midwestern friends last weekend, and it was pretty bad. It was a pizza that had garlic (I love garlic!!) and it was still bad. I didn't know something with garlic could be bad. Also, being a pizza place I think that they should deliver.
(2)Sam P.
I went to Zayda Buddy's for lunch today, and it fulfilled this Wisconsinite's need for a good brat in fine style. The brat itself was very good quality and the sauerkraut was some of the best I've had. While I only had room for one dish, I will definitely have to return for the "hot tuna dish" and fried cheese curds, both of which I remember fondly from my Midwestern youth. The rating for this place is an easy 4 stars or more. I guess not all the Pacific Northwesterners "get" Midwestern food. Don't worry, I'm sure there's a place for you at the Tom Douglas restaurant of your choice. I'll be at Zayda Buddy's.
(4)Brooke S.
Zayda's: Let me first apologize for my low-blood-sugar-induced tantrum over your "bacon and blue cheese stuffed burger". That was immature of me. To be fair though, it was really disappointing. I didn't see no stinkin' blue cheese. And why did I get charged $2 extra for fries instead of salad? I agree with the other reviews: Zayda's needs more time to work out the kinks. Service was terribly slow during the rush but as soon as the place cleared out (9:30-ish), it was fantastic. I was expecting a lot more from a place that serves tater tot casserole. I think Snooze Junction has a much tastier pizza. Beer selections: big thumbs up It's also very clean in here. Maybe that's just because it's new. Either way, the bathrooms had me at signed-and-framed poster of Tom Sellek. I like that Zayda's isn't trying to be too cool. I mean, with "buddy's" in the name, and a cartoon character on their menu, that's obviously not what they're going for. It's refreshing to have a clean, respectable joint in Ballard that's not trying to be Belltown. I'd go again after they've been open a while longer.
(3)Heather J.
Apparently this is a good place to watch a game, but if you are not expecting this it can be quite loud and crowded. Menu items and beer choices seem to be a little unusual which inspired me to seek this out. Whoever heard of a Midwestern themed restaurant? It is a great idea. Unfortunately they seem to have had some problem with thier beer distrubtion and most of the unusual beers I wanted to try were unavailable. Food was above average, I absolutely love my tapenade, hummus, veggie sandwhich (Joia Z's Veggie Sandwich) and am not sure how I never knew these two things were meant to be together. They also have an interesting beer mustard. I hear the tater tot hot dish is delicious as well. And I did enjoy reading about fishing while I ate.
(3)Iris M.
Disappointed by Zayda Buddy's. I was really excited to try their Minnesota-style pizza, but overall, didn't love the experience. I thought that it was great that they gave free refills with their iced tea. Unfortunately, our server after dropping off our Ballard Bridge pizza, never came back to check-in on us. I felt a little robbed. I really wanted another iced tea. Also, the pizza wasn't really yummy. It was just okay. Sometimes good service trumps not-so-delicious food, but overall, I was disappointed by both.
(2)Morgan M.
Ok, is it me or is this place straight out of the midwest??? My friend suggested we go there and I'm glad we did. The pizza is cut in SQUARES, there's cheese curds and there's a drink called a Grape Crush. Pub style pizza parlor with wood booths. There's breakfast specials that seem a little non compliant with my arteries but sound tempting.
(3)Lauren D.
Zayda Buddy's = comfort food central. Want something healthy? Save for a couple salads...you won't find stuff to slim your waistline here. Cheesy meaty goodness abounds - and isn't that the best kind of goodness?? We went around 8pm on a Friday and had to wait a few for a table - no real waiting area, so be prepared to give the diners your best puppy dog eyes while you stand and wait for them to finish. Zayda Buddy's isn't huge - ten tables, maybe? Old photos hang over each booth and sports play on the bar TVs. Our server was friendly and got our orders right away - it was great to see Rat City IPA on the beer menu, and it was even better to discover they had Lillet at the bar! We skipped the pizza and went for the LJ's B&B Chicken Sandwich (juicy chicken breast, lettuce, tomato, bleu cheese and bacon - really tasty but REALLY messy) and the tater tot casserole (ground beef, tater tots, cheese and red peppers). Both were great - we would have liked a green vegetable in the casserole, like peas or something?, but really, we can't complain because of the awesome side salads you get - not your standard iceburg and carrot shards - this was a great pile of mixed greens, cucumber, beets, garbanzo beans and avocado. We will definitely be coming back to try the pizza. Every other table around us seemed to order one - or two...and they smelled insane!
(4)Danielle H.
The taco pizza is really tasty and I enjoyed the interesting twist on regular pizza. We had it at a work function so it traveled and was not piping hot, which I think makes a difference in the quality and crispiness of crust and freshness of toppings. The lettuce wilted and the cheese grease caused the crust to get a bit soggy.
(3)sean b.
EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT PIZZA! Absolutely delicious. No, this isn't your average pizza. It's much closer to the classic Italian. Very thin, crispy crust, which I love, but others here seem not to enjoy so much. That's too bad, because this is currently my favorite pizza joint in town. As to the rest of the food on the menu, I really can't say. I've only been to Zayda's 3 times, and I've had pizza each time. I love it. So, if you're going for some of the other offerings, you're on your own. Pizzas: Ballard Bridge - Awesome. I added green peppers. BBQ Chicken - Wonderful. Not overwhelming BBQ sauce. Nightly Special - Spicy Incredible. This was called the Firecracker or something like that. Very, very good. Appetizers: Zayda's Wings - Nice. Not overly spicy or undercooked. Their beer selection could be better, but it's a pizza joint, not an open 'til 2am bar. Their wine selection could be a tad more robust as well.
(5)Wynne L.
It has to be said: because of Ballard parking being what it is, I almost gave up on visiting this place. But, thankfully I persevered. I had the tater tot hot dish and a Caesar salad. The former was melt-in-your-mouth delicious and the latter was much better than average. The dressing was quite lemony, just how I like it. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the company, and the prices--I think--are reasonable. I didn't think the Burt Reynolds pic was all that much to shout about, but that's just me. BTW, who uses powdered soap anymore? Even the Washington State Ferries have moved into the now.
(4)Laura G.
If you're the type of person who likes midwest pizza, then Zayda Buddy's may be for you. I'm not really one of those people but I think it's cool that ZB's is doing something different. I love that they offer hot dish on the menu. Quite authentic. The pizza reminded me a little of the Imo's pizza that I had in St Louis last year, except ZB's uses way higher quality ingredients. They've "West Coast-atized" their Minnesota-style pizza with some high-end, local ingredients. My friends and I got the one with salami, Mama Lil's peppers, and tapenade. I think it was called Erik the Red. There were a half dozen other pizzas with less fancy schmancy toppings. In general, this type of pizza doesn't really satisfy my pizza cravings, but it was pretty good for what it is. I liked that we were able to roll in there at almost 10:30pm (after finding Madame K's already closed) and had no trouble getting dinner. The only real drawback of the visit is that I scorched the roof of my mouth on the scalding hot cheese. Ow! It still hurts. Also, I can't believe I forgot to order the deep-fried cheese curds! What was I thinking?!
(4)Chris S.
Went to Zayda Buddy's primarily to drink, but had heard good things about the food. I had to try the deep fried burger. Bad idea, I should have listened to my buddy who had had twice before. It wasn't what I expected, and was a tad over done, alright a lot over done. The fries definitely saved the meal. 3 stars because the service was great, and I am not opposed to going back and trying the other dishes.
(3)emily r.
Well, the pizza oven was broken-- and why wouldn't it be after being open for one whole day-- but besides that, I'm reeeeally excited to have this place in Ballard. Two burgers and two Bombay Saph & Fresh Lemonades ran us $31. The cocktails were delightful. OUTstanding lemonade. Mmmm! I know it doesn't appear so on Yelp, but I'm a bit of an asshole about my lemonade, so we were off to a good start. My boss ordered the breaded & deep fried Burger. Yup. You read that correctly. We're happy to report that it was awesome! Not a greasy sickening gut bomb like it could've been. Crunchy just-so on the outside. Cooked medium inside. Great caramelized onions. But the gravy was kind of bleck. Then again, gravy is kind of bleck. Order it on the side though. I have a feeling it'll be an amazing hangover cure. I had a pepperjack burger. The quality here is top notch. Meat is good-- but they didn't ask how I wanted it cooked so my usual bloody moo-burger was medium. So tasty I forgive them. Burgers come with a half pickle and Pringles rather than fries, but you can change that for a mere $2. And their bacon must be diamond crusted and give you a back massage because it's $2.50 to add it on. I didn't take that plunge. One issue-- the buns dwarf the patty. Picture a nickel on a halved-orange. It's not an unfixable problem, so I'm going to guess it has to do with being brand spankin' new. Service was friendly and down-to-earth. The owner Joel was very cool and even a bit handsome. Music was funny/enjoyable. Wine selection isn't offensive, and they have Square One Vodka at the fully stocked bar, which totally rocks. Ambiance a+. Ballard so, so needed this. I hope the cooler-than-cool don't destroy it so the actually cool can enjoy it for a long time. OH and it's right next door to Fiore so you can get some kick ass caffeine on your way back to work. You know, if you're into that. (Work, that is. Of course you're into caffeine.)
(4)Anna U.
We keep coming back to this place. Me for the Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat on draft, served with a slice of orange: a pint of blueberry flavored wheat beer bliss that I can't find anywhere else outside the midwest. For my boyfriend, any one of the ~six beers they have on tap. For both of us: The Relaxed Viking pizza with tomatoes, perfectly roasted garlic, with fresh basil with what is THE thinnest pizza crust in town. Just discovered the yummy cannoli the last few times we were here. Will skip their S'Mores dessert from now on which has never been at all interesting or special. For fun we tried the Chelsey!! Chelsey!! pizza with red sauce, sans pepperoni, and Chelsey's Puget Sound Mac & Cheese, topped with mozzarella this last time ... actually quite good. They have the best fried cheese curds I've ever had ... the cheese melts in the mouth, batter is light and not thick.
(4)T S.
So I went to Zayda Buddy's during lunchtime to grab something to eat. Unfortunately, the pizza oven was down (and will be down for another week or so), but I was able to peruse the rest of the menu. I ended up getting the traditional cheeseburger. The cheeseburger I had was OK--better that what you'd find at a fast food or large chain (like a Red Robin or Chili's). The burger meat was tender and juicy without being overly greasy. I was expecting to get some tater tots, but they instead got me a small ring of pringles, which was fine. The prices were a bit high in my mind (the cheeseburger alone ran me almost $10--and that was just with water). The space has a bit of a pub-like feel to it. I may venture back in a few weeks when the place is fully operational to test the pizza. Have to compare it to Snoose Junction a few blocks away.
(3)ChefRD M.
As a mn couple.... We have been here many times to watch the vikes. Sad to say... We tried just about everything on the menu... And have given up. (the pizza was weak... But the best thing we found) even the ketchup is some off brand crap dumped into a Heinz bottle. I want to like this place.... But good pub food is not to be found here. My advice: Have several beers... THEN order a pizza and enjoy a game. We won't be back :(
(2)Sara B.
I've been to Zayda's countless times, but their Midwest beer, homey-feeling food, and fun atmosphere keep me coming back. I've had at least half of their menu and haven't found any food to complain about. The beer selection is great, even if a lot of it is bottled or in cans. The food is a bit on the pricey side, but it's good. Whether it's to catch a football or hockey game on one of the many TVs, get a quick bite, or just chill with friends, Zayda Buddy's hits the spot.
(4)Rachel L.
My partner and I go here at least once or twice a month. She is from Wisconsin and it is the only place in the state that serves Leinenkugels beer. The cheese curds are to die for and the stuffed bleu burger and pizza are great. Also the green olive and cream cheese burger (via the anchor bar for those in the know) is awesome. If you don't like fried foods or the midwest, I can see why this probably isn't the place for you. If you are all about good beer, laid back folks and comfort food - ahh, you betcha Zaydas is the place fer ya.
(5)Hodi P.
I can never remember the name, even when I have just gotten back from there! The thin crust pizza is quite good because I love thin crust pizza. We had the Eric the Red minus the white onions. I don't know why every pizza comes with those. The beer selection is very fun. I tried Schlitz, Blatz and Grain Belt Premium. I love sampling Milwaukee's finest. Our friend from Wisconsin said the Tot Casserole wasn't as good as she makes. The candy selection in the glass case is fun if not totally authentic as Midwestern. Bonus on the ladies' restroom photos! The poster of Tom Selleck is nice, but the almost nake Burt Reynolds in the stall is the money shot! The service was slooow so that's why they only get three stars. Plus the waiter from Indiana dissed Wisconsin at the end of our meal so minus points for that. Other than that, good fun!
(3)Nora M.
stopped by with my two kids all rainsoaked and n a clunky stroller, it wasnt busy so i didnt feel i was bothering anyone, but the host/server was delightfully friendly and quick. the pizza was fast fresh and delicioous. th music was a throw bck to my chidhood and the naked burt reynolds poster in the bathroom made my day! Do go here it was a great experience with great staff!
(5)Sandra S.
I went here for the happy hour and was pleasantly surprised. It's now one of my favs in Ballard. The burger was good and my husband said the pizza was delicious. The drinks were decent priced for happy hour. All in all a pretty good little place to go.
(4)Erica D.
This place was alright. I liked the crust and style of pizza but I think I may have just gotten the wrong toppings (the olaf). It was super salty, as were the tater tots. My husband got the deep fried burger and it was disappointing because the gravy was so flavorful you couldnt get any other taste. Our group liked the ambiance and the beer selection was pretty good. We are all from the midwest so we had high expectations since they are a 'Minnesota bar'. Overall I'd try other places in Ballard before going back, but it was still ok.
(2)Paula K.
Went back for more, this time I had the Tunafisk - hot tuna casserole with crunchy fried onions on top, reminded me of my grandma's. Loved the Hamm's beer in a can, you can't go wrong for $2.50.
(4)Nathan B.
My girlfriend was born in Minnesota, so when we moved to Ballard, we had to check out Zayda Buddy's, home of the Vikings. This is about as Midwest as you can get in the PNW - cheese curds, hot dish, and all. We ordered the "Freddie Boy's Slammin' Buffalo Chicken" Minnesota-style pizza, and boy, was it good! Buffalo chicken, blue cheese, and ranch served in piping hot square slices.... They also have some uncommon Midwestern beers, such as Leinenkugel's and Blatz. There are TVs, but the placement is not great, and you have to be at a premium table to have a good view. Check it out for a beer and some food sometime.
(4)N. S.
pros: very friendly and prompt service, great happy hour food and drink specials, yummy food, nice atmosphere, long happy hours, outdoor patio, restaurant.com deal (although I haven't used it here) will come back for: happy hour, tasty burgers, tater tots
(4)Brendan M.
Four stars for the food and environment. I'd give five stars if the service were more consistent. Zayda Buddy's serves up Minnesotan and Midwestern comfort food with an upscale twist in a casual-upscale environment. The green bean casserole, for example, takes a classic and kicks it up a level with some pepper and other spices. The tuna hotdish is also better than the original that inspired it. My favorite entree is the baked macaroni and cheese, with a blend of cheddar and parmesan cheeses and a crunchy topping. It was some of the best macaroni and cheese I've ever had. There weren't any chewy, dried-out noodles at the top, and there wasn't any oil or excess cheese in the bottom of the dish. The blend of cheeses was just right. The thin Minnesota-style pizza is pretty good, too, but they cut it crosswise, so the center pieces can be tricky to eat (no crust to hold onto). Good selection of local and Midwestern beers, some bottled, some on tap. Can you beat Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat? Nope. The interior is as nice as can be. Most of the tables are big wooden booths, some of which are easily big enough to hold six adults. The lights are subdued but strategically placed, and there's a 21-plus section on one side, so even if there are a lot of younger families, a group of adults can still get a spot. There are also a few stools at the bar. And they carry The Stranger, so there's something to read if you get bored. The service is usually pretty good, but one time it took about 15-20 minutes just to get drinks, and another 30 for the food, even though the crowd was very small. Most of the time, however, things move pretty quickly..
(4)Sheryl F.
Hands down my favorite pizza. I love thin crust but typically thin crust means teeny tiny amounts of cheese. That is not the case at zb. They add the right amount of cheese and the sauce has flavor. And then the crust is thin and crunchy. I love this pizza
(5)dave d.
Attention all lovers of good buffalo chicken wings: they offer a pizza special every so often that you MUST taste. It's a buffalo chicken pizza on thin, crispy crust (olive-oil base) and drizzled with ranch-ish dressing and gorgonzola cheese. It's absolutely tremendous. If you're lucky enough to attend when they're offering it, look no further. There's some really good offerings on their regular menu, but this pizza... oh, this pizza...
(4)Stefanie P.
Must disagree with my co-hort Amanda K. (I was with her on said pizza ordering night)! I am Minnesotan (Meeneesohtahn) and this place is a fantastic substitute for those of us who know fish restaurants to feature walleye and can both spell and pronounce crappie. The pizza is crispy thin crust and great--but understandably, better when eaten in and not at home 30 min after it leaves the oven--and they have a wide variety of toppings. I love the fizzy grape pop (yes, pop) drink! I think to best understand it, you should eat there. Go for happy hour and stay for pizza and hot dish. (Is it gross that at 7:56 AM I am thinking about hot dish?)
(4)Neil K.
Update: Much improved, so I'm changing the rating from 2 stars to 3 stars. It's solid Midwest comfort food (for the West coast), they've corrected the cheese curd issue, and the service last time was respectable too. I just hope they're able to remain consistent. Background: I still hold a valid Wisconsin driver's license. What this means to you: I am an anthropological expert on all things Midwest and I'm comfortable sitting in solitary judgment of Zayda Buddy's and its heritage. Doubt my judgment at your own peril. Perilous peril, even. Summary: For the most part, this place shames the Midwest. Review: 1. The cheese curds are a lie. A horrible, horrible lie. Where I come from, you can tell a lot about a place by their cheese curds---some places do just white cheddar, some do just orange (yes, it's a flavor), some fancy places do more than cheddar and go for a variety mix instead. Z-something (no one can be expected to remember the inane name) labels their mozzarella sticks as cheese curds. That doom-filled sentence may not mean much to your average Northwesterner, but it's simply unforgiveable. To phrase it in a slightly different way: completely unforgiveable. Not only are they betraying the name of cheese curds (just go to the Five Spot for "cheese curds" if you want another version of this horrific ilk), but they're betraying the very foundation of their "Minnesota" heritage. Cheese curds are not mozzarella sticks even if you slice them up into something resembling a cheese curd! Seriously. Come on. Who the hell are you fooling with that? Based on the cheese curds alone, I should have: very politely paid my bill, left at least a 20% tip, and then trashed their reputation all about town via some sort of public forum or court of opinion (because that's how we do in the central states, and I'm proud to carry that tradition on). I really am incensed by Z's cheese curds. I'm beyond rage at this point. You can tell that I'm not secretly the Incredible Hulk because I haven't grown to mega-steroid proportions or smashed anything while saying "Hulk SMASH!" ... Yet. Not yet. 2. Service was inhumanly slow. Two tables left while waiting for their food. We waited 45 minutes to get another round of drinks, at which point a different waitress let us know that our original waitress had disappeared an hour ago to help the kitchen because they were so behind. Our food arrived 50+ after initially ordering; other people were not so lucky. I give our waitress much respect for being a team player, but, still, the situation stings. 3. The food, in general, was not good. The mac & cheese was weak, tiny, and not authentic. The pastrami sandwich had cardboard trappings and was accompanied by a pickle that had been run over by a car wearing snow tires. 4. The selection of beers, on the other hand, was nice. It's hard to find Lenie's or Grain Belt outside of the Midwest, so that was a pleasant touch. Grain Belt is about one of the cheapest (but still one of the best tasting) beers from Minnesota, so $4 is a pretty steep price to pay for a sip of home (yes, I lived in Minnesota too). Previously, I'd paid, maybe, $2 for a Grain Belt, but you can get it for under $1 a glass at The Joynt in Eau Claire, WI. 5. My four and a half onion rings cost $2 extra as a substitute for my side salad. They didn't tell me about a substitution charge when I ordered (and, no, it's not mentioned on the menu under Hot Dishes either). I gave this place two stars for having some decent beers on tap and for not being the pit that is Ram Restaurant. If you want a real, Midwestern, comfort-food-filled dining experience to rival anything else your palette can imagine, there is only one cure-all, one balm in Gilead: The Old Fashioned. yelp.com/biz/the-old-fas…
(3)Bridget B.
This is a "Minnesota/Wisconsin" bar, so dating a native Minnesotan lead me to this place. First, I must say, this place has THE best bloody mary in Seattle, and quite possibly the best Mary Ive ever had. The food is good too, but dont expect to find anything healthy on the menu. We usually go with the breakfast pizzas and those are great. Must try the tater tots and cheese curds also because those are great. They also have Premium Grain Belt beer which I dont think you can get anywhere else in Seattle. This is a great Sunday brunch spot, but if you plan on going during a Vikings or Packers game, plan on not getting a seat.
(4)Gomer K.
Only been here once but it was after a long day of walking around Ballard and it was nice to sit down and drink some cheap shitty canned beer and eat a pizza. My friend and I split the veggie pizza which we both liked. Me more than him because he's a pepperoni guy. It's a cute little place with a Minnesota theme and the food is good and they have great happy hour so I'll be back.
(4)Jason F.
Killer fried cheese curds. Surprisingly great pizza, and a generally chill vibe.
(4)Laural B.
This is the nicest, newest dive I've ever gone to. Oh, and most expensive. So maybe it isn't a dive. But the menu kind of seals the deal. Total comfort food loaded with grease. Hmmmmm, deep fried cheese curds. Oh, yeah, it helps to drink up.
(4)Jennie R.
I came in here by myself on a weekday night. The place was far from busy. I got a menu right away... and then waited about 15 minutes to have my order taken. When the waiter finally came back he actually told me that he forgot about me. He took my order, and I think he put a rush on it, because it came back right away. I had a blackened salmon sandwich. The sandwich was good, the side salad I paid extra for was small and ordinary. Then a different server came over and gave me my check. And then... I waited another 15 minutes! I finally went up to the bar to pay my bill. The original waiter apologized for the shoddy service, but needless to say I won't be going back. The food was definitely not good enough to excuse the absolutely terrible service. They really could have been paying more attention, since they were doing busy work like wrapping up silverware.
(2)Nater B.
This place rocks. I'd recommend everything here food wise, especially the pizza. Atmosphere is nice, and lighting perfect. Makes you feel all kinda cozy! Yep I miss this place. Good games on tele, good music, good food, good work, good times! You must go here!
(5)Esteban D.
So I keep hearing about this chipped beef plate and something about a deep fried burger. Well, one day I finally walked into Zayda Buddy's with some friends and wifey and had a few pints and some eats. I'll tell you, Ballard has changed since I used to live there. This place is in a relatively new building with a clean interior, but it has the menu of a place you'd expect to be much dingier and homey in the midwest. That's not a bad thing, it just happens to be a pleasant surprise that you can get the good stuff in the old neighborhood... even if it's in a new building.
(3)Chris C.
I don't drink so I am always on the look out for tasty happy hour eats and ZB by far has one of the best food happy hour(s) in the city!!!! $6 pizzas,$5 burgers,$3.99 (or is it $2.99) appetizers and two corn dogs and tater tots for $5. My friends who drink like their booze specials as well. All in all a great value for real good eats!
(5)Danica K.
As a born and raised Minnesotan I have to tell you that this feels like a big culinary step backwards. Pagliacci is still the best pizza in Seattle IMHO and Snoose Junction does decent pizza in Ballard. "Minnesota pizza" really seems like just reheated Tombstone frozen pizza to me- I resent paying so much money for that. However I do miss the cheap beers (well not so cheap once they're imported out here) from my college days and it's nice to actually have a place to get cheese curds should the urge arise. (and it does *hangs head in shame*) It makes me realize that it's nice to go back home but, food-wise, Minnesota is still a bit of a culinary wasteland. I suppose almost 10 years of amazing coastal food (FRESH seafood!) will do that for a person. I'm going to try the burger tomorrow night hopefully that will be better than the pizza or possibly the People's Pub's burgers but that may be setting the bar a bit high.
(2)Anna A.
The pizza is good. The place is cute. The waitress was friendly but its a little pricey for what its worth. I did like their thin crust. Not sure about the square sliced pizza....
(3)Jason S.
I'll give any place a second shot, even three if they're nearby....Zayda Buddy's has disappointed on each occasion (both on the service and food fronts). There are too many better options for pizza nearby and just walk down the street to Station Bistro or drive over to Sambar for a better cocktail.
(1)Kevin L.
Its an okay place. The service was friendly. The prices are a little higher than I care for. I'm a Minnesota transplant. The big tabled booths made me feel like I was in a tavern in rural nothern MN, but the prices and a trendy buzz made it feel awkward for me. I would have liked to have seen more midwest beer offerings (nothing on draft) and less PWN beers. And a can of Hamms shouldn't cost that much. They supposedly do have Summit Ale (a decent St. Paul brew). My only complaint is my wife and I got sick on the green bean casserole. They denied any wrong doing. I might give the place another try, but there's lots of competition in Ballard these days.
(2)Glen B.
I love the homey feel from the Midwest. There are a lot of places back there that look and feel like this place. I have friends that were excited that it was the first place in town that had Leinenkugel's. I will saw, it was a blast from the past, but I wasn't too excited beyond that first beer, because it just isn't that good. They also don't have a lot of OK alternatives. The place's pizza sucks - though it is like Totino's - which has a real restaurant in Minneapolis - the place the in-store brand was born from, and I couldn't order a cocktail there without having to explain everything about it. I have classic cocktail tastes, but come on - a real bartender shouldn't be threatened by a Negroni. I will go with friends again and again, I'm sure, because it is one of their favorite local and otherwise haunts... but I'm not blown away. They also probably have the worst and slowest service (also rudeness-wise) of many of the bars I frequent in Seattle, and that's saying something.
(3)Emily L.
So first impression was good. Great service good good pizza. Second time not such great food. Third time bad bad service walked in and sat and waited about 10 minutes for someone to come bring the menus. The girl looked at us but never acknowledged us. When the food came it was good but not up to par. When it came to the check the server walked up and was acting as if we didn't want the check but was going to bring it when we were actually were waiting ten minutes for him to come over when we had credit cards out and ready. Then about 5 minutes for him to process the card. But even with crappy service i would still go back for the pizza! maybe order it out.
(3)Yo mama l.
staff are hot! drinks and food are great! music and tv are flexible to what the patrons want.
(5)Matt B.
You're missing out if you don't try the deep fired Cheeseburger. It may sound weird, but it's mighty tasty. As a transplanted Wisconsonite, it's really nice to find a place with Leinenkugel's on tap.
(5)Laura K.
Looked cute from the outside and remembered the old saying, "even bad pizza is pretty good". It is a midwest themed joint with lots of pictures of Burt Reynolds and Farah Fawcett on the walls. It was very cold inside on a December afternoon and it never warmed up. I liked the clean interior and the wooden booths. The menu has pizza, salad, and hot sandwiches for the most part. I was startled at the prices for some of the food. The green bean casserole was over $10. I thought it might be a huge shared item but it came with a side salad. Who wants to just eat green bean casserole?! We ordered a large pizza and mixed green salad. The salad was over $10 but it was large enough to share. The pizza was not good. It had a thin soggy crust with sparse toppings. The food took forever and a day to arrive and I heard the waiter apologizing to another table about how long the food was taking. I didn't have any alcohol on this visit so I don't know what their drinks are like. Our bill was over $40 for a large pizza, one salad, and one ice tea. You might find yourself here on a Saturday night if you live in Ballard and just want to get a drink because all the other places are jam packed and this place is empty.
(2)Wouter A.
I've been coming to this bar a lot lately. It's pretty close, got a nice beer and great(!!) whiskey selection, large menu and they serve they're entire menu until midnight. This last thing came in handy last week after the yelp event at flywheel because we were starving when we got home. Every restaurant was closing around 10 and every bar just stopped serving food. Except for Zayda Buddy's. I'm very new to Seattle and Ballard, but I'm glad I found this bar. The staff is always friendly as well as the customers. I've been trying a lot of things on the menu and so far everything has been good. The pizza is great (best pizza in Ballard so far), burgers are awesome, and the hot dogs are good too. There's is just about an all day happy hour with a nice little menu ranging from tots and a hummus plate to pizza, a burger and wings. Oooh I almost forgot the wings, the fried ones are great! Last night I was really impressed with the hummus plate. Everything on that plate (except for the cucumber) is home-made. it's a great (little) happy hour menu item. besides the food and the beer, the ambiance in this bar is always good. There's plenty of tv's to watch anything you want. They've got a lot of hockey and I bet this place will be great for football season. Also, Zayda Buddy's has a nice patio that has some great sun late in the afternoon. All in all, great bar, great food, super friendly people and great happy hour. I'll be back really soon and often! And did I mention tater tot tuesdays? Free tots with a drink! Can't go wrong with that!
(4)Nikki A.
Best comfort food ever! I've never been to Minnesota but if it's anything like zayda buddies I'm sure I'd love it. The servers and bartenders are super nice and always remember my boyfriend and I. we come in a lot for food and drinks . Nice stiff pour on their drinks and free tater tots on Tuesdays cant be beat ! They always have a good range of games on tv if u like sports as well. I love the flair on the walls anyplace with Burt Reynolds playgirl spread from the 70s on the bear rug in the ladies bathroom is well worth a visit in my book. Best pizza ever! great size portions too! My go to late night spot as they serve food later than most spots in Ballard.
(5)Ron S.
Best thin crust in Seattle. Making Midwesterner's feel at home for years.. Thin crust, square cut!
(5)Charles F.
The beer cheese soup is phenomenal! Perfect amount of spicy with crunch provided from some popcorn. Great beer selection and friendly staff. Will come back!
(4)Jay Y.
We ordered the "Chelsea, Chelsea!", the pizza with mac & cheese, cheese curds, and a Greek salad. Everything was pretty darn good. Very, Very cheesy and a bit heavy, so don't order too much! There's a potato pizza we'll be trying next time. Highly recommended!
(4)Monique L.
Will not go back. I came late one evening, early morning on Sat/Sun to Zayda nearby. We waited for our large pizza order for two people, 20-30 minute in a sparely attended restaurant at midnight (only 2 tables with diners) Finally, after 20-30 minutes wait, we decided to check in on our order, because it looked like the staff had forgotten about us. They said it's being made. I was expecting hot, cheesy, fresh ingredients considering how long it took them to make it. The 1/2 Hawaiian, 1/2 bbq chicken pizza finally came after 30 minutes wait. The pizza was dry, the meat (canadian bacon) looked spoiled and dry along the edges as if it has been sitting there all day without proper food storage, the goop of bbq sauce only served to mask the dried out pinnable and sit all day on the counter pre-chopped chicken. I could have made better ramen at home. Totally underwhelmed.
(1)Guido V.
Great veggie burgers & friendly people, exactly what you would want to expect from a casual sports bar like this one, Went 2 times so far, will definitely go back. Not the most expansive bottled beer selection, but enough on draft to keep you going!
(4)Dania P.
Oh man. We missed our flight to Minnesota this weekend and felt it was a must to go here. We were not sad. Food = delicious. Service = super chill Other patrons = nice Outdoor patio = awesome I really don't have anything bad to say about this place-maybe if you are trying to eat healthy avoid it? Our group had: Fish Fry Sandwich-Highly recommend- SO GOOD. Tatertots-must Philly cheese steak-delicious Veggie Sandwich-meh. Beer Cheese Soup-meh. Drinks-cheap and good!
(5)Andrew R.
Holy salt! Cheese curds were very salty, green olive burger was pretty salty and the onion rings were salty. I still give it a 4 star b/c the food was still really good going down, but the salt hangover is rough. And they have such unique items, like a deep fried burger and rainbow s'mores. It was fun just to see the interesting things from the midwest on the menu. But my advice is try to balance the meal with something healthy, so you won't feel like you just downed a half shaker of salt, like I do.
(4)Rob B.
Extremely disappointed... We live right across the street from this place, and have always been curious to try their food. Menu is huge and looks like some pretty good bar food, so we ordered take-out late last night (~11 pm). Maybe it's partly because it was late, maybe because it was take-out instead of dine-in, but... The Slammin' Buffalo Wings ($8.99) - we got 7 tiny wings with some awful bleu cheese dressing and celery - honestly, they were about the worst buffalo wings I've ever had from a restaurant. Hooters wings blow them away, for reference. And you don't go to Hooters for the wings. The Puget Sound SeaShell Mac & Cheese ($10.99) - it was about 1 cup of overcooked mac & cheese, with a side salad. The mac & cheese wasn't disgusting, but the salad was useless. I would have been way better off cooking up some Annie's Mac & Cheese for $2.50. Not sure why they feel the need to include a salad, either - not exactly the menu that screams "balanced meals." The poutine ($8.99 I think, at least) - this was the only item that came in a decent-sized serving, but it was pretty mediocre. Light on the gravy, and the cheese curds had barely melted. All-in-all - overpriced, extremely-sub par quality, and comically-small portions. Will never waste my time there again.
(1)Emily T.
Don't go here for the food (unless mediocre bar food is truly what you desire.) Go here for the Midwest beers, the decor, and the fact that they play the Packers. The food is over-priced and ranges from tasting ok to tasting bad. If you want authentic Midwest cheese curds like I grew up eating, try the Five Point Cafe.
(3)Amy B.
Zayda's was exactly what I expected it to be and I can appreciate that. I love tater tots and fry sauce! Next time I'm at Zayda's, I'll have to try their wild rice soup. I haven't had any served at a restaurant outside of Minnesota and if theirs can live up to my memory then I could give them another half star.
(3)Kate M.
My parents are both from Minnesota, and everyone in our extended family lives there still. Zayda Buddy's does an awesome job paying tribute to all the quirks and qualities of Midwest culture. A few of the things that make this place awesome are (in no particular order): Hamm's beer, the addition of tater tots and mac n' cheese to several menu items, Land O' Lakes cheese sauce and/or Velveeta, beer cheese soup, Minnesota Twins games on various TVs, Wisconsin cheese curds (even on their bloody mary!), and the random candy section by the front counter where you can find a few special Midwest treats. Even those who have no ties to the Midwest love this place. My boyfriend drags all his friends here for their pizzas, and we always stop here to relax after climbing at Stone Gardens. Great causal environment and tasty food, don't ya know.
(5)Suzy K.
My husband and I are Minnesotans who moved to Seattle in '05 and wondered why it was so difficult to find decent pizza. The thing I typically love about MN pizza is that the crust is usually somewhere between a thin crust and a hand tossed. The square-cut reminds me of a favorite spot back in the ol' St. Cloud State days. My husband loves that he can get kraut on his pizza (blech). We both love that as vegetarians we are satisfied with a joint that also serves up a (supposedly) mean Tater-Tot Hotdish (although it was called Tater Tot Casserole in my home growing up - albeit we were in the minority with that terminology). In addition to the tasty pizza, cheese curds offered as an app, the MN memorabilia (I don't even mind that it is sports team related), they offer their Bloody Mary's the way they should be - with a short beer chaser! Who knew that this was a MN thing? Not I until I left the land of 1,000 Lakes. I need beer with my bloody! Its no Luce or Psycho Suzi's (for fellow Minneapolis peeps - you know what I mean) but it is downright tasty and the people workin' the joint are just as good as any you would find in the Mini-apple. Oh yeah! You can get Summit and Grain Belt Nordeast, dontchya know!
(4)Dennis D.
Cheese curds! Velveta! Midwestern beer! Yeay great lakes! If you're looking for a Midwestern theme'd bar/restaurant, you've looked in the right place. The only thing I didn't like about the place was the bathroom soap. Powdered soap!? Really? :-p
(4)Chris M.
I love this little gem, though I don't get to make it here much. Today I was finally able to take my girlfriend there who spent part of her childhood growing up in the Minnesota area. We were sad when we got there and they informed is that they were out of cheese curds. It was the whole reason we went really. However towards the end of the meal they magically found some more of the deep fried cheesy goodness and surprised us with a bowl on the house. Plus I was stoked to find that they had the Husky game on!!! Oh and try the deep fried cheeseburger, it comes with onions and smothered in a gravy. I'm sure I'll have to spend extra time at the gym this week to compensate but it's worth it.
(5)Nate B.
So grateful to have this here in Seattle. I grew up outside Duluth and have missed proper pizza and Midwestern beers as I have moved around the west coast. I'll say that the pizza isn't totally authentic because I am sure they have to tailor it to local expectations, but I did get them to make it more authentic once. Still, it's the right flavor. The beer selection is always great, and being able to have walleye occasionally is a real treat. Service is usually good, not universally so, but never rude, just occasionally indifferent. Always fun to have random "Hey I'm from Minnesota, too" conversations. But for the love of all that is holy, please get 1919 root beer, it's really a sad hole in the menu. I'm holding that last star hostage until you get it!! :)
(4)Tom T.
This pizza is great! They serve it "Minnesota style." The crust is really thin, there's way more tomato sauce than cheese, and it's sliced into little squares (which is great if you come here with kids). The toppings are really inventive--the stranger it sounds, the better it tastes. The Sauerkraut Sander is one of my favorites. The atmosphere is really unique. It's like going back in time--check out the candy under the glass counter. There are old beer signs from the Midwest on the walls and many of these old-school beers are available in the restaurant--in the can or sometimes on tap. They offer a lot of good beers on tap and hard liquor as well. There is outside seating in the back. The service is always friendly and good. The pizza is so good, I've never tried anything else on the menu.
(5)Janet B.
If you've ever lived in the midwest Zayda Buddy's will bring you right back! Fantastic comfort food with midwest beers available!
(4)Hayley V.
I must thank Garrett for introducing me to the "Ten Dollar Bloody Mary" adult happy meal served here at Zayda. Funny thing is it actually only costs $8 but I pretend not to notice menu mistakes in my favor. You better not say anything either. Honestly it doesn't even really matter what the mary tastes like because the sheer alcohol to dollar ratio is impressive enough. For that price I would shoot fernet-branca, a spirit I'm still not entirely convinced is fit for human consumption. Your 'happy meal' comes in pint-sized packaging and contains nature's crimson-stained hangover elixir. A pickle spear, green olives, pepperoncini, and lime wedge adorn the drink entrance. A few sips reveal the jagged glacier tip of your prize: a squeaky white cheese curd. You heard me right- I said cheese mang. For dessert: an icy-cold beer back. The food I have experienced here is decent but the Mary is the real novelty. It's worth a special trip out after brunch just for the beverage. Yeah, you're welcome.
(3)Logan P.
The food: Food is great. Tater tots are delicious and the cheese curds are to die for. Great selection of Midwest beers. You cannot go wrong with any of their pizzas. The service: Very attentive each time I have been. The vibe: Place is great. Small bar area but all in all a great place to go to watch a Vikings or Twins game. Great Midwest décor! The dinning room booths outside of bar can accomodate a large group. Perfect for kids too!
(4)Katie T.
Want to like this place. But always slow service. Don't go if you are in a hurry, or if you want friendly service.
(2)Sarah A.
I hate to do this, but "too bad" is my review. I've been to Zayda Buddy's over a dozen times. My last review was based on my positive reaction from the owner after I formally complained. I don't complain. Well, formally atleast. Its awkward! But, I was so in love with this concept, theme, location and pricing that I wanted to do my part to keep the business alive. I can say completely unbiased from gift cards or peer pressure that our last visit here left boyfriend and I both saying "It was fun while it lasted" First complaint was that the cheese curds are now the same price as most of the entrees. Now I will not deny that their cheese curds are good. But dude. Its not soooo good that you have to bust out the lable maker to update the price by a buck. BF's burger, which we had previously had, was way off. Like the way sour milk tastes kind of sweet. It tasted off. He quit eating after one bite. And the biggest shock there was that our server was so busy on the phone propped up against his ear, that he didnt say a word about the fact that there was a whole burger, 1 bite out, left on the plate. So overall, I really want to love this place. I have supported this place for over a year, recommending people and stopping by. But after our last visit, looking at a $60 tab for two people I have finally given up. Too bad.
(2)Nick P.
Traveled here to pick up the advertised grain belt beer. They were out of stock. Cheese curds and walleye were over fried andburnt badly.
(2)Tom P.
Love it love love...I had the pizza. Crispy crust did not get floppy like some thin crust crispy pies can get. Generous toppings pack in the flavor. Great location in the Ballard area. If you love pizza,beer,TOTS,Ballard,food,fun...GO HERE.
(5)Thomas M.
I believe the owner of Zayda Buddy's is from Minnesota, and they claim to make a Minnesota-style pizza, which is actually a Midwestern-style thin crust. I lived in Minnesota for 21 years, where this style is ubiquitous, and I've eaten hundreds of pies of this style. I've also been making pizzas at home since 2001, and the Midwestern-style thin crust is one of my favorites. So, i'm claiming to know what i'm talking about haha! Zayda Buddy's makes a decent version of this style. It's a nice place to cure my cravings for this style, however if I was in the Midwest there are many more places I would go before Zayda Buddy's. So, they do an OK job, but there is definitely better pizza in the midwest.
(3)Jonathan B.
Well, here's Yelp in action - I got a rather nice email from Joel at Zayda Buddy's, right after I posted my updated review. He apologized for the issues I had with my last visits, said he had talked to his staff about the problem, and asked me to give them another try. I have to give him credit. Personal outreach like this is fairly uncommon from some businesses, even though the magic of the Internet makes it incredibly easy. So, two thumbs up to Joel for putting himself out there and offering an apology, and an added star to the rating for the perfectly normal and enjoyable time I had when I decided to give ZB's another whirl. The brats - and the service - were great. Welcome back.
(4)Amanda L.
Okay so after a long night in Ballard we walked back to our car and half our group was starving so Zayda's sort of appeared. We stopped in for some pizza and beer... probably around 1 or 1:30. We got a cheese pizza and another one with a bunch of random stuff on it. Overall, the salad was nothing special. They also have a weird pickled beets/red stuff concoction that they put on top. It is not very visually appealing and doesn't taste that good either. The pizza was again...nothing special. it wasn't the most awful thing in the world but I've certainly had better. The service was also very slow. My uncle had to ask for his beer multiple times before actually receiving it. Not acceptable. The best thing about this place might just be the Tom Sellek poster in the Ladies Room...not kidding.
(2)Amber M.
This place is a must. I'm from Wisconsin and lived in Minneapolis for 4 years and this brought me back home. Tonight I had the Reuben and cheese curds, but will be back soon to try the pizza, poutine, and fish fry. I highly recommend this fun and eclectic place.
(5)John H.
We are from the Midwest, the St. Louis region, and we had long searched for the style of pizza that we had back there. That is with a thin crust, an emphasis on great cheese, and very IMPORTANTLY cut into squares not wedges. This last point is important because the little pieces it creates around the crust are worth fighting over. :-) After almost 20 years in the area, we'd all but given up on ever finding such a thing in the Seattle area, until we found ZB's. We spotted it after visiting one of our other favorite Ballard eating spots, Senor Moose. It was love at first bite, and we are now regulars to this wonderful spot. Not only do they have SUPERLATIVE pizza, they also have lots of other great Wisconsin-inspired food, like brats and tots! They also have a full scratch bar, many beers on tap and in bottles to choose from, and sports on the many TVs. It's a little slice [pun intended] of heaven on Earth. The entire wait staff is wonderful as well. They are very attentive, efficient, and friendly. If you're looking for consistently great pizza served in a different way, check out ZB's. But don't sit in the booth next to the cash register, that's "our spot," m'kay. :-)
(5)Ryan A.
Great spot with a fun atmosphere! Unique selection of beers and a cool Midwestern take on pizza!
(5)Dan P.
Midwestern hospitality at its best. Great pizza, cold beer, great atmosphere and a lot more too. Great gem and happy to have them here in Ballard.
(5)Naveed A.
The cheese curds here are amazing! Pretty much everything I ate actually was good. I highly recommend Zayda Buddy's!
(5)Yiling W.
DEEP FRIED CHEESE CURDS. My search is over. Also: mac n cheese casserole, tater tots, real bratwurst with all the fixin's, and down home Midwestern beers like Leinenkugel's. If you're looking for a Vikings game that's not televised locally in Seattle, try here. Then, if it's Sunday, wander around the corner to the farmer's market. This place is located in "Bizarro West Seattle," also known as Ballard, where there are many of the same stores (Matador, Great Harvest, Pho Than Brothers, and more), but it's still weirdly different.
(4)Amber B.
Zayda Buddy's is my kind of place! I have been going to OAC next door for I don't know how long and always thought it was just a dive bar. They have a decent HH. And all comfort food so pretty hard to go wrong I guess. I was extremely satisfied with our 3 HH appetizers - Mediterranean, tater tots, and pizza. After a couple drinks each the bill was under $25.
(5)Gena S.
We went to Zayda Buddy's with a couple of friends because they wanted us to try the cheese curds. Of course, they were delicious! You can get all sorts of midwestern comfort food here - tater tots, mac and cheese, deep fried curds, bratwurst, pizza and even a deep-fried burger. Fortunately, you can add a salad to offset the fat-laden fare. We've gone back because of the curds and the full bar with a generous pour. Everytime we've gone, the place has been packed and loud... just how I love it!
(4)Sonya L.
This place was really disappointing. I had heard pretty good things about it (and I'd heard tons about the tater tot casserole), but it ended up not being that great. My veggie burger was nothing more than a Gardenburger patty with some onions and lettuce on a bun. For $9 bucks, this was a pretty big letdown. The fries were pretty tasty, but you hardly got any! The plate almost seemed empty on that side, what with the lack of delicious fries. Our waitress was friendly and helpful (she split our bill 5 ways without a problem) and we were able to find a table immediately, but other than that...this place didn't have too much going for it. Overall, no one in our group was very impressed. Prices were quite high, the food was marginal at best, and service was a bit slow.
(2)Vas S.
Two words: cheese curds. Three words: fried cheese curds. Five words: bloody mary with cheese curds.
(4)Michelle F.
I had heard rants and raves about their beer and cheese soup, and went just for that, also ordering the mixed greens salad and the wings. The wings were okay. Not the best, not the worst. They just were. Not nearly saucy enough for me. I require mine infused with dripping awesomeness. The mixed greens salad (whole salad size) was huge! It was an amazing bowl of romaine, spinach, and pickled beets, garbanzos, peppers, and onion. Ringed with cucumber slices. WIN. This salad totally won my heart. The cheese soup we came for mostly went uneaten. I was underwhelmed. Sad. But at least I got a killer salad!
(3)Katie P.
I love Zayda Buddy's and haven't had a bad experience there ever. I've tried several of their dishes (mac and cheese, tater tot casserole, burger, etc.) and they were all great. The cheese curds especially are always a crowd favorite. (Mmm, cheese!) Unfortunately, through no fault of their own, they don't have Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat beer anymore. My favorite! They replaced it with Blue Moon, though, which is decent enough. It's basically it's a nice relaxed bar to unwind at (there are lots of TVs on the walls with games on them), eat consistently good food, and, of course, drink beer. I deducted one star because the service is usually a little slow, but this place is still definitely recommended.
(4)Cynthia L.
Have been twice. Once for a date night, the other for a birthday party. Date night: good food. Had the macaroni and cheese pizza. It was really delicious. A tad bit greasy. Birthday party: great service. We were a group of about 12 in the bar area and the waitress split our tab up as we individually cashed out. That was awesome! Also, besides us there were maybe 2 or 3 small groups and we had plenty of space.
(4)Kelly H.
Food = AWESOME! Service = not so awesome This place has the quite possibly the best Bloody Mary in Ballard (its served with Cheese Curds and a sidecar of beer - yes please!) The Cobb Salad is unlike anything I have ever experienced, it is HUGE and full of everything you can imagine, including fried cheese curds! I highly recommend it! (plenty there to share) I have been here 3 times and the service is just not that good. The last time I went I sat at the bar and after the bartender asked if he could start some drinks for us, he immediately said "well theres lots of drinks ahead of yours so it will be a while" When I asked if I could have the Bloody Mary not too spicy he said "its pre-mixed" and he seemed annoyed when I asked if he could do half mix / half tomato juice. When my friend ordered a Black Label on the rocks he looked like he had no idea what that was. The service is slow and the waitstaff is inattentive. I continue to return because of the food and the Bloody Marys, but I wish the service was on the same level.
(3)Paul T.
What is NOT to love about this place. They have a great menu ....awesome pizza, tator tots, and good hearty Minnesota food! Their beer menu is great, and the service is out of this world. The wait staff is always attentive and very friendly. The atmosphere is comfortable and it is a pretty small place, always a great place to catch a hockey game. My favorite go to bar/restaurant in Ballard, hands down!
(5)Sarah S.
Hands down, favorite bar in Ballard (I should know, I'm in Ballard every day:). Let me tell you why: 1. Amazing service. One time the bartender gave us free tots just because. If you have ever had Zayda Buddy's tots, you know how big of a score this is. 2. You can almost always find a seat at the bar. 3. They open at 11:30! Whattt! You can't find food in Ballard until 5pm. Seriously. This is as good as it gets folks!
(5)Bryan J.
Any place that allows you to put tater tots on your pizza is awesome!! I love the midwest decor and they have cheap drinks for happy hour a definite must try!!!
(3)Viola l.
BEST WINGS EVER!!!!!!!! I can never decide on Spicy fried or the Slammin' but both are DELISH! I love love love this place it's a nice low key mid-west owned bar. I usually try to go during happy hour, I am taking away a star cause it used to be from 11-6PM and 9-close. Now it's the standard 3-6 M-F. all apps are $3.99 except the cheese curds which are tasty but I recommend sharing. Dessert- smore sunday... now thats just dangerously amazing~! Service is a little hit or miss but I always enjoy sitting at the bar. In the summer there is a small patio which is nice to get some fresh air.
(4)Shekinah S.
I came here with a fairly large group about a month ago. Zayda Buddy's was busy on a Friday night and we had to wait about 15 mins, but then somehow we got two tables across the aisle from each other, so that was cool. My friend from Wisconsin ordered cheese curds and introduced this Midwestern delicacy to the group. They were a hit. Another friend ordered some super obscure beer, it may have been from Asia. A good time was had by all!
(4)Jen K.
I may have just gotten a mini-heart attack looking at the food. cheese, fried, gravy, more cheese and more fried. If that's what you're looking for, come on down. Boyfriend and I were totted out; ordered the taco tots. Simple, but really hit the spot. Then I ordered the fried chicken, and BF got the tater tot. i think my stomach jumped for joy, ran down the slip and slide of oil our meals were cooked in. BUT, it was still suuuper yummy. Would come here again after a good fasting!
(4)William T.
This bar is on the top 150 beer bars list from Draft magazine. Which is surprising, because the waitress didn't seem to know that. She also didn't know what the beer I drank was or how to find out that info. Combine that with the OK tots and limited draft menu, and you get a bar that isn't bad. One of the Top 150? I don't know about that. To be fair, the draft menu did seem to be all local microbrews (12 of them) however there were many bars in Seattle that had that going for them.
(3)Teila B.
Went here to celebrate my Husbands 30th BDay. Called ahead to reserve seating for 25, no problems .. Super helpful over the phone ... Once we got there I was even more impressed. Seem like only one waitress working the floor at 10 on a Friday night bt S.J. was a freaking rock star. Ordered a few pizza and a few pitchers of beer ... She was right on time w everything we needed. The FOOD ... Yummy thin crust pizza. Nice and crisp, just delish ... N that wasn't the alcohol talking. The drinks were right on point! Cute, small, chill place will be coming back to hang out. Street parking bt plenty of space at night, just watch out for it ... It's on the corner with a small sign. Pasted it a couple times. Often times places in Ballard are filled w people who are in there own world ... N ur not aloud in ; / bt the crowd here was pretty cool.
(4)Nigel S.
Warning! This review is not for the weak of stomach. I was in here the other day to catch some dinner after sailing at shillshole with my roommate and girlfriend. Everything started fine when we got some beers and an order of chicken wings. My roommate tried to order 4 beers on the menu that they didn't have in stock before finding one that was. The server said they can't get these beers anymore; maybe they should reprint the menu. On to the main course: They have a DEEP FRIED HAMBURGER? I never saw such a thing before. Although I barely ever eat hamburgers, there was no choice in the matter; I had to have it. The hamburger came; it was big, fried, and covered in cheese and gravy. Here comes the disgusting part: about halfway through eating the hamburger I saw something crawling on my plate covered in gravy. It was a little worm type thing (also known as a maggot). After swallowing the throw-up which rushed up my esophagus I brought it up to a random server. A few seconds later they came over and told me it wasn't a maggot, it was a fruit fly larva. I didn't bother to inform them that the definition of maggot is "the larval phase of development in insects of the order Diptera (flies)," thus also making it a maggot. The reason they still get 3 stars is because the waitress handled the whole thing very well, being very apologetic and restating that she's never seen this happen before. Truth is it probably was from the lettuce and not from the meat since the meat was deep fried; I doubt a maggot would live through boiling oil. The entire bill came to $0 and they gave me a $20 gift certificate in case I ever want to come back again. She also kept trying to buy me another beer or shot or some more food but my stomach was in no mood for me consuming anything. Maybe I will be back for $20 worth of drinks.....
(3)Kristina P.
4 stars alone on the fact that they have Bells on their beer list. I'll bump it to 5 stars when they get Surly. The Midwest doesn't have a ton of craft breweries like we do out here but the few they have are pretty damn good and I love that I have found a place that at least features some of them. In addition to the beer, being a Minnesota native I think cutting the pizza into squares is the best thing ever. Also, cheese curds.
(4)Dale N.
I have gone to Zayda Buddy's four or five times with friends since it opened. I has served as a consistently good fall back joint for lunches and late dinners. The atmosphere is friendly and the ambiance is tav-typical. They need a couple more, slightly higher end wine options. Have never tried their pizzas, but will after reading some encouraging reviews.
(4)V F.
We came in here one evening with our toddler. It's not easy for us to get out to eat anymore, some thing we really enjoy. We often find she just doesn't have the attention span or patience to hang out an entire dinner. Well props to Zaddya Buddys. The long booths allow her to walk around and have a little space. Our server was really nice and didn't seem to mind the continual arranging of the condiments. The music is fun and upbeat. This place clearly likes to have fun with the eclectic decorations. We ordered the fried cheese curds, a bloody mary, two personal pizzas: the Chelsey and Sammy Sam and a couple beers. The fried cheese was the best I've ever had. Good quality cheese with a light batter. It was also free tater tot night with a beer purchase, which was a great plus. We are mostly vegan so clearly we weren't going to get away with that here but the server was very accommodating about subbing the pepperoni on the Chelsey pizza for broccoli. Mac and cheese on a pizza doesn't sound good but it was great. The bloody mary came with a beer back (yay!) and vegetable bar stuffed into it also featuring their wonderful cheese curds. Our daughter seemed entertained, and well we were just deliriously happy. The only negative was we found the crust to be a bit chewy and not light and crispy for such a thin dough. I'd also rather see the pizza in triangular slices vs. the box cut. I like a bit of crust on each slice, however I suspect I could just ask them next time to cut it like that for us. All in all, we really enjoyed it from the food quality, generous portions (despite sticker shock) and friendly service. I also recommend putting up a happy hour menu and featured night info online.
(4)Laura G.
The information provided says they deliver, but they do not. I called and was very abruptly told this was not the case.
(2)Angel W.
When I need comfort food when I don't care about calories, I'd probably come back here. Cons: I'll repeat what some others said about the soup, though I didn't have it personally but two friends w/ us did and they said the same things - not good, no flavor, wtf is going on w/ the popcorn in it? My boyfriend had the tatertot hotdish and said it was only ok. Not his favorite. Pros: They have cheap beer everyone loved, they made me an amazing dark and stormy, the server was attentive and friendly and two of us had the Rachel - a Reuben w/ turkey instead and it was freakin divine. Amazing really. Yummy yummy goodness. I chowed that baby down. Didn't share w/ anyone it was so good. I'd go back for that sandwich in a heartbeat.
(3)Paul T.
What a treat it was to find a place that worships and embraces the Minnesota culture. As a Minnesota/North Dakota transplant to Seattle, it was really awesome to be surrounded by that old time lakeshore dive bar feel, and to stuff my face with cheese curds and Grain Belt. The Gravy Boat with sausage and cheese was also fantastic. Bringing it all back home was the decor, which rides the range from kitchy to downright wierd. But again, that ties together the Minnesota dive bar feel. Still, the bartenders were awesome and friendly, and made you feel Minnesota Welcome.
(4)Tony R.
My wife is a tater-tot fiend. Sometimes, I think that no restaurant can get five stars from her if they don't serve tater-tots. One of the worst days of her life was when Taco Bell got rid of Mexi-Fries. That said, it didn't take long to end up at Zayda Buddy's for some pizza and tots. We ordered a large Ballard Bridge and some tots and waited to find out the joys of Minnesota style pizza. We all devoured the tots before the pizza arrived and, what can I say, they were tater-tots. My wife would kill me for saying they weren't anything special, but they were sufficiently crunchy and tasted like a tot. I think the pizza was one of the better ones out there and certainly better than I was expecting. I love crunchy thin crust, so that was a hit for me. Also, the fact that its cut into squares meant more crunchy pieces, also cool with me. The ingredients on top were average but still good. We all The reason they get a three is the atmosphere wasn't that great, service was ok but nothing special and we waited a long time for the food and the check, also, the flies flying around the door were kind of a turn off.
(3)Erik M.
When Zayda Buddy's first opened, my friends from the midwest raved about it: "Someone FINALLY got pizza right in this town, and they serve Leiney's" They also spoke highly of the midwest comfort food that makes up the menu. It took a while for me to actually get around to trying the place; Not being from the midwest, the concept just didn't have a lot for me. But then I finally tried it, and it almost made me wish I had midwest roots so I could feel nostalgic about the food as well. This is not a good place for you if you're watching your calories. Most dishes are either fried or filled with meat and/or cheese. Even the Cobb salad comes with what looks like a half pound each of bacon and blue cheese. Whenever we eat there, we always start with a order of tots and fried cheese curds, which could almost be a meal in themselves. I've tried a number of their sandwiches, and they're all good. Of particular note are the sloppy joe (topped with a fried egg) and the stuffed burger. One of these days I will hate myself enough to go for the deep-fried pepper jack burger. But the big draw for many is the pizza. I typically only get the pizza when we're there with a group, and they're pretty good. But I think to fully appreciate the style one has to have come from a region where the thin crust, square cut style is the norm. Either way, what they've got going clearly works - it's always packed for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, and it seems to turn a brisk business for lunch many days. With a kid-friendly section, you'll find families enjoying a meal out, and a small patio out back is a pleasant place to tip a few Old Styles while playing hooky from work. With it's fun concept menu and reasonable prices, Zayda Buddy's is a great fixture in Ballard's ever changing restaurant and bar scene.
(4)Tom A.
Yes, I'm from Minneapolis and yes, I had to go just to have a Leinie's. Finally ate there (pizza) and found it to be pretty good. No Carbone's but better than 90% of the crap passed off in Seattle as pizza. $20+ for Pagliacci? WTF? Back to Zayda's pizza. Cut into squares, definitely a Midwest novelty, is a great way to cut pizza because sometimes you want a little more but not a whole slice. Will be back to try the brat and possibly the tater tot hot dish. No comment on the décor. Staff is courteous and helpful.
(4)Chris R.
Stopped going after my favorite bar tender/server, Thomas left. The rest just don't have it.
(1)Jasmine M.
Uh, okay ... wow. Almost an hour. It was juuuuuuust nearly an hour when we finally told our server that we now need our food to go. So a couple things one should know about attempting to dine here. They are, in no specific order: a. Have no other plans or committments the day you come here. b. Have no reasonable fascimile of a taste bud c. And only like burnt to hell cheese on your pizza
(1)Isabella O.
I'd never heard of this place, but was meeting friends and ended up there. They said it was Midwestern Food to which I replied "Wtf?" and they started talking about tater tots and pizza. I don't eat pizza (it can taste really good, but never works out for me otherwise) so I was less than thrilled, especially since...tater tots? For reals? Who orders tater tots at a restaurant? Apparently, my boyfriend does and bless his heart for it because DAYUM!!! I have never had such delicious tots in my life, and yes, I would have them again. I also had a pastrami sandwich which was yummy, served with fries that were crisp and ample in supply. I was really excited about the sweet potato salad that I ordered, and disappointed to be told they were out of it, then excited again when the waiter placed what he announced was the last plate of it on the table. Then I was disappointed again, because although it was quite good, it was NOT potato salad made with Sweet Potatoes. It was a SWEET potato salad. The wait staff was super cool, but I will say that all the other patrons made me a little uncomfortable for a variety of reasons.
(3)Rodney W.
My first few visits to Zayda Buddy's were ho hum. The menu is cool and they have the beers I like, but the tone/mood in the place was just not all of that exciting. The staff wasn't making the difference. This week we were invited to a Birthday Party hosted at Zayda Buddy's and it was a blast. Thanks to new management, assertive and helpful staff, Zayda Buddy's just moved up the list to being one of our favorites. We are hosting another party there in a couple of weeks.
(5)Michelle B.
"You know what would be a good idea? A bunch of framed Tom Selleck posters in the bathroom! And let's make the ones in the stall be semi-nude." Someone had to actually think up this stroke of decorating genius and that someone expected me to eat pizza after the visual assault. This may not have been so bad if the pizza was delicious, in fact it could have been comforting, but unfortunately the pizza was simply fine. The crust was thin and crispy in a good way but lacked flavor, the toppings got a bit lost in the cheese and the sauce, and for some reason all of the pizzas come with white onions. Since I passed on the onions we got a salad to split which consisted of a huge bowl of mixed greens with a few measly pieces of other veggies on top. It was a sad salad accompanied by an outright depressed piece of cold Texas toast. The atmosphere is pretty bright and the music is pretty loud so it wasn't really a place I felt like lingering which made the fact that the server kept hanging out with her booth full of friends even more irritating than it would normally be. In Summary: Not my new favorite pizza restaurant. (I'd also like to note that this was my second attempt at eating here since the first time they ran out of cheese. Really? Out of cheese? Should we run to Safeway? They have cheese.)
(2)Tim A.
Great pizza, beer, cheese curds, tater tot casserole, and Minnesota ambience. Cut into squares--bar style! I held a party for my wife and twenty friends in the bar, and they got all 6 orders of pizza out simultaneously--impressive service! Most of the time the crust is perfectly cooked and once it was on a little singed, but I actually don't mind a little char on this type of crust--it just makes it better!. Each little pizza square is like eating a cheesy and tomato nacho! I love that there is a Mid-Western themed Pizza Place in Ballard The beer selection brings me back to the time I made a visit to see relatives in upstate Wisconsin. Plenty of choices besides the fabled Blue Ribbon Beer. My favorite samplings: Blatz, Shlitz, and Grain Belt Premium. Plus a good, local micro selection on tap. Cocktails are good too. You must try the aptly-named Minnesota Martini, a beer and shot of the day for $5 (during happy hour). Sunday brunch gives you $3 red beers and Bloody Marys. Service was good, but booths are limited and you may have to wait or sit in the bar. By the way, you can grab for road your favorite mid-western smokes (Lucky Strike, Pall Mall) and candies (Chuckles) in the glass case at the cashier station. Although I have tried many pizza joints in Seattle and still like many, I must say that this is my new favorite pizza place.
(5)James F.
I am not really sure why this is considered a Midwestern joint, lots of meet, a few Midwestern dishes, and two Midwest beers? I was really hopping to see some more beer from the region, but in fact they have more PNW beers then Midwestern beers? Prices are really high for what you get, $5 for a side of totts? really? The place is really nice though, and clean with a small bar and lots of bench style seating. not going to be back anytime soon.
(2)Lor G.
The boypal and I went to Zayda Buddy's Pizza a couple weeks ago, and... ...it was awful. First off, this restaurant is supposedly "Minnesota style," but it fails to deliver any sense of Midwesternness. Sure, there are a few Minnesotaish trappings tossed around the menu here and there, but they get lost in all the other not-quite regional airs (hello, Chicago and St. Louis?) There's no sense of Minnesotaness, on the menu or (thankfully!) in the decor. Which is kind of odd, because Ballard really is the Fargo of Seattle. While I'm glad that there were no wall-sized murals of trout streams or posters advertising Powdermilk Biscuits, I'd hoped for a twinge, a teeny tiny twinge, of that back-home feel. Zayda Buddy's menu did have a smattering of stereotypical MN foods - Tater Tot Casserole, Deep-Fried Burgers, and Wild Rice Soup - but a few items do not a regional cuisine make. And with that, the review: First of all, I waited 5 minutes to get seated. The place was dead and still I waited 5 minutes. If i hadn't been meetin' up with the boy, I'd have already left. Then the drinks! God! The horror! The drink menu was a total mess. First of all, there's no such thing as a Minnesota Bullfrog. Bartenders everywhere, take note - Vodka, Kahlua, and cream with a splash of cola on top is a called Colorado Bulldog, and it's served in a lowball glass, with hazelnuts. Points given for having a Colorado Bulldog on the menu - that cocktail is a rarity in these parts - but points taken away for insisting on calling it something stupid. Also worth noting, the traditional drink along the shores of Lake Superior is not a North Star; a concoction of brandy, vodka, and pomegranate. No really, it's not. You know what the traditional drink is? It's black coffee and Bud Light. There may be a few holdouts for Buckhorn, Steinhaus or Pfieffer's, but that's it. In that neck of the woods, fancy might get ya killed. Oh, and in Minnesota, a shot of hooch with a small beer back is called "a shot." At Zayda Buddy's, a shot of hooch with a pint of beer is called a "Minnesota Martini." Fail. Also on the Fail List is the Minnesota Pop - "grape soda for big kids." A real grape soda for big kids is purple Kool-Aid mixed up with Everclear, not some weirdy Chambord and lemon concoction. Ok, the eats: Zayda Buddy's pizza oven was broken, so we couldn't try their "Minnesota style" pizza (cracker crust, square cut; which is really St. Louis style, everybody knows that), and evidently we couldn't try their reubens either. When I asked about vegetarian status of the green bean casserole, our dudely-dude waiter said rather snidely that it wasn't vegetarian (what??), so I threw in the towel and had a veggie sandwich instead. The meatless options were few, far between, and far from appetizing. The veggie sandwich - umm ... it was greasy and it did not taste good. I'm not entirely sure how a smattering of vegetables, some half-melted mozarella, and dry.white.toast can drip oil, but they did. I ended up peeling off and casting aside the tomato first, then pulling out the avocado and dipping that in the boy's salad dressing, then eating the Pringles. Melted cheese with no oven? huh? Oh yeah, he boyfriend wanted a reuben, but snootywaiter said he couldn't have one because the pizza oven was broken, so he had the green bean casserole which I had been denied (parenthetically - which, hello, should be called hot dish). He said it was not so great. And now I'm wondering how the casserole got hot if there was no oven... Blowtorches? Oh sweet mystery. Other menu weirdnesses included the use of "youse guys" which is a Chicagoan term, not a Minnesotan one; and the omnipresent veggie burger. Please, restaurants, give up on this! They don't taste good, they're not vegetarian (handled with meaty hands, cooked on a meaty grill), and face it, they're simply not an acceptable menu item. Total cop out. All in all, a lot of work needs to be done. And quickly. EDIT!! I figured out what kind of cheese they use on the pizza - Imported Saltzarella.
(1)Shari d.
On a rainy Seattle afternoon I found myself stopping at a friend's house to dry off. I was hungry...borderline starving so my friends happily escorted me and the hubs to Zayda Buddys for some dinner. I ordered a cheeseburger while the hubs ordered the deep fried stuffed burger. I was slightly nervous...just imagining a deep fried burger made my arteries clog. When our food arrived I was pleasantly surprised to see that the meat was the only thing deep fried and thankfully it wasn't the whole burger. My cheeseburger was good and cooked perfectly. The fries were slightly cold but the texture was on point so I didn't really mind. Hubs said his burger was good but had the flavor of a meatball. Not sure if that was good or bad. All in all I will be back. Next time I think I will try the pizza and possibly the cheese curds. I wanted to give this place a 4 but I felt the prices were just too high for the food they were serving.
(3)Jammypac B.
Everything here is either stuffed with cheese, fried, covered in cheese, deep fried or some weird unholy combination of the above. Still, the food is undeniably tasty and served by a prompt, friendly staff. A true (occasional!) guilty pleasure.
(4)Howlin M.
It seems most of the reviews are inline with my experience. Go for happy hour, if you're going to deal with poor table service it might as well be cheap. I will say going to the bar helps immensely, bloody's are good and cheap (happy hour), and the beer chaser is perfect. If I stop in again it will be for Happy Hour and I will be going straight to the bar.
(3)Ferd S.
Some one of a kind meals, very good service, extremely high quality ingredients, and you get Zayda Buddy's. They have a large selection of beer you won't see many places, and the menu features some unique specialties that will thrill you if you're from the midwest. Everything is made fresh, and it's all good.
(5)Adriana K.
You gotta love a place that has Mellow Yellow and Pringles as a side. Oh, and cheese curds on their GIANT cobb salad. After trying the cheese curds for a second time, we agreed they were too salty. They were out of the beer that I wanted, but the waitress offered an alternative. It is fun to have a place that has the good old midwest at the heart. I tried their pizza the first time, and the giant cobb salad this time - and my brother absolutely loves the tater cassarole - reminds me too much of bad elementary lunches... Its a low key place with a knack for making a simple thing like a salad turn into a days worth of calories and fat.
(3)Jason C.
It's a bar. Plain and simple. The beer and cold and the food is fried. Now, there's nothing wrong with this at all but it's important to note that it's not the only place in Seattle to get cold beer and fried food. The cheese curds and other midwest fare to make is stand slightly apart.
(3)Doug C.
While running some errands, I was looking for a quick place to drop in and catch the end of the Butler/Duke game. I wouldn't have tried so hard if I had known that Duke would win, but I'm at least glad that I've checked this place out. First, the place is named after a guy from Duluth. As best as I can tell from their menu, he just seemed to be a good guy who lived in Minnesota. But it doesn't quite explain why the place is named after him. Did he start a chain of pizza places in Minnesota and this is just another? Was he famous for Minnesota pizza? Or did they just decide to name their store after a random Minnesota resident? If so, then why not go with Jessie Ventura? And as a revealing character flaw, I spent far too much time considering that question. Now, as for the place itself, it's really mostly a restaurant than a bar. Sure, it has a few of the trapping of a bar: they serve drinks here and there's a long bench, but not so much the spirit of a bar. Most of the seating is booths with tables. I suspect you could bring a family with kids here in the evening and it wouldn't be out of place. Although the specialty is pizza, I went with the PepperJack Burger and fries. The fries were nothing special; fairly thin and without seasoning. But the burger was fairly nice. It came well done with pepperjack cheese, a fried egg, onions and brown gravy on top. A healthy meal? God, no. But gravy on top of a burger is an underrated treat. Suffice it to say, I enjoyed this meal. I was also pleased to find that they had Leinenkugel in bottles. They were out of the Red, but the Honey Weiss is a nice substitute. Prices were $4/bottle. The server was friendly and quick. I think it helps that this place is fairly small since he was by the table almost every other minute. Plates were removed seamlessly and new beer bottles quickly replaced empty ones. Hard to ask for much more in this regard. The interior decoration has been panned in other reviews. I'd call it more non-descript. The inside is fairly small with exposed brick and peppered with a number of old beer signs and lights. It's pretty much how a guy just out of college would decorate his first apartment; before his girlfriend moves in and makes him throw all the stuff out. Or to put it another way: sort of homey, but not terribly classy......
(4)Min T.
3.5 My friend didn't think there would be wait but apparently the place was rented out for a party of 40 last Saturday night. We waited though only 15 minutes for a table. Touted as a Midwestern bar and restaurant, they're known for their deep fried cheese curds which we started with. Despite having gone to the Midwest and having friends ramble about cheese curds to me before, I've never had them until that night. They were interesting, kind like a smaller, chewier version of deep fried mozarella sticks. I know I requested carbs after my big winery tour earlier in the day but I had no idea I was in for this carbo overload. I got the Reuben sandwich without the dressing and my friends got pizza. One got the mac and cheese pizza. Hold the phone. Mac and cheese pizza? Yeah. The only thing more perfect would have been bacon on top. Service was kind of disjointed because of that large party but I'm sure that's not the norm. My second glass of iced tea was freshly made and the best iced tea I've had in a while. Oh, and this place has beer mustard which went great with my sandwich. I really liked my salad too with the bright red toppings included garbazo beans that were bright pinkish red from the beet juice.
(3)