The Shanty

You know, I haven't been able to eat out for breakfast very often in the last few months (what with the recession and all).  My reviews are being based on memories and preferences established back when both I and my significant other could afford to go once or twice every weekend.  My current sweetheart has more responsibilities on his plate than those previous, in part because he has a son, so we're eating in a lot.  We emphasize eggs, surprise surprise.  You can make $3 pay for six meals that way--gotta love that.  His specialty is eggs scrambled with spinach and cream cheese.  It's a much cheaper lifestyle, and I do like a cheap lifestyle, but it means my reviews are kind of behind the times. 

Deal with it!  I'll bet they're not too far off anyway.

The Shanty is not hard to find, but it's very surprising that it continues to survive.  It's got its little claws dug in just to the west of lower Queen Anne, off of Elliot Ave W.  The building is on a city block that wouldn't be able to fit anything else on it if it tried.  Everything around it is large and modern, and it looks like a holdout from some earlier pioneer time.  One sees it and can't help wondering what must its secret be.

The Shanty is a fun sort of greasy spoon to go to, especially for a northern California girl like me.  My favorite thing about the place is the atmosphere.  The decor reminds me of restaurants in Eureka (CA), or along the older parts of the 101.  The walls are lined with cheap wood and covered with historic or personal photographs and logging implements; the seats and booths are slightly shabby and worn, and pretty tightly packed.  The customers are a mix of local regulars, blue-collar workers, and random folks drawn in by the singularity of the Shanty's architecture and location.  A true small business, the Shanty's owners work there and mingle with the customers. 

As for its other qualities...first of all, there have been many times when its service was astonishingly fast.  That, in fact, was my main first impression of the place.  The wait to be seated has never been too long either, so if you want to eat out but are hungry Right Now, try the Shanty.  Second, if you like chicken fried steak, my ex from Tennessee had a high opinion of the Shanty's version.  Third, this is an ok option for a semi-vegetarian like me (I don't count bacon) who is outnumbered by meat-eaters.  I think their food hasn't been spectacular by my standards, but it's always been good enough.

• Address: 350 Elliot Ave W
• Parking: only on the street.  You can park all the way around the Shanty's block, but remember, you can also find plenty uphill along Harrison or 4th.
• Cost: around $7-$12 for an eggy breakfast, I believe.
• Quality: greasy spoon level.  Don't expect super-fresh veggies, especially high-quality ingredients and from-scratch everything, but it's perfectly fine for the price/location.
• Wait: can be up to 15 minutes on a sunny day, but waiting generally has to be done outside so give it a drive-by to check first, if it's rainy or too cold outside.
• Coffee (since this is Seattle): adequate, nothing special.
• Menu/Variety: "American comfort food" describes it well enough.  Very standard.  Breakfast and lunch.
• Extras: outdoor seating, though it looks like it would be chilly
• Payment: credit cards ok
• Website: none found