The Bison — Restaurant in Bothell

Discriminates against disabled veterans with service animals.

Ironically, I flew into Seattle for one night, to see a medical specialist in Woodinville. I am staying in Bothell and searched Google Reviews for a restaurant. The Bison looked good.

Shortly after sitting down, the server told us we had to sit outside because we had a dog with us. I explained it's a service animal, and she has a legal right to access. The server said it didn’t matter if she were a service animal, we still had to sit outside. I asked her to please get a manager.

The server returned with Jordan, the manager. He told me I had to sit outside because my service animal was not allowed in the restaurant.  He asked if my canine was a service animal and what service it provided.  I replied to the questions, stating the animal provides hearing assistance and PTSD assistance.  Shockingly, Jordan stated that PTSD does not allow for service animals. I explained the difference between highly trained hearing assistance/PTSD service animals and untrained emotional support animals. He lectured me that service animals only provide hearing assistance and guide the visually impaired. Though he acknowledged my canine was for hearing assistance, he insisted it was not a service animal.

I told Jordan the animal does provide hearing assistance and also that he is incorrect, that under the ADA service animals can provide PTSD assistance. He stated if the animal is used for PTSD, she is only an emotional support animal and I must leave the restaurant. I told him I would call law enforcement to help me ensure my rights were protected. He responded that he was trespassing me, so if I wanted to do that, I needed to sit outside.

I tried to help him by explaining how his actions violated federal and WA state ADA laws.  When I stood my ground against this blatant violation of my civil rights, he told me he called my presence a trespass, so I departed the building and notified the police about the incident.

Jordan came out of the building to tell me that I was trespassing and he showed me where on the sidewalk I was and was not allowed to stand. When told he was violating the law, he insisted he was not and responded that he had a degree in criminal justice, and that his uncle is the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney. Funny enough, I researched that fact and the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney is a female and she was last elected in 2019.

When law enforcement arrived, they interviewed Jordan out of my presence. He lied, and told them that I had placed my canine on the table. He also falsely stated that I told him my animal is an emotional support animal.

There are circumstances when a service animal can be asked to be removed from an establishment (aggressive behavior, or lack of hygiene, for example), but my service animal did not remotely violate those conditions.  Moreover, Jordan cannot arbitrarily define the difference between service and emotional support animals.  The distinction is clearly defined in state and federal law.

Jordan’s condescending attitude towards me was as unwarranted as his violation of my civil rights.  I cannot believe the owners condone this abuse against their patrons, but who knows, maybe they do.  Perhaps they are happy to discriminate against disabled veterans with service animals publicly.  Fortunately, I have multiple videos capturing my experience at the Bison. Regardless, it’s now in the hands of the Washington State Attorney General and the non-profits that fight prejudice against people with...

Wow, we walked out and my partner said these words on a phone call, “We just had the best burger I’ve ever had.” Well that’s like a national holiday popping up on your calendar. That’s like the perfect summer day biking or boating, type burger.

So let’s clarify - those french fries! They kept getting better with each bite. I mean, you’re full, and you can’t stop eating the fries.

To make them more range-y, they offer all sorts of delicious dipping sauces. The chipotle and the garlic were spot on. Did I mention that fries kept getting better? They really did. I’m good with taking the snobbiest of french fry lovers the Bison.

Back to the Bison Burger, cooked medium - it was perfectly medium! Thank you. Not the - well, we overcooked it a smidge, sorry medium. Dang that burger rocked. I think time stopped because after a moment my burger was gone.

It was only a 20 mile ride so I’m not sure why I devoured that burger, but it was great to eat.

There was a nice Fremont Pilsner and a delicious cider to help things down.

Cool atmosphere - soccer and Mariners everywhere. The place was bustling at 7:30 which is nice to see. And the service was excellent.

Can’t wait to go back and try other items on the...

So I wish I was able to give more of a food review for this place but since we never got food I'm only going off the service. Showed up to get food after going to Sea fair with my kids. Was pretty stoked to find a place serving bison burgers and we were hungry so was really looking forward to giving it a try. Instead we got in sat down and the server came up after a few minutes gave us menus and then that was it. 10mins goes by and no server in sight, didn't even ask if we wanted drinks of any kind to start. It wasn't busy so not sure what the deal was besides that maybe we didn't look like the ideal customers or whatever. Just speculation since there was other people with kids as well. As we walked out the person was just coming to our table but I was already over waiting so we left. So I can only 1 star for the food since we never got to try anything and service obviously sucked or else I wouldn't have walked out. Seemed like a nice place and we were disappointed that we didn't get to order anything. Honestly I've worked in restaurants so I get sometimes stuff comes up but not asking if we want drinks or anything and then leaving us hanging for 10+minutes isn't a good show of...