The Counter at Old Ballard Catering Co. — Restaurant in Seattle

i got the Fried Chicken

all i have to say is - wow.

wow

oh my god

that fried chicken was the best fried chicken i’ve had in my life. it’s unbelievable how good that was

that breading was utterly magical. It was so insanely flaky and crunchy - just the absolute perfect level of each. It had such a satisfying dark brown color rather than the light brown you see on other fried chicken. You could tell this was truly fried in as much oil as possible - which you could also tell by how the breading was even slightly damp with oil and the bottom of the carton was still somewhat wet from the oil

each bite of the breading was just absolute perfection the inside of the chicken was also astoundingly good - which i wasn’t expecting. the first time I took a bite of the chicken meat itself - i was shocked by how well it tasted. This wasn’t your boring old bland chicken you’d find somewhere else - it had fat to it - and even if the breading didn’t exist I would still really enjoy eating the chicken

the only thing i wish for is the breading had some spice to it - there pretty much wasn’t any of that

my next absolute favorite part was the buttermilk biscuits that i got as a side. These were baked so perfectly - with a tough exterior but a soft interior. The butter dipping sauce added to this was the best part of the entire meal - it was so addicting it was impossible to resist

what drags this down slightly, though, is the greek fries. I didn’t think these were good at all - while they were seasoned well with pepper throughout - the cheese was a) not well distributed and b) pretty infrequent. Also, the fries themselves were pretty hard to the touch but not crispy and didn’t have any softness inside. The white sauce didn’t taste very good either

I will say the buffalo sauce that I added as a side was quite good

What puts this meal over the top is the massive portion size. It did cost a good amount (24 dollars) - but 3 of that was the greek fries which I’ll skip next time in favor of a side that doesn’t cost extra. The pieces of fried chicken were MASSIVE - there was so much food contained in that basket. I wasn’t even able to finish this entire meal. Given that you get this much fried chicken + two sides for a decent price, the value here is pretty damn good

overall, out of this world fried chicken and biscuits, although the greek fries does keep this from the highest possible...

I usually never have high expectations of food in Seattle anymore, because everything is overpriced, bland, and is mediocre quality. So when I found this restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised. I got the lemon chicken gyro here, and it was SO good. Definitely top 3 gyros in Seattle, and I’ve had a LOT the past 10 years of living here. Everything was seasoned so well, the chicken was so juicy, the pita bread was soft and moist (some pita breads easily get dry), and even the fresh vegetables were cut in a way where every bite is easy to bite into. The feta was amazing, the sauce was so flavorful, and every bite was just perfect. I normally don’t finish my food if it’s mediocre (my body just rejects it idk), and I finished the gyro after giving my boyfriend, a couple of bites. I also had a side of falafel and they were so crisp yet so moist inside. The seasoning was perfect, it wasn’t dry at all, and I loved how they seasoned it on the outside as well. The guy who owns the place, or whoever was serving me, was very friendly as well, and he recommended dishes that were popular, which I appreciated, but I had to order what I like (Not a fan of lamb, I love chicken gyro). I almost drove there for lunchtime, but found out they open at 4 PM. I had it on Saturday, and it’s Wednesday today, but I’m still thinking about it lol. Around $15 after tax per gyro, which isn’t cheap, but I’d rather pay a bit more for quality rather than pay $9 and waste it.

I rate restaurants on my TikTok and ig food channel and maybe these folks will do a...

Nested in the corner of a busy crossroads near Roosevelt High School, where the hustle of the city meets the calm of community, lies The Counter at Old Ballard Catering Co., a sanctuary for those seeking culinary solace amidst the chaos. Here, the magic of flavors is woven into each takeaway order, a testament to the art of simple, yet profound delights.

As you approach, a Paul Giamatti-esque figure appears, his countenance in good spirits, ready to take your request with a warmth that feels like an embrace from an old friend. His voice, a melody of kindness, guides you through a menu that promises satisfaction.

Among the treasures offered, the rich, warm Athens street gyro stands out, a symphony of textures and tastes. The meat, succulent and seasoned to perfection, dances with crisp vegetables, all swaddled in a soft, toasted pita that whispers tales of Mediterranean nights. Each bite is a journey, a blend of ancient flavors reimagined for the modern palate, leaving you yearning for more yet content in the moment.

As you savor this culinary masterpiece, the Paul Giamatti doppelganger has moved on, his jovial laughter echoing softly as he serves other customers, leaving you with the memory of a meal that was more than food—it was an experience, a moment of pure, unadulterated joy in the...