Anyone bestowed with a healthy appetite and a fast metabolism will appreciate the honkin’ servings of chili doled out at Mike’s Chili Parlour (1447 NW Ballard Way, 206/782-2808, www.mikeschiliparlor.com [1], 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–midnight Fri.–Sat., noon–8 p.m. Sun., $5) , a Ballard [2] classic that’s been ladling chili over dogs, fries, spaghetti, and more for decades. The stout of heart can dig into the satellite dish-size Big Ass Bowl for $10.
Housed in a building with a bordello past, Madame K’s Pizza Bistro (5327 Ballard Ave. NW, 206/783-9710, 5–10 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 5–11 p.m. Fri., 2–11 p.m. Sat., 2–9 p.m. Sun., $15) plays up the place’s history with a bawdy but fun theme woven into everything from the décor (corsets hang on scarlet red walls) to the dish names (Screaming Orgasm dessert, anyone?), all the way down to the lipstick-kissed check at the end of the meal. Better yet, the restaurant doesn’t hang its hat solely on the theme, either. All the food’s good, especially the gourmet pizzas and the decadent desserts.
Links:
[1] http://www.mikeschiliparlor.com
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/washington/seattle/sights/ballard-and-shilshole-bay