The Spot is the spot for breakfast
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Everyone needs a spot. Somewhere they can go to spontaneously and know the food will be good and setting comfortable. Having a spot is a quality of life thing that people crave -- so much so that entire television series have been created about just that (remember the bar in Cheers, the deli in Seinfeld, the Drip in Friends?). For me it was a little cafe where I always took my kids on weekends for Mickey Mouse pancakes and the best coffee; I don’t even remember the name of that place because we all just called it “the Joint.” So it was a delight to recently find such a spot in West Seattle for no-thought, comfort food and a chill vibe. Even the name is perfect because it says so much by saying so little: The Spot.
The Garage Door Window at The Spot
Opened 2020 in the midst of the pandemic, owner Philip Sudore got the final approval to move forward with his cool, easy breakfast joint two weeks before the world closed down and everyone was told to stay at home. It has been a battle to survive, but survive they have and are still serving up some outstanding gourmet waffles in an uber-casual setting, complete with full bar. It just exudes a funky, laid-back vibe beneath the famous “Shack” sign next to the Luna Park Cafe in the shadow of the out-of-commission West Seattle Bridge. And it’s easy to overlook this little place which, at a glance, appears more a reclaimed auto garage than groovy eatery. It’s not fancy and it’s not trying to be. It’s just a simple, comfortable spot for really good food. That may be one of the things that makes The Spot so special — its down-to-earth unspecialness.
Waffles have been the star of the show since The Spot’s challenging pandemic debut, with a wide variety of sweet and savory choices and a few surprises in between. Of course it all starts with the waffle itself, and these guys have figured that out. Instead of those obese mattresses of Belgian dough that we all occasionally fall into, the size of these waffles are just right — thinner, square pastries demonstrating a careful balance of sweetness, a slight crisp on the outside and pillowy tenderness within. Compliment them with unexpected items and you have unique morning eats that you’ll remember as, well, special. Like the Mean Green (at very top), a perfect base of waffles topped with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, thick rashers of bacon and melty cheddar. Drizzle on the maple syrup and you are good to go. Force your breakfast companion to order the Hot To Trot, for any eye opening waffle experience of avocado, jalapeños, thick bacon and cheese. Or gorge on the triple decker Bruiser, piled with rashers, Canadian bacon and even more cheese (below). Want something sweeter? Don’t miss the PB&N waffle of peanut butter, Nutella, whipped cream and chocolate. Other choices abound in this big-flavored little spot, with seating outside or inside the lounge-y main room where cars were once repaired.
Like any great spot, there is more going on at The Spot than immediately meets the eye. Currently garnering a cult following for great breakfast waffles and absolutely killer spicy bloody mary’s, the plan has always been to expand the offerings into the tapas arena, with small plates complimenting it’s full bar. Already the menu includes savory non-morning bites and even real meals, with more to come. Think bacon-wrapped scallops with pomegranate and maple balsamic; silky short rib bites glazed with soy and honey; epic, fully-loaded flatbread pizza; lamb sliders with mint aioli; and a variety of charcuterie concepts. And with tapas as good as the breakfasts they throw down here The Spot will continue to grow into Sudore’s original dream as COVID culture gradually fades.
Yes, it’s comforting to know that West Seattle has its own spot for anyone wanting to keep it simple, hassle free and deliciously creative. And that spot is The Spot — and they’re just getting warmed up!
