Beth's Cafe

I watches man vs. food episode and seen him order the Southwestern Exposure omelette. He competed with a friend to finish the omelette,but neither could. Now I now why. The chilli and egg combo don't work and the sour cream just made it worse.
After plowing through half of it just trying to see if my pallet would adjust was a mistake. I new if I took one more bite everything I ate would be back on the table.
Luckally I had a cigar in the car to rid me of the after taste.
If you go let your first instinct about the place guide you and find somewhere else to eat. I now believe Man vs. Food is all hype.

Pros: Man vs.Wild could survive there!

Cons: Food, Service and appeal.

Posted 09/05/09

I went in this past Saturday evening around 10 PM to meet two people who had travelled here from Georgia and specifically wanted to go to Beth's, as they had been there years ago on another visit. They did not know I was coming so were seated and had just gotten their food when I arrived. They were seated at a booth for four (as that is basically all Beth's has). I asked the "waitress" for a menu and she refused, saying there was a "no joiner" policy on the weekend. I thought she was kidding as I have (nor has anyone I've spoken to since) ever heard of something so nonsensical! She went about her duties completely ignoring me, except for the occasional sneer and nasty look in my direction. The guy in the booth next to me said he had been refused service because he was in the restroom when she came and took the other members of his table's order - so three of them were served and he was not (although they did give him a milkshake, somehow.) I asked another waitress what the deal was and she reiterated this "no joiner policy." I asked to speak to the manager because I said I wasn't joining their ticket, just ordering something on my own and sitting at their table. This "manager" came to the table, snarled nastily, "that's the policy, deal with it" and walked off. The first "waitress" came back (clearly trying to smooth the situation so she wouldn't lose her tip) and tried to explain this "no joiner" thing was there so that the tables could be turned over sooner - I asked her about the two people that were sitting behind us playing cards holding up a table for four. She said they came in as two people...again, this made no sense! I asked, "so you're just refusing to serve me, right?" and she snarkily said, "with an attitude like that, yes." So I, a paying customer, was not allowed to order...still not sure how the guy next to me was "allowed" to have a milkshake when I couldn't even get a cup of coffee!! Upon leaving I asked this "manager," who was running the register, to explain how a paying customer could not even get a cup of coffee when there were empty booths in the restaurant and no one waiting to be sat in them. He nastily said, "That's the policy. If you don't like it, don't come back!" I said he was behaving like a d**k, so he called me a "f*g" and told me to leave. Not only did this homophobic manager belittle me in front of family, he was an absolute unprofessional! Beth's has never been known to be more upscale than it is and has always been happily accepted as such, but when a paying customer innocently comes in, is refused service because of some arbitrary policy and is then called a f*g by the manager, there is something very VERY wrong!!

Cons: Bad management!!

Posted 06/07/09

Killer diner food with added entertainment of the rambling conversations of the cook and staff. Funny drawings, too.
Went on a Tuesday morning on a day off and was so stoked to not have to wait in line. Just got seated right away and within moments a big ol plate of food plonked down. Perfect greasy/crispy hashbrowns. yes.

Pros: during the week is great--no waiting!

Cons: none

Posted 05/06/09

The food was pretty good and our service was great. I don't care if the staff has piercings, tats or whatever. But out of all the reviews I've read - good and bad - not one of them mentions how filthy the place is. It's like the elephant in the room that nobody wants to acknowledge. I'd like to go there again because my food was good, but I can't because it's so freaking' dirty. Not everyone who goes there is drunk, so there are some of us who do notice when a place needs a good scouring at the very least. I don't mind run down and old, but this is far beyond that. Sorry, Beth's.

Pros: Good food

Cons: Filthy place

Posted 04/11/09

The feel is cozy enough with fun patron created pictures all over, but the famous "12 egg omelette" was as big as expected, being served on a pizza plate. However, it does not matter how big anything is served when it is not good food. The hash browns tasted only like butter and begged to be rescued out of the pool of butter. The omelette was an event just to see, but very untasty unless you again like butter. There was literally a pool of butter sitting on the massive pile of egg. I did like the well used look of the cafe and the staff were friendly enough. I would recommend this place only because it is worth getting some coffee and taking in the cafe itself. Try at own risk

Pros: Seattle staple, fun

Cons: terrible food, not clean

Posted 02/26/09

My boyfriend and I were in Seattle and we were looking for a place to eat for lunch so I suggested that we go to Beth's I was all excited to take him there and told how cool the place was how there?s drawings all over the walls from different people the place is famous for their 12 egg omelet ect. ect. I hadn't been to beth's since i was 16 We walked in and the place smelled so bad there was food all over the floor flies flying all over the place I couldn't believe it I was so disappointed I was so embarrassed that I took my boyfriend to this place.Were you can kind of see into where the cooks make the food there was food and egg shells all over the floor the floor was black . if the place has flies and food on the floor you can guess what else they might have

Pros: good location

Cons: place smelled bad

Posted 02/22/09

I've been going to Beth's for over 10 years. This place is truly a Seattle icon. The food is huge and good. The staff has always been totally cool and fun to talk to. Sure, it gets crazy busy and noisy sometimes, but I still get great food and service every time. Don't be looking for spinach and sundried tomato fritattas here; it's just good old fashioned American breakfast. Their bacon is the best in the city. If you've got kids or you are a big kid, they'll even give you paper and crayons to add your "art" to the walls. Great place to bring people from out of town to show them the real Seattle!

Posted 02/05/09

I had heard about how great Beth's is, so a couple of my friends and I decided to try it out. It was a Sunday evening, not busy at all when we got there. After ordering it took 40 minutes to get our food, which was pretty shocking as it wasn't busy at all. I think there were only 3 or 4 other tables with customers besides ours. After finishing, we wanted some boxes, but a lot of the staff had stepped out for a smoke, so there wasn't anyone around to ask. The food was good, great portions, and a lot of interesting drawings to look at while the time passed, but I did not enjoy waiting that long for food, and an additional 15 minutes or so after eating to get some boxes.

Pros: late night dining

Cons: service took 500 years

Posted 12/06/08

I'm a college student so I know that after a party you just want to get a quick eat, anywhere that's open late. I went there for my first time with two of my friends after a party around 2am, and we were told to stand in the game room around the corner and wait for our name to be called. The game room was completely packed and we couldn't fit inside, so we just stood politely against the wall right next to the game room. As we were waiting, this rude brunette waitress working there came up and practically yelled, "You need to stand in the room! I need to get by!" No "please", and no "excuse me". We were like, wow, alright, so we packed our way into the small, poorly lit game room with like 20 drunk thirty-something year olds who smelt bad. We couldn't move and it was very uncomfortable. After like 20 minutes of waiting, I decided to walk back to the register and ask how much longer it would be. As I was walking there, the same rude waitress came behind me and said "I'm not gonna ask you again, you need to go back into the room and wait!". I was so surprised that she said that to me while I was simply trying to walk to the front of the restaurant and ask a simple question. I said, "Can you please ask nicely?", and I got so upset that when I saw my other 3 friends walk into the restaurant I told them not to eat there and all 6 of us decided to leave! Besides the horribly rude service, the atmosphere was sketchy, dirty, and smelt bad. It looked like the floor/tables were never cleaned. Drunk people every where who think it's cool to sing Abba at the top of their lungs and who get up and attempt to dance (disgusting). My boyfriend who has gone there twice told me the food is greasy, unhealthy, mediocre, and only good if you're drunk and don't notice how gross it is!!! I'm now telling all of my friends, no matter how drunk you are, DON'T GO TO BETH'S!!! Stick to IHOP! Better service, atmosphere, and food.

Pros: It's open late

Cons: Service, atmosphere, ambience, food, workers, the wait, the crowd, the list goes on.

Posted 11/10/08

We decided to give Beth's Cafe a try after seeing an episode of the travel channel. We happened to be on vacation in Seattle this weekend so we wandered in. At first glimpse the place is definately a dive. The interior could use some updating.....then again this is what makes a great dive. Breakfast was awesome. Portions were over the top. Hashbrowns (all you can eat) were buttery delicious. The servers constantly filled our coffee cups. I was only able to eat half of my 6 egg omlete....can't tell you how anyone could eat a 12 egg! They have one though.....Anyone who wants a no frills delicious hot breakfast should give this place a try. It is also very entertaining to look at all of the drawings that patrons have made and placed on the walls...

Pros: Huge portions, good service, great food

Cons: Parking, Interior

Posted 10/03/08

I've never written a review before, but I feel compelled to let people know what happened. I have never been more disrespected in my life. I can understand that it wouldn't be fun to work at 3 am around a bunch of drunk people, but I wasn't drunk, so don't take out your anger issues on me! We had a group of eight people, so we required two tables. One table ordered their food, while the other table was ignored for about ten minutes. When I mentioned to the waitress that we were ready to order, she said "I'm f**king busy." When I said "Excuse me?" she told us to "Get the f**k out." What?!!? Seriously? Good to see that a long time customer is treated with such respect! I will never eat at Beth's again. The only reason it is considered a good place to eat is because it is open late and everyone is usually so drunk they can't tell that the food is bad. Never thought I'd miss the Denny's in Ballard, but it sure seems like heaven compared to this dump. Call me crazy, but I think the point of a restaurant is to serve its customers... isn't it? I hope the staff enjoys their crappy late night job at an overrated diner. You won't ever see me there again.

Pros: Open late

Cons: Rude, angry servers, dirty bathrooms, unwashed tables, horrible customer service

Posted 06/14/08

Ambiance: below average to bad. furniture really needs a change and its smelly.
staff: bad... they dress and talk weird.... like one of those anti social school kids dressed/painted in black from whom u want to stay away from.. who knows what they are smoking...
food: was good. (the only reason I gave it below average rating)
I went there since I saw on discovery food that its one of the best place to pig on in seattle (they have a 12 egg omellatte) but I am not going there again.

Posted 05/30/08

Unless you're a 14 year-old Goth runaway who wants to score methamphetamine from the waitstaff, steer clear of Beth's. Everything tastes like grill brick.

Pros: They'll let you shoot up in the men's room.

Cons: Lighting, food, service, atmosphere

Posted 04/11/08

If your in the mood for some traditional breakfast fare, then this is the place for you. I will admit that parking can become a pain in the rear and thats where the parking is. In the rear. The service was friendly and attentive to my coffee needs. Also, the food came out really quick. Keep in mind however that we were the only people in there for a majority of the meal. Bottom line: the food is good, or at least its predictable. I ordered the chicken fried steak and thats what I got. Not to mention, it was delicious.

Pros: Breakfast!

Cons: Parking

Posted 02/05/08

Too much smoke,dirty and full of youngins.If you go to this place come to pray for the lost little kids.Seems like theres alot of these holes in Seattle that need direction and love.

Posted 01/11/08

I always take my friends to beth's after a long night of drinking. It seems as though I am not the only one though because it is always busy at the two o'clock hour. The staff may as well all be Mother Theresas with all they endure from the inebrated masses. The service is fast and the country gravy flows like a river into the ocean of my soul. The saucy yet sweet waitstaff keep my coffee cup full and the juke-box is exquisite. I also recommend the 15 million egg omelet or what ever it is. What a way to impress friends and family from out of town or the hottie with the "bottie" you just dragged in from the bar. Either way this place rules.

Pros: beautiful waitstaff

Cons: no valet parking

Posted 06/29/07

i took my girlfriend here a couple months back at 3 am and waited for an hour and a half. we sat at the table with only one side of the booth attached to it that was RIGHT next to the cashier. we waited a bit for our food which was made by a guy who had the hairiest arms ive ever seen in my life. ordered the 12 egg omelette. ate the omelette with all the hashbrowns. needless to say i wasted 20 dollars because it ended up next to the trash can in the parking lot.

I GO BACK EVERY WEEKEND! =D

Pros: cheap, huge portions

Cons: the wait

Posted 02/17/07

I make an annual trip to Beths because I do like this place, It's a little Alternative genre greasy spoon with generous portions. The food is a bit greasy which would be expected, and which is why I only come around every twelve months. I'm flat out ill from the grease, and from watching Hefty customers pound down their 12 egg omlets. I also make sure I'm seated away from the grill so I don't watch them laddle grease onto the grill from a bucket. And yet, Beths is an Icon G-spoon that shouldn't be missed.

Pros: Casual, huge portions

Cons: you Wait outside

Posted 12/05/06

Go if you are in your 20s.
Very greasy and the service depends on the time of day. This is a popular spot when the bars close down at night and a good option instead of Dennys!!

Posted 08/31/06

I often go to this place at 4 in the morning with my bouncing crew after a hard night's work. We live it up, eat, and talk business. The food is quick, the service is easy going, and the amount of bums that get kicked out nightly is minimal. Just watched out for all the stoned folks there. They may just reach over and try to grab a pancake that you may not have on your plate.

Posted 04/06/06

One can feel at home anyplace where the dining public breaks into song when "Zip ah Dee Do DA" is played on the Juke Box.
The food is comfort-awesome (Be sure you are hungry...and not on a diet) and the ambiance is all Seattle grunge scene. It's a great place to sit, eat, drink coffee and color!

Pros: Food, Staff, Customers

Cons: Crowded, Divey-ish, Hard to Park

Posted 12/03/05

We tried Beth's cafe after reviewing the recommendations here, but were really quite disappointed. Food was greasy and mediocre and the coffee was luke warm - all of the cups. Service was unacceptably slow. Unfortunately we won't go back. We may have visited on an off day but it isn't worth our ~$20 (Breakfast for two w/ tip) to try again.

Posted 02/09/05

The food is great, especially after a long night clubbing or concerting, but it's the establishment that will keep me choosing Beth's over other more polished places to eat. The people, both staff and patrons, are so much fun. The best part is it doesn't matter who or 'what' you are.. Beth's is the place for everyone to go, relax, be creative (cover the walls with art while you wait), and chow hardily.

Pros: food, kick back atmosphere, people

Posted 11/08/04

After our wedding and reception, our wedding party (what was left of it) went to Beth's for breakfast. 3:00 AM - and the restaurant was on a 20-minute wait. While waiting for our omelets, everyone in the restaurant sang with the jukebox - "Love and Marriage," "Mustang Sally" and "Twist and Shout." The food and service were great. We still have a Polaroid of my wife (in her wedding dress) and me (in a tux) standing under Beth's Nesbit Orange sign.

Pros: great value, lively atmosphere

Posted 11/03/03

There is no better food in this world at 2:30AM on a weekend night. Leave any expectations for "atmosphere" or "ambience" in the bar you just stumbled out of because your not gonna find it here...

Posted 10/05/03

I have to say Beths is one of the few restaraunts that stands out in my mind from when I used to live in seattle. The true highlight of this funky little greesy spoon, is all the wall art. From crude doodles to anime style works of art. . Skip the Art Museum in downtown seattle...this is where artists are made. An Excellent stop for anyone looking for a hang out. I used to go here time and time again with my friends. It was our gathering place before hitting the clubs, or after, when the clubs were closed for the night. The food is decent. I recall their milkshakes being a meal in itself and worth the price.

Pros: inexpensive, Get to hang your art!, Open 24 hours

Cons: a bit busy at times, little bit grungy etc, not enough wall space

Posted 03/25/03

Don't go here for the food. It's not horrible, but it's greasy spoon with a capital "G". Go elsewhere to find a better breakfast, burger or what have you. The real strengths of Beth's are:
1) It's open 24 hours.
2) It's full of crazy/interesting people 24 hours a day.
3) The patron's drawings are all over the walls as evidence that crazy/interesting people go to Beth's (as if you needed more proof).
4) Where else can you go to be served by sassy waitresses?

Pros: 24 hours, inexpensive, good people watching

Cons: smoky, greasy everything, spotty service

Posted 03/16/03

I love going to Beth's for some great grub, especially the breakfast. But just to be fair, I did enjoy one of their burgers once as well! Most portions are too big to eat it all there, especially if you go for the 12 egg omelet. So, go there and become part of the culture--draw a pic to put on the wall, sing along to the awesome music, and enjoy it all! You will go home happy!!

Pros: sm prices, big food, atmosphere, staff

Posted 03/07/03

Best late night food in Seattle!! Huge portions. Great crowd, good tunes on old 45 jukebox. They even give you crayons and paper to create your own art that goes on the walls.

The staff is very cool and fun. Just people watching at Beth's is worth the trip.

Pros: great 24 hr breakfast, huge portions, fun staff

Posted 01/28/03

I don't like public places much. I usually find the gatherers too homogenous. But Beth's has quickly become my late-night asylum. The clientele is delightfully varied, so I'm never bored. The waitresses are super friendly and try to make everything perfect while avoiding the tendency to being "just another waitress in just another diner." I can even colour a picture and they'll put it on the wall for me! How could I not love this place?

Pros: staff, music, ambiance

Posted 01/27/03

Now that I have your attention, you should really get down to Beth's for the BEST eating experience you will ever have!! Hard Rock & Gameworks aint' got NOTHING compared to these guys!!

Pros: awesome, groovy, fly

Posted 12/14/02

Not for the light hearted, beths is more of a funk/punk breakfast diner, where I often feel out of place, but am always treated well and promptly by a unique and colorful staff. this place has more honest character than any restaurant in seattle and proudly displays artwork of their patrons on the walls. Always a good experience, and the 12 egg omlet simply cant be beaten. One of the best diners in seattle.

Posted 11/20/02

BETHS IS THE FUNKIEST; BUT HAS THE BEST DAMN BREAKFAST IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON AND PROBABLY EVERYWHERE ELSE TOO!
IF YOU DON'T LIKE FUNK THEN GO TO DENNYS.
BETHS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART, JUST FOR THE RAVENOUS GHOUL!!!

Pros: TASTE, QUANTITY, QUALITY

Cons: BATHROOM, REALLY, BAD

Posted 08/01/02

This place should not be viewed during daylight hours---it's not the cleanest place. But it is a fun place to go late at night when you're craving big plates of greasy food.

Posted 05/20/02