Southern-style food trends have been on the increase in the northern half of the U.S. during the past few years thanks to chefs Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence and… um… Paula Dean, among others. And thanks to new Ballard eateries, it’s not going away anytime soon. The Sexton makes a mean Hushpuppy dish with Red Pepper Aioli – crispy on the outside, moist and spicy on the inside. Add that to Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Yam Fries, Collard Greens with Smoked Ham Hock or Apple Cider Braised Ribs and you’ve got a hearty helping of Southern happiness. You can also saunter on over to Bitterroot for a few sweet slabs of barbecue Brisket, Mac ‘n Cheese with Collards and Pulled pork, cheesy Grits, some sweet & spicy Cornbread and of course, Hushpuppies. Don’t forget the Bourbon to wash it all down. Barflies at heart, head to the back for cocktails and bites from the same menu.
Thanks to these two dining spots, Seattleites can kick up their taste buds with down-home flavors before shaking it off over a two-step or jig at Conor Byrne, Tractor Tavern or The Sunset.
And if you didn’t make it to the Tractor to see Rebirth Brass Band and The Revivalists this weekend, you missed out. It was a damn fine show transporting the jazzy, funky grit of New Orleans straight to the ever-gentrified Ballard Ave.
Thanks to the restaurants and musicians wafting through Ballard for keeping our palates pleased as punch.
Biscuits + Brioche 