Chelan Cafe Reviews

This little hole in the wall is a working man's place with good food & plenty of it. The service is excellent & the food is pretty darn good. It's proximity to the docks can attract a maritime lunch crowd that accounts for the nautical displays & pictures in this unpretentious little gem in West Seattle.

This little gem is tucked away at the south end of the Port of Seattle, under the West Seattle Bridge. A diner like atmosphere with lots of maritime photos that has been around for 78 years. Friendly people, huge portions and low prices. Went there for lunch (try the delicious patty melt) and breakfast on a recent trip to Seattle. Usually a wait for breakfast on the weekends but definitely worth it! A Seattle classic!

I'll start by saying there were tons of tables open but they tried to seat us in one of two hidden corners which was not appreciated because this has happened before. Then we watched two other parties that came in after us get waited on before us and get their food before our order was placed since we checked and the waitress that finally came to our table had forgotten about us. All the tables around us were being serviced and no one took the time to check on us or to apologize. Last week our food came out cold and overcooked. The service at this restaurant has completely tanked and even the food isn't that good anymore. It's a shame.

I am an African Amercian executive that works in the general area. Went here for a quick business meeting / breakfast. I was the first person in the restaurant. Two more parties came after I was seated - and they both were served their meals before my order was even taken. I had to ask for water as well. Secondly, the people at the table next to me were making loud and racist remarks. One of them was about n***rs eating watermelon. While they all busted out in laughter, I was obviously offended. The employees continued to smile and go about their day. I immediately left. My colleague confronted the people at the table, and they made condescending remarks, and essentially doubled down on their statements. I won't ever again visit this horrible place again.

Went here for breakfast over the weekend. The usual bit of a wait to be seated and then an uncommonly long wait to have our order taken. The restaurant has been somewhat remodeled with a new piano bar added. Once we ordered, our food arrived quickly. We were also given loads of coffee while waiting for our order to be taken. The food is the same as it ever was, decent, dependable breakfast food. We both had eggs, toast, hash browns, and a meat. The Chelan Cafe will always remain on our favorite breakfast spot list. It’s a nice place to relax and visit, get a good meal and not leave broke.

Went into the cafe, first time visiting both waitresses had no hospitality, rolled their eyes, walk away, no assistance, no one appeared to want to assist me, I sit down and observe the cooks eating and stuffing their fa w with food with the same gloves they where to cook the food eeeew. Was sensing some discrimination but then I thought no not when the entire staff are of color Mexican, native and etc. That would be odd, it was just odd all together since I was not welcomed I left. Better diners in California ave, great customer service and clean cooks and staff 👍.

I've been coming for years on weekend's for breakfast. The foods great and the staff are super nice. After a few visits they know your name, your order and always say hello.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Chelan Cafe. It is a hidden gem nestled under the West Seattle Bridge. My husband and I came here for breakfast on a Monday morning and they weren't that busy. There was plenty of parking (they have two lots!) and once inside, we were seated right away. The building looks pretty plain on the outside, but the interior is really cool. It was large and bright on the inside with neat decorations on the walls. They have a wide selection of breakfast foods (omelettes, pancakes, french toast, etc). I ordered the Chelan Scramble, which came with hash browns and toast. Everything was delicious. It was a hearty portion, but I was able to eat most of it. The coffee was just ok. I thought everyone was pretty nice and our server did a great job. She took our order promptly and the food came out in a reasonable amount of time. The food was piping hot when it showed up at our table. Our server also made sure that we never ran out of coffee. We both really enjoyed the Chelan Cafe and we will definitely go back!

Good food and a decent, uncomplicated diner experience. Very popular on Sunday mornings!

Let's start with the enormous portions! Come hungry! Two persons can easily split most dishes offered here. I was greeted immediately and ordered coffee. The service is outstanding, and coffee is non-stop. I had Corned Beef Hash, ordered extra crispy. I think next time I need to simply order it "well done" except I don't want the eggs well done. That defeats the purpose. The hash browns were huge, and tasted great. Corned Beef hash was not cooked enough to my taste but met the need. The poached eggs were over poached, and not enough yoke to salsify me. Price considered, if you divide up the dish for 2 persons, it's a decent deal. But only if the eggs aren't overly cooked.

Back to the past of the the American Neighborhood Restaurant. Good Food, Good Amount, and great service. What more do you need to start your day off right?

Very good food. A lot of food for your money. Very good wait staff, very friendly. Home style cooking at its best. Needs more parking.

Our family of three stopped by here today. After 40 minutes of no service, we decided to leave. The servers are walking around like chickens with their heads cut off. No rhyme or reason to their servicing. We were told 4 times that they’d be right back to get our order. Also another server said they’d bring us water, TWICE - never happened. Such a weird experience.

Always nice. Food is large portion and tasty but not gourmet. My hubby and I often go for breakfast while our teens sleep in and catch up on our news. Locals rely on the nice service and usually it has empty seats quickly.

The food wasn't as bad as the reviews said it was. Their was a large group of us, all adults having dinner at the Chelan. First glances at the old building had me second guessing our decision to eat there. This little hole-in-the wall under the freeway is very old. It definitely needs to be remodeled and cleaned up. It has three separate areas. When you first walk in, it's an old black/white/red diner; with the old style counter and a few tables and chairs. We saw no one sitting in this area. It was like a museum or something, kind of strange.Then you walk through the doorway to the nautical themed dinning area, lots of tables and chairs and a piano in the corner. You wouldn't expect someone to play the piano, but they do. The third area is a very tiny bar on the other side of the the little diner you in through. It looks like over time the bar the dining area where added at separate times years and decades apart. We ordered dinner. According to the owner, everything is homemade. We all ordered and everyone in our group said the food was good. It wasn't bad or outstanding - just good. In my book, that means - average. Once we finished dinner, we all crammed into the tiny bar area to hear some live music. The place was so crammed and over crowded. The maximum capacity may have been reached or even exceeded. To top it off, the bathroom was a pain to get to. All in all, it was ok; not good or great, just ok. I definitely have had better and in places that are a lot cleaner.

It feels like I went 30 years back in time. Great food in a diner with an at home atmosphere. The prices are reasonable. For the money, it's a 5 star and that from a very discriminating diner.

Kids happy with vegetarian sandwich..my hamburger was dry but flavorful & large, fries delicious. Staff not very attentive but nice enuf.

1st time at this Cafe and was taken by friends who live in the area. We arrived mid morning Sunday, at a very busy time. We waited a short while and sat in a booth where we greeted by a very busy happy waiter, who seemed to know all the locals. The service was prompt and food delicious.

My favorite local, family owned and operated restaurant is by far the Chelan Cafe under the West Seattle Bridge. They have great food, prices and staff. Founded in 1938, the Chelan Café still looks like the sort of place that Richie Cunningham could walk into at any moment and order a milkshake. I love sitting in the booths or at the counter but occasionally will sit in the in the larger restaurant side when we take the family or friends out. I promise you will not be disappointed.

we were driving in to downtown from the airport, and got on the wrong side of the harbor, rounding a curve, we spy this diner called "chelan cafe". being hungry, we decided to stop and eat. we knew right away it was a good spot, because the parking lot was full. we had to wait for a guest to leave before we could park.inside, its seahawks memorabilia and other seattle history. not wanting to wait for a table, we opted for the lunch counter. the breakfast was huge and a great value for the price. i got full!!! very friendly wait staff, and fast delivery of the food, which is important when you're starving! i highly recommend this place, and i will eat here again, if i can remember how i found it!!

The place was hopping on a Saturday morning. Both parking lots were full, but someone was leaving, so we got a spot. We met another couple there. Service was fast in getting our coffee and teas. Coffee was so-so! Plentiful, but nothing to write home about! The food was delivered on a reasonable amount of time. Good eats! When we got our bill, we walked to the front counter to pay, but couldn't get anyone's attention to take our money. Another couple was waiting ahead of us to pay also. Finally we had to follow a server into the dining area to tell her we wanted to pay to leave. If you had to leave for work or an appointment, it might take some time to pay. Don't know if I'd return or not....

We were there on a very busy Saturday, The food came very fast, the waitress were on a dead run, staff was very friendly, home style cooking at its best. hard to fine without GPS but locals were all there. We will return... Yummy

This just seems to be one of those solid, reliable places that attracts the locals and keeps them coming back. We came here for breakfast three times, and it never failed us. The food was tasty and hot - I particularly enjoyed the French toast - and brought quickly by friendly wait staff. The walls are adorned with interesting photos of the port and ships, no doubt representing many stories of the area. Overall, great value, great food, and a place to return to.

Service was welcoming and the food was yummy. We were three couples at a late breakfast with 6 different meals. The food was prepared as requested and was delivered hot.

Great place, great food and a fantastic group of people to server you. Breakfast, lunch and dinner it had a nice lounge attached. Prices are reasonable you will enjoy your time at the Chelan Cafe!

Great place for breakfast! Extensive menu, friendly wait staff, variety of seating areas, good parking and really good breakfast food! I ordered an omelet that was a Western omlete without mushrooms. I asked for broccoli & tomato to be added in lieu of the mushrooms, and it was no problem. Loved the sourdough toast and hash brown potatoes on the side. Our coffee cup was never empty, which made for a very leisurely and relaxing breakfast.

Excellent for bountiful and tasty breakfast and diner food. Also has more of a diner atmosphere with counter and booths. Reasonably priced matched by efficient, friendly, long service staff who greets locals by names. Bar at one end for evening service. Ample parking.

I asked for something which was not on the menu and got exactly what I wanted, servers were helpful, good atmosphere, varied customers..great place for breakfast with friends

This is a perfect classic Americana diner. The counter waitstaff are quick, entertaining, love their regulars and know what everyone wants before asked. The sit down service is a little more pedestrian, bogged down with closely placed tables and big groups. The food is perfect brunch, lunch, after a big event simple old kitchen fare done well. Portions are generous in a very nautical/historic themed atmosphere.

Its been 25 years or more since i was in this waterfront cafe and its cleaned up very nicely and i am glad that its still got is charm and good food. and still has the Ebb Tide Room bar. Back then i was the US Operations manager of a Canadian trucking company and my job was keeping our 200 -300 trucks moving in and out of the waterfront so lunch or a drink at the Chelan with the longshoreman could make a big difference on getting loaded & unloaded . Its now very well decorated with lots of the original photos and paintings with very good service and good food and well worth a visit.

Chicken Caesar Salad = $10.49 Fish & Chips = $9.99 Turkey & Swiss Dip = $9.49 Clubhouse = $9.49 Reuben Sandwich = $9.49 Ice Tea = $2.39 Coffee = $2.39 This was a pleasant business lunch for 5. A large seating area for small or large parties. A little hard to find, but sufficient parking. Iconically decorated as this place has been here for some time. Nothing fancy, but clean and seemed to be efficiently operated with friendly people. This place can get busy at lunchtime due to the business in the area and few other restaurants. Hours: Saturday 6AM–1PM Sunday 6AM–1PM Monday 6AM–7:30PM Tuesday 6AM–7:30PM Wednesday 6AM–7:30PM Thursday 6AM–7:30PM Friday 6AM–7:30PM

This one of my favorite breakfast places in my home city (yeah, I live in Seattle...how lucky am I?). I prefer the Chelan Cafe to the more well known and nearby Luna Park Cafe. You won't find any of the Top Chef contestants in the kitchen - just good, solid line cooks producing some standard breakfast fare. I'm a sucker for the pancakes and omlets. The waitresses are always rushing to cover their stations, but they are always pleasant and get your food to you hot. If you are looking for a foodie-type experience, this ain't it. But this 1970s-feel diner will deliver you some solid food in short order so that you can go to nearby Alki Beach to enjoy the best views in Seattle. And it's an awesome place to people watch. Lots of locals - port workers, retirees, hipsters and families. Go later in the day and check out the attached Ebb Tide Room for happy hour. Bonus tip - If the parking lots are full, there's extra parking under the bridge.

Chelan Cafe is just the place I have been looking for in West Seattle. Sometimes you just feel like good ol' comfort food. I have been here twice for breakfast. It's a typical diner menu, with good prices and really yummy coffee. I was surprised how tasty the coffee is! The service is prompt and friendly. Don't go in here expecting fancy-shmancy creations and you won't be disappointed

We had a great late breakfast at the Chelan Cafe and I hope to return to sample more of the menu. Rumour has it the french toast is excellent, but I chose omelet instead and managed to get it with spinach added although it wasn't on the menu. It was delicious. Everyone else was happy with their choices as well, which included the country breakfast, biscuits with gravy, and pancakes. Our waitress was excellent too.

My hubby and I were on our way to Alki Beach for the day when we saw this little gem under the bridge. We noticed a few patrons that were 50-70 and thought we'd try out the cafe since most people that age typically don't change up a good place for breakfast. We were correct! We were seating right away. The employee's were nice enough but could have smiled or used words other than "yeah" and "okay" a little more. The best part was the food. I ordered the "frenchy", two slices of french toast, one egg and two strips of bacon for $6.99. IT WAS DELICIOUS! My hubby had the Eggs Benedict for i think $9ish and it too was sooo good!

Our favorite restaurant for years, great home style cooked food , excellent service, best value in Seattle

Even on Easter morning, a table was available late morning and the food, nicely prepared, fairly priced and quickly served was just what we wanted. The special was a blueberry/cream cheese French toast...w/syrup...outstanding. Old-tyme Seattle at its best...and especially enjoyed by locals.

This place is only a mile from home so I dine here for breakfast often. It's 50's diner style with a good mix of folks eating there on the weekend. I usually get there around 8 but anytime after that it gets a bit crowded. The staff are all friendly and very prompt getting the orders out. The food is standard fare with pretty large portion sizes. Only minor complaint I have is that they don't have a hostess. Sometimes you can walk in and stand there for a bit without being acknowledged. I know they get busy but seems it would be worthwhile to designate someone to seat people, especially in the busier times. They've been around forever, my grandmother used to go there when she was young and she's still a loyal customer at 95 :)

First time to Chelan Cafe. Nice, clean, diner atmosphere and pretty busy for 7am. Service was very good. Chicken Fried Steak was good but not special. Eggs are fluffy and light - good size portions. Cinnamon roll a bit dry, as was the biscuit, and hash browns only lightly browned. Overall a nice diner - food was good but not special.

Ate here on Sunday morning. The service was slow, the food good. Suggestion, if you're slow get the coffee out quickly. We waited about 30 minutes for breakfast. Read this as (get the coffee out fast) and hungry patrons will overlook the backed up kitchen. Other than that the food and value was good. Full disclosure, I travel weekly so I'm a tough patron. Maybe others will overlook the slow service. Worth a try when I'm back in Seattle next time....