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When the Seattle city limits don’t mark the end of great food, it’s even harder to know where to dine and drink when there are no geographical limits to awesome eats. Our editor-in-chief Chelsea Lin has dined all over the Seattle area and beyond and has amassed a wealth of food knowledge, which she shares with us now in this week’s Instagram Q&A. Find out where to eat in Issaquah, where to find the best pescatarian restaurants and more. 

Have a question for Chelsea? Submit here.

Nashville style hot chicken?

Sisters and Brothers in Georgetown is the best place for this, though I’ve seen (possibly due to the popularity of this charming dive bar-y place) spicy fried chicken pop up on more menus recently. Sisters and Brothers is great, and I’d argue that the fried green tomato sandwich is maybe even better than the chicken. 

Best make your own salads besides Evergreens?

I really like Plum’s Chopped salad shop, which is entirely plant-based and delicious. Home Remedy does a great job with a serve-yourself salad bar, too. 

I’ll be in Seattle the last week of November, you know something fun to do?

If you’re coming for Thanksgiving and looking for somewhere to go out to dinner that night, I just caught wind that Samara is doing a Thanksgiving menu that sounds amazing. Rob Roy’s Miracle on 2nd holiday cocktail pop-up launches on Nov. 25, and I highly recommend checking that out, too.

Know of any places that sell fried Oreos?

This is my favorite question of the week! My coworker says she’s had fried Oreos at vegan bar the Highline. I was REALLY hoping Unicorn would have this on their menu because it seems so on brand, and instead found that they deep fried peanut butter cookie dough, which sounds even more ridiculous and delicious. 

Are there any great Caribbean places? 

I love Jerk Shack in Belltown—everything from the cocktails to the food to the desserts, particularly the bread pudding, is delightful. Pam’s Kitchen is another favorite, I love the homemade hot sauce especially. 

Best cocktail bars in Fremont, Ballard, Wallingford, Greenwood area?

This is a big ask, as each of these ‘hoods have plenty. I’ll just name a few of my favorites: Union Saloon, Hazlewood, Barnacle, Essex, Bar Charlie and Oliver’s Twist. 

Best restaurants in Sammamish/Issaquah area?

I’m not expert on the area, but there’s a Dough Zone in Issaquah I’ve been to, and I love that place, and Noodle Boat for Thai food is excellent (even though I admittedly haven’t been in a couple of years). Unfortunately I’m even less familiar with Sammamish. 

Best Chinese-American takeout?

This is one of those categories of food where the one nearest your house, or deliverable to your couch, is generally best. That said, I personally enjoy HK Dim Sum when I’m at home, Honey Court when I’m in the ID, and New Luck Toy when I also want cocktails. 

Where can I find pandan cake? 

I LOVE pandan and unfortunately it’s one of those ingredients you just don’t see here often enough. Hood Famous makes an awesome pandan cheesecake that I highly recommend. Despi Delite would be another place to check out, though I’m not sure whether that’s something they offer or not. And I’ve heard Mimi’s in Beacon Hill has pandan cake, though I haven’t been there yet. 

Most legit tacos? 

Every week someone asks about tacos… Asadero does a great job if you’re into carne asada, I really love Taco Street down south by the Othello station, and Jack’s BBQ still does the best Texas-style breakfast tacos. 

Is there a November issue of Seattle magazine going out?

There is! It’s here, and it’s glorious—go read about our most influential people of the year, plus a great story Erica Barnett wrote about moms in city council and an excerpt from Naomi Tomky’s new seafood book.

Random, but birria tacos or Korean mozzarella corn dogs?

Speaking of Naomi, I know how passionate she is about tacos, and she says the best local birria ones are in Burien at Birrieria Tijuana (she says try the queabirria especially). Also, I was in the ID the other day on King Street and saw a sign for a Korean corn dog shop called Chung Chun going in!

Japanese steak and sushi?

Ascend in Bellevue is a great spot if you want both wagyu and sushi, plus the views can’t be beat.

Is there anywhere that sells fresh made flour tortillas?

If you’re looking for a market, try La Huerta International Market in Kent; at a restaurant, I think you can find handmade flour tortillas at Asadero in Ballard.