Capitol Hill has a diverse and large selection of restaurants, which makes it a perfect place to explore new food that one may have never thought about. Even staple American foods can be brought to new levels when fused with different cultures. Burgers are not exactly everyone’s favorite food, namely vegetarians, but they have been a classic food in the United States for years. When people think of burgers they likely think of a beef patty with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and sauce, encased in a bun sprinkled with sesame seeds, but Capitol Hill has different ideas. While his neighborhood has numerous typical burger spots like 8oz, there are hidden gems which take burgers to the next level with influence from around the world. Places with cuisine from India, Korea and Laos all have various forms of burgers, and all very delicious.
Bombay Burger residing on 1420 E Madison St is a fairly new restaurant that fuses American and Indian cuisine. It has a huge menu with appealing foods like it’s veggie samosas, garlic fries, and Bombay paneer burger. Not to mention it’s selection of sweet treats like lassis, milkshakes, cakes, and more. Personally my favorite menu items are the lamb burger with a mango milkshake. The spices they use in the food is their specialty. It’s heavily influenced by Indian food and it creates irresistible flavor profiles. Bombay burger is definitely not a place to skip out on, and it is sure to have an item for everyone.
Bok a Bok is mainly known for its boxes of fried chicken coated in Korean spices, but it also dabbles in fried chicken sandwiches with interesting flavors (I know it’s not exactly a burger but it counts as close enough in my book). It has a broad selection from the umami BBQ sandwich to the spicy chicken sandwich. I tried the sesame soy garlic sandwich, which was personally not my favorite with it’s overall sweetness that came from both the sauces and the bun, but I’m sure it works for some people. Even if you are not a fan of burgers or chicken it has many more items like it’s bowls. If you ever go to Bok a Bok you cannot skip out on the kimchi mac and cheese, one of the best mac and cheese sides I’ve ever had on Capitol Hill. Bok a Bok is a master of flavors and variety, and being located just a block away from Cal Anderson on 1427 10th Ave, it’s a perfect place to stop after a long day at school.
Last but not least, Taurus Ox is Seattle’s Lao kitchen, you can’t miss it on 1523 E. Madison St. It’s burger is juicy and cheesy, with two smashed patties, jeow bong mayo, taro stem, and more tasty toppings. It has a unique flavor that you can’t find anywhere else on Capitol Hill but Taurus Ox. The burger is a perfect pair with banana coconut sticky rice and Lao sweet tea. If you aren’t into meat it has yellow gaeng, a vegan yellow curry. Taurus Ox also has a nice outdoor seating area, with a roof for cover from the elements but aired out to protect from the transmission of COVID-19. The only downside is it’s high in demand, so be ready to wait a while for some food, but it’s definitely worth it.
All of these places are a nice walk from the school and have mouth watering food for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. They have distinctive and interesting flavors that are certainly worth trying. If you ever find yourself with nothing to do on Capitol Hill don’t forget to check them out!
