Market Grill

Elite '08

6

43

Yong L.

Redmond, WA

Fresh fish off a hot grill is such a delicious thing -- and yet it's far too difficult to find a place that does it well.  Market Grill is just such a place.  Given the paper china, plastic cutlery, and its low-key ambience (a formica "U" of a countertop, with a handful of crummy stools on either side and a cashier area in the front where we're not supposed to eat), I was surprised to see with how much care the cook/chef was preparing the dishes:  salad greens nestled next to the brown rice, fish on top (we've tried both the salmon -- blackened and regular -- and the halibut), grilled onions and tomatoes thoughtfully arranged above that, and triangles of fantastic garlic toasts resting with their grilled, olive-oiled points jutting upwards).  And we've never had overcooked fish.  (There's also grilled prawns and grilled chicken.  I haven't tried the former.  As for the latter, why bother?)

In a market where people are ruining perfectly good fish by throwing it around and flaunting grotesquely large lobster tails in pornographic fashion, it's a relief to sit down to some well-cooked food that is simply prepared to bring out the flavor of the fresh ingredients.  Thank you Market Grill!

(The only reason this place doesn't get five stars is because the price -- at $9.95 -- seems a tad high.  Also, the last time we'd had the clam chowder, it seemed a bit runny and had dill in it.  it wasn't bad, but I thought it was kinda weird.)

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10

54

Ashley E.

Castro Valley, CA

Market Grill is such a tragedy. When it first started the owner hired this dude who wore danskos, a ponytail, backwards hat, a scruffy beard, and glasses. This dude invented all of the recipes. THE best clam chowder. THE best salmon and halibut sandwiches. THE best coleslaw. 10 STARS!!

When said dude approached the owner last year to go in on owning the place the owner said no. So the dude left and took awesome chick that worked there too serving bottomless bread and Pepsis :(

The dude took with him his recipes. FAMOUS recipes. I say R.I.P. Market Grill. Sucks big time. Will not go back. Though I will visit the dude, he runs a produce stand across the street.

I grieve.

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0

9

Arthur R.

Baltimore, MD

This is a small dinner like fish market stand. I loved the salmon sandwich with rosemary mayo, sweet onions, lettuce, tomato and the Chowder rocked! The chowder is has a nice hit of pepper and not overly creamy. This is solid stuff for the other coast.

Very fast, very good. The counter is a "U" and in a small space. Belly up and enjoy!

This place should be on "Dinner, Drive inns and Dives" as it it worth every penny!

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6

9

Sarah M.

Austin, TX

When we found Market Grill we were sure we found the wrong place.  It is just a counter with eight stools.  But the food was very high quality and very yummy.  I had a blackened shrimp sandwich with rosemary mayo and my husband had the halibut salad.  We were both thrilled.  We had some of the chowder and the cole slaw which were both good.  The staff were very nice and friendly.  A good place to sit and watch people in the market.

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Elite '08

77

380

Sheila Y.

Seattle, WA

Asked a fishmonger this weekend what he thinks the freshest spot in the market is and he directed me straight to this joint.  Ordered the halibut blackened with cole slaw instead of salad and a cup of chowder.
Both were great, although I think the salmon looked better to me and I think it would taste better between two slices of bread.  The chowder was above average with a great pepper flavor and less cream (thank god b/c i need to take some pounds off).
Funny thing to note...they have chicken on the menu and the guy next to me ordered it, which made me chuckle.  Chicken sandwich in the middle of Pike Place in the Pacific NW...Lame!

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Elite '08

11

98

Adam S.

Chicago, IL

Thinking that everything here was going to be a tourist trap - dried out fish, miniscule portions, I was ill-prepared for the utter enjoyment of plowing through a "halibut platter" at Market Grill.  Paper cartons, tons of rice and grilled onions, "blackened" piece of decent sized fish, and some tomatoes, plus some great cole slaw and garlic bread make this a perfect stop for lunch while you're mingling with the crowds at the Market.  Be warned, this is not dining; just 8 bar stools on either side of the grill, but if you can get a seat sit down and enjoy this place. Fantastic.

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Elite '08

874

899

Michelle B.

Seattle, WA

The problem with the Pike Place Market is that you never really  know where anything is - Market Grill is about 30 paces North from Rachel the Brass Pig on the Eastern wall.

It's nothing fancy, just a grill with a counter and a few permanent bar stools around it. The coleslaw that they serve looks like something from a tub (although I'm sure it's not) but the salmon sandwich...OMG...the salmon sandwich is amazing. The bread is perfectly toasted and the salmon is grilled right in front of you.

My only complaint - You could give me a bit more salmon when I'm spending $9+ on a sandwich.

Regardless of the price I would go back. The sandwich is just that good.

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7

72

Alex S.

Seattle, WA

When I compile my list of Places I love / Places that make me happy, Market Grill will definitely be on the list.

First of all, it's smack dab in the middle of the market so do not go in tourist season nor should you go at peak lunch time.  There are about six seats at the counter and room to stand around for about five more.  The menu is salmon or halibut sandwiches and clam chowder.  And soda.  

Market Grill actually gets a point knocked off for the Seattle-style of serving sandwiches on those mouth-wrenching hard baguettes.  You know, your mouth gets all torn up inside from eating the grilled bread.  But the place gets the point back for offering a choice of having your fish on salad greens or rice, so take your choice.

The fish is consistently perfectly cooked.  When was the last time a restaurant, any restaurant, consistently cooked its fish perfectly?  

And the staff is so patient... they must explain a hundred times a day the choices.  It's a bit confusing... you can have your fish on bread, salad or rice.  The salad and rice are not sides to the sandwich as you might think a "platter" suggests.  A platter is a sandwich with a side of slaw.  You cannot order just a sandwich.  You can modify your platter order by subbing in salad or rice for the fish on bread.  If you order the platter with the fish on salad it comes with toasted bread.  Got it?

Free refills on from the soda fountain.  Two full-sized napkins.  Great servers.  All around great place.

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2

88

NANCY H.

Kirkland, WA

Great fresh grilled seafood here. Nothing fried. All nicely prepared sandwiches, or platters for that experience of Seattle. Try the grilled salmon and the clam chowder. The salmon was nice and flaky with that beautiful grilled flavor in the background and the chowder was light and not too salty. Compared to most chowders it was a nice and flavorful taste without being overpowering with cream or seasoning. If you are a tourist, come here and grab something on the go as you stroll through the markets many wonderful shops.

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Elite '08

34

416

Laurel B.

San Francisco, CA

A great bowl of chowder, and amazing salmon sandwiches (although I do mine as the salad version).  Now if only i could get a Sierra Nevada to go with that . . . . (sometimes I brown bag a little vino from the Tasting Room) (and then it's perfect)

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0

30

nes m.

San Ramon, CA

ate here today visiting seattle for the weekend..

i had the halibut over salad.. salad complimented the grilled fish well.. came with grilled onions, tomatoes, and a vinegarette dressing.. i would definitely eat here again

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18

76

Lyn L.

Honolulu, HI

Must eat here!  Great sandwiches and salads...Chowder is outstanding!  Guys that run the place are awesome....What more could you want?  Great food, Great Folks and definitely a part of Pikes Market!  Totally worth it!

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4

15

Sunny Y.

Milwaukee, WI

I love the Market Grill.  It is one of my favorite places to have lunch in town.  Located in Pike Place Market, just a few flower stands north of the famous brass pig, this place is excellent for fresh grilled salmon or halibut sandwiches.  The sandwiches are served on a french baguette smeared with rosemary tartar sauce or mayo and covered with grilled onions and greens.  The homemade clam chowder is to die for, rich and creamy, and oh so fresh.  The staff is extremely friendly.  It tends to get really crowded around lunch but it is worth the wait.  Prices $3.50 for chowder, $6.95 and up for sandwiches.

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1

21

Carol L.

Austin, TX

Definitely try the Halibut sandwich! Stay and eat at the counter and chat with the people behind the counter...they're awesome. Very amiable and made my lunch so enjoyable. You're given a choice of halibut, salmon, shrimp, or chicken;  on a plate of rice or salad or in a french bread sandwich; free coleslaw with order. Their clam chowder is yummy too! A little pricey I must say, but it was fresh and the halibut was juicy and soft. Loved it! Everything was fresh, fresh, fresh! Even the coleslaw was freshly cut.

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