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My friend took me here, saying it was the best burger/fries for under $10 bucks in the city and she'll come all the way from Shoreline just to eat here.
It was good. I had a special burger-a guacamole burger with chipoltle mayo. Lots of lettuce, tomatoes, and onions just like I like. The bun wasn't soggy and there was lots of sauce.
The fries were crunchy and golden and delicious.
Under $8, pretty darn good. Cash only.
They charge for ranch dressing which they give to you in a little plastic cup, even if you are eating in. Boo. Also, they give you ketchup in little packets, which takes about a half an hour to squeeze out enough ketchup to eat with your fries.
I love hamburgers! Sometimes I want a fancy fat $12 burger with a pile of steak fries. Sometimes I crave a flatter, cheaper, smothered in sauces burger with a pile of onion rings.
This place satisfies my inexpensive burger cravings. Of course they aren't the best patties I've ever had but you can get so much food here for at such a great price!
My favorite here is actually the onion rings though. I recently ordered food to go from a different restaurant and then snuck in here for the onion rings because they are just so much better and so much cheaper (about a third of the price from the other place.)
So four stars because its quick, cheap, excellent hangover food and tastes pretty darn good to me.
Scooters is the original.
I love the menu variety, particularly for vegetarians. (goes beyond a Boca patty with cheese...mushrooms, pesto, and other options)
Great milkshakes. REALLY great milkshakes. I recommend stopping by on a warm spring/summer afternoon and sitting outside while you try and remember what Ballard used to look like before those hideous condo monstrosities were erected on 24th.
It will be a sad day when they tear down Scooters to make room for more pseudo-crunchy new-to-Ballarders.
If I feel like a burger while in Ballard I would choose the Dock Street Burger at Bad Albert's but if I don't want sit-down, Scooter's is the place.
All you new Ballardites probably don't know that this takeout joint used to be a Dairy Queen way back when. It was THE place for Dilly Bars and Green River floats but I am happy that this space now delivers excellent burgers, sandwiches and fries! I love the fact that avocados are an optional topping to any sandwich here! Yummy for the tummy!
I do miss the butterscotch Dilly Bars though. :-(
Fast and cheap, like your mom. I like Scooters, it falls somewhere between a fast food burger and a real juicy one, like from Redmill.
At home we have this great little locally owned place that I spent many a skipped-class at in high school. Great burgers, Awesome shakes, and tartar that makes you want to kiss the cook. Scooters is pretty much the same exactly thing as the place at home, minus the nostalgia of being back home, and crinkle fries. I do miss the crinkle fries.
Burgers, fries and shakes have never disappointed me. The owner (I assume) was there once when I've been there and he was so friendly and sociable. Plus one for that. Staff is usually friendly, and seems to make an effort to make conversation with the patrons.
It's a bit old and dingy looking inside, but it still feels clean so that's A-Ok in my book. I'll definitely be back when I'm craving that "somewhere inbetween" burger, or a yummy shake!
Cash only, or approved checks. Yay for being on the approved check list, I suck at carrying cash.
Scooter's rocks. Top-notch burgers for middling prices.
Burgers here are first rate, alongside Zeke's and Ballard Brothers (but for a lot less cash), and comfortably a notch above Red Mill and Kidd Valley (tho the Kidd will hook you up for about the same money). I'm a particular fan of the fishburger, which is fresh cod. Slap some bacon on the fishburger for a seriously yummy variation on the bacon cheeseburger. The fries are only ok, but the mushrooms are great. The shakes are some of the best I've had in Seattle... the blackberry shake leaves me grinning with seeds in my teeth.
Ambiance, tho, is seriously lacking, and the joint should be considered take-out-only on all but the most beautiful summer days. The minuscule lobby has doors at both ends, which means *all* of the warmth in the lobby is replaced by a blast of cold air every time anyone enters or exits.
I'd give five stars if there was more seating, and it wasn't so bland inside.
Otoh, I came for the burger. If I wanted first-rate attitude and a mediocre food, I'd head to Red Mill. If I had a passel of kids or cow-orkers with me and needed a place to talk, I'd head over to Ballard Brothers or Kidd Valley. If I'm by myself, Scooter's is the place.
Since I moved to Seattle three years ago, I've been trying to find a place to..err...replace my favorite burger joint where I went to college, Cougar Country. Scooters is the best so far.
The burger was tasty, and although the patty was a bit thin, that was easily excused by the Scooter's Sauce, some fry-sauce-esque concoction. Which isn't available as fry sauce so there must be a magic ingredient that's Top Secret.
Fries were not crinkle-cut like CC, but were very crispy. Perhaps had been in the fryer an extra long time. But I'll take one that's too hard over a limp one any day (that's what she said).
Minus one star for using styrofoam.
Next time, I'll try a milkshake. I hear the coffee one is pretty money.
Backstory: We used to love Scooters and ate there once a week. We loved the gardenburgers with REAL gardenburger patties and uh...lots of drippy sauce, lettuce, and tomatoes. It kicked the fancy-schmancy Red Mill Burger's hiney.
Update: They changed their gardenburgers. Now they serve some sort of flavorless patty that appears to have breading on it. Wow, it is the grossest thing I've ever tasted, and I've had a lot of really gross veggie burgers.
When I called the restaurant to ask, "WHAT HAPPENED?" the girl could not care less. No, she could not care any less, which is to say she did not care at all.
It's like your boyfriend from the trailer park. Yeah, you shoulda known better, you knew how he treated everyone else, but you thought somehow you had something special going on. And then he up and leaves you for a goat.
I love a good burger but at the same time am not a fan of fancy-schmancy burgers. I like them quick, messy, and wrapped in paper. Scooter's delivered a good, solid burger experience. I've had a couple of the cow burgers, a veggie burger, and one of their chicken offerings and all 4 hit the spot. They turn out a solid, respectable burger that doesn't pretend to have lofty ambitions. The veggie burger was definitely the weak spot but that seems to be the case for every burger joint I go to. Only so much you can do when you start with a frozen hockey puck. The shakes were tasty and just the right consistency and the onion rings were also good. Service was quick and cheery. Only downside is they don't take plastic which is a major inconvenience.
Now that I've moved to Crown Hill/Ballard Scooter's will be taking over from Kidd Valley and Burger Master as my default burger joint. Here's how it stacks against the competition:
1) Red Mill
2) Scooters
3) Kidd Valley
4) Burger Master
5) Go hungry
6) Foraging for berries
7) Dicks
7.5) McDonalds
I like my burgers like I like my men: well-done, inexpensive, messy and satisfying. (*rim shot!* Thanks folks, enjoy your meal and be sure to tip your waitstaff! I'll be here all week!) Oh, but seriously folks, I digress. . .
This little place is close to work so when me and the co-workers get get a craving for red meat this is the place we go. I recommend calling ahead and getting your order to go since the seating here is limited and it cuts down on the actual wait time. The service, in my experience, is usually pretty quick and friendly. Though not the absolute best burger in town, it certainly does the job.
Been going here off and on for years. My burgers are always the same......large and greasy...LOVE 'EM! Root beer shakes are top notch, as well! Support the little guy, eat at Scooter's!
Eh, I'm tryin' to give them 3 1/2 stars.
I used to work here, so maybe my opinion is somewhat biased, but hell, who's isn't? First off, the food here will fill you up. Unless you have a daily caloric intake of an Amish person or are on the verge of starving, a burger, small fries, and a soda or shake should fill you up, if not push you over the edge. The food is somewhere in the middle between corporate fast food and (insert super gourmet fancy burger joint here).
Anyways, during the time of my employment, customers really dug the bacon cheese, onion rings, fried mushrooms, and for some reason unbeknownst to me, the blackberry shakes. As for me, put some bacon on that guacamole or blue cheese burger, fry me up some of those mushies, and let me try to vacuum up that thick vanilla malt.
My biggest gripe with this place is the price, even though i never had to pay, but it's small and independent so what can one really expect? I just can't justify the $4 price tag for two slices of sourdough and 3 slices of american a.k.a the grilled cheese sandwich. Anyways if you must go here, here are some recommendations.
Sandwiches
Guacamole Burger/Veggie, Bacon Cheese, Blue Cheese Burger, Chicken Club, Dip Sandwich
Sides
The mushrooms are wonderful, but some swear by the onion rings. Try it with the homemade tarter.
Shakes
Raspberry, Vanilla/Chocolate Malt, Peanut Butter/Chocolate, Strawberry/Butterfinger (better than it sounds)
Edit:
Changed the 3 stars to 4. Had my first Scooter's burger in three months today and it was wonderful. I honestly don't remember it ever tasting so good. The bun was perfectly toasted, the meat was juicy, and the ratio of condiments and veggies to bun and meat were just right. I remember telling myself that I'd never eat here again after I quit, but I'll definitely be back.
The burgers are damned good, but it's the greasy stuff that makes Scooter's so awesome. Fries. Onion rings. Mushrooms! I love deep fried mushrooms, and they're getting harder to find at burger joints. The 'shrooms at Scooter's are delish.
It's a tiny place, so you may want to get it to go. Or, you could sit at the low counter in front of the windows. The capacity is probably about 8 or so. Definitely not a place for parties of 3 or more if you want to eat in.
Do you think the shack will make it through the regentrification of Trendy-Fourth? QFC has already fallen prey to the wrecking ball. Can Scooters be far behind? Hang in there, you burger mavens!
Red Mill burgers are good; Scooter's burgers are GRRRREAT! ...In that classic, order at the counter, get it to go, burger wrapped in tin foil, fries served in a paper tray, kind've way.
But, that's how I like my burgers. Messy, uncivilized. I'm not a big fan of fancy restaurant burgers. The patty is usually too thick (it's important to have the perfect meat-bun-topping-condiments ratio), the bun is typically a roll posing as a bun (chewy, hard to bite into), and the fixin's are usually served on the side, consisting of one piece of leaf lettuce, a slice of onion and a slice of tomato (and if you're lucky, a pickle - but the wedge pickle, which is not conducive to putting on your burger, so you have to eat it separately).
Scooter's on the other hand, uses the pre-formed patties (you know the ones; with the paper in between each patty to keep them from fusing together when frozen), shredded iceberg lettuce versus the leaf; the buns are tried and true hamburger buns (soft, easy to bite into); the pickles are sliced and actually ON the burger, as are the onions and tomatoes. It's the little things that matter.
If you decide to try Scooter's...go for broke and get the full meal deal: burger, fries and a shake. You won't regret it.
"Scooters, I been served Red Mill Burgers: I knew Red Mill; Red Mill was a friend of mine. Scooters, you're no Red Mill."
Poor Scooter's Burgers, forever doomed to live in the shadow of Red Mill. And to be fair, Scooter's Burgers aren't Red Mill Burgers. But, that's not entirely a bad thing.
My wife and I are staying with a friend in Ballard for a few days before moving into our new apartment. So, when I got hungry around noon (I've heard this period called "lunch time"), I wandered down the block to Scooters. Mainly because it was close and I am lazy.
Their burger wasn't the best I'd ever had, but it was pretty solid. Probably my biggest complaint was that the bun seemed dry and started falling apart almost immediately. But the other ingredients were doing their part admirably.
The shake was a real stand out though. I had chocolate, because you need to start with the basics before exploring into the more exotic flavors. And, with a sign boasting 23 flavors, there's a lot to explore. Even if I wasn't hungry, I'd think about stopping by just for the shake alone.
If I had one complaint, it would be the price. I got a double cheese burger, small fries and regular shake and the whole thing came to nearly $10 which seemed a little excessive for a burger joint... but when I told my wife about it, she seemed nonplus. So, maybe I'm not just lazy... I'm a cheapskate too.
I tend to go here pretty often. Its nice to be able to call in a order (sorry, Red Mill) and get it really quickly. I like there sauce they use, some mayo/thousand island/relish combo. Burgers are always cooked though, never burnt and really aren't all that greasy on the burger scale. Good pickles too! Good selection of shakes! I hope they don't tear this down for more condos!
Der, her... it's a burger. It's not Red Mill, but it's also not Burger King. The best thing about the place is the name. Come on, SCOOTER'S?!?
Sit out side, and get stung by bees. Good luck.
I think Scooters should get bigger cups for their milkshakes. I down the one size they have in about five minutes. But maybe that's my own issue.
They should also think about taking cards.
The burgers are decent. Not highest on my list, but decent price, and also really close to my house so I go there. Oh yeah and I would get it to-go, there's not much seating and it's really not all that pleasant being small and in a parking lot. Maybe eat at the locks. Ooh! That's a good idea.
Best blackberry milkshakes in town! They also have malts...mmmm.
Grab one before heading to the Ballard Locks.
If you are all calorie counting you can get a mini-shake, but that's just sad.
Comfort food Utopia. Yeah.
Scooter's is the place to go when you're feeling down.
Get into a fight with your S.O.? Go to Scooter's and get a milkshake.
Job gotcha down? Get a big ol' burger with bacon n cheese.
Missing your Mom who lives on the East Coast? Grab a grilled cheese.
Ah yeah. I feel the grease on my chin and I know everything is gonna be OK...
PS - They have little tiny milkshakes for when you're feeling only kinda naughty!
Hmmm. Had a mushroom cheeseburger. It was "ok" but just. Their fries were... cardboard-ish to passable. Seemed like a bunch of people were ordering the fried mushrooms. Maybe I'll try those next time. Didn't try their shakes, but heard good things about them. I'm giving them three stars because they were "ok", but maybe three is too many. Red Mill was a bit better. Definitely nothing fancy here. A step above Dick's, but no better than Ballard Bro's Burgers (which used to be hella better than it is since their move). OK if your in a pinch. Otherwise pop on over to Ballard Market and buy your own goods to make a burger at home.
Okay so as fast food goes Scooter's is pretty good. They have a top secret Scooter sauce aka relish, mayo, ketchup a standard at any burger joint.
These are very large burgers, I got the gardenburger meal and could not even finish it. I ended up throwing most of it away. They are made fast and fresh well as fresh as any prefrozen patty could be.
Great selection, next time I will try the turkey avocado melt. or the BLAT bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado.
My milkshake brings all the.........If I were a milkshake girl I am sure I could have found one here. There were all different flavors to choose from not just vanilla chocolate, strawberry.
It doesn't really serve for dine-in purpose the space is small but if you are on the go and want a greasy delight than scoot to Scooters
Cash only. Burgers are big and OK. Fries are not the best I've had. Shakes are the best thing in here! Go figure. I was seriously hangover so anything pretty much would have been OK but it didn't quite cut it. I might go back . Ill propably go back. maybe
There was one weekend I was craving Red Mill the ENTIRE weekend. Finally Monday rolled around and I figured I needed to satisfy my craving. I shot up to the closest one on Phinney and...well wouldn't you know it, but Red Mill is closed on Monday's?!
After a brief stop for a haircut at Rudy's, a wonderful girl by the name of Jodie(?) recommended Scooter's in Ballard.
I was dying for a burger, so I figured I would check it out.
Result: Pretty Darn Good! A fine substitute for Red Mill any day.
The straws could stand to be a wee bit stronger for sucking up that wonderful milkshake, though!
Awesome onion rings. Decent fries (huge portion). Good shakes, notably the blackberry.
The burger - well, a huge bun with lots of condiments, and buried in there were 2 dinky, burnt, Dicks' - style patties. Very sad.
Big parking lot, so if you enjoy parking this is a pleasure.
So - Scooter's is good for everything except what you go there for.
Best burgers in Ballard.
The Red Mill has been my burger of choice for the last few months. Now I have a new spot to add in to the rotation.
The burger was great. Nice size and well seasoned. The fries were also pretty good. Overall my meal was great, it's just not quite as good as Red Mill. However, since the place is closer and isn't as crowded I have a feeling I may wind up there more than Red Mill.
Bottom Line - Great burgers and a more than adequate substitute for Red Mill.
Scooter's. It's Ballard before NoMa. Before all of those overgrown condo buildings with undersized condos inside. It's teenagers slinging burgers that you don't want to know the fat content of. And you don't care. It's cold shakes on a hot day with a gleeful 5 year old. I love Scooter's, and it's not just because they have good burgers. I am not that sentimental but I just might shed a tear when Scooter's comes down in the name of progress.
Expensive, but unremarkable fast food.
I used to stack cheese here. Need a good shake? 2 scoops strawberry, 1 scoop blackberry, mix that $&!# up and you got yourself "the berry bomb!"
This and redmill i think are the best burgers in the area. I've had the double bacon burger and the pesto chicken and they both were up to par. The onion rings are also excellent not to much batter but just enough to get a good crunch and flavor. This place def deserves 4 to 5 stars.
Yep - this is the real deal. Yummy, greasy, HUGE burgers, cooked and served up by giggling teenaged girls, and it's NOT a chain (at least so far as I know).
This is my first Yelp review, so take it easy on me.
Oh, Scooter's - a wonderful place to get a burger, onion rings, and a tasty shake. The place is tiny and can get busy at times but it is well worth the taste. I, personally, think they make some of the best burgers in Seattle and, without a doubt, the best onion rings.
The prices are a bit on the high side but within reason compared to other Seattle burger joints. I find the best value to be the Jr. Cheese Burger and a side of O Rings. As I already mentioned - the shakes are very good but being that I'm not really a shake connoisseur I won't speak definitively on the subject.
I would've rated this 5 stars had I been reviewing this a year ago but I've noticed that with a change in staff - I've noticed a difference in the quality of burgers and O rings (and fries). Not to say they are bad but not as good as it once was.
I recommend checking it out when your in a mood for a burger. Give Red Mill a break for a change and try out Scooter's in Ballard - you won't be disappointed.
The place to go for lunch if you work on the waterfront. Co-workers and the boss love it! So do I! Wish they took cards and wish there was more seating inside, but love the service and the taste of the burgers! Must say the BLTs are second to none!
The only advantage Red Mill has, more indoor seating. Otherwise, you just gotta forget all you know and become a Scooter's fanatic. The onion rings sometimes haunt my dreams.
Somewhat inebriated after a few beers at the Viking and still refusing to order the Sloppy Sven (though someday *SOMEDAY* I will do it!), we wandered down the street to Scooter's. It was my first time here, because not only do I try to stay away from "junk food" (oh, how I love thee), I am a fan of King's burgers. Anyhow, I heard that their veggie burgers were good and thought that might be a 'healthy' alternative. HAHA! I know, I know. The veggie burger came loaded with american cheese and dripping with mayo, with the requisite tomato, lettuce and onion additions. Despite the fact it was dressed up in cheese and mayo, it was still quite bland. I know you are saying "uh, it's a veggieburger, what did you expect?!" - but I have had some pretty tasty veggie burgers, crazy, I know. This just didn't fulfill my needs. Next time perhaps I'll get a regular burger and see what this greasy hype is all about. Oh yeah, and the fries were a little lacking. Hook me up with some salt, people!
If you don't have the time for to go to Red Mill, this is the place for burgers in ballard. Fast, cheap, cooked to order burgers... milkshakes, fried mushrooms, onion rings.... I loves it! The bacon blue cheese burger is a favorite of my better half, and she knows her some burgers. Ask for grilled onions... it makes a world of difference!!
i stopped in after walking by. i was pleasantly surprised. the food was good, service was quick, and the price was acceptable. thanks scooters!
Sorry Scooter's, Zak's has you beat. Your patties are thin, your buns get soggy, your fries are floppy and your counter staff leaves a lot to be desired in terms of detail management and accountability. I'm all for supporting small and locally owned businesses, but I just can't choose Scooter's anymore when Zak's is just a few blocks further away -- with food that's twice as good at just about the same price.
A hidden gem in Ballard. This place has delicious, fresh-made burgers that rival the local favorites like Red Mill.
Not much indoor seating; this is primarily a take-away joint.
Scooters is, hands down, the best place for burgers in the city and the rings, fries and shakes are the stuff of legends. I had forgotten how much I LOVE this place after moving out of the city 3 years ago, until we stopped on our way out of town after a trip to the zoo yesterday.
Red Mill's got nuthin' on Scooters (unless, of course, you ENJOY waiting in an obnoxiously long line that is).
Don't expect to actually enjoy your meal here though as there is just a bar with a few stools and a few picnic tables outside. Instead, take it to go and enoy a picnic at the locks, shilshole or a nearby park instead.
Oh, and they only take cash or check so don't even think about whipping out that debit card!
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