James T.'s Profile

Good Burgers, Good Malt, Great Onion Rings.

Went here for the first time the other day after seeing it on Man vs. Food.  I was hoping for the best burger of my life.  This wasn't it.  It was a really, really, really good burger, but I think the show made me think it would be miles above anything I had ever had and it wasn't, it was just really (x3) good.

I actually think the Malt and Onion rings were better than the burger.  They were spectacular, and when I go back, it will mostly be to respond to a yearning for another one of those tasty malts and some of the awesome Onion Rings.

The wait staff was nice.  I was kind of expecting Soup Kitchen authoritarians, that you sometimes get in places that are so cult-sie popular.  They did have the requisite "no cellphones" sign that you often see in the we are better than the rest restaurants, but everyone was really friendly, even for us newbie's that had to take a bit extra time to read the menu.  

Place is not overly big, and I can see how during prime time and on weekends it could be a while before you can sit down.  We got lucky and got a seat right away.

Overall, glad I went.  I'll be back - but more for the rings and malt.

Revisiting this one over a year later. Yes I still get takeout here, but only because it's the closest Thai to our house. Flavor seem to have gone a bit bland. Especially the Pad-thai. Used to be one of the best dishes. Now just so -so. You can do better elsewhere.

I love BBQ, but because I'm not from Texas I don't count as an expert. Or so my friend from Texas told me.

What I like about Caroline Kitchen is the Pork, the corn bread and the Nice big TV's. I was there on a Sunday afternoon and was able to catch part of a Mariner game on the nicely sized screens.

I only had the pork sandwich, but it was very good. Good smoke flavor, but as other people have noted, there isn't a big smoke smell in the restaurant, which makes you wonder how or where they really do the BBQ'ing.

Compared to some other BBQ places around here I would say the portion sizes are a bit small and the prices are a little on the high side. Perhaps that's just the Eastside MSFT tax.

They have plenty of sides to pick from which was nice.

Overall I took off one star for price/size and one star for not being the absolute BEST BBQ I've ever tasted. Although it was pretty darn good. I'll have to go back and try the other meats soon. Show owner comment »

One of my fav hang outs.  You can often find me having dinner with the family or working on my laptop sipping a Shakespeare Stout.  If you sit in the window seats closest to the Library you can even snag some free wi-fi.  

The food is good passable bar fare.  Not the best in the world, but very good.  I like the chili - which does go pretty high on the spicy meter.  My other fav is the roast beef au-jus dip.  The buffalo chips are good starter.  

As for beer - that's the real reason to come here.  I actually prefer the Issaquah home brews to the Rogue "imports".   Check the daily sheet for special brews.  These are usually very good.  If you like dark beers then you must try the Shakespeare Stout.  One of the best around.

This is one of my favorite places to go, we probably eat here once or twice a month.   We get the big combo plate and can share it with the four of us, two adults two kids.  

My favorite is the cowboy sandwich.  The pulled pork is so flavorful it is really a shame to put any sauce on it.  

Also love the many large flat screens.  Stan always has multiple games showing.

Overall a great food and great atmosphere.