“What’s your voting plan?” It’s a question you’ve heard often during the 2020 Election season, since the pandemic has changed how people are voting across the country. In Washington, however, it’s business as usual, a.k.a. slipping your ballot into one of the drop boxes closest to you. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a plan, especially one that includes what you’re going to eat before and/or after you vote. Our guide can help with that. We’ve identified 27 ballot boxes located around Seattle, and paired each with the best restaurant near them. We hope you’re hungry for some excellent takeout with a side of democracy.
Election Day may be a long day for some communities around America. To help, The Infatuation has teamed up with The Migrant Kitchen to ensure that food insecurity doesn’t prevent Americans from voting on November 3rd. Learn more and donate today at feedthepolls.org.
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Broadview Library (12755 Greenwood Ave. N)
For fantastic dumplings, either prepared as a takeout meal or frozen in bulk, head to Little Ting’s. They have many types of potstickers and buns, from pork and pickled napa cabbage to carrot and tofu.
Lake City Library (12501 28th Ave. Ne)
You have lots of great dinner options in proximity to the Lake City Library. But after exercising your right to vote, tempura-battered spicy tuna rolls dipped in ponzu from Toyoda sound like a good idea to us. Or anything else on their excellent sushi menu.
North Seattle College (9600 College Way N)
If you’re feeling a sense of Seattle pride after submitting your ballot, there’s no better way to celebrate voting than by picking up food from one of the city’s oldest burger joints. Plus, you can grab a bacon cheeseburger, mint Oreo shake, and crunchy onion rings without even getting out of your car.
Green Lake Community Center (7201 E Green Lake Ave. N)
Mojito is just a quick drive from the Green Lake Community Center, and should be your takeout stop post-voting. From pabellón with rice and beans to platters of fried yucca and tostones, it’s all delicious and travels well. Don’t miss their tasty mango salad dressing, either.
Ballard Branch Library (5614 22nd Ave. Nw)
If you’re in the mood for pizza, the closest (and best) spot near the Ballard Branch Library is Stoneburner. We’re big fans of their pepperoni pie with serrano chile and fresh oregano, and the crispy mozzarella-stuffed olives are a must.
Uw Campus (1410 Ne Campus Parkway)
Dropping off a ballot in Seattle is a pretty quick task, and if you’re interested in lunch or dinner being just as speedy, Saigon Deli is the place. Within a couple of minutes, you’ll walk out with a comforting tub of brisket pho or a terrific banh mi.
Magnuson Park/the Brig (6344 Ne 74th St.)
Grabbing a pint to toast to the fact that you voted is never a bad plan. Magnuson Cafe & Brewery is located within the park, so it’s very easy to swing by and pick up some bar food, like a burger, fish tacos, or tater tots, and a refreshing IPA.
Waterway 19 Park (2119 N Northlake Way)
The prospect of blood orange margaritas and battered fish tacos would get us excited to vote, too. Get some of those (or the vegan chorizo with cashew queso) alongside one of Pablo Y Pablo’s kale chopped salads for a very good meal.
Seattle Pacific University Bookstore (310 W Bertona St.)
This deli serves one of our favorite reubens in town, but the best sandwich here is “The Corleone,” complete with ham, salami, capicola, smoked gouda, chopped cherry peppers, and dijonaise. Pair it with a bag of kettle chips for a combo that never fails.
Magnolia Park (1461 Magnolia Blvd. W)
Just a short drive away from Magnolia Park is the new permanent location of Sisters & Brothers, a takeout spot that specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken. Try some alongside their smoked gouda mac and cheese.
South Lake Union (310 Terry Ave. N)
While there are many spots to grab lunch or dinner around South Lake Union’s drop box, Kati is a great choice for plant-based Thai food like curry with pumpkin or vegetable potstickers. Whatever you do, don’t forget an order of tofu satay and crispy garlic jackfruit on sticky rice.
Seattle Central College (1701 Broadway)
Your coffee table was covered in voter’s information pamphlets and ballots in-progress not too long ago. Now it’s time to cover it in steamed momo dumplings, lamb curry, tikka masala, and garlicky naan from Annapurna.
Garfield Community Center (2323 E Cherry St.)
photo credit: Nate Watters
Fat’s serves some of the greatest fried chicken in Seattle, let alone the Central District. Get some on a waffle with maple syrup or between two halves of a honey butter biscuit.
Uwajimaya (619 6th Ave. S)
While you’re at Uwajimaya dropping off your ballot, stop by the food court inside the supermarket. That’s where you’ll find Aloha Plates, a counter that serves incredible huli huli chicken, kalua pork, and loco moco.
King County Administration Building (500 4th Ave.)
Tat’s is a Philly-style deli that serves everything from cheesesteaks to buffalo sauce-coated chicken tenders. Their “Tat-strami” sub with pastrami and coleslaw is delicious, and it doubles as a reminder to tell your friends in Pennsylvania to vote, too.
Beacon Hill Library (2821 Beacon Ave. S)
If you’re dropping off your ballot at the Beacon Hill Library, a fried chicken sandwich and some malted chocolate soft serve is close by. Stop into Milk Drunk for some tasty chicken, ice cream, and housemade mozzarella sticks dunked into herby green aioli.
Rainier Community Center (4600 38th Ave. S)
For Ethiopian on the south end, Kezira Cafe is a winner. Their lentils and altakilt wat are some of the greatest vegetables you will eat in this town, especially in the same bite as their fluffy injera.
Newholly Neighborhood Campus (7054 32nd Ave. S)
This spot is Permanently Closed.
King Philly serves fantastic cheesesteaks, both beef and plant-based, as well as chicken Philly egg rolls and perfectly crunchy fries dipped in spicy sriracha ranch. One of their Amoroso rolls covered in American cheese sauce is a pretty foolproof way to commemorate exercising your right to vote.
Rainier Beach Community Center (8825 Rainier Ave. S)
As far as Neapolitan-style pizza goes, Pulcinella is one of our favorites. They also serve a great smoked mozzarella lasagna if you’d rather have a plate of pasta.
South Park Library (8604 8th Ave. S)
Even though Loretta’s is a sit-down bar, they always wrap their burgers in takeout paper, which makes picking up a to-go order a breeze. Not to mention that they serve one of the greatest burgers in town. While you’re there, you could swing by Left Bank to pick up some bottles of wine to bring home, too.
South Seattle College (6000 16th Ave. Nw)
You did it. You voted. There’s nothing left to do except order some bar food from Dottie’s, like curly fries, queso nachos, lumpia, and fried chicken tacos.
High Point Library (3411 Sw Raymond St.)
For excellent Chinese takeout in West Seattle, head to New Luck Toy after voting at the High Point Library. Some of our favorites here include honey pecan prawns, Mongolian beef, General Tso’s fried chicken, salt and pepper spare ribs with a sticky five-spice dip, and pineapple fried rice with salty Chinese sausage.
Alaska Junction (Sw Alaska St. & 44th Ave. Nw)
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Haymaker is a solid choice if you voted with your significant other and you both aren’t sure what you want for dinner. Their menu features fresh pasta, steak frites with really good red wine sauce, and a Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich that is one of our new favorites.
White Center Library (1409 Sw 107th St.)
After voting at the White Center Library, we think you should dip some chicken tenders into five different sauces from Bok A Bok. Order a spread of Korean fried chicken, with side dishes like kimchi mac and cheese or biscuits with spiced honey, and don’t forget some extra house ranch.
Boulevard Park Library (12015 Roseberg Ave. S)
This spot serves some of our favorite tortas as of late, and is very close to the library. We recommend going with their carne asada sandwich or the milanesa loaded with nearly an entire avocado and slices of queso fresco.
Tukwila Community Center (12424 42nd Ave. S)
If you just voted at the Tukwila Community Center, we suggest driving a couple of extra miles to pick up an order from Miyabi. They serve some of the best Japanese food in the area, from izakaya appetizers to specialty sushi rolls.
Burien Town Square Park (5th Ave. Sw & Sw 152nd St.)
If you’re in Burien for any reason, a pile of stewed beef and cheese tacos from this incredible taqueria is always a good idea. Especially with a side of rice and creamy pinto beans.
