Skillet Diner is definitely one of those reliable, good quality all-day breakfast/lunch/dinner spots in Capitol Hill that serves up hearty hangover-worthy meals. I love bringing out of town guests who are visiting for the weekend here, to get a little taste of local Seattle culture. The restaurant itself is bright and cheerful, always packed to the rafters with happy couples, families, and groups of friends meeting for brunch. I particularly like this spot for some post-final exam nourishment, because after typing with the speed of lightning for 4 straight hours, dumping all the knowledge that could possibly be contained in your mind, sometimes you just need a plate of greasy breakfast foods.
The nod to its namesake, a wall of skillets
I have a few key favourite menu items, first and foremost being the Little Rob. 1 egg cooked your way, 2 strips of good quality bacon, and american cheese sandwiched between two griddle cakes, served with a side of greens dressed in a house made balsamic vinaigrette. Pour some maple syrup over that puppy and you get the perfect balance of savory and sweet that makes breakfast the best meal of the day.
On my most recent visit, I opted for something different and tried the pork belly and cornmeal waffle, a variation on fried chicken and waffles. It comes with 2 eggs your way and of course, the obligatory maple syrup over everything.
Pork Belly and Cornmeal Waffles
A couple points of comparison arose while eating this dish – firstly, that the portion of pork belly was much bigger than the last time I had this meal a few months ago, which was a pleasant surprise. The first time I tried the pork belly and waffle, the portion of pork belly was not big enough to get a bit of pork with each bite. However, this time the pork belly was definitely a lot more tough and dry, and had been over cooked. It was difficult to cut off a piece to have with each bite of waffle, and was quite chewy rather than fall-apart tender like it was the first time I tried it. Perhaps I just caught it on a bad day, because I know Skillet is capable of perfectly cooking their pork belly. The cornmeal waffle was perfectly cooked, and served as a great base for the egg and pork.
Regardless, I love Skillet and will keep coming back for the Little Rob, and will probably try the pork belly and waffle again. The waitstaff is charming and friendly, the atmosphere is lively, and the food is top notch.
Skillet Diner 1400 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122
