Serves: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Multiple locations; 415 Seventh Ave. S., 621-0532. INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT
Salumi
Garrett Mukai
Beautiful bún bowls at Green Leaf.
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Here's how not to eat at Salumi: "Hey, neighbor, it's noon and Friday, you wanna walk over to Batali's and grab a sammy?" You'll end up at the end of a snaking line toward King Street with an empty stomach and envy in your eyes. Last winter I witnessed a longer line out the Salumi door than at the nearby Union Gospel Mission. I was so hungry, frustrated, and down on my (relative) luck that I nearly hit up the latter. So here's what to do if you want a bite of Seattle's best artisan sandwich: Show up at 10:30 a.m. (30 minutes before opening) on a Wednesday. Bring the new issue of Seattle Weekly, and wait. You're gonna wait no matter what, so you may as well do it knowing that all the menu options will still be available when you reach the front of the line (a highly dubious proposition later in the day). Of course you could also wait until there's a freak snowstorm and the streets are covered in ice, stroll down to find the restaurant all to yourself, and not bring any food back for the rest of the office. (I'm looking at you, boss.) CHRIS KORNELIS
Serves: lunch. 309 Third Ave. S., 621-8772. DOWNTOWNsalumicuredmeats.com
Skillet Street Food
Skillet in the winter is neither for the faint nor sclerotic of heart; one must brave the cold to order one's food from the Airstream trailer, and, unlike in summer, the menu focuses almost exclusively on fatty meats. But the lines form for a reason, as you'll learn when you try "The Burger." Cambazola, something called "bacon jam," and the best beef this side of Jen vs. Angelina form one juicy, delicious, brioche-sandwiched mass. To balance things out, there's a little arugula for roughage and a side of perfectly greased hand-cut fries for carbs. Wash it all down with a homemade soda. Skillet sets up exclusively in parking lots (check the Web site for the schedule). So pony up, grab a curb, and see what Dick's and its ilk would be like if they were unbelievably tasty, rather than just nostalgic and rapper-endorsed. DAMON AGNOS
Serves: lunch. Various locations.skilletstreetfood.com
Tacos El Asadero
There are many taco trucks around the city, but for South Enders there is only one Taco Bus: Tacos El Asadero. Its iconic status stems in part from the atmosphere. Yes, it has a tattered metal exterior, but unlike many taco trucks, you can actually walk inside, see the kitchen, and eat while sitting on stools that come out of a '50s diner. Over on one side, by the kitchen, there are trays loaded with unusually fresh and plump side fixings: radishes, limes, and spicy carrots and peppers. Then there are the main courses. Four dollars and 50 cents buys you many items, including a torta overflowing with meat, tomato, lettuce, and cilantro. Some taco buses charge extra for avocado, but Tacos El Asadero provides a separate dish full of thick slices, all gratis. So what if you ordered chicken and got beef instead? What are you doing ordering in English? NINA SHAPIRO
3517 Rainier Ave. S. RAINIER VALLEY
Veraci Pizza
When Veraci started wheeling a wood-burning clay oven into farmers market parking lots, Seattle got in line. You could call it thin-crust pizza with a dog-and-pony show—and who wouldn't like watching their dinner get twirled to toasty perfection by a fire god whose sole job is to coddle your pie? But with their newest oven, permanently installed well out of hand-warming reach in a former Domino's, Veraci proves that their pizzas are more about flavor than fanfare. Layered with zingy sauces, topped with fresh, often local ingredients (think Beecher's cheese and mole salami), and usually kissed with a few fat blisters, Veraci's pies deserve the cult status they're developing in North Seattle. Of course, there's still a line. Call in your order ahead to cut the weekend wait from excruciating to annoying. JESS THOMSON
Serves: lunch, dinner. Farmers markets or 500 N.W. Market St., 525-1813. BALLARDveracipizza.com
A FEW MORE CHEAPIES WE LOVE: Cafe Yamarka, Elliott Bay Cafe, Gyro House, Seattle Deli, Slim's Last Chance Chili Shack, Phnom Penh Noodle House.
