Bar/Club

When you have the word "chili" sculpted in neon right over your front door, you can't mess around, and this old-school Ballard joint delivers a bowl of chili that's worth a neon sign 10 times the size. Tangy, hearty and superlatively meaty, Mike's chili is a throwback to the days when Ballard's working population did real work, pulling barges and lifting bales. Enjoyed with a cold beer and a handful of oyster crackers for lunch, just one small bowl is more than enough to carry you through to a late dinner. And if you're really hungry, they'll happily spread some chili on a burger or over spaghetti.

As for the vibe of the establishment, it's as easygoing as a bar can be. Whether you're in the mood to actually talk about the neighborhood you live in, or just watch a game on TV, the relaxed atmosphere of Mike's accepts all. Just take care not to ask for abuse, because if you look at the menu above the bar, you'll see that the management has gone to the trouble of listing it. The price of "abuse"? Free, of course.

By Geoff Carter
NWsource staff