Athenian Inn

04/23/2008 Posted by MartinFranklinTN

We were fornatute enough to have a waitperson that told us that they are not fresh oysters so we did not get them. wWe did get the Crab cacktail and it was wonderful. Nice view, ask for a window seat.

Pros: great view

Cons: According to staff some of the food not of the highest caliber.

02/26/2008 Posted by racytasmith

I have been living/ visiting the Seattle area for over 35 years and have eaten here many times and today was the worst foodI have ever had. I ordered steamed clams and they came in a bowl of hot water! Very disappointing. I paid a pretty steep price for a small portion. I had crab cakes that tasted of very little crab and mostly bread crumbs, basically just slapped on the grill and then slapped onto the plate. Very unappetizing. The other diners at my table had the clam chowder (equally tasteless), and a beef sandwich that was .onlysemi tasty. Service was ok. This restaurant was one of the markets most recognizable icons and has been such great place to eat in the past, it left me wondering what happened! I am hoping this was just an off day and I am not willing to say I will never come back, so I hope better meals are ahead.

02/25/2008 Posted by stella_gifford

I just had lunch at the Athenian Inn Restaurant. As a local here in Seattle I have tried a good deal of the restaurants in the Pike Place area, and I have to say, this one was absolutely, positively horrible. I went during lunch and was stunned to sit down to a 200-item menu. After about 10 minutes of mulling through their gigantic selection (which is not a good thing, by the way) I selected the Crab Salad Sandwich. What I got back (in less than 3 minutes... also not a good sign) was a lump of cold crab, celery and cheap mayo mixture on two pieces of what had to be thick WonderBread. It was tasteless, the texture was gross, the presentation was horrible, and to top it off it cost about $3.00 more than it should have (the sandwich was around $5.00). My friend, whom I ate with at the restaurant, got a pastry stuffed with cheese and ham, which was also not only tiny but grotesque in presentation and flavor. I absolutely would not recommend this place to anyone. If you are hungry, and there is nothing else open (IE Lowell's right next door) grab some fresh fruit from across the hallway and be on your way. Trust me, you'll be MUCH better off. Someone should buy out this restaurant, gut it and make it a landmark restaurant. Right now it's just a waste of space and an embarrassment to Pikes Place Market.

Pros: Good View - if you sit by the windows. Prices wouldn't be bad if the food was even remotely good.

Cons: EVERYTHING. Staff; Cleanliness; Service; FOOD is absolutely horrid.

11/14/2006 Posted by blue_highways

Pike Place Market has so many offerings to satisfy any taste, but I've found the Athenian Inn to be my favorite. Yes, its usually crouded as is the market. But I've never had any problem being seated immediately. There isn't a better location to enjoy a hearty bowl of Seafood Bisque and a pint of Pike Pale Ale. There is a counter for dining,but the tables provide views of passing ferries across Elliott Bay.

04/18/2003 Posted by kneedragr1

The Athenian is mostly famous because of that movie with what's-his-face, and they're still milking that publicity. This is actually a pretty cool spot, if a little dingy. Good views. Service is very friendly and prices are reasonable, but the food is mediocre at best. The clam chowder tasted like it came out of a can, and the fish 'n' chips looked liked frozen Van de Kamp's. Everything appeared to be pre-processed, pre-prepared generic fare. I guess the tourists can't tell the difference, but if you want REAL fresh fish and chowder, walk across the aisle to the Market Grill, get a blackened halibut sandwich and a cup of one of the best home-made chowders in Seattle. Home-made tartar and cole slaw too.

Pros: Good location, Great views, Good service

Cons: Disappointing food

06/22/2002 Posted by acontorer

Located right in Pike Place Market with a beautiful view, The Athenian offers a gigantic menu of very traditional American and Northwest-style foods in a very old-fashioned, attitude-free, giant diner-like atmosphere. Expect to see people smoking and drinking at all hours. None of the food is outstanding, but it's all solid and exactly what you'd expect it to be. Portions are large, prices modest. The staff are friendly and a bit sassy. Many blue-collar locals eat here. For ordinary American food in an extraordinary American location, this is a good choice. Bonus: you can sit at the counter where Tom Hanks sat in "Sleepless in Seattle."

Pros: Location, Fair price, Staff attitude

Cons: Old-fashioned, Modest quality, No decor