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oChef » Hole In the Wall – Seattle
Hole In the Wall - Seattle
Photo from Hole In the Wall
Hole In the Wall at a glance
Seattle West Edge
- 🍖 Barbecue Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 51 of the guests
#101 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#2 Barbecue Restaurant out of 4 in Seattle
Excellent
8.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
504
Reviews
88.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Exceptional BBQ
- Great service
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Limited seating
- Grimy area
The restaurant Hole In the Wall is a quintessential barbecue restaurant nestled in Seattle’s vibrant West Edge neighborhood. If you’re craving authentic, smoky flavors in a casual atmosphere, you’ve found your spot.
This eatery is perfect for a quick bite, offering a relaxed setting where you can savor delicious barbecue. Whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeout, or opting for delivery, you’ll experience the true taste of slow-cooked goodness right here.
Overview: Introducting Hole In the Wall
Hole In the Wall offers a compelling experience, particularly with its well-regarded BBQ and attentive service. Many appreciate the flavorful meats and the welcoming nature of the staff.
It’s a place where the culinary offerings often leave a lasting impression. While the overall atmosphere is generally pleasant, some note the limited seating as a minor point.
However, the positive interactions and the quality of the main dishes often overshadow these small considerations, making it a worthwhile stop.
Excellent
8.6
out of 10
504
Reviews
88.3%
Satisfaction
32
negative
27
neutral
445
positive
Overall, the establishment earns a strong 8.6 score, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. Customer satisfaction stands at a commendable 88.3%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
This high regard is built on a solid foundation of positive feedback, with 445 positive comments outweighing just 32 negative ones out of 504 total opinions. The culinary offerings truly shine, with Food scoring an excellent (8.5), often described as flavorful and substantial.
Service also stands out as excellent (9.1), with staff frequently praised for their helpfulness. The Ambience (8.0) and Value (7.9) both register as good, suggesting a pleasant setting and reasonable pricing, rounding out a well-received experience.
What people like
- Exceptional BBQ dishes
- Outstanding customer service
- Great value pricing
What people don't like
- Limited seating space
- Unappealing surrounding area
With a strong recommendation score of 8.8, this spot is certainly worth considering, especially if you appreciate well-prepared BBQ and attentive service. It delivers a satisfying experience where the quality of the food and the warmth of the staff truly stand out.
While the dining space might be compact, the overall positive experience makes it a solid choice for a casual meal. If you’re seeking a place with genuine hospitality and robust flavors, you’ll likely find Hole In the Wall a rewarding visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Hole In the Wall
Food (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the grub! This place really hits the mark for many, with the food earning an impressive 8.5 score. Based on a whopping 310 positive sentiments out of 351 total, customers are clearly loving the "tender, melt in your mouth, pulled meat, " especially the "brisket" and "pulled pork.
" Many rave about the "smokey bbq flavor, " "amazing BBQ sauce, " and even the "delicious cornbread. " However, its not always perfect, with 24 negative comments pointing out a few areas for improvement. Some found the meat to be dry at times, a bun could be soggy, and there were mentions of pulled chicken being flavorless.
Despite these minor hiccups, the overall customer satisfaction sits at a strong 88.3%, indicating a generally excellent dining experience.
Food
351
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
24
negative
17
neutral
310
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Tender, flavorful meat
- Authentic BBQ taste
- Delicious sides
What people don't like
- Meat can be dry
- Buns get soggy
- Chicken lacks flavor
Often praised
- brisketNow the best part - the food! We ordered brisket, pulled pork, hot links, ribs, potato salad, coleslaw, beans, and cornbread. Everything was incredible!
- foodMy wife and I are from Tallahassee, Florida, and are in town seeing the sights for a few more days. Lunch today was my choice, and you knocked it out of the park. The brisket sandwich and hot link were amazing.
- BBQMy experience at this restaurant was f*ing delicious. I honestly can't comprehend why people wait in line next door for carbs when they could be eating god's own BBQ here. It's beyond my comprehension.
- pulled porkThe customer service was amazing. The staff was incredibly helpful and even hooked me up with a combo “Pile” featuring brisket, pulled pork, and spicy sausage, all served on a bed of bbq beans and cornbread. The smokey bbq flavor was absolutely perfect.
- chilithe chili was hands down the best I've ever had
- cornbreadMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the combo with brisket, pulled pork, and cornbread, along with a side of chili. The portions were absolutely huge, and I'm not sure how I managed to finish it all.
- ribsI have 4 words to describe the TASTE 👅… OUT—OF—THIS—WORLD! If you don’t get down here and order some bbq for lunch one of these days I will tack you down and force feed you fall off the bone ribs until you ask for forgiveness for not doing it on your own! BOMB!
- sauceOn a scale from 1 to Awesome, this place is doubleplus UH-MAZING. The meats are always excellent, tender and moist and tasty; I like that I can get mild sauce or spicy sauce or half-and-half. Their cornbread is a little on the sweet side, but still exceptionally tasty.
- beansNow the best part - the food! We ordered brisket, pulled pork, hot links, ribs, potato salad, coleslaw, beans, and cornbread. Everything was incredible!
- potato saladHole pile for a stomach slam, or beef brisket sandwich to wash your worries away. Killer potato salad. I miss this place so much; I wish I was still living in Seattle.
Frequently criticized
- brisketThe brisket and chicken were completely flavorless
- BBQStay away from this place if you like real Barbecue
- cornbreadEven the cornbread couldn’t make me like the food more
- meatThe two gentlemen working clearly enjoy their jobs and made the experience pleasant in that regard. Unfortunately, the meat itself just missed the mark, which is hard to overlook at a BBQ restaurant.
- BBQ Sandwichprobably not the BBQ
- BBQ gameTheir BBQ game (for the brisket at least) is terribly weak
- beansThe beans...who's ever heard of sweet ranch style beans
- bunThe bun was very soggy
- chickenThe brisket and chicken were completely flavorless
- coleslaw sideThe coleslaw side has a bit too much vinegar
If you're craving some seriously good barbecue, this spot is definitely worth a visit. While a few minor issues like dry meat or soggy buns pop up occasionally, the overwhelming consensus points to delicious, authentic BBQ that will likely leave you very satisfied.
Service (9.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
Get ready for some truly exceptional service! With an impressive score of 9.1 and a fantastic 95% customer satisfaction, it's clear the staff here go above and beyond. Customers consistently rave about the friendly staff, great service, and quick service, often highlighting how ready on time orders are.
Out of 100 comments, a whopping 95 were positive, praising the attentive and welcoming team. While the service shines brightly, a mere 3 comments out of 100 touched on minor points. Some wished for dinner hours, indicating a desire for more availability rather than issues with the service itself.
One unique mention involved a pitmaster interaction, but overall, there are no significant concerns regarding the quality or friendliness of the team.
Service
100
Reviews
95%
Satisfaction
3
negative
2
neutral
95
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Great customer service
What people don't like
Often praised
- serviceEveryone was so wonderful from the service to the food.
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was absolutely wonderful. I had a delicious bbq sammie and was served by super friendly staff. I left feeling full and happy.
- customer servicewent out of their way to provide great customer service
- ServiceThe Service was excellent, rated 5/5
- DianeIt's clear the owners take pride in their cooking and use only top quality ingredients. We also have to give special thanks to Diane, the owner, who personally helped deliver the food and went above and beyond to help us get everything set up in our chafing dishes. She was also a joy to work with throughout the planning/order process.
- ownerThe owner is so friendly and nice
- ownersThe ribs fall right off, the pulled pork is 🤩 and it was easily one of the best meals we had while in Seattle. Plus, the owners gave us so many amazing recommendations on where to visit and played a huge part in making our trip fantastic. We will be back the next time we are in Seattle!
- peoplepeople are great
- ready on timeEverything was ready on time and so delicious!
- ChuckChuck provided friendly delivery
Frequently criticized
- dinner hoursWish they had dinner hours too though
- pitmasterthe "pitmaster" of this shop tracked me down on Facebook
- regular business hoursdon't want to eat outside of regular business hours
If you value a welcoming atmosphere and efficient service, this spot is definitely worth a visit. You can expect a friendly and quick experience, making it a reliable choice for your next meal. Don't hesitate to check it out!
Ambience (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark! With a good score of 8 and a good customer satisfaction of 77.1%, its clear many folks enjoy the setting. Out of 35 total opinions, 27 rave about the "atmosphere, " "southern atmosphere, " and "ambiance, " often calling it a "perfect place" or a "quaint environment.
" Guests appreciate the clean, casual interior and even the good music. However, its not without its quirks. A few of the 35 opinions, specifically 5, point out some downsides.
Concerns revolve around the physical setup, room inside, and seating, with some finding it a hole-in-the-wall that isnt ideal for dining in. There are also mentions of the "grimy area" where its located, suggesting the exterior might not be as inviting.
Ambience
35
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
5
negative
3
neutral
27
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Quaint environment
- Clean interior
What people don't like
- Limited seating
- Grimy location
Often praised
- atmosphereNice, mellow atmosphere
- AtmosphereThe service was excellent, rated 5/5, and the food was top-notch, earning a 5/5. The atmosphere was also very enjoyable, with a rating of 4/5. I had lunch, and the price per person was between $20–30.
- restaurantReally nice restaurant
- Pike PierWalking distance of Pike Pier
- ambiancelove the ambiance
- clean casual interiora clean casual interior
- environmentsuch a wonderful and quaint environment
- family-run establishmentpleasant family-run establishment
- ferryIt pairs well with beans, or you can opt for a bowl of chili. This spot is great for tourists visiting Seattle, as it's conveniently within walking distance of Pike Place Market and the ferry.
- hole in the wall placeNice hole in a wall place
Frequently criticized
- grimy arealocated in such a grimy area of downtown.
- physical setupthe physical setup is not set up to enjoy the food dining in
- room insideNot much room inside to eat
- seatingLimited seating but the food is phenomenal
- space to sitnot much space to sit
If you're looking for a place with a generally pleasant and unique atmosphere, especially for a casual meal or a chat, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that seating can be limited and the immediate surroundings might not be the prettiest, so plan accordingly if dining in is a priority.
Value (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 14% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines! With a solid score of 7.9 and customer satisfaction at 72.2%, its clear that guests are happy with what theyre paying. Out of 18 comments, 13 specifically praised the affordable place, great prices, and even the convenience of Square as payment.
Whats even better is that out of all the feedback, there wasnt a single negative comment regarding the value, prices, or payment options. It seems everyone agrees this place offers excellent bang for your buck!
Value
18
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
0
negative
5
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Great value
- Easy payment
What people don't like
Often praised
- priceI also planned to return for the Monday special, meatloaf, but unfortunately, I didn't make it back. I don't recall the exact cost, but it must have been very reasonable given my desire to return. Overall, I love supporting small, mom-and-pop establishments, and this place truly went out of their way to provide great customer service and options!
- pricesprices are dirt cheap for seattle
- Square as paymentNow that they have Square as payment it is even better
- affordable placeVery affordable place for good food.
- moneyWell worth your money!
- paymentI placed a catering order for pick up via the website. Ordering was super easy, as was payment. The directions are clear and easy to follow.
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre looking for a place that wont break the bank, this is definitely it. With consistently praised affordable prices and convenient payment, you can expect great value for your money here. It's a solid choice if budget is a top priority.
How are the prices at Hole In the Wall?
You’re looking at roughly 19 per person – reported by 51 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Barbecue Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most guests stick right around this average, with a strong cluster in the $11–$20 range. While there are a few outliers spending less or more, the majority find their sweet spot in that mid-range.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 51 reviews.
How does this Barbecue Restaurant’s value stack up against others in Seattle?
For a Barbecue Restaurant, we feel the pricing is quite fair. It offers a solid mid-range experience, and most diners seem to agree, keeping their spending right in that sweet spot.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Hole In the Wall
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Awesome BBQ and Great Atmosphere!
My experience at this restaurant was awesome! I enjoyed the excellent BBQ and the good folks who served me. The prices were decent, and the atmosphere was nice and mellow.
They are open for lunch hours, from 11 am to around 2ish. It's truly a gem!
- BBQ10
- folks9
- prices7
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Exceptional Service and Delicious BBQ
I reached out with a few questions to the email address listed on the website and received a quick response from Diane, the owner. Although I had never been to Seattle, I enjoy trying BBQ when I travel, having lived in Texas for several years. I was initially concerned about their limited hours (Mon-Fri 11 am-2: 30 pm), as I also like to purchase sauces from different places to try.
Diane was incredibly accommodating, offering to leave the sauce with a neighboring business or even ship it to me if I couldn't make it during business hours. Fortunately, I was able to adjust my trip dates and enjoy lunch there. Upon arrival, the cook recognized me from my email exchanges with Diane about sauce and thanked me for visiting.
I purchased two mild sauces, one spicy sauce, and one ghost pepper sauce. When they didn't have ghost pepper sauce ready, the cook kindly offered to make some for me, which I gladly accepted. I ordered a brisket sandwich and baked beans.
The brisket was good, though I prefer it chopped rather than sliced. The sauce and beans were amazing. I do wish they had mac and cheese, as that's my usual BBQ side.
I had wanted to try the spicy sausage but was too full. I also planned to return for the Monday special, meatloaf, but unfortunately, I didn't make it back. I don't recall the exact cost, but it must have been very reasonable given my desire to return.
Overall, I love supporting small, mom-and-pop establishments, and this place truly went out of their way to provide great customer service and options! Diane, sorry about your Mariners getting swept by my Dodgers, but thank you again for the outstanding customer service!
- customer service10
- sauce9
- baked beans9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Best BBQ and Ambiance!
My experience at this restaurant was superb! I found it to be the ultimate best BBQ in town. The ambiance was also fantastic, and I particularly loved the honey glazed cornbread.
The food, service, and atmosphere all received a perfect score of 5.
- BBQ10
- ambiance10
- honey glazed cornbread10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
3
Disappointing Flavors, Great Service
I had high hopes for this spot, but unfortunately, I left disappointed. The brisket and chicken were completely flavorless; it felt like all the seasoning was left to the BBQ sauce. The spicy links were the only thing with any real flavor, but even those weren’t enough to carry the meal.
Even the cornbread couldn’t make me like the food more. If this is what barbecue is supposed to taste like, then I guess I’m a hater. On the positive side, the service was excellent.
The two gentlemen working clearly enjoy their jobs and made the experience pleasant in that regard. Unfortunately, the meat itself just missed the mark, which is hard to overlook at a BBQ restaurant.
- spicy links5
- service9
- brisket2
- chicken2
- cornbread3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Incredible BBQ, Highly Recommended!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The staff was very friendly and very nice. The food was extremely good, some of the best BBQ I've ever had.
I would definitely recommend trying this place.
- staff10
- BBQ10
What Hole In the Wall offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Catering
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at Hole In the Wall BBQ?
At Hole In the Wall BBQ, you can enjoy a variety of dining options including lunch and dinner. They also offer catering services for your events, and don’t forget to check out their dessert menu for a sweet finish.
Does Hole In the Wall BBQ offer takeout or delivery services?
Yes, Hole In the Wall BBQ provides convenient service options. You can choose to dine-in, pick up your order with their takeout service, or have your delicious barbecue delivered right to you.
What is the overall assessment of Hole In the Wall?
Hole In the Wall receives a strong overall score of 8.6 with 88.3% customer satisfaction. Its Service (9.1) and Food (8.5) are particularly well-regarded, while Ambience (8.0) and Value (7.9) also contribute positively to the experience.
What kind of food can I expect at Hole In the Wall?
You can expect a focus on BBQ, with many customers praising dishes like brisket, pulled pork, chili, and ribs for their flavor and quality. While some specific items occasionally receive mixed feedback, the BBQ offerings are generally a highlight.
Is Hole In the Wall suitable for dining in?
While the atmosphere is generally described as pleasant and casual, customers note that there is limited seating available. Some also mention the surrounding area as less appealing, suggesting it might be better suited for a quick meal or takeout.