Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Grillbird – Seattle
Grillbird - Seattle
Photo from Grillbird
Grillbird at a glance
Seattle Phinney Ridge
- 🍜 Asian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 46 of the guests
#468 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#13 Asian Restaurant out of 20 in Seattle
Good
7.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
264
Reviews
69.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Portion sizes
- Grilled flavors
- Good service
Frequently criticized
- Food inconsistency
- Sterile ambiance
- Order errors
The restaurant Grillbird in Seattle’s vibrant Phinney Ridge neighborhood is your go-to spot for an authentic Asian culinary experience. This casual Asian restaurant offers a welcoming atmosphere where you can enjoy a quick bite or a leisurely meal.
With a focus on fresh flavors, Grillbird provides excellent vegan and vegetarian options, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone to savor in this bustling Seattle locale.
Overview: Introducting Grillbird
Grillbird offers a straightforward dining experience where the focus is largely on the food itself. Many appreciate the quality of their teriyaki and the generous portion sizes , often highlighting the attentive staff who aim to please.
However, some diners have noted inconsistencies in certain dishes and a less engaging atmosphere. While the price is frequently cited as offering good value, the overall vibe of the establishment doesn’t always resonate with everyone.
It appears to be a place that prioritizes efficiency and substantial meals over a cozy or distinctive dining environment.
Good
7.4
out of 10
264
Reviews
69.7%
Satisfaction
55
negative
25
neutral
184
positive
Grillbird achieves a respectable 7.4 overall score, indicating a generally positive reception. However, the Customer Satisfaction sits at 69.7%, suggesting a mixed bag of experiences for some patrons.
This slight divergence implies that while many find the restaurant good, a notable portion of diners have reservations, a sentiment reflected across 264 customer opinions, with 184 positive remarks against 55 negative ones. Delving into specifics, Food leads with a strong (7.6), often praised for its grilled items.
Service also performs well at (7.2), with staff frequently described as helpful. However, Ambience (6.5) and Value (6.3) lag slightly, indicating these aspects could benefit from attention to elevate the overall dining experience.
What people like
- Generous portion sizes
- Flavorful grilled items
- Responsive, fast service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Uninviting atmosphere
- Occasional order errors
For those seeking a substantial and generally flavorful meal, Grillbird presents a solid option, particularly if you appreciate well-prepared grilled dishes and generous servings. It’s a practical choice for a quick, satisfying meal, especially when value is a key consideration.
With a 7.5 recommendation score, Grillbird is worth considering if you prioritize food and efficient service over a distinctive dining atmosphere. Be mindful of potential inconsistencies in certain menu items and manage expectations regarding the overall ambiance.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Grillbird
Food (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a good score of 7.6 and a solid 73.3% customer satisfaction. Many of the 132 positive remarks praise the quality chicken, fresh and delicious dishes, and excellent portion sizes, often highlighting great flavors that leave diners satisfied and with leftovers. However, not every dish is a winner, as 31 critical comments point out.
Some found the meat to be dry or the sauce thin and overly sweet. There were also concerns about food being greasy or oily, suggesting some inconsistency in preparation.
Food
180
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
31
negative
17
neutral
132
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh and delicious
- Excellent portion sizes
- Quality ingredients
What people don't like
- Dry meat
- Overly sweet sauces
- Greasy/oily food
Often praised
- foodOur food was everything we hoped and more
- teriyakiThis place is Amazing! I had such good teriyaki and just loved all the food. It tastes like it’s fresh off the grill, and I want to know the recipe.
- bang bang chickenWe encountered an issue with one of the orders, but the staff went out of their way to make it right and remade it very quickly. I particularly vibed with the beef, katsu, and bang bang chicken. I also enjoyed the Mac salad and cucumbers.
- beefWe had the chicken and the beef...We loved them.
- chicken teriyakiAmazing chicken teriyaki, tender with perfectly textured and thickened sauce
- cucumbersAnd we also loved the sides especially the cucumbers.
- portion sizesThe portion sizes were filling
- sidesAnd we also loved the sides especially the cucumbers.
- Bang Bang ChickenOrder the Bang Bang Chicken!
- FoodFood:5
Frequently criticized
- riceThe rice, though, was doing its best impression of gravel — tough to get through.
- cucumber saladcucumber salad tasted like nothing to me, just vinegar
- foodI ordered takeout from this restaurant twice, once for lunch and once for dinner, and both experiences were disappointing. Overall, the food is overly saucy and oily. The chow mein was literally dripping with oil and lacked the usual mix of vegetables, coming only with bok choy.
- saucesThe sauces given with the meal were way too sweet.
- FoodFood is truly a 1 for me
- Greensout of stock issue with them on my last few visits
- accompanying sauceaccompanying sauce tasted just of ginger
- balanceA little more balance would go a long way.
- bam bam chickenThe other two dishes were absurdly sweet
- breadingI would strongly advise against it. The chicken katsu for lunch was decent, but the breading was dark and almost burnt-tasting. Later, we ordered the chicken katsu sando for our daughter, who normally loves anything involving meat, and she refused to eat it.
If you're looking for generous portions of flavorful, fresh food, this spot is definitely worth a try, especially for its chicken dishes. Just be mindful that some items might lean towards the sweeter or oilier side, so choose wisely.
Service (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 57% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.2 score, showing its a good experience for many. Customers often praise the helpfulness of the staff, easy online ordering setup, and the speedy pickup process. With 32 positive remarks out of 47, many appreciate the fast service and customer-centric approach.
However, its not always a smooth ride, as reflected in a mixed customer satisfaction of 68.1%. Some folks have encountered issues like long waiting times, order accuracy problems, and a perceived lack of attention to detail. There are 12 negative comments, with a few mentioning difficulties contacting staff or a confusing business model.
Service
47
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
12
negative
3
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Easy online ordering
- Fast pickup ready
What people don't like
- Order accuracy issues
- Long wait times
- Hard to contact
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was marked by great flavors and huge portions. The service was fast, earning a 5-star rating. The atmosphere also received a 5-star rating.
- customer serviceGrillbird's staff is incredible. They are kind, helpful
- staffThe staff were kind and attentive
- ServiceService:5
- OrderOrder was ready on time
- customer standingHowever, the business model itself feels inherently unfriendly. I found it annoying to be told I had to wait 15 minutes for a pickup order when I was a customer standing in the room; I believe the customer standing in the room should have priority. On a positive note, the lemonade was good.
- customer-centric approachThe customer centric approach shines through in every element of the two brands.
- fast placeGood, fast place to get a meal
- make it right/remake it very quicklywent out of their way to make it right/remake it very quickly
- online ordering setuptheir online ordering setup makes pick up easy
Frequently criticized
- attention to detailshows me a lack of attention to detail
- business modelbusiness model is by nature unfriendly
- contact anyoneYou cannot contact anyone
- issue with one of the ordersHad an issue with one of the orders
- misleading and deceptiveVery misleading and deceptive
- orderThey got our order massively wrong
- order accuracyI was excited to try this place, but I doubt I'll be back. My main issue was that I didn't get what I ordered. I specifically requested "make it spicy" for my teriyaki chicken and asked for white rice, but I received brown rice instead.
- order status screenscreen kept putting later orders ahead of mine
- order swapunfortunate coincidence with someone else with the same name
- staffStaff couldn’t explain why the $2 side was on the menu
If you value quick, easy ordering and generally friendly staff, youll likely have a good experience here. However, be aware that some customers have faced frustrating waits or order mix-ups. Its worth trying, especially if you order ahead, but double-check your order for accuracy.
Ambience (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
Many guests appreciate the new location and find the vibe and concept great, noting the impressive attention to detail. With 11 positive remarks out of 22 total, theres a definite buzz, contributing to a decent overall score of 6.5. However, the ambience isnt without its critics.
Some describe the place as a chop shop with limited seating and a sterile interior. A notable complaint, mentioned in 6 comments, is the surprising lack of a teriyaki scent, which some found off-putting, leading to a mixed customer satisfaction of 50%.
Ambience
22
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
6
negative
5
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Awesome new location
- Great vibe/concept
- Very clean
What people don't like
- Limited seating
- Sterile interior
- No teriyaki scent
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmosphereeasy , fast and pleasant
- addition to the neighborhoodWhat was particularly impressive was the huge amount of food for the price. This place is an amazing addition to the neighborhood.
- attention to detailThe attention to detail with the brand and concepts are so impressive.
- cleanIt was very clean
- conceptthe vibe and concept are great
- new locationThe new location is awesome
- this placeI love this place.
- vibethe vibe and concept are great
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereWhere Grillbird really suffers is its atmosphere.
- chop shopThis place is a chop shop
- interiorThe kitchen seemed disproportionately large for the front of house, and I recall only outdoor seating. The interior felt sterile and uninviting, with a lot of tile and basic TV displays. A significant letdown was the lack of teriyaki scent inside the building; I believe a good teriyaki place should be smelled before it's seen, and this was very off-putting.
- seatingLimited seating
- tables available outsideOnly a few tables available outside.
- teriyaki scentdespite being inside the building, you could barely smell the teriyaki.
If youre looking for a fresh spot with a modern vibe and dont mind potentially limited seating, you might enjoy the atmosphere. However, if a cozy, aromatic teriyaki experience is what you crave, you might find the interior a bit sterile and the lack of scent disappointing.
Value (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to value, opinions are a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.3, placing it in the average range. Many customers appreciate the fair prices and well priced food, often noting the price vs quality of ingredients as phenomenal, making it feel like some of the best deals around. Out of 15 customer comments, 9 were positive, highlighting generous portions and cost-effective meals.
However, not everyone agrees, as the customer satisfaction sits at 60%, indicating a mixed experience. Some found certain items over priced or pricey, feeling they were charging a premium. There were 6 negative comments, suggesting that while some find great value, others might feel the menu doesn't always deliver on price expectations.
Value
15
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
6
negative
0
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fair prices
- Great value
- Large portions
What people don't like
- Overpriced
- Charging premium
- Pricey
Often praised
- priceI found the food to be really fresh and delicious. What was particularly impressive was the huge amount of food for the price. This place is an amazing addition to the neighborhood.
- best dealsone of the best deals in Seattle
- fair pricesMy experience at this takeout joint was fantastic! The food was great and at fair prices. We tried the fried cauliflower with all the sauces, and it was absolutely delicious.
- price vs quality of ingredientsprice vs quality of ingredients is phenomenal
- valueI was impressed by the large portions and creative preparation. Hands down, it's the best bang for your buck.
- well priced foodI think Grillbird has well priced food
Frequently criticized
- pricewasn’t able to honor the price
- menuWas told it’s not offered and only available for an additional $9
- over pricedit's over priced
- premiumthey are charging a premium
- priceybut pricey
If youre looking for a good deal and large portions, youll likely find great value here. However, be mindful that some menu items might feel a bit expensive, so choose wisely to get the best bang for your buck.
How are the prices at Grillbird?
You’re looking at roughly 22 per person – reported by 46 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For an Asian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average hovers around 22, it’s interesting to see that many guests actually spend a bit less, often in the $11–$20 range. But hey, there are also a few who splurge for a more premium experience!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 46 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for an Asian spot in Seattle. It offers a good balance, catering to both those looking for a solid mid-range meal and those who might want to treat themselves a little.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Grillbird
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Amazing Teriyaki and Grilled Chicken!
This place is Amazing! I had such good teriyaki and just loved all the food. It tastes like it’s fresh off the grill, and I want to know the recipe.
There is only a takeout counter, and I don’t think there is any seating there though. I would recommend to any and all meat eaters who loveeee grilled chicken foods.
- teriyaki9
- food9
- fresh off the grill10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
9
Great GF Options and Bang Bang Chicken!
It was so great to have another spot with safe GF options. The bang bang chicken was so good and a nice change from my usual go-to GF spots. My friend and I preordered, and the meal was ready when we arrived.
However, there was a decent wait on a Friday night, so I would recommend ordering ahead. The portion sizes were filling. I would be excited to see a Grillbird open on the East side as well (fingers crossed).
I will definitely go back next time I’m in the area.
- safe GF options9
- bang bang chicken9
- portion sizes8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Incredible Value and Quality!
My experience at this restaurant was truly exceptional. I was absolutely blown away by the portion size, which is the largest I've seen for the price with teriyaki in over a decade. The quality of the food is also amazing.
For just $13, I received all of this, and I couldn't recommend it more!
- portion size10
- quality10
- price10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Top-Notch Teriyaki and Katsu!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially with their teriyaki. The quality of ingredients for the price was phenomenal. I also highly recommend trying their katsu.
- teriyaki10
- price vs quality of ingredients10
- katsu9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Good Teriyaki and Meat-to-Rice Ratio
My experience at this restaurant was positive. I enjoyed the good teriyaki and the very nice meat to rice ratio. Following staff recommendations, I tried the teriyaki and the bam-bam mix supper.
The bam-bam was slightly spicy but not overly so. It's a good, fast place to get a meal.
- teriyaki8
- meat to rice ratio9
- bam-bam mix supper7
What Grillbird offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Offerings
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Catering
- Counter service
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and dietary choices can you find at Grillbird Phinney?
At Grillbird Phinney, you can enjoy flexible dining with lunch, dinner, and catering services, plus convenient counter service. For dietary needs, you’ll find a variety of delicious vegan and vegetarian options available to savor.
Is Grillbird Phinney accessible and family-friendly?
Yes, Grillbird Phinney is welcoming for everyone. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance and restroom for comfort. It’s also great for kids, and if you’re dining with your furry friend, dogs are allowed in the outside seating areas.
How does Grillbird generally rate among diners?
Grillbird holds a 7.4 overall score, with Food leading at 7.6 and Service at 7.2. Ambience (6.5) and Value (6.3) are seen as areas for improvement.
What are the highlights and common issues with Grillbird's food?
Diners often praise the teriyaki , bang bang chicken , and generous portion sizes . However, some found the rice tough, sauces too sweet, or dishes overly saucy and oily .
What should I expect regarding the atmosphere and service at Grillbird?
While the staff is generally described as kind and fast , some found the atmosphere sterile or uninviting with limited seating. There were also occasional concerns about order accuracy .