Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Ma’ono – Seattle
Ma’ono - Seattle
Photo from Ma’ono
Ma’ono at a glance
Seattle University District
- 🍗 Chicken Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 86 of the guests
#624 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#6 Chicken Restaurant out of 21 in Seattle
Good
6.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
575
Reviews
63.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fried chicken
- Good service
- Nice ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Food inconsistency
- Slow service
- Loud environment
The restaurant Ma’ono is a popular Chicken Restaurant located in Seattle’s vibrant University District. Situated inside Rachel’s Ginger Beer, this spot offers a casual atmosphere where you can enjoy a quick bite.
You’ll find it’s a great place for lunch or dinner, providing a relaxed setting for you to dine in or grab takeout.
Overview: Introducting Ma’ono
Ma’ono generally earns praise for its core offering, with many customers highlighting the quality of its chicken sandwich and overall food. The atmosphere also contributes positively to the dining experience, making it a pleasant spot.
However, some diners have noted inconsistencies in portion sizes and preparation, which can impact the overall impression. While the service often receives compliments for its friendliness and helpfulness, there are occasional reports of longer waiting times or issues with order accuracy.
The price point is a mixed bag, with some finding it reasonable for the quality, while others feel it can be a bit steep for what’s offered.
Good
6.8
out of 10
575
Reviews
63.5%
Satisfaction
155
negative
55
neutral
365
positive
Ma’ono holds a respectable overall score of 6.8, placing it firmly in the good category. Customer satisfaction, however, sits at a more mixed 63.5%.
This indicates that while many patrons leave content, a notable portion have reservations. These insights are drawn from a substantial pool of 575 customer comments, with 365 positive observations and 155 negative ones.
Looking closer at the specifics, the Food (7.2) is clearly a strong point, frequently earning high marks. The Ambience (6.6) also contributes positively to the experience.
However, Service (5.8) appears to be an area with room for improvement, and Value (4.2) is perceived as average, suggesting that some customers find the pricing a bit high for the experience.
What people like
- Delicious fried chicken
- Friendly, helpful service
- Pleasant dining atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent chicken quality
- Occasional slow service
- Loud, limited seating
If you’re seeking a spot with genuinely good fried chicken and a welcoming vibe, Ma’ono is certainly worth considering. The overall experience, supported by a recommendation score of 7.1, suggests it’s a solid choice for many.
Just be prepared for a casual setting and focus on their signature dishes. However, it’s wise to manage expectations regarding consistency, particularly with food preparation and service speed.
While often a pleasant visit, occasional hiccups mean it might not be the perfect fit if you prioritize flawless execution and quiet dining above all else.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Ma’ono
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
When it comes to food, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.2 score and 70% customer satisfaction, indicating a good experience for many. Out of 423 comments, a solid 296 rave about the delicious offerings. Guests particularly love the chicken sandwich, often described as crispy and juicy, along with fries, kimchi mac and cheese, and the house-made ranch.
Many praise the quality chicken and great flavor overall. However, not all experiences are perfect, with 89 negative comments pointing to some areas for improvement. Concerns include dry or even undercooked chicken, too salty fries, and occasional bland flavor.
Some also noted issues with portion size and food being served cold, suggesting a bit of inconsistency in execution.
Food
423
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
89
negative
38
neutral
296
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Exceptional chicken sandwich
- Crispy, juicy chicken
- Delicious sides and sauces
What people don't like
- Dry or raw chicken
- Inconsistent quality
- Overly salty food
Often praised
- chickenThe fries and chicken were absolutely top-notch. While I was working on their machine, Ruth treated me to some delicious chicken that I just couldn't resist.
- friesI have supported the U-Village store throughout Covid and have always enjoyed their chicken sandwich and fries. Today I purchased 3 sandwiches for my family and all three were shrunken pieces of dried, rubbery chicken breast.
- fried chickenMy experience at the restaurant was great! They have a simple menu with everything you could want for the best fried chicken. An added bonus was that it's located inside the same building as Rachel's Ginger Beer, which was a pleasant surprise.
- chicken sandwichWhenever I visit the university village to help my wife shop, I make sure to stop at Maona for their amazing chicken sandwich and fries. Be warned, even the medium sandwich is quite spicy.
- foodThe food was fantastic and generous.
- fried chicken sandwichIt's a nice place with both indoor and outdoor seating options. I've been coming here for years specifically for their fried chicken sandwich, and I highly suggest you give it a try. The food quality, service, and atmosphere all contribute to a great dining experience.
- ginger beerthe ginger beer nicely compliments/finishes off the fried chicken
- daikon picklesI may cry but it’s tears of joy! The fried chicken sandwich is the best, so simple but everything you need… a soft brioche bun, kewpie mayo, lettuce, and those delicious daikon pickles. If you go for the tenders, they are generously sized.
- picklesTheir fried chicken sandwich and their pickles are great
- sandwichThe sandwich was amazing with perfect crunch, juicy, well seasoned fried chicken and a spicy sauce
Frequently criticized
- chickenI had heard that ma'ono serves the best fried chicken sandwich in Seattle, but my experience was absolute trash. The chicken was incredibly dry, and the batter and seasoning did little to help. I ordered medium spice, but I didn't taste even the faintest bit of spice, and it's an extra charge to get it any hotter.
- friesthe fries at warm to cooler temp made them not quite as tasty
- sandwichVery bad for an eighteen dollar sandwich
- chicken sandwichI have supported the U-Village store throughout Covid and have always enjoyed their chicken sandwich and fries. Today I purchased 3 sandwiches for my family and all three were shrunken pieces of dried, rubbery chicken breast. Hard to eat.
- breadingThis breading wasn't even crunchy at all - it mostly just stuck to the inside of the meat and provided an outer layer that was more painful to eat than anything else
- bunthe bun tastes awful
- fried chickenpay a fortune for fried chicken
- honey mustard saucehoney mustard sauce which was a little too watery
- picklesI waited around 30 minutes on a calm Wednesday night for my order, only to receive raw chicken. Additionally, the pickles that used to be inside the dish were missing. The overpriced meal consisted of only 3 pieces of undercooked chicken.
- raw chickenMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I waited around 30 minutes on a calm Wednesday night for my order, only to receive raw chicken. Additionally, the pickles that used to be inside the dish were missing.
If you're craving a potentially exceptional fried chicken sandwich with tasty sides, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some guests have reported inconsistencies in chicken quality and seasoning, so manage your expectations for every visit.
Service (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
On the positive side, many customers appreciate the friendly and helpful staff, often highlighting smooth takeout and online ordering experiences. Terms like customer service and staff frequently appear in the 37 positive remarks, praising quick service and willingness to make spice adjustments. While the overall score is an average 5.8, theres a definite appreciation for the positive interactions.
However, the service isnt without its hiccups. A significant number of guests, 32 out of 75 total comments, reported issues like order mistakes, waiting time, and even bad service or staff attitude. Concerns include wrong orders, long waits, and a lack of resolution for problems, leading to a 49.3% customer satisfaction that indicates a mixed experience with room for improvement.
Service
75
Reviews
49%
Satisfaction
32
negative
6
neutral
37
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Easy online ordering
What people don't like
- Order mistakes
- Long waiting times
- Poor staff attitude
Often praised
- serviceThe service is also pretty good. Friendly
- staffstaff are really friendly and helpful
- ServiceService:5
- Customer serviceCustomer service is excellent
- RuthRuth and the lovely cook are just the sweetest
- coming here againcoming here again, promise!
- customer serviceCustomer service was great
- exchange for a new onethey exchange me for a new one
- lady behind the counterThe lady behind the counter was awesome.
- lovely cookRuth and the lovely cook are just the sweetest
Frequently criticized
- waiting timeWaited over an hour because they lost the order
- serviceThe service lacking since the only available server was busy
- tipthe woman that was taking our order ended up CLICKING the tip HERSELF
- audacityhow she had the audacity to pick her own tip without even asking me
- bad serviceWhen I brought it to their attention at the window, they confirmed it was raw, threw it in the garbage, and then simply walked away without offering any resolution. This was a complete waste of money and demonstrated bad service. While I have had good chicken here before, this incident has completely turned me off from returning.
- experiencethe experience sucked
- extra sauceMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the overpriced chicken and the extremely stingy sauce portions. We paid a fortune for fried chicken, only to have to beg for extra sauce. The sauce is the main reason for visiting this chicken joint, yet they serve it in tiny thimbles.
- food on a rackno one told us it would be there
- glass of waterhard to get glass of water
- line to order drinksThe drumsticks were also undercooked. Additionally, there was not enough seating, and we had to stand in a separate line to order drinks, which contributed to a poor overall experience.
Overall, service here seems to be a bit of a gamble. If youre lucky, youll get friendly, quick help, especially with takeout. However, be prepared for potential order mix-ups or longer waits, as customer satisfaction is a mixed bag.
Ambience (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot offers a pretty decent experience, with a 6.6 score that lands it squarely in the average range. Customers seem to have a mixed bag of feelings, with satisfaction at 64.1%. Based on 39 comments, with 25 positive and 11 negative, many appreciate the convenient parking, the option for indoor and outdoor seating, and the overall atmosphere and location.
However, some guests found the music to be too loud, contributing to a general noise issue. There were also concerns about limited seating and the overall feel of the restaurant space, with a few finding it a bit hard to spot or nothing special.
Ambience
39
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
11
negative
3
neutral
25
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great location
- Indoor/outdoor seating
- Nice vibe
What people don't like
- Loud music
- Limited seating
- Hard to find
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmospherenice atmosphere
- locationHowever, the fries were overly seasoned with salt. We dined in and sat at the bar while waiting, and I found the atmosphere to be nice, with a great location in the U village with lots to do.
- ambiancegreat vibes. There is indoor and outdoor seating. There's a beautiful view of the area outside and great people watching.
- ambienceAmbience at this West Seattle location is also great
- atmospheric spota fantastic atmospheric spot
- cool seatingThe downside for Marshall was the service and staff during COVID, which they described as rude and annoying, though they noted it's less intrusive now. Marshall did appreciate the cool seating and found the online ordering simple and easy.
- dining spaceThere’s a decent amount of dining space, open to the outside.
- groupGreat spot for a group inside
- hangout placeNice hangout place with friends here
Frequently criticized
- musicOnly complaint is that the music was very loud
- Limited seatingLimited seating and there’s nothing special about the restaurant space
- cold weatherwith it being 46 degrees out, so our food was instantly cold
- locationstrange and hidden inside the beer place so it’s difficult to find
- music volumeInterior was loud from music volume
- noiseMy only wish was for a vegetable side. My only complaint is that the music was very loud, which led to people speaking very loudly as well, and all that noise made the experience less enjoyable.
- restaurant spacenothing special about the restaurant space
- seatingNot enough seating
- spotIt's a bit harder to spot
- trash binsmade available of trash bins and cleaning wipes for patrons at least
If youre looking for a place with a good location and flexible seating options, its worth a visit. Just be prepared for potentially loud music and a sometimes bustling atmosphere, especially if you prefer a quieter dining experience.
Value (4.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
The positive feedback, though fewer in number (7 out of 38 comments), suggests that some diners found the pricing quite agreeable. Terms like affordable, reasonable prices, and worth it popped up, especially for those on a college student budget. They felt the sandwiches, in particular, offered a fair price for the quality received, making it a worthwhile spend.
However, the overall sentiment for value is quite challenging, with a 4.2 score indicating an average performance and a low 18.4% customer satisfaction. A significant 23 comments expressed disappointment, frequently using terms like waste of money, pricey, and overpriced. Many felt items, including sandwiches and sides, were not worth the cost, leading to a perception of poor value.
Value
38
Reviews
18%
Satisfaction
23
negative
8
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable for students
- Fair sandwich price
- Worth the money
What people don't like
- Overpriced food items
- High sandwich cost
- Poor value perception
Often praised
- priceFair price for a pretty good sandwich
- college student budgetpretty affordable in terms of a college student budget
- pricesPrices are reasonable.
- pricingthe pricing was surprisingly reasonable
- worth itBut I say it’s worth it.
Frequently criticized
- priceI usually really enjoy this spot, but unfortunately, this time my experience was disappointing. The chicken was much smaller than I remembered, almost half the size it used to be while being the same price. On top of that, they forgot my order of French fries.
- valuedon’t see the value
- PricePaid $22-23 for a chicken sandwich and a side of macaroni salad
- chargethere’s a $17 charge for a single chicken sandwich on my account
- chicken burgersnot exactly cheap ($13.20 each)
- eighteen dollar sandwichVery bad for an eighteen dollar sandwich
- kimchi macThe total, including a 15% tip, came to a whopping $30. The sandwich and fries were standard size, but the kimchi mac was a tiny cup of generic-tasting mac with a sprinkle of seasoning and green onion, which I felt was too expensive for $5. The fries, also $5, were the best part of the meal, being both larger and tastier than the mac.
- overpricedOverpriced for 3 pieces of undercooked chicken
- overpriced chickenOverpriced chicken
- price tagWith a price tag of over $17 after tax, before tip, its hard to really enjoy
If you're looking for budget-friendly options, this spot might be a hit or miss, as many find it quite expensive for what you get. While some items are considered worth it, be prepared for potentially overpriced dishes and a total bill that might surprise you. Proceed with caution if value is your top priority.
How are the prices at Ma’ono?
You’re looking at roughly 18 per person – reported by 86 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Chicken Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests are right in this sweet spot, but there are also options for those looking to spend a little more or less, showing a nice variety in offerings.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 86 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Chicken Restaurant. It seems like a good spot for a satisfying meal without breaking the bank, offering choices for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Ma’ono
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Best Fried Chicken Sandwich Ever!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had one of the best fried chicken sandwiches I've ever tasted. I opted for medium heat, and it delivered a solid, pleasant warmth.
The chicken itself was fresh and achieved crispy perfection. I was initially on my way to get dumplings, but I'm so glad I diverted here. This was a great treat and a truly pleasant find.
While some might say the place is pricey, in Seattle, everything seems to be. However, this sandwich was worth every dollar spent. A truly great sandwich.
- fried chicken sandwich10
- chicken10
- heat profile8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
7
Delicious Chicken Sandwich, Pricey Experience
I initially didn't want to like the chicken sandwich, but it was absolutely delicious. Despite a price tag of over $17 after tax and before tip, which made it hard to fully enjoy, the sandwich was very tasty. The spices were on point, and the flavors complemented each other well.
The potato bun had a perfect texture, soft and fluffy, making it a great pairing with the filling. My experience was a mix of excellent food quality overshadowed by the high cost.
- chicken sandwich9
- spices9
- flavors8
- price tag3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
8
Excellent Fried Chicken and Sides
I only visited once, having heard about this place and initially thinking I wouldn't end up in this pedestrian-friendly, auto-hostile mall. We happened to be shopping for a stock pot and dropped in for lunch. We had 3 pieces of Chicken Tenders, 3 Drumsticks, with sides of cucumber poke and Potato Mac.
It was a tad spendy, but we will eat on this twice. The fried chicken was excellent, and the sides were fine (worth sampling more). The BBQ dipping sauce was killer, and the Honey Mustard was solid.
The pickled Daikon were marvelous. It's cafeteria style inside Rachel's Ginger Beer, who seem to serve a lot of ice cream in September. If you are in the 'hood, and paid your patience tax to park.
- Chicken Tenders9
- Drumsticks9
- cucumber poke8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Incredibly Spicy and Awesome Chicken!
My experience at the restaurant was defined by the incredibly spicy heat level, which was genuinely hot. The chicken tasted awesome.
- heat level9
- chicken10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
8
Unique Fried Chicken with a Kick
My experience at this restaurant was centered around their fried chicken, which I found to have a unique profile and flavor. The chicken was generously seasoned and surprisingly spicier than anticipated. I also enjoyed the fingers, which were pretty big in size and had a really nice texture.
A word of caution for the honey mustard sauce: it actually has a strong mustard flavor, so be aware. However, if you're adventurous, this spot could become your favorite for fried chicken.
- fried chicken8
- seasoning8
- fingers8
- honey mustard sauce4
What Ma’ono offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Ma’ono Fried Chicken?
At Ma’ono, you can enjoy a casual dining experience perfect for lunch or dinner. They offer dine-in, takeout, and outdoor seating, making it a great spot for a quick bite with friends or family, as it’s good for kids.
What are the parking and accessibility options at Ma’ono Fried Chicken in Seattle?
You’ll find parking convenient with free street parking and a free parking lot, usually with plenty of space. The restaurant is also wheelchair accessible, offering both an accessible entrance and seating.
What is Ma’ono's overall rating and customer satisfaction?
Ma’ono has an overall score of **6.8** and a customer satisfaction rate of **63.5%**. Its **Food** (7.2) and **Ambience** (6.6) are well-regarded, while **Service** (5.8) and **Value** (4.2) are seen as average.
What do customers say about the food at Ma’ono?
Many customers praise Ma’ono’s **fried chicken sandwich** for its taste and quality. However, some have reported issues with **inconsistent chicken quality**, such as dry or even raw pieces.
How is the service and atmosphere at Ma’ono?
The **service** is often described as friendly and helpful, though some experiences mention **long waiting times**. The **ambience** is generally considered pleasant, but can sometimes be affected by **loud music** and **limited seating**.