Bongos

I have to start by thanking Paseo for getting shut down temporarily. In that lull, I was craving Caribbean food. Bongo’s is close to my house so I figured I’d give it a shot. I haven’t been to Paseo’s since.
I LOVE BONGOS!!!
My only complaint is that I wish they had more pescetarian/​vegetarian options because what I’m able to eat there is so freaking good, I wish I had a longer list to choose from.
The Chevolution Burger, their veggie burger, is ridiculously good. The ketchup and chutney they put on it make it sing with flavor. My man has devoured everything on their menu and will still choose this over a meat option sometimes.
Their shrimp are always cooked to perfection. The yucca fries.. . I want them always. They also toast up nicely in the toaster oven if you have leftovers!
It’s the spot to go in summer. Their sandy outdoor patio doesn’t feel like it sits on Aurora. The vibe is always great and there’s always room to find a table.

Yum!!! We tried the jerk chicken sandwich and the chevolution burger. Both had a great balance of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors. The chevolution burger probably wouldn’t be too spicy without the optional jalapenos, but if you are sensitive to spicy things I probably wouldn’t recommend the jerk chicken. It actually has a decent kick!
I wish they would add more vegetarian options for my bf, but honestly I won’t have a problem dragging him here again because he said the veggie burger was the best he’s had. Of course, more variety would be nice though.
Atmosphere was great as well. It was rainy, so we had to sit inside, but it still had a nice island vibe 〈(^.^)ノ
A delicious escape from dreary Seattle weather. Will be back!

Huge fan of this restaurant! Lots of different options for both sandwiches and plated entrees such as slow cooked pork, chicken, shrimp, and steak (my newest favorite!). The portions sized well and the sandwiches are finger licking good– literally the juices run down your hands as you take your bites. Each plate comes with black beans, slaw, and a maduro (plantain). I have tried their sides: tostones (fried unripe plantains) and also their yucca fries which all come with their cilantro aioli. Best yucca fries so far that I’ve found! I take spice pretty well but their spicy level is on the high side for me. I’m slowly building up my tolerance there. So far my favorites are the Ropa Vieja plate, the Steak plate, and the Desi sandwich.

A hidden gem. Succulent beef, excellent service, good prices. You have to try it.
I highly recommend their specialty burger and the Carribean steak

Had dinner here with the family on Sat night. Yum Yum Yum. This place is good. I could not decide on the pork or the steak plate so the girl said why make a choice have both! Nice suggestion. The steak was cooked perfectly and the pork was supper tasty as well. The rice was nice and the black beans were super tasty I really liked the slaw as well. I can’t wait to come back and have more as everything looks really good!

One of the best discoveries in the last months! The food is great, beer fine and a fantastic atmosphere. Bongos is so easy to see from Aurora, but if you didn’t pull over, it’s too late. Definitely worth stoping for excellent Cuban food.

Bongos looks like a place that would be cool in the summer with the covered outdoor space and the Caribbean vibe spread throughout the restaurant.
The maduros are delicious, fried, lightly sweetened, and greasy. The 1 you get on with a plate is not enough. Order a side of them to share (or
The first couple times I tried the desi, 1AM and the shrimp po boy. Both times I thought the pulled pork was too dry regardless of the massive onslaught of aioli. spilling over the sides and soaking through the bottom half of the roll. I still like the overall flavor, a little sweet and tangy, and the slight spicy desi thanks to the jalapenos. Then tonight I ordered the 1AM with the house aioli in lieu of the mustard, which was tasty and the meat was nicely cooked.
Overall the sandwiches are pretty good, but not enough I feel to rate 4 stars, so 3 it is. I’ll stop by again and sure to get a full side of those yummy maduros.

I love Bongos, and it is definitely ranked high at my «I am glad I tried this place this year» list. I live pretty close to Bongos and wanted to check them out ever since they revealed that the old gas station will be turned into a Carribean restaurant.
It took me so long to actually try them, but I have been back for at least five times in past 2−3months.
My personal favorite is plantain and it means a lot because I am not a big fan of root veggies and do not enjoy them normally. Their aioli and plantain goes well together and I highly suggest you try them. My favorite is «Desi» and both the rice platter and sandwich option is yummy!
Most of all, I really appreciate their creative outdoor eating area! It’s like you are at a little beach picnic! Plus, your furry friends are welcomes too

I rarely give a 5 star but this place is perfect, especially nice days.
Food is outstanding no matter what you get, plate or sandwich with a generous portion on plates. Lots of great brews bottled and drafts. Prices are reasonable for quality and amount. One of my favorite places to get my grub on

This place is pretty fantastic, and you can tell they made the absolute most the could with this space, which used to be a gas station convenience mart off of 99, near Green Lake.
There’s some limited indoor seating, but they have an expansive outdoor seating area that is covered by the old gas station cover, complete with tables atop a sandpit! The décor is nothing short of AWESOME to make you feel like you’re in a sunnier and more tropical spot than Seattle.
I found the service super friendly. My co-​worker and I shared the Desi plate, one of the sandwiches (can’t remember which, but one of the meat ones), side of tostone chips, and a silk chocolate mousse cake. All was delightful and I’d definitely stop by again. Next time I’ll probably try the shrimp po’ boy!

Okay. this place is super duper cute! *warning* this place may not be for you if you don’t like sand!
Okay, well there is indoor seating, but it just wouldn’t be as fun! Came here for a friend’s birthday and she did not warn us about the sand; but I enjoyed it anyways.
This isn’t your typical sit down restaurant. You have to go inside to order your food.
Their portions for the plates (at least for me) is humungo! I couldn’t finish mine but my husband devoured his. Since we were sitting outside the food got cold much faster than I can eat it, so be warned.
Their draft selection is also awesome! The food goes hand im hand with a beer. On a nice summer day, I would imagine that that is almost a corona like day dream!
Great food, great service, super cute atmosphere! Dogs and kids welcomed! Woot!

I like to describe this place to people as «like paseos but less greasy and a beach patio». Amazing food, amazing staff, outdoor tiki bar, live music, reasonable prices, this place has quickly become my fav place in all of seattle.
TIP: The food does take quite a while to make so it is worth calling in ahead and ordering.

Came here with some good friend after strong recommendations. All weekend our friends raved how Bongos is superior to the famous 4,000 Unilocal reviews of Paseos. It did NOT disappoint! The wide variety of options from burgers to sandwiches to fried plantains– my husband and I were in heaven! The atmosphere unique with a fun beach like patio, laid back vibe and good service. This is a great place for groups or for take out. Only tough part might be finding parking if it is busy. I am so sad to live so far from this a,
Making Cuban restaurant and look forward to going here with every future trip to Seattle :)– high quality food definitely recommend this place !!

Bongos, I love you.
I’m still trying to work my way through the menu but I definitely got to try all the plates they have to offer and, if flavor is your sort of thing, then you should move here.
Although the food is exceptional no matter the season, this place is ultra-​enjoyable in the summer time. Having the sun blazing while you sit on their man-​made sand pit while sipping on a beer and inhaling their food is TOPS. Their rice is mad tasty. It ain’t too sticky, it ain’t impossible to eat it with a fork and it has all sorts of flavor and pillowiness. I’m not a lust-​er of beans but they mesh well with the rice and ‘slaw. The meats are succulent and buttery. The yucca fries are dense yet crispy.
Everything is great here. The peeps working there are nice, the atmosphere is enjoyable, and again, the food is something I miss daily when I’m not eating it. Is this place perfection? Close. The parking on the 99 side is sort of a hazard to your life so be careful. Good job, Bongos.

So I have to say this might be one of my favorite spots. The vibe and atmosphere here is kinda awesome if you go here on a sunny warm day and sit out on their patio. The outside seating area is set up with sand and it’s as if u were at a beach. The place gives that Caribbean vibe and I gotta say the food is GOOD. Two words: YUCCA FRIES order this it’s a must. Also their platanos maduros are delicious as well. I’ve had their Jamaican jerk chicken sandwich too and they serve it on a baguette with a light slaw def big enough for two ppl. Very tasty. Also the owner and staff are super nice. Bonus***

«The bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) is a herbivorous, mostly nocturnal forest ungulate. It is among the largest of the African forest antelope species.» ~Wikipedia
But that’s not why I’m writing this review.
Bongos is a very Cuban place that serves Cuban food! It has a menu. And the menu has food on it! The inside is very colorful, like they painted it or something. The inside is where I ordered, but (spoiler alert) not where I ate!
When you walk inside, someone takes your order. I can’t remember if she wore a hat or not. I ordered the Jerk Chicken sandwich, because I am what I eat, according to Kanye. The sandwich (reading off the online menu)… has Caribbean jerk spiced chicken, served over mango slaw on a toasted saba roll.
I walked outside to the sandy playground, which has sand and tables on it. Like it’s a beach! But not too much water right next to it… so I guess it’s not a beach. Sorry.
The sandwich was really good! I loved the flavor combination combo of aioli sauce, and coleslaw, and it was spicy! I think that flavor combination is the reason it has become one of my favorite sandwiches! The chicken was very jerk-​like! and the sandwich was very big! And my tongue, mouth, belly, and brain all liked it! My other body parts are busy right now, so maybe I’ll ask them later…
I’d hit this place up again just like I’d hit a bongo!
(What did you think of my review? Did you love it? Did you hate it? What should I review next?)
Hey buddy. I love you!
5

Driving home one sunny Seattle day, I was inspired to find a patio on which to dine. I remembered seeing the converted gas station that is Bongos, and wondering about it. I figured they had a patio; boy was I right!
Bongos is as brightly colored inside as it is outside. The menu boasts many Caribbean inspired sandwiches and plates, which makes it hard to make a decision! We grabbed a couple of sandwiches (the Bart and the Jerk Chicken), comboed up (because who doesn’t want to add a side and a bottle of beer for $ 5?!), and wandered outside to find a seat.
The patio is huge. Lots of tables, palm trees, and… sand! They have a little sandy area with a boardwalk all around. Plus, it smells amazing, because I’m going to guess that’s where they’re a-​cookin’ the meats. We settled in and started sipping some Red Stripe.
In a few minutes, our sandwiches were delivered. The Jerk Chicken was delicious; super tender chicken paired with mango slaw. Not too spicy, but well seasoned. Yes please! Also yucca fries, which were crispy and delicious.
I will definitely be back for a bite (though I might sit inside for the winter months).

So I like others found myself visiting Bongos while looking for a Paseo replacement and although Paseo is now back open (along with the other replacement). I will say I have found my Cuban restaurant of choice. I never spent longer than 3 minutes waiting to take an order, parking is somewhat plentiful, but definitely easy enough. Service has been fast and friendly, but the biggest seller to me is the plentiful seating and the sand pit. I love the sand pit, and now having a 3 year old who can play in it while I enjoy the beautiful Seattle summer weather sitting outdoor in a sand pit on some beach chairs. I absolutely love it.
Now lets get to the food. So far I’ve ordered the 1 AM. The sandwich is really, really good. It is a bit on the juicy and messy side, but the bread is great, the pork is juicy, flavorful and tender. I think the best way I described it to someone else who asked me to compare it to Paseo. Better in some ways and worse in others. i.e. I think the bread better, and the pork is more tender, but perhaps Paseo’s pork was more flavorful, but also more on the dry side in comparison, and the bread definitely more chewy. Anyway, this is my spot of choice, and I find myself making Zoo trip excuses so I can hit Bongos before/​after.

Oh man, YUM. This place looks a little confusing at first, with its old gas station shell, bright colors and graffiti art right off 99. But go here. You’ll love it. I had a friend recommend this place when Paseo closed (before the closed, reopened, and then also another new one opened.). I think the flavors are absolutely amazing and the people there are great. There is plenty of seating outside and some space inside as well. The outside has covered areas which is nice for sunny days.
I have tried 3 different sandwiches– the 1am, the Desi and the shrimp po boy and I loved them all. Honestly, I am a little upset because now it is just getting too challenging to choose which one to order. The pork on the 1am and Desi is tender, juicy, flavorful and blends well with the veggies/​sauces on each sandwich. Warning: these sandwiches are MESSY (which is a good thing) and the bread is the perfect texture, not too hard but sturdy enough to hold it together, at first (it starts to get a little soggy with all the pork juices so you must eat immediately– first world problems, am I right?). The shrimp in the po boy is perfect– not too spicy, not fried/​breaded (which is how it should be) and doesn’t taste too fishy– couple this with the sauce/​slaw on that not-​too-​hard bread, and you have magic people.
LOVE the sides as well– absolutely must order the Yucca fries. They are awesome, I don’t know what yucca is really, but I don’t care because I know I love the fry form.

I never imagined that some of the best Caribbean I would ever have would be in Seattle. But alas! It’s here at Bongos. What’s even crazier is that I live 5 minutes away and must have passed this place at least 50 times before ever being introduced.
If you can get past the cat litter sandbox and the cheesy painted outside walls, you will find a very charming place to have a drink with some delicious grub. Even *I* sat outside in the sun (and I hate the sun and heat)! I like that the venue is dog friendly, too. You’ll want to stay outside on the hotter days; the inside can feel like an oven!
I particularly love the ropa vieja and jerk chicken plate, which comes with black beans, rice, fried plantain, and coleslaw. Wash it down with a refreshing beer or, in my case, a cold Mexican coke. Prices are very reasonable.
The parking situation is a bit hairy, although they do have a lot that faces Aurora. There’s also some parking on the street.
I can’t wait to come back and try the other dishes.