Broiler Bay is Here To Stay

Broiler Bay Is Here To Stay

Much to locals’ relief, this family-owned hidden gem from the ‘80s is not going anywhere

When eighteen-year-old Casidee was working her shift at a tanning business in Downtown Bellevue, she was not planning on falling in love. It wasn't until she met her future husband working at his dad's burger join across the street. A few under-the-table free sodas, a wedding and years later, she now owns that very same Burger spot where she met her partner. 

Casidee Pirhadi works with her nephew, Ryan, to keep her father-in-law’s dream alive - an affordable, downtown burger spot that serves delicious, freshly made food for those that need it fast - Broiler Bay. No need to shake things up - if you’re looking for a classic spot to get your regular burger, fries and a milkshake in the heart of Bellevue without worry of it lacking flavor or spice, Broiler Bay is the place for you. Here, prices are cheap, the grub is good and the service is speedy - what more could you want? 

“Everything’s made to order, but it’s still fast enough for people that they can get in and out of here in 10-15 minutes,” Pirhadi said. 

Broiler Bay simply has that old-fashioned feel that is a unique find in Downtown Bellevue. With an old pac-man machine in the back, vintage red, white and yellow decor and a friendly staff, eating at this quality shop will bring you back to a simpler time. 

This makes sense, given that this timeless favorite opened in 1989, and has been keeping visitors and locals happy ever since. With prices on the rise in Downtown Bellevue, Broiler Bay is committed to maintaining an affordable price, all while matching their timeless menu and taste. 

“I definitely have a good relationship with a lot of customers throughout the years that I’ve worked here, and seeing a lot of them and just catching up with them has been nice,” said Parnell. 

Customers of Broiler Bay are loyal for a reason - you get what you expect in the best way at this local spot - there is not a day without thoughtful service and an exceptional lunch. For just $6, you can get a quality burger and for another $6, you can get a fantastic shake. It’s worth the add -  sticking to an old fashioned vanilla, chocolate or strawberry shake is never a bad choice, but if you’re open to a new favorite, the unique caramel shake is the way to go.    

“It’s comfort food,” Ryan Parnell, manager of Broiler Bay and nephew of Pirhadi, said. “It's a hole-in-the-wall, really old-school burger joint. It’s made to order, so all the burgers are super bomb, cooked on a char-broiler, not on a flat top. Onion rings and deep-fried zucchini are made in-house.”   

The onion rings alone deserve a separate praise - this addable side is so crispy and caramelized on the outside that the still sweet, juicy flavor will come as a shock. If you are visiting Broiler Bay, leaving without an order of onion rings is a mistake. 

“Our onion rings are one of my favorite things because they’re grilled light, with crisp batter,” Pirhadi said. “We don’t use bread crumbs, there’s no heavy breading on them, so it is really more onion than batter, which people, I think, really appreciate. You get onion rings, sometimes, where you’re like ‘where’s the onion in all this batter?’” 

According to the family, the restaurant gets a fun mix of customers, with a blend of high school students, construction workers and office workers. Much of the staff knows these visitors well, and maintains that close relationship that can be hard to find in such a fast, growing city like Bellevue.  

Customers know what’s good - and the Broiler Bay staff knows how to make it so. The joint does all their own grocery shopping, and takes pride in preparing all of their vegetables themselves, in-house. 

“We just try to make Pops proud,” Pirhadi said.    

 This blog is part of the Heart of Bellevue: our campaign to showcase local businesses while connecting you with stories of activity, creativity and recovery. Find out about our campaign and explore more of what’s happening around Downtown.

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Broiler Bay
10636 Main St
Bellevue, WA 98004

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