imported>Minorax at 15:20, 3 June 2025

2025-06-03T15:20:55Z

New page

{{Short description|Restaurant in Seattle, Washington, U.S.}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox restaurant
| name = Beth's Cafe
| logo = <div style="background-color: #000">[[File:Beth's Cafe logo.png|200px]]</div>
| image = Beth's Cafe (Seattle, Washington).jpg
| image_width =
| image_caption = The front entrance to Beth's Cafe on Aurora Avenue
| established = {{start date and age|1954}}
| current-owner = Mason Reed
| food-type = [[Greasy spoon]]
| street-address = 7311 [[Aurora Avenue|Aurora Avenue North]]<br />[[Seattle, Washington]], U.S.
| coordinates = {{Coord|47|40|56|N|122|20|41|W|display=inline,title}}
| zip = 98103
| website = {{URL|https://bethscafe.com/|bethscafe.com}}
}}

'''Beth's Cafe''' is a [[restaurant]] in [[Seattle]], Washington, United States. Located on [[Washington State Route 99|Aurora Avenue North]] in the [[Green Lake, Seattle|Green Lake]] neighborhood, it is known largely for its "[[greasy spoon]]" cuisine and large portions.<ref name=Robey>{{cite web |url=http://travel.discovery.com/fansites-worldsbest-pigout-pigout_08.shtml |title=World's Best Places to Pig Out |author=Jason Robey |accessdate=September 20, 2009 |publisher=Travel Channel |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414000307/http://www.travelchannel.com/ideas/picks/ci.Beth%27s_Cafe.artTravelIdeasPrint?vgnextfmt=artTravelIdeasPrint&ch=0d685934dc165110VgnVCM1000009f183e0aRCRD&initArticlevgnextoid=b10c007f2cee6110VgnVCM100000698b3a0aRCRD |archivedate=April 14, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Not For Tourists Guide to Seattle 2017 |publisher=Skyhorse |year=2016 |chapter=Nightlife |page=11 |isbn=9781510710634|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4pP1DAAAQBAJ&pg=PP11}}</ref> Beth's opened in 1954 and has remained at the same location since, under various owners. It closed in 2021 but reopened in 2023.

Formerly a 24-hour establishment, Beth's Cafe was popular among young Seattle residents during late-night hours. The walls are covered in artwork produced by patrons, along with quotes such as "I lost my virginity at Beth's" and "Pre-Game for Beth's" accompanied by a depiction of a young man smoking out of a bong.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}} The restaurant and its "Southwestern Exposure" 12-egg [[omelette]] challenge were featured in a 2009 episode of ''[[Man v. Food]]''. The cafe had also been noted in Seattle guidebooks by [[Lonely Planet]] and [[Moon Publications]] among others.<ref>{{citation |title=Walking Seattle: 35 Tours of the Jet City's Parks, Landmarks, Neighborhoods, and Scenic Views |first=Clark |last=Humphrey |publisher=Wilderness Press |year=2011 |isbn=9780899976914 |page=115 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IN97V9o2LV4C&pg=PA115}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Moon Washington |first=Ericka |last=Chickowski |publisher=[[Moon Publications]] / Avalon Travel |year=2012 |page=123 |isbn=9781612382616 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IyBC0IWpUUEC&pg=PT123}}</ref><ref>{{citation| author1-first=Brendan |author1-last=Sainsbury|author2-first=Celeste |author2-last=Brash |publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] |title=Seattle |year=2014 |chapter=Green Lake |page=380 |isbn=9781743218273|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IKRWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT380}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die |first=Patricia |last=Schultz |publisher=Workman |year=2011 |chapter=Seattle's Coffee Culture |page=900 |isbn=9780761163367|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=acSkzjfx9AMC&pg=PA900}}</ref>

== History ==

In 1954, Beth's Cafe was opened by Beth and Harold Eisenstadt. It started out as a nickel [[Slot machine|slot]] gambling parlor but transformed into a restaurant to keep customers around.<ref name="mynw60th">{{cite news |last1=Belle |first1=Rachel |title=Beth's Cafe: Seattle Favorite 24/7 Greasy Spoon Turns 60 |url=http://mynorthwest.com/81064/beths-cafe-seattles-favorite-247-greasy-spoon-turns-60/ |work=My Northwest |date=June 3, 2014|access-date=October 22, 2016|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022155043/http://mynorthwest.com/81064/beths-cafe-seattles-favorite-247-greasy-spoon-turns-60/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 1, 1998, the cafe had to be temporarily shut down after some cardboard in a dumpster behind the restaurant unexpectedly caught fire and caused substantial structural damage.<ref>{{cite news |title=Arson temporarily closes Beth's Cafe |author=Eric Feigenbaum |date=June 1, 1998 |url=http://www.dailyuw.com/news/article_0547afc3-db8e-5daa-8373-497e6baaa4e9.html |newspaper=[[The Daily of the University of Washington]]|access-date=October 22, 2016|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306194831/http://www.dailyuw.com/news/article_0547afc3-db8e-5daa-8373-497e6baaa4e9.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2002, Chris Dalton answered a classified ad selling Beth's and became the latest owner of the breakfast eatery. After Dalton's purchase, Beth's started to add home-baked goods, many previously frozen and canned ingredients were switched over to fresh ingredients (such as meats, chili, corned beef hash, etc.), and vegetarian options became available.<ref name="mynw60th" /> Beth's is famous for its wide array of breakfast food, accounting for 80 percent of its business. Beth's runs through more than 450,000 eggs per year. In 2014, Beth's celebrated its sixtieth anniversary with weekly specials that included 1950s pricing and hosted a 1950s-themed party.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Denn |first1=Rebekah |title=At Beths' Cafe, 60 years old, 450,000 eggs a year |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/allyoucaneat/2014/05/28/at-beths-cafe-60-years-old-450000-eggs-a-year/ |work=The Seattle Times |date=May 29, 2014|access-date=October 22, 2016|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022170941/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/allyoucaneat/2014/05/28/at-beths-cafe-60-years-old-450000-eggs-a-year/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hill |first1=Megan |title=Beth's Café Turns 60, 611 Supreme Closes, and More Food News |url=http://archive.seattleweekly.com/food/952596-129/beths-caf%C3%A9-turns-60-611-supreme |work=Seattle Weekly |date=May 20, 2014|access-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022162544/http://archive.seattleweekly.com/food/952596-129/beths-caf%C3%A9-turns-60-611-supreme|archive-date=October 22, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Beth's was put up for sale in 2019 so that Dalton could focus on treatment for [[Pancreatic cancer#Staging|stage four pancreatic cancer]], but no buyer was found.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Green-Lake-staple-Beth-s-Cafe-listed-for-685-000-14474362.php |title=Green Lake staple Beth's Cafe listed for $685,000 |date=September 27, 2019|access-date=July 12, 2021|archive-date=July 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712164231/https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Green-Lake-staple-Beth-s-Cafe-listed-for-685-000-14474362.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Dalton died in April 2020. Beth's closed in October 2020 due to occupancy restrictions enforced during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Washington (state)|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/food/article/after-66-years-seattle-legendary-beths-cafe-closes-15647437.php |title=After 66 years, Seattle's legendary Beth's Café closes, for now |date=October 14, 2020|access-date=July 12, 2021|archive-date=July 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712175420/https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/food/article/after-66-years-seattle-legendary-beths-cafe-closes-15647437.php|url-status=live}}</ref> The restaurant briefly re-opened on July 8, 2021, under the management of Hazel Dalton,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mynorthwest.com/3019487/seattle-beths-cafe-reopening-july-2021/ |title=Seattle's iconic Beth's Cafe to reopen its doors for first time in months |date=July 7, 2021|access-date=July 12, 2021|archive-date=July 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712164240/https://mynorthwest.com/3019487/seattle-beths-cafe-reopening-july-2021/|url-status=live}}</ref> closing again two months later.<ref>{{cite news |last=Guarente |first=Gabe |date=September 7, 2021 |title=Future of Green Lake Classic Beth's Cafe Up in the Air After Post-Labor Day Closure |url=https://seattle.eater.com/2021/9/7/22660866/seattle-beths-cafe-closes-in-green-lake-for-three-to-six-months |work=Eater Seattle |accessdate=September 27, 2021 |archive-date=September 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927234808/https://seattle.eater.com/2021/9/7/22660866/seattle-beths-cafe-closes-in-green-lake-for-three-to-six-months |url-status=live}}</ref> It re-opened on February 1, 2023, with limited hours, closing at 3 or 5 p.m.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lacitis |first=Erik |date=February 1, 2023 |title=Beth's Cafe is back in Seattle with its 12-egg omelet |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/beths-cafe-is-back-in-seattle-with-its-12-egg-omelet/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=February 1, 2023}}</ref>

== 12 egg omelette ==

Beth's Cafe is well known for its 12-[[Omelette|egg omelette]]; the restaurant and this menu item are listed in ''[[1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die]]'' and other books.<ref>{{cite book |last=Schultz |first=Patricia |authorlink=Patricia Schultz |title=1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die |publisher=[[Workman Publishing Company]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-7611-6336-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=acSkzjfx9AMC&pg=PA900 |pages=900}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Stern |first1=J. |last2=Stern |first2=M. |title=Roadfood: The Coast-to-Coast Guide to 800 of the Best Barbecue Joints, Lobster Shacks, Ice Cream Parlors, Highway Diners, and Much, Much More |publisher=Potter/TenSpeed/Harmony |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-307-59125-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=roCHEntpvMMC |page=548 | access-date=September 16, 2020 | archive-date=September 28, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928073629/https://books.google.com/books?id=roCHEntpvMMC | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Flood |first=Chuck |title=Lost Restaurants of Seattle |publisher=[[Arcadia Publishing]] |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-4396-6262-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zTovDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA259 |page=259 | access-date=September 16, 2020 | archive-date=September 30, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930224326/https://books.google.com/books?id=zTovDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA259 | url-status=live}}</ref> There are six varieties of their omelettes, with the "Triple Bypass", a mixture of bacon, sausage, ham, and two types of cheese, being the most popular. The 12-egg omelettes are served on a pizza tray with all-you-can-eat hash browns and toast and are intended for sharing. Prizes are not awarded for finishing the 12-egg omelette.<ref>{{cite web |title=Beth's Cafe |url=http://www.bethscafe.com/|access-date=November 15, 2006|archive-date=November 13, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113215046/http://www.bethscafe.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In a 2009 episode of ''[[Man v. Food]]'', host [[Adam Richman]] took part in the 12-egg omelette challenge. Richman and a previous omelette challenge winner competed to finish a Southwestern Exposure 12-egg omelette (filled with cheddar, sour cream, salsa, and brisket chili). Richman and his competitor could not finish the omelette.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/man-v-food/video/the-12-egg-omelet-challenge |title=The 12-Egg Omelet Challenge|access-date=October 22, 2016|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022164432/http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/man-v-food/video/the-12-egg-omelet-challenge|url-status=live}}</ref> After the ''Man vs. Food'' episode aired there was a significant rise in business that sometimes resulted in an hour and a half wait times for patrons.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Perry |first1=Julien |title=A Day in the Life of the Beth's Cafe General Manager |url=http://seattle.eater.com/2013/7/19/6399315/a-day-in-the-life-of-the-beths-cafe-general-manager |work=Eater Seattle |date=July 19, 2013|access-date=October 22, 2016|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022165310/http://seattle.eater.com/2013/7/19/6399315/a-day-in-the-life-of-the-beths-cafe-general-manager|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Beth's Cafe}}
*[http://www.bethscafe.com/ Official website]

{{Restaurants in Seattle}}

[[Category:Restaurants in Seattle]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1954]]
[[Category:1954 establishments in Washington (state)]]

Beth's Cafe - Revision history

imported>Minorax at 15:20, 3 June 2025