Restaurant in Seattle, United States
Red Mill Burgers
150ptsNo-reservation burgers, nationally recognised.
About Red Mill Burgers
Red Mill Burgers in Seattle's Phinney Ridge has earned three consecutive years of Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats recognition, with a 4.6 Google score from over 2,400 reviews. No reservation needed — walk in Tuesday through Sunday. The counter-service format is casual and fast, making it one of Seattle's most accessible well-regarded burger stops.
Verdict: Worth the Trip to Phinney Ridge
Red Mill Burgers at 312 N 67th St is easy to get into — no reservation required, no weeks-long wait list. That access is part of the appeal, but it doesn't tell the whole story. This is an Opinionated About Dining-ranked spot that has appeared on the OAD Cheap Eats in North America list three consecutive years (Recommended in 2023, #627 in 2024, #638 in 2025), which puts it in company far above your average counter-service burger joint. If you want a serious burger without the friction of a full sit-down restaurant, Red Mill is the right call for Seattle.
The Counter Experience
Walk in and you order at the counter — that's the format here, and it shapes everything about the visit. The room at the Phinney Ridge location gives you the kind of visual clarity that fast-casual rarely delivers: a no-frills setup where the focus lands entirely on the food coming out of the kitchen rather than on designed ambience. For a special occasion framing, this works if you calibrate expectations correctly. A birthday lunch or a low-key date where the food does the talking fits well; a formal anniversary dinner does not. The counter format also makes solo dining genuinely comfortable , there's no awkward two-leading dynamic, no pressure to stretch a meal. You order, you sit, the burger arrives.
John and Babe Shepherd are the names behind Red Mill, and the operation reflects the discipline of people who have been running a focused, well-regarded burger spot for years. That consistency is visible in the repeat OAD recognition: this isn't a one-year flash of hype but a venue that keeps showing up on a list that rewards quality over novelty.
When to Go
Red Mill is closed Mondays. Tuesday through Friday service runs 11 am to 9 pm; Saturday matches that window; Sunday is noon to 8 pm. Because no reservation is needed, the booking window question is really a crowd question. Lunch on a weekday is your lowest-friction visit. Saturday midday is the most popular window, so arriving close to the 11 am open or after 1:30 pm reduces wait time at the counter. If you're bringing a group, keep it manageable for counter-service logistics , this isn't a venue where you can hold a large table easily.
Ratings and Recognition
- Google Reviews: 4.6 from 2,448 reviews , a high volume score that reflects consistent repeat visits, not just tourist traffic
- OAD Cheap Eats North America 2025: #638 , ranked for the third consecutive year
- OAD Cheap Eats North America 2024: #627
- OAD Cheap Eats North America 2023: Recommended
Practical Details
| Detail | Red Mill Burgers | Dick's Drive-In (Seattle) |
|---|---|---|
| Booking required | No | No |
| Price tier | Cheap Eats | Cheap Eats |
| OAD recognition | Yes (3 years) | No |
| Closed | Monday | Varies by location |
| Sunday hours | 12–8 pm | Varies by location |
| Counter service | Yes | Yes |
For broader Seattle dining context, see our full Seattle restaurants guide. If you want to round out a Seattle trip, our full Seattle hotels guide, our full Seattle bars guide, our full Seattle wineries guide, and our full Seattle experiences guide cover the rest of the city.
For burger lovers comparing notes internationally, Aldebaran in Tokyo and Atami in Tokyo offer a useful counterpoint to the Seattle counter-service model.
How It Compares
Pearl Picks: More Seattle Dining
- Canlis , New American, Seattle's benchmark for a formal special-occasion dinner
- Joule , New Asian, strong choice for a creative mid-to-high spend dinner
- Kamonegi , Soba, a focused, low-key counter experience worth knowing
- Maneki , Japanese, one of Seattle's oldest Japanese restaurants with counter seating
- 1415 1st Ave , Seattle dining in the downtown corridor
- 1744 NW Market St , Ballard-area option worth checking
Compare Red Mill Burgers
| Venue | Awards | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Mill Burgers | Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats in North America Ranked #638 (2025); Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats in North America Ranked #627 (2024); Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended (2023) | — | |
| Canlis | — | ||
| Joule | — | ||
| Kamonegi | — | ||
| Maneki | — | ||
| Walrus & Carpenter | — |
Key differences to consider before you reserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Red Mill Burgers good for a special occasion?
Not the right call for a milestone dinner. Counter service, casual seating, and a no-reservations format make this a great weekday lunch or low-key catch-up, not a birthday splurge. For something occasion-worthy in Seattle, Canlis is the move. Red Mill earns its keep as a repeat visit, not a one-time event.
Is lunch or dinner better at Red Mill Burgers?
Lunch on a weekday is your best bet for a shorter wait. Service runs from 11 am Tuesday through Saturday, giving you the full menu without the weekend afternoon rush. Sunday hours are shorter (noon to 8 pm), and Monday the kitchen is closed entirely, so plan accordingly.
Is Red Mill Burgers good for solo dining?
Yes, and it's one of the easier solo meals in Seattle. Counter ordering removes any awkwardness, and you're not holding a table for one at a sit-down room. Walk in, order, eat — the format is built for it. OAD has ranked Red Mill in its North America Cheap Eats list three consecutive years, which means the food justifies the solo trip on its own.
Can I eat at the bar at Red Mill Burgers?
Red Mill operates as a counter-service spot, not a bar venue. There's no bar seating in the traditional sense. You order at the counter and find a seat in the dining area. If you're looking for a burger with a beer at the bar, something like Joule or a neighbourhood gastropub will serve you better.
What are alternatives to Red Mill Burgers in Seattle?
For a step up in format and occasion-worthiness, Canlis is Seattle's benchmark for special-occasion dining. Kamonegi and Maneki offer strong value in different cuisines if burgers aren't the priority. Walrus & Carpenter works well if you want seafood at a similarly casual counter format. Joule is worth considering if you want something more chef-driven at a similar price point.
What should I order at Red Mill Burgers?
Specific menu items are not documented in Pearl's venue record for Red Mill, so we won't guess. What's on record: the kitchen is focused on hamburgers, and the venue has earned OAD Cheap Eats recognition every year from 2023 through 2025. Check the menu board on arrival — counter-service spots like this tend to keep the menu tight and legible.
How far ahead should I book Red Mill Burgers?
No booking needed. Red Mill Burgers is walk-in only, so there's no reservation system to deal with. The practical variable is timing: arrive early in the lunch window (11 am Tuesday to Saturday) to avoid queues. Monday closures and the shorter Sunday hours (noon to 8 pm) are the only scheduling constraints.
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 11 am–9 pm
- Wednesday
- 11 am–9 pm
- Thursday
- 11 am–9 pm
- Friday
- 11 am–9 pm
- Saturday
- 11 am–9 pm
- Sunday
- 12–8 pm
Recognized By
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