Red Mill Burgers
Hamburgers · Phinney Ridge, Seattle
Restaurant in Seattle, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Phinney Ridge Counter Classic
Chef
John & Babe Shepherd
Dress
Casual
Why go
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.
About Red Mill Burgers
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, 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, 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
- 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
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: Closed · Tuesday: 11 am–9 pm
- Location
- 312 N 67th St, Seattle, WA 98103, United States
- Website
- redmillburgers.com
- Phone
- +1 206-783-6362
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Red Mill Burgers trades design flourishes for a single, deliberate promise: good burgers at a counter. The building is modest, signage functional, and the interior reads like a neighborhood workroom rather than a dining theater. That absence of pretense is the point—this is a place built to feed regulars, not to perform. Founders John and Babe Shepherd anchor a lineage of independent counters that earn loyalty through repetition and quality. The result is a cozy, unvarnished spot whose structural honesty and steady presence in Seattle make it feel both authentic and quietly beloved.
Best For
This is a neighborhood counter built for straightforward, unfussy meals—perfect for quick solo lunches, casual dinners with regulars, or families who appreciate reliable burgers. Its inclusion on repeated Cheap Eats lists underlines that it belongs in the conversation for dependable, value-driven dining rather than special-occasion outings. The format favors fast service and familiarity: locals drop in, order at the counter, and expect consistently prepared burgers and sides. If you want an unpretentious Seattle burger experience rooted in decades of local loyalty, Red Mill fits that bill.
Ordering Tips
Order at the counter and stick to the classics that built the place: the Verde Burger, Red Onion Jam Burger, and the Bleu Cheese and Bacon Burger showcase the menu's focus, and Babe’s Onion Rings are a much-recommended side. Expect efficient, no-frills service and food that arrives quickly—this is repetition and quality over theatrics. Because the operation is a compact neighborhood counter, peak times fill with regulars; plan for a short wait for your order rather than table service or reservations.
Venue details
Ambiance
Casual, nostalgic diner atmosphere with small dining area and high tables; often crowded and bustling with a retro burger-joint feel.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Counter Service
- Meal Pacing
- Quick Bite
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Verde Burger
- Red Onion Jam Burger
- Bleu Cheese and Bacon Burger
- Babe's Onion Rings
Planning details
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
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Canlis; New American, New American
- Joule; New Asian, New Asian
- Kamonegi; Soba, Soba
- Maneki; Japanese, Japanese
- Walrus & Carpenter; New American - Seafood, New American - Seafood
Restaurant context
Red Mill sits in a different category from most of Seattle's recognized dining, that's precisely the point. Against Canlis, the comparison is almost deliberately absurd; Canlis is Seattle's formal special-occasion benchmark, requiring advance booking and a significantly higher spend. If you want a celebration dinner with service depth and a room that matches the occasion, Canlis is the call. Red Mill is for when the burger IS the occasion.
Within the casual-to-mid range, Kamonegi offers a counter-focused experience in soba that rewards the same kind of single-subject focus Red Mill brings to burgers; both are venues where the kitchen's narrow commitment is the whole appeal. Joule steps up in price and ambition with Korean-inflected New Asian cooking, is the right pick if you want a full sit-down dinner with more complexity on the plate. For seafood counter dining, Walrus and Carpenter is the Seattle answer; harder to get into than Red Mill, with a different service register, but comparable in the sense that both reward showing up with a clear appetite for one specific thing.
Maneki is worth a mention for diners who want counter seating with more service interaction than Red Mill provides. It's Japanese rather than burgers, but the neighbourhood-institution quality overlaps. Bottom line: for cheap-eats burger quality with external validation behind it, Red Mill has no direct rival in Seattle at this price tier. The OAD recognition three years running is the clearest signal that this isn't just local loyalty driving the 4.6 score.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Red Mill Burgers guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Red Mill Burgers
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Mill Burgers | Seattle | Hamburgers | 2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Recommended2025 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #6382024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #6272023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended |
| Canlis | Seattle | New American | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #65Star Wine Lists 20262026 Relais Chateaux Restaurants2026 Wine Spectator Grand Award2025 Food & Wine Global Tastemakers Top Restaurants · #22025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #212025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #64World's Best Wine Lists 20252025 James Beard Award Semifinalists |
| Joule | Seattle | New Asian | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #3612024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4862023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2022 James Beard Awards |
| Kamonegi | Seattle | Soba | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1192024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1312023 OAD Casual in North America Highly Recommended |
| Maneki | Seattle | Japanese | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #3772024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4012023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Walrus & Carpenter | Seattle | New American - Seafood | No published awards |
How Red Mill Burgers Seattle compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Red Mill Burgers good for a special occasion?
Not the right call for a milestone dinner. Counter service, casual seating, 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, it's one of the easier solo meals in Seattle. Counter ordering removes any awkwardness, 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 works 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, 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. 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.
