Geraldine's Counter makes for a simple, but satisfying breakfast

There should be a Seattle bylaw that each neighborhood gets at least one restaurant like Geraldine’s—a cheery, comfortable diner where you’ll never see the bottom of your coffee mug. Grab a seat by the windows to absorb the natural light and Rainier Avenue energy while tearing into crisp french toast, thick slabs of bacon, and other breakfast classics. Wait times for a table can get long on weekends, so the best move is to head here on a mellower weekday morning. There’s also usually room for a solo seat at the counter, where you can swivel like a kid and remember when putting french fries up your nose was the height of comedy. (It’s still a funny bit, just don’t waste the good ones here.)

Food Rundown

French Toast

The edges have a nice caramelization, while the inside stays light. There’s also enough cinnamon and sugar that you may not even need syrup, but give it a pour anyway.

Counter Special

It’s hard to go wrong with a straightforward eggs-toast-meat combo. That’s especially true when the bacon is thick with a solid crunch, the hash browns have frizzled edges, and the slices of toast have appealing hatchmarks, begging for a dunk into overeasy eggs.

Geraldine's Casserole

There’s a lot going on between the scrambled eggs, steaming soft potatoes, melted cheese, and chunky sausage crumbles. It’s a comforting breakfast bowl, though it’s missing some kick.

Bodacious BLT

Nothing wrong with the bacon or bread here, and the mayo is slathered on judiciously. But the use of arugula instead of lettuce is a no-no, in our book. Stick to the mac 'n cheese dishes and breakfasty stuff instead.

Macaroni And Cheese

This arrives at the table bubbling like a witch’s cauldron. Make sure you get bits of the breadcrumb crust at the top as you scoop into the stewy center. A bit of spice has the oomph the casserole is missing.