iPoutine and iTakeout

Seattle Meetup! May 10 or 11! I am coming to your fair city for to find me an apartment. There should be beer. And poutine.

I'll be staying in the U-District, carless and not terribly familiar with your fine system of public transportation (a deficiency soon to be remedied). But I'm sure I can find my way around. I know virtually nothing about Seattle, so y'all more seasoned homies should figure out the wheres and the whenses. I cede to your superior wisdom and experience.

Pho is an acceptable substitute for poutine. Beer is not optional.

posted by fuzzbean to MetaFilter gatherings at 10:24 AM (115 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite

We just had one!

(but yes, I would try and make it)

Doing something down south has been mentioned, but that area is pretty wretcehd from a public transportation point of view.
posted by Artw at 10:53 AM on April 14

Poutine means Smith. And I think there's a direct bus route from the District to the 15th Ave part of Capitol Hill.

Otherwise, if you want to stay in the District... not a lot of options, are there? But then, didn't we just do that big U District food AskMe last week?

We could do it downtown. That's stupid easy on the bus from the U District.
posted by dw at 11:05 AM on April 14

We could do Ballard again, theres the 44...
posted by Artw at 11:07 AM on April 14

We could do it downtown.

In which case poutine means The Steelhead Diner, though none of the poutine I've found in Seattle has really been awesome.
posted by j.edwards at 11:22 AM on April 14

The poutine is not really a necessity. Someplace cool. And...Seattle-esque.

I'm quite happy to travel for this as long as it's bussable there and back.
posted by fuzzbean at 11:45 AM on April 14

none of the poutine I've found in Seattle has really been awesome.

Then you haven't been to Quinn's. So fucking good.
posted by dersins at 12:07 PM on April 14

Is there food for people suspicious of stuff that looks like upchuck?
posted by Artw at 12:10 PM on April 14 [1 favorite]

Smith's other offerings are pretty good.

Seattle-esque... which sort of Seattle you looking for? The new, shiny Seattle that we sell the yuppies? Or the old, grimy Seattle of dives and the working class?

Now that the Sunset Bowl is gone (RIP), Ballard's really not a good choice for old and grimy, except Hattie's Hat, which is starting to see its clientèle skew with the new condo-fied Ballard.
posted by dw at 12:39 PM on April 14

Lets go to Belltown!

or not.
posted by Artw at 12:41 PM on April 14

There should be beer. And poutine.
Seattle's kind of far, but if I needed a motto for the wolfdog coat of arms, that might well do.
posted by Wolfdog at 12:43 PM on April 14

Lets go to Belltown!

Mama's has wicked awesome margeritas.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:36 PM on April 14

Mama's is teh yum.
posted by owhydididoit at 1:59 PM on April 14

That surviving strip of bars is pretty awesome all-round, actually, snark about yuppies and condos aside.
posted by Artw at 2:06 PM on April 14

One of us was pretty adamant about Shultzy's during the last meetup thread. I love Smith, and the Steelhead Diner for that matter, but I am intrigued by the talk of Smarty Pants in Georgetown. I kind of picked Mike's Chili Parlor though so I should keep my big mouth shut this time.

In summary, I will be mostly done digesting my chili fries by May 10 so anywhere is fine.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 2:10 PM on April 14

Oh yeah, Shultzy's is right there in the U district if that information is helpful.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 2:10 PM on April 14

What was wrong with Mike's Chili Parlor? Seemed exactly right to me.
posted by Artw at 2:13 PM on April 14

There should be beer. And poutine.

Did anyone else read that word the first time as a poontang? I was like holy shit, dude... uncool!
posted by psmealey at 2:23 PM on April 14

Got to be Shultzy's, no? It's right where the poster is staying and got a promise of love from us last time. Plus a guy I know works there, and surely he'll pick up the tab for the entire group.
posted by vito90 at 2:40 PM on April 14

Hey, fuzzbean, I owe you a scotch egg at Smith! And beer!

It's a good place, and they have poutine.
posted by mrzarquon at 3:50 PM on April 14

Smarty Pants does not have poutine, but is also delicious. I can shuttle some folks down there, as I live next to the 49 on capitol hill, which runs straight in the U, along with the 43. Those are two of the busses I take to work, and they both run all over the U.

Depending on what you want to do, you can also pickup an all day visitor bus pass, otherwise the buses are $1.50 a pop, with 3 hour tranfers i believe (work gives me an unlimited bus pass, so i don't keep track).
posted by mrzarquon at 3:55 PM on April 14

also, I have no problem playing tour guide, as I've done so for quite a few folks visiting the city in the past (and it gives me an excuse to go outside), and I don't think there is anything stopping a contingent of us from doing a few rounds of places throughout seattle, i mean, we do have to show fuzzbean more than just ONE bar while she is here.
posted by mrzarquon at 3:58 PM on April 14

Wait... since when is Seattle known for its poutine??
posted by loiseau at 6:13 PM on April 14

proximity to canada, which is known for its poutine?
posted by mrzarquon at 6:15 PM on April 14

If you go to Mamma's I will go.
posted by tkchrist at 6:22 PM on April 14

I could go for Shultzy's. No poutine, but a great beer selection. I had lunch there last week and got to see the expanded digs for the first time. They can handle the rabble easily.
posted by dw at 6:55 PM on April 14

I ZEE NOTHING!!!!
posted by Tube at 7:03 PM on April 14

Bastards! Y'all done called a meetup when I'm in Reno-fucking-Nevada! And on my birthday!

Worst birthday since the one where my friends presented me with a formatted list of every grammatical error and bad joke I'd made in public for the last six years.
posted by stet at 8:01 PM on April 14

We used to do meetups at the Big Time, which is also in the U District. They have beer (they brew their own), sandwiches, chili, and baked potatoes, but no poutine.
posted by matildaben at 8:21 PM on April 14

I'd enjoy Schultzy's. I used to eat there a lot when I worked at UW.
posted by owhydididoit at 8:24 PM on April 14

c
posted by owhydididoit at 8:24 PM on April 14

I think first we might want to decide on a part of seattle, so i've grouped some places together that people have mentioned that are all somewhat in the same vicinity of each other:

Smith on capitol hill: Scotch egg, poutain, big tables, beer, easy to get to by bus for northerners

Quin's on Capitol Hill, not exactly cheap or vegan/veggie friendly, but great food if you don't mind feeling like Slarty for a few days, post chili fries.

Smarty Pants: pretty awesome, in georgetown, no poutain, plenty of veg/vegan options, hard to get to by bus, but plenty of parking across the way and patio for outdoor hanging about.

Georgetown Liquor Company has awesome veggie stuff, not to mention old school atari's and NES/SNES consoles setup, and they are new and still need the business.

Shultzy's: in U District, sausages, spoken of with much praise, outdoor dining (never been)

Big Time Brewery and Ale House In udistrict, can get pretty packed on the weekend nights, but beer is good, and standard pub grub.

Steelhead Diner: spoken of with much praise, in downtown/belltown (never been)

Mama's (I think, mexican?) in belltown.
posted by mrzarquon at 8:32 PM on April 14 [1 favorite]

(behold, as the child who grew up in ADD household, and then spent two years in hippy highschool, I have had to become proficient at herding cats, or else i would never get any of my own shit down either)
posted by mrzarquon at 8:34 PM on April 14

Steelhead is a bit pricey for meetup purposes.

I'm torn, do we only get tkchrist if we go to Mama's?
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 9:11 PM on April 14

I'll almost definitely be up for the occasion!
posted by blasdelf at 9:57 PM on April 14

If it were up to me, I'd choose Shultzy's or Smith.

Shultzy's is in the U District and pretty cheap -- I think their most expensive item is $10.

The one advantage for Smith is they have a HUGE table that seats 20 or so right down the middle. Also, they're more vegan/veggie friendly than Shultzy's (though as an omnivore I never really look at the menu for vegan options.)

As for everywhere else, I have a car so it's no worries. Just worry about getting fuzzbean to/from Georgetown. Maybe I just grab her when I'm coming south.
posted by dw at 11:01 PM on April 14

Oh, and I think Big Time is going to get loud in a hurry on the weekends. It's hard to have a conversation in there when it's empty.

Mama's I've never been to, wouldn't mind trying, but GAWD ALMIGHTY parking is a bitch in Belltown nowadays.
posted by dw at 11:04 PM on April 14

So now I've got offerings of kidnappings and tour guides. WIN.

Schlutzy's and Smith both sound pretty good to me, as do the two places in Georgetown (difficulties with transportation aside). Although really I'm good with anything.
posted by fuzzbean at 8:38 AM on April 15

The mere mention of ~~Schultzy's~~ a metafilter meetup is making me drool...
posted by O9scar at 10:51 AM on April 15

proximity to canada, which is known for its poutine?
posted by mrzarquon

Yes, but poutine is from Quebec, which is nowhere near Seattle! I'm shocked and appalled that they have stolen this from Quebec. However, were I in Seattle, I would be shocked and pleased that they stole poutine from Quebec. Mmmmm....poutine.

/the poutine from Pomme Frite on 2nd ave in NYC just doesn't cut it
posted by Grither at 11:17 AM on April 15

Schlutzy's

I spel reel gud.
posted by fuzzbean at 1:12 PM on April 15

I spel reel gud.

Don't worry, after a couple of years here you'll be able to pronounce Sequim and say Humptulips without giggling.
posted by dw at 2:30 PM on April 15

and Tumwater
posted by mrzarquon at 5:25 PM on April 15

tillicum
posted by owhydididoit at 5:40 PM on April 15

it's a town, not an ATB refrain
posted by owhydididoit at 5:40 PM on April 15

Humptulips.

*snork*
posted by fuzzbean at 5:52 PM on April 15

Puyallup. You'll never guess how it's actually pronounced.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 6:22 PM on April 15

Alright people, it's crunch time. No more dilly dally, no more shilly shally. WHERE TO MEET AND EAT??

I vote Shultzy's for the good reasons listed by others and the presence of gumbo.
posted by Tube at 8:34 PM on April 15

Wait, gumbo? Gumbo! I grew up in Baton Rouge. Gumbo!

I'm going to have to not eat for several days before and after, I think.

I'm sold on Shultzy's. Spelt properly this time.

stet, sorry my timing sucks. Next time.
posted by fuzzbean at 9:18 PM on April 15

Sweet! Maybe we can hit the Henry, too.
posted by owhydididoit at 6:50 AM on April 16

Love that silent "e" in Sequim.
posted by owhydididoit at 6:51 AM on April 16

OK, we have a location. So, Saturday afternoon/evening? I have no idea what their hours are.
posted by dw at 7:49 AM on April 16

According to what I can dig up, 11am to midnight everday.

So the question is, do we want to do a lunch or a dinner thing? or something in between?

3pm kinda worked last night, enough for folks to hang out and shoot the shit who didn't want to stick around for a meal, and plenty of time for folks who wanted to grab dinner to work up an appetite.
posted by mrzarquon at 9:24 AM on April 16

Gah! I should have realised earlier - theres a comics convention the same day! I'll have to see if i can come up with some kind of crazy scheme to try and do both and not make Heather feel like I'm dumping the kid on here for the whole day.
posted by Artw at 9:45 AM on April 16

what convention?

Also, I believe the 10th or the 11th is still on the table (saturday or sunday).
posted by mrzarquon at 9:56 AM on April 16

My plane lands at 11a on Saturday. I'm guessing I'm going to be scouting apartments that day until 4ish? So I probably won't show up until after that, although to be quite honest I really don't know what my schedule is going to look like for the weekend. It will depend on the whims of property managers, but I assume most of the business will be done by 4 or 5.
posted by fuzzbean at 9:57 AM on April 16

Emerald City Comicon

I'll be timing my visit to the con to coincide with optimal oportunities for editor stalking, hopefully getting in the meet-up as well, and managing to do it all without leaving my wife on her own with the babums long enough that she goes crazy. Fun stuff!
posted by Artw at 10:12 AM on April 16

Sunday's still on the table as well. Just suggesting Saturday since I'm in the clear all day.

I assume most of the business will be done by 4 or 5.

So, 5:30 on Saturday? Else, 5:30 on Sunday? When you flying out?
posted by dw at 12:21 PM on April 16

5:30 Sunday would work fine too. I don't actually leave until 5p Monday (practically speaking 3p+ on Monday is spent getting to the airport). I wanted to give myself some sightseeing time to tool around the city.

Talking of which, mrzarquon, that tour guide dealio would be greatly appreciated (being as I've never actually been to Seattle before). My availability depends on property managers but I'm sure I've got time somewhere, most likely afternoons and evenings.
posted by fuzzbean at 12:51 PM on April 16

Is having it Sunday 5:30 for the sake of Artw's woman's sanity OK with everyone?

Speak now or forever hold your sausage.
posted by dw at 1:07 PM on April 16 [1 favorite]

Yes.
posted by Tube at 3:52 PM on April 16

I'm really not sure you should plan around me if another time makes sense for someone else, but I have no problem with 5:30 Sunday. I should probably drink less though. Ha ha.
posted by Artw at 3:58 PM on April 16

Sunday works for me.
posted by owhydididoit at 4:19 PM on April 16

Sunday works for me.
posted by mrzarquon at 5:13 PM on April 16

OK, let's do it then:

Sunday, May 11, 5:30pm PDT, Shultzy's Sausage (Google Maps)

BE THERE!
posted by dw at 8:35 PM on April 16

um, May 11 is Mother's Day. But my Mother lives far away and doesn't love me so it's okay for me to stay out and drink...
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:10 PM on April 16

We can set aside a 30 minute "drunken call home to mom" period for people who need to do so.

I'm just saying, for those who do that sort of thing
posted by mrzarquon at 10:33 PM on April 16

Saturday would work just as well for me, just saying
posted by Artw at 10:49 PM on April 16

well its been posted to the BIG BOARD now for sunday, so we are stuck with it, are you happy?
posted by mrzarquon at 10:55 PM on April 16

I said "Speak now or forever hold your sausage." You did not speak. By your silence I imply consent. And that you're holding your sausage.
posted by dw at 11:05 PM on April 16

Forever
posted by mrzarquon at 12:33 AM on April 17

I had forgotten it's Mothers Day because it's not a big deal to us around here, even though I'm married to a mother. It just seems like Another Day To Sell Cards.

It's also Pentecost, too, which means everyone should speak in tongues at the meetup. Or eat tongue.
posted by dw at 6:29 AM on April 17

Sorry mom, I can't come see you today. I held my sausage and now I have to go eat tongue with my internet friends.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 7:46 AM on April 17

Enh, I sent my mom chocolate for her birthday; she's good for a year.
posted by fuzzbean at 8:40 AM on April 17

I read that as "I sent your mom..." which changes the tone considerably.
posted by mrzarquon at 8:45 AM on April 17

dw's mom is holding my sausage.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 1:51 PM on April 17

Wow, a Seattle meetup I may be able to make it to! Plus, Schultzy's!
posted by hattifattener at 4:43 PM on April 17

I'll try to swing through for a beer, but I have to go see the Moms for dinner. She changed my diapers fer chrissakes!
posted by vito90 at 12:59 PM on April 19

...not recently...
posted by vito90 at 12:59 PM on April 19

I will try to be there!
posted by rossination at 1:26 AM on April 27

It looks like I might still be stranded in Seattle awaiting the Queen herself to stamp by UK visa renewal. Which means I will be needing sausage and beer. Can anyone recommend a place on the evening of May 11th?
posted by fatllama at 10:43 PM on May 1

Well, you'll probably want to stay away from Shultzy's, that place is being taken over by wankers.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:41 AM on May 2

A meetup I can make it to? In my neighborhood no less? Crazy.
posted by squidlarkin at 4:56 PM on May 4

My first Metafilter meetup. Huh. Looking forward to it. =)
posted by andreaazure at 12:23 AM on May 5

Just a bump to pop this up on folks recent activity.

Hope to see everyone tomorrow!
posted by mrzarquon at 2:05 PM on May 10

I've been roped into M-Day activities with the in-laws. Said activities will likely not include a beer, which is unfortunate and will require correction. I'll see any MeFi's that choose to stick around for a few hours beyond 5:30.
posted by fatllama at 9:37 AM on May 11

I'll be there. I love sausage. And beer.

Will anyone have an official Metafilter sign? Or do I get to wander around asking strangers if they're from Metafilter and getting weird looks in return, as I did at the Victoria meetup?
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:30 PM on May 11 [1 favorite]

Last time I just homed in on mrzarquon in a metafilter T-shirt.
posted by Artw at 1:02 PM on May 11

Ah -- very clever, Artw.

I'm going to get there around 5:00, because of the stoopid Sunday bus schedule, so if anyone else is in the neighborhood early, well, there I'll be. (I'll also be leaving pretty early because of same stoopid Sunday bus schedule.) I look like a female Mefite.
posted by The corpse in the library at 2:23 PM on May 11

I'm the one with the librarian glasses. And hair that is vaguely reddish but mostly needs to be re-hennaed and also is very fuzzy. The hair, I mean.

Oh hey, corpse, I can walk over soonish.
posted by fuzzbean at 4:39 PM on May 11

I'm heading over now by bus. I wasn't going to break out the mefi shirt, but I guess it would make things easier.

Should be there in 20.
posted by mrzarquon at 4:53 PM on May 11

I'm wearing red as it's Pentecost, not because I'm a Republican. Or a socialist.

OK, just a little socialist.
posted by dw at 5:06 PM on May 11

First in, first out, that's me. Photos.
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:01 PM on May 11

Woo, I'm home.

I don't think I didn't get much in the way of photos, as I was too busy listening to strange tales by Tube.
posted by mrzarquon at 9:47 PM on May 11

Thanks you guys. Now I know where all the fun is: Burien.
posted by fatllama at 9:51 PM on May 11

Dammit, dammit, dammit, it was the spot I wanted and I couldn't make it. More stories, please?
posted by vito90 at 9:52 PM on May 11

While I felt erudite regaling those in attendance with my knowledge of nutria, I was outshined by owhydididoit's revelation that Catholics consider both the nutria and the capybara "fish" and so may eat them on Fridays.
posted by Tube at 11:11 PM on May 11

My knowledge of fiction is poor, and so was publicly excoriated for my failure to recognise the allusion to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as the source of Slarty Bartfast's moniker.

Later though, I extracted no small degree of literary revenge, as I was conversant in the works of John Rechy and Joseph Wambaugh, specifically as their books related to "park fairies".
posted by Tube at 11:20 PM on May 11

Zing!
posted by fatllama at 5:55 AM on May 12

Don't worry, Tube. I'm just tickled there are a few people out there that don't realize I possess the geekiest handle in MeFi history.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 9:11 AM on May 12

I had a great time, good talking to a few of you I didn't get to chat with much at the last one.

Teh idea of a MeFi family meetup was vaguely tossed around - is that an idea that has legs? I know I'd be up for it.
posted by Artw at 9:12 AM on May 12

There was one almost full-booth of Mefites there when I showed up around 5:35. As each further tardy Mefite showed up, the Shultzy's folks adapted first with a spare chair, then an extra little table abutting the booth, and then finally when we submitted that there could be even more people eventually wanting to sit with us, they gave us a beeg table in the back. It was great for me because there was no question who was us and who was else. Last time (at the Sunset), it was rather difficult to determine who was a true stranger and who was merely a Mefite I had never met.

I ate a modest bowl of red beans and rice, and had a local porterish-brew. Then, I got a side of fries, having coveted my neighbor's. When we moved to the back I ordered a cheese steak and a white ale that Slarty Bartfast was also having (and enjoying).

All in all, I think Mefi meetups are more comfortable the second time around. :)
posted by owhydididoit at 3:05 PM on May 12

Sorry I didn't realize you were coveting, owhydididoit. I would've shared.
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:14 PM on May 12

also, in case anyone needs kittens, talk to owhydididoit, he's your man.
posted by mrzarquon at 3:15 PM on May 12 [1 favorite]

I was impressed that owhydididoit knew that brains are very high in cholesterol.

I was wowed by fuzzbean's anecdote regarding an OCD fear of prions.

I failed to engage in meaningful conversation with ArtW, and vow to do so in the future.

We tossed around the idea of the next meet-up occurring in Georgetown, and I like that idea.
posted by Tube at 3:47 PM on May 12

A family meetup sounds like a great idea, hopefully I can borrow one in time.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 9:01 PM on May 12 [1 favorite]

Tube - no worries. I just feel a little bad because i said I'd say hi over MeMail and then ended up at the other end of the table the whole time.

BTW, re: the ekimos, vitamin C and scurvey thing I halfway overheard, I assume you've heard of the Terror/Erebus exibition, which got stranded on the ice and (supposedly) got scurvey, as well as lead poisoning , and eventually starved and went canibal while the eskimo kept their distance from the strange people from far away with ice-skills made of fail.
posted by Artw at 9:31 PM on May 12

Nutria!
posted by Tube at 11:05 PM on May 12

I finally made it to a mefi meetup! It was great putting faces to some of these names (though I was briefly worried that corpse was someone I knew who I was unaccountably failing to recognize).
posted by hattifattener at 6:31 AM on May 13

The corpse in the library is really much, much warmer-- and more lively-- than one might expect. ;-)

And YES! I have the kittens you need, especially if you like mostly-black cats with folded ears and foofy tails. Two-for-one special even. And yes, I'm spaying the queen. But her babies are so beautiful, it is a very hard thing to do. Wish I lived on a farm, or at least in a big, big house.
posted by owhydididoit at 8:17 PM on May 14

I am so sorry I missed this. I was so tired and I just spaced it out. That Sunday I was whupped. As to why, had I made it, I could have regaled you all with talesabout the full Fellini meets Bukowski Monty of it for hours. That preceding Saturday Night was definitely a massace. And so I missed out talking to interesting nice normal abnormal people. Oh, man, wish I was there. Dang.

But I was thinking this morning that I am going to push for another multiple canoe meet up in the near future, between now and the Solstice. This is the height of baby bird season and everything is still so trancendently fresh and green. And besides the baby birds, there's the marsh wrens, red winged black bird, pie billed grebes, bald eagles, ospreys, beaver, turtles and nutria to behold. And more great blue herons than you can shake a paddle at. All this and we can stay out the latest.

The one fly in the ointment part is that, given the weather this time of year here, it could be a bit more of a flash mob event with maybe less than a week's to a day or two's notice. But, que sera--going canoeing in Portage Bay and the Arboretum is not unlike sex in that it is an activity with which one never becomes tired. Then there is the whole 520 expansion to consider. Which means that these will be sights to be lost soon forever, scenes from the Gone World.

Oh, well, sorry I missed you--it sound like you all had fun. And as for the other, formal notice to follow.
posted by y2karl at 7:44 AM on May 15 [1 favorite]

We had fun. Not just fun: we rocked. (Bonus extra footage from the Shoreline meetup, because the thumbnails were so frikkin' small that I didn't notice it.)
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:32 AM on May 15 [1 favorite]

This was truly an awesome meetup, especially the gradually expanding table. And the beer. And the peeps.

Canoeing sounds totally badass, too. Count me in once I've moved up properly (think late July/early August).
posted by fuzzbean at 10:36 AM on May 15

Well, as the summer wears on, the algae blooms, the milfoil explodes and the oxygen gets sucked out of the water. It can get funky, stinky and skanky out there and the paddling can get labor intensive. Still, canoeing in around the Arboretum and Portage Bay is worth doing anytime one can rent a canoe but, for a fact, from now to the summer solstice is the best time of all to do so.
posted by y2karl at 11:38 AM on May 15

iPoutine and iTakeout April 14, 2008 10:24 AM Subscribe

iPoutine and iTakeout
April 14, 2008 10:24 AM Subscribe