3 First Impressions of Jude’s Old Town

I recently made my first stop at Rainier Beach’s Jude’s Old Town, which opened last March across the street from Nate’s Wings & Waffles and down the street from the Red Wing Café. Here, my three impressions from my visit to this cozy neighborhood spot. (Hint: It’s worth a stop, even if you live far from the neighborhood.)

The Drinks: There’s a rotating signature cocktails list of about six drinks that features some swell local spirits and nicely covers classical variations and new mixes. For example, it has a refreshingly tasty double-ginger mule, with house-infused ginger vodka, fresh lime, Bundaberg ginger beer and bitters, served up cold in the traditional copper mug. The draft beer list is also always rotating, featuring numbers like the Anderson Valley Amber. Jude’s also has a raspberry vodka lemonade on tap, and fills growlers for $10. Perhaps most fun, though, is Fishtank Friday, when it brings out a new house-infused spirit every week, one that’s been infusing in a fish tank.

The Food: Edibles cover a pub grub trail generally, but set the bar high on flavor. You’ll find soups and salads and sandwiches (from burger to grinder), and of course mac and cheese – including a crawfish version – on the regular menu. But there’s also a weekly Fresh Sheet, with rotating specials that really stand out. It usually has a few entrees and a starter, as well as some kids’ choices, including intriguing options like a cornmeal-encrusted chicken chile rellano. If you only get one nibble however, make it the Beecher’s cheese curds fried up in a homemade batter: oozy, peppery and awesome.

The Atmosphere: Jude’s (which is named after owner Beau Hebert’s mother) has all the hallmarks of a great local hang out, from the aqua walls and comfy booths to the amiable L-shaped bar with eight stools to the friendly staff. There’s a wrought-iron bar rail between the bar and booths and tables, so kids are welcome, and you’ll find families as well as friends having a drink and dining. There’s a decent sized TV behind the bar, too, making this one of my top choices for watching the Seahawks (go Hawks!), and Hebert said they’d be open early, serving brunch, for the team’s first game, which is Sunday, September 13 at 10 a.m.