Best mall food in Seattle

Ok, mall rats. We are sure you remember a time when the only thing more oppressive than the Aqua Net holding up your bangs was the lack of good food inside the shopping mall. Times have changed. There are too many great casual eateries to mention and too many shopping districts to address. But here is a sampling of our favorites among three common mall areas in Seattle. Bon appetit, Jason Lee fans.

Piatti, U-Village

Can’t get into Din Tai Fung? Consider it an opportunity to check out Piatti, the rustic Italian eatery, which recently reopened after an extensive six-month remodel. In addition to its seasonally-changing menu of wood-burning oven pizzas, homemade pastas and and poached tuna salad, look for a new entryway, additional patio seating, new zinc bartop and new bar program featuring classic Italian scratch-cocktails from bar manager Robb Sheldon (previously of Augustus Bar and Elysian Bar).

Piroshky Piroshky, Northgate Mall 

Food court? You bet. Since opening the Northgate Mall location in 2014, this popular bakery has seen many of its devotees skip the lines at Pike Place Market in favor of this much mellower spot. Two more bakeries have opened in 2015 at Columbia Center Food Court and Westfield Southcenter (in Tukwila). Whichever location you hit, here’s advice: Eschew the sweet variety for a golden, doughy piroshky brimming with either beef and onion or cabbage and onion. And don’t forget happy hour. At Northgate mall: 4 to 6 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays gets you $2 and $3 piroshkies.

Sam Choy’s Poke to the Max, Westlake Park

If you’re in or around Westlake Park (401 Pine St.) at lunchtime (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) on Wednesdays, there is no excuse to miss this epic food truck. The crispy boneless garlic fried chicken is waiting for you, second only to the shoyu-style fresh ahi poke with seaweed salad and rice. The only truck we will even let you consider going to instead is Off the Rez and only if they have the seasonal pumpkin fry bread.