Order Bongos Takeout or Delivery
Bongos Photos
Business Info
Bongos Popular Dishes
BONGOS ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Bongos
Recommended Reviews - Bongos
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
We made our way to Bongos because they are on the Seattle Met top 50 list. When we arrived, it was clear this restaurant has very high demands during warm and/or sunny weather being across the street from Green Lake. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place looks like it has expanded multiple times, so much so the bathroom access is outside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It has a party vibe with loud music.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The line to order is designed to snake around the walls.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Meals are served in non-compostable to-go containers. A lot of trash is being generated. Eeewww. Order at the counter, pick up your own food, get your own beverage, dump your own trash. Minimal service other than answering questions when ordering. Prices are reasonable. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is family friendly with a small kids menu, too.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They have parking outside but expect them to be full. Be careful driving in front of Aurora which can have speeding cars. We found parking on the side streets to avoid Aurora. I find this place overhyped with Americanized Caribbean food. Both are marked spicy; they are not. The Food: West Indies Plate, $13.99 - 1 Star Menu: Caribbean jerk spiced chicken, house made West Indies sauce with rice, beans, slaw, maduro. I really wish this food was served on a plate. I ate food stacked on top of each other when it is not a sandwich. Coleslaw is sitting on top of the rice. Half the rice is soggy, soaked with the juices from coleslaw. It's disgusting. See photo of the soggy rice at the bottom, which I didn't eat. The chicken is properly charred, but the jerk sauce is sweet, salty, but no spice, and no discernable jerk seasoning. The maduro, fried plantain, lacked char; there are much better fried plantains in many other restaurants. This dish was disappointing. The Desi Plate, $13.99 - 3 Stars Menu: Citrus braise pork, caramelized onions, and pickled peppers with rice, beans, slaw, maduro. Hubby, unlike me, will stir everything together and call it a meal. He was ok with the soggy rice and non-spicy jalapenos rings and non-spicy pepperoncini rings. He fully acknowledged it is disgusting, but he didn't mind it. He, too, agrees this dish tastes Americanized.
Bongos always hits the spot every time, I've never had a bad meal here! The food is extremely flavorful with the right amount of spice and sides. They also have jalapeño and mango habanero hot sauces on the side. I have had a few of their dishes and my favorite is the West Indies plate because it's savory with a little sweetness + spice. The portion you get is great for the price, I always have leftovers. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance is causal/chill and I love that there is both indoor and outdoor seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]During the winter their outdoor seating is insulated and heated which is a wonderful touch.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service is friendly, food can take some time especially if it's very busy during the summer but so worth it!
The first thing I have to comment on was the environment of this restaurant I came here on a pretty sunny day - and it was absolutely the perfect time to be here - as they have a fantastic outdoor seating area they even have a sand pit! the layout, architecture, and art of this place gives off a great tropical/caribbean vibe, which is not something I'd expect from a place in Seattle As for the sandwich itself - it was quite good The buns were roughly average I would say - there could've been more aioli added to it to give it a bit more flavor - and it was slightly harder than i would like The best part, by far, though, was the pork When I say this sandwich was absolutely loaded with pork I'm not exaggerating. It was quite literally overflowing out of the sandwich as I tried to pick it up Eating this with one hand is practically impossible as you'll lose so much pork to the wrapper The taste of it was quite fantastic as well - it had a slight sour flavor, had tons of fat, and most importantly had a nice, dark, almost-brown color There were certain pieces that were actually charred enough to have one side be fully black - and these were incredible Moving on to the other toppings, the sweet ham was also really good, as well as the cucumbers (which normally i don't like) and pickles I noticed maybe a couple jalapenos and didn't taste the onions much the swiss cheese i felt was a bit inconsistent. I didn't taste it much for most of the sandwich, but it showed up near the end a lot I recently got a similar sandwich from Paseo, so I feel like I should compare the two Paseo's sandwich certainly has a lot more oil, and this is less 'wet' than that one - this is also because the pork in Paseo is cooked to a lower temperature, which makes it more juicy so it releases more liquid, compared to the more brown pork we get here I do think i prefer the pork there slightly, but it's pretty close. You do get more pork here compared to there, though While I liked the type of bun at Paseo better, I do really like the fact that the buns here are toasted - which is something they don't do over there The onions are certainly more prevalent, larger, and in my opinion better at Paseo They have more aioli as well, but I would give the edge to the rest of the toppings here Pricing wise it's roughly the same - although I think Paseo's sandwich is slightly bigger and more filling I think I would give the slight edge to Paseo on this one - but it's pretty close. Both places are fantastic
First time eating in. Have had takeout of empanadas which were delicious! Today i had the Desi plate, with citrus braised pork, caramelized onions and pickled peppers. Came with black beans, Cole slaw and maduro. Pork was great and i really liked the slaw. Beans a little sweet for me. Husband had Cuban Picadillo plate, with ground beef picadillo, really good. Can't wait to try more!
cant believe i havent had bongos yet! but wow it really lived up to the hype! i got the bart sandwich which has both the fixins on the desi and the 1am. boy was it JUICY. it was packed with meat and all the toppings blended together in a symphony of wonderful flavors. the bread was fluffy, but definitely doesnt sit well. i reheated the other half for dinner and it disintegrated. i also tried the ropa vieja bowl. again, packed with a generous helping of meat, over rice, some slaw, and a maduro. very tender. i loved the beans. the slaw was ok, not the most flavorful but it was a nice crunchy addition. my friend ordered the tostones which i loved! fried to perfection and dusted with salt. it came with a dip/aioli which was wonderful! definitely want to come back and try their drinks and get that sandwich again!!!
Updating my review because Bongos continues to be one of our favorite places on rotation. Their West Indies plates are amazing and the portions are big- they've gotten a bit smaller over th years, I used to get almost two meals but it's still a great deal for a good price. Today I tried their toffee cheese cake and it was also great. Always bring friends when they're visiting from out of town, it's delicious. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I miss the sand though.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]
Loved the food and experience here - really wish I found out about this place sooner! They have so many different Caribbean dishes, a bakery, and a bar. Everything looked delicious! I got the West Indies chicken plate and really liked it! The chicken had amazing flavor - savory, a little sweet, and a little spicy. The plate was balanced too, with sides of beans, coleslaw, rice, and a fried plantain. I also tried a bite of the spicy shrimp plate and really liked the flavors of the shrimp as well. We also a guava cheesecake from the bakery, which was delicious. The bakery had many unique items, it was difficult to choose! Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at Bongos. The food is delicious and with very reasonable prices! I will definitely be back!
This may be one of my favorite spots in the United States. I ordered a few different plates to extend my experience, and everything was a hit. The amount of food included in each plate was so abundant that my friends and I had to take two plates back home, and what was pleasantly surprising was that the plates tasted even better the next day with a little bit of heating up in the microwave. For the price they listed, it's a truly economical option and a neighborhood gem. Honestly I enjoyed the mango slaw, the beans, and the garlic rice very much. The mango slaw wasn't too watery or had too much mayo, and the mango bits provided extra depth in its flavor profile. The rice and beans were very well seasoned and I could really just eat it by itself without the meat. Of course, though, the meat was the star. Some types were spicier than others, but it was amazing to find out that the spiciness they had was the flavorful kind of spiciness, if that makes sense. Every type of meat was tender, from the braised pork to the jerk spiced chicken to the jerk pork chop and more, and had distinct flavors so that each dish offered a unique culinary experience. Like I said just then, I could've just eaten the rice and beans alone, but I would like to emphasize that having the meat definitely elevated the dishes. In addition to such, I had a mimosa as well which tasted pretty normal, and a tres leches cake, which wasn't the best I have had anywhere but definitely solid. It was given in a box and when I took it out of the box, I could see the liquidy milky content at the bottom of the box, which was a good sign. In a city that has so many pricey food options, this establishment stands out because of how they offered a large portion for a very reasonable price, along with how tasty the food was. There are still so many dishes on the menu under plates, bowls, and even sandwiches, that I honestly see myself coming back multiple times in the future, if not everytime that I'm in Seattle. Shoutout to my friend who introduced me to this spot!
Was looking for a sandwich, so we found this spot on social media and decided to give it a try. We were so glad we did! Online-ordered the Desi sandwich and 2 empanadas (beef and chicken) to go. Pick up was really easy and timely. Service was nice! The sandwich was hefty and definitely good enough to share. If you're looking for a light bite or side, I highly recommend the empanadas. They were crunchy and not doughy like other empanadas I've had before! Kind of like a fried texture -- but really delicious. For the brief moment I was inside the restaurant, I saw lots of seating both indoor and outdoor. Looks like they can accommodate for all party sizes.
We visited Bongos for a late lunch on Sunday. It was busy, but we still found plenty of seating, as they have indoor, covered outdoor, and uncovered outdoor options. It's also very dog-friendly, with lots of pups enjoying the outdoor area. Parking could be tricky. The food was delicious! We ordered the Desi Plate, and the pork was incredibly juicy and tender, pairing perfectly with the beans and slaw. We also tried "The Bart" sandwich, which is like the Desi Plate but with cheese. the sandwich was huge and delicious, but we preferred the plate because it offered more variety in flavor and texture. They have a fantastic dessert selection, with items like guava cake and coconut cake. We opted for the chocolate flan cake, and it was amazing--very rich and moist. We highly recommend this place!
I have eaten at Bongos now several times and tried many different meals. Every single one of them is delicious. It's a lot of food as well. The seating is great with a lot of outside seating. Alcohol and bakery options which were also delicious. You order up front and get a buzzer to pick up your food when it's ready. The staff was always helping picking out a new meal to try and never disappointing.
We finally had a chance to visit Bongos, making it the last of the Big 3 (reduced from Big 4 now that Los Costenos removed sandwiches from their menu) Caribbean Sandwich places for us to try. This was on a typical rainy Sunday morning for lunch. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Bongos, situated inside a renovated gas station, has tons of seating both inside and in the heated gas pump area.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It wasn't too crowded when we arrived, but based on the small corridor line that wraps around a part of the dining area, it probably gets quite busy at times.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered a couple of items to try: Desi Sandwich ($11.99) - They certainly made some strange choices while constructing this sandwich. Caribbean sandwiches around Seattle are known for being sloppy sandwiches, dripping with juices, and generally messy to eat. This one takes things to a whole other level. There's so much pork braising liquid slathered onto the bread that it literally cannot be eaten as a sandwich at all. The bread is completely turned into a soppy mess, becoming bread pudding-like in texture. I could not manage to lift it up without giant pieces of bread sloughing off onto the tray. The bread has some blackened spots, so it's definitely toasted, but it's completely softened by the copious amount of juices soaked in, not to mention being steamed by being wrapped in two layers of foiled paper before service. I actually had a difficult time trying to get the sandwich out of the wrapper due to how delicate the bread had become, necessitating eventually having to eat the sandwich with a spoon - yes a plastic spoon was more than enough to cut through the sandwich. The sandwiches at the other shops use crusty baguettes for a reason - it stands up so much better to the sloppiness inside. With it being as is, the texture is very offputting - I ordered a sandwich, not bread pudding! On the positive side, it tastes pretty good. There's an acidic tang from the vinegar citrus braise, the pork is extremely tender, and there's plenty of sweetness and creaminess throughout. To add a hint of texture rather than being a complete mess, there's some sweet caramelized onion and really fragrant jalapenos, which also add a small bit of heat, inside. (2/5) West Indies Plate ($13.99) - Everything in this bowl has essentially the same base sweet and fruity flavor, but each element piles in additional aromas on top. The slaw is chopped very finely, it does give a bit of a crisp texture to the dish but I think it could be better if less finely chopped. It's mixed with cubed chunks of mango and then absolutely doused in a creamy mango mayo. The slaw as a whole is more sauce than vegetable. This allows the sauce to penetrate into the bed of rice on the very bottom, giving the rice also a certain creaminess. There's so much cream that the rice actually more resembles rice pudding (with a different flavor profile, of course), than rice by itself. There's a certain coconut-type flavor too, making me wonder if they soak the rice in coconut milk. The chicken is done pretty well. It has a bit of charred smokiness, then the distinct aromatic savory profile of a jerk seasoning. The amount of scotch bonnet added isn't much, so while the chicken gives a pleasant warmth in the mouth, it's not very spicy at all, at least compared to other jerk chickens I've eaten. That spicy levels are tempered down even further by the creamy sauces on the rice. The chicken itself seems to be boneless breast meat, but it's not overcooked at all, instead remaining tender and moist. Seattle does boneless chicken very well thanks to the proliferation of teriyaki in the area. My only issue with the dish is that base sweet taste. It permeates every bite, and while there are other flavors on top of the sweetness, it still feels very repetitive like the dish is missing variety even though it's not. (4/5) Tostone ($5.99) - An order comes with a stack of eight tostones. They are simply salted, fried to a good dense crisp. The smashing creates small crags and valleys to give extra surface area to make it extra crisp. The interiors aren't exactly fluffy inside, but aren't too firm. The tostones are drained well so there's no oily residue. On the side, the dish comes with cilantro mayo, adding flavor and creaminess. I'm a sucker for tostones. (5/5) For sandwiches, I'd choose Un Bien 10 times out of 10 over Bongos. If I'm ever craving a bowl of Carribbean food, however, I may visit Bongos again. Bathrooms - Two unisex rooms that require a code to enter. They are right in front of the restaurant on the outside and are impossible to miss.
Review Insights
9 months ago
First time coming here in probably a year and I forgot how much I love Bongos! I got the Desi Plate to-go ($16) and it came LOADED. Like this was a good 2 meals for me. The pork was super tender and yummy, and didn't have many fatty pieces which I really appreciated. The rice and black beans were a great base, the beans are slightly sweet which I loved. It also comes topped with coleslaw, picked jalapeño, banana peppers, and a sweet plantain and it was the perfect combo. A great price for how much food you get- lots of protein! I ordered to-go and it was ready in about 15-20 min. Indoor and outdoor seating available, and they in close the indoor seating when it's colder out. I'll be back soon! read more
Great Caribbean food and awesome atmosphere. I had the West Indies plate, the fried chicken plate and Spinach empanadas. The 2 chicken plates were full of flavor and tender. The spinach and cheese empanadas were not my favorite but were not awful. Also grabbed the guava cheese cake and millionaire cake, both was delicious! read more
3 months ago
A terrible job on their steak plate. Ordered a steak plate cooked, medium for takeout. Don't adjust your device settings, this picture is in color. Missing slaw, missing chimichurri, and flavorless grey well done steak. Normally, this is a tasty meal and this is just an abomination, especially for about $21 after tax read more
Business owner information
Eleazar P.
Hi Chadwick,…
9 months ago
This place has quickly become a favorite lunch spot, you can dine in they have plenty of seating areas or you can order take out and eat it at green lake, just make sure to grab one of there amazing desserts for after! My favorite thing to get the the West Indies plate, it has great flavor, a little bit of spice, and the perfect amount of sides. read more
"What do you want to eat for dinner?"... Bongos. Got a friend in town?... Bongos. First date?... Bongos. It doesn't matter the occasion, Bongos is always the answer. Every single dish has some of the most lip-smackin' flavor-packed bites that you'll have in Seattle. They also have a bar with Caribbean themed cocktails which will make you feel like you're sipping on something sweet while getting a sunburn on a beach, but really you're on Aurora Ave. I've had almost everything here, and I can definitively say that the Trini Fried Chicken Bowl is my favorite. These sweet and spicy fried chicken morsels are like general tso's chicken with a twist. Also... the beans and rice... I'm not sure how they make them, but some of the best beans and rice I've ever had. I would come here to eat that alone. read more
5 months ago
2 months ago
Love coming here after Greenlake. The food is always solid! The space is huge. They have indoor, outdoor and covered patio which is dog friendly. We have tried the desi sandwich, West Indies rice place, yuca fries. The desi sandwich can be a little messy. But, everything we have has been flavorful and delicious. There was nobody at the bar when we went to pick up our drink and we had to wait around 10 minutes to have somebody attend us. That's, why I have deducted one star. Overall, reasonably priced, flavorful food spot! read more
Yum! Ordered take out here. I had the hardest time choosing what to order. Everything looked so good! I ended up getting the Jamaican chicken curry bowl and the West Indies plate because I HAD to try #1 jerk chicken bites on Zagats! It was also very fun that the bowls and plates were gluten free for my friend so we could share! Yay! I loved both of them! Flavors were great and everything tasted fresh. Prices were so good! ~$12-$13 for a meal! I was very full and happy with leftovers. I would definitely come back!!!! read more
Bongos had been on my list for the longest time, and I'm glad I was finally able to try it with a close friend of mine! Located next to Green Lake, it's a perfect spot for dining in or grabbing takeout to enjoy elsewhere. There are a few parking spaces surrounding the restaurant, but considering how popular this place is, those spots are often full. There's parking available in the surrounding neighborhoods, though it may take some time to find a spot. The inside has a casual, lively atmosphere with plenty of seating. I went on a colder day, and they had heaters and even a fireplace outside, which was a nice touch. You order at the counter, and they'll call your name when your food is ready. I ordered the Desi Plate and was pleasantly surprised by how quickly it came out! My friend got the West Indies, which took a bit longer. All the plates come with rice, beans, mango slaw, and a plantain. The pork in the Desi Plate was so flavorful -- the caramelized onions and peppers really complemented the meat and made for a delicious meal. Considering the plate was about $15, I was impressed by the portion size; you get great quality and quantity here. I'm happy to add another Caribbean spot to my list of local favorites, and I'll definitely be back at Bongos! read more
8 months ago
We'd never tried Caribbean food before, and our first experience was phenomenal thanks to Bongos! The gumbo was bursting with flavor--packed with all the spices I didn't know I needed. Even my pickiest little eater said the chicken was BOMB! (and trust me, that's saying a lot). I also snuck a bite of Mini's sandwich, and now I know what I'm ordering next time--it was that good! The service was wonderful. The lady at the register was so kind and walked us through the menu, which made ordering easy. The atmosphere was great too--music playing, friendly chatter all around, and such a good vibe. The kids enjoyed their food and then played a few rounds of Uno while Daddy Bird and I got some work done. All in all, Bongos gave us an awesome first taste of Caribbean food. We'll definitely be back! read more
I love this place! I love the vibes, especially for a summer day like when I went. Plenty of seating on a patio like area. They even have a sand area! This place also has great food! I love their sandwiches the most. The most recent visit I got the Desi sandwhich. It's pretty decently sized and I love the flavor! Also everyone that works there seems pretty chill. A great option for food! read more
We saw the good reviews on this place and our friends recommended it to us so we were excited to try Bongos! It seemed a little out of place in a mostly residential area of Green Lake but you don't want to miss it! It's got a "Diners, Drive In, and Dives" kind of feel to it- nothing fancy here, including the disposable/take out stuff they serve your food in or the picnic tables and lawn furniture that make you feel like you're sitting in someone's yard rather than a restaurant. Also it's nice to run across a Caribbean place- not too many of those around so this was a welcome change from the norm! Others must think the same thing as it was pretty busy the whole time we were there. The food here was great. We got a Desi Plate, Trini Fried Chicken, and West Indies. All the meats were flavorful and tender (though the West Indies had a little too much kick for me- but I am a wimp when it comes to spicy) and they were served over a bed of rice along with black beans, mango slaw, and a maduro. I wish the slaw was served separately as I wasn't a fan of it mixing with my other stuff but I loved the food here and would definitely be back again! read more
2 years ago
Still a very solid restaurant. I wouldn't necessarily categorize it as an authentic Caribbean restaurant com more of a fusion. But very good at what they do. It is a little pricey for what you're getting, though but for the area I would say it's about normal. The jerk chicken platter is usually what I've gotten, and it's very flavorful and delicious. You walk up, stand in a line, and order your food. When you're done you pick it up at the counter, and then couldn't go sit down. Although they're seating has fluctuated, so I'm not sure if they have seating all year around. However, in the summer, it's very cute with fireplaces and bench seating. It can get really packed in there, though when the weather is nice. Stopped in this time on a nice summer day after walking Greenlake. We got the large batch of punch. I don't remember what kind it was, though. It was around 40 bucks, not necessarily worth it, but it was OK. This is definitely a must try- especially for those who can't handle the level of spice at authentic Caribbean restaurants. It's very toned down and Americanized, but doesn't skimp on flavor. read more
10 months ago
Friday, July 14, 2023 FIRE! Take this to a park and eat. Flavors are amazing! Jerk chicken, pork and the oxtail! Incredible! Don't skip out on the plantain. You won't regret. read more
2 years ago
This casual Cuban/Caribbean spot has tons of seating and big portions! I came for lunch and there was tons of seating in their covered & enclosed patio. It's fine even if it's raining and cold. They also have some indoor seating as well. You order at the counter inside and they give you a buzzer to let you know when your food is ready. They have a ton of different plates and sandwich options. I tried the Desi plate and my sister and her husband got the fried chicken plate and the jerk chicken plate. They all came with rice, beans, coleslaw and a maduro. All were pretty solid but the fried chicken plate was the favorite. The chicken was nicely fried and was covered in a delicious sauce. I also really enjoyed the maduro, wish I ordered more on the side. The portions were also huge, we had leftovers to take home. read more
Second time visiting this spot. Eclectic, fun decor. Service was good, drinks were tasty albeit not very strong. Started with a bongorita pitcher which was very sour then tried a mojito which had a better balance with the mint. Ordered yuca cheese balls which were very cheesy and yuca fries which could be crispier (some central fibers were not removed). Niece tried moco loco and said it was okay. Sister tried spicy shrimp which she liked. I tried the Desi plate which had pork over black beans and rice with a plantain. My mom got the same and got a tiny piece of plantain which she was not too happy with. I agree that the best part was the caramelized plantain (in Panama we call them tajadas) which was a nice contrast with the savory platter. My rice and meat were inconsistently cooked/ seasoned and black beans were bland. read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
I love the ambiance and then community here on a warm Friday night. Super busy and lively and the staff are really nice with ample seating options both inside and outside. You order at a counter and wait for the buzzer to pick up your food and it was pretty fast. I ordered the West Indies plate with jerk chicken and it wasn't bad. I enjoyed the plate but found slight gripes with all of them. I thought the spice with the chicken was fine but wayyyy too salty. Every bite felt like a salt bomb and it was a bit overwhelming and I was surprised that it was white meat as opposed to dark meat (legs, wings). The black beans also felt a bit too sweet for me and I wished there was more rice to counteract all the chicken. The maduros were good but they're always good so in terms of food, I wasn't blown away but the ambiance is really nice and would be a nice place to hang out with friends! read more
7 months ago
Appreciated all the outdoor seating. Had the West Indies Chicken plate. Really enjoyed the black beans and the well grilled chicken. The rice was a bit lost. The slaw a bit too wet. Still enjoyed the meal and thought it was a good value. read more
Everything I tried was a little spicy for me, but still really good! The gumbo and West Indies Plate were full of flavor. I especially loved the Guava Cinnamon Cake -- soft, perfectly spiced, and not too sweet. The Mango Cake was a bit sour and firm, but still tasty and refreshing. Great food, fun beachy vibe. I'll be back! Service was good, nice. read more
Really good food! For me, out of the popular carribean food spots, I do like this place the most because of how its an actual restaurant with indoor seating. The food is just as good as the other spots as well. We got the Shrimp sandwich and some bowls to share. Seasoned perfectly! I also recommend the yucca fries. Food came out fast. All around no complaints! read more
1 month ago
Caribbean restaurant in our list from a long time & we finally visited this! It's a fast service, friendly service. You will need to stand in line to order and then you will get a buzzer while you find a place to sit. we sat outdoors near the beautiful fireplace. We ordered the WEST INDIES SANDWICH which is a juicy sandwich with Caribbean jerk spiced chicken with mango slaw with house aioli The Bucco Chicken Bowl has a Bay Island spiced marinated chicken thighs served with Cilantro Crema and Pineapple Salsa. Lastly, a YUCA FRIES which is a Steak fry cut and served with cilantro aioli. lots of parking around the block. read more
2 years ago
Been seeing high ratings for Bongos and decided to try this place before going on a walk around Green Lake. Parking can be a little tricky, but I came here on a weekday at 2pm in the afternoon so there was plenty of parking. I was greeted warmly by the front counter employees and was able to sample a few of their protein flavored items before choosing a dish. I ended up ordering the jerk chicken bowl- it came with a mango salad with rice and beans. It's flavorful, however, I was expecting jerk chicken rubbed style but it was drizzled with jerk sauce. It had some heat, if you like a kick. But I truly wished they had Caribbean hot sauce that would enhance the dish well. I ordered the side of Maduros- it was so good. I am obsessed with plantains, and I love the sour cream sauce that it came with. Would def return and try their shrimp bowl. Not overly expensive which is nice. And generous portions. read more
1 year ago
Ordered the desi plate and the Bart sandwich for our first time at Bongos. We preferred the sandwich over the plate. Both were super filling and enough for the two of us. I also had the guava cocktail which was delicious. There's a lot of seating although most of it is outdoors under cover. All the food is takeout even if you dine in. Wish they used compostable or reusable containers! read more
3 months ago
Business owner information
Eleazar P.
This is correct! We hope to see you there soon!
2 years ago
I don't know how I heard about Bongos but I came here when I first moved to Seattle and loved it. It's the place I recommend folks to go to when they are in town! I recently went again after not going for over a year and it reminded me of how amazing it is! The flavor is delicious and they stuff the sandwich to the brim. I always get the desi sandwich which is amazing. It's a bit spicy for me but I don't care because of the flavor of the braised pork. My boyfriend gets the trini fried chicken po boy which he loves! If you're in Seattle and want a good sandwich, go to Bongos. read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
Amazing Place to come Eat :) The Steak and rice is amazing)! West Indies Jerk Chicken Plate Jamaican Gumbo bowl Maduros +! Tostones! That Rum Cake !!! Service was 10/10!! Ambiance was really cool & smooth! read more
What a hidden gem! From the exterior, this place is so unassuming - if not for Yelp or word of mouth, I'm not sure how people would know that inside there's people cooking up delicious food! I don't think I've ever had Caribbean food before, but my standard has been set pretty high now after visiting Bongos. The lady who helped us, who I believe was the owner, was super nice. We ordered some Tostones, which were amazing, and she ended up giving us 2 servings since she didn't think the first one had enough, so nice! I got their Desi plate, which was also so good. The pork was melt in your mouth tender, and the combination of the rice, beans, and salad just came together so nicely. The only bad thing I can say is I wish I lived right next door to this place - it's definitely a must try! read more
8 months ago
The food is so good every single time! There is more on the menu I want to try every time I am there. Love the outdoor space. Having part of it covered is nice for the winter months. Love that it's dog-friendly too! read more
2 months ago
10 months ago
More info about Bongos
6501 Aurora Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
Phinney Ridge
Directions
(206) 420-8548
Call Now
Order Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://www.bongosseattle.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Bongos Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Bongos
Similar to the question about spicy shrimp is bucco chicken gone forever ? I thought those were the two most popular items on the menu
You are in luck. We actually were able to bring the Bucco chicken back to the menu about 2 weeks ago. We had issues with getting certain ingredients for a period, but we are… Read more
Is the outdoor seating area dog-friendly?
Yes there are always lots of dog's when I am there in the outdoor seating area
Where did the Spicy Shrimp plate go? Please don't say it's gone forever...! ☹️
Sarah- UPDATE: We got our ingredients back in stock and the Spicy Shrimp is back!!!… Read more
I'm getting conflicting information. Is Bongo's open for dinner hours?
We are open Wed-Sun from 3-9. We will be closed next week Sept 29th and Sept 30th for an employee appreciation trip.
Do you do catering?
Yes we do offer catering as far as trays of food not full service. Please call restaurant and we can take your information and send you a catering menu
Can they make things without cilantro?
Yes of course we can. If you order a sandwich just tell cashier that you would like no cilantro. If you order Yuca or Tostones ask for no aioli. We no longer add cilantro to the slaw so you are good there. We cannot take out the cilantro from the… Read more
Do they have french fries with the sandwiches?
No, they are served without sides. But I recommend getting a side of plantains!
Are you open during coronavirus for carry out?
Hi Karen. Yes we are open. Wednesday through Sunday from 11-8pm. We are doing carry out only and encourage you to call ahead so your order can be ready when you arrive. We are also partnered with Uber Eats for delivery. You can use their app or… Read more
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
89 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
13 years ago
11 years ago
4 years ago
6 years ago
9 years ago
2 years ago
6 years ago
5 years ago
13 years ago
1 year ago
8 years ago
4 years ago
2 years ago
10 years ago
4 years ago
13 years ago
Bongos - cuban - Updated July 2026
Best of Seattle
People found Bongos by searching for…
Trending Searches in Seattle, WA
All You Can Eat Breakfast Buffet near Bongos
Black Owned Restaurants near Bongos
Chicken Caesar Salad near Bongos
Chicken Cutlet Sandwich near Bongos
Chopped Cheese Sandwich near Bongos
Cute Lunch Restaurants near Bongos
Egg Salad Sandwich near Bongos
Fresh Bread Bakery near Bongos
Gluten Free Sandwich near Bongos
Lobster Roll Sandwich near Bongos
Panamanian Restaurants near Bongos
Pulled Pork Sandwich near Bongos
Restaurants With Tvs near Bongos
Browse Nearby
BEST of Seattle, Washington Restaurants near Bongos
BEST of Seattle, Washington Coffee near Bongos
BEST of Seattle, Washington Desserts near Bongos
BEST of Seattle, Washington Things to Do near Bongos
BEST of Seattle, Washington Cocktail Bars near Bongos
BEST of Seattle, Washington Parking near Bongos
BEST of Seattle, Washington Puerto Rican Food near Bongos
BEST of Seattle, Washington Latin Food near Bongos
Browse Brands
Related Searches in Seattle, WA
Authentic Cuban Cuisine in Seattle, Washington
Authentic Salvadoran Cuisine in Seattle, Washington
Best Appetizers to Enjoy Around Seattle, Washington
Best Bagels Available in Seattle, Washington
Best Cuban Breakfast Spots in Seattle, Washington
Best Dim Sum Places to Try in Seattle, Washington
Best Oxtail Recipes and Restaurants in Seattle, Washington
Best Places for Brunch in Seattle, Washington
Best Places for Oxtail Stew in Seattle, Washington
Best Smoothie Spots and Cafes in Seattle, Washington
Best Soul Food Dishes in Seattle, Washington
Best Spots for Latin Brunch in Seattle, Washington
Caribbean Catering for Events in Seattle, Washington
Classic Mojito Cocktails Near Seattle, Washington
Crispy French Fries Favorites in Seattle, Washington
Delicious Pernil Dishes Served in Seattle, Washington
Delicious Seafood Paella in Seattle, Washington
Delicious Soup Spots to Try in Seattle, Washington
Delicious West Indian Food in Seattle, Washington
Delicious Wraps Available in Seattle, Washington
Discover Authentic Filipino Food in Seattle, Washington
Discover Authentic French Restaurants in Seattle, Washington
Discover Authentic Italian Food in Seattle, Washington
Discover Coffee & Tea Options in Seattle, Washington
Discover Cuban Pastries Favorites in Seattle, Washington
Discover Latin American Businesses in Seattle, Washington
Discover Top Fast Casual Spots in Seattle, Washington
Discover the Best Matcha Drinks in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Authentic Latin Breakfast Dishes in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Authentic Oxtail Soup Near Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Authentic Paella Dishes in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Breakfast & Brunch Favorites in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Caribbean Restaurant Dining in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Classic Hamburger Options in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Delicious Curry Chicken Dishes in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Delicious Hot Dogs in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Delicious Sancocho Dishes in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Delicious Tapas Near Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Delicious Vaca Frita Dishes in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Patio Dining Options in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Rice and Beans Meals Near Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Tasty Sweet Plantains Dishes in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy Traditional Cortadito Coffee in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy a Cheap Dinner Option in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy a Spanish Restaurant Experience in Seattle, Washington
Enjoy the Best Cocktails in Seattle, Washington
Experience Puerto Rican Cuisine in Seattle, Washington
Explore BBQ Restaurants Near Seattle, Washington
Browse Articles
People who viewed Bongos also viewed
Un Bien
268 reviews
Sunset Hill, Ballard
$$
Lenox
112 reviews
Belltown
Pink Salt Restaurant
193 reviews
Magnolia
$$$
Pam's Caribbean Kitchen
597 reviews
Wallingford
$$
Paseo
599 reviews
Industrial District
$$
Ray's Café
640 reviews
Sunset Hill, Ballard
$$$
Restaurant Christine
114 reviews
Wallingford
San Fermo
676 reviews
Ballard
$$$
Sunrise Restaurant
130 reviews
Greenwood, Phinney Ridge
$$
Noi Thai Cuisine
397 reviews
Greenlake
$$$