A beloved Filipino breakfast spot serving all-day comfort food
Ludi’s is one of the oldest Filipino restaurants in Seattle. Although their old diner, “The Turf,” closed, they came back with a bang in Downtown Seattle.
That blue board on the corner of Stewart Street might not look very inviting, but the long line sparks curiosity.
Then there’s the temptation of that vibrant purple pancake, a shade of purple that looks both appetizing and beautiful.
I first came across this place on Instagram, where a food influencer showcased the pancakes in the most appetizing way possible, and I’m glad they did.
It definitely caught my attention, and there we were, standing in an hour-long line on Valentine’s Day, coffee in one hand and my husband and I scrolling through the menu with our other.
One interesting thing we noticed was the decor. The window display shows a scene from a local shop in the Philippines, I’m assuming, but it reminded me so much of an Indian kirana shop.
Full nostalgia came rushing back to both of us, and another 30 minutes passed as we talked about everything we used to buy from those stores for just 1 to 5 rupees.
We finally entered the restaurant and waited in the indoor waiting area, surrounded by photos of customers, family, and regulars.
It was heartwarming to see so many smiles on a cold winter day.
And just as our table was ready, Mr. Greg stopped by with a big smile.
People call him the downtown grandpa, and he truly reminded us of visiting our grandparents’ house and being served large portions of food, followed by the only possible next step: a nap.
I noticed he does this with every customer. That’s true hospitality, and it’s clear that he loves interacting with people.
I’ve also heard that sometimes Mrs. Rita comes in and offers free lumpia to people waiting in line, which is another lovely gesture.
We ordered their popular pancakes and the classic breakfast plate, and in no time, it vanished from our table.
We were this close to ordering another plate, but we had plans for the day and couldn’t afford a mid-day nap.
Still, I’d definitely come back for that hearty plate. I just need to prepare myself for the line, which I’m never exactly eager to stand in, but for this, I would. It’s that good!
Some social media recommendations are absolutely worth following and Ludi’s Restaurant is one of them.
Leave a Reply