Revisiting some old standbys


 I don't think I'll ever figure out why some restaurants are successful and some aren't. 

Sure, some restaurants provide delicious food, great service, and an enjoyable atmosphere, and deservedly experience success. Other restaurants consistently provide mediocre food, rude service, noisy atmosphere, and are always busy. Yet other restaurants have great food, great service, pleasant atmosphere,and don't stay in business very long. I'm sure location plays a part. But there's also some psychology involved: People tend to want to go where other people are dining, and avoid places that aren't busy. When asked about whether he wanted to dine in a particular restaurant, Yogi Berra once answered "Nobody goes there anymore, it's too popular."

I recently visited a couple of local places that I've been to numerous times, but don't think I've ever written about. 
The first is Rubattino's, 808 S 3rd St, Renton. Rubattino's is Renton's oldest restaurant. Yes, The Melrose is older, but for much of it's existence it was a bar and not a restaurant.  Rubattino's dates back to 1926, and I think it last got remodeled in the 1970's. It's strong on ambience. The food is better than one might expect. The omelettes are great. The potatoes are home fries, home made, and crispy. The waffles are popular, and the pork chops n' eggs are a good value and supposedly very flavorful(I'm avoiding meat these days, but my dining companions raved about it.) The coffee is good. Service is efficient and friendly, in an old school way. Is it the best breakfast in Renton? Probably not, but it's always good, the prices are low, and it's an old school diner kind of place one doesn't see much of anymore. the place is a treasure. What more does one need? 

The other place most recently visited was Best Pho & Thai, 739 Rainier Ave S, Renton. They've been around for years, but recently changed ownership.  Years ago they were the Star Thai restaurant, and the Lazy Bee before that. The change in ownership has brought an improvement to the food. In addition to Thai and Vietnamese favorites, they've also got Vietnamese sandwiches, and teriyaki,

The rice vermicelli dishes are great, mixed with salad veggies and either pork, chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
The green curry is flavorful without being too spicy. Portions are large, everything is fresh tasting, and prices are low. Is it the best Vietnamese or Thai food in Renton? That's a high bar, as there are some great Vietnamese and Thai restaurants in Renton. So, no. But service is fast and pleasant, the food is good and plentiful, and ya can't beat the view of the parking lot and Rainier Avenue.

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