By far the best of Issquah’s three “Garden” restaurants, Shanghai Garden has fast, friendly service. Most of the menu isn’t bad nor is it particularly noteworthy. If you turn to the last page, however, you see the list of dishes made from their homemade, hand shaven noodles. These noodles make the restaurant worth trying, even if Issaquah is a little out of your way.

While you’re waiting for your meal, they bring out slices of bread like many other restaurants. But at the Coho Cafe it is served with a dish of oil and vinegar for dipping. Simple, but really good!

My favorite meal, the Seared Ahi, is no longer on the most recent menu, but the soba noodles and prawns are a good second choice. It’s not the best seafood I’ve had, but it’s pretty good, and the menu has some unique choices that you won’t find other places. And if you like desserts, I haven’t found one I didn’t like yet. My only real complaint is the prices which seem a little high compared to similar restaurants.

Make sure you read the reviews for the Redmond location also. The food and service are very similar, so everything applies to both locations.

I didn’t give this five stars because I’m still looking for the perfect Daal Makhani somewhere in Puget Sound, and I didn’t find it here. I’ve really enjoyed the other dishes, though. A single meal can feed two people easily, once you throw in the Naan and Samosas.

The restaurant is rarely crowded, so service is fast. (And in the middle of summer, it’s air conditioned!)

We should have turned back when we first stepped through the door and the smell hit us. I think they were making egg salad, but the eggs weren’t quite right. My sandwich had hair in it, which while disgusting, just happens sometimes. Unfortunately, the employees at the Nooner weren’t willing to refund my money. They would have made me another sandwich if they weren’t out of ingredients, I wasn’t in a hurry, and I wanted to risk more hair. Needless to say, we left and haven’t been back since.

We eat lunch here a lot on the weekends. In what is presumably typical of Mongolian grills, fill a bowl with your selection of vegetables and noodles from the buffet. They add your choice of meat and sauce, and grill it up for you quickly. We enjoy this because it doesn’t take long to get your meal, but definitely much better then fast food.

There’s nothing particular about this Subway that I don’t like, but I’m not a huge fan in general. As long as you’re considering buying a sandwich from a chain, take a few minutes to cross the street and buy your sub from Georgio’s. The bread is better, and the soup actually looks appetizing. (There’s also a Quiznos a block away on 20th Street.)

Dixie’s BBQ has a lot of character. The food is good, but the real reason to visit is to try “The Man”; a painfully spicy sauce that Gene (the owner) brings around to customers as they dine. If you like spicy food, try a toothpick dipped in the sauce. If you’re really adventerous, let him put a very small amount on your meal. Have plenty of water and peanuts on hand to put out the flames!

Don’t go here for a quick lunch. They are interested in serving good food, not in doing it quickly. Realistically, you can plan to spend 5 minutes in line for each person in front of you (yes, you will wait an hour for 12 people). Gene will help keep you entertained.

If you aren’t into the mass-produced Krispy Kremes, you might head a little further south and give Chuck’s Donuts a try. They aren’t open Sunday, and you have to get there early (before 12pm for the best selection) on Saturdays. Unfortunately, I’ve never seen them serve powdered sugar donuts, but the boston cream, and the cake-style donuts are great! Definitely worth going to if you like a more homemade taste.

There is a small cafe right off of I-90 on Front Street in Issaquah that advertises Chuck’s Donuts. I’ve never bought any from there, but it might be worth trying if you don’t want to go so far out of your way.

Tortilla Sam’s is a unique Mexican restaurant specializing in black bean dishes. This place kept me fed while attending college at nearby WPI, and really made me a fan of black beans. The carry-out area provides quick fast-food style service with restaurant quality food, and is typically how I ordered. If you have time, however, it’s worth dining in the Cantina. It has a much larger menu, with many of the same dishes you find at other Mexican restaurants, cooked Sam’s style.

Other then the black beans, a few things separate Tortilla Sam’s from the average Mexican restaurant in my mind. Flour tortillas are pressed and grilled fresh in the take out area, while you watch. I assume most restaurants buy their tortillas in bulk, because you just can’t beat the taste and texture of the ones from Sam’s. If you’re planning to consume alcohol, be aware that Sam’s has a BYOB policy, and doesn’t serve any of their own alcoholic beverages. There is a liquor store nearby if you need to stock up before dinner. Finally, if you like spicy food, try the “napalm” salsa. Despite the gimmicky name, it’s actually a very flavorful addition to your meal.

P.S. They had a cream-based pumpkin soup as the soup of the day once. If they happen to have this while you’re there, order it. It tastes like hot, liquid pumpkin pie!

Typical of Italian food in the puget sound area; good food at a reasonable price but nothing that’s going to blow you away. We’ve eaten dinner here twice, and both times we were seated quickly without reservations. We’ll definitely go back next time we’re looking for decent food in Issaquah.