Charles Koh
New restaurant brings house-smoked BBQ, wood-fired steaks and Southern fare to Seattle mid-July
BALLARD – Kickin’ Boot Whiskey Kitchen today announced it will open its doors in the heart of Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood mid-July. The historic Henry Whyte Building, located at 5309 22nd Avenue Northwest on the corner of Shilshole Avenue Northwest, will house the full-service restaurant and bar.
Kickin’ Boot will bring patrons back to a simpler time, when food was made from scratch and served with pride. The robust menu is set to feature mesquite-grilled steaks, crispy fried chicken and slow-cooked BBQ, as well as Southern favorites like fried catfish, shrimp and grits, and smoky baked beans. Lighter fare, such as fresh salads and slaws, will balance the hearty options. In addition, a healthy dose of foreign and domestic whiskeys, a bevy of signature cocktails, and plenty of beer and wine on tap will complement any dish.
“We traveled the country, from Texas to Tennessee and over to the Carolinas, in search of the best BBQ and whiskey, and returned to Seattle full of inspiration for the Whiskey Kitchens,” said Nathan Opper who co-owns, with business partner Zak Melang, Kickin’ Boot and its sister restaurant Southland Whiskey Kitchen (slated to open early August in Portland, Ore.). The pair also owns the Pacific Northwest family of Matador Restaurants and Tequila Bars.
The 4,700 sq. ft. restaurant will occupy the upper floor of the Henry Whyte Building and have an entrance on 22nd Avenue Northwest. It will seat 75 in the 21 plus bar area, 50 in the all-ages dining room, and 50 more on the all-ages open-air patio. The patio, with retractable garage door-style windows, offers year-round al fresco dining and views of Salmon Bay.
“The architecture of the building influenced the Kickin’ Boot aesthetic,” noted Melang, “When designing a new restaurant, our goal is to honor the history surrounding the building – for Kickin’ Boot, we kept the high ceilings and exposed wood beams to give the space a welcoming feeling.”
In the spirit of Old Ballard, Kickin’ Boot brings to life the former millhouse. The revival preserves turn of the century Redwood trusses, repurposes original fixtures and windows, and reclaims local brick and barnwood, while creating something new – a welcoming vintage industrial atmosphere.
For the latest news from Kickin’ Boot and information on the grand opening, visit www.kickinboot.com or follow the restaurant on Facebook and Twitter.
About Kickin’ Boot Whiskey Kitchen
Kickin’ Boot Whiskey Kitchen brings Southern tradition to Old Ballard with house-smoked BBQ, mesquite-grilled steaks, savory sides, sweet desserts, and an extensive whiskey collection. Open daily, the full-service restaurant anchors the Ballard dining scene, reviving a 1920s millhouse on the corner of 22nd Avenue Northwest and Shilshole Avenue Northwest. The renovated 4,700 sq. ft. space boasts a 75-seat 21 plus bar area, a 50-seat all-ages dining room, and a 50-seat patio with large, retractable windows and a view of Salmon Bay. For more information, visit www.kickinboot.com, facebook.com/KickinBoot or twitter.com/KickinBoot.
