Lunch With Kenji: Big Mario’s pizza, Seattle WA

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Lunch today is from @bigmariospizza. I’ve been holding any judgment on it for a while as consistency is sometimes an issue, but I’m comfortable saying that when is on (and it usually is), it’s great. And when it’s off, it’s still pizza and that’s good enough.
The Capitol Hill locations also keeps incredible hours l, which makes it one of the most reliable inexpensive meals in the city at any time of day or night.
#lunchwithkenji

[@jamesjiang52]

Kenji gradually becoming the Charles Boyle of Seattle

[@adtroy]

How's the mouth feel?

[@bennewman6323]

Lol you beat me to the mouth feel joke

[@yusux]

Kenji is like the non asshole, ctually knows what he’s talking about version of Dave Portnoy

[@bbdeee]

Enjoying all the new recent content. Thanks for everything you do. (You're the go-to resource for so much of my cooking!)

[@itqitc]

Big Mario's is 100% inconsistent at each location. Love your reviews, I just moved back to Seattle and have been trying a number of places you have reviewed. Really appreciate it.

[@privatename7797]

We love these new style of videos! Unique grocery stores, restaurant reviews! Omg we love it!

[@bigolpotato]

What the Cap Hill location has going for it is that it's just down the way from Hot Mamas, which makes Mario's look just stupendous and perfectly consistent in comparison. Didn't know about the new spot, seems good.

[@Innocu0us]

Thanks for these new on-the-go videos. I really appreciate all your hard work and hope for more content. Love you, Kenji. Thank you!

[@thomasw178]

I hope to run into you in Seattle some day. You're no joke so important to me and my family. Thanks for all you do.

[@erin_ly]

I appreciate the new take with your recent uploads Kenji ❤

[@ics9664]

Love this lunch series around Seattle! As many have mentioned, I am also new here, so this is invaluable. Keep it up Kenji!

[@Katarjana]

Nice to hear an honest reaction for local restaurants. But also with some good food education as well as local and national food experience. Thanks for sharing! : )

[@kyle6209]

5 dollar slices are the normal in Boston but when you are raised with high prices you don’t know a difference 😂

[@Jogaga3030]

Kenji you lost a lot of weight and look great. And also you keep eating pizzas and burgers. Role model 😊

[@Daniel-zq3wq]

Ahhhh that's the one that used to be Northlake Tavern, good to hear it's still a good pizza spot.

[@rainyprac]

As someone who moved to seattle less than a year ago it's so cool to see you show off stuff in the city. More please!

[@masamunesword]

One of the things I noticed moving out to Seattle is that Sicilian style slices are just rare in general. I can only think of two other places that offer them off the top of my head: Dino's and Slice Box.

[@dabbking]

Seattle pizza is mediocre, though Jonny mos in east lake was good

[@9929kingfish]

If I ever come to Seattle, I'll know all the good places to grab a bite to eat. Thanks Kenji.

[@Cactrot]

Oh man, I miss the old Northlake pizza, they had truly unique pizza. I had my first beer there with my dad, who went there when he was in college.

[@rustyrobinson8027]

Thanks for the upload 👍

[@onemileperhour]

Never had Mario's not hammered. No clue how good it is, but it's amazing

[@hazeofthegreensmoke505]

Finally some Seattle pizza content!

[@Cattlyn]

I haven't had a chance to try their new location, but Big Mario's has always been one of, if not my top favorite in the area. Especially after Piecoras (over in Capitol Hill, across the street from Chop Suey) got bought out and replaced with a condo building.

[@trogdorburninator7936]

Loving the new content, Kenji. Keep it up

[@dalelaurent9883]

Thanks Kenji!

[@matiassiebert249]

Great review Kenji. What is your take on Rocco's at Belltown?

[@timthompsondp]

Who would've thought that we would love Kenjis lunches so much.

[@Corazair]

Gonna have to start making a list for when I finally have the opportunity to get to (move to) the PNW again. I noted a few spots around Portland that had clam pizzas but didn't get around to trying em cause we were only out for a few days.

[@iwin720]

If you're in the Queen Anne area you should check out Byen Bakeri, it's a great little Scandinavian Bakery

[@fujoshiiiii]

the calzones from the one in ballard are sooooo good!

[@timliddy1]

Don't ever stop traveling the country eating pizza w reviews. Please. (p.s. I want your frequent flier miles!)

[@scythe747]

Liking these new videos, Kenji!

[@nicholelau]

Boy glad to see a NYC style go in there. What it replaced was a old Seattle tradition pizza place but too much of a harsh surprise to this NYC transplant. They used pre-made pizza crusts.

[@hoppeday]

Kenji!!!!’ What about the location in Queen Anne?!? 😁.. Mario’s the best pizza place in Seattle! Thanks for the review!

[@Jaka515]

that grandma pie looks fantastic

[@MC-kd3yb]

Shocked at the prices. I live in Milan, and paying more than $10 for a whole pizza is criminal! But it is what it is, looks great, and I enjoy the content as always!

[@Cattlyn]

And this is one of the cheaper places. The big local chains, Zeek's and Pagliacci's both run about $30 for a full 17 inch Pizza. And that's before taxes, or delivery charges. This area is outrageously expensive.

[@MC-kd3yb]

@@Cattlyn I feel for you guys 🥲

[@Alex-ye1br]

Whole cheese pies here in NYC (at least for QUALITY pizza) go no less than $25

[@MC-kd3yb]

@@Alex-ye1br 😮

[@readyplayer2]

Don't underestimate how much larger the pizza is than typical in Italy, with much more toppings on it as well. A typical NY-style 20" pizza is approximately 51cm in diameter, that's around 2050 cm2. Two huge slices of NYC pizza are bigger in surface area than a lot of the pizzas I had in Italy. A 25 cm pizza is, for comparison, under 500 cm2.

[@Zhinoi]

It's crazy how different a slice can be from state to state. I haven't travelled much but there's definitely a "difference" that I can never quite put my finger on 😅

[@poughquagpops3379]

99 Cent Fresh Pizza, E 43rd NYC. Half block from GCT. I hear the price may have increased recently.

[@yashshah9340]

I would love to see you try sparks pizza in redmond and other stuff on eastside (I know its not exactly famous for food)

[@AaronLaye]

Love the review video format! Hope for some more ATK collabs soon!

[@johnpineda1417]

Yes!

[@Gobzer5526]

Love me some Big Mario's, I'll have to try the new location! Cap Hill and Fremont are my favorite locations. Happy to see you spotlighting some genuinely good pizza joints, there is a LOT of average pie in Seattle.

[@wizpig64]

happy mario wonder day :P

[@TheWelschman]

Big Marios is a Seattle staple for NY style pizza

[@jasonneel]

How cool would it be to have lunch with Kenji?

[@ThomasArbeiter-t7x]

Senor Kenji, if you have available sauerkraut cabbage heads over there, you should try to make sarma with mashed potates in the winter. Thank you, pomalo

[@gendertoads]

i love the sicilian style slices! my bandmates and i love to get big mario’s before a gig when we play in cap hill :]

[@xnonsuchx]

I love Big Mario’s. I’ve only been to the Capitol Hill (near where I live) and Queen Anne locations. I usually just get pep slices, but I once got a whole pep pizza and kinda thought reheated slices tasted better, for some reason. Maybe the crust just wasn’t done enough for me on the whole pizza??? I don’t fold my slices, so never noticed any uneven cracking. The spiciness of their pep is about perfect, though.

[@JG-pm9ty]

Big Mario's only issue is consistency.

[@nullset2]

I would love to have lunch with you Kenji!

[@loristrong462]

Love this...Come to Oregon ...check out pizzas here!!!

[@probaker44]

Kenji - try Lupo if you haven’t!!

[@lenhister]

These thumbnails have been wild lately lol

[@Fortunes.Fool.]

I drooled on my iPad again, that looks good. *Edit: in line to get some pizza right now, not as good as that but it'll do.

[@tiacho2893]

Considering the price of most fast food combo meals, a well made slice and canned soda for about $6 -$7 is not too bad. The only unfortunate thing is that you will pay almost the same for a bad slice of pizza. There is a major supermarket chain and a couple independent places (not near me) that specialise in Roman pizza al taglio. The supermarket chain sells a decent slice with pop for about $5 USD (I live in Canada).

[@billmiles2366]

Sad to hear the northlake tavern is closed. The pizza wasn’t great, but there sure was a lot of it lol

[@riswampyankee9633]

When your best beloved finds herself in Rhode Island, follow. We have so many pizza options. Wood fired? Yes. Greek pan pizza? Yes. Deep Dish Chicago? Yes. Deep dish Sicilian? Yes. Thin crust Sicilian cut into squares? Yes. Bar pizza? Yes. Strip Pizza aka Party Pizza? Yes. How do I like mine? From the place? Spinach and pepperoni calzone, light on the peps, extra sauce.

[@nicholasm2239]

Seattle had tons of foot traffic during the summer of love, i wonder why there werent more pop up pizza joints?

[@jesussalinas3947]

I had Mario’s and it was really good, although my girlfriend and I both experienced some significant acid reflux later in the night. Not sure if we ate too much or if it was the tomato sauce for the day.

[@havokmusicinc]

Big Marios is legit. The Frelard location is the one I like the most though

[@mimicranch]

I think I heard a NYC accent come out there a few times

[@jpalarchio]

Can't wait to get back to WA and try some of these places; the list is too long already!

[@mofongotron]

I still need to go to Big Mario's, but it will be difficult to rip my allegiance from Post Alley Pizza, haha. And yeah man, I REALLY wish Seattle food prices would come down, haha.

[@jadeone]

the ballard one consistently tastes a little better than the cap hill one to me

[@gt120]

intro music sounds like splatoon ost

[@lgolem09l]

Thumbnail Kenji desperately grasping for pizza after 1 week in the wilderness

[@GibbonActivist]

Got that old world pepperoni

[@MealsMedia]

I’m curious if you’ve been to Blotto, Kenji? I’m coming out to Seattle this week and want to try it!

[@JKenjiLopezAlt]

Yes it’s awesome.

[@MealsMedia]

@@JKenjiLopezAlt okay wonderful thank you! I’m gonna try my best to get there! I’ll be around the old Key Arena park most of the week so hopefully I can get there!

[@xatuber]

lol why is he sitting sideways 😂 kenji reviewing live from an obtuse angle, love the content 😎

[@helenready1310]

he's sitting directly west of that big tree across from the quaker building, right near the entrance to roosevelt crossing the montlake bridge--right off the burke gilman trail. my bus stop for the last 24 years. rip NLT. parenthetically, i think the sicilian option is an attempt to pay homage to the old northlake formula as an attempt to retain some of the original clientelle. i haven't been down to try the food. or to pop in to visit the cook sitting at the bar watching tv (his usual perch for the last 1/4 century) in the video. or to apply for my old job back. my choice.....

[@N.A.T.3]

5 bucks a slice! Might as well order a whole pie

[@brandonkellogg1164]

now do hampton new hampshire beach pizza

[@VeniVidiVeni89]

That Buffalo Cup and Char!!!

[@justinkroboth360]

I dunno, man, $4.75 for a cheese slice THAT big doesn't sound bad at all. Gimme that and one of the sicilian and I'm set for the night, lmao.

[@CarlosRodriguez-dd4sb]

Looks like Kenji has lost some weight. Better have another slice. Btw - Always try the plain cheese. On you put pork on a slice it tastes good

[@JKenjiLopezAlt]

Pepperoni is typically all beef.

[@WastrelWay]

I won't be visiting Seattle any time soon, but I also avoid businesses here in Austin that advertise their politics (no matter what they are) on the door. I doubt that it makes their pizzas any better, and it's aggravating. I blame it on Trump, of course. Getting that out of the way, I was inspired to make a pizza by Kenji's latest pizza series. I barely got it out of the oven in time. It had a little bit of "charring" (burning) on the edges. I got a few slices and my GF ate the rest. The next day she asked me what happened to the pizza and I told her she ate it. She didn't remember. I'll make another one soon. I make one at a time.

[@Brainstrain]

Under the bridge downtown? That’s where I drew some blood!

[@davidmoore2699]

Big Mario's is good, but two complaints. One, Pagliacci does by the slice better. Both because they reheat better and they have better topping combinations. Two, Big Mario's peperoni is too greasy for my taste, but other people might like that. That said I do love their Cap Hill and LQA bars. Back when I was a drinker I'd order a Mannie's and a slice of whatever was next.

[@zoomified7569]

Love this series!

[@davideriksen9086]

Where's the best Puttanesca pizza in town? That and where I can I find one?

[@JKenjiLopezAlt]

I don't think I've ever seen or had or even heard of puttanesca pizza anywhere.

[@DJ-nn6vg]

Kenji how about a visit to Razza and interview Dan for this channel?

[@etm567]

Could you perchance recommend a good knife that is more affordable than some? If I were to invest in one knife. My husband won't approve, but I really want one. And our knives just don't ever get that sharp. They're pretty good, for your average bunch of knives, but I want one that is better.

[@nathandanner4030]

Northlake Tavern is gone?😢

[@somefishhere]

$5 for a sixth of a pie is a pretty decent price in Seattle

[@hf1385]

Kenji, what do you think are best paired with tabasco other than pizza? Is there any Asian food that come to mind?

[@JKenjiLopezAlt]

I don’t really like hot sauce on pizza but I like Tabasco in clam chowder and other creamy soups.

[@RudeCanine]

I love seeing these, Kenji. You’re like a nicer, less abrasive Portnoy when reviewing pizza.

[@David-ol6fw]

Bro loves pizza 😂

[@pirana6]

This looks like it was at the Sadako memorial

[@JKenjiLopezAlt]

It was.

[@firstlast446]

the thumbnail looks like he's being held hostage and forced to eat the pizza

[@UnCoolDad]

What about a review of the Cuban sandwiches at Paseo's? I believe they are not what they used to be 10 years ago, but definitely good.

[@davidmccleary5540]

Looks almost Detroit style on the thick

[@abigchair]

That thumbnail was terrifying I thought Kenji was reaching through the screen to grab me

[@nilkilnilkil]

Woo hoo

[@ablrcklnthewall]

Taco Time. Burger Master.

[@MeatBucket80]

Had a couple slices for lunch today at O Sole Mio, which is essentially the Vashon outpost from the same owner, (and Mario). Even at the same location there can be some inconsistency, but it’s always pretty good. They do have too many premade though, even more so on the island where foot traffic is even lower than the city. They supposedly throw out a lot after last call every night, which is a shame. The real difference with O Sole Mio vs Mario’s is if you order a whole pie the box has a ‘70s topless photo of Mario on the inside, so you have the privilege of staring at his nipples while you eat, if you’re into that, or even if you’re not.

[@SMorrisRose]

Nice. Did not know. OAN, have you eaten at Gravy? Any comments if so?

[@MeatBucket80]

Some of Gravy’s stuff is good, they think they’re fancier than they are. The tuna melt is fantastic. The “Reuben” is a major disappointment, and not a Reuben by any stretch of the imagination. Many of the sandwiches can be on the dry side. Not the tuna melt though.

[@amasterfuldesktop4935]

The real reason Kenji lost weight is the pizza diet

[@yeseniaramos7090]

Kenji you should go to New York and try Joes Pizza NYC it is the best pizza and go to Scarrs pizza

[@youbigdrip]

kenji!! im early so i hope you see this but if you ever find yourself in brooklyn i'd love to chat food with you and take you around to some fun spots around here

[@Alex-ye1br]

One bite, but better

[@dabbking]

Seattle pizza is mediocre, big Mario’s on cap hill can be a hit or a miss depending on staff! I haven’t been to the other locations.

[@jakemirbegian]

Is kenji starting pizza reviews after his beef w Portnoy?

[@martianmacdonald]

Portnoy really put the battery in your back to make more content it seems..

[@22mcb]

One bite