Hattie’s Hat, situated in the town of Ballard, Washington, is a long standing local establishment serving up food all day long that is plain good eating with just enough pizzazz to not be forgettable. Open from 10:00am on weekdays and 9:00am on weekends and closing at 2:00am, Hattie’s is an almost constant option for food that won’t disappoint.

Inside, one can expect the option of bar or dining seating, allowing for family dining. The decor inside is one of wood walls, vintage photos, and a lingering cat-lady thematic running through the back, dining room. Hattie’s is a place where, above the bar, The Princess Bride will run on the television in place of sports. Then, in the dining room, feast your eyes on a collection of cat-themed art that seems to have been collected from furry grandmothers across the states.

Strange as the place seems in words, the environment is instantly one of home. As though, in putting enough weird vibes out onto their walls, Hattie’s has invited you to open up and order a second (or third, who’s to judge) Mimosa and dish about how crazy your Saturday night was over a plate of hash browns. The service is quick and always polite. Even on a busy brunch morning, food typically arrives on the table without a noticeable wait time.

Speaking of food, Hattie’s food is really what makes the joint. Because really, what’s the point of being a funky hang out and being open all the time if your food sucks? Thankfully, Hattie’s Hat can’t answer that!

With food focused on the simplest form of the dish, then embellished every so slightly, Hattie’s relies on the pure quality of what they are producing to keep tummies happy. Go in for brunch for a range of classic American options from hotcakes, french toast, gravy-smothered biscuits, and top notch hashbrowns (order them with cheese and vegetables added!). The biscuits are simple, plain; but good. The scrambles are basic ingredients, but fresh and flavorful. The french toast is nothing fancy, no fluff, no frills; but it’s moist and sweet. Everything that comes out on the plate just produces that homey, cozy, grandma-just-served-my-old-favorite kind of food that makes you say “Mmm.” If of age, pair any stomach-filling entree, pair with the option of classic orange, grapefruit, or peach mimosas as is the custom for late-day, lazy brunching folk.

Later in the day (which is lame, because brunch?), lunch brings salads, burgers, and sandwiches sticking to the same classic theme. Burgers range from the simplest burger (lettuce, tomato, onion, and mayo on a brioche bun) to the Hangover Burger (bacon, Tillamook Cheddar, fried egg added) in addition to the required Bacon and Bleu and Mushroom Swiss varieties. If you’re dedicated to snagging the most local choice, pick the Ballard Burger for bacon, Tillamook Cheddar, and Hattie’s Pimento Cheese. Away from burgers, their chicken, BLT, a veggie option, or a Grown Up Grilled Cheese which blends three cheeses with tomatoes and onions on sourdough.

In the evening, dinner brings more of the same grandma’s house kind of food with meatloaf, fried chicken, rib dinners, and steak; but with enough flare to keep the weird levels at a medium-high burn. Meatloaf, commonly the blandest favorite, is kicked up with a Guinness infusion and a slow-simmered Guinness gravy. Add a wide range of vegetarian sides to the protein of choice and dinner is served.

To go with a meal, the bar serves a variety of cocktails, wine, and brews (including a specified, “Cheap Beer” section on the menu for anyone watching their checkbook). In addition, their non-alcoholic menu offers a few options beyond the usual, ever-so-boring Coke or Pepsi products including a local Seattle soda companies cans, Pomegranate Soda Water, fresh juices, local, organic coffee and tea and a Lavender Coconut Lemonade that is an experience to be had for anyone keen to the love-or-hate-it flavor of lavender in their foods. If flowery flavors are up your alley, try the lemonade; if it’s too powerful, dilute it slightly down to a flavored water rather than a punching blend of sour lavender.

Prices across meals range from $10 to $15 typically. Drinks range from $2 (non-alcoholic) to a $10 maximum per (unless you’re buying an entire bottle of wine. Overall, for the size of portions and quality of food, Hattie’s has good value.

In short, if you’re itching to settle with your friends in a cozy, eclectic joint that isn’t going to be too full of itself with additional frills and sparkles beyond the bedazzled cat portrait on the wall behind you, check out Hattie’s Hat in Ballard, Washington.