The Pumphouse Restaurant

More of a corner burger and beer joint than a beer mecca, but it has its good points. This is one of the few places in Bellevue that has evolved over time into something of an institution. It’s a little corner spot, neighborhoody, though it’s perched on the edge of the new skyscraping downtown. It’s definitely been there for a while. Even outside, you know it’s been the same thing for decades. You walk in past a collage of candid snapshots of customers. There’s that good old 70s American suburban carpenty on display, stained 2x4s serving as mini-walls that homeowners back then called "dividers." Inside, there are tight little phalanxes of booths and tables, and, like the parking lot, they’re packed. The light is low, the globes on the fixtures I think were in some cases probably colored amber. You are transported in so many ways to the interior design principles prevalent during the Ford administration. For some of us, this is intensely nostalgic, so I’m saying these things by way of recommending the place. Though it does pain me, thinking of the collective sacrifice made by all the baby naugas, giving their hydes to cloth the tables. This place is all about the burgers. They have a few other things they fry, plus probably another menu item here and there. But they have about ten burgers, and they’re good $9 pub burgers. The buns came from a bag, but everything else tastes pretty fresh. And besides, if they put the burgers on fancy buns and upped the price a buck, though, it would ruin everything, so they’re right to stick with the bagged buns. The beers aren’t fancy. Well, unless you think Stella Artois and Mac and Jacks are fancy. I have great affection for time-honored friendly low-key places with burgers and beers, and this place certainly qualifies. I’ll be back.

Sports Bar with some decent local and national crafts (and some SAB / AB / Coors) 21 and over please. Been going into this place for over 3 years, so if this review sounds biased, I will attempt to be as neutral as possible. Entrance, during the warmer months there is seating for well around 30 or so, else its vacant. Parking is good for around 20 or so, but there is available public parking nearby. Wait times are on average, 10 - 15 minutes, during the more popular sports months, or during dinner hour. Seating at the bar is open to all who can find one. Seating at a table / booth is per number of people only (so if your with yourself and another you get a table for 2 and not for 4). Beer selection, changes from Pyramid to Georgetown, from Sierra Nevada to Deschutes, while still dedicated lines of Elysian / Diamon Knot IPA as well as Widmer Hefe’ as well as Stone Arrogant Bastard. Food is pub grub (hamburgers, roast beef dip, salads, & nachos, etc.) Overall, a nice sports bar that is a little cozy, but guranteed to find at least one non local macro (Redhook, Pyramid). Cheers