In 1986, David Nast was a visual artist with a shoestring budget and a dream. He took a 1920s auto garage in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood, enlisted a crew of artist friends, and transformed it into a restaurant that would reflect his personality in every corner: a vintage tandem bike suspended from the ceiling, an oversize dog statue in a cart, an inverted year-round Christmas tree, antique chandeliers, family portraits in unexpected places, and enough accumulated eccentricity to keep regulars finding new things to look at after years of visits. He named it Bizzarro Italian Cafe. Bizzarro appeared in Season 6, Episode 1 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Funky Joints,” which aired April 6, 2009. Guy Fieri licked his plate clean after the linguini and clams with house-made pancetta, called the elk Bolognese “monster tender,” and reported back that the puttanesca and organic lamb shank were equally worth ordering. The restaurant has been running for nearly 40 years with essentially the same identity intact — a remarkable achievement in a city that changes as quickly as Seattle has.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Bizzarro Italian Cafe
City: Seattle, Washington
Cuisine: Italian
DDD Season: 6
DDD Episode: 1
Episode Title: Funky Joints
Original Air Date: April 6, 2009
Address: 1307 N. 46th St., Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: 206-632-7277
Website: https://www.bizzarroitaliancafe.com/
Status: Open
About Bizzarro Italian Cafe
Jaedra James and Jodi-Paul Wooster took over Bizzarro in 2008, inheriting both the physical space and its reputation as a neighborhood institution. Their philosophy has been to preserve the magic while elevating the menu, which now runs a locally sourced seasonal program alongside the permanent classics. Sunday is always spaghetti-and-meatball night. The snap pea carbonara is always on the menu, seasons be damned. Every entree comes with a salad and the bread arrives free shortly after you sit down. Bizzarro does not take reservations for parties under six, which means weekend waits are common — but the visual feast in the dining room keeps waiting entertaining. The kitchen has employed a revolving cast of Seattle artists, musicians, and writers over the years, which partly explains why the energy in the room feels different from a standard Italian restaurant.
What to Eat at Bizzarro Italian Cafe
The Linguini and Clams with House-Made Pancetta is what Guy cleaned his plate for — Puget Sound clams in a spicy, life-changing broth with tomatoes, prosciutto, basil, shallots, and ouzo. The Elk Bolognese, wild Oregon elk with fennel, thyme, and pork shoulder slowly simmered into a ragu on handmade pappardelle, is the “monster tender” dish Guy called out. The Monday Meatballs on spaghetti rustica with the world-famous marinara are the Sunday-night ritual. The Eggplant Parmigiana, Drunken Clams appetizer, and Capellini Bombastico round out the menu highlights regulars steer first-timers toward.
Find a Seattle hotel on Booking.com and make Bizzarro your dinner stop in Wallingford.
Plan Your Visit
Bizzarro is open Tuesday through Sunday from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. No reservations for parties under six. Arrive early on weekends or expect a wait. The bar next door, Blue Star, is a good spot while you wait if the list is long.
Address: 1307 N. 46th St., Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: 206-632-7277
Website: https://www.bizzarroitaliancafe.com/
Status: Open
Flavortown Approved
Stream the Funky Joints episode on Amazon. Bring the elk Bolognese spirit home with Guy Fieri Cookware for serious stovetop ragu work and Guy Fieri Food: Cookin’ It, Livin’ It, Lovin’ It for the inspiration.
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Bizzarro Italian Cafe appeared in Season 6, Episode 1 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Funky Joints,” originally aired April 6, 2009. The restaurant opened in 1986 and is approaching its 40th year of operation in Wallingford.