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The Matador

Based on 149 votes
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Local(206) 297-2855

2221 NW Market St
Seattle, WA 98107

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Listing
The Matador
Local(206) 297-2855

2221 NW Market St
Seattle, WA 98107

http://www.matadorrestaurants.com

Comments (optional)

The Open View

The Matador is located in Washington. Check out this affordable place in the Ballard area. Locals say the restaurant serves genuine American dishes. This place features a full bar.

Expert Reviews of The Matador

Citysearch | The Lone Star state meets Ballard at this trendy Tex-Mex bar and grill.

A longhorn skull above the main bar, lavish metal artifacts on the walls and antique light fixtures hanging from the ceiling give this small triangular room a big dose of character. But it's the centerpiece--a...
citysearch.com - expert review - 04/04/2006
Full Review »

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

matador is a strange bar for ballard. it's just so doggoned belltown. we could perfectly understand its barcelona-meets-best-buy vibe if it were at second and bell, but at market street and ballard avenue, it...
seattlepi.com - expert review
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AOL CityGuide

moody-cool booths and tex-mex menu...
cityguide.aol.com - expert review
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Seattle Times

part texas saloon and part south-of-the-border cafe, the mood perfectly matches the upscale tex-mex menu. start with a platter of nachos, then move on to soup and salad, a burger, barbecued chicken or ribs,...
seattletimes.com - expert review
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User Reviews of The Matador

Yelp.com Review - by Nina N.

3 of 5 stars. where do 30 people go to mingle with eachother and have a glass or two of wine together? well the matador of course. It's great coming here once in awhile with some girlfriends, and make fun of some…
yelp.com - user review - 05/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jessica P.

3 of 5 stars. While discovering Ballard for the first time after a trip to the Locks, we walked past this place. The smells wafting out were enough to set our stomachs rumbling, but the wait was excessive, so we…
yelp.com - user review - 05/26/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by JC D.

2 of 5 stars. "Matador...Matador!" I can't help but sing that song by the "Fabulosos Cadillacs." Great atmosphere, and beautiful waitresses. The decor is Spanish-esque, Argentin-esque, Mexican-esque? Well, I…
yelp.com - user review - 05/08/2008
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Awesome place

I love this place. The tacos are so good and the decor is beautiful. In the...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 05/06/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Andrew B.

2 of 5 stars. The matador has gotten consistently worse in all regards. Yes, I used to go there, because me and the Mexicans are like this (crosses fingers). When the place first opened, the carnitas were worth…
yelp.com - user review - 04/29/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by saisai m.

4 of 5 stars. This is an ideal place to grab a couple drinks and some food. NOT an ideal place to get shit faced and obnoxious (nothing against getting obnoxiously shit faced, this just isn't the place for it).…
yelp.com - user review - 04/25/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Katie K.

3 of 5 stars. This place has a fun and lively atmosphere. It was good for happy hour. The one funny thing was they won't make you a double or any drink. When my fiance asked for a double margarita they said they…
yelp.com - user review - 04/22/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Beth F.

2 of 5 stars. Worst bar ever. Also my first experience of getting kicked out of a bar, so 2 stars just out of respect for that. I only wish this place had been more remarkable so that next time I was kicked out…
yelp.com - user review - 04/21/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Emily J.

4 of 5 stars. We went here on a Thursday, since we were in Ballard buying dog food anyway. I think we stopped in around 6:15 or so. There was about a 20 minute wait, but we were able to get a seat at the bar, and…
yelp.com - user review - 04/19/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Laura K.

3 of 5 stars. I've been coming here since they opened and I really really want to love this place but every time it falls short. Food was really mediocre in the beginning but it seems to have gotten a little…
yelp.com - user review - 04/16/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Paul R.

4 of 5 stars. Probably the best happy hour in Seattle.
yelp.com - user review - 04/10/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by drew c.

4 of 5 stars. My bill at the Matador. (yes I went alone).. (I don't have any friends).. 3 Ice cold mugs of Dos Equis lager - 12$
yelp.com - user review - 03/27/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Megan T.

1 of 5 stars. I had eaten lunch here a few times and it was adequate, so when a friend wanted to go out one night we decided to try it for drinks. Our conversation with the staff went like this - HOSTESS: "We're…
yelp.com - user review - 03/25/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Danielle B.

4 of 5 stars. I have a huge obsession with nachos; I just love them too much for my own good. The Matador has excellent nachos! Normally I don't get meat on my 'ish but I just couldn't pass up the steak option…
yelp.com - user review - 03/24/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Katie W.

3 of 5 stars. A few of us headed over for some late night food action on Saturday night and it was crazy busy! We never got a table, but did manage to snag some seats at the fireplace. The happy hour was pretty…
yelp.com - user review - 03/16/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Kristen M.

4 of 5 stars. Happy Hour heaven! I don't drink, oddly enough, but the happy hour menu at this place is amazing. You can have a feast for next to nothing. Calimari, tacos, nachos, oh, my! So many choices and…
yelp.com - user review - 03/04/2008
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Don't expect much...

Forget getting anything, service, help from others, food...you name it don't count on it! A group of three went down on a not so busy Sat night, expecting more people to join us. While waiting for a table we...
citysearch.com - user review - 03/03/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by katie s.

3 of 5 stars. (full disclosure: I heart the ATM/bathroom area bc that is where D and I met!) Add another star if you're looking for Happy Hour Haunts...
yelp.com - user review - 03/01/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Melanie L.

5 of 5 stars. You know.... I really like going here..... I've been here probably 10 times and the thing that keeps this place going is consistency. The food is always good and fresh.. I love their red Sangria....…
yelp.com - user review - 02/19/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Carl A.

4 of 5 stars. Happy hour is niiice. I had Goat cheese stuffed jalapenos wrapped in bacon. wooo hoooo
yelp.com - user review - 02/13/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Michelle B.

3 of 5 stars. If you've ever gone to Matador and thought, "Wow, I'd really like this place if you removed all the people and made everything about 25% of the price." Then happy hour is for you! The place is pretty…
yelp.com - user review - 02/12/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Tammy W.

3 of 5 stars. Good tequila selection and good happy hour prices. Otherwise, just average. Can't really figure out why Matador is always packed and other more worth Ballard locations are not.
yelp.com - user review - 02/09/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Marion E.

4 of 5 stars. I have to agree with the many-a-statements; this place is a scene, but if you know that and don't go out for amateur night, (that's Friday/Saturday night for those of you who are amateurs), you will…
yelp.com - user review - 02/05/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Dr G.

4 of 5 stars. Great bar, well-above-average bartenders. ULTRA HOT hostesses. This is a regular happy hour spot for a few of my buddies. Happy hour food is a decent deal. Reputedly a meat market when it gets…
yelp.com - user review - 01/29/2008
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Terrible Service

So I had heard all these wonderful things about the food at The Matador and decided to go there for dinner last week. All the things I heard about the food were right, one word...YUM. I have to say though THE...
citysearch.com - user review - 01/27/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Natalie W.

4 of 5 stars. DISCLAIMER- This is a reviewer for happy hour and the experience after happy hour where I was tipsy from my one margarita* I know nothing about margs, but I loved mine at the Matador in Ballard…
yelp.com - user review - 01/23/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Delilah R.

3 of 5 stars. If you are in the mood for regional Mexican food, this is a good spot but only if you are in here early and preferably on the weekday. Their tortilla soup is good, enchilada's are better and it's a…
yelp.com - user review - 01/17/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Lisa D.

3 of 5 stars. I wish I could do half stars... 3 stars for food and drinks, 4 for service! The drinks here are really great, the white sangria was especially a treat with the seriously booze soaked chunks of…
yelp.com - user review - 01/11/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by B L.

4 of 5 stars. YUMMY place for mex/ spanish food. The happy hour is amazing. The drinks are yummy too. The wait isn't too pleasant though, have had to eat at the bar a few times due to the long wait. SO MUCH…
yelp.com - user review - 01/02/2008
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Go for the atmosphere and the happy hour!

I took my friend here for a belated birthday celebration. We arrived slightly before 6 pm (Happy Hour is from 3-6) and sat at the bar. The bartender was prompt to serve us and make some recommendations on both...
citysearch.com - user review - 12/19/2007
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Good food, good drinks

My boyfriend and I went here last night for dinner. There were no tables available, so they let us sit at the bar till we got seated. The bartender was very nice and gave us water and chips and salsa without...
citysearch.com - user review - 12/16/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by ronald p.

2 of 5 stars. Good Happy Hour. Appetizer prices are unbeatable. Better for drinks than actually eating here. It's too much for a "scene" for me.
yelp.com - user review - 12/12/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Maria R.

3 of 5 stars. So I am not in love with it. It is like some others have said "an upscale chilis or copycat pesos". The Happy hour is ok, but kinda barfoody, definatly nothing special. The service is pretty hit and…
yelp.com - user review - 12/12/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Meinhard G.

4 of 5 stars. Love this place - for Happy Hour! The bar service is great, they poor a good glass of wine and appetizers are GREAT! It is a nice place to sit, relax and watch people. Dinner - I don't know???
yelp.com - user review - 11/30/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Kristie L.

2 of 5 stars. The drinks i tried were tasty (especially the tamarind margarita) and the atmosphere was nice, but THE FOOD SUCKS. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing? Don't order the steak tacos, trust me. They were…
yelp.com - user review - 11/03/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Sheril P.

1 of 5 stars. Is it just me or is this just a copycat version of Peso's? *Gasp* Only 1 star? Things may or may not be different there now, but allow me to provide you with a simple math lesson of my first and last…
yelp.com - user review - 11/01/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Jason S.

4 of 5 stars. The steak nachos are the best in Seattle, eat at the bar and look for the bald bartender James (sorry James, I don't mean to highlight the lack of hair but it does make you stand out!), he makes the…
yelp.com - user review - 10/31/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Nobody S.

2 of 5 stars. Okay. Fun atmosphere and pretty good drinks if your willing to pay. It seems a little like Chilis or some other mall place. Food is pretty boring and uninspired. Happy hour is pretty good however…
yelp.com - user review - 10/29/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by edward p.

4 of 5 stars. We met a friend there on a tues night about two weeks ago. It was absolutely packed and we had to wait for a table (15 mins) so we sat at the bar which certainly wasn't a problem for me. Served…
yelp.com - user review - 10/23/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Abby H.

5 of 5 stars. Matador officially has the best margaritas I have had in Seattle. Whether you like the top-shelf stuff, bartender's specials (pomegranate and other fruit mixers), or just a regular on the rocks,…
yelp.com - user review - 10/22/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by ben j.

4 of 5 stars. Happy hour ($5-10) Food: 4
yelp.com - user review - 10/06/2007
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tequila heaven, waistline hell

sometimes a place just goes too far making people happy, and they get fat. ok, seriously. like it's sister "matador west" in west seattle, this restaurant has something beautiful for everyone. i think the...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/02/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by judy n.

2 of 5 stars. meh. the best i can come up with to describe the food is "murky". i definitely think that the place is more interested in being "hip" than serving good food. as far as i can tell, the vibe is the…
yelp.com - user review - 09/27/2007
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Jalapenos, goatcheese & bacon... need I say more??

Besides the best jalapenos ever, the Matador is the first place I think of when I want to be by a fire OR sit outside. Plus, who knew? the tastiest steak around!
citysearch.com - user review - 09/23/2007
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Great Restaurant

I have been to The Matador a few times now and have always enjoyed it. I love the shrimp quesadilla's, and the nacho's. Happy hour is excellent. Great prices. Good service.
citysearch.com - user review - 09/21/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by emily r.

1 of 5 stars. Barf. Seattle's version of the bridge-and-tunnel crowd. And each employee we dealt with was a total asshole. And it smelled. Do I have to give it a star?
yelp.com - user review - 09/17/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by michael w.

4 of 5 stars. I still love this place, I first heard about it from a good friend/roommate of mine, when it was still brand new. The gf and I went and tried it out....and well, while living in Ballard, we were…
yelp.com - user review - 09/01/2007
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Worst paella ever (and shoddy customer service)

Two of us ordered the paella for dinner. It was the worst paella that both of us had eaten in our lives. It was burnt so that there was a thick crust of hard rice, stuck to the bottom. The rice on top was...
citysearch.com - user review - 08/12/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Greg H.

3 of 5 stars. I've only done lunch here a few times so I can't really say what Late Night/HH is like, but there is definitely a trendy feel and a too-cool-for-you attitude from the wait staff. The habanero…
yelp.com - user review - 08/09/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by mae L.

1 of 5 stars. Woah! there maybe some MIDOL will adjust that attitude?? I went there becuz it was close and we were hungry for a bite!
yelp.com - user review - 08/07/2007
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Good Food, Too Many Yuppies

Matador has great food - and a stellar happy hour but it doesn't include drinks so just go if you're hungry. The nachos are especially fantastic! They are to die for! It has a tendency to get filled up with fussy, east side yuppies, so watch out.
openlist - user review - 07/26/2007

Great Food!

I came here with a group of friends and we loved it. The food was excellent, the service was great and the ambiance was pleasant.
citysearch.com - user review - 07/25/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by susan t.

5 of 5 stars. The food here is so great. Go for the surf and turf, (marinated skirt steak and habanero prawns), you will love it. Ambience is spectacular and the service was excellent. I recommend it highly.
yelp.com - user review - 07/25/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Alice L.

4 of 5 stars. I really enjoy their Happy Hour here! The food is really delicious, and it's nice to get $1-$5.00, items on their menu! They make a fantastic Margarita too I might add. It get pretty packed on the…
yelp.com - user review - 07/23/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Julea R.

2 of 5 stars. I had the worst Spanish Coffee I have ever had here this evening. No whip cream? Come on!
yelp.com - user review - 07/22/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by S. Alicia S.

4 of 5 stars. First thing, I couldn't locate the Denny's everyone was yelping over. But I did see a 7-11. No free Slurpee's today. So, I headed into the heart of Ballard and found myself ready for Matador.…
yelp.com - user review - 07/17/2007
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Can I give less than 1 star?

I'd walk a mile to avoid this place. I went there with 5 friends after seeing a movie on Sunday afternoon at the Majestic Bay. We ended up at the Matador because it was within walking distance, in the future...
citysearch.com - user review - 07/16/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Mary S.

4 of 5 stars. I really like the Matador- the Sangria was super and the crab cakes were super as well. I also had some sort of pear/spinach salad that was quite unexciting- I recommend manning up and ordering real…
yelp.com - user review - 07/11/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by nancy c.

4 of 5 stars. happy hour here rocks (food specials only -- no drink specials). 4-6pm, 10pm-1am everyday. hands down, order the steak tacos, roasted tomato chicken soup and the nachos (the steak tacos are the best…
yelp.com - user review - 07/10/2007
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Nachos!

I've never eaten here during non-happy hour, but I can testify that the...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 07/07/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by ozzy g.

5 of 5 stars. I was taken here for the first time tonight. The happy hour specials were fabulous. Big portions and ohhhh so yummy! I had a salad, garlic prawns and blackened fish tacos. Our server was super…
yelp.com - user review - 07/05/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Megan M.

3 of 5 stars. It's nice during the winter because there's a big fireplace to hang out near. Last night my friend and I went around 10pm for a mellow night out. We both ordered glasses of wine and we were…
yelp.com - user review - 07/01/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by James E.

3 of 5 stars. Vegans have NO business in this joint. Por nada. If you're vegan, you may as well skip the rest of this review and entertain yourself with members' lists. Or read Michael O's review, I think he did a…
yelp.com - user review - 07/01/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by sarah l.

2 of 5 stars. for the nachos and quesdillas that made for good happy hour food, one star. for not messing up my cosmos, another star. for bad attitudes all around, doors open that let in massive drafts for those of…
yelp.com - user review - 06/18/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Diana H.

4 of 5 stars. Their mixed drinks are rockin. There's no way around it - they know how to mix a mean margarita (and double vodka soda - but that was a different night, and different story). I went there for dinner…
yelp.com - user review - 06/15/2007
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Good Happy Hour

Matador is the neighborhood singles spot. For dining, i would go other places but for a margarita and happy hour spot it's a good place for bar food. The spring rolls and nachos are pretty tasty and the prices...
citysearch.com - user review - 06/10/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Michael B.

4 of 5 stars. This is the place where I take my single guy friends from remote Alaska to ogle at attractive waitresses and patrons. It has an open fire and great lodge like decor, so they feel at home. The food is…
yelp.com - user review - 06/06/2007
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AWFUL service, mediocre food

The only good thing about the restaurant was the ambiance. The bartender made our drinks wrong (added vodka when there is no vodka in the drink), then would not even give us a discount on them. He told us to...
citysearch.com - user review - 05/03/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Jasmine M.

5 of 5 stars. Geebus, not like this place needs a 45th Yelp ... My mom and I stopped in for lunch around 2pm on a Saturday. Everywhere else in Ballard was pretty much closed for lunch (that whole "we think we're…
yelp.com - user review - 04/22/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Ian S.

2 of 5 stars. I breezed though this place. I looked at the menu. Alright.
yelp.com - user review - 04/19/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Eddy Z.

2 of 5 stars. Let me get the positives out of the way first. Pretty good happy hour specials and appetizers. Cool looking place. That's it as far as I'm concerned. If you aren't one for pretentious trendy pick up…
yelp.com - user review - 04/18/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Miss O.

2 of 5 stars. great cheap food at night for happy hour from 10-1 a.m. shitty atmosphere! meatmarket shall we say but nice iron work
yelp.com - user review - 04/12/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Lily S.

4 of 5 stars. I always pass by this place, or I never remember that it actually exists. But last nite we vowed to meet there for their 10pm happy hour extravaganza. It's literally the place you want to go to see or…
yelp.com - user review - 04/04/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Alice R.

4 of 5 stars. Ha! I never would have believed the buzz and vibe of the inside from the outside. Before I read the reviews, I passed this place up many a time. C'mon, the name sounds cheesy....but I was mistaken…
yelp.com - user review - 04/02/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Smazz M.

3 of 5 stars. We really only ate at happy hour, but really loved the nachos. Drinks were great and so was the service. The vibe is cool and the lighting cozy and warm. There is some really cool original ironwork…
yelp.com - user review - 03/24/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Charlie D.

3 of 5 stars. Oh matador, why do you tease me with what sounds like some tasty nachos and then just leave me hanging? I can kind of understand the red curtain hanging in the front door but it's a little too much.…
yelp.com - user review - 03/19/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Carrie H.

2 of 5 stars. It really is too bad that this place has great food and margaritas. That might sound odd, but it would make me hate it more if it did. This place is nothing but a glorified meat market. The center…
yelp.com - user review - 02/23/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Betsey S.

4 of 5 stars. So. I really like Matador. I also like Peso's, and they're practically fraternal twins, except Matador doesn't have the hangover breakfast that Peso's does. That I know of. Anyway, yes, Matador…
yelp.com - user review - 02/06/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Phil S.

3 of 5 stars. While millions of sports fans were at home watching Super Bowl XLI on their televisions, I was on a walk with my lovely wife. You see, NASCAR and tennis are about all the sports I have the stomach…
yelp.com - user review - 02/04/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Tim O.

3 of 5 stars. My Point / Counter Point. I'm not sure how much I actually like The Matador or why I still go there:
yelp.com - user review - 02/04/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by mike d.

3 of 5 stars. I dont see why thet get all the hype, but theyre good. Everytime I go I usually have one small plate and one beer or cocktail and I'm ready to go. Its not really worth my trip to ballard, but if youre…
yelp.com - user review - 01/25/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Julie R.

4 of 5 stars. It can get loud at times during the popular happy hour. I hate the lighting, so dim that I can't even see what I am eating or how cute my date is.
yelp.com - user review - 01/19/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Joshua M.

3 of 5 stars. I'm a little mixed on this place actually. When I first got into this place I was impressed with the decor. On a Friday night it was certainly packed... we waited by the fire until I thought I was…
yelp.com - user review - 01/06/2007
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Great happy hour and pefectly prepared Mahi Mahi

Looking for a great neighborhood place to hang out and have some kicked up gourmet Tex-Mex cuisine? You've found it. The firepit and interesting iron artwork lend to the cozy, hip environment. The food is...
citysearch.com - user review - 01/03/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Kimberley D.

2 of 5 stars. Bob Marley blasting very loudly on the stereo. Lots of women with long hair and cleavage tossing back their hair and giggling. If I didn't know better, I'd think Abercrombie paid for product placement…
yelp.com - user review - 01/03/2007
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Yuppy meet-market

We are huge fans of the Ballard neighborhood, and we heard that happy hour here was worth checking out, so we gave it a try. Huge disappointment!! All of our drinks were severely watered down. The nachos were...
citysearch.com - user review - 12/21/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Matt P.

4 of 5 stars. I was impressed with Matador's ability to create an upscale Tex-Mex restaurant. The restaurant is good, no doubt about it; not amazing, but good. I thought the Red Chile Enchiladas were pretty…
yelp.com - user review - 12/05/2006
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One of the best happy hours

Matador is a little too swanky and crowded, but after 10 their happy hour...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 12/02/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Jonathan B.

4 of 5 stars. I am basing my review on the food and not the atmosphere...aka as sausage fest/sword fight that happens over any half decent woman who comes into this pickup joint. The food is great, and the happy…
yelp.com - user review - 11/28/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by dana b.

4 of 5 stars. Matador is the best deal at happy hour -- that's from 4-6p, or after 10p. They have a selection of awesome food for $4 (shrimp quesadilla, nachos, tortilla soup, etc). The tamarindo is one fine-ass…
yelp.com - user review - 11/28/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Sam H.

3 of 5 stars. Ballard is the new Kirkland. :-) That's what my friend said anyway. Actually this place would fit right in on the Kirkland waterfront. There's a distinctly young hipster crowd (or whatever the cool…
yelp.com - user review - 11/21/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Ass Man Z.

1 of 5 stars. These Matador places are awful. If you think J Crew and Abercrombie are actually hip, then go...and stay. Stick a sword in the back of them till death and hear the crowds roar.
yelp.com - user review - 11/21/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Wayne M.

5 of 5 stars. One of the best happy hours in Seattle. (there actually 2 happy hours here) $4 food menu, great margaritas and nice atmosphere, without being pretentious. I understand people who reference belltown…
yelp.com - user review - 11/19/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Brian S.

4 of 5 stars. Really hot food... and I mean hella spicey. I enjoy heat, but it's a bit much for my wife which kind of limits how often we go. If they just didn't put that chile oil on everything (or off to the…
yelp.com - user review - 11/15/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Jennifer R.

4 of 5 stars. Prior to my recent outing, I've been here once before - sat outside during the summer having dinner with friends. The waitress was kind and constantly refilled our drinks, chips and salsa. The food…
yelp.com - user review - 11/14/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Ashley W.

4 of 5 stars. I had such a great experience here. They don't take reservations, so if you want to eat here on a weekend night, be prepared to find a place to sit (or stand) around the bar area, which isn't too bad…
yelp.com - user review - 11/13/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by David H.

3 of 5 stars. Like our local Matador, happy hour is great. However, while I agree that the Habanero Enchiladas are pretty hot, the quality of the dish as a whole is low. Also, some of my chips were stale.
yelp.com - user review - 11/03/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Austin K.

4 of 5 stars. Que Suerte! We ate here on Halloween and had a b l a s t.
yelp.com - user review - 11/02/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Sean M.

4 of 5 stars. Love this place. The happy hour menu is great. Lots of great food and discounted drinks. You cant go wrong. I've never gotten a bad meal or drink here. The only down side is it can get real busy…
yelp.com - user review - 11/01/2006
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pretentious

let Fremont and Belltown keep all of the places like this ... unfortunately...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 10/26/2006
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Great Fish Tacos

Best Happy Hour in town although it starts a little late...10 pm. Must try...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 10/26/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by John H.

3 of 5 stars. I think I've tried to hit Matador on at least 10 different occasions, and have only made it in twice due to the crowds. It is what it is - nice but very busy atmosphere, and decent Tex-Mex food with…
yelp.com - user review - 10/11/2006
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West Seattle location has issues

I've been a fan of the ballard location for a while now. Consistantly decent food and an attractive friendly staff that made us feel welcome. I live in West Seattle so when they came to my area, I was...
citysearch.com - user review - 09/29/2006
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West Seattle Matador

I've been to the Ballard location and loved it so we were excited when the Matador opened in West Seattle. I've been to the restaurant twice with my husband. Both times we were very disappointed with our food....
citysearch.com - user review - 09/28/2006
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Gourmet Tex-Mex, Great Atmosphere

This is THE best place to stop by for Happy Hour after work. The $4 happy hour menu is long and everything on it sounds good. The nachos are amazing and huge!
citysearch.com - user review - 09/20/2006
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McMatador

Now that Matador is expanding as fast as they can (one new restaurant a year), you can tell. We all headed over to the Matador in West Seattle. It was on a weekend night fairly early (7ish). The place is...
citysearch.com - user review - 09/08/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by terrell m.

2 of 5 stars. I've tried to like this place, I really have. I've tried to mix things up so that I won't keep repeating the same experiences: I've been for happy hour, I've been on a busy Friday night, I've been for…
yelp.com - user review - 08/12/2006
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Great place

We really enjoyed it here. In the summer they open up a giant wall of windows so you can sit outside in the sunshine or inside in the cool breeze. In the center is a giant fire pit which is super cozy at...
citysearch.com - user review - 07/21/2006
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time for mojitos!

i love mojitos.. matador makes the best ones! it's a default place to go to. it's not so much that their food is good, but it's a nice place to hang out and have a couple drinks at. seating can be a nightmare...
citysearch.com - user review - 06/24/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Jen G.

4 of 5 stars. For some "burn-yo-ass-hot" habanero enchiladas, Matador is the place to be. Seriously. These puppies are hot. But very tasty. Which is why I always get them. Because apparently, I'm some kind of food…
yelp.com - user review - 05/19/2006
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Bad Drinks in Ballard

I liked the atmosphere and the appetizers were average. BUT, the drinks were terrible and we tried 5 different drinks: The Topshelf Margarita was the worst, should have ordered a regular one. The Cosmo was not...
citysearch.com - user review - 04/26/2006
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User Review

For the West Seattle location I would have to say service is something to be desired. As for the food unexciting and mediocre at best. I could say the only thing it has going for it are strong cheap happy hour...
citysearch.com - user review - 04/22/2006
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I'd rather be gored by a bull

Boo. This place blows. At first I thought it was because it was a "scene" but then I went in to try...
judysbook.com - user review - 04/20/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Anna S.

3 of 5 stars. Does anyone else find the uncanny resemblance of Matador to Peso's? Anyone? Instead of yellow and rust, their color scheme is blue and silver? Same iron sculptures near the bar? Same over-priced…
yelp.com - user review - 03/27/2006
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Popular because it's good

The time to hit Matador in Ballard is 4-6pm or 10-12pm Sunday through Thursday for Happy Hour or to ...
judysbook.com - user review - 03/05/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Ian K.

2 of 5 stars. I've actually never stepped foot in the place, but it looks like the kind of bar where reeking fourchettes would frequent. I have fantasies about exposing myself to the people eating in the outside…
yelp.com - user review - 02/23/2006
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No, not typical Ballard, but enjoyed Matador for what it is

... which is a fun, upscale Mexican/latin/whatever restaurant. We went there on a quiet Monday even...
judysbook.com - user review - 02/20/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Ryan P.

5 of 5 stars. The carne asada is god damned fantastic. The 2nd late night happy hour and the nachos are incredible as well. Icy Mac and Jacks. I almost gave 4 stars because it is getting quite crowded, but I bumped…
yelp.com - user review - 02/08/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Patrick M.

3 of 5 stars. If you can get over the fact that Matador is Ballard's Belltown outpost, the food is quite tasty. It's supposedly a Mexican joint but it must be Nu-Mexican cuisine (if there is such a thing) because…
yelp.com - user review - 02/03/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Maria C.

4 of 5 stars. 9:00 pm, Friday night, we almost didn't walk in here, feeling not chic or cool enough and this place is definitely hip. Glad we did though and caught the late night happy hour even if it was crowded.…
yelp.com - user review - 01/14/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Jeffrey S.

3 of 5 stars. Up front, I'd have to say that I would've given Nate's place 4 stars if he had taken into account, prior to their construction, more seating at the bar. Apart from the awkward standing/seating…
yelp.com - user review - 12/29/2005
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Matador West Seattle has arrived

The best Happy Hour value you're going to get for a rich food place. The nachos were the best prepared and best tasting I've had. No ton of dry chips left over, either. The Happy Hour has many cheap appetizer...
citysearch.com - user review - 12/03/2005
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