Few things are worse than the three o'clock slump. What's the solution? A hearty lunch! To this end, few Seattle spots provide a mid-day meal quite so nourishing, indulgent, and oh-so-delicious as Off the Rez, Seattle's first Native food truck and cafe. Featuring classics like Indian tacos, sweet frybread, and rice bowls, it's my opinion that this spot serves the best lunch in the U District.
Off the Rez is located in the Burke Museum building at the edge of the University of Washington campus. While you aren't obligated to visit the museum, if you have the time, I highly recommend exploring their award-winning exhibits on Native arts and culture and local natural history. Burke even displays real dinosaur fossils! Admission is free, making this a great option for a low-budget, high-quality excursion in Seattle.
Off the Rez owner Mark McConnell has fond memories of his mother and grandmother— both members of the Blackfoot tribe— cooking the delicious fare now featured on his menu. After moving to Seattle from Montana, McConnell quickly noted that— despite the city's diverse Indigenous community— no restaurants featured Native American cuisine.
With partner Cecilia Rikard, McConnell decided he had the chops to fill Seattle's frybread-shaped void. Admittedly, his Montana roots mean Off the Rez may more accurately reflect the culinary tradition of his childhood state. That said, if the menu at Off the Rez isn't universal, its appeal most certainly is.
Here, bright notes punctuate rich flavors, creating harmony on the palate. Experienced baristas proffer delicious espresso beverages at a stylish counter. Their gainful pairing with bison, beef, and pork-laden Indian tacos is a pleasant surprise.
For non-Native customers, it's worth appreciating that foods like frybread and Indian tacos aren't traditional to Indigenous cuisine. Their history is inextricably linked to colonization. When the US government forcibly relocated tribes to new lands, Indigenous peoples had to imagine new dishes using what was now available to them: a limited list of government rations and local ingredients that were often very different from what they'd known previously. With this in mind, these foods are crucial examples of Native American resilience and ingenuity.
If you aren't in the area, check whether the Off the Rez food truck is near you!
Are you looking for the best lunch in the U District? Check out Off the Rez. This Emerald City gem is the first Native food truck and cafe in the city, and its offerings are worth a detour. Combine your meal with a visit to the neighboring Burke Museum, or learn more about Pacific Northwest foods with a local guide.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
