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Hi-Life Reviews List
Hi-Life
Located in Ballard's historic Firehouse No. 18 built in 1911, the Hi-Life serves up a quarterly rotating American Grill menu that features the best of the four seasons here in the Pacific Northwest. With an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and brick oven, our line turns out tasty, full-flavored foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner each and every day.
We have a bountiful, Northwest wine list with over 16 different wines by the glass, as well as a spirited bar with seasonally changing cocktails and 8 local brews on tap.
See more Hi-Life details
We have a bountiful, Northwest wine list with over 16 different wines by the glass, as well as a spirited bar with seasonally changing cocktails and 8 local brews on tap.
33 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Rating Breakdown 33 reviews
5 stars
(7)
4 stars
(23)
3 stars
(3)
2 stars
(0)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- good for groups(21)
- neighborhood gem(21)
- kid-friendly(17)
- fit for foodies(12)
- great for lunch(8)
- special occasion(8)
Hi-Life Reviews List
Review 1 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The Hi-Life - always excellent
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"My family and I go to the Hi-Life several times per month. Always friendly, and the food is always predictably good. And one of my favorite features, the staff seems to love working there...which is a plus."
Dined on 6/15/2013
2013
Special Features: kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 2 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Sunday night Fried Chicken
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Big portions, enough to take some foe lunch the next day."
Dined on 6/09/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene
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Review 3 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great Neighborhood restaurant!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The Hi-Life has a great menu with something for everyone on there. The bar has a great selection of local beers on tap plus some very nice cocktails. The atmosphere of the old fire station gives the Hi-Life a unique ambiance and the service is great. This is a place I will come back to again and again"
Dined on 6/08/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"As always the Hi Lift never fails to dissapoint. We live in the neighborhood and enjoy it each and everytime."
Dined on 5/26/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 5 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fab!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great Happy Hr 7 days a week! Totally accommodating when my party grew from 7 to 9 two hrs before dinner. Great Ballard spot!"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 6 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This was our first time at
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This was our first time at Hi-Life and we really enjoyed the experience. Great food all around - the roasted chicken may actually have been the best I've ever tasted. Friendly staff, great ambiance. The wine selection was reasonable, but the by-the-glass offerings were unremarkable."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2010
Special Features: kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We will return
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Went here for our wedding rehearsal dinner. Very nice cocktails, nice extensive menu. Made the mistake of ordering the lamb--tough, super gamey. They took it back with no problem and brought out a very succulent chicken dish. Others at the table enjoyed their fish and salads and everyone had a yummy dessert--the favorite being the espresso bread pudding. Definitely worth a return visit. Wait staff is very attentive and friendly."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Absolutely love the chicken
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Absolutely love the chicken dinners and hot fuge Sunday!!!!!!"
Dined on 03/24/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 9 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Initial visit and will be returning
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"A friend and I planned a weeknight girls dinner and decided to try the Hi-Life. From the moment we stepped past the curtain, the smell was amazing. It was a bit noisy with the multiple tables of children when we first arrived but they quickly cleared out. Our waiter was very friendly and made great recommendations. I enjoy being able to view the kitchen and the ambiance of the wood fire oven was great. Appreciated the seasonal menu and tried as many as we could since it will be changing for Spring shortly. My friend loved her Duck Cassoulet and my Pork Tenderloin was very good. Start to finish, it was a great meal and we both plan to return."
Dined on 03/21/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 10 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, kid-friendly, romantic, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion
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Review 11 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We chose the Hi-Life for a
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We chose the Hi-Life for a family birthday party of four generations. Everyone had a good time and everyone had something they enjoyed eating- vegetarian, kid-friendly, etc."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2007
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly
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Review 12 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great Ballard Eats!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Fun atmosphere, friendly staff, and good food! Will definitely be back."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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Review 13 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great range of offerings including
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great range of offerings including excellent small plate menu. Food and presentation was also excellent. We were there at 6:15pm on Wednesday and more than 50% of tables had young children so noise level was high at times."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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Review 14 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
It was my daughter;s birthday.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"It was my daughter;s birthday. It started out as a group of 7 for a Saturday night. They we added two more, then two more. Even with 11 guests, the servers were able to keep up with us, and it was well worth the price of dining. The entrees were varied and delicious. I had the scallops with squash puree (as the plating sauce) and fried black kale. It was delicious, and I ate every bite. There was a great selection for our table of vegetarians, carnivores and everything in between. The first wine choice was unavailable, so they brought a taste of the other of the same varietal, which was less expensive and great. Desserts were great, and everyone walked out of there singing the praises of the chef and staff at this Ballard landmark."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2000
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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Review 15 for Hi-Life
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I found the restaurant to
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I found the restaurant to be an exceptional experience. The service was great. Me my girlfriend loved how the ambiance of the old fire station."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Hi-Life
Based on the average of (18) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
2 out of 2 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic