Un Bien

No frills good food. I love that about this place. Ballard/​Seattle seemed to be chock full of hipstery restaurants with a two pronoun/​noun name at min. I could care less about that crap and made it my mission to avoid these places. I want no frills, down home, good effing food. Un Bien delivered. An ugly pink shack with window and a few benches. We ordered the Carib Roast and the Press and corn. Both sandwiches were DELICIOUS. The airiest lightest baguette with mayo, fresh herbs, carmelized onions and delicious fall off the bone, fatty sucullent meats. It was a damn good sandwich. Both were excellent. The press had a few deli items in it (sliced cheese and ham or something) which i thought were good. But I preffered the roast.
The corn was meh. Not something i’d get again due to it’s price.

Soooo good. We got Cuban #1 and corn. Delicious It’s really inexpensive and on a great location. Right off the street.

lunch
food: classic carribean roast. fyi, if you didnt know, this is paseo reborn. the menu is practically the same. the shop and style is similar too. if you liked the original sandwiches, you will definitely like these. i like the extra thick grilled onion slices. the pork is tender and you dont need to chew much, but do remember to chew before you swallow. ***4/​5
service: the cashier dude was cool. orders were quick for the amount of orders going in. outdoor seating. it was super windy and therefore cold to eat outside. but its very similar to the old spot, but with more seating area and its covered, but not covered enough. ***3/​5
value: it sounds expensive for a sandwich, but it’s a huge sandwich and they do not skimp on the filling. ***4/​5

This was one of my highlight food stops during my trip to Seattle and heres why:
1. Just a normal food stand by a residential area away from the city.
2. Utilizing the local seafood to create an amazing sandwich.
3. SPICY! I think i got a 4 out of 5 or a 6 out of 10 but that made me warm enough to quench the seattle cold but not too hot making me embrace the cold
4. A small sit down area outside to enjoy with a friend or loved one on a nice day.
5. The scallop or the grilled prawns were amazing
6. fin

Holy mother of God! What was I thinking every time I drove past this place, saw the patient people lined up on the sidewalk, and I just kept driving saying to myself «one day I might stop there for a sandwich».
The world is just a better place with this pork sandwich.
The baguette was toasted perfectly, the romaine is slightly wilted but crisp around the rib, the onions are perfect thickness and then grilled just enough, the aoli, jalapenos and whatever else is on this masterpiece compliments the marinated pork shoulder wonderfully.
I need more Un Bien in my life… NOW!

I’ve never eaten such delicious food handed to me through a window. Enormous & flavorful sandwiches, with melt in your mouth meat. Generous serving of tiger prawns in red sauce, and some of the best black beans I’ve ever had the pleasure of consuming. Options for meat lovers and vegetarians alike. Calling ahead is the way to go-​we waited in line to order for some time, but the food was out quick.
The only thing keeping me from a five star review is curb appeal/​the lack of indoor dining space… Open a proper restaurant Un Bien! I’ll be the first to book a table.

Just as good, if not better, than the original!
I actually haven’t tried the original Paseo location since it re-​opened, but haven’t heard anything positive from others. Un Bien, however, has been on my list to try ever since I heard the former staff was working there and that it was owned by sons of the original owners. Even the banana monkey statue has made a come-​back. Oh, and they take credit cards unlike the original!
I ordered my old classic, the Press (roasted pork with banana peppers and slices of smoked ham). If anything, it was possibly even MORE delicious than I remember the original Paseo sandwich being. Is that even possible? I don’t know, but I’m not going to question a good thing! The bread was perfectly crunchy and just soft enough for me to take rapid-​fire bites without hurting the roof of my mouth — which used to be an issue at the old location. The aioli was flavorful as always, and was slathered on the sandwich in just the perfect amounts.
I’m a slow eater, but this sandwich was gone within 10 minutes.
Caution on chilly Seattle days: there’s only outdoor bench seating. Granted it’s within a plastic tarp enclosure and there are heat lamps, but I was cold while waiting for my food.
Interesting Seattle restaurant history factoid: this is the location of the original Lunchbox Laboratory, back when it used to be a little hole in the wall. Evidently this is just a great spot for restaurants serving amazingly delicious food.

SO MUCH YES.
In the words of a Seattlite: «if you go to Seattle without trying these sandwiches, you have failed your trip.» — no truer words have been said.
Small little shack of an establishment, easily noticed by the crowd of people in line. Line moves fairly quick, and the staff are so welcoming, friendly, and eager to get these delectible babies in your mouths. There’s a small area off to the side with perhaps 6 picnic tables, covered off. We ordered the sandwhiches and ate in the car. Wherever you decide to munch, munch while sandwhiches are hot and fresh! (Although just as delicious as leftovers.)
I tried their most popular item, and it did not dissapoint. (#1) Carribean Roast. Pork shoulder melts in your mouth, drenched in aoli, topped with caramelized onions, with the most perfectly toasted of baguettes. Friends also thoroughly enjoyed the Press (#2) and the Steak sandwhich. Also ordered roasted corn… decent, too charred for my liking; sauce was yummy; not amazing enough to order again.
Seriously drooling as I’m writing this review. Un Bien definitely makes my top 3 best sandwiches list.

Blessed be! The new Paseo is here, and it’s still amazing. The Caribbean Roast sandwich does seem slightly smaller, but the flavors are intact and it was still very satisfying. And MESSY! It’s like I’m in a Carl’s Jr. commercial when I’m eating this sandwich. It goes down quickly, but I don’t come away clean — my shirt, hands, and mouth all have evidence that I’ve been indulging in some porky goodness!
The pork was moist, tender and flavorful, and the kick from the aioli and pickled jalapenos was the perfect foil for the thick caramelized onions. We also got a Caribbean Roast plate dinner, the portions were generous and it had a lovely green salad and spicy beans to accompany the rice and pork. The plate dinner is definitely less messy than the sandwich, but nothing can really compare to the bliss that is the Caribbean Roast sammie.
We also got an order of the fire roasted corn, which is very similar to the classic preparation of elotes — slathered in aioli, covered in parmesan, paprika and lime juice. It is creamy, spiced, sweet and juicy. Although eating these was a SERIOUS commitment, because my stomach was already so full!
Un Bien for the win! So happy that Paseo 2.0 is a hit and that they take CREDIT CARDS! Get out! Actually, GET IN there and get some in your belly! Watch out for the nondescript pink building (on the auto and paint store row) in the up and coming Phinney Ridge and pull over! Your mouth, hands, shirt, pants, and stomach will thank you.

Don’t cares what anyone says, Paseo was still better.
That’s not to say un bien isn’t good. It is. It’s totally delicious. But it’s just not the old paseo I know. It was still yummy but Something is missing I don’t know what but it just isn’t the same. Maybe it’s not as greasy? Haha
I called ahead and still waited way too long… About a good full 30 minutes.
The bread was delicious, onions still good, meat was good, the special mayo was good. I wish there was a bit more cilantro but still good.
I took my out of town relatives from Korea here and they LOVED it. They still text about it saying they are craving ‘that sandwich’.

Love this place. I was so upset when I heard that Paseo’s was closing. I had to try Un Bien because these sandwiches are my favorite.
I ordered the Pawns sandwich which was cooked perfectly. I will always order this sandwich and also got some hot peppers added as well.
we came around 11am before the rush came right after us. The service was really fast and friendly when we ordered. They provided great information on what to order. I wish they had this back in Chicago because I would go here everyday if I could!

Worth the hype and much more!!! This is the «original» Paseo after they temporarily shut down in Ballard.
I ordered the Caribbean Roast and my best friend ordered the Press, so we shared the two. These guys put TONS of meat in the sandwiches, and both were excellent. I would probably order one or the other several times over. I think I preferred the Press by a small margin, but they’re both equally delicious, full of protein, and bursting with flavor. The ingredients are quality, and they’re just really well made sandwiches at just under $ 10 each.
This is a stand with some outdoor seating, so I do’t know if you should take a date here, but it’s definitely good food you can chow down on with friends or family. The lines here move fast, and if you come around when they open at 11 AM, there’s practically no line– until noon. Then it gets really long!
Unlike the other Paseo, this location take credit cards. YAY! What a bonus!

Love the food and have been a long time fan of Paseo (the original Paseo), but am extremely disappointed by my takeout experience today and feel like I have been taken advantage of by this business.
The current menu online (11÷13÷15) lists the #18 West Caribbean Roll (Which is their version of a burrito) at $ 11.50, I called in my order and when I went to pick up and pay, I realized I had been charged $ 16.07 ($ 1 tip included).
When I went back to the cashier and inquired about the price difference, I was told it was a misprint from the original menu and that they would update the website later today. They refused to honor the posted price and did not offer any compensation.
Un Bien opened in June 2015 (June 3^rd to be exact), they obviously knew they had a misprint on the menu, so why is it still posted incorrectly 5 months later!!!
Thank you for taking advantage of a once loyal customer.
Lesson learned: Un Bien failed to update their pricing, so I ended up paying $ 15 for a burrito.

I’ve never had Paseo’s, so I have no comparison for the amazingness of Un Bien! I came here one afternoon for lunch with my boyfriend. The line was pretty long, and the line moves slow, so be prepared to wait. I promise you it is so worth it.
We both got the Press, and promptly sat and chowed down! So much roasted pork, so many banana peppers, so much gooey cheese, oh and I cannot forget the smoked ham! This was honestly carnivore heaven, I got barely move after gobbling on this sandwich. All the flavors blended so nicely together, and the bread was soft enough for this kind of sandwich. Not going to lie, my jaw hurt a little after eating this… don’t let that stop you though. This place rocks! I’ll definitely be back in the future. I love you Un Bien!

If you missed paseo, cry no more! This place is pretty much the same. Amazing quality, amazing and balanced Flavors, great portions, and they cut it in half for you! The menu is bigger, too! Ugh I love it! Only downside is there is no seating indoors, so take it to go, or dress warm if you choose to eat there and sit outside. But honestly, if you were stuck in a blizzard, you still wouldn’t notice a thing once your face is in their sandwiches.
I love the roasted pork. The onions are perfect, as well as their aioli sauce/​spreads. And the bread… MmmMm. $ 10 a pop but definitely worth it. Take all my money!

My sister got to enjoy Paseo before they closed and she wanted to take her boyfriend there as his first trip to Seattle. Paseo was by far the best Cuban sandwich shop in Seattle and was a must-​go for all Seattle newbies. Since it closed, I took them to Un Bien.
I know my guests couldn’t tell the difference, but something was not right. Don’t get me wrong, the sandwiches were still good, but something was different. The meat was not as flavorful and the onions were soggier. Part of me had this dream that it would be exactly the same based, but I was a little disappointed after eating there.
I know people will love it for what it is and that’s what really matters.

Finally, got a chance to try them out! I actually took a day off from work to have lunch here because I prefer to not wait in the ridiculous long lines during the weekend. After running some errands around town, I got here about 11:15am and there were only a few people in line. Parking is all street or neighborhood parking, so do what you gotta do on that.
As I approached, I could smell the deliciousness, not a huge menu so I just went with the Carribbean Roast. I will say that is a pretty mean sandwich! Good sized sandwich that will hold you over for a while. The pork was quite delicious, the marinade… whatever that is, it’s pretty darn good! Carmelized onions are a show-​stopper for me, it totally makes the sandwich. Very messy but who cares, it’s delicious!
It’s not the traditional South Florida Cubano sandwich that I grew up eating, but definitely a great spin on it, this is a sandwich that I could eat over & over! Staff at the counter was nice and helpful. With it being not so busy when I came in, I got my sandwich pretty quick.
(my stomach just growled)
Can’t wait to come back, but I gotta check my PTO balance first.

There are moments in our lives when it’s perfectly acceptable to eat without a fork & knife, let meat juices drip down your arms, lick your fingers and indulge in the decadent sandwich, without saying a word or wiping your mouth.
Insert Un Bien
Foodie town, Seattle, welcomed us properly, as Un Bien was the first dining spot after deboarding an early AM plane from Los Angeles.
I’m still thinking about their #1 — Caribbean Roast sandwich ($ 9.75) — Pork shoulder coated in marinade & slow roasted ’til falling into succulent morsels. Their secret is the aioli slathered toasted baguette with fresh cilantro, pickled jalapeño, romaine lettuce and caramelized onions. Perfect pairings.
Another handheld food recommendation: Fire Roasted Corn, $ 3.75 (2 for $ 7) — Fresh corn on the cob grilled over an open flame & coasted with aioli, parmesan cheese, cilantro, salt, paprika & fresh lime juice. The godmother of roasted corn. You haven’t seen anything yet until you seen how many layers and condiments this baby has. (Advice: bring floss)
Order at the window and eat at the outdoor seating area. Bonus: All-​You-​Can use napkins.
Parking is on the street or the neighborhoods. There may be a line, but don’t get discouraged. It goes quickly.
Graceful and Neat aren’t words that exist while annihilating the sandwich and corn. Messy is inevitable – just embrace it.

It’s a small place — you order at the counter and there are couple of benches/​tables to sit at…
The smell is amazing — only downside too cold for winters…
Food menu is posted with very description details — average is $ 10 per sandwich
We order corn — tofu sandwich n chicken breast sandwich
First look it was mouthwatering! After the first bite — need to invent a new word that is higher then mouthwatering!!!
The flavor is an explosion in your mouth
The meat is perfectly marinated and perfect sized
The only minor complaint would be the size of the caramelized onions– wish they were a bit smaller because they are really huge and fall out of the sandwich a little more– But overall 5star would come back again n again — to go order tho.
The line to order in person never was short of 20 ppl the whole time I was there

Pink and green shack. Juicy roast pork and perfectly caramelized onions on Macrina bread. Wait, I’ve seen this before… Is this Paseo? Yes, it is. They have the exact same menu, the same tacky pink-​and-​green paint exterior (apparently intentional and it’s kind of growing on me), the same staff working the kitchen (I think?) and the same price. They even accept credit cards now! The seating situation is slightly better, and so is parking.
I’m a fan of their carne and rice. At $ 6.75, this is a steal as the portion is very generous. As the name suggests, it’s just a protein of your choice and white rice. I like the chicken breast and roast/​pulled pork. The pork is almost too salty and juicy, but I’m not complaining. This is probably where the beans and salad would’ve come in handy to absorb and balance some of the flavors. The chicken breast is just perfectly marinated and grilled.
One tiny nitpick: they send you away with more napkins than a person could ever, ever need in a meal. I have a stack of napkins sitting on my kitchen counter from the two trips I took to Paseo… I meant, Un Bien, these past two weeks.