Shay's Restaurant

Fun little diner along Aurora Avenue, and the perfect place for an early AM breakfast. Old-school breakfast choices and decent coffee, plus comfy booths, friendly service and plenty of parking. I feel like I have been transported back to the Seattle of my youth.

Exactly what you're looking for from a diner experience. Extensive menu with anything you'd want (shout out to the Monte Cristo!) The breakfast food was all pretty good and had generous servings. The mashed potato omelette was particularly unique. The exceedingly friendly service was just the cherry on top.Pro Tip: The claw machine is only $1 and actually gives you a chance of getting stuff! We got two beanie babies and felt like kids again.

This is a true dive but has been here for decades! I have some since I was in diapers. 3rd generation. Great staff that have been here since I was young.I like their food. I have gotten hash browns which are great and even their prime rib dinner on Fridays. (see picture). Parking can be tricky but for those who don't know, there is a gravel lot on the hill behind shays with stairs into the restaurant. As for drinks, They come stiff and affordable. The regulars are also friendly. Typically an older crowd comes here but I think it's great for all ages.

I live in Renton, but it's worth the drive to Shoreline for the delicious and bountiful breakfasts. It was my first visit. I ordered the senior 2-egg omelet with sausage and cheese, hash brown potatoes, and slice of toast. The omelet was excellent -- one of the best I've eaten. The service was top notch with fill ups of coffee ever present. The hash browns were freshly grated potatoes. Two thumbs up for this restaurant.

I have been wanting to try this place for awhile now. It's hard to find a good breakfast spot. I ordered the Cornbeef Hash , hashbrowns, poached eggs. Everything was cooked very good. Looking forward to trying more stuff. Great Service. Claw machine inside.

Came here for breakfast while getting my oil changed. Homey and definitely a place for regulars. The eggs Benedict has a super generous slice of ham and the bloody Mary is standard. Friendly staff. Would come back.

Shay's is the kind of local restaurant that lives somewhere between a diner and a "family restaurant". It's a little rough around the edges, but it has the heart of a place run by real people, not cogs in a corporate machine.While not exactly cozy, it's got a comfortable ambiance with the usual homespun kitsch: signs about the virtues of bacon, lots pf pictures of chickens, that sort of thing. It's absolutely nicer on the inside than it looks on the outside--a sketchy looking strip along Aurora in Shoreline.Like so many places, they're understaffed at the moment, with just one server shared between the dining room and the lounge. Despite that, the service was warm and personable.The food was quite good. I got the New York Steak Sandwich. It was pretty tasty on a perfectly toasted bun with sautéed mushrooms. The house-cut fries were nice, too. For dessert, I got a yummy strawberry sundae that was overflowing the glass.In short, the main thing that Shay's has to offer is both simple and rare: it's a genuine local spot without pretensions. It's the opposite of all the slick, hip chain restaurants that seem to be infesting the city.

If you like the way the world is headed, don't come here. Things at Shay's are the way "it used to be."It still has a choice of sitting in the classic American diner setting, or sneaking into the lounge. Regardless, the waitress will call you 'sweetie' and gladly serve you a stiff coffee, or something stronger if you're of that persuasion.Shay's is a genuine "local" watering hole. Whether you sit out at the counter or back in the bar, if you strike up a conversation you're likely to meet your local blue collar worker or their spouse. Painters, sailors, machinists, fishermen and truck drivers are fixtures here.Don't be surprised in the mornings when they all argue over how much the showcase is worth on the Price Is Right.If you're lucky, you'll run into the 'Mayor of Shoreline' or Greg, the charismatic chef who's been working here for more than 40 years. If you're REALLY lucky he'll even tell you how he lost his hand... but that's not likely.You only live once, so have the biscuits and gravy, or a world famous mashed potato omelette. Their BLT is better than most and the turkey bacon croissant comes with thick pieces of white meat, not any damned sissy sliced deli meat.You'll tip well because they treat you well... and you'll be remembered next time. See you there.

In the past few days, I've had a hankering for indie old school diner type spots. I have recently stopped at 65th Street Cafe & Restaurant in Seattle and Shari's in Shoreline. Third stop was yesterday's dinner with The Homie at Shay's Restaurant and Lounge (11/11/22). Again, despite being a Shoreline resident since March 2002, this was my first visit. It has been around since 1983 and under current ownership since 1992. Longevity and flying under the radar as a mainstay along Hwy 99/Aurora. Crowded private parking lot out front shared with a Korean grill spot and hair salon, but I was able to find a spot by the main entrance. Upon entering, we chose a corner two top. There were various table configurations and counter seating in the main dining room. There's also an adjacent bar/lounge. A good sign was that there were regulars enjoying their meals and each other's lively company.We were warmly greeted, handed menus, flatware, napkins, ice water, and told of the evening's soup: clam chowder but there's also some chili available. Yes, the interior is dated, popcorn ceiling, but with homey, humorous decor. Thankfully, the initial odd scent dissipated.I had a ravenous appetite since my last meal was nine hours ago. There was a nice variety available for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert...just about everything looked appealing. Also, there's a senior menu for 55-plus for additional savings. Breakfast served anytime, but switch over from lunch to dinner happens at 4pm. Again, my phone was having issues so I was not able to take current photos of the interior and menu pages. The lone entree photo taken was provided by The Homie.We both started with cups of clam chowder with saltines. Clam chowder was hearty, creamy, and full of flavor. The Homie ordered the Chicken Fried Steak topped with sausage gravy, mashed potatoes, and daily veggie side. In addition, a chocolate shake that came with the metal container it was hand mixed in.I opted for the Friday Prime Rib special ($27.95, 8 ounces, medium rare with horseradish and au jus) with a baked potato (w/bacon, green onions and butter) and daily veggie side. Prime Rib is also available at 10 oz and 16 oz, but at market price. This is was reminiscent of Wedgwood Broiler's (another OG in Seattle) prime rib, but Shay's version was much more flavorful.I was a happy camper with the tasty daily veggies - I ate and poached all the broccoli and yellow zucchini. I left behind the onions and cauliflower though.Traded protein bites, but gave a sizable portion of prime rib to The Homie to feast on. I really enjoyed how delicious and tender the prime rib was. Both the prime rib and au jus was on point and not overly salty. Food provided was very generous. I had to box up my entire baked potato and fixings. The Homie had to box up some of his chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes.A truly satisfying meal, great service, and yet again my bad for not detouring much sooner. Face palm, over 20.5 years later!Shoreline has a handful of indie gems, but definitely enjoyed the OG Shay's Restaurant and Lounge. I look forward to future visits to check out additional menu items.

Been going to this place for over 30 years.Usually go for breakfast or lunch and it is always delicious.The servers are very friendly and the food always arrives quickly!!I would highly recommend this place, it is an old school diner type restaurant, nothing fancy but good food!!I would give them five stars., but the only thing is they need to update their bathroom.