Ballard Loft, Seattle

If Ballard Loft feels somewhat reminiscent of a renovated machine shop, well, that’s because it used to be an actual machine shop. Remnants of the building’s former occupation live on in several forms. A garage door opens to an outdoor patio alongside Ballard Avenue, and a retired jib hangs from the ceiling after a career spent hoisting heavy equipment and slumbering mechanics skyward.

Amidst this working man’s vibe, diners sit down to a substantial menu that includes sliders, wings, sandwiches, and a rotating menu of fresh food specials. The hearty meals are fitting for an area such as Salmon Bay, with its storied history of logging mills and maritime industry. But today, inside the Loft, those same meals are far more likely to fuel rounds of shuffleboard, pool, or darts or friendly competition during Tuesday night trivia.