‘Frasier’: This Is Where You Could Really Get ‘Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs’ in Seattle
Fans of the hit 1990s NBC sitcom Frasier know that the series was set in Seattle. But, they never actually filmed the show in the Emerald City – with one exception. The cast and crew of Frasier shot the series’ 100th episode in the actual streets of downtown Seattle. During the episode, fans saw Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) at many of the city’s notable locations and landmarks. But, is there really a place in Seattle where fans can get “tossed salads and scrambled eggs?”
‘Frasier’ got a lot of things wrong about Seattle
According to Seattle Curbed, Frasier is notorious for getting many things wrong about the city of Seattle. The sitcom was mostly written and filmed in Los Angeles, so there were mistakes when it came to pronunciations and locations.
For example, the fictional-yet-fancy Cafe Nervosa was supposed to be located on the corner of Third Avenue and Pike Street. But, in the 1990s, the Seattle police referred to that location as a seedy “open-air drug market.”
Frasier’s famous view of the Space Needle and skyscrapers from the window of his high-rise condo at the fictional Elliott Bay Towers is scientifically impossible. They also oversold Seattle’s monorail during Frasier’s 11-season run because it is not a mass transit system. Instead, it’s a one-mile shuttle between the Space Needle and a mall.
Seattle residents were also baffled by Frasier and Niles’ social circle. It was filled with wealthy high-society East Coast blue bloods in designer suits instead of billionaires in North Face jackets and cargo shorts.
The 100th episode was a special show-within-a-show
For the special 100th episode of Frasier, the cast and crew went on location in Seattle. The storyline featured Frasier celebrating the 1,000th episode of his radio show on “Frasier Crane Day” at the Space Needle. But, he and Niles are having trouble making it to the celebration as they frantically rush through downtown Seattle.
Location scouts did their job for the shoot, so there weren’t any geographical mistakes. They mainly shot within two miles south of the famous landmark. The Doctors Crane scrambled through Pioneer Square, downtown, and Belltown.
They also shot scenes at the famous Pike Place Fish Market. But, many of the locations in the episode have completely changed or are no longer there. The famous Ralph’s Grocery closed in 2015. And, Regrade Park has transitioned from a hotbed of drug activity into a nice dog park.
Frasier and Niles also stop at a shoe store in Belltown with a sign for the real coffeehouse La Pesce Cafe in the background. Now, the location is a Hawaiian-Japanes restaurant called Karaage Setsuna.
‘Frasier’ fans have options for ‘tossed salads and scrambled eggs’ in Seattle
As Seattle Curbed points out, there are a few options for fans when they “hear the blues a-callin’.” Canlis is the home of Seattle’s most famous tossed salad. Unfortunately, they do not have scrambled eggs on the menu.
Fans who would like both tossed salads and scrambled eggs should visit either Pettirosso on Capitol Hill or Oddfellows Cafe. They both feature a full coffee menu and table service and are located inside of historic brick buildings.
The London Plane in Pioneer Square is also an option, but their menu changes daily. Endolyne Joe’s is a West Seattle staple, and they have tossed salads and scrambled eggs on their menu. Upscale diner Skillet or the French restaurant Marmite are also solid choices for Frasier fans.
Because the show wasn’t actually filmed in the city, nearly all of the locations were fictional. Fans must get creative if they want to enjoy a true Frasier Seattle experience.
