Rizzo’s French Dip

*There closed! So freaking sad! This was a awesome place
Talk about a guilty pleasure. I’m in love with french dip and this place makes me want to come here for my lunch break all the time, however my jeans tell me a different thing.
I was literally the first person in line today waiting for them to open. It is a little hole in the wall. It was super quick. I was in and out in a matter of minutes. They do take cards now which is so handy. The meat is delicious. I could use a tad bit more cheese so next time I go I will see if I can get some extra. I ordered a regular with cheese and it cost about $ 8.50.
The one thing I did not enjoy about the burger was the soggy bun =(I know it double dip and that it was they are going for. I don’t like crunchy bread either, but somewhere in between would be nice. Will I be back, of course. Also the guys that were working there were really nice.

These sandwiches are Nom-​alicious!!!
4 things you MUST know before going here:
They serve only two types of sandwich: with/​without cheese. I recommend without, you can’t taste it anyway.
These French dips are served the ORIGINAL way: they dip the bread BEFORE they give it to you and don’t give you a cup of Au Ju. Ask for it, if you really want more, but you’re not necessarily going to need it.
It’s a tiny tiny shop, so don’t plan on eating there and if there are more than two people in line you’re going to be waiting outside to get in.
Don’t wait until right before they close because if they run out of meat they’ll close early and you’ll be a very VERY sad monkey.

AWESOME SANDWICH made my a real life hero that pulled a 3 year old girl out from a burning car. Please read this article and give this man and his shop a try! Its rare that we find someone that would risk his own life to save another!

The French Dip with au jus soaked bread is awesome. The meat is flavorful and the bread holds up very well. I prefer the French Dip with Swiss cheese. The macaroni salad is a really good side.
The drawback would be the lack of seating, I think 4 people total could sit inside. There is a picnic table outside but it might be better just to take it home. Also, the staff taking orders can be unprofessional in the sense that I can’t tell if they are at a job or just hanging out. It felt like I was imposing on their social gathering.

When I see that sign that says «Out of Food», I die a little inside.

So I went in yesterday for my first time after driving by it like 4 times a week. Honestly i was super excited to try these guys out cause come on… who doesn’t love french dips???
Thank god i finally got my butt into gear and in there to get me a samy! It was absolutely DELICIOUS and HUGE. I got a NO DIP (didn’t pre dip the bread ill tell you why in a sec) with swiss and the meat juice on the side. I don’t eat allot honestly so i knew going into this i would have left overs so the no dip gives the bread a few more hours of life until i get hungry again to finish the rest. I seriously made this out into three meals, although by day two i had to ditch the bread that was left cause it was too soggy (hate soggy bread) and use some safeway french loaf instead.
And IDK what you all are talking about the two younger guys that work there are awesome and were really cool with me when I came in class act guys!

Totally Meh…
I walked into this rat shack and as soon as I entered i felt like I interrupeted a conversation the 2 employees that worked there were having… either that or I stopped them from watching «My name is Earl» which was playing on the faded out color TV on the only table in the joint.
As I came in the dude that made my sandwhich immediately got up and ran to the kitchen. The girl at the register only said «Cheese or no cheese.» I said «Cheese…Swiss.» The girl refused to make eye contact with me and we sat there in akward silence for 2 minutes while my sandwhich was being put together. During that short period my eyes wandered into the kitchen where there was literally a trash can with flys hovering around it directly underneathe the meat slicer. The girl then put my sandwhich in a bag and gave it to me. She continued to say nothing more…
The sandwhich had a generous amount of cold meat but no flavor, the cheese was totally a Kraft swiss knock off, did not come with au jus for dipping, and totally gave me massive stomach cramps ’til the next morning.
Epic Fail

Tried eating here two prior times and both times they had closed early on the days I stopped by so I decided one more try was in order. Stepped inside one recent Saturday right after they were suppose to open and saw Frank the owner grabbing fresh bread out of his vehicle while chatting on the cell phone. He told me they were running late and was very apologetic but I would have to wait fifteen minutes to get my order in. I think he sensed the frustration on my face and he stuck a $ 5 bill in my coat pocket and said to please come back in fifteen minutes. Since I was already there I decided to go sit in my car and make a phone call while waiting.
After fifteen minutes elapsed I returned and ordered a large dip with American cheese. I grabbed an ice cold coke out of the cooler and placed my money on the counter and he shoved my money back at me and said my meal was on the house for making me wait. I was shocked and reminded him he already gave me $ 5 and he once again apologized for making me wait and to keep the money and the meal was free.
I sat down at the only table in the place and devoured my huge sandwich. I thought it was great but I admit to liking my french dips served with au jus to dip in because I like em wet and messy. We talked at length about how some people either love pre-​dipped dips or they dislike that method. His way is very good but ask for extra wet if you like yours soggy and messy like me.
Frank has talked about finding another location or maybe even getting a mobile french dip truck which he could move around town for lunches or even near popular nightclub locations. I would so love a good french dip instead of a cream cheese hot dog after a night on the town.
Overall I had a good sandwich, had a free meal because I had to wait and the owner gave me $ 5 for the delay. I can honestly say it pays to eat at Rizzos!

Okay, so let me set the scene: We walk up to the dingy hut. Through the window, I see two tattooed youngsters are talking. I open the door, the dude dashes into the back, the girl walks behind the cash register. Local news is on an old CRT TV. I look up at the menu. It’s hand written by someone with worse handwriting than me. The girls barks, «With or without cheese.» I realize that the menu consists of one item: a roast beef sandwich. You can get that with cheese or without. You gotta respect a place that sells one item. It’s kinda pricey for what you get, but whatever, I’m happy to help stimulate the economy by eating. We get the sandwiches to go. We eat at a park and realize that there’s no dipping sauce. French dip = dipping au jus sauce. But the sandwich seemed to be drenched in some sort of au jus sauce — the sandwich is pre-​dipped? Interesting.
All in all, not a bad sandwich. Very big, like a mammoth burrito. But overpriced. And I think it’d be nice to see other things on the menu. But then again, half of their appeal is the one-​item menu.

Wow is this place terriffc!
Been wanting to try this little hut with a huge reputation and yeah, its fantastic. Flavorful razor thin beef in a huge stack on a delicious roll. Add the cheese for a taste bud extravaganza.
Even the little side of macaroni salad was A+

I luv pushing the positives of anything home-​spun, but it is somewhat difficult to really give this place high ratings due to the rather cold and uninviting service we received here.
Had cousins in town from LA, and I wanted to take them somewhere special and full of «local» flavor and since my parents had brought me back a dip from this place the month prior, I figured, ta-​da! I mean how much more «local» flavor can you get than BALLARD, for cripes sake.
Well…not sure what happened but on the way to the joint, things kinda translated «meh» in person. First they tell me in a rather cold manner that they don’t have enough meat and they have to re-​heat some more. I figure okay… Reheating in process, tell me something cool… chat it up a bit… ask me about the weather… I got nut’n…blank stare… another customer walks in, person behind counter, «You gotta wait we are out of meat.» Oh, boy howdy, how rude.
I will say the «cook» gave us 3 free sodas for things taking so long, counter person had slept away and he had free reign.
Meh…

So Lunchbox Labs opened on Memorial Day and decided it was going to take Tues off instead. Lame! It’s my last day here too! Thus, we wandered a few doors down to Rizzo’s French Dip.
Ordering here is quite easy. There is only one choice on the menu: French Dip. You can choose the type of cheese though: Swiss, American or half and half.
And the sandwiches are HUGE! One can easily make two meals. The sandwiches come pre-​dipped so you have to eat them fresh. That said, I ate my other half six hours later and it wasn’t too bad. The sandwich is packed with roast beef and the bread isn’t too soggy or drippy. Eat it with a little bit of the spicy mustard/​horseradish and you’ve got a solid sandwich.
Frank (the owner) is really sweet too.

Quaint little place that serves nothing but French Dip, with the only variations being double meat, no cheese, cheddar, swiss, or both (served as half and half), and macaroni salad on the side with each order. So half and halves the three of us get, with the owner, Frank, coming back into the store right as we got our food, telling us to eat them right away because they come pre-​dipped in au jus.
Takeout doesn’t seem like the best option here if you don’t plan to eat it within the first few minutes of getting it, because the rolls get really soggy really fast. Overall, the French Dips are decent — hefty portions of roast beef, but as such, the sandwich can be a bit dry, even with all the au jus. I suggest taking some of their awesome horseradish honey mustard with you, because it makes the sandwiches just that much better. The macaroni salads weren’t anything to rave about, but it’s decent stuff. About $ 8 for all this, where the sandwich easily makes two meals? Good deal.
Chatted it up with Frank a bit while we were eating, and it turns out that they’re considering moving and expanding a bit. The whole thing is more of a fun side hobby for him though, since he decided to open up the place on a whim (he owns the entire block almost, and was originally planning to rent that building out), with the French Dips and macaroni salads being family recipes.

Did you love a hot lunch from your high school cafeteria? Then you’ll love this place.
I actually kinda like American cheese melted on a loose meat sandwich, and a soggy bun is very nice indeed when it has soaked up au jus, but I can’t abide poor quality beef, and the meat at Rizzo’s is very gristly and tough. Blech. We feed our pets a better quality of meat.
The macaroni salad that comes with each sandwich may actually be leftovers from a nursing home lunch.
I’m glad I finally tried it since the reviews here are surprisingly high, but I wish driven up to Grinders in Shoreline.

Just like the name says, only one thing on the menu. It’s big, it’s filling, it’s messy, and it’s very good. The location is a tiny place that you could easily miss if you aren’t looking for it, and could miss even if you are looking for it. The owner is a friendly guy who had a great idea, and that’s to make one thing and make it well. That he has done.
Sure, I’d like to see more space, and places to sit so I don’t have to stand outside dripping my sandwich all over the place, but maybe that’s part of the charm of Rizzo’s. Go, eat, and enjoy.

Rizzo’s French Dip is a great family business tucked away on a busy street. You’ll miss it if you’re not looking for it, since the store is very nondescript.
Two french dips with swiss to go. Macaroni salad is provided free of charge and you can also ask for some au jus on the side if you’re the dipping kind of gal like me.
The sandwich? Meat was plentiful, au jus was tasty, but the bread? S-​O-​G-​G-​Y.
I talked to the owners and they’re shooting to be like Philippe’s famous french dips in LA, pre-​soaked and all. I think the difference is that Philippe’s bread is strong enough to hold up to the meat.
Rizzo’s bread? Not so much.

Rizzo is the shiznizzo!!!
I walk in and there are about 4 or 5 guys huddled around a small TV watching Jerry Springer. As soon as I walk in, they start joking around with me very jovially. Mr. Rizzo asks if I’ve been there before and I mention that I’m in from out of town. He asks where and we banter a bit about Austin. Totally nice guys.
I get my sandwich (w/​o cheese) and grab a container of the spicy horseradish mustard to go. Shortly thereafter I unwrap and eat one of the tastiest French dips I’ve had. I love that its pre-​dipped traditional style. The au jus was flavorful and the horseradish mustard added the perfect kick. It was filling enough that I even skipped dinner. Yum!

I almost missed eating here today because when I arrived at 11:15am, the blinds were drawn and the «Closed» sign was in the window so I gathered it was… closed. Still for some reason, I was unconvinced that it wasn’t open so I tried the front door and it was unlocked, so I entered. And they were open!
I ordered the French Dip Original, which comes with a macaroni salad. For $ 3 you can get additional beef on your sandwich. A loaf of zucchini bread is available for $ 5.
I took my sandwich and salad to my car to eat (there really isn’t any parking in front, so I parked on a nearby side street).
Frankly, I was majorly disappointed in the sandwich. First off, they call it a French «Dip», but there is no au jus.
Upon wrapping the sandwich, I was confused because I thought the sandwich had oatmeal on it. Well no, it wasn’t oatmeal. I’m guessing they pre-​wrap the sandwiches so far in advance that the sandwich roll gets mushy from all the moisture trapped inside the foil.
Yeah, some of the other Unilocal reviews indicate that the sandwiches here are pre-​dipped and that that is the «correct» way to serve French Dip. So mushy is desirable? Not in my book, Yeeps.
And then the flavor of the meat. It was unpleasantly heavy on the garlic. Basically, it tasted strange. Even though I think their French Dip sandwich is reasonably priced, I just didn’t care for it.

You wanna French Dip? You gawta French Dip.
This place is friggin’ great. It’s about as big as a breadbox, but there’s really no need for more room than that. The reasoning? Housemade Roast Beef.
They do it up right here. No frills. No fries. No BS. Just good, ol’ real deal French Dip. You order it and hand over the cash. They bag it up for you with a smile.
Tony, Tom, Frank… and Tony: You guys are the best. It’s like having our own slice of Little Italy right in the middle of Ballard. Tony told me on opening night that his wife had made the curtains and their aprons (which all have their names on the front of them– SO cute). He also said they own the entire block… «just like the Sopranos,» he laughed.
Now the sandwiches? They’re GOooooOOD. Before you start getting confused about French Dip like I was, don’t be. Traditionally, you’re supposed to get the bread jus’d up, and then the meat comes afterward. That’s how they roll here… and it’s delicious. Housemade roast beef, tons of it packed into a perfectly bready, french roll. It comes plain ($ 6) or with cheese (an extra $ 0.75 cents if you want it) and with a small side of macaroni salad, which is quite delicious (and I don’t even like the stuff).
In the future, they let us know that they’d be servin’ up meatball sammies and other varieties.
I really can’t think of a reason not to give them 5 glowing. These guys are lovely. Happy, friendly, real awesome, good folk. Lots of restaurants focus on atmosphere and making things look pretty. Rizzo’s focus is on the food and their customers. Period. Great addition to the ‘Llard.
I wanted to hug them all by the time I left and I bet you they would hug me back if I did. :)
Cash only for now.

I love French dips. If I go to a place I haven’t been before and they have one on the menu, chances are I’ll be ordered one.
When I heard about Rizzo’s I knew I had to get there and try it out — after all, it’s practically in my back yard.
When you show up at this unassuming little joint, make sure to bring your appetite. This isn’t going to be some Arby’s French dip that you can toss down and then feel hungry an hour later, oh no. When I felt the heft of the bag which contained two French dips (one for me, one for the roomie) and two cups of macaroni salad (comes with the sandwiches), I’m pretty sure a smile crossed the face of the owner as he handed the bag over. Yes, you heard that right people, the owner was there handing me my food.
After a quick introduction and a meet the owners session, I snapped a pic and we headed back to our apartment to enjoy the French dips. The time that it took us to drive back to our place (with a stop off for some chips) was the perfect amount of time for the Swiss cheese (added for $ 1) to melt and for the lovely au jus to work its wonders.
The macaroni salad was equally great and capping it off with a cool soda made the experience all that much better. I’ll definitely be back and I think I’ll grab a seat outside the front door next time.