Taurus Ox

"It’s a meal dilemma we’ve encountered often—khao soi or a cheeseburger? Cut to Taurus Ox, the Lao spot that does both (and more). Taurus Ox’s crown jewel is undoubtedly their smashburger, a double-pattied stunner topped with taro stem, cilantro, pickled onion, and cured pork jowl, along with the genius addition of spicy pork skin-laced jaew bong and nutty provolone that cuts through the herbs and rendered fat. It’s a drippy, tangy, beautiful mess, but that isn’t to say that the other dishes play second fiddle. Thom khem loaded with caramelized pork belly and a brussels sprout hash brown would be an ideal under-the-covers dinner, and garlicky lemongrass sausage would rule a summer barbecue. Stumble in on a weeknight, or pack your friends in before bar-hopping." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley

"Laotian dishes shine at this Capitol Hill restaurant from three chefs, Sydney Clark, Khampaeng Panyathong, and Jenessa Sneva. Items such as thom khem and chicken laap utilize produce from local farms and a whole-animal approach to butchery, and the Lao pork sausage, fragrant with lemongrass and lime leaf, is not to be missed. Meanwhile, the smash burger made with pork jowl bacon and jaew tomato sauce may be the best patty in the city. (That burger is also available at Ox Burger, Taurus Ox’s spin-off, and you can find Panyathong’s Laotian spin on pizza at Ananas Pizzeria in First Hill.)" - Sophie Grossman

"Taurus Ox’s bold menu is dedicated to modern Laotian cuisine, where fresh herbs and warming chilies play a starring role. Savor the spice in dishes like thom khem (a caramelized pork belly and tamari-cured egg cooked with warm spices) and khao poon (a red curry noodle soup with shredded chicken and quail eggs). The Lao smash burger — which gets its kick from jaew tomato and jaew mayo, pork belly, and pickled onions — is a legend around town and inspired the spinoff restaurant Ox Burger. Come early to grab a drink and chicken wings at happy hour (2-5 Tuesday-Saturday; all day Sunday). You can also sample classic cocktails with Laotian twists like the Ox Mule, a refreshing concoction of whisky with galangal soda and lime." - Alicia Erickson

"The cuisine of Laos takes center stage at Capitol Hill’s Taurus Ox thanks to three chefs, Sydney Clark, Khampaeng Panyathong, and Jenessa Sneva, with strong Seattle dining pedigrees. The tiny counter-service shop recently upgraded to this full-service home, where dishes such as thom khem and chicken laap continue to benefit from local produce and a whole-animal approach to butchery. Don’t miss the Lao pork sausage, fragrant with lemongrass and lime leaf, or one of the city’s best patties, a smash burger made with pork jowl bacon and jaew tomato sauce. (This burger became so popular the team opened a burger-only place, Ox Burger.) For another rare treat, pair it with a locally made sato, or Laotian rice wine, from Village Ghost." - Eater Staff

" Lao Burger “The last time I got takeout from Taurus Ox, I ordered a large spread of excellent Lao dishes like their beef jerky with sticky rice and khao soi, as well as two of their incredible smashburgers to share with my household. When I was halfway home, they called to tell me they only packed up one burger but had another one waiting. I immediately panicked and turned the car around, picked up my additional burger, quickly drove home, and unpacked the bag to find out they had actually given me three burgers. This felt like getting an onion ring in your order of fries, only if that onion ring was a winning lottery ticket instead. As I started eating the double stack with provolone, taro stem, cilantro, and their spicy jeaw bong mayo, my pipe dream of saving the extra burger for lunch the next day vanished. As did the burgers.” -Carlo Mantuano, Staff Editor" - julia chen 1, carlo mantuano, aimee rizzo