Arlis’s does not have tasteless, hippie bacon on the menu. They didn’t just go through a remodel, thoughtlessly marching along with the rest of downtown Bellingham towards yuppie-friendly gentrification. They do not have a shiny menu full of pretty pictures of whipped cream and compote concoctions, the flight of fancy of some corporate flunky in California that looks nothing like the pile you’re going to end up with on your plate. You will not suck down a cubic yard of cigarette smoke every time you try and get some pancake in your mouth.

This diner is exactly what it should be. Breakfast served all day, hot and fast and without inane chit-chat. You’ve got eggs and fries and pancakes and waffles and real tasty sausage and bacon. The coffee is hot and comes out of a pot and not from some overeducated and underemployed barrista. The food is tasty and well prepared, the portions are generous and the price is right.

The people are real people, the kind that wore flannel before it was popular, while it was popular and after it was popular because it’s what they wear. Yet in another testament to the enduring qualities of Bellingham, it’s not a "locals only" crowd. You walk in and people look up because they might know you, being a place with plenty of repeat customers, but it’s only to see if they know you and then they mind their own business.

Written By: Glen Berry

Features
Banquet Facilities  |  Lunch  |  Breakfast

Comments
We were there as the first customer when it was Lyn's (1980 something). It is nice to know that everything is almost the same. It has always been friendly and the food has been outstanding. We are now in sunny Florida but surely miss the people and food of Arlis's.
- myron and elaine on Sun, April 6, 2008

I'm excited to try this place now that it is smoke free. We too have walked in before and walked out from it being too smoky. Looking forward to it being a regular breakfast place for us!
-  on Tue, January 10, 2006

This is the best breakfast and anytime food in downtown Bellingham. The portions are amazing. The food is great. The service is very good to. I don't eat out much, but when we do...it's Arlis's we usually head for. The is homestyle cuisine at it's best and there is something on the menu for everybody. As for mister picky pants above complaining about smoke, I believe the establishment is non-smoking now anyway. The burgers are divine and the biscuits & gravy are not to be missed. Come hungry for good old fashioned no frills homecooking and you won't leave hungry.
- Kelly on Mon, November 28, 2005

After having relocated to the midwest a number of years ago, we can say with confidence that there's nothing that compares to Arlis's for chicken fried steak and eggs when you're hung over. We miss it!
- exPat on Sun, October 23, 2005

Arlis's Restaurant has the best biscuits and gravy this side of Louisiana, the biscuits light and HUGE, and the gravy chock full of sausage bits and flavor. Arlis's baked goods are her own recipes, now wonderfully prepared by the new owner, whom Arlis has trained since he was a kid. (I spoke with her last week, and she's retiring again in mid-August. Hurry in or you'll miss saying goodbye.) The kid (no, I don't know his name) always cooks my poached eggs perfectly (no one else in town can seem to do this). The wait staff are attentive, seldom missing a refill on coffee, iced tea, or water. These are some truly nice people, running a truly great diner. Best of luck to The Kid.
- Linda Siniard on Fri, July 22, 2005

I've never eaten here. My wife and I have walked in twice for breakfast and it stinks of cigarette smoke. We choose to go to other places in town for our breakfast.
-  on Wed, July 6, 2005

Add Your Comments
Please Enter ONLY Comments. DO NOT ENTER Questions or requests for information. They will NOT be answered and will be deleted. You need to contact the establishments directly for answers to your questions.

Your Name

Your Email

Subject of Comment

Your Comment

Type The Characters You See From The Image Below

Want us to link your web site? Just Fill Our our link request form by clicking here.

See something you like? Something you don't like? Send us your feedback. Let us know what you want to see on Bellingham, it's your web site! Email us at webmaster@kulshan.com

Copyright 1999-2006 Berry International ALL RIGHTS RESERVED