Sonora Carne Asada House: Carne Seca
Sonora Carne Asada House, a new addition to Seattle’s South End, is the sister restaurant to the Auburn original. As the name implies, meat takes center stage – a suitable nod to the eponymous Northwest Mexico region, known as “the land of beef.”
Fun fact! The Sonora region is also the birthplace of the flour tortilla. You can throw that nugget down the next time someone tells you flour tortillas are an Americanized bastardization of the corn variety.
There’s a lot going on at Sonora, a spot unlike many other Seattle Mexican restaurants. The menu features regional specialties such as carne seca – a variation on shredded beef jerky – and beef-marrow tacos, and the salsa bar is plentiful. Its creamy avocado, which can serve as the base for your own custom-made guacamole, is a welcome addition. Grab some hard-shell tortillas from the bar, and you have the makings of a decent-sized meal, even before your order is ready.
The “shredded beef jerky burrito,” then. Gotta say – I’m a fan. I wasn’t sure what to expect, seeing jerky is (famously) chewy, but when shredded and chopped, the texture resembles carne asada. The flavors are similar, too, with a smoky veneer functioning as the differentiator. If you’re in the mood for a twist on a classic, it’s the route to go.
I have not tried the burro percherón, so I cannot speak to its quality1, but to give you an idea of what to expect, these tend to measure in at around twenty inches and are stuffed with meat, avocado, cheese, mayo, and tomato. At $27, the percherón is marked as “sharable,” which sounds about right.
Their beverage menu is small, yet varied. The Piña Michel-Agua – a natural pineapple soft drink – was a refreshing companion to the burrito, and on the opposite end, you have Mineragua, with its puckering, spicy palate. Not entirely my thing, but give it a shot if you’re in the mood for an extra oomph.
Beyond sticking my head in for a second, I never did properly visit Fryzone, the address’s previous tenant. Sonora has since renovated the interiors, which now have a muted vibe that’s not oppressively dark. You get an order counter and a couple of tables in front, plus expanded seating in an adjacent room – a simple, no-frills layout.
It’s still early goings for Sonora – its grand opening is tomorrow2 – and I haven’t had a chance to give it the deep dive it deserves3. Consider this a first impression, and a very positive one at that. Not all places show as much promise as Sonora at this stage. And, as it’s different from your average Mexican restaurant, it should be a destination for anyone in search of spots outside the norm. I can only assume you’re one of those.
5901 Rainier Ave S, Seattle • Map • Instagram
Hurra for Syttende Mai!
I’m sure you already marked your calendar for Sunday, May 17th – Norway’s Constitution Day. If you need a reminder of what that actually is, check out my earlier post on it.
So, how do you plan to celebrate this year? If you come up short, here are a couple of suggestions:
Music: “The day before the day” is a common Norwegian expression that simply refers to the eve before any major holiday. Generally, that, too, is a day worth celebrating. This year, the day before the day is arguably bigger than May 17th – it’s the Eurovision Song Contest final! So, start your celebration early, as Norway has already picked itself as a frontrunner. It streams on Peacock at noon, Pacific.
Mystery: Hallmark+ must have mapped this out – Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swenson Mystery streams on the 17th. This is prestige television at its best.4
The Ballard Constitution Day Parade: And the Grand Marshal this year? Norway’s former Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, must have given up on her beloved Bergen and instead decided to celebrate in Seattle. The Ballard Constitution Day parade is huge and is worth checking out if you can tolerate the crowds. The festivities kick off at 11 am at Bergen Place; the parade itself starts at 6 pm from NW 62nd St and 28th Ave NW.
Culture Vulture It: Sentimental Value was nominated for nine Academy Awards this year – it won one – so if you need an excuse to enjoy Norwegian cinema, here you go. More on Apple TV.
Wikipedia: “Sonora Gastronomy“ (May 5, 2026)
Wikipedia: “Flour Tortilla” (April 23, 2026)
Merch for the People!
Don’t just read Awesomeness – wear it! This distinguished publication proudly features two official shirts – or magnets, stickers, or whatever medium you can think of: The Hallgrrrl and Zune. Why those? For one, the Hallmark channel and Riotgrrrl are, as I’ve said before, the natural combination. And, who doesn’t love the Zune?
Go shop at The Better Taster Boutique for only the finest goods.
Going by the other dishes, odds are that it’s more than solid.
Provided you’re reading this on May 14th, 2026.
And an experience I, too, deserve, let’s be honest.
Granted, it might not be entirely related to the Constitution Day, but…