Walt’s Market 

Walt’s is open 365 days a year. 

But the burgers are reserved for Fridays. 

Every Friday, people from all over the island flock to Lynwood Center for a once-weekly event: hamburgers at Walt’s. 

What started out as a way to generate revenue for Walt’s Market during the pandemic has become one of the most popular dining spots on Bainbridge Island. “I figured if we could sell 30 or 40 burgers every week, it would be worth our while,” said owner and Bainbridge Island native Walt Hannon. “We hit that mark and we’ve never looked back.” 

Hannon estimated that he serves about 85 to 90 burgers each Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “We’ve probably never done fewer than 50 in the dead of winter,” he said. “It’s a nice change of pace and I enjoy chatting with people while I work the grill.” If you’re doing the math, Hannon is flipping about three burgers every 4 minutes. 

Hannon bought Walt’s in 1992, and the store has been at its current Lynwood Center location since 2003. “When we moved across the street to our current location, we must have had 50 people from the neighborhood help us move stuff,” Hannon said. “It was crazy.” That neighborhood spirit is a big part of what makes Walt’s Walt’s. 

But back to the burgers. Hannon says they have proved to be so popular that Walt’s has added to the line-up. “Burger Friday has expanded to Prime Rib Dip Tuesday, Chicken Club Wednesday, and Taco Thursday,” said Hannon, adding that customers can also get ribs via special order. 

Hannon summed up what the store is all about in 11 words: “We’re not a convenience store,” he said. “We’re your local market that’s convenient.” 

>> Walt’s Lynwood Center Market, 4759 Lynwood Center Dr NE, 206-842-5808

‍

‍

‍

‍