Crawlspace Gastropub, the Mercer Island spot known for its Korean fried chicken wings and wagyu burgers, is expanding with a second location in progress at The Yard at Harvest Woodinville. The restaurant, owned by Jason and Robin Farrish, has racked up a string of local awards since opening, and the new Woodinville space is expected to do double duty as both a dining room and a central kitchen for the growing operation.
From Oahu Kitchens to a Mercer Island Favorite
Jason Farrish grew up surrounded by the diverse foods of Oahu, and according to 425 Magazine, he wanted his own eatery to reflect that same variety on the plate. That blend shows up in what Farrish has called ono kine grindz, a Hawaiian phrase meaning delicious food. The restaurant's name itself nods to something more personal: the Farrishes have said Crawlspace reflects their shared vision of a favorite after-work spot for food and a brew, with Robin Farrish bringing a background in construction to the venture alongside Jason.
The menu leans into what 425 Magazine describes as standout dishes that are not typical pub fare. The Crawlspace Wings are crispy Korean fried chicken served with a choice of house-made spicy-sweet sauces, while the taco lineup includes blackened shrimp, Baja fish tacos and bulgogi beef. Rice bowls round things out with kalua pork, North Shore-inspired garlic shrimp and General Cho's Chicken, the restaurant's own Korean spin on General Tso's crispy chicken.
Wagyu Burgers and a Flavor Philosophy
Crawlburgers are made with 100% Mishima Reserve American Wagyu, including a bacon burger topped with gruyere and a thick-cut onion ring, per 425 Magazine. Jason Farrish has described the broader concept as a modern Northwest Pan Pacific fusion pub with food carrying heavy Korean, Hawaiian and Mexican influence, according to the Mercer Island Reporter. That outlet also reported the restaurant opened on Sept. 26, and during a windstorm-driven power outage the following November, Crawlspace offered Islanders a warm place to gather, device chargers and free cheeseburgers.
City Lifestyle reports the team has spent two years refining a menu Jason Farrish calls familiarly exotic, a description that captures the push-pull of comfort-food familiarity and global flavor running through the whole operation. That philosophy appears to be paying off at the awards table, too.
Stacking Up Seattle Times Honors
Crawlspace was named Best Burger, Best Chicken Wings and Best Hawaiian Food for its loco moco in the latest Seattle Times Best in the PNW competition, according to 425 Magazine. That follows earlier recognition reported by What Now Seattle, which noted the restaurant previously took home the Seattle Times People's Choice gold medal for Best Korean Restaurant and a bronze medal for Best New Restaurant. City Lifestyle adds that in the most recent round of voting, Jason Farrish intentionally asked to be left out of the Korean category, a choice aimed at testing whether Crawlspace could compete on its own terms beyond its Korean and Hawaiian roots.
What's Next in Woodinville
Crawlspace Gastropub is expanding with a Woodinville location in progress, and per 425 Magazine, the new outpost aims to open in 2027. What Now's reporting on the expansion notes that the larger Woodinville space will also function as a central kitchen, giving the Crawlspace team room for butchering, preparation and storage that the Mercer Island original doesn't have. What Now reported that no official opening date has been announced for the Woodinville location, and the same report also notes that tacos, fried rice and poke bowls round out the savory offerings alongside the burgers, sandwiches and desserts diners already know from Mercer Island.
For now, the Mercer Island restaurant remains the only place to try the wings, wagyu burgers and loco moco that have earned Crawlspace its growing trophy case. But with a second kitchen on the way in Woodinville, the Farrishes appear to be betting that their blend of Hawaiian, Korean and Mexican flavors can travel well beyond the island.
