The upstairs bar

Here’s a trend a hyperlocal community news site can get behind. Erin Nestor’s new burger joint Two Doors Down is now open… just two doors down from her Bottleneck Lounge.

CHS reported on Nestor’s new E Madison project earlier this summer as the bar owner passed along her lease on E Olive Way’s Tommy Gun to focus her efforts on the cool old building home to the Bottleneck just down the hill from 23rd and Madison. Nestor told CHS her Bottleneck regulars started having families, so she and her partner in business and in life Rebecca Denk decided to open a family-friendly burger joint.

But it’s not all kiddie menus. Two Doors Down has overhauled the former home to the faded glory of Philadelphia Fevre into a two-level burger joint with a new upstairs bar boasting 20 taps with an array of ciders and a gluten free Grapefruit IPA from Ghostfish Brewing. Hey kids, you can also get Crater Lake root beer on draft.

The basic burgers start at $6 all the way up to the $16 420 Burger with white cheddar, Swiss, caramelized onions, bacon, tomato, deep-fried avocado, with an egg. All burgers are available with veggie patties and gluten-free buns. There are also corn dogs and kiddie menu options.

Once the new place gets rolling, Nestor has plans for making it easy to order a TDD burger at the Bottleneck. A burger-brunch service also might eventually be in the cards. And Nestor said she is continuing her push for a streatery in front of her two ventures once the City of Seattle gets the E Madison parking situation figured out.

Two Doors Down is located at 2332 E Madison. Hours are 11 AM to 11 PM Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 11 AM to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 11 AM to 10 PM on Sunday. Closed Tuesdays. Open early for Seahawks games. Takeout is available, of course. Call ahead at 324-BEER. You can learn more on the Two Doors Down Facebook page.

The Two Doors Burger (Images: Doug McLaughlin for CHS)