More than 100 people will be employed to staff the new RAM Restaurant and Brewery in the Issaquah Highlands. The restaurant opens Monday, Sept. 30, joining the group’s other 29 restaurants. It will be The RAM’s only Eastside location.
The family-owned restaurants was started in Lakewood, Wash. 43 years ago by Jeff Iverson Sr. The business is now run by his sons Jeff Iverson Jr. and David Iverson.
Regional Manager Marty Hillis said they have been talking about locating in the Issaquah Highlands for six years.
The Issaquah RAM is the company’s 11th Puget Sound location and has 6,566 square feet and seating capacity of 330 guests, not including a large outdoor patio.
The RAM will open every day at 11 a.m. for lunch — the last call for food or drinks is 1:15 a.m.”We have a lot of fun on game day,” Hillis said.
That’s a given because the restaurant has 13 60-inch and four 80-inch flat screen TV’s along with state of the art sound throughout the restaurant.
The RAM is known for its own craft beers from its brewery in Tacoma. Dave Leonard, the regional brewer, said at the 2011 Great American Beer Fest in Denver, The RAM’s Blonde Ale won a gold medal. Leonard said over 3,500 beers were judged at the competition. The Total Disorder Porter won gold in 2010. The restaurant also has a full bar, domestic beer and a wine list. Happy Hour specials are Monday to Friday from 3-6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to closing.
Hillis said The RAM is not just a sports bar, but a family restaurant, with 80 percent of the focus on the food. Along with hand-forged burgers, The RAM serves baby back ribs, an Amber Ale chicken sandwich, Hefeweizen battered fish and chips, entree size salads, salmon and really good steaks, said General Manager Jay Feinberg. For dessert, he suggested the mile high mud pie or assorted house-made ice cream cupcakes.
The Issaquah location is at 965 NE Park Drive.