Photo and review by Brenna Sinding.
Fat Smitty’s famous triple tier burger has been leaving customers with a satisfied and full stomach since 1983. This famous burger hasn’t and won’t change, Manager Casey Carson says.
Customers are also attracted by the famous dollar bill decor, all bills being independently decorated by customers, that cover the walls.
Nephew to the original owner, Mr. Schmidt, Carson explained that, “It just started with business cards.” Others followed this tradition by using money.
When sitting on their classic 50’s bar stools, it’s hard to take your eyes off the decor. Each dollar looks like an expressive art piece, all different than the next, encouraging other customers to contribute to the walls of fame.
When there’s no more room for the bill’s, Fat Smitty’s collects and donates it to charity. First taken down in 2011, the grand total collected was $10,316. The last total collected was January of 2017 at $26,582. Donations have doubled 2.5 times the amount of 2011.
Local boy scouts and and firemen participate in taking down the bills, also receiving a percentage of the donations. Carson plans to next have a navy submarine crew come help with the work and donate the proceeds to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
He plans to take down the bills every 5 years. Fat Smitty’s donates to local charities such as the Captain Joseph House Foundation of Port Angeles, Discovery Bay Fire & Rescue, Seattle Children’s Hospital and the local branch of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
Within a sea of franchised burger joints, Smitty’s will forever hold its special characteristics. Fat Smitty’s is known to make it into the top ten burgers statewide.
The business and donations are only expected to increase,thanks to the media’s role. Many use sources such as Yelp to discover the best dining in town. When travelers see photos of this special restaurant, the unique walls inside, colossal wood carvings outside, and the insane burgers, it’s hard to pass up.