Admittedly, longtime server Alex Cedeno is shy, that’s an unexpected quality for someone who is in a ’people forward’ field such as hospitality, but it turns out that shyness doesn’t last too long when it comes to her guests. 

“I like the people,” she said, “I am shy, but once I warm up, they’re like family.”

Like the well-loved sitcom “Cheers,” when you’re a regular at Huckleberry Square, it’s a place where everybody knows your name, and often, your order also! That’s true for Alex, who prides herself on that special connection, where a guest can sit down and nod to her for “the usual.” It’s clear the these kinds of connections make the job rewarding and fun. 

Alex grew up in Burien, attending the now re-purposed Sunnydale Elementary, Sylvester Middle School and Highline High School. She’s the proud mom of both a daughter and son, who can also claim Highline Pirate props. With her son entering his junior year as a proud member of the football team, her connections to this community and the Huckleberry Square family run deep.

She began working at Huckleberry Square as a busser while still a Pirate herself, at the age of 15. Soon she advanced to the role of hostess, and landed in her current position as a server. With so much experience, it’s only natural that new employees come to her with questions if their manager is not available. 

“That makes me feel good,” she said. “I love helping, even if it can take a little extra time.”

Her circle of regulars includes a local car club, whose routine party of 10 classic American car buffs never miss a Thursday morning. Since Alex knows them and their orders, it makes for a homey and seamless tradition.

She even knows where regulars like to sit, marveling at the popularity of the garden room. It’s filled with plants which have recently been completely replaced and refreshed from local plant shop “Growing Crazy,” who also maintains the placements. “People love it.” Alex said, “They’ll wait up to an hour, to be seated there. It’s incredible!”

Chicken Fried Steak.

The busy mornings fly by while she’s quick to serve up some of her favorites, which include the Chicken Fried Steak, a savory steak, chicken fried and covered with country sausage gravy. Or the Custard French Toast featuring fresh seasonal berries like strawberries and blueberries, finished with a drizzle of vanilla custard.

Custard French Toast.

The Fractured Vegetarian Omelet is another favorite. It’s filled with fresh vegetables, a little bacon and topped with sour cream. Bacon? In a vegetarian omelet? You might ask, well… it is “fractured” after all. And of course “hold the bacon” is an easy request. According to Huckleberry lore, the Fractured Vegetarian Omelet began life bacon-less and sold okay, but when an imaginative guest requested the addition of bacon crumbles, it caught on in a whole new way, and sales grew exponentially. Now that you know the story, you can dazzle your table-mates with a little Huckleberry trivia on your next visit!

Scintillating Mimosa Flight.

Alex suggests the various different lemonades available or a scintillating Mimosa flight featuring a classic Mimosa, cranberry Mimosa and the grapefruit cranberry Mimosa as refreshing accompaniments. Rounding everything out with a homemade cinnamon roll for a satisfying finish is highly recommended. “Best Cinnamon Roll in Burien!” Alex confidently declares.

“Best Cinnamon Roll in Burien!”

Creating that “Cheers” atmosphere is part of what has made Huckleberry Square a Burien tradition for decades.

“It’s a family restaurant on both sides” Alex adds.

Clearly that’s the secret to being a place where everybody knows your name. Come and be known soon!

Huckleberry Square Restaurant
14423 Ambaum Blvd SW
Burien, WA, 98166

Hours:

  • 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Daily

Menu:

Contact:

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