Readers’ Choice Poll: Best Spot for a Memorial Day Barbecue in Kirkland?

Some of my earliest memories of barbecuing go back decades to the days when resorts still ringed Lake Sammamish, and the family would join friends during fair weather weekends at spots like Alexander’s, Gateway and Idlewood.

Private parks like that just no longer exist: dance halls with big old jukeboxes and hardwood floors, water-cooled soda pop machines, high dives and water slides. The picnic table would be a resplendent display of potato salad and potato chips, cold fried chicken and cookies. Coolers full of pop and beer would be tucked away in the shade.

A fire would be kindled in a stone pit with cast iron grate; pots of baked beans and corn on the cob would be simmering on the side, next to sizzling hot dogs and hamburgers.

Those old happy days have perhaps changed, but a barbecue at the park remains a steadfast American tradition, just like Memorial Day Weekend.

The weather’s always a gamble around here on Memorial Day weekend, but lots of us like to get out for a holiday barbecue anyway. So we’re asking readers, what’s the best spot for a Memorial Day barbecue in Kirkland?

My family on Rose Hill was Redmond-oriented, but we also visited great Kirkland parks like and , and as I got older , , and parks became favorites. And there are more: , , , , , .

Please vote for your favorite in the poll below and click on the links above and rate the place on its Patch Directory listing. You can also leave a review to let your neighbors know why you love it.

In the event of a tie, we will break it based on the comments here and reviews on the Patch Directory listing, so please explain your choice.

The poll closes at 9 a.m. Friday, and we’ll announce the winner later that day.
Don't see your favorite place? Tell us in the comments section. Have a favorite in the next town over? Vote for the best Memorial Day barbecue spot in Redmond or Woodinville, too.

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Because our poll is not scientific, it is not the sole consideration in choosing a winner. The winner will be based on a point system in which poll results and Patch Place ratings are weighted equally. In the event of a tie, the Patch editor will determine the winner based on comments and reviews on Patch Places. For full contest details, see the attached PDF with the rules. Please vote only once per survey, per Patch.