When it comes to feasting in July, there are more than a few dishes that come to mind. Corn on the cob, pie hot out of the oven, fresh strawberries, barbecued ribs — the list goes on and on. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should limit your culinary horizons this month. In fact, here are five unexpected finds that will be like fireworks for your palate (in the “ooh ahh” way, not the “ouch it burns” way).

Now let’s get to some more of the city’s food news — there are Seattle Dogs with extra cream cheese to eat.

Pie in the sky

Looking for Fourth of July fun? From 3 to 8 p.m., The Mountaineering Club (perched atop the Graduate Seattle) is hosting its first ever pie-eating contest, alongside a lemonade stand, burgers from Farmboy Bites, apple pie from Pie Bird Bakeshop, and festive tunes by DJ 50 Spence. The best part? There’s no admission, and all ages are welcome. If you want to stick around and get a 360-degree rooftop view of the fireworks (with sparkling wine or boozy slushy in hand), there is a 21+ party from 9 p.m. onwards. Tickets for that event are $40.

V marks the spot

It’s official: Portland doughnut chain Voodoo Doughnut is coming to Bellevue, making it the company’s third location in the Evergreen State (there’s one in Vancouver and on Capitol Hill). Fans can expect the building (10713 Main St.) in the brand’s iconic pink, where customers will indulge in wacky designs like the Voodoo Doll, made with raspberry jelly, chocolate icing, and a pretzel stick through the heart. An opening date has not yet been announced.

There’s a fight brewing

And it could not be more of a David-versus-Goliath story. Seattle’s Best Coffee, owned by the massive Swiss conglomerate Nestle, is suing Seattle Strong, a canned cold brew company that started as a project in the University of Washington business school, for trademark infringement. Essentially, owner Evan Oeflein says, the giant corporation is trying to make him change the name of his company by flexing its legal muscle on the basis that both entities have “Seattle” in their name and make coffee. Oeflein is willing to challenge the claim and has raised more than half of his GoFundMe’s $10,000 goal.

Want a beer? Take your pick

Seattle’s brewery scene is bubbling with plenty of new openings this month. Roaring in from the ‘burbs to Tangletown, Aslan Brewing is pairing its pours with a seafood menu that leans heavily on oysters. You’ve also got Reuben’s sizable Pike Place Market-adjacent taproom, which has so many TVs that no one in any of the 220 seats will have to worry about missing Cal Raleigh’s next homer for the Mariners. And for those looking for breakfast beers, Human People Beer opens at 8 a.m. and bills itself as a “beer cafe.”

Tacoma’s burger scene gets a boost

Lil’ Woody’s is getting bigger. The local burger-and-shake spot will soon add a Tacoma outpost to its locations, which already include three in Seattle, one in Sea-Tac International Airport and another in Tokyo. Plans are in motion to open by early 2026 inside the building that housed Harvester for more than 90 years. Keep an eye out for monthly “Burger 4 Burger” events, where for each specialty burger purchased, the company donates a burger to a nonprofit, school, or other youth programs.