June 16, 2021
Back in 2015-2016, Uncle Ike's was unquestionably one of the best weed stores in Seattle. Unfortunately since 2019, they've been outdone by their competition and seem content to coast by on advertising and name recognition alone. Their reputation is definitely not what it used to be.
First of all, the prices - Uncle Ike's claims that they have the lowest prices anywhere in Seattle, and this is simply and irrefutably a lie. They have a markup of at least $1.50 on most items. American Mary, Have a Heart, Dockside, Herb's House, the Joint, Ganja Goddess, White Rabbit, Ocean Greens, Green Fire...I could go on, but all of these places have demonstrably cheaper prices than Ike's. They also have better customer service, which brings me to my second point.
Uncle Ike's does have a wide menu selection, but unfortunately the staff often has trouble finding these items in the store unless you pre-order ahead of time, and staff members that are not on the security team are usually pretty high (or maybe just slow). More than a few times I've arrived at this location on the weekends to find a line way out in the parking lot, all because the staff loves to take their time chatting with customers. The parking lot is regularly littered with trash, and half the time I come here it seems like the bouncers are spending their time yelling at homeless people instead of checking IDs at the door. They have the biggest security team out of any weed store I've seen, but for what? Do they really need four guys in vests standing around the store at all times? Because from what I have seen, it seems like some of them get bored standing around, and take their frustration out on others. And all of this before even bringing up the owner of this chain, Ian Eisenberg, who has a deservedly slimy reputation in the Central District.
Please, consider giving another marijuana business your money. Have a Heart and Herb's House in particular are just so much better than Uncle Ike's in pretty much every way I can think of, save for a smaller menu selection.