People mostly hunt online for what's new and cool, but what about the places that have been around for years that you never even knew about? A lot of my favorite spots have broken websites, zero or few Yelp reviews, mismatched furniture, and torn carpet. Several of Everett's hidden, scrappy gems happen to be adjacent to parks, so they're perfect for when you want to have a quiet, private meal, get out of the office for some sun, or have an afternoon adventure.

1. Greenside Grill
144 W Marine View Dr.

Legion Memorial is one of Everett's two public golf courses, so anyone can enjoy their clubhouse. The Grill has a great view of the course and lots of nice breakfast and lunch options.

What I hadn't discovered reading the menu online is that they also serve alcohol. My bloody Maria (tequila bloody Mary) was delicious, and the cashier who made it joked that you can't order a double there because of their generous pour. I had the turkey, bacon, and avocado croissant sandwich, which was huge, and since I had a hard time settling on potato salad as my side, she also brought me some fries so I could try them as well.

Extra Fun: For fifty cents more, you can get your beer or cocktail in a to-go cup and check out the grounds.

Afternoon Adventure: Plan ahead and schedule a tee time if you're a golfer. Lessons are available if you aren't.

2. Fisherman's Market & Grill
1032 W Marine View Dr. (on 10th)

There's no shortage of dining options at the marina, but Fisherman's Market and Grill at Harbor Marine has everything you need for an afternoon by the water or a weekend on a boat. They have free wi-fi, which you'll need if you decide to hang around, as the building blocks signals (as most grocery stores do when you're way back by the meat department). If you're meeting someone and typically coordinate via text, or if you need an excuse for why you took so long to reply, keep that in mind.

I had the Deep Blu burger, which was pretty good. They weren't stingy with the blue cheese, and the fries were perfect.

There's a huge beer and wine selection, so if you know someone with a boat, surprise them with a bottle of wine and a pizza to share. Otherwise, grab a Crystal Pepsi and hang out for a while. There's also a daily special, and from what I've seen, they like to feature homey dishes a lot of the time.

Extra Fun: Order your food to go and enjoy it at Marina Park, Boxcar Park, or at one of the picnic tables on the waterfront path.

Afternoon Adventure: From July 5th to September 4th, catch the ferry to Jetty Island, Everett's best sandy beach.

3. Riverview Market & Cafe
5203 S 2nd Ave.

Tucked between I-5 and the railroad tracks, Lowell is one of Everett's most obscure neighborhoods. That's changing rapidly as new Polygon homes go up at the Riverfront Development in the North end, where land is set aside for future retail development and a new city park. For now, Riverview Market and Cafe is the only place to get a bite to eat and hang out in the area. From the street, it looks like a typical convenience store, but in the back, there's a bar with seven beers on tap, several tables, and a great view of the Lowell Riverfront Trail. There's even a deck!

If you're not in the mood to talk to anyone, this may not be the place for you. The owner is extremely friendly and chatty, and she'll check in several times to make sure you enjoy yourself. The menu has three sections: breakfast until 3pm, bar fare, and Asian cuisine.

Unfortunately, she waits until mid-afternoon to start cooking the Asian cuisine, so I couldn't get the banh mi I was after. I ate ten banh mi a week in 2005, and have a deep need to try every one available in Everett, so I'll be back. I ended up with chicken strips and an IPA, and they were tasty. If you're in a hurry, remember that fried food like that takes a while to cool off enough to eat.

Extra Fun: Get your food to go and use the pedestrian bridge to get to the park below. There are several picnic tables along the main paved trail.

Afternoon Adventure: Get a tattoo next door at Tattoo Garden or schedule a class at Scents of Thyme across the street. Groups of 2-4 can learn to make soap, candles, lotion, and lip balm.

Editor's Note: Thanks for the guest post Christopher! If you want to submit a post, click here for all the details.

Christopher Bragg works from home in Everett and loves walking, swimming, and cats. You can find him all over town, but only if you keep weird hours and avoid crowds like he does.