Burien restaurateur Tony Hayes named 2025 Highline High School Alumnus of the Year

Tony Hayes, co-founder of the renowned Burien restaurant Classic Eats, has been honored as the 2025 Highline High School Alumni Foundation’s “Alumnus of the Year. ” A 1994 graduate, Hayes moved to Burien in 1992 and actively participated in various school activities, earning him lifelong friendships. His nickname, “Bayou Bullet,” reflects his Southern roots and athletic prowess, as he played football and track. After high school, Hayes studied at Highline Community College and explored careers in the medical field and music before discovering his passion for the restaurant industry. Together with his wife, fellow Highline alum Nora Ramos, he established Classic Eats, which has thrived for over nine years.

The couple has two children, who currently attend Kennedy Catholic School. Hayes is recognized not just for his business success but also for his community involvement, having been named one of Burien’s “Citizens of the Year” in 2022. His story exemplifies the spirit of taking one’s roots along the journey of life.