4. Restaurants

Chinook’s

Fishermen's Ter,1900 W Nickerson St, Seattle, WA, 98119
  • (206) 283-4665
  • Store is closed

Chinook’s Menu

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  • Cindy H.

    FABULOUS!!! The food is so excellent here. I have been here over 50 times since 1994 and I always bring my out of town guests here and they always have the same reaction. They LOVE IT! I have converted many non fish eaters to huge fish fans because of their Wild Alaskan Salmon, Alder Plank style!! The flavor is amazing. So rich in Salmon flavor with no fishy after taste at all. Very fresh and good. I also really enjoy their Louie salads. Very good either with crab or the shrimp. You must make room for the best dessert I have ever eaten. Their signature dish, Wild Mountain Blackberry Cobbler! Just to die for!!! Not a quiet place so I wouldn't suggest it for a first date or intimate setting but for great food with a fun view. I would pick this place as first choice!

    (5)

  • Marni I.

    Its okay. If you want basic seafood.

    (2)

  • Catina T.

    Excellent!! These folks know how to throw down. Where to begin? We had a terrible time deciding. Everything looked so good. So we decided on the dungeness crab cakes and clam chowder to start. The crab cakes are 100% crab and literally melt in your mouth. The chowder was thick, creamy with lots of clams ans flavor. For dinner we had fresh grilled wild salmon and fresh wild alder smoked halibut with a burre blanc and garlic sauce. For years I thought I hated halibut. Now I know those before didn't know what they were doing. Also had a margarita with fresh blueberries and raspberries...and they didn't skimp on the alcohol. If I ever come back to Seattle, I will definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Mo M.

    Our last brunch trip: Coffee was burnt and cold. She produced a fresh pot when asked. Scones perfect. Butter un-fresh, but edible. (they must scoop these into their lil plastic bowlhomes days prior) San Juan Scramble, delicious, smaller portion that previous visit. Fisherman's Big Scramble, almost enough crab to satiate my crab-addict friend, very good fish embedded. Waffles were fresh, nice that it didn't spend too much time tanning under the heat lamp, nothing worse than a moisture-free belgian. This is a pretty regular brunch haunt for us, and a staple when friends come from out of town that like to ogle boats for all their sexiness. The turnover rate seems to increase food production, so it is insanely fast & fresh. We've never been forced out of our seats during busy times...yet. The staff we've had has been very attentive and kind (nowhere near as obnoxious as our last server at Anthony's who told us her personal drama without prompt. bleh.) We started coming here when we received an Anthony's gift certificate, and did not want to touch Anthony's or Woodfire grill, after recent abysmal service and second rate food. We love the charmingly-named scrambles, and there is always a box traveling home from someone at the table. The scones have a foodgasmic marmalade butter, which only occasionally tastes like a fridge. We manage to get the same area of the restaurant, the westernmost tables at the window - noise hasn't been a huge issue. Economical & Clean, and *mostly* family friendly. The other patrons, as one reviewer exampled at below, are not so patient with families. We saw one man in his late twenties blatantly stare down a quiet, well-mannered 5 year old who accidentally bumped chairs with him. It was pathetic, if you don't like normal human kid behavior, don't go to this brunch, brain. Overall, we love the Sunday mornings, the food/parking/view make it worth it. Added pics

    (4)

  • Carol B.

    Prior to an evening at McCaw Hall for the Nutcracker, I was treated to an early dinner at Chinook's. It's been years since we had been here and I had completely forgotten what they were like. The restaurant was not overly business on Sunday around 4 and we were seated immediately, overlooking the bay. I thoroughly enjoyed the teriyaki King Salmon, my husband had the sour cream encrusted Ling cod and our son chose the garlic shrimp scampi. Starters were clam chowder, thick and hearty, and the best thing, NOT overly salty. It was delicious. Our food came quickly and the portions were generous...sides of the day were steamed red potatoes and a squash medley, both of which were delicious (though I prefer my veggies w/ some butter). My son, the milkshake conisseur, had to try a vanilla milkshake, though he said it tasted simply like whipped vanilla icecream. Any self-respecting server of milkshakes knows you have to put a shot of vanilla "something" in it...be it vanilla extract, vanilla syrup, or vanilla liquor. So, the $5 for that was a steep uh uh. Overall, our bill was $73 including tax and our server, Kat, was attentive, knowledeable of the menu and extra choices and very prompt w/ bringing our check as soon as we let her know we would not be staying for dessert. I highly recommend Chinook's if you want to bring family or friends to a great place for a meal...and watching all the boats come in and out, this time of years especially, some fully decorated w/ lights, is delightful.

    (4)

  • Ann C.

    I used to love Chinooks (interesting that Yelp adds an apostrophe). I always told others that their menu had something for everyone, even at brunch. But during my last two brunch visits, I'm seeing little that I want to spend my calories on. Crab cakes would be nice, or a chicken and/or beef option. On the current brunch menu, it seems to be a choice of eggs, or fish. Some people eat breakfast in the morning, and don't want to eat it again at 12:30; so give them some options, please. But the worst thing was our strongly-fragranced waiter. Hey, young Jesse, I should never know, without even looking, that you had passed by my table. Unfortunately, you had over-doused yourself with cologne. and despite the high ceilings at Chinooks, your scent was distracting, and gave me a headache. I smelled you every single time you walked by, enough so that I hoped our meals would be late, just to prolong the olfactory assault. It's a shame, because other than being odiferous, your service was quite good.

    (1)

  • Marcelle S.

    Greetings! We ate there recently on a Saturday afternoon. I was there to check out the local fish market and decided to check out this place. The views of the marina was amazing! The menu was very diverse for a Seafood restaraunt and I found the prices reasonable. We ordered the blue plate special and an app. I can't remember what it was at the moment but I do remember it was seafood and it was yummy. Our server was very attentive and must of refilled our drinks 4 times. Our food was prompt, hot and tasty. I will be bringing my out of town guest here forsure!

    (5)

  • Camille V.

    I hate to give such a low review, but after going to Chinooks as a kid when they first opened and experiencing great service and food, it was always one of my favorite restaurants. The last few times I've had the displeasure of experiencing their current cruddy service and being disappointed with how bad and expensive the food has been. My Dad and I walked out after sitting for 20 minutes and not being served, not even getting a menu. I'd rather give it 2.5 stars. The manager followed us out and complimented us with a free meal, but it was too late. The more I go, the more I'm disappointed and wish they'd just get their act together. They do have great seasonal drinks and desserts. I'd recommend their clam chowder, as always, and the bread is always fantastic. That's pretty much all I get nowadays when I visit.

    (3)

  • Sue Y.

    Positive: Wild Mountain Blackberry Cobbler Avoid: Oyster stew Casual seafood joint that had a surprisingly large price tag, we came here on advisement from a few friends. I was very impressed with the service. Though it was very packed, our server was attentive and personal. The Blue Plate Special and Plank Halibut both came with Corn on the Cob (hurrah!) and Potatoes. The corn was delicious. Very sweet and succulent yellow corn with a rich butter sauce. Homestyle potatoes were delicious as well. Perfectly seasoned and cooked. Sadly, these two sides were the best part of the dishes. Both fishes were drenched in "sour cream" and "cheese" sauces, then broiled. Unfortunately, this left the fish overcooked and bland. Needless to say, we showered the fishes in enough lemons to make a lemonade stand. The clam chowder that came with the Blue Plate Special was excellent. And, yes, it just made the Oyster Stew look sadder in comparison. The Oyster Stew was a BIG BIG Fail. The watery, creamy, super fishy tasting (not in a good way), stew also had a weird herbal taste. In retrospect, I wonder if the strange herbal taste was their weak attempt to HIDE oysters that had gone rotten. Dousing the stew in Tabascos helped temper the fishiness, but NOTHING could salvage such a disgusting mess of failure. So, why 3 stars? I have to say desert saved this review. The Wild Mountain Blackberry Cobbler with Ice Cream was amazing! Really really good in EVERY SINGLE WAY. Excellent quality smooth vanilla ice cream. Perfectly balanced pastry crust that was just porous enough to soak the sauce, but not so overwhelming buttery. Excellent consistency, and, wow,.. I think I'm starting to drool just thinking about it. I would come back just for desert, but I'd avoid the Oyster Stew.

    (3)

  • Joyce J.

    A very mediocre seafood restaurant with a good view. Took my friend from out of town here. We split a clam and mussel appetizer. He had salmon and I had the blue plate special (ling cod) which came with clam chowder. I did the clam chowder new jersey style (half New England and half NY) and thought it was alright. Both of our entrees came with the same sides (potatoes and string beans) so it was a little boring. The seafood was fresh but really wasn't anything spectacular. For the price, I would say skip it.

    (2)

  • Me H.

    While visiting my parents wanted seafood. But see my parents are very casual people, so they didn't want anything fancy for fear they'd feel underdressed and uncomfortable. So since my dad wears jeans with sandals and black socks and my mother wears polyester elastic waist pants, (now can see where I get my fashion sense from), I decided Chinook's would be the perfect casual seafood place. And guess what it was, there were shorts and t-shirts and more with sandals and black socks than just my dads. We all picked something off the fresh sheet, it was something I demanded my parents do, nothing from the menu, the menu always disappoints me but the fresh sheet is always delicious. My dad had alder salmon, my mom had the blue plate cod special and I had the halibut with peach and nectarine salsa. All I can tell you is all our plates were cleaned, well I didn't eat all my potatoes but the halibut and green beans went down with out a fight. It was magic in my mouth, the peaches and halibut were a match made in heaven put into my mouth. As always service was great, and we even scored a table by the window so we had a nice view of the sun setting over the marina. My parents patted me on the back for yet another excellent meal and after dinner we were all so stuffed I dropped them off at their hotel and I went home and passed out happily in a food coma.

    (4)

  • Brian O.

    Drove to the Fisherman's Terminal today and had a delicious lunch at Chinook's. Three of us had the crab and shrimp louie salad, and I had the pan fried oysters, preceded by a cup of excellent clam chowder. The oysters were excellent, not over breaded. We ended our outstanding lunch with a wild blackberry cobbler. Terrific!

    (5)

  • Vince N.

    "Classic PNW seafood!" Good seafood for a moderate price. Pre-dinner rolls are great and soup as an appetizer won't disappoint. Seafood is always fresh and cooked well, but once in a while your fish comes just a bit to dry and over done. This place can get busy during the evening hours so call for a reservation. Come here for a hearty northwest experience.

    (3)

  • Sam H.

    This is a great quirky seafood restaraunt. The fish is absolutely great. I love salmon and theirs definitely did not dissapoint. We went for work with a large group and they were quick to accomodate us. They serves us all very smoothly and there were no problems at all. The feel is interesting being on the Firsherman's Terminal and all. If you lvoe seafood and want it fresh, this is the place to go.

    (4)

  • Cindy R.

    We've been here on several occasions--we even took our large extended family here on Christmas Eve for dinner because we knew we'd have a great meal at a reasonable cost. The good thing about Chinook's is the fresh seafood. I have never had anything bad. I especially like the fish and chips. Breakfast is good here too.

    (4)

  • Crissy K.

    Mmmm . . . Fresh Alaskan halibut with spring chives. So delicious. So tender. No knife necessary. Wow. A little pricey, yes, but so worth it, especially as you sit there and look at out on the water at one of the boats that may have brought in that very fish. Mmmm. I also love that you can get a comfy seat at the counter -- where the service is great, by the way -- at lunch time.

    (4)

  • Petunia L.

    This place gave me crabs........... And they were delicious, so was their bread and potatoes. I left my crab bib =(

    (5)

  • JR P.

    I think this is one of my favorite seafood restaurants in seattle. I go here all the time and it always good. I love consistency! The have a rotating fresh menu that I usually try to order off, but they have plenty of delicious items on the regular menu. Definitely one of my favorite Fish n chips in Seattle. On Monday (I think) they have all-you-can-eat fish and chips, but be careful...all the grease will definitely give you one hell of a food coma. They also have amazing Foccacia break and it's FREE! They have plenty of seating so the wait is never very long even during the peak lunch and dinner hours. If you go during lunch, they have a "Little Chinooks" next door that serves a limited menu (mainly fish and chips). You can still order the foccacia bread from here too! Main restaurant has a full bar and beers on tap. They usually have a rotating dessert menu depending on what fruit is in season. Go during Peach season and they have an amazing Peach tart and freash peach iced tea. They have a huge parking lot so it's very convenient to go here.

    (4)

  • Sheila P.

    What a great spot!! The happy hour here is amazing! If you love seafood and enjoy eating on the water front than this is the place for you! I had the albacore tacos and they were delicious! We sat inside and I did enjoy looking at the weathered pictures of the old fisherman. They also have a great fresh seafood market right next door!

    (4)

  • Reyz A.

    Headed here for breakfast-lunch, and most everything was fresh and tasty. Get a basket of oven fresh made from scratch scones with plenty of butter. This is the type of place that an out of town guest like me gets taken. Fresh seafood without the high prices of downtown seafood restaurants. I had their baked salmon and as expected, it was fresh. My sister's family says that no matter what you order be sure to save room for their bread pudding.

    (3)

  • Robb M.

    This place turned me into a seafood lover. Previous to going here in '95, the only seafood I would eat was tunafish sandos, Long John Silver, Gordon's fish sticks, or Luby's fried fish. The scones with that orange butter are to die for(assuming the still have them, it's been 13yrs since I've been). I envy you Emerald City folks for this place alone.

    (5)

  • Greg F.

    I had my folks in from out of town, and my dad was clamoring for some dungeness crab before they went back to the crab-free midwest. Given that I can almost see Chinook's from my apartment in Interbay, we decided to give it a try. It's right on the Fisherman's Terminal in Ballard/Magnolia, and therefore tucked away a little bit from foot/tourist traffic. While I love to be able to go down to, say, Ivar's on the waterfront and watch the ferries come and go, it's a different (dare I say "more authentic?") experience to go down amongst the very boats that caught your fish and eat beside them. During the day, it's bright and busy, with boats coming in and out. Almost the entire northern side of the restaurant is windows, so you can easily catch (pun intended) some of the action as it's happening. At night, it's a little quieter and more intimate, but still just as lovely. I was trying to play "spot the fisherman" amongst the dinner/bar crowd later in the evening. The atmosphere isn't super upscale or ridiculously hip by any means, but it's no dive, either. We went on a Monday night (specials including all you can eat fish-n-chips) and it wasn't very crowded at all. We were seated immediately and presented with a spread of incredibly warm and delicious foccacia bread. Our server (AJ) was absolutely the nicest guy ever; he was hilarious and just the right amount of attentive and chatty. It was obvious that he loved his job, and was great at it. Dungeness crab can be a little spendy (I believe market price was around 34 dollars for a whole crab at this point in time), but seeing the size of the crab and tasting how ridiculously fresh it was...well, it was a splurge, but well worth it. The crab was prepared perfectly and was a ton of fun to tear into, and most importantly, my dad loved it and had the amazing taste of crab as his last taste of Seattle before heading home. My mom had a tempura seafood spread that looked incredible (salmon, rockfish, etc) and my girlfriend had a blackened rockfish with mango chutney on it that was just as incredible. I'd say it was one of the best seafood experiences I've had in Seattle, but I'm also a big fan of simple atmosphere and reasonable prices, and I felt like Chinook's met all of my criteria perfectly. I'll definitely be back. (Oh, and they have some pretty good happy hour specials on drinks and small bites from 3:30-6:30 every day, including weekends. I'll be checking that out soon!)

    (5)

  • Sonia C.

    Good fish and chips, decent service, and no wait make for a pleasurable dining experience. We split the halibut & chips as well as the "Northwest Dueling Tacos" (one salmon & one halibut taco). The fish & chips were very tasty - the fish was fresh and flaky, the batter was not too thick or bready, the fries were thick and golden. I thought that the portion was a little small - we only got 3 chunks of fish which seemed a little stingy for $18. It also didn't come with malt vinegar though the tartar sauce was decent. The coleslaw was also refreshingly tart, and not mayonnaise-based (yay!). The halibut emerged the clear winner of the dueling tacos. It tasted much fresher than the salmon taco though the slight fishiness of the salmon was partially masked by the mild spiciness. It came with a pile of tortilla chips and a small cup of salsa. We saved room for their "signature" wild blackberry cobbler dessert. It was served very hot with a thick layer of vanilla ice cream smeared (not scooped) on top. The blackberries were very tart as well, but I enjoyed it. Definitely on the pricy side for dessert ($10) but overall, worth it.

    (3)

  • gretchen m.

    Its really worth 3 1/2 stars. This place has decent food, excellent chowder and a fantastic view. Its a great place for lunch where you can have an asian salad or mahi tacos (both good and reasonably priced) and look up close at the boats bobbing in the marina. When you sit down they bring foccacia garlic bread to the table that is addictive. There are good lunch specials. Its an excellent place for a business lunch as the tables are far enough apart to have a real chat. Some of the food isn't as good. The traditional fish dishes are sometimes under seasoned and over buttered, with really lame veggies, but my friends tell me they enjoy their fish & chips. Overall, great place for lunch, particularly with out of town guests who will want to see the boats.

    (3)

  • Becky W.

    Hanging out at Fisherman's Terminal this morning for a photoshoot and got a bit hungry. I love a breakfast place that has a bar to sit at for singles who need to kill some time and enjoy the view. Everyone gets a complimentary scone, warm and fresh with orange butter! I had a breakfast taco and potatoes and wanted to eat so much more... but my belly just wouldn't have it. The service was wonderful, friendly, familiar and quick. Plus my drinks were promptly always full with bottomless coffee and fresh OJ. I think this place gets pretty touristy - but early on a Saturday is a great time to take in a great view with a great breakfast!

    (4)

  • Stan F.

    We were looking for a substitute seafood place from eating at Red Lobster. Why? Because our toddler daughter loves going to Red Lobster but the parents would like just another option. This place does the job! The advantages are that the menu is diverse and has a lot of options. There is a spinach salad, a louie salad, a garden salad, etc....then there are multiple takes on seafood soups like boston clam chowder, manhattan clam chowder and gumbo... They have fresh grilled fish tacos, they have grilled fish, they have fish and chips. The side dishes are green beans, sugar snap peas, red potatoes, or coleslaw....You get two of these with your meal. The kids choices are prawns and chips where you can get the prawns grilled instead of fried upon request. They seem to do quite well with substitution here which makes this place even more attractive. The view is very nice with water and boats. Price-wise, we get out of her in the price range between $40 and $50 for two adults plus toddler plus tip depending upon what we order. The downside is the noisiness of the restaurant. It's not horrible, but the sound is like going to a school cafeteria or a hospital instead of a nice dining destination. The focaccia is just okay. I'm kind of glad it isn't perfect which makes me eat less of something that isn't that great for your health. They tend to serve things a little on the greasy side for me, but once again they accommodate to please...you just have to remember that when ordering. I'm taking off one star just for the noise, otherwise I would give it 5 stars.

    (4)

  • David F.

    Brunch was a bad experience. They sat us near the kitchen/pick-up counter (although there seemed to be many open tables), and the noise was deafening--clattering dishes, servers screaming, etc. Also, the service was extremely slow (even for people in no kind of hurry). The food was OK (although my salmon cake--"Salmon Cake & Eggs"--was pretty skimpy). The server was very pleasant, and it's an attractive space. But the meal was still a disappointment

    (1)

  • Colleen M.

    I'm conflicted in my star choice here. If you know what you're getting, Chinook's is perfect for some. So take my four stars with a clear caveat: four stars for what it is. It's a huge, commercial-looking (ala chain restaurant with red paint) space that does not lend itself to quiet conversation. It doesn't really lend itself to conversation at all. But, we went pretty late in the evening, so by the time we were mid-meal, the din was dying. We ordered crabcakes, a halibut cheek special, and 2 versions of the alder planked salmon: Alaskan king and a Washington river. We were going to split a crab as an app, but they were out (potential downside to my later dining suggestion...). Back to the star conflict. Great fish cooked well, and reasonable sides. It's almost homestyle, but this housewife doesn't overcook her fish. Or the beans. Dessert is definitely homestyle in that the portions are unfathomably huge - I took home half of my bread pudding serving, and my bf couldn't believe it wasn't a whole order. This is not a restaurant that stakes its claims on presentation and plating. It's not even a restaurant that stakes its claims on clearing dirty dessert dishes from the 8 top next to us at any point in time during their 25 minute coffee-only conversation after they'd finished. It's not for dates, it's not for quiet whispering, it's not for subtle atmosphere-seekers of any kind. It is for kids, spoon-slinging toddlers, my grandma, anyone who likes Red Lobster and would like to have their mind blown by real seafood, and foodies who can put aside fine dining service standards in lieu of casual, friendly servers who deliver large plates bearing large portions. They also make some of their drinks like a chain restaurant. What's the point of floating mint in a dish if you list it as an ingredient? That, my friends, is a garnish. I tore up my mint spring myself and smashed it with a spoon to resuscitate a way-too-sweet huckleberry martini. It was good, once the mint was actually included... Anyway, I digress. Chinooks is worth a visit, and it's refreshingly unstuffy. But you need to know what you're going to get, and if you walk in with different expectations, you'll leave disappointed and miss the positives. We had 4 fresh seafood entrees, 5 drinks, and 3 desserts for about $170. Not bad, not bad.

    (4)

  • Jake R.

    It was late and I wanted some seafood. With a quick search on my yelp iPhone app I found Chinook's and decided to give it a try. This place was ok. Not the best but far from the worst. The service was good but the complimentary bread was a bit dry and the portions were kinda skimpy IMO. I started out with a sampler platter of the oysters on the half shell. I pretty much enjoyed every oyster I tasted, though I do prefer the smaller oysters, easier to shoot for sure. After much deliberation, it was late and I was starving, I finally decided on the Tempura Prawns. They came with Onion Rings and Zucchini slices. When I read the plural form of both I wasn't expecting to receive only 2 of each and the zucchini slices were technically only one slice cut in half, I was pretty disappointed since I love zucchini. All of the food tasted delicious but after finishing all of it, except for the coleslaw, I'm not really into coleslaw, I was still a little hungry. I'd probably try this place again if I was hungry and in the area, the food was good and the prices were fair but it's not on my list of must eat places.

    (3)

  • Scott S.

    Saw Chinooks on a city tour a few months ago and it was recommended. I was in the neighborhood so I stopped for a late lunch. Nice atmosphere looking out at the boats. The crab cakes were pretty tasty. I'd come back again.

    (4)

  • Vicki B.

    Have heard great things over the years; since we were in the area we asked our daughter and her boyfriend to join us. It was at the end of Sunday brunch so it was pretty busy. My husband and I got there first and he tried to get the attention of the hostess who kept answering the phone instead of speaking to him. When we finally got our name on the list, he left to go to the restroom, only to return within seconds to say there was a huge amount of vomit right inside the restroom. This did not appear to surprise the hostess (again on the phone), He had to speak to her a couple of times on the urgency of getting it cleaned up. We were seated soon after at a table with a lovely water view to wait for the rest of our party. We were not greeted by waitstaff at all even when they did join us for quite some time. Then a server came to give us water and bread. Again, lots of time passed. It was nice to catch up with our family news, but we were getting pretty hungry. When the server came to take our order, she seemed disappointed we weren't ordering from the entree side and questioned us with, ' That's all you want?" especially when our daughter requested to split something. So again we waited. And waited. Finally our food arrived....cold. Nothing more appetizing that cold deep-fried calamari! We weren't very happy at this point, even after getting it replaced. The rest of our meal was just OK. Nothing special for the price. Crab gumbo not much in the way of crab, just lots of rice. Our unsmiling server returned to retrieve our plates and said, "You don't want any dessert, do you?" over her shoulder as she left. We won't be back to Chinooks soon, if ever.

    (2)

  • Carolyn S.

    Saturday breakfast is a true treat. The scones are warm, fresh and delicious. They'd be hard to match anywhere. Add the orange marmalade butter, and that takes them over the top! The breakfast entrees were thoughtful and diverse- and the selection was just right. Not too many, not too few. I still had a hard time deciding on the Chinook Bowl. Tasty. I had to ask if the sausage had salmon in it (Salmon Creek brand?) as I'm just not a fan, especially for breakfast. The view is sweet- fishing boats and the Ballard Bridge. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, quick service, yummy food = Great experience.

    (4)

  • Denice R.

    My personal experience is summed up in this short description: lovely location, attentive service, extremely disappointing meal for the price. The reason we won't be returning is solely based upon the meal experience. My lunch guest ordered the Hangtown Fry and I chose the Halibut Sandwich. Without going into unnecessary details, both of us were overwhelmingly disappointed with the plates we received given the prices associated with them. Didn't used to be this way. Too bad.

    (2)

  • Manda S.

    Get the salmon pot pie. Done and done. I've never had anything bad here, and the service is always great. Chinook's is one of our favorite seafood spots - both because of the food and the atmosphere. The starter bread is more like a garlicky pizza-style bread, and I DARE you to not eat the whole basket. The husband likes to get the salmon taco with a cup of chowder. We never leave disappointed, and we always try to take our family and friends here when they visit from out of town. A great spot.

    (4)

  • Jon L.

    Great view and good service, however the food is only okay. This Chinook can be a great restaurant rather than just good, what a shame. The winning points, easy parking for the area it's in and the food is "good enough" which make it a great place to casual dine with friends.

    (3)

  • Bob J.

    The view here is good enough (perhaps) to distract you from the food, which disappoints. Manhattan Clam Chowder was made with canned, minced clams. The shrimp tempura was heavily battered (how can they call it tempura ?) and greasy. Drinks were good and service was excellent. But the food? Hey, look out the window!

    (2)

  • Cameron M.

    I took my girlfriend here for breakfast this last Sunday morning. She told me that the breakfast was really good, so I had to go and taste it for myself. I was pleasantly surprised by the food there. It was all really good. They start you off with these scones with some sugar on the top. And you can put this really good apple/ orange butter on it as well. I had the breakfast taco's which was a good idea. Came with some red potatoes on the side, and 2 wrapped taco's with goodies in the soft shell. You can't beat the view there as well. Looking right onto the fisherman terminal. All those pretty boats and even some sail boats. Nice place to have a good meal in my opinion.

    (4)

  • Kristine M.

    Very time I have gone up to Seattle, I have gone to Chinooks. When your drinks are served, you also get some bread. The bread is awesome when it's fresh out of the oven. The 1st time I ate here I filled up on the yummy bread and could not even eat my entree. Their portions are HUGE; I always have a to go box. I like their tempura combo plate. I've tried the planked salmon, fish n chips, oysters n chips, crabcakes, clam chowder and bread pudding. The crabcake is almost all crab, so worthed. I love the clam chowder & bread pudding. I want to go back to Seattle just to get me some of the warm, fluffy, sweet bread pudding. *drool* I have never been disappointed with a meal that I have had here. And I love the fact that they serve Diet Sprite.

    (4)

  • Jamie J.

    I took my Dad back to Chinooks this week. My meal was sooo good. I had never tried clams before today and this was a very nice introduction to them. Fried claims for an app. Served with a little tartar sauce. New for me, but definitely not a last for me. This time I ordered a fresh fish. Everything about my meal was great. You forget how good fresh fish is until you order actual FRESH fish... not just fish at any old restaurant. I love this place! Great eats every time. And great service as a side dish.

    (5)

  • Eric M.

    The fish and chips were ok that is what we went for but the clam chowder was awesome. Loved the chowder wish I could get it whenever I want but it doesn't work that way when you live 800 miles away.

    (4)

  • Crystal D.

    Best bread ever!!! Get a bowl of chowder and you'll be in heaven especially when you dip the bread in it! The crab cakes are amazing. 100% crab meat. Pricey restaurant, but great for a nice treat for yourself. I also loved watching the desserts and salads being made while eating at the bar.

    (5)

  • Morgan R.

    My favorite seafood restaurant in Seattle. The view of Fisherman's terminal is always interesting, and the fish just can't be beat. They specialize in fresh salmon and halibut, and don't overcook the fish. The veggies are crisp, the potatoes tasty, the homemade fresh-fruit cobblers and slumps delicious. They've got a good bar, and they serve a good breakfast too. I'm particularly fond of their chop-chop veggie salad, which has black beans, crunchy noodles, asparagus, avocado, oranges, and greens with a sesame vinaigrette. A chop-chop veggie salad (entreé) and a planked King salmon make a great dinner for two to share - two dinners, but more veggies. The drawback -- with high ceilings, it can be hard to hear, especially for older people. But it's a well run restaurant (owned by Anthony's, but not so upscale), and the fish is cooked to perfection.

    (5)

  • Krista J.

    I love the weekend breakfast here. One of my top breakfast spots in the city. Great breakfast menu offerings, all the items are great tasting, great service, and great prices. Not to mention the great coffee and scones you automatically get when you sit down. Comfortable and casual - just like weekend breakfast should be!

    (5)

  • Bosco B.

    Great place with a super view of the old fisherman's terminal (though not as many true fishing boats as the old days.) Consistently good food and great service. We like weekend breakfast. The only complaint is the noise level - bad ceiling design and a few too many babies squalling most visits.

    (4)

  • Corey G.

    I always get the Wild Salmon Cakes. It's one of the cheapest dishes they have (like $17 or so) and it's Awesome! Great appetizers and beer. Pros: Amazing food and bevs, great views, fun atmosphere. Cons: Pricey & no reservations/call ahead seating (always long waits). Totally worth checking out! Good date place!

    (4)

  • Morgan M.

    Note to self: Beware of the slick wood flooring. Do not wear shoes that have terrible traction on the bottoms With that being said, lets move on. Or to make a really long story short thank Jesus for the railings and my throat for my boots began to skid along the flooring and with one hand I reached for the railing and used the other to pat my neck in trying to regain my breath and control. Very casual restaurant on the waterfront overlooking the bay and the docks. It was lunchtime and the sun was beginning to come out so naturally it was busy. We were served some bread immediately which I hate to grade low but it looked fried and tasted fried so I didn't really enjoy it. My foodie partner ordered some kind of seafood platter that was massive and had more calimari than anything else. Nice choice. I chose a cup of Chowder (asked for some sherry drizzled on the top and the poor waiter thought I asked for a Maraschino cherry...eek!) and a Shrimp and Dungeness Crab Caesar Salad. The chowder was okay, they served the sherry in a shot glass so it felt more like pub food than waterside dining and the caesar was actually pretty enjoyable. Not a bad place overall - affordable and quick, makes for a nice pit stop if you're heading over to the Ballard Locks.

    (3)

  • Wendi F.

    I took a friend out to dinner here (okay, so he drove, but I still paid!) a couple sundays back after a massive hangover from santacon. It was clean, quietish, and the waitress was very polite and attentive. It was a little hard to hear my friend talk, but I will attibute that to his soft spoken nature, and me being partially deaf from screaming like a banshee at the Tricky and Truckasaurus concert + santacon shouting. The place does sort of echo like a cafeteria though which is peculiar. I don't remember what my friend ordered, (blackened rock fish?) but I went with a fish taco and clam chowder. the fish was clean tasting, no fish odors to speak of, (i'm picky, if something has that "turned" fish scent I will NOT touch it, I often look for that smell when I get sushi too.) and the clam chowder wasn't gritty, and the consistency a decent thick chowder. The price is about what I had expected from any place owned by the same people who own Anthony's as well. it was a nice treat for a good friend. In the end solid four stars, Decent price for some decent seafood that I'm not dishing shitloads of cash out on. I can't wait to go back and try more of their food :)

    (4)

  • lisa g.

    Great food and service was good!

    (4)

  • Diana M.

    I love this place! We went there recently for my birthday dinner and we were not disappointed. Their peach cosmos (with real peaches) were made perfectly. Not too sugary with just a hint of alcohol. The bread was fresh out of the oven and well seasoned. The grilled Alaskan King Salmon was very fresh cooked to the right temperature (no dry salmon!) The view was very pretty. The only negative is the noise level. It's not always the most intimate but you will be too busy savoring your food to talk anyway.

    (5)

  • Audra B.

    We were seated quickly during Saturday around noon. Lots of empty tables. We were taken to a great table with a great view of the water. The Foccacio bread was salty, but delicious. The waitress came to get our drink orders quickly and we never had to wait for refills. My father ordered the salmon pot pie, which he let me take a taste of. It was very flavorful, which big chunks of salmon. If I ever went back, I would for sure order that. I had the cheeseburger and was very disappointed- after asking for no mayo and no onion, I get halfway through the burger only to bite into a glob of mayonnaise. NOT COOL DUDES. I hate mayo with a passion, and that really made me lose my appetite. The main reason I am only giving Chinook's only 2 stars is their vegetarian selections. The only item my wife saw available was a vegetable marinara pasta. It was doused in rosemary and just not that good. Considering they had all kinds of burgers, it didn't seem like it would be that hard to add a veggie burger to the menu.

    (2)

  • Kali B.

    Oh, how I love this place. I've been many times over the years and have taken many visiting friends. Classy (but casual) atmosphere, charming views of the marina, friendly service and GREAT seafood. Favorite menu items include oysters on the half shell, alder-planked salmon, salmon pot pie, the deep-fried seafood combo, and fried calamari. The focaccia bread they bring to the table is to die for. The Caesar salad and desserts made with NW berries and rhubarb are excellent. Good wine menu. Great place to treat yourself and others.

    (5)

  • Meghan S.

    Now here is the difference between a long wait at this restaurant, and a long wait at another restaurant; great customer service. Our group chose this restaurant because it was a crowd favorite and we were celebrating a special occasion on an early summer's Thursday night. To our astonishment, it was completely crowded on a week night (like March madness type crowded at a sports bar during the Final Four). We didn't have the small group which was a bummer (there were 6 of us) , and we were told there would be a 20 minute wait...eh, not a problem we could handle it. Well, 20 mins became 45 mins and we were HUNGRY. However, the manager of the restaurant came up to us, apologized for the long wait and offered an appetizer (on the house) that they could get started for us so that it would be ready when we sat down. WOW great service! Everyone's meal was superb and my garlic prawns were flavorful but not overpowering. Also, that week (maybe it was month) they were having a strawberry theme; strawberry lemonade and drinks, strawberry desserts...delicious AND one of my favorite fruits! We all left happy and with full tummies.

    (4)

  • Shasta L.

    The bread basket consists of a Foccacia type bread that will have to tide you over until your meal gets to you....which may take an eternity. But anyway, if you can live with the wait, know that the Chop Chop Salad is absolutely divine. Just the right amount of crunch and dressing, but the real treat is Chinook's all-you-can-eat prawn basket. I've only ever experienced this elusive menu item once, but damn, it was delicious. If you had their regular prawns and chips basket, you'll know that you get a scanty amount of the critters. The all-you-can-eat situation truly is heaven - they filled my basket FOUR times during my meal, and even let me take home my leftovers. Unheard of! As a final note, I do wish that they would replace their red and white checkered, vinyl table cloths. They tend to be on the sticky side...

    (3)

  • Andy W.

    Chinook's always satisfies. A classic northwest casual seafood restaurant with fresh seafood grilled simply. The cannery bread served complimentary prior to appetizers is always fantastic. The New jersey chowder (blend of New England/cream and Manhattan/tomato is fantastic as well). The fried clams are a great appetizer. My wife raves about the Halibut tacos when available, and I'm partial to the blue plate special or the seasonal grilled salmon or halibut. At dessert, the cobbler is always excellent, served with a generous slab of super-cold vanilla ice cream. Chinook's isn't cheap by any means, but it's honest quality fare at honest prices.

    (5)

  • Cameron L.

    I came here awhile ago with my friend and had a the fish tacos which was delicious. It came with a small bowl of chowder and some nachos. However, the taco was really small like there was only one small piece of fish in it and the whole meal was about $13. The free bread was good also. If you dont mind the price you should totally try it.

    (4)

  • David A.

    Bear in mind that this review is based solely on the food I received being slightly sub-par. The service was very attentive, aside from my water glass being empty for the greater duration of the evening. Everyone else at the table fully enjoyed their entrees. But dammit Chinooks, how could you mess up fish and chips? I've been on a long winded journey to find the best fish and chips anywhere. Basically, if you drag me to a seafood restaurant - I will probably be ordering a plate filled with breaded halibut and french fries. Partially for evaluation's sake, but also for the fact that it (usually) tastes SO damn good. Now you may be asking, "Oh dearest David, with your ravishing good looks and witty smile... where might one find the best?" Well, unfortunately the best place I've visited - from the US to the UK - was in a the small town of Gualala in Northern California. Sadly that location, Oceansong, was closed earlier this year - giving even more fuel to my quest. Anyways... on to Chinooks and my whole reason for not actually working at this very moment and instead, typing up a review. My first indication of a not-so-great meal was the complete lack of malt vinegar on the table. Yes, I understand this traditional condiment has escaped many US seafood restaurants as a primary topping, but I'll be damned if I have to eat my fishy meal with nothing more than tarter sauce and a squeezed lemon. (That's just bollocks!) My food arrived and I was a bit turned away. The breading bordered on abysmal and the fries looked nothing like my Mum's chips, that is for certain. For the love of all that is holy in this world, throw some seasoning on them solanum tuberosums! Maybe a little parmesan or lemon pepper, because damn where they soulless. Alright, main event time! I squeezed some malt vinegar all up and around them halibut slices hoping for the best. What I got was, well... blah/uninspiring/as-exciting-as-paying-taxes. Eh, at least the fish was fresh and decent. But the whole thing that makes an excellent dish of fish and chips = the batter. There should be fireworks of seasoning going off rather than a dousing of grease. Maybe my expectations where set high being this was one of the seafood spots sitting at the top shelf in Seattle. The whole mess was just lacking any passion. Varying amounts of vinegar and lemon where no answer on the rest of my meal. I left sad - depressed even - and yearend for the chips of yore. I can only hope that I received a deficient batch and plan on returning for a second visit soon. The location = wonderful. The service = wonderful. All the other dishes served at our table = equally wonderful. Though unfortunately, my search goes on...

    (2)

  • Cassidy M.

    Fresh, tasty and delicious. Great view, great happy hour and great service. Can't go wrong with Chinook's.

    (5)

  • jerome c.

    For one, I feel bad that my review isn't great b/c someone else paid for me...anyway... There's Red Lobster and then there's Chinook: a slight upgrade because their menu isn't overwhelmed by deep fry and butter. But on some level during my visit to Chinook, I did envy some tastier bites that I know I could have had if I were at Red Lobster. Halibut cakes: 3.5 stars because it was deep fried. Silver salmon: 3 stars. A bit spongy and the finish was bland. Boston chowder: 4 stars.

    (3)

  • Doug T.

    After cruising to AK for a week one would think one could get his fill of salmon. Smoked salmon in the monring, sometimes filet of salmon at lunch and salmon as the main course or on the side at supper time. Alder smoked salmon at the AK salmon bake on shore (better than ship's salmon) plus some halibut and rock fish at other ports. No, still needed the one type of salmon only availalbe in the spring, Copper River Salmon. After departing the ship, took the local bus system to SEATAC to pick up a rental car for the weekend and then onto Chinooks for an afternoon lunch. Upon arriving I asked if Copper River was available and it was... Fantastic... I was seated on the patio with a nice breeze and ordered the AK Amber Ale that I had grown accustomed to aboard ship and on shore. For an appetizer I ordered clam strips. They were generally small but very tasty with both the red and white sauces. After pretending to look over the menu I orderd the alder smoked CR Sockeye on the lunch, Pricey but what a treat. It came with some very good fresh green beans and potato cubes with the salmon in the center I savored every morsel of salmon like it was gold so now am finally satisfied or at least until tomorrow.

    (5)

  • S H.

    My family loves this place. They love the ambiance and the food. However, last time we were seated (on a slow day for Chinooks) I could perfectly see the light switches and their service was really slow; every place gets an off day. Still, all in all, it's my tribe's favorite restaurant for sea-food.

    (4)

  • Walt W.

    WHAT?! *Smile and nods*. Because that's about all I could do. It is so loud when its full. The four of us went at 5:30 on a Saturday so I expected a big crowd but not the noise. We were lucky enough to get the last windowed table facing the fishing boats which had a nice view. This was a bit of a double edged sword because the seats are impossible to get into and out of. When your arm rest clears the table for you to get out, you're bumping into the people behind you. Great. Parents: Please don't seat your kids here if they don't behave. OK? Thanks! The service was great. Our waiter Chris was probably one of the best I've ever had. Thanks Chris! The food was pretty good and priced well. Try the Salmon or Blue Plate Cod Special.

    (4)

  • C Y.

    My favorite seafood spot in the city and a great place to take people visiting. The food always seems fresh and the prices are reasonable. The outdoor seating near the water on a warm summer day is splendid. The bread they serve is the best I've had at any restaurant.

    (5)

  • Jerry L.

    The go-to-place use to be Ivars as a kid growing up. Now that I'm technically a grown up I go to Chinook's to get my Seafood fix. It has a family friendly atmosphere and the food is fresh and very tasty. Standbyes arethe Oyster Sampler and Manila Clams. The Crab cake is a must get if it's available. Yes. I'm a big fan of Chinook's.

    (5)

  • Brendan M.

    I like Chinook's better for breakfast than for lunch or dinner. Breakfast begins with a basket of oversized scones, warm and moist, topped with big granules of sugar. They're so flavorful --- make sure to leave room for the main course! I also like breakfast because of the coffee and espresso selections. I usually have a Belgian waffle, and despite the carbohydrate overload, it's a solid choice. Another thing I like about breakfast is that the restaurant is quieter and feels less hectic. For lunch or dinner, Chinook's becomes a fairly banal fish & seafood restaurant. The salmon pot pie sounds tasty but has a few faults. One, the crust is always a bit soggy. Two, the salmon has too much of that gray stuff left on the underside. Three, the potatoes always come out a little under-done. A more traditional fish or chicken entree would be a better choice than the salmon pot pie. Still, the service and the water views are always great.

    (4)

  • Marilyn S.

    This place is great! My husband and I were out for date night, went by another place for dinner (Ray's Boathouse) but its not a place you can just walk into or even park on a nice sunny weekend evening, which we expected. So we looked on our phone for something close by and found Chinooks! We called right away and asked for a reservation but they don't take them.....PERFECT!! So we headed straight there. Its a nice place, on the water with a great view of the Ballard bridge & fishing boats, very open, light and airy. It was also super busy but this place is big and first come first serve so we put our name down and headed for the bar, realizing we can sit right at the window with a view and not wait for a table (which wouldn't have been long anyway). We sat down ordered drinks and dinner, everything was so yummy. My husband had the alder planked salmon and I had salmon tacos. They also serve one of my favorite types of cocktails, featuring St. Germain. The wait staff was also great and super accommodating! We will be back!!.

    (5)

  • eden m.

    Keep the whole family happy. Grandma & grandpa will be right at home with the Ballard old timers. Junior will be happy with his crayons & kids menu. And the noise level is such that a few loud kids won't make any difference. The food is above average but not haute cuisine.

    (4)

  • Ruairi M.

    We had a great view of the boats at the marina. I was slightly disappointed with the very small gluten free menu but the food was delicious regardless. I got salmon with fisherman's potatoes and lemon butter green beans. It is pricey but again, worth it. The place was packed when we got there and a few ahead of us but it was still only 5-8 minutes wait.

    (5)

  • Mackenzie B.

    It's casual. The view of the fishing boats is fantastic. You won't see the sunset though as it's hidden by Magnolia. Service was great though the waiter was pushing the '"fried bread" basket like I need another addiction, please help! He even gave us a healthy portion to take home, just plain weird folks! The alder flanked salmon was good ($23) however, it came with what looked like leftover potatoes from morning's breakfast. Nice view, watch out for that bread!

    (3)

  • Diana M.

    I came here for lunch on a Monday. Service was very quick, especially since it wasn't busy at all. I got the cioppino and caesar salad while my uncle got the crab louie salad. I do agree that the bread was a little on the salty side - no butter is needed. My cioppino was also a little on the salty side, but it was very rich and filling. There were also nice big chunks of fish throughout the soup - which was great. I also liked that there were no bones in the fish as I've had the unfortunate luck of bony bites in cioppino before. The salads were nothing special, but the croutons were very good - tasted like they made them from the table bread.

    (4)

  • Leang E.

    First of all, how can you not have a shipment of dungeness crab come in the day that I happen to be there?! So, all those people who want it for dinner couldn't even have it, since I was here for lunch. Eating crabs was one of the things I most wanted to have, and the first place I come to runs out. WTF?! They have to use it for the soup and the salad they say. Needless to say, I was disappointed. The server was apologetic, and I know it's not his fault and he did recommend other good things that he liked here. It's just that I had my heart set on eating crabs all week long, and the anticipation was driving me nuts. I did have the crab gumbo soup, which was very delicious. I also had the fish tacos which were really good as well. The portions were just right, and the bread was also very good. The prices are average. I would call ahead next time to see if they have crab legs there. So, whomever that does the ordering here, can you make sure that you have your shipments of crablegs straight?!

    (3)

  • Mel D.

    In search of some good seafood in the Pacific Northwest, decided to consult the Yelper community and found Chinook's. After many a recommendation on the Alder Plank Salmon, decided to go for it, despite the menu stating their salmon is flash frozen from Alaska. (Was really looking for local fare.) Glad I ordered it though, cuz it was just awesome! Came with broccoli, 'fisherman's potatoes' which are basically diced potatoes with the skins kept on, and focaccia bread for the table. The focaccia was awesome, but their buttery goodness likely very unhealthy. Also had the Alaskan Amber on draft. Good stuff! Would return!

    (4)

  • Gary T.

    They've got good lunch and dinner, but I love them for their breakfasts, which are, unfortunately, only on the weekends. I've never had a bad dish there, though service is sometimes a little slow. The complimentary scones with breakfast are awesome. Watch out for the post-church crowd on Sundays. It gets busy fast.

    (4)

  • Brad H.

    This is a regular joint for my family. The fish and chips are great, as is the chowder. For people who prefer to eat light, the fish tacos and vegatable marinara are excellent. Their salads are solid and service very good. It is very loud and does not take reservations. The bread that is served with the meals is excellent when it is fresh, but over the past decade, it has seemed to come out less and less fresh. Perhaps they have to cook it all in the morning. Fisherman's terminal can be explored to keep your attention if you have to wait to be seated. The view is very good. If you are looking for a family friendly place with above average food, a good view and fair prices, Chinook's is a great place!

    (4)

  • Matt Y.

    Location? Awesome. Stories about the fishermen from "Deadliest Catch" and the possibility that you'll run into one of them? Super cool. The huuuuge bar in the middle that serves as both a watering hole and a dinner table? Nice! The food and service? Eh. First of all, I know I still have an out-of-state license. I haven't been to the DMV yet to register here. BUT - I've never had my ID so thoroughly examined. Not even when I was just newly drinking-age legal. It's one thing to look for the date of birth. But the bartender was scoping it out, then looking at me, like I was trying to pull a fast one on him. I can understand the restaurant's responsibility to prevent from serving minors, but ask anyone who knows me; I look far from underage. So, as a patron, I was a bit insulted at the attention given to my identification. That aside, the food was decent. They did have great oysters, with a choice of cocktail sauce or a vinegar sauce. The menu was huge, so I'm sure there's something for everyone, but after finally deciding on a stuffed piece of fish, I couldn't believe how mediocre it was. First of all, it was COVERED with bread crumbs. I literally had to spoon them off to get to the actual fish. When I finally did fork into the fish, I found that it wasn't quite as stuffed as advertised. Very little crab meat on the inside, so ultimately, it was basically a piece of baked fish. Just very underwhelming. I would probably try this place out again, but not for dinner. It seems like happy hour would be a cool time to hit it, but next time I'll stick to the appetizers, and make sure I grow a full beard and form wrinkles to prove my legal age.

    (3)

  • Emily A.

    How can you not love Chinook's?! If you want extremely fresh and delicious food without the high price, go here. The place is always loud, bustling and fun, but still casual. Even when it's packed, it never takes long to get a seat!! Their foccacia bread is to DIE FOR, but be sure to check your teeth afterwards - the green herbs usually stick!! For the people in your group who aren't seafood lovers (like me), some other AMAZING options are their yakisoba, london broil, almond chicken salad and teriyaki chicken breast. DON'T MISS DESSERT!!! The cobbler and bread pudding are incredible. Chinook's is great for families and groups. There'a a ton of free parking in front, and it's an amazing spot to take someone visiting Seattle to try the fresh seafood!

    (5)

  • Isabella O.

    The food here is good for the price, and it's a good place to go for seafood if you want something nicer than Ivar's, but you don't want to deal with Ray's. While the food is solid and you can always get a table, it's always a little too crowded for say, a date. That said, it is a great place to go if you have kids, or to take your parents.

    (3)

  • Pedro A.

    This place offers a great brunch, and has awesome views of the docks. I would recommend you get anything with seafood. I am a fan of their Eggs Benedict and their omelette's. Also, the scones they serve on the side are delicious with the sugary butter! It is a great alternative to overhyped, overcrowded places in other areas of town.

    (4)

  • Megan O.

    I ventured here with several of my family members on a Thursday evening. Our cousin and his wife were in town from Arkansas and we thought this would be a good place to show them two of the great things about Seattle: seafood and scenery. After a few minutes of waiting we were seated and our waitress promptly took our drink orders. We started out with some oysters which were delicious. Five out of the seven people in our party got salmon, which they seemed to enjoy. I ordered the tempura prawns which were perfectly fried and equally as tasty. One thing I really liked about this dish is that it's served with tempura veggies instead of fries. Tempura zucchini and onions make me happy. Chinooks has a great view and even though we were seated in the middle of the restaurant we could still enjoy it. The only unfortunate part about our dinner was the volume in the restaurant. Since it was packed everyone's voices were echoing like crazy. We were sitting at a round table and that made it kind of hard to talk to the person directly across from you. Overall this is a solid choice for dinner, and even better if you have out of town guests. We took a nice little stroll along the water after we were done eating. It was a good way to end a night of quality family time.

    (3)

  • Trish Q.

    If you like Anthony's food but don't like the prices then Chinooks is the place for you. It's like the Rack of Seafood Restaurants, you can get all of the same dishes for 1/3 of the price. I love Chinooks because they have Anthony's crab cakes made with real dungeoness crab no fillers here. My favorite is the seafood chop and their halibut is fantastic too. The crab cake entree comes with corn or red potatoes, veggies etc. It is made with a ginger plum sauce and a beurre blanc. I have had their calamari that is great too, light flaky, not to greasy I also like the fact that this restaurant has character, you sit in the bar and there are walls of pictures of all the trollers that brought the fish in. It makes you realize how hard these people work. Because they have Anthony's menu, I cannot complain, there food is fresh, their blackberry cobbler is to die for. Their service is amazing. It is right on the shores of the canal. I think this place is great. Fun to watch a sport's game or go for a great seafood meal and not have to dress up or pay for a valet. Great for families too, easy parking.

    (5)

  • Randy B.

    Winner! Winner! For Lunch anyway...don't know about Dinner! ...yet. Will be back. 4 of us for lunch today. Busy, fresh, and friendly. Yep, I'm a tourist, but I do know good fresh seafood, and this was legit. Complaint...minor...I really wanted Halibut today, must not be in season. Even the basic fish and chips was excellent. Cole slaw with a light vinegar based dressing was perfect. Great chowders too. Priced right for fresh seafood, so the awesome view is free. Enjoy.

    (5)

  • Erika S.

    I had a group of 8, no reservations and we had a severe oyster craving, enter Chinook's. We had the oyster sampler as well as several others, meals and wine. And it all came to about $33 a head. Not bad at all for the quality and they were pretty quick with the service too. I am a fan.

    (4)

  • Helen H.

    After a long road trip throughout Puget Sound on a sunny Saturday, we stopped in at Chinook's for dinner. We were seated promptly and served this amazing bread that I could not stop eating - loved it! We ordered seafood tacos and the popcorn shrimp appetizer. We did not care for the appetizer as it was greasy and unappetizing. The great thing was...the Server & Manager took it off the bill without question leaving us shocked and amazed. The seafood tacos we ordered were the best fish tacos we've ever had in Seattle...hands down. So good in fact, my husband and I went back two nights later to order the same thing. On our second visit, we also ordered their Rhubarb Slump dessert...hot but yummy! I've got nothing but great things to say about the service and food at this restaurant. I'm definitely a loyal customer. Looking forward to the next time we dine there.

    (5)

  • Jefferson S.

    A Seattle standby for me, whenever I visit. The bread is awesome. I don't know what they do to it, but it's delicious, served warm and never enough. It makes you wonder why other restaurants don't invest in good bread?! On my last trip to Seattle, as always, made a stop for lunch. Had two kinds of chowder - both the boston (white) and the jersey (pink), and both were excellent. I lived in New Enland and I would put this chowder against any I ever had in the Northeast. The halibut and chips were as good as always. Why can't you get this anywhere else?? Someone ordered the salmon fish and chips and it reaffirmed my belief that salmon should not be a "fish and chip" type of fish. Servings are always ample. I went with a Crab & Shrimp Louie salad as well. Could've used more crab, but nevertheless, it was scrumptious, and fresh. What more to say? It's where I go whenever I have that seafood craving in Seattle. Not to mention, the view is extraordinary and gives the feeling that the fish is comin' right off those boats in front of you.

    (4)

  • joel m.

    Hi my name is bobby and i'm a spoiled little shit.. my parents bought me some heelies-- you know those little shoes with wheels in the heels? Oh what fun. I decided to wear them to brunch one morning at chinook's and rip around the restaurant because it's a good idea let's face it. So i blaze down the handicap ramp which is actually a jungle gym because my shithead parents didn't care. WEEEEEEE! Time for brunch. I think it might be a good idea to whip around blind corners at a high volume restaurant where bussers are carrying large trays with everything from plates, silverware, glassware, and other destructive things high above my little head. Unfortunately, i was wrong. I took out a busser coming out of the corner in turn #3 and gotta big ass table's food, glasses, syrup ramikins and empty coffee mugs dropped right on my nose. And there was blood. Try the Fisherman's scramble.

    (4)

  • Liz B.

    We live within walking distance of Chinooks and go there at least a couple times a month. I find them consistently good (check out the salmon alfredo), good service and a great place to dine on the deck in the summer. Their salads are also really fresh, crisp and tasty and I love how the dessert menu changes with the seasons. Worth the extra cash to us!

    (5)

  • Alli D.

    I think I'm just now waking up from the carb-induced coma that I slipped into after eating here. Three weeks ago. Seriously. My only memory is of baskets upon baskets of focaccia bread. It. Was. So. Good. Just a tiny bit crispy on the outside, sprinkled with herbs and salt, plus olive oil to give it a little (lot of) moisture. My entree shrimp ceasar salad was pretty forgettable, but that's what you get for going cheap at a fine dining restaurant. It did have lots of shrimp, though, like a thousand of those itty bitty ones. My compatriots had clam chowder and other such lite fare, so it's hard to say what their full-on dinners are like. We did order dessert, since we were entertaining someone from Singapore in town for just a few days. The blackberry cobbler was really really good. Worth the 15 minutes we waited for it, because they clearly baked it on the spot. Topped off with ice cream and little coffee to go with, it was the perfect redemption to an average meal. Except for the bread. I'd go back for the bread in a heartbeat.

    (3)

  • Fawn F.

    Found this place for a late dinner and it was pretty average. Everything looked great on the menu and it took a while to narrow it down. They also have some unique local brews on tap. I ordered a Cajun shrimp something that came with red potatoes and asparagus. It was spicy and very good; the asparagus was perfect but a few of the shrimp were tough and overcooked. Our bread was dry and actually tasted funny, which was disappointing since I love bread. This is a fairly big restaurant with a lot of table seating. I liked that they have an open kitchen where you can view the chefs. It would have been a nice view out the big windows had we been there during the day. Our server was nice and informative. All in all, I love seafood, but this was just okay.

    (3)

  • Food L.

    Went there to have a "all seafood" late lunch the day After Thanksgiving day. Based on the food we ordered and the services we received on our visit, it was a four stars. We ordered only from that day's special from appetizer to entree. The non-alcoholic drinks "Pear Tart" and "Cranberry Lemonade" are both refreshing. Started off with the Pacific Fanny Bay half shell oysters and the Shellfish Combo. Fresh and sweet oyster and tasty mussels and clams steamed in garlic and lemon nectar. The complimentary bread was warm with lots of herbs and a crusty top...yum! We ordered Seafood Macaroni & Cheese and the Blue Plate Special Wild Alaska Salmon Cakes. The Mac & Cheese was in big portion with small shrimp like the Oregon shrimp meat mixed in the pasta and about two tablespoonful of Dungeness Crab meat on top. Cheesy and just right seasoning and love the crunch from the panko. Salmon cakes were moist, nicely packed and had a great crust all around. A cup of clam chowder was served with the salmon cakes. The taste was good but I don't like to have ham pieces in clam chowder, so I won't order it again. We finished off the meal with the Anthony's Bread Pudding served in vanilla sauce from their regular menu. This is not your normal size brea pudding. It was like a big piece of cake. It looked dry from the look, but we were surprised that it was so moist and great match with the vanilla sauce. It was too big that we had to take half home. The whole dining experience was really good with a calm marina view by the window and our waiter was excellent. Found his name on receipt - Wes H. He was very attentive with great smile which made our visit very good!

    (4)

  • Joe S.

    Had lunch with an old friend from out of town here today. I did not know what to expect, because I'm notoriously picky when it comes to seafood. Environment/Atmosphere: bustling, very airy dining room. A little on the noisy side, but you can still talk without raising your voice-- just don't expect an intimate setting (at least not at lunch-- haven't been there for dinner yet). If you are eating alone or with one other, you can easily sit at a counter area and watch the chefs prepare the salads and such. Plenty of space at the 4-top we were seated at. Generally a clean and well-organized restaurant. Service: greeted and seated promptly, at what looked to be the height of the lunch rush. Weekends are likely busier. Waitress was very helpful, friendly, and attentive without 'hovering'. Only one time did we have to look around for her. Food was delivered quickly, and our glasses never got completely empty. Food/drink: I was pleasantly surprised by the recommended berry lemonade. It had a nice balance of fruitiness along with a distinctive tartness. Free refills too, and for a drink that incorporates fresh fruit, that is unheard of. I was longing to have them spike it with a top-shelf vodka, but I try to never drink before 4pm (..unless I'm still drinking from the night before, that is!) Had the Ahi Tuna sandwich, sans pineapple chutney, which was very fresh and tasty; definitely did not have the fishiness one associates with a cut that has been previously frozen (which should be a felony in Seattle, but I've still encountered a couple of times). The savory fries were very tasty, but not something you cannot find at several other establishments. The outstanding element of the meal however was the Wasabi mayo. Wasabi is very potent, and because of that, you normally get a mixture that is either almost an overpoweringly wasabi-flavored paste, or you'll get plain mayo that may have just had wasabi waved in its general vicinity. I don't know if Chinooks buys it premade or if they prep it themselves, but it was outstandingly balanced. My friend is a vegetarian, and admitted he was disappointed in the lack of variety available to him. This is somewhat of a shame, because there is no reason for any restaurant to not keep at least some tofu to replace the meat on their entrees with. He ended up getting the veggie pasta, and was disappointed. He said it was tasty, but oily and heavy. (I believe it's likely that either the recipe or the preparer overcompensated for the fact that there was no meat to provide its natural oils to the dish.) Oh, and the bread. Yes, it was very yummy, and rarely did a basket last on the table longer than 10 minutes. Price: I thought Chinook's offered a decent value for the quality and the portion sizes, given how steeply marked-up fresh fish can be in this city. I still give Chinook's 4 stars: -despite the misstep with the pasta and the lack of vegetarian options, we both enjoyed ourselves. -the food, while not perfect, was definitely of high-quality and prepared with skill. -the environment was excellent: clean, casual, energetic, upbeat- although I wouldn't take a date there for romantic meal based upon what I saw. (Sunset might be an exception, but I imagine it would get quite warm.) Ultimately, I tend to be a bit more lenient than your average reviewers on Yelp, simply because I've spent a considerable amount of time on the other side of the equation, and I know exactly how hard it is to do everything right, all the time. If I can say that I'm interested in going back, and I would recommend it to someone I liked, then that earns 4 stars in my book, unless I return and they absolutely fall on their faces (doesn't seem likely in this case.)

    (4)

  • Andrea K.

    With visiting parents who wanted seafood. We'd done Ray's back in August and figured it would be pretty crowded, so we tried Chinooks instead (after a recommendation from a friend). Definitely a more casual vibe, and was a big, bustling restaurant. Very nice selection and menu though--oysters for appetizers were delicious, and the seafood we all had was very flavorful. Oh-and the bread was effin' awesome. Oh man. Wish I could have it every night. The asparagus and potatoes each entree came with were great too. Desserts were also fantastic--their blackberry cobbler was delish. Service at times could have been better, but that was also probably because we were there at 6:30 on a Saturday in the back corner of the restaurant. Definitely great prices for a seafood place. View is nice--not as good as Ray's, but a cool view nonetheless of the different fishing boats. Plenty of families there, loud vibe, but you could still have a conversation.

    (3)

  • Carla F.

    Five stars for the crabcakes alone. If you're ever in Seattle, and want to taste some of the freshest, no-fuss PNW fare, this is where you want to go. It's nestled in Fisherman's Terminal, so walk around a bit, and look at the Fisherman's Memorial on the marina side.

    (4)

  • Arianne M.

    We hit up Chinooks on a recent Friday night, expecting much and finding little. The atmosphere, from the entry way, appears elegant. Unfortunately it was too loud in our seating area to enjoy any quiet conversation. The food was mediocre, overpriced and bland. My husband had the salmon special, which turned out to be a hunk of plainly seasoned salmon accompanied by (basically) breakfast potatoes. I had an over-priced glass of wine (served in a clunky glass) and the fish tacos, which were actually pretty tasty. The tacos are a reliable standby that you can also find at the Anthony's cafe (also in the terminal) or at other Anthony's locations (like at the airport). As other reviewers have already noted, the absolute best part of our experience was the hot, cheesy bread plate that was delivered to our table pre-dinner. I might go back just for the bread. I should note that the service was friendly and prompt, even on a busy night. Check out the counter/cafe next door for a quicker, cheaper version of the best Chinook's has to offer.

    (2)

  • Sarah B.

    Salmon better then the met grill. Seriously scrumptious and phenomenal service.

    (5)

  • Elyssa H.

    I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet. It's casual but the menu is solid and the focaccia bread is outstanding. I have never had a bad salad or salmon burger at this place. Service is always attentive. The chowder is solid. It's always "busy" but you can get a seat at the bar (with full menu) or there are tables tucked in the bar area that are usually open too.

    (4)

  • Carrie H.

    Reading other reviews, I suppose I need to come back for breakfast... because... if you know me... I HATE SEAFOOD. I know, I know! But let's PRETEND for a sec that I love the stuff. Eat it up, have shrimp and lobster and salmon every morning, noon and night... I think I'd still give it 3 stars. Why so harsh? Well, I came here during a Sunday evening with the fam... table for 6. It was pointless to try and carry on a conversation in there. My mom who was sitting all of 18 inches from me had to scream just to ask for a piece of bread. Also, the floors were disgusting. Very greasy. Yuck. The view? Superb. But to scream to the hubby, "ISN'T THIS JUST BEAUTIFUL??" would seem out of place. Here's a better idea - have said landlubber run to Red Mill and get yummy Verde chicken sandwich, bring it back and have seafood diners get food from Little Chinook's (right next door) and enjoy dining al fresco. Enjoy the view, without having to scream, and everyone is happy. Back to the review... I had the chicken yakisoba which was "eh" but filling. The bread was delicious also. So until then happy campers... 3 stars.

    (3)

  • J'Nee D.

    This place is abysmal. Noisy, cold and industrial, the room screamed "get the heck out of here, we need to turn this table". I had the pan fried oysters. The oysters were stuck together leaving the breading a gluey paste. The sides, fried potatoes and butternut squash were underdone and inedible. I would of sent them back to the kitchen if I had any confidence they could of done any better. My date ordered the smoked salmon fettuccine to which he remarked "hey look you can actually see the salmon". We shared the famous berry cobbler. It was fine, but lacking in actual berries. I felt sorry for the poor people dining there. They spent their hard earned money on over-priced mediocre food. I wanted to lead an exodus out of the restaurant screaming "You don't have to put up with this."

    (1)

  • Melanie B.

    My husband and I met a friend for breakfast at Chinook's. We had breakfast tacos and huckleberry pancakes. My husband was more impressed with the food than I was. I thought the breakfast tacos needed more flavor and I would have liked thicker pancakes. The service and atmosphere was nice, and I think Chinook's would be a good place to take out of town guests because of the location. The dining room offers great views of the fishing boats, and you can walk around the waterfront after breakfast.

    (3)

  • Julian H.

    This continues to be one of our favorite seafood places in Seattle. It is casual (therefore family friendly), has a pleasant water-side location, the service is friendly, and the prices are not outrageous. Seafood aficionados/snobs may argue that the fish is not always fresh, or not always cooked perfectly. And they may be right, some of the time. But friendly service and reasonable prices go a long way toward increasing my tolerance for less-than-perfect seafood. Also, they have an outdoor patio with water views. But if you're dining in the evening, dress warmly, as there is a pretty serious breeze that comes off the water as the sun drops.

    (4)

  • Helena R.

    Had fish and chips...the halibut was fresh and very good! I do recommend the place for lunch.

    (3)

  • Milt S.

    We eat here just about twice a month. The food is good and the view is great of the fishing boats and the bridge. I do like how they change their deserts every month. Only a couple of nit-picks - How about a interior design change? Framed resturant reviews from the late 80's are all over the entrance. Lots of blown up pictures of fishing and fishermen mounted all over the place. The old timey pictures are interesting, but the "recent" color pictures of modern fishing are getting sun faded and need a re-do. I suspect the hit show Deadliest Catch has made the old pictures new again and they can get another 10 years out of this dated interior. I bet every person in the pictures are either passed away or at least retired. The biggest rant is for those @#$%&* chairs with the armrests. The seating is tight and those chairs are impossible to slide into without bumping into the table and the fellow diner behind you. The table spacing directly in front of the huge windows is even tighter. Once you are able to contort yourself into the seat, you are locked in with no wiggle room. I'd like to take a chainsaw to every armrest in the place. Get a booth. They are elevated and you slide right in.

    (4)

  • John M.

    I go here pretty often. The food is consistently good. Ambiance is informal and family friendly. Translation - also kind of loud and hard to hear. Not the best place to take the elder statesmen of your world. Drinks are good and fairly strong. Deserts are limited, but the blackberry crumble is always good.

    (4)

  • Sarah K.

    It has an ocean view- seafood is great- would recommend the fish and chips! The service is friendly and professional~ little pricey but a good spot to get a good view and good food.

    (3)

  • Alex G.

    Four star based on my only visit here being relatively positive. You'll notice the running theme in my reviews is that I'm on a budget. I wasn't expecting to come here, but when I get around seafood I'm big into fish n' chips. Yes, i'm very charming and exotic, I know. Like I said, someone brought us here and we had no idea where we were going and they didn't know I was on a budget, so it was salmon and chips for me. The atmosphere was nice, the view was nice, and for the food I had to settle for, it was very good. It was overall a fun dinner. I think if I knew what to expect and I was okay with spending a little over budget I would come here again and bring some people with me. Some reviewers say it was noisy, and it was, but I don't remember having to shout or anything to communicate. A nice dinner experience.

    (4)

  • Peter W.

    Fresh Seafood right on the water. I went here for lunch while on business nearby. The place was pretty busy, we ended up sitting at the bar, which serves the full menu. Excellent

    (4)

  • C Y.

    Reasons to go to Chinooks: For the cool view of the fishing boats and docks. For the casual atmosphere, decent service and cold beers. For OK food at reasonable prices. Chinooks and the Bell Street diner are Anthony's casual seafood diners. Both offer similar foods items that could have come out of the same kitchen. Food is nothing too special here. Their fried foods are a bit too greasy, cannery bread is boaring. Best bets: fish tacos, fresh fish, salads or the blue plate special and a nice day to sit outside (or get a window table) and enjoy the view. I like bringing out of town guests here for a casual dinner.

    (3)

  • Eric M.

    This is just one of those fish places, the kind that you go to on special occasions or with big parties that has good views, good food, and a fun atmosphere. In my old hometown of Chicago, this place was Bob Chins, Chinook's was quite similar. Pictures of fishermen line the walls and out of the large windows, fishing boats crowd the docks. The food very much a fishmonger's delight, loads of salmon, halibut, tuna, mussels, clams, etc. All of it prepared with a hearty helping of butter, which I usually don't like but just seems to work well with fish. The mussels I had were very tasty a bathed in a mop-it-up-with-bread-it's-that-good broth. The halibut cakes that followed were also quite tasty with a nice side of potatoes. All in all, an delightful meal.

    (4)

  • J K.

    Upgrading from a 2 to 3-star review because of a sincere response from management. So overrated! Hospitality was non-existant. $200 for dinner for four and the food was barely adequate. The acoustics are awful, if you plan on talking to your dining companions, don't come here. There were children playing on the floor. I will not be back. If you like the chowder, and it is good - go to Little Chinook's.

    (3)

  • Cassie R.

    Skip Ivar's. Chinook's (4.5 stars) is a makeover of the old fisherman's cafe--and that's who their clientele was. I used to go there when I worked on one of the fishing boats moored there in 198*. (That ain't no decor, Ivar's; they're the real thing.) The seafood is generally terrific (although the cioppino was lacking variety and kick last time). Someday, I'll come here *just* for the dessert, so I don't want to pop after the meal. The brunch totally rocks, with scones and orange-butter free with every meal. The waiters are professional and knowledgeable. You can ask questions like, "Is this troll-caught, and if so, where?" and get an actual answer. When my mother comes to town, we go here for most of our dining out. It's my yearly birthday treat and occasional in-between splurge. (Reasonably priced, but it IS seafood, you know.) Sometimes, you have to wait awhile in line, though, but it's worth it. Good parking.

    (4)

  • Karl H.

    Chinook's is the perennial favorite for the family get together. You know... the birthdays, the holidays, the special occasions or the regular old family dinner out. There's always 9 of us and they are always more than accommodating. The wait staff is always friendly and eager to please. I know that a party of 9 can be a serious handful and not one single time has any wait person ever gotten frustrated with our craziness. Oh yeah, the food's not bad at all either.... the old man swears by the blue plate special. But, that's just cause he's tired of eating salmon.

    (4)

  • David S.

    Stopped for appetizers and cocktails before dinner. Who the hell serves 1/2 dozen oysters for $20? Oysters are $1/ea when you buy them in the store, $2/ea when they're served to you... but this place has the audacity to sell them for $3.30/ea. Bastards! 18 oysters and 4 cocktails = $100. Lame. Ps, the store outfront sells the same oysters for .85 cents each, and a shucker costs $10.

    (1)

  • Unjeela G.

    I think this place is split into two "types" of dining areas--- one has a casual fast food ambience while the other is more of an "actual" restaurant. I have only ordered food from the casual dining area: fish n chips (crispy, hot, fresh) and new england clam chowder (rich, creamy, very clam-y) are delicious. Service is fast and friendly. Seats are hard, but it's not a concern; i'm too busy enjoying my food :)

    (5)

  • Bridget H.

    The good: 1. The peach dessert was the best part of the meal by far. They had several options but my pick was a warm peach cobbler-biscuits with vanilla ice cream. Delicious. 2. The service was also top notch. The bad: 1. It's not a good sign when the best part of a meal at a seafood restaurant is dessert. The salmon with peach relish was good but not as stellar as local, competing spots. 2. Ambiance- it was a bit loud and conversations echoed making it tough to hear. The verdict: I get the sense this restaurant is a bit past its prime. I would select another local spot for top-notch seafood.

    (3)

  • Robin C.

    Absolutely loved the atmosphere in this place. Open air kitchen, and amazing views of the marina. I have never been a huge fan of crab cakes but these were great, real fresh dungeness, with no fillers. We will absolutely be back. Great food, great atmosphere, spectacular service from Oliver. Friendly, engaging, prompt and knowledgeable.

    (5)

  • Maile K.

    The bread. To Die For. Be careful or you'll be so full of bread you won't be able to eat. The view is gorgeous and they were very accomodating in terms of seating us with a view. Waiter (wish I'd gotten his name) was great. Friendly and very good service. I had the plank salmon with double aspargus with no carbs. Asparagus was cooked perfectly and the salmon was delicious. I also had a raspberry lemonade which had just the right amount of sweet. All in all a very impressive meal.

    (5)

  • Mem T.

    I found this place from someone's Instagram photos. Glad I did. I had a great experience there. The food was very good and fresh. The view of the Marina was a plus. We were visiting Seattle for a few days so this made us feel like we got to fit into Seattle for a bit with the seafood. My husband ordered the all you can eat shrimp. It was delish and fresh. We got the oysters to share too. And I got the mahi mahi fish taco. Yummmm. Had a great experience. The restaurant itself is kind of old but that didn't bother us. And when we went there was a much older crowd. But that just means the food is classic. Love it. Almost forgot to mention the clam chowder. Best ever!!!

    (5)

  • Eric J.

    A good view of the fishing boats. Our second choice of restaurants. We had Salmon Fish and Chips, that came with their own Coleslaw. The chips were hot and good, I on the other hand got Smoked Salmon Fettuccine. Because you should try a verity. (You know a place is good when you can't hear the person talking right next to you.) The fish was light breaded and not greasy. The drinks were only coffee and water tonight. If you got to have fish and chips, try the best right here. So the food, and the service was excellent. Great view too. I want more-soo good.

    (5)

  • Jon H.

    Thanks for responding to my review. I look forward to giving Chinook another chance when I am in Seattle again. Sometimes things go differently than what we want to happen. Again thanks for talking with me, I do appreciate it.

    (4)

  • anita l.

    This is a Classic Ballard restaurant. Fresh seafood, expertly prepared and professionally served. Sound sterile? No, it's fabulous! I've been coming to Chinooks for decades because it is one of my Happy Places in Seattle. The food is consistently delicious, and they're happy to make substitutions like French fries instead of the regular sautéed potatoes if you want. The servers are fantastic - I always recognize some of them, no matter when I come in. Their staff is amazing - and they stay for years. Some of their cooks have been there for 20 years! Some of my favorite dishes: Oyster stew, spinach salad (they'll top it with fried oysters if you ask nicely!), clam chowder, Crab Louis, Hangtown Fry, Fried Shrimp, Salmon pot pie... then there are the desserts. There's always seasonal fruit cobbler or slump, which is fabulous. Then there's the chocolate cake - devastatingly good, but beware, it's enough to feed a family of four. This is a restaurant that's doing it right, all the way around. My local friends and I love it, my out of town guests love it and with the view of the boats, I always feel like I've had a little vacation whenever I dine here.

    (5)

  • Sarah B.

    Great restaurant. Consistently good service and solid food. I often bring out-of-towners here, especially for their Happy Hour which features several small seafood plates, a $5 burger, and a variety of cocktails, beer and wine. Not to mention a great view!

    (4)

  • Jeffrey G.

    The place is ok. It's big and open with high ceilings which makes it both noisy (negative) but not "feeling" crowded (positive) when there's lots of people dining. The real downside is the price of the food has really skyrocketed in the past year, especially the once awesome happy hour. Oyster shooters have doubled in price over the past year (from $0.75 to $1.50), the beers are at least $4.00 with wine even more. Maybe the fisherman's terminal raised the rent or something, but it seems difficult to justify these "discount" prices for a non-downtown happy hour. The waitstaff is nice, but I think they are overworked. From the bar, they are constantly at work serving drinks and food to customers, yet at the same time it seems to take a little while to get a drink or food order in. Again, it feels like whoever runs the place is trying to cut corners at the expense of patrons. In short, the place has good potential, and if a few things were tweaked it would be great. Hopefully things will improve in the future.

    (3)

  • Jeff L.

    My dad's favorite restaurant, and I don't blame him. Awesome view, incredible atmosphere, and even better food. Even the bread that they bring out to you at the beginning of your meal is out of this world. Mahi mahi tacos and cioppino are my personal favorites, but you really can't go wrong with anything on their menu.

    (5)

  • Howard Z.

    Could have been 5 stars... could have been. My only gripe is the portion size. Since it is Copper River Salmon season, I got exactly that. For the price ($38+), the portion size seemed very small. With a side of potatoes and vegetables, it just did not seem filling. Other entrees were quite big and could get you to the "Oh geez I ate so much but it was so good" feeling, but this was not it. Service was great, food was great, just wish I got more fish.

    (4)

  • Kaimipono W.

    Excellent food and good service. I had the trout and it was delicious. The place was crowded, but efficient. I would definitely come back here again.

    (4)

  • Steven Y.

    When I'm in Seattle or New England area I HAVE to have fish! We don't have great fish in St. Louis and places that do are extremely expensive. I loved their Fish n Chips, Chowder, Clams and even their bread here! I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth O.

    We started off with the JUMBO barbequed shrimps as an appetizer. Let me tell you...they were not jumbo prawns. They were tiny and it came with 4 little shrimps. I came here and ordered the pan-seared scallops. They came out and immediately I was disappointed. I thought they would be lightly seared, but instead they were breaded, drenched in butter, and tiny! My boyfriend ordered the silver salmon and there were too many bones. My other friend ordered the shrimp and crab caesar salad and it was gross. The shrimp was so obviously frozen. The only thing that was good about this place was the service and the bread, but if you want authentic and good seafood I suggest you look elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Han N.

    Sunday Brunch. Super fresh oysters, excellent rockfish in chile sauce and breaded trout, great Bloody Mary, and surprisingly excellent decaf coffee ( notably better than anyone's I've had lately) but best of all - great service the whole time. Consistently good food!

    (5)

  • Min K.

    Food was great. If you're going to eat here, you need to request Oliver as your server. He made our night! He had great suggestions and was hilarious. The dungeness crab fettuccine for the win.

    (5)

  • Linda E.

    I love this restaurant! Bread & scones are delicious, friendly staff, & fresh fish! Prices are affordable & the water view knocks your dining experience to 5 stars!

    (5)

  • Youngueun K.

    fresh oyter !!!!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Serena S.

    Two words: Cannery Bread. The single most amazing thing about this place. The restaurant is bright, has big windows that overlook the wharf. The seafood is always fresh. The restaurant is a classic seafood restaurant, and while noisy, is a great place to take parents and grandparents. Chinook's is in the Anthony's family of restaurants, if that helps give you a sense of the type of place it is. The service is always very professional and attentive.

    (4)

  • Christopher B.

    Expecting more. The bread that they gave me was some sort of soda bread that was way too salty and undercooked. it was doughy and almost inedible. The rockfish was ok. Tried to do too much with a salsa topping. Would have been much better with just butter and Lemmon. Potatoes that came with the meal were the best part. Seasoned perfectly and cooked just right. Service was just so-so. Defiantly a corporate dining experience.

    (3)

  • CJ B.

    This review is for one weird policy: in spite of claiming to be open from 8am to 10pm on Saturdays the place is essentially closed from 11 to 11:30am. The explanation was they were changing over from breakfast to lunch so they were unable to get anything from the kitchen. REALLY!!! It was a Saturday morning when one would assume that a few folks might roll in for a late breakfast/brunch. When we wandered in at 11:05 the ladies at the front desk informed us that we could sit at the bar and drink coffee but no orders could be placed until 11:30. We -- and several other folks -- went elsewhere. It seems instructive that when this place gets a negative review they ask for your email address or phone number instead of contacting you through Yelp. They also do not try to fix the problem but seem to suggest it might be the reviewer's fault. Look at each negative post and note the pattern

    (1)

  • Emily G.

    My favorite spot in Seattle. Maybe it is because it is where i had the first date with the love of my life followed by the most beautiful grassy walk around the locks on a gorgeous sunny day... :) but other than that the seafood is pacific northwest fresh, the servers are lovely, and next time I'm in the city this place is on my short list.

    (5)

  • Connie W.

    This place does everything right. Great food. Great desserts. Our waiter was Joe H. He's been a waiter at Chinooks for a long time. He was extremely professional & friendly. Great waiter!

    (5)

  • Sarah K.

    So admittedly this review is biased because Chinook's offers the two foodstuffs I love most in the world at a fantastic happy hour discount. It is further incomplete because I've only ever visited them for happy hour and cannot comment on the dinner menu. However, I have nothing but rave reviews for the Chinook happy hour. Their happy hour menu features oyster shooters and a house martini, both of which are excellent. The oyster shooters are consistently fresh, well prepared and delicious, unlike some other popular seafood restaurants in Seattle. The house martini is a great drink to go with the shooters. Their fish tacos, calamari and other seafood staples are always very satisfying! The wait staff is a little inconsistent, I've had great service here as well as the occasional bored waiter whose probably just having a really long day. But over all I definitely recommend Chinook's, it's a great space overlooking the marina, the atmosphere is fun and casual and the food is consistently good! Try the happy hour, maybe stay for dinner

    (4)

  • Richard H.

    My second time to this SEA institution and ordered the Dungeness crab and shrimp pasta which was spot on and consistent with when I ordered it during my fist visit. Like Howard Z's comment, I wish the portion size for what I ordered was a tad larger with regards to the fettuccine noodles and like him, I left not full. Ordered a Caesar salad as well. Overall, this is a great restaurant as it has a great view of Seattle's Fisherman's Terminal. Ask for a patio seating if the weather is good!

    (4)

  • Angela B.

    Very impressed .. The chicken teriyaki was delicious. Loved the strawberry lemonade, though I wish it had had whole strawberries. The strawberry sundae was a great end to dinner.

    (5)

  • Jamie B.

    I figured that since I was in Seattle, I should have some seafood. I am glad that my buddy picked Chinook's. I started off with a delicious cup of Clam Chowder. It was rich, creamy and full of flavor. I then had Fish and Chips. It was so crunchy and fresh. Their tempura style batter makes the difference. The views of the water and boats also made for a nice dining experience. I also tried Ivar's while in Seattle, and I found Chinook's to be the better option.

    (4)

  • Maddie R.

    Good food but not that great of service. They gave us free dessert for service. Definitely would go back and recommend.

    (4)

  • Stacey J.

    Great view from just about any seat and very speedy service. Didn't much care for the Ahi in my Ahi salad but the mango, avocado and dressing made up for it. My boyfriend's lincod was delicious! Only thing is that the put the paper print out of your order on top of the salads! Kinda unsanitary to me. Just ask that they don't like we did and it should be fine.

    (4)

  • Geoffrey C.

    5-stars for the daily 3:30-6:00 pm happy hour in the lounge! Particularly tasty ahi tacos and calamari. Also, of note: large and delicious breakfasts. Although the restaurant is large and can seat many, it can still get busy, particularly with families. However, for reliability and the delightful Seattle authenticity of it's view (Fisherman's Terminal), Chinook's is hard to beat, and so we will keep coming back and back...

    (5)

  • Katie B.

    Chinooks has the best atmosphere, view, location, food, and service! Has always been a favorite

    (5)

  • Jens J.

    Service is still excellent here. And on a summer evening before dusk, the view of the marina and the surrounding city is impressive. But after three visits, I have to say Chinook's just merits three stars because of the food. It's just so-so. For example, the most recent time we were here, we ordered a "grilled garlic shrimp" appetizer. We believed this might be shrimp kebobs. But what was delivered to our table was a plate containing shrimp swimming in a puddle of oil beneath huge clumps of basil draped over cubed potatoes. I couldn't taste any garlic, just a helluva lot of basil. Our friendly server didn't flinch when we asked if we could send it back and get it without the unadvertised basil. But what came out was the same thing (just as oily as the first dish) sans the basil, but with about ten dozen minced cloves of garlic staking out turf between the potato cubes. We picked the shrimp out and left the rest. But to be fair, though my tiny portion of breaded sole was greasy, I did think JP's ahi tuna salad with mango was quite tasty.

    (3)

  • Stephen G.

    Way overpriced. Nice atmosphere, but mediocre food.

    (2)

  • Brittney B.

    I'd say my experience with Chinooks is inconsistent. One experience will bring so-so fish and chips while the next will bring me life changing food that inspires a Yelp post. Either way, people come here for the bread anyways, right?

    (3)

  • Licorice O.

    Chinook's is our go-to place for family celebrations. We had 10 people in our party and the table was set up and ready when the last of the party showed up. The waiter was superb and deserving of a great tip. The food portions seemed smaller than I remember, but were perfectly sized for my appetite and need to maintain a proper weight. The tap beer selection was good. Everyone around the table enjoyed the food and thought it very well presented. Service was pretty quick on this day, before 6PM. This is a nice friendly place, albeit noisy, with ample free parking, and a scenic location.

    (4)

  • Lily H.

    Decent happy hour in the bar area 3:30-6:00 pm. An older (think 60+) crowd, which is fine by me, as there are so few places for Baby Boomers like myself to get together, and it's actually possible to hold a conversation--not have to shout at the top of one's lungs and hear and understand most of what the other person is saying. Plus, it's located in the relatively out-of-the-way Fisherman's Terminal area. The window-side view is actually not much, little water, mostly just boats moored there. Our waitress was nicer than we had any reason to expect. Plates of appetizers are $7, beers around $4.50, their great focaccia-like bread $2...

    (4)

  • Sahara B.

    Updated review - the manager never called me about my last visit even though they said they would. Figured I'd try it again. This time around the service and food were excellent! I wish we had snagged our waiter's name - he was AWESOME! I'm glad I came back. We had clam chowder, a shrimp cocktail, a Cobb salad and cod fish 'n chips. All were pretty darn good.

    (4)

  • Emiko K.

    I love coming here for happy hour!!! It is actually pretty decent in price and just enough food. I think this is nice for a date, with family or with coworkers! My Personal Rating Key One star: the food was bad and I had a negative experience. Two star: I had a more negative experience and would not come here again but the food was good so I may. Three store: everything is good except one thing. Example-the food is good, the price is more reasonable but the atmosphere is lacking class. These are sometimes my go to more than four stars because I usually care about price more than I do about atmosphere. Four stars: Everything is great, food, experience but the price may be on the upper end. I would not recommend this first to Obama unless he didn't like my five stars. Five stars: I would recommend this to Obama. The price may be on he upper end.

    (4)

  • Dennis H.

    Kinda torn ... I want to give it a 4 but it was just really average for me. Got the fish taco & clam chowder lunch special ... fish was bland but the chowder was decent. Shared an order of the Cod Fish n Chips ... pretty average nothing amazing. Probably didn't help that I ate at what I consider to be the BEST FISH n CHIPS I ever had in my life. Overall, good service. Seems like a very popular local spot.

    (3)

  • Kate B.

    A really nice seafood restaurant- family friendly and another great spot to take out of towners! Located right by the Fisherman's terminal, Chinook is a large seafood restaurant overlooking the wharf. There's plenty of parking and lots of seating in the main dining area and the bar. I didn't sit at the bar but they had pretty nice bar stools positioned so that you could watch some of the raw food being prepped. Most of the tables in the dining area have a great view of the docked boats. The menu is largely seafood but there's a few non-seafood options. Not many veg options, though. I like the variety of seafood and prep methods the offer- grilled, baked, and fried. I tried the oysters and chips, and my mom tried the endless fish and chips (the Monday dinner special). Both the oysters and cod were battered in a light beer batter and served with seasoned fries and coleslaw. My oysters were huge and there were at least 6-7 of them. The fries were a little limp but incredibly tasty. I'm not usually crazy about coleslaw but the coleslaw they serve here is fantastic. They dressed it with a creamy poppyseed dressing and it was so tasty. I kept going back for bites of coleslaw and pretty much ignored the fries, which is not what I'd usually do. Our server was friendly and helpful, and the food came out incredibly quickly. The prices are lower than most in the area and you get a generous amount of food. I will definitely be back when I want to have some good, fresh seafood.

    (4)

  • Danelle J.

    Yummy! This was my final evening in Seattle and I'm happy to say that I spent it dining at Chinook's. We arrived at 8:00pm on a Friday night and got seated immediately. Perfect! We were then greeted by our server who brought us our refreshing beverages, the usual for me (iced tea), water for my man, a cold beer and a berry cosmopolitan for our folks. If you drink and enjoy fruity cocktails, this was a hit! The bread....oh my, this was deee-licious! Just as the yelpers said it would be. :) For dinner, I ordered the half or appetizer portion of the dungeness crab cakes which is not on the menu but prepared for me anyways. This was a perfect portion for my small appetite (2 crab cakes) and would allow me room for dessert. The crab cakes were amazing. It seemed like 100% crab and no filler...absolutely divine! My love got the salmon tacos, his folks got the rockfish and breaded sole. I'm not lying when I say that our dinner table was super quiet because we were all too busy stuffing our faces!!!! The meal ended with dessert. Since berries are in season, my love ordered the berry cobbler which was generously topped with vanilla ice cream. His folks had a mixed berry Sunday and I ordered burned cream, aka creme brûlée. I've never had a bad creme brûlée but this one was pretty darn tasty. No complaints...not a single one. Thanks for the awesome evening Chinook's. Only complaint I have is that you're not in Texas!!

    (5)

  • Alban N.

    Been here twice, enjoyed it thoroughly both times. I've had the blacked rockfish tacos and they were good. Cooked well, good favors, and portions. Tonight I had the Salmon fish and chips and cam me a convert. I'd never had fried salmon outside of fried salmon skin rolls. Delicious will definitely come back.. Maybe on a Monday for all you can eat Alaskan cod and chips!

    (5)

  • Ben Y.

    The food was actually a 3.5-4 stars but the service was a 0-1 star We got seated outside in the corner and was promptly ignored for about 20 minutes. It was confusing because the waiter took the order of the table next to us but completely ignored us. I eventually had to get up and walk over to the waiter who was just hanging out talking to another waiter. We ordered the salmon fish and chips and alder plank salmon. Honestly both dishes were really good. The fish and chips were exceptional, easily better than most. The alder plank salmon was also cooked properly and had tons of flavor. Oh yah, when the waiter came back to drop off the food i wanted to ask for ketchup but he pretty much dropped off the plates and booked it out of there....never to be seen again until I flagged him down for the check.

    (2)

  • Kellen C.

    Service was good, view was excellent, food was meh I had the oysters and chips fried oysters no issues for fried but would have loved if they had fresh raw oysters but they said they dont have those till Fall. The fish and oysters all heavily breaded everyone was happy with their drinks they were delicious. Would come back for drinks. Was told about this place while on argosy cruise through Seattle.

    (2)

  • Kristen B.

    Came here with family on a Tuesday night.. It wasn't crowded got a nice marina table.. Waiter was super friendly and very attentive.. There was five of us.. I ordered London Broil as I don't like seafood.. It was good.. The potatoes and asparagus was nicely cooked.. Everyone was happy with their meals, enough to come back as services was so nice and prompt! The bread is so good that it makes everyone not as hungry when the food comes.. The bread is five star.. The food is 4.5 stars but next time no bread as it's so filing lol (Ya right craving the bread already) !!

    (4)

  • ä¿Šå©•

    Nice place to have breakfast in to catch a nice view. Friendly waiters and waitresses as well. Want to have meals forever here!

    (5)

  • Kelsey H.

    Great! This place was a perfect spot for what we wanted - seafood, outdoor seating, view of the water. The service was excellent. Our server was extremely helpful and told it like it was, with very honest recommendations. We followed several of his suggestions and got the clams as a starter, and then the crab cakes and copper river salmon for our main course. We were not disappointed. The crab cakes were about 95% crab and really only enough filler to hold them together the sauce that came with it was so good as well. The salmon was an amazing deep orange/red and was very tasty.

    (4)

  • Maria F.

    Came here on a whim our last night in Seattle and I'm glad we did. The food wasn't to-die-for (had the True Alaskan cod and New England Clam Chowder) but the service was out of this world! Oliver (our waiter that night) made our dining experience comfortable (giving us a whole plate of lemons when we only expected to get one or at most two extra), entertaining (modeling the desserts for us as he passed by to serve the table next to us), and memorable. I don't think I've ever had such an awesome waiter!! Chinook's is definitely doing something right with having him on board. The other staff members were equally as hospitable!

    (4)

  • Linda F.

    Plank salmon was moist and mind-blowing! The salmon cakes were perfect. Fettuccine salmon with dill! The blackberry cobber amazing. Very nice experience.

    (4)

  • Mini P.

    Went here for Mother's Day this past weekend and had good time. the place is casual, has a great view of the ballard locks and has great food. The appetizer bread is amazing, I could eat 3 baskets, but had to spare myself! we had the crab cakes as an app and they should call it crab patties, there was so much meat in there. I hardly saw any breading at all, not complaining though. They were delish. For dinner, my husband had one of the salmon specials and I had the bar b q shrimp. The potatoes on the bar b q shrimp were either right or underdone, depending on the bite I chose, the shrimp were cooked just right. That was my only complaint about the meal, which I didn't bother saying anything about. I know it was mother's day, the wait staff was a little slower, but probably because of the business of the restaurant. All in all, a great place to go with the family and baby friendly too!

    (4)

  • O'Neill J.

    Delicious food..we ordered the fresh salmon with butter with side of seasoned potatoes and snow peas and seafood marinara angel pasta with prawns, clams and mussels. Let's just say best prawns, clams, and mussels I've ever had, so fresh. The view itself was beautiful, with the view of the marina and sunset. Recommend dinning outside in the patio!

    (4)

  • Miss M.

    Fantastic place. The food was amazing!! Our waitress was super friendly. Service was fast. Great place to relax for a bit and have a few drinks. I recommend the cajun popcorn shimp. Not your everyday popcorn shimp. And the icing on the cake...free parking!!

    (5)

  • J K.

    Yummy food. Very Seattle.

    (4)

  • A B.

    Never had a bad meal here. Yesterday was the London Broil, good but a bit skimpy. on the meat. I'm on a gluten free kick so can't eat the delicious bread as I'd like to, so maybe that had something to do with that empty feeling. When this place is full, it's a bit hard to hear people across the table. The view is always fantastic. The waitstaff is attentive. The highlight of yesterday's lunch, outside of the food, was the frail looking elderly woman who ordered not one but 3 heaping bowls of lemon slices and sucked on each one. And I mean heaping, soup bowl sized bowls, the lemons 2 or 3 inches above the rim. Must be scurvy. Or Ebola. She must have some sort of nickname by now. Lemon head. Sour puss. Lemon Lady. Yellow Bird. If I ever get a lemon jones, Chinook's will be my number 1 spot.

    (5)

  • Jenn R.

    Good food. Very nice waitress I would give her 5 stars. Hubby's seared tuna was over cooked but good and my "real" cod was a bit fishy but good. The Key Lime Pie was Excellent!!!

    (3)

  • Talia E.

    I like this place. Came here with a friend who lives in the area. Good solid brunch menu and nice service. Their breakfast scones are warm and delicious. It comes with orange infused butter. I had the Joe's Special. A scramble with spinach, ground beef, and onions. It was pretty good, and a nice portion. Their breakfast potatoes are also good, though I forgot to order them extra crispy like I usually do. I would come back if I was in the area. The menu is a pretty standard brunch menu, but lots of seafood options. I don't remember my tab being too high, and the view of the marina is nice. They have outdoor seating for warm days.

    (4)

  • Fran P.

    We recently visited Seattle on our way back from Alaska. Chinook was highly recommended by a tour guide . Definitely well worth it. We were treated to some of the best scones we ever tasted, warm , light, flakey, and delicious. The crepes loaded with cream cheese, peaches, and strawberries were decadently rich and memorable. Also try their outstanding chowder. There is a great view of the bay from anywhere inside of the restaurant. Great scenery , attentive wait staff, good food, all make for a great dining experience.

    (4)

  • Jazmine A.

    This was an amazing first dinner in Seattle! I had never had dungeoness crab and we split a two pound steamed crab! It was great and our server was FANTASTIC!

    (5)

  • Cori M.

    Their bread is to die for. Really yummy crab pasta and calamari. The blackberry desert is a tad too tart. Great service. Really lovely atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Anthony H.

    White clam chowder is awesome! Highly recommend it if you are in the area. It also had nice outdoor seating by the Fisherman's Memorial

    (5)

  • Amber H.

    Came on Father's day while vacationing in Seattle. My only complaint is that the restaurant was very noisy, however it is a huge room and was full of people, so that's what you'd expect. I had the pan seared oysters. Delicious! We all enjoyed our food, and the chowder was above average.

    (4)

  • Marcy S.

    Awesome spot for brunch - whatever the weather! Service is prompt and attentive, but not overly intrusive. The menu offers something for everyone with s great selection of sweet and savory brunch dishes. And a nice Bloody Mary, too. The traditional eggs Benedict was perfect with runny yolks and a lovely lemony Hollandaise. The salmon eggs Benedict is served on a potato pancake - delightful! And in lieu of their traditional bread (served at lunch and dinner) Chinook's serves cranberry scones fresh from the oven with an orange compound butter - yum! Enjoy the first meal of the weekend and then take a great walk... and bring your camera!

    (5)

  • Heather M.

    Came here last weekend with some of my family. The restaurant itself is really nice, with a great view of the harbor. We ended up sitting near the window, which really added to the ambiance of the place. Upon checking out the menu, we ordered the following entrees: two crab louies, the cioppino and caesar salad, the lingcod with sour cream and dill, and a bowl of New England clam chowder. While waiting for our food, out waiter brought out a fresh batch of focaccia bread for us to snack on. The bread was warm, soft, and very good; especially when dipping it in the chowder. Speaking of which, the chowder was delicious! It was extremely rich, but very flavorful. I loved that it had so many clams in it!! When our entrees came out, the table suddenly went silent... which was very telling in terms of how much we were enjoying the food! The crab louie was very fresh, had tons of crab, and was large enough to be a meal. The lingcod itself was kind of small for the plate, but it was packed full of flavor. The sour cream dill sauce on top makes the dish! But my favorite, out of all of the dishes, was the cioppino. The broth was rich, yet you could taste every ingredient added. The seafood was plentiful and every piece was cooked perfectly. The caesar was good, but really, it was just a side dish to the cioppino. To end the meal, I ordered the burnt cream. It was as good as all the other Anthony restaurants and I loved it! Unfortunately so did my family so it was gone in about fifteen seconds! Chinook's is by far my favorite Anthony's restaurant so far as I feel that their menu is the most diverse and the food itself is the most consistent! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone.

    (4)

  • Kristi C.

    I had a great experience last night at Chinook's with my family. Since I'm new to the Seattle area this was my first time and I was impressed. It was a Great atmosphere for a Friday night, Great waiter, and delicious food. I enjoyed the view and look forward to visiting again during Lunch. The BBQ garlic prawns were prepared to perfection and I had the most yummy dessert..huckleberry over vanilla ice cream. It was to die for. Needless to say ....Chinooks is my favorite in Seattle thus far.

    (5)

  • Jeff C.

    Had brunch here awhile back. I thought this place was wonderful. (the weather was perfect and we were seated outside). Some of the other reviews said Chinook's is a tourist trap... but I would have to disagree w that. I am new to Seattle but my friends that I came with are locals and everyone enjoined their meals. I ordered the hangtown fry (oysters pan fried with bacon, spinach, cheese, and eggs- I posted a pic). The hangtown fry was delicious and exceeded my expectation! The biscuits were great as well, we had to ask for second... (my friends actually asked for a third order to take home). The service was very good as well. The waitress was very tentivite, I had to wave her down to refill my coffee once, but that's because I finished my first cup in 3 minutes. Overall a very good brunch place, I would recommnad this to my friends.

    (4)

  • jill g.

    This might be my new favorite restaurant. Been here twice, happy both times. Happy hour on the deck is lovely with great prices, great food and great service. Took the entire family for dinner tonight, turned out much better than expected. The kids menu doesn't have a ton of choices but there are also burgers, pasta and chicken on the main menu for not too much $$ drinks came quickly, and my martini was a bit dirtier than I had ordered it which the waitress noticed upon serving it to me and offered to take it back. after taking a sip I did ask for a new one and she gladly took it back and returned with a lovely martini! prices are fabulous, it's a really great deal. my kids are already looking forward to going back, as am I. fwiw this place is great for kids, groups, and just about everything but a quiet romantic dinner

    (4)

  • Jenny Z.

    Great location. However, a long list of sad occurrences: - Sat at the bar to wait for a table. Had the most unfriendly bartender who did not acknowledge us after getting our first round, even though we pushed up our empty glasses. Sat there for about 20 minutes while he helped the people directly to the right and left of us - to the point where it felt like he was intentionally ignoring us. Did not ask if we wanted more drinks or if we were doing okay, etc. even though we made eye contact several times - Hostess brought us to the table and asked how the bread was at the bar. We did not get bread - Server gave my husband a Budweiser when he asked for a Budlight and did not specify that they did not have Budlight. Okay cool thanks... - Took another 15+ min just to get our drinks at the table - Finally got bread after drinks - Server did not bring out the food which is fine. But he did not check up on the food at all. Passed us several times and did not say anything. When my husband was finished, with his food, he finally opened his mouth and said "we good on drinks?" - Server did not say anything as he gave me back my check/credit card. Really really sad. Friendly hostesses were the best part. Food tasted good as well... I am a normally a generous tipper. In fact, I feel bad if I give anyone less than 18% (for awful service). I felt wrong giving my server a tip at all, as he really did nothing. I have worked as a server in both fine dining and a more casual setting. I have never left so unhappy about the service of a "nice restaurant." I will not be returning.

    (1)

  • Andree H.

    I often stop by for clam chowder to go, but sat down in the restaurant and enjoyed the ambiance of Fisherman's terminal - and the fish tacos were delicious!

    (4)

  • C F.

    A nice place to with out-of-town guests - the seafood is always fresh and best quality. Overall a very good experience.

    (4)

  • Katie K.

    This is a casual / family seafood restaurant with views of the working boats at Fisherman's Terminal. The husband's fish was a bit under-seasoned; my seafood fettuccini had ample shrimp and crabmeat, but the sauce wasn't as creamy as I would have liked. They have a fines election of local beers, and the seasonal Rhubarb Mojito cocktail was excellent.

    (3)

  • Chandra H.

    Chinooks is a great place to take your out of town friends on a lovely summer's day. The menu offers a wide variety of fresh seafood. The service is a bit slow but if you're not in a hurry that should be okay. If you're on a tight timeline this isn't the place to go. The hostesses are hit and miss; sometimes their friendly while other times they may seem aloof and slightly annoyed. They seat you quickly but I really wish that just once they'd ask me if the table they put me at is okay. There are times when I go out with my sweetheart and I don't want to sit two feet from a party of 14 which includes small children. The one thing I've noticed though is that even when the servers aren't thrilled because the hostess has seated them another table and they're really over their job for the day even though you can see it in their sigh as they approach the table the servers remain friendly and helpful. My experience is the service may be sub par from time to time but even in light of that the server tries to keep it light. We visited last weekend and it's the first time I've gone for brunch. Our server was lovely, she checked on us regularly which I appreciate. She was very timely and attentive. They served scones that were very thick like biscuits. They were good but a little heartier than I like my scones. The butter had a special citrus flavor that was pleasant. My partner had the Belgian Waffle with huckleberries which was wonderful. The sausages he ordered tasted a little weird. I didn't like the flavor of the bacon either. I had Huevos Rancheros which was mediocre. It's served on a hard corn tortilla and the black beans don't really have a lot of flavor. The eggs on top were cooked to perfection, the whites were solid and the yolks were runny. The one recommendation I have is the run brunch later. They only offer Sunday brunch until 1 p.m. PT which is a bit disappointing. I've had a few different menu items during my visits and Chinook's is fairly consistent. I like the atmosphere, it's a true Seattle venue.

    (3)

  • Chris B.

    Great seafood!!!!!! Had the best/freshest oysters I ever had, then took rockfish tacos. Sooooo yummy. Loved the mango salsa and shredded cabbage. Also. I'm slow carb so asked for a side of vegetables. Instead of boating steamed broccoli I got pumpkin, squash, bell peepers with roasted sunflower seeds. That is AWESOM!! Great attention to detail. One negative. They wanted to seat us in a dark corner. We asked if we could just sit at the bar instead. It made the eventing for us. Lots of notice. But hey. It's Friday!! LOVED IT

    (5)

  • Joan K.

    I am giving 5 stars because of the exceptional service by our server, AJ. He was warm, genuine and responsive. I asked for food/drink recommendations and he didn't hesitate to give his opinions. He knew the menu and his suggestions didn't disappoint. Four of us were there for happy hour and we were pleasantly surprised by the large portions. We were too full to order the peach slump for dessert. The weather was warm and we sat on the patio. A very nice evening made better by AJ.

    (5)

  • Betsey W.

    We've been coming here for YEARS, so it's hard to not give Chinook's a great review but the last time I came was sort of disappointing. Came with a group - me, husband, 2 little ones, mother in law, brother in law, sister in law, and their SOs...have you ever been in a large group and felt like the server was on autopilot because they knew they were going to get the autogratuity? Ya, that kind of happened. She didn't come around often to refill or check on us, was really short and flippant with us, and detracted from our experience. We didn't feel welcome or like a guest at the restaurant, but more like an an inconvenience or hassle for the server. On the other hand, I had the Copper River duet (salmon and halibut, cedar planked) and it was effing amazing just as it should be. Everyone at the table liked what they were eating, and apps and drinks were good too. I don't think I've ever had anything except for cedar planked salmon at Chinook's, and I'm okay with that :) We'll definitely come back for the food and Fisherman's Wharf, but I don't think I'd recommend coming in a group or for a special occasion.

    (3)

  • Gabriel M.

    My wife had the seafood fettucini with zuchini (say that three times). It was watered down a bit...most likely from the big chunks of zuchini and it was lukewarm. We had to send it back to be heated up. I got the fried calamari which was also lukewarm but I ate it anyway. I also got the Boston Clam Chowder which was awesome. We loved the view, will definitely be back to give 'em another go.The service was good; our waiter was courteous and attentive. The chefs in the kitchen were upbeat and eager to chat with me. I like that the kitchen had an open floor plan; you can see straight in the kitchen and observe what everyone is doing.

    (3)

  • Travis S.

    Fish and chips, fast and fresh! I'm a regular. Excellent fried food, chowder, service, nuff said!

    (4)

  • Inna B.

    The impression I got from Chinook's is... that it's all about big servings (often involving seafood), great customer service, and it caters mostly to... a slightly older generation than mine. By older I mean... A lot of the people having lunch here that day looked like they were enjoying retirement. That's not a bad thing - just... something to maybe think about before you go. The fried oysters and fries (and onion rings??) were very filling, and well... if I loved fried things, they would have probably been all kinds of fantastic to me. This was my first time trying fried oysters and... I learned that I like my oysters to STAY raw. Garnishes are fine. Frying them is... not. Just thinking about that lunch reminds me of the food coma and desire for a nap! In any case... If you're looking for great service and great big servings of fried/well-cooked Pacific NW cuisine, this might be the spot you're dreaming about. It's not really my style, however, so I'm pretty sure any return visits would be for some "adult beverages" from their happy hour menu... and maybe some raw oysters.

    (4)

  • Nikkia G.

    My second time at this place and again worth the drive from Renton! I love the marina they have there....AND THE FOOD! Everything I had from Chinook's is great- calamari, oysters, lemon drop martinis, cod with a nectarine salsa- all very good and fresh, most importantly. I must make mention of the dessert- the Peach Slump. OMG! I really am not a dessert person BUT I ordered it at my friend's suggestion and there wasn't a morsel left. The peaches were fresh and the biscuit was ...like...a biscuit from heaven. That's all I can say it was warm and buttery- you know like the one a grandma would make- it was amazing! I will definitely return to Chinook's when I get back to Seattle and one of these days I hope to see the Northwestern docked in the marina!!!

    (4)

  • Susan B.

    We arrived on Saturday evening and it was really busy so we thought this is going to be really good and will be worth the wait...we had heard their fish & chips are the best so we thought we would make the drive down from the north end. So we got here and it was over a half hour wait but again we thought with how busy it looked we are going to be in store for something really worth waiting for. The one good thing about our visit was the waiter we had named Oliver and he was very nice. So my husband and I both ordered clam chowder which was full of potatoes and everything but just no taste to it..I had to keep salting mine..then they bring this bread out and the first round of that looked like the end of the pan..barely warm and just pieces of the end of the bread so they brought another serving of it and it was much better and fresh this time...then we asked the waiter about the fish and chips and if he could substitute halibut for the other types of fish they were using (we thought with them being known for fish and chips that halibut would be one of the choices since its a better fish used for fish & chips in our opinion) and thought it was kind of strange not being on the menu but we asked the waiter if we could get halibut and he said oh yes we can substitute for the other type of fish they had and he said it would be a little more price wise so we thought ok and then I ordered the Mahi Mahi fish tacos so when it got to our table the halibut and chips my husband ordered were really small and just a couple of pieces (maybe 3 and then one tiny piece of fish) but really small pieces compared to what we are used to getting anywhere even Skippers when they were still in the area had bigger fish than this and then my tacos were very bland and didn't have much taste at all...then the bill arrives and my husband's fish and chips were 25.00 which were way overpriced for what he got and I definitely would not recommend the taco's either...maybe we just had an off night there but after over $80.00 later I wouldn't recommend and that was with one drink each. So needless to say we were disappointed.

    (2)

  • Ahamed I.

    Perfect location and perfectly average food. We've eaten here twice and weren't blown away either time (lunch or dinner) either time. Definitely not bad food but also not something you'll rush to tell friends about. Reminds me of wedding/banquet food served in an interesting (and kid friendly) atmosphere

    (3)

  • Brittany W.

    I've been here twice - once for a large dinner party and once for a more intimate meal. I loved it both times. The first time I came, the restaurant was incredibly busy and pretty loud, but not unpleasant. The waiters serving our table did a great job of being accurate with everyone's orders and making sure we were all happy. They even stayed on top of bringing out more bread! I got the mahi mahi tacos, and loved them. They were served with coleslaw, pico, and a side of clam chowder. I ordered red chowder, and it was alright but I wasn't a huge fan. A friend of mine ordered the white chowder, which was too rich for him, and we ended up mixing them and splitting them. So...their red-white mixed chowder is fairly divine. The second time I came, we ordered the seafood sampler plate, and loved every bite of it. Crab, shrimp, salmon, etc. all deep fried and with some yummy sauces. We came in the middle of the afternoon, so things were pretty laid-back. Our food came quickly, although when we were finished it took a while for the waiter to get us our check, for some reason. Pleasant atmosphere. Great location, great view. Has a parking lot. Great for hitting up the Seattle seafood scene (try THAT on for alliteration!).

    (5)

  • Lavone S.

    This place is a good restaurant to have on your list of go-tos. The food isn't spectacular but it is good. There's parking, great views, super friendly staff and attentive waiters. I had the mixed seafood tempura basket and the seafood was a little too oily, except for the salmon - the salmon was so good (this coming from someone who usually dislikes salmon)! We tried the New Jersey chowder (mixture of Boston and Manhattan) and it was delicious. I would come here again with guests from out of town or for another date night with my husband.

    (4)

  • Roni S.

    I do not eat seafood but that doesnt mean my friends need to be punished so we enjoyed lunch here and and I loved it. Great scenery and a nice walk around the docks afterwards. Yes, my hamburger was great :-) With Brittany and Jordan Arnold.

    (4)

  • Joe G.

    No idea why this place is only rated 3.5 stars. Maybe the service can be improved upon but the food..... I had the fresh Halibut and boy was it amazing. Cooked to perfection with an amazing sauce on it. Bomb. The Calamari for app was in point too I almost didn't come here because of the reviews but don't be misled, the food was amazing. My buddy had the Salmon pot pie and the smoky salmon was totally unique and taste was great. We also had the steamed muscles and the seasoning on it was tasty. Also, the crab cakes were totally amazing. No filler. Lots of crab which is very rare. Normally you get more filler than crab. These only had crab. If you are looking for a great seafood rest. Chinooks is a place to visit. Like I said the service could use some help, but the food was perfect!

    (5)

  • Jason T.

    Chinooks is one of my favorite resteraunts in seattle. The seafood is always fresh and delicious, and every item I've ever had is cooked to perfection. The bread is amazing, with sea salt and olive oil and basil.The outside fish bar is also a great place to have lunch, for a decent price.

    (5)

  • Marguerite R.

    The seafood is fresh and wonderfully prepared (you can watch the cooks through the glass). I literally dream about the halibut cakes and when the asian salad with seared tuna is on the menu I have to get that! The brunch is superb, with a salmon scramble and orange scones (free). They'll even serve you oysters in the morning! ... Always reliably delicious. and free parking and a terrific view of the marina.

    (5)

  • C H.

    While I used to go here quite a bit, I hadn't been in a year or so. We had a lousy server. The food always good, he just ruined a special day. Took forever, no personality. We let him know with the tip.

    (2)

  • T J.

    Chinooks is kind of a 3.5 star kind of a place. We go there often and you always know what you're going to get. It's good but not amazing. Great atmosphere. Family friendly. I like the happy hour a lot, especially during the summer months when you an enjoy the patio. They do actually offer and amazing breakfast on the weekends! If you're going for dinner the chowder and the fish tacos are favorites of mine.

    (4)

  • Peggy P.

    loved the setting, boats, nice patio. Not the food so much, crab cakes tasted old. steak was tasteless, ceasar was okay. Server was excellent.

    (2)

  • Alexander T.

    We're mostly weekend breakfast customers: Good: Solid & dependable breakfast menu Seldom a long wait (this may change when defectors to Portage Bay Café in Ballard, tired of snotty eggs and long waits, realize the error of their ways and return) Always a basket of fresh scones with flavored butter. Not GF, tho... sigh. Fisherman's Scramble rocks Good service and pleasant staff Still needs work: Drip coffee pretty yuk -- geez, this is Seattle, got it? McBurger serves better... Few to zero gluten-free options During weekend breakfast peak rush the NOISE can get head-splitting: hang some acoustic dampeners, for goodness' sake! Tiresomely long wait between bill dropoff and payment pickup: we're done over here! Stoopid TVs flickering and blaring in the sports bar section, even on Saturday morn. Been coming here about 15 years, and mostly a good experience. The noise really did get so bad we swore off it at least twice. Then we forget and remember the only the good parts... Oh well.

    (5)

  • Carrisa B.

    Went here with a big group and we were seated right away. We arrived a bit before the dinner hour and there was almost no one there. By the time we left, the restaurant was mostly full. I don't like seafood so had the veggie salad and it was very good. It was already tossed with dressing and it was the perfect amount of dressing. My husband had the chicken fettuccini. He enjoyed it but wishes the menu would have specified it came with tomatoes and mushrooms in the pasta - he doesn't like either of those things so had to pick them all out. Very nice waiter.

    (4)

  • Johnson D.

    I don't often write reviews, but I wanted to give a review to Chinook's because I think it's past due. I gave it five stars because of the never-ending bread basket (fresh and hot), the servers are so friendly. We have been going for years and have seen the same faces a few times. I like that their wines are local. My mom is really picky about wine, not because she is a connoisseur, but because she likes her wine to be light, sweet and fruity. I've been trying to get her to try a local wine that is to her taste and our server recommended a wine that she loves. The server was kind enough to bring the bottle out so I could get a picture and buy some for my mom! For me, friendly service is the number one reason to give five stars. I've always loved the salmon here and my kids gobble the fish and chips. The servings are decent sizes and although some plates are a bit pricey, we always feel good coming here. P.S. We also love the white clam chowder and especially the Oregon Huckleberry dessert (which is big enough for four people to share). P.P.S. Oh, and it's fun to ask for a seat by the window to watch the boats bobbing in the water.

    (5)

  • Jack H.

    Excellent location for Seattle - the view is outstanding and every time I've eaten here, it has been top drawer. Our server this week was cheerful and attentive and made sure we didn't feel rushed. We split a great seafood salad and chicken yakisoba (seasoned perfectly). I avoided the bread, because it is so addictive and we finished with a warm peach cobbler a la mode. I thought I'd have to be carried to my car! Parking is a cinch, but finding the restaurant can be a challenge, but well worth the effort.

    (5)

  • Maeleen H.

    Freshest seafood ever - I had the crab and shrimp Caesar salad. It was super ono. My dad ordered the teriyaki chicken which he ate all of. Our hosts also enjoyed their food. I like any restaurant that gives you free bread as a starter and this bread basket was wonderful. I liked the savory taste. Also I ordered book key lime pie and bread pudding for dessert. YOU MUST ORDER THE BREAD PUDDING! It was the best bread pudding I have ever had and I consider myself to have a discerning palate where bread putting is concerned. it was also massive and decadent and could easily feed 4 people. The view of the boats was awesome - one of the Deadliest Catch boats actually docks here sometimes. Wow - it is Sig's ship. I love looking at water and having cloth napkins and comfortable chairs. Our waiter was awesome for our party of 4 wish I could remember his name. We had exemplary service. Mahalo Chinooks for your superb food and ambience!

    (5)

  • Marla B.

    We have been to Chinook's many times....usually, the food and service are amazing. Usually. On this recent visit, we had a "new" waiter, at least, he told us he was new. Apparently, he didn't seem to get the memo you are not supposed to smoke a bowl before or during your shift. Not only did he not deliver or check on us once our meals were up, but he is guilty of the cardinal sin of (1) not ever bringing us a basket of their signature scones (every table around us had them) and (2) not offering us anything to compensate us for this slight. The restaurant was not that crowded, as a matter of fact, there was never a wait on a Sunday morning? Maybe it's been losing points for a while, and because we live out of town, we didn't know. We drove a long way to treat our family to this historically enjoyable restaurant. We're most likely not going to patronize this restaurant again and are will find another place in the future.

    (1)

  • Cristobal C.

    Love the Cioppino. Fresh seafood in seafood city. It doesn't get better. Fish and chips cooked perfectly.

    (3)

  • Sheron C.

    It's on the waterfront. (add a star) It has friendly, prompt service. (add a star) It has fresh, delicious seafood galore. (add a star) It has indoor, bar or patio seating (and they provide blankets on the patio of you'd like to enjoy the sunshine but find the waterfront breeze a bit nippy). (add a star) Whats not to LOVE? Nothing, that's what. It has all the pros and none of the cons. :) I have been going to Chinook's for years. In fact, this is where my hubby and I had our first official date. And it's never failed us yet. Though we no longer live in Seattle, this is on our must visit spots for the several times a year that we visit.

    (4)

  • Kimmy C.

    Chinook is a never fail restaurant. Today I went there to eat with my family. We had just gone to the fish hatchery earlier today at Leavenworth and enjoyed learning a little about the fish. After we ordered appetizers, BF asked the waiter, Oliver, to bring bread and bring one basket for himself. Our awesome waiter gave us 3 baskets of bread. BF had a basket and a half =P Prices are reasonable as always =) Hurry and get your Chinook salmon before the season is over~!

    (5)

  • Amy B.

    I love living just up the hill from Chinook's. There's always plenty of free parking, plus it's fun to be at Fisherman's Terminal and see the boats out the window. The bread is amazing (which is a unique form of torture when you don't currently eat bread). The pan-fried oysters are a gift from God. The alder plank salmon is so good that our server described it as "the bacon of the sea." My favorites are the mahi tacos and the chicken cobb salad. Also, if it's peach season, the peach slump is unbelievable.

    (5)

  • Dave F.

    July 4th weekend was a nice Seattle run and Chinook's came through as they have many times in the past with an excellent light lunch! Chinook's has moorage, but given proximity to Seattle, this is no longer an option. I had an excellent rare ahi salad and we shared (3 people) a huge strawberry shortcake desert. Chinook's is a casual spot and is owned by Anthony's. As a result, they have some of the freshest seafood you'll find in Seattle. Service is always prompt and their bread (sort of a sponge bread) is to die for. I think I've gone to this spot in excess of 50 times, and it never disappoints! Great meal at a very reasonable price.

    (4)

  • John S.

    I have always liked / loved Chinook's, having had lunch here a number of times over the past 7 or 8 years; but I have never bothered to write them a review. We had a very happy Happy Hour here today and this place gets high marks for service, location / ambiance and food. It is a wee bit on the "spendy" side, but it is worth the stretch if you are on a bit of a budget. The clams, mussels and Mahi Mahi fish tacos were all delicious. Go for the first halibut of the season if / when you can. Our server could not have been more pleasant and the view was so agreeable: of the boats docked at Fisherman's Terminal on a perfect summer day.

    (4)

  • Hoku P.

    Clam appetizer was excellent. My salmon tempura & chips was soggy, but not fishy. Convenient for folks in Magnolia and a decent meal with a great view of the water.

    (3)

  • Jacque C.

    Complete home run for out of town guests, tourists or family who seek a true Seattle experience. The fish and food is consistently excellent, the service is gracious, but professional and the view and atmosphere is classic Seattle. We have been going to Chinooks for 20 years and are considered regulars. It's our 'go-to' for most relaxed, casual evenings out as we are never disappointed. The restaurant is authentic because it's located at Seattle's Fisherman's Terminal with a view of the commercial fleet and the Fisherman's Memorial. The walls are decked with high-quality enlarged photos of fishermen working in the Bering Sea; the images are both gritty and poignant, beautiful and powerful as they can't help but make you think about where your food comes from and the cost of bringing it to the table. It's that wonderfully authentic atmosphere that the restaurant sets that's hard to find anywhere else. If you love seafood; this is the place as the exhibition kitchen prepares the fish with a minimal touch. Fish is cooked perfectly and sauces are light and compliment but do not overpower which would be the ultimate crime. We always come for the copper river salmon but the shellfish dishes are amazing too. They have a good mix of the menu and the prices are good. If you're an oyster lover, you'll find them fresh and large here. The chowder, all kinds, is great and the cannery bread they start every meal with is to die for. Brunch is terrific; the seafood scrambled eggs with a light white sauce is lovely and filling but not heavy. We love the scones with orange butter. Desserts and drinks are driven by what's fresh and in season, such as a peach margarita or, our favorite, a blackberry slump. The restaurant is a client of the amazing Olympic Mountain Ice Cream company. Our family owned a dairy for 100 years and this ice cream is amazing and in a class all it's own and yes, we know high quality food. It's an open restaurant with vaulted ceilings so this is not the place for a quiet romantic dinner with your significant other. Perfect for kids but it's a bit noisy depending upon where you sit. They do not take reservations and most tables have a view of the marina. If you have a big group, arrive early or call ahead, especially if it's a football game day or a Sunday brunch. This is the kind of place where the people you are with take a focus because the food, service and view all add to the experience and do not distract. Chinooks is part of the Anthony's chain but unique in it's own way and we notice the servers stay for years, which is always a good sign. Enjoy.

    (5)

  • Kamie K.

    Living in the Northwest, I feel obligated to bring out-of-town guests to a seafood restaurant. Chinook's is the perfect eatery for a casual dinner with family or a bunch of good friends. There is always a wait in the evening but it doesn't take very long to be seated. On the menu you will find something for everyone. Great salads, tasty seafood and generous bowls of clam chowder for the adults. Grill cheese, macaroni and fish n chips for the kiddies. Service is always prompt and friendly. Parking is easy. And the location is charming; right on the fish canal in Magnolia!

    (4)

  • Kelly H.

    20 of us decided on Chinooks to celebrate a co-worker's retirement last Sunday for brunch. While the view was wonderful I found the cleanliness lacking. They did have our tables all set up and "ready" but they were poorly cleaned ...all of them. First off, our chairs had crumbs. Then I looked around and saw that all of them did! Even the chairs at the tables set for guests not in our party. Then the ceramic dishes that hold the jelly packets were horribly smeared and sticky and the jelly packets themselves were even worse. (ugh) I asked someone who seemed to be a floor manager to take care of the jelly dish issue prior to the rest of our party's arrival. To their credit they did so promptly. The table where we sat had what looked to be a wadded up spitball amongst the condiments where the Tabasco and ketchup bottles were both greasy. Seriously - I've sat at cleaner tables in Chuck E Cheese. Does the staff ever clean these things after each customer seating? Do managers ever check? On to the food; I had the Joe's special and my wife had eggs Benedict. Both were average with the Joe's special lacking any seasoning. On the bright side, our servers were excellent and attentive. Lastly, I used the ladies room on my way out and well, you'd have to see it to understand, but there is the oddest photo hanging on the back of the women's restroom door. It is a large head shot of a fisherman staring - just staring -straight at the camera. So you exit their restroom stall there he is - staring at you. What a weird and inappropriately placed photo. So from now on I will suggest alternatives to Chinooks when planning other brunch outings - no matter how good their view is.

    (2)

  • Nicole C.

    Chinook's is one of our default dinner haunts for both family-night-out and out-of-town guests. It is unbelievably convenient that our favorite fish and chips, mahi-mahi tacos and clam chowder in Seattle are all from the same restaurant. How incredible that they also have consistently fantastic service, great views of the terminal from every table and reasonable prices! All entrees we've tried save one have been top-notch. We've had mixed experience with the lingcod sour-cream thing that is often on the specials sheet, so would recommend choosing something else, but there are many, many delicious alternatives. The standard sides of red potatoes and steamed vegetables are good, but nothing fancy. We were just there last night and had the best halibut and crab cakes of our lives!

    (4)

  • Megan S.

    My family and I have been coming here for years. Great view, great service and a-ok food. I really wish the food were fantastic because then I think I could pump this review up to a 4 star. We headed here Saturday morning for brunch. I love seafood and trout and eggs for breakfast sounded crazy good. I saw the words "pan fried" but I didn't realize it would be a sad slip of a fish filet fried a bit too much and maybe even re-heated and given to me. And why are the eggs so yellow? Methinks they come from a container and not an egg; however they were good and so were the roasted potatoes. Ok, but price? I paid about $14 for this sad little trout and eggs. The table scones are awesome with the orange butter. So good we got another basket-full. I probably woulda been happy w/the just the scones and coffee. But the view takes all. I love the huge windows on a drizzly Seattle morning. After brunch you can wander to the waterfront and check out the fisherman's memorial and look at all the boats. Its a very relaxing space to be with your family and I'm sure I'll be back.

    (3)

  • Tom C.

    The little lady had a hankering for some good clam chowder and a friend told us to try the dock area. We saw 3 different places and chose Chinooks. First off, it must have been old folks day cuz I didn't see anyone under 55! it was about 2:30pm ish on a Wed and a little busier than we expected for 230. I tried the clam chowder and also the shrimp/crab caesar salad. Both were good, but I think the salad was over priced at $18 for what you got. You can get just the shrimp caesar for I think about half if memory serves...shoulda went for that. The little lady had some mussel thing that I dont care for, but she said it was good and didn't have any complaints. They do start you with some pretty good bread- very buttery. Service was very good. Atmosphere was good. All in all, it was good - we would probably try one of the other places next door before we returned to Chinooks just to try something new, but we will probably come back at some point.

    (3)

  • Stephanie I.

    Really good and fresh food! My favorite of the night were the mussels/clams - use the bread to dip it in the extra sauce...mmmmm yum. Also had the fish tacos, which were really good. Crab cakes also a winner, although they were a bit small. We sat outside on the patio which is right by the marina - really pretty, especially as the sun is setting! And as a bonus, they have blankets for those who are not used to the chill of Seattle nights :)

    (4)

  • Steven - Lorilei S.

    6-17-13. Monday night all you care to eat Alaskan cod in a light batter with chips, $15.95. This historic location rivals San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, almost.

    (4)

  • KJ L.

    We went to Chinooks for my birthday and had a great experience. We even got served by the manager that was attentive and watching all the food go out! Great to know they are meeting standards. Their Seafood was great! Cooked to perfection well seasoned and well sauced. But I do suggest you stick with the seafood! Which they are great at! My mom ordered the chicken Yakasoba, which I thought would be hard to mess up, but the chicken was well over cooked, and so were the veggies. There wasn't near enough sauce for all the noodles piled on her plate, and she was to nice to send it back. :( The one thing you have to try when you go is their Bread Pudding for dessert!! No raisins so soggy soaking bread. But a delicious creamy bread pudding packed with amazing warm flavors! Only order one piece though it is quite big! Also their coffee is to die for. I'm kinda a coffee snob and they serve Mukilteo Coffee Anthony's blend which was perfect creamy bold make your mouth water type of coffee! Overall a good experience.

    (3)

  • Georgie M.

    Our family have eaten here many times, including their smaller take-out speciality restaurant, Little Chinooks. This is a great NW fish house and should be part of any seafood trek, say to Anthony's, Palisades, etc. As good as it gets Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Cherie W.

    The view is still spectacular, the service friendly but my salmon taco at lunch was over cooked, under seasoned and over priced. Very disappointing as we used to really enjoy Cninook's.

    (2)

  • Mad M.

    WTF HAPPENED?! I went for lunch today and ordered the barbecue garlic shrimp, which is usually simple and predictably tasty. Today, it was just nasty. Unappetizing, bland shrimp sitting on top of a pile of cheap potato cubes that were, in turn, floating in a puddle of grease, garlic, and some kind of unrecognizable gnarly green fragments of leafy stuff. I dabbed off what grease I could on the edge of my plate and left most of it uneaten. I would have brought this Failure Pile in a Sadness Bowl* to the attention of my waitress, but she kept looking at me like I came from Mars or something. Not that I'm particularly typical in appearance compared to the average person you see on TV, but for chrissakes, this is Seattle--get over it. As a result, I wasn't in the mood to deal with a complaint. After I got home I spent the next hour on the toilet, hopefully because of the grease. I guess I'll find out in the next 24 hours or so if it was a food-borne illness. I had to reschedule an afternoon work appointment as well. I will probably not be willing to give this restaurant another try, and it used to be a favorite of mine. Sad trombone. :( *Thank you Patton Oswalt

    (1)

  • Ken C.

    Came here with a group of 5 adults and 1 baby for Sunday brunch. They didn't take reservations but we were seated pretty quickly. I also enjoyed the fact that this place is a little tucked away and they have their own parking lot so parking was a breeze. The menu is pretty standard but that's not a bad thing since so many other restaurants can screw up the classics. They start you off with a free basket of scones. The scones were accompanied by some butter with orange zest and they were tasty. We ordered a couple benedicts, a traditional breakfast, and I got the Dungenous crab cake benedict. The food was good, service was good, environment was fun and casual, and the prices were very reasonable at around $10-$20/per dish. Great place for family's, a group of friends, or married couples. I'd come back here for sure.

    (4)

  • Lloyd B.

    I kinda guessed that this would be a great last seafood meal to cap off our 30 day visit to Seattle, and was I ever right! Service was attentive, never intrusive. The environment was somewhat rustic/fancy with great views of the commercial fishing fleet just outside their large windows. My wife ordered Alder Planked Wild Alaska Silver Salmon roasted on an alder plank in the traditional northwest style. finished with smoked sweet pepper beurre blanc. I had the Fisherman's Cioppino. All the seafood tasted very fresh and cooked wonderfully. I must say the silver salmon was the best salmon I have ever eaten! The clams and mussels also the same quality plus I had some lingcod in my cioppino. We couldn't resist the dessert and had a huge huckleberry ice cream Sunday topped with huckleberry sauce and whipped cream. Enough for at least two people, well these two people! Add to this a half pitcher of their fine house wine and we had a bill of $68. The only and small negative we had was the bread wasn't better than average or perhaps a bit lower but I won't take any stars from them We had our memorable meal.

    (5)

  • David P.

    Food is great, and the atmosphere is perfect. Our first time here as new locals to the area, and based on today's experience, we've planned to make Chinooks one of our regular restaurants.

    (5)

  • Sharon F.

    Wow. I was not only impressed with how fresh the seafood is prepared here, but the ingredients, service and beautiful environment is top-notch. Situated beside Salmon Bay, the restaurant gets a great view of the marina at sunset and in the evening. We got a nice booth and was able to look out into the clear night sky and still water. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable and explained to us the difference between different salmons. Namely Coho, Sockeye and Chinook salmon. He was absolutely right with the flavours of the salmon. More on that later. They offered a generous portion of free bread - an herby foccasia that dips great with the sauces from our dishes. We ordered Dungeness crab cakes to start, which came with a lemon butter sauce and a spicy chili sauce. Both sauces were great and the crab cakes were 100% crab and melted in your mouth. This is a seasonal product, so try and ask for it. Between 3 of us we also ordered a dungeness crab & shrimp fettuccine (sauce is very buttery but flavoured just right), a garlic chili prawns (spicy and served with bread and potatoes) and a seasonal special of Alaskan halibut and Coho salmon alder planked with a smoked garlic basil beurre blanc and seasonal vegetables. Simultaneously we all exclaimed, "this is the best tasting halibut we've ever had!" Basically the smoked beurre and alder plank method brought out the oiliness of the halibut and complimented the fish perfectly. Unfortunately we didn't have room for dessert, as they had a whole Local Berry list which looked delightful. I'm definitely coming back before the season is over and for Happy Hour.

    (4)

  • Sean C.

    One of my all time favorites to eat when I come home to Seattle. As a former commercial salmon fisherman, and a family history of the same, we have high standards for fresh fish and the art of "Pacific Northwest fresh" food. Chinooks never lets us down! If I need to step away from just a filet of fresh salmon or nice baked code/halibut, my all time favorite is the Cioppino, which has incredible balance of the light sauce, shellfish and fish, and the fennel! I highly recommend. For an app, I almost always start with the great bred and BBQ garlic prawns!

    (5)

  • Nadia A.

    It's one of my all time favorite seafood places around Ballard. Doesn't get better than this place.

    (5)

  • Lisa D.

    Went for lunch. The complimentary bread is delicious; warm and full of herbs, with a buttery crust. The blue plate fish special was good, a rockfish filet that was cooked perfectly and served with a fresh tomato sauce. Service was ok; prompt when we were seated, then slow. Our water glasses went unfilled for too long. The view is lovely, especially if you get a seat by the window. The biggest problem here? N O I S Y! It was hard to have a conversation due to the din. Great people watching, though. I'll come back - it's tasty!

    (3)

  • Henry L.

    I like Chinook's! It's part of the Anthony's family of restaurants. This is a place where you can get top notch quality seafood, in a much more relaxed atmosphere. Not that I'm not a fan of Anthony's, but there are sometimes when just a little more casual is in order, this place fits the bill. There is nothing on the menu that I can't recommend! If you want a caloric decadent splurge...the Bread Pudding..one serving will feed 4, after the first bite, there will be a fight as to who gets it!

    (4)

  • N B.

    Having been here before my expectations were pretty high. I ordered the Dungeness Crab Cakes $26.95 got two crab cakes potatoes and some zucchini. A bit high priced but it was cooked well and I enjoyed it. Also ordered the Dungeness crab chowder in a cup and it was mostly veggies and broth and I found maybe 2 pieces of crab at most, had to ask server for more which they gladly provided. The bread is yummy and the views of the harbor and the fishing boats are great. The last visit was at the end of a Alaska cruise and a couple of the deadliest catch boats where there in the harbor. It was also right about the time Captain Phil from the Cornelia Marie passed away so they had a memorial there for him. Service Good, ambiance is good, food is good. Just was let down with the price of the crab cakes and only getting 2 of them. I would have expected for the price to get at least 3-4 not 2 but heh it is what it is. Hopefully they listen to the review and will change when we return again in May with my father for an alaska cruise. Even if not I would recommend it to clients and friends and family visiting the area.

    (4)

  • Joshua H.

    Great place to come for happy hour. Good food happy hour specials and drink specials. Salmon spread and steamer clams, and a few other options on the happy hour menu are great. My partner and I both had a drink each, and 2 appetizers a piece and the bill came to around $25. Good deal and great food and service. It's. Bit out of the the way if you are coming from downtown, or have to get off I-5, but if you're in the neighborhood, might as well give it a shot

    (4)

  • Kellie C.

    Chinook's is owned by Anthony's and is basically the same as every other location. I suggest coming here for happy hour when the weather is nice. I like to sIt on the patio and have a $5 glass of wine with $5 manila clams and their delicious bread.

    (4)

  • Max P.

    Awesome location! I have been coming to Chinook's for about 15 years. The bread you get before your meal is amazing. The wait is sometimes a long time (especially if you want a view). While your waiting there is a clear window where you can see the kitchen working and the chefs flaming up some items. You can also walk the piers before or after your meal where sometimes you can see some of the boats from Deadliest Catch Tv show. I love the pasta and the salmon burgers but you can't really go wrong with anything.

    (4)

  • Victoria C.

    Chinook's is far better than its sister restaurant (Anthony's)--a great default place for someone wanting seafood at a place with a view, and have to park downtown. PROS: 1. Speed of light service. We were seated right away, presented with menus right away, and the food came out (I kid you not, makes you kinda wonder how fresh the stuff is) not more than a minute after we ordered. It's like they had everything just waiting under the heat lamp to be delivered. 2. Pretty tasty food. I got the BBQd shrimp (aka New Orleans style shrimp). It was very well-seasoned with lots of Cajun spices, pepper, herbs, etc. The only complaint that I have is that it was all kind of soaked in a buttery/oily sauce. Good, but not terribly healthy. They also serve you a warm foccacia type bread to start. CONS: 1. Sub-par atmosphere. Not the cleanest or most ambient. For some reason, it was kind of loud inside. And the booth had crumbs of food and rice that I had to wipe away before I sat down (gross). 2. A little pricey for what you get. My BBQd shrimp meal was $15, and you only get 7 smallish shrimps.

    (3)

  • Robert B.

    I give Chinooks a very solid 4 stars; I wish I could give 4.5 Chinooks is simply 'great seafood without the attitude'. You'll notice if you read my reviews I was not at all impressed with the tres expen$ive Waterfront Seafood Grill, but I give these guys all but 5 stars. The reason is this: they consistently over-deliver on what they promise, whereas WSG promised mountains and delivered molehills. With seafood, the bottom line is 'less is more'. Serve the best quality seafood you can get, prepare it simply, and let the fish speak for itself. Chinooks 'gets it'. They get the best and freshest quality seafoods they can get and go with very basic preparation and presentation, but what you get is always great. Fresh baked bread from the oven is tasty and soft, their chowders are fairly bursting with briny clammy goodness, and even the 'frozen at sea' salmon has the texture of fresh (I have what I call the 'rose petal' test: if the individual flakes of flesh peel off a filet like moist rose petals, the fish is 'right'. Service is excellent for such a busy dining room. They hire service professionals for their competence before their looks. Our server was a portly older gentleman who attended to our needs as perfectly as any member of Canlis' staff. He was worth his weight in perky but dumb 'hi-my-name-is-Brandi-and-I'm-your-server' types. The only reason Chinooks doesn't get 5 stars is the dining room is a bit on the loud side (granted, this is the ambiance they sought to create), and I would like to see just a bit more variety in presentation of seafood, but these are small issues. If you want good, fresh, tasty seafood, served competently, in an interesting space (love the big photographic murals of commercial fishing), this place is for you. Chinooks actually enjoys the rare status of a place you'd take out-of-town visitors to to capture 'The Seattle Experience', but the food is good enough to keep locals coming back. I say check it out, and you won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Dest S.

    I've lived in Seattle for nearly 30 years and I'd never been to Fishermen's Terminal. We got free scones and looked at boats. Winner!

    (4)

  • Kayan H.

    Pretty good and reasonable prices. Waiter was kind of unattentive. I had the shrimp louis and it wasn't anything special. Fish tacos looked good.

    (3)

  • Srta L.

    We just went to try for the 1st time this place. So we started w/Happy Hour :) All dishes are $5 and bread only $2. After ordering 4 different plates plus bread and one drink each other, the bill with tax and services was no more than $40 for 2 people. We ordered the clams, mahimahi tacos, ahi tacos, fried calamari and all was great. good quality and service was ok too Definitely to try for dinner. I checked their menu and seems yummy as well.

    (4)

  • Tina M.

    I love this place . I love the Scones they give you for breakfast before your food arrives . The servers are always the same they are polite they know almost EVERTHING about the food and the local area . I love Mimosa's theirs are ok . But it's hard to beat the ones at The Lucky Diner in Belltown (5stars) . The view is amazing its just a simple good solid place to eat . Clean and tidy :) I will be back .

    (4)

  • Anna S.

    Went there for dinner yesterday, overall not impressed. The view gets 5 stars, but everything else was subpar. It's a huge establishment, and although we went kind of late for dinner (around 8pm), the noise was similar to a high school cafeteria. We were seated and had to wait about 5 minutes before the server came over. Ordered bbq prawns for the appetizer, I had mahi-mahi tacos and bf had fish and chips. The food was OK, although nothing to rave about. I was disappointed with the appetizer, the taste was good but come on, 4 prawns on a bed of potatoes with chunks of bread on the side for $10.95? It's an appetizer! Service was virtually non-existant, not rude or anything, just.. not there. I think I would go for little chinooks next time and eat outside by the water.

    (3)

  • Morgan L.

    Maybe it was the company I shared a meal with, maybe it is the fishing boats, maybe it's that damn addictive bread, but I can never turn down Chinooks! This is a perfect lunch spot. I especially love coming here with my Dad because he seems to be in an all-around better mood when that bread is set down in front of him. Me: Dad, I really need to pay for _______ so can you _______ if I ________?? Dad: Tough. Me: But... Dad: What don't you understand about tough? Me: *tears* Dad: Stop it! Cry cry crycry, if I didn't know better I was sitting here with one of your brothers. *mean Chicago look* -- waitress sets down bread wrapped in a warm linen thing -- Me: Oh bread..hmm... Dad: *Slaps hands together and rubs them slightly before revealing the kryptonite* So how much exactly do you need? Me: :)

    (4)

  • Rose V.

    Great seafood, nice view of the fishermans warf. Manila clams were steamed perfectly. Shrimp scampi was buttery and delicious. Good beers on tap as well.

    (4)

  • K H.

    Seems as if they have changed the breading on the Fish and Chips. I no longer can recommend it. Last night's fish and chips was soggy and mushy. Seemed more like a batter dipped fish and chips than the wonderful panko breaded of my prior review.

    (3)

  • Chris B.

    Having been to Chinook's several times before my girlfriend and I want to go for brunch one time. We sat in the bar area, which like most of the restaurant, has a great view of Fisherman's terminal. There always seems to be seating in the bar for groups of four or less, at least the time I have been there. The first thing the waitress brings is a basket of our warm homemade scones served with orange honey butter. The butter is amazing! I ordered Chinook's Famous Salmon Cake & Eggs which comes with red potatoes and a side of hollandaise. Great flavor in the salmon cakes and overall are really good breakfast.

    (4)

  • Lindsay I.

    Chinooks get three stars for good seafood, a plentiful menu, and a lovely outdoor seating area. I had the Seared Sesame Tombo Salad (Sesame crusted rare tuna on "mixed greens" with tomato and mango salsa and a mango dressing with crispy wontons) which was good, but by the time my order was taken and delivered to me I had a stomach ache from not eating all day (I traveled 12 hours from NYC!) and then stuffing myself on their complimentary bread. The Peach lemonade was delicious. -2 stars for the slow wait staff.

    (3)

  • Mark F.

    This review is the synthesis of no fewer than 25 visits to this Ballard tourist landmark - we live close by and keep hoping this place will get better. It never does. If you are a tourist, and you don't know the difference between King and Chum salmon, this is the place for you. Actually, that's not fair -- to the chum salmon. In my opinion, this place is the worst offender of any restaurant, because it relied on tourists to make its bank - it has little regard for anyone who will judge it on its merits for return trips. The restaurant features disinterested staff, and little -- if no regard - for well prepared food. The wine list is a step above that found at the most rudimentary brew pub. NOTE TO SELF -- any restaurant that has their name and logo imprinted on the wine glass should be avoided, at all costs. We came in for brunch last Sunday, and sat at the counter for a full 5 minutes -- asked for coffee, even a glass of water. We could have been speaking Serbo-Croatian. Nothing, Nada. After 9 minutes of watching completely idle servers look out at the water, we left. The only good thing I can offer about Chinooks is its proximity to Bay Cafe, 30 feet away. In the aforementioned example, we walked over to this true Seattle diner. Our butts hadn't hit the vinyl booth before a professional waitress was there, coffee in hand. That's how it should be. Please, owners of Chinooks, know that your place could be good, even great, if you cared. But then again, your business model is predicated on those who will never return.

    (2)

  • S W.

    Great food, great view. Worth it. Had the BBQ prawns and salmon, both really good. They were also very helpful and accommodating with my son's food allergies.

    (4)

  • Molly B.

    My husband and I went here last night for our one year anniversary, and we were NOT impressed. We came from out of state and somebody had recommended it before we left. The wait to be seated wasn't long, and our appetizers were great (clam chowder and calamari), but the experience went downhill from there. Our server did not have any personality; we let him know it was our anniversary and we did not even get a congratulations or any well wishes. When we asked him a few times about what he thought about two different menu options, he seemed to pick the more expensive dishes. We ended up having to switch tables because the sunlight was in our eyes during sunset, and after getting permission to move, nobody helped move our dishes and glasses over. When we got our food, the potatoes and green beans did not seem cooked through and almost raw yet. I ordered the Dungeness crab cakes and my husband ordered Alaskan salmon. The wait for the food was too long, which we did not complain about, and they did offer us free dessert. For the amount of money we paid to eat this food, it was not worth it. People say "you eat with your eyes" and for the first time, I think I understand what that means, as our plates did not look as appetizing as it should've been for the price we paid. We were really disappointed. We wish it was a better experience for our first anniversary dinner. Bummed.

    (2)

  • Cecilia V.

    I agree with Joe B. on how Chinooks is like a comfortable pair of jeans. Always know what the expect. Not too fancy. But always a go to. So nice to sit outside in the summer then walk the docks afterwards. I would say avoid little Chinooks and come straight in here. I kind of like the boisterous open atmosphere. Food is solid, I've tried a large portion of the menu and nothing has ever been bad bad.

    (5)

  • DAVID L.

    Occasion: Lunch We arrived at 3pm and the place was pretty packed for a Sunday. The place is fairly big and a large amount of natural light comes in. It has a great view of the water and very casual environment. The bread was really good, but it was buttery/oily (eg. walk an extra mile or do 30 minutes more exercising, etc.) We had the Oyster sampler and the Cod and Salmon Fish & Chips. Everything was really great. The coleslaw that came with the entre was not mixed with too much mayo, but had some kind of vinaigrette. The fries were very tasty! Service was a little weak; however, the food was well worth the taste. If you have outside family/visitors, take them here. Great oyster selection if you're into that and highly recommend for everything else.

    (4)

  • Philip L.

    I like this place. Mostly because of location and service. I've been trying to have an affair with an old high school sweetheart and this is where we usually meet when I'm sneaking around. Food is pretty good. Service is always excellent - though I've only eaten in the bar where I have a view of the fishing fleet across the table from my first true love. Kinda' like watching The Deadliest Catch during their summer hiatus. Even though my former love has dumped me, again, second time in nearly 50 years, I still go there for the memories and the free parking. Besides, she usually parks next to me and makes it easy to find my way back to my own car. My word, but she still looks like the 15 year old girl I once fell in love with. I think this may be part of a chain - like Anthony's, but for some reason seems a lot better.. It's really quite good.... Seriously K, please call me...

    (4)

  • Cynthia C.

    A group of my colleagues and I went for lunch here last week forgetting how appallingly bad the accoustics are so it's not good at all for a big group or the hard of hearing. The food was disappointing. I had fish and chips which was bland with thick, doughy breading. Edible but just barely.

    (2)

  • Kathy R.

    Had my folks in town this weekend and they loved Chinook's. Personally, if they are happy then I am happy. Dad loves a chowder that will hold his spoon vertically. I think that's supposed to be a chili test but Dad applies it to chowder. Chinook's passed! Mom enjoyed the fish and chips. Husband thought the salmon cakes were just terrific. I had the chicken Cobb Salad. I felt overfished after three days of sampling restaurants with my folks. Good view, good memories of a pleasant meal with my family, fun walk around the boats afterwards. The total opposite of our over hyped, over busy, over priced, way less enjoyable meal at Salty's. Yuck. Bring your out of town guests to Chinook's.

    (4)

  • Jamie U.

    Just as with their Lil Chinnoks, I'll keep it to the point. UNDERWHELMED flavors, OVERWHELMED prices. For being a NW seafood restaurant they should know better than the fuss with fish too much. Keep it simple and maybe simplify your prices a bit too. Or if not, dress up the place and make it feel like fine dining prices. One good thing I can say is the fish tacos are ok, and the view is great. I do like the review, "like a nice Olive Garden."

    (1)

  • S Z.

    Ordered Dungeness Crab and Shrimp Fettuccine. The dish arrived with 1 small alive of crab which I ate first and it was ice cold. I sent it back and it came back looking considerably smaller portion. I asked the waiter if it had crab in it because he called it shrimp fettuccine and it did not look at all like the original dish I had. It looked considerably smaller. He told me that he was told the crab was mixed in. There was no crab in it. I told the waitress, who was very good, and she said they took my plate back and reheated it. So you gave me the original piece of crab thrown on cold on the first service and then just reheated my food. I find that pretty distasteful. Another person in the party had potatoes that we hard and not cooked. They took her plate back and changed the potatoes. So 2 out of 8 people did not have their meals while the others ate. I expect my food to be hot and correct the first time, not to be reheated. Reheated is never the same and somewhere I lost my one piece of crab (maybe 1/2 in long) and had a bunch of bay shrimp with no flavor. The waitress said she would talk to the manager. When I saw the meal was still on the bill for full price, I asked her and she said the manager would not do anything about it. So I am doing something about it. It is a gorgeous setting but if the manager thinks that dish was the best they could do, then I am writing this review. BTW, I never have gotten this disgusted with a restaurant manager to write a review. Again, the waitress was very good and the service was good but the kitchen and manager ruined my experience.

    (1)

  • Cara S.

    I used to love this place. Had a very average meal yesterday. Still love the chowder but the entree lacked luster. Also was very disappointed that there was no halibut on the menu.

    (3)

  • Ian L.

    Excellent food! Excellent service! I had the Alden planked king salmon and the crispy calamari strips. Highly recommended! Nancy was very helpful, and very friendly!

    (5)

  • Courtney M.

    I came here on a recent work trip, and the food was well worth the trip. It ended up being a beautiful day in Seattle, so we sat outside. Don't go right into the restaurant - head to the dock and look at the statue and the small monument of names of men who have died in the fishing industry. My dining companions told me that Deadliest Catch often films in this area. Service was very quick. The bread they serve when you sit down is TO DIE FOR - warm, garlicky, salty deliciousness. I had to use all my willpower to not scarf it down! I ordered a cod dish, which actually wasn't my favorite preparation (it ended up having a thick layer of sour cream - kind of odd for fish), but it still wasn't bad. I didn't order dessert, but they were featuring in-season specials, which were strawberries at the time. Overall, this is a cool location with great food.

    (4)

  • Doug C.

    Like a nice Olive Garden. Tucked away in the Fisherman's Terminal, the insides are coated with windows so that you can look out into the bay. Granted, at night it's mostly the bobbing of numerous ships moored here, but still a pleasant sight. Upon entering, the staff was friendly and we were seated in about 5 seconds. The waitress seemed to magically appear next to the table frequently to take orders, offer drinks and ask how the meal was going. Boldly, I started with the White Russiantini. Now, I know that there's a rule that a guy shouldn't order a drink that ends in a vowel, but this was well done and should be an exception to that rule. This was followed by the shrimp fettucini which I enjoyed: they mixed in tiny shrimp, so you didn't have to dislocate your jaw to fit both the noodles and seafood in at the same time. Prices ranged between reasonable and slightly higher end: entrees started around $10 and streak up toward $30. Writing this, I'd waffled between three and four stars here. In the end I'm going with three: everything was solidly done and I would (and probably will) go back here.

    (3)

  • John S.

    The breakfast selection is right up there with the best of them. The meal starts with complementary scones and orange marmalade butter. Very tasty!! The omelets are modestly sized, but quite fluffy; they're served with traditional fried potatoes and fruit (honeydew melon). The sausage isn't great, but it's guaranteed to make your pooch happy if you happen to slip a piece into your purse. The staff is very friendly and attentive. And the view of the "fleet" can't be be beat. Great way to start a weekend!

    (5)

  • Naveed N.

    I'll start off by saying i'm not the biggest cooked seafood fan in the world (I do however love oysters, sushi, seared ahi, etc.) I had been here previously when I was a kid, but didn't remember a thing. This was a great experience! Went and and met some family friends there who had already been seated, which made beating the dinner rush much more bearable! As others have mentioned the warm bread they bring out is delicious, addicting, and filling! (beware) I ordered a nice summery beer which was cold and delicious. The manhattan clam chowder was perfect, and of course I added a generous amount of hot sauce and oyster crackers. For dinner I got the mahi mahi fish tacos, which were delicious, and not too saucy (as i've experienced elsewhere). I also nibbled a bit on others shrimp ceaser, tempura seafood platter, ahi salad (with fresh mangos, avacado, etc.)- all were delicious. The specials for dessert currently consisted of various Washington Peach options, which called for wrapping things up with a warm peach cobbler with ice cream.. No complaints! Service was great, beautiful water view and sunset, and ambience is what you'd expect for a family seafood restaurant.. nothing fancy but nice nonetheless given the context. There were 6 of us, 5 alcoholic drinks, few starters, 6 entrees, and 2 desserts- Total came to $199.97, quite fair if you ask me! Highly recommended!

    (4)

  • Linda H.

    We decided to give Chinook's a try for Saturday morning breakfast after reading positive reviews. We arrived around 9:00 and were seated quickly. The first thing I noticed was that my fork was stuck to my napkin with food. When our waitress arrived, she exchanged my silverware and napkin for a clean set and poured me a cup of coffee. No refills were forthcoming until just before we left. We were excited to try the scones, but they were cold, hard and dried out when they arrived. We ordered an egg, potatoes and bacon and a pancake and eggs breakfast - the eggs were very under cooked ( we had asked for "over medium") and the potatoes tasted off. The bacon and pancakes were good! All in all, for $28, this breakfast was one of the worst I've had in a long time! To be fair, we noticed a server in the area adjoining ours who was energetically pouring coffee, bringing baskets of what looked like fresh scones to his tables and checking in frequently on his customers. And this was in spite of an injured arm! Though I doubt he could have improved the quality of the food, I'm sure those in his area at least had a second cup of coffee and maybe scones worth eating.

    (2)

  • Mr. F.

    The view is great. No question. The free bread was very good, and we noticed they didn't bring the bread until we had ordered food (do people actually come for the free bread thinking they don't have to order food?). The problem for us, really, was the food. My fish in the fish and chips was not seasoned at all. No sign of salt or pepper. Yes, a person can shake salt and pepper on food, but fried food must be seasoned either in the batter or immediately after frying for it to be properly seasoned. Neither happened here. Odd, to say the least. My daughter--not a fish fan--ordered the teriyaki chicken burger with "chicken, teriyaki sauce, and cheese--nothing else." They put a bunch of mayo on it, and my daughter was in no mood to send it back. She ate half of the sandwich. Sigh. The upshot was I spent $55 (three total people in the party), and the food was approximately 50 percent satisfying. In school, 50 percent is a failing grade. Amazing what a restaurant can get away with in the food category when they have a good view.

    (2)

  • Andrew L.

    Had the Parmesan battered halibut. The fish was good but kind of a small portion. The fish was more like Talapia, very thin piece of fish. The rest of the plate was also so so. Veggies kind of over cooked. I also had the clam chowder, this was okay. It had clams, but the soup was watered down. Overall the presentation of my plate could have been a lot better. This place does not deserve more than 3 stars for the overall food quality and quantity.

    (3)

  • Ninja S.

    This is the cozy place on the working dock where, I imagine, the neighborhood little old ladies and fisherman's mothers come to have a little lunch. The old timey style is nice. I like the classy vibe. The food isn't really that amazing though. It's moderately priced and you get some moderate food out of them. I've tried a few things here and the safest play seems to be the specials. Some other areas of the menu may yield disappointment, but the special always seem to be worth it. Conditions permitting, try having a lemonade on the patio in the sun.

    (3)

  • Peter L.

    This is my favorite place in all of Seattle to take family/friends visiting from out of town. They have great food, above-average adult beverages, generally good service (it can be "hit or miss" at times, we've had noticeably bad service more than once here -- but at the vast majority of visits it's been quite good overall). It's no hyperbole to say that their bread (its some sort of focaccia) that they serve prior to your meal is the single greatest (addicting) bread I have found in 10+ years of living in the Pacific Northwest. It's ridiculously good and makes this place worth coming to instead of the other Anthony's restaurants. I've had their salmon cooked multiple different ways, as well as the Halibut Caddy Ganty - basically a chunk of halibut marinated in wine and covered in a thick sour-cream based sauce -- it's a (rich) slice of heaven. The seafood mac-n-cheese is also outstanding. This isn't a super-expensive restaurant, but it's not a place to come to on a tight budget, either. Check out their menus online (which aren't the full menus!) if you need a better idea of prices, etc. The view is great, nice ambiance (aside from it being relatively noisy at peak times), and consistently good food -- this is why Chinook's is a go-to place to bring folks who are visiting Seattle from other parts of the country.

    (5)

  • Jenny S.

    What a great spot! Delicious tacos, ahi tuna salad, oysters, desserts. And my god the BREAD. That's worth breaking the diet for. Service is so-so, hence the lack of one star. But overall a tasty outing!

    (4)

  • Melody P.

    After my tax return this year, I asked my sister where she'd like to go and I would treat her a nice dinner. She picked Chinook's. We used to live very close to the restaurant and come a few times ago. It was nice to visit again after moving away from the area for few years. Location / Decor: It's location in Fishermen's Terminal in Magnolia. I think it's kind of out of the way. But, there's a very nice water front view. In summer time, you can sit outside. There are tables along the windows. And, tables and booths in the middle of the restaurant. They have kind have a open kitchen where you can see the cooking action when you walk by. I really enjoyed having dinner there. Service: My sister made some special request with her meal. They made what she wanted. The lady who served our table was able to give good recommendation. Food: I love their bread. The bread goes really well with the steamed mussels and clams. We had two different cod entrees and they were fresh, well cooked and well presented. There wasn't no leftover that night. We will totally come back again!

    (4)

  • Michele D.

    Once again after almost 15 years of coming to Chinooks, we are never disappointed. Today while here from CA we stopped in for lunch before leaving town and while Halibut was not offered on the lunch menu our lovely waitress, Jen went and asked the kitchen if they would prepare our favorite dish! Yes!!! Many thanks to the kitchen for obliging us. It was cooked perfectly and as always the bread: soda focaccia was perfect. We finished off the lunch with the blackberry cobbler. The view, the meal and time with family could not have been any more perfect! Thank you Chinooks!

    (5)

  • David D.

    Post Review Update: Spoke to the GM who was receptive to my comments and critique. It is my hope that such an institution will work to prevent experiences like ours. I am hopefully that our conversation will lead to improvements. To start with the positives, the view is amazing and the plank salmon is worth every penny. Original Review: Sadly I was a huge fan of Chinooks as a tried and true dinner destination when I'm in town until last night. Called to see if they take reservations and that was a big negative. Ok...I'm not regular and that was no problem, we'd just wait at the bar until a table opens. So we head out through the fog looking forward to oysters and plank cooked salmon. As they said when we called there was about a 15 minute wait at 7:45pm on the day after Christmas. So group headed to the bar......me...."Would like to order some oysters".....bartender....."we're out". Cue the sound guys to give the "THUD" sound as my jaw hit the bar. I know the look on my face was "Are you messing with me"! Or WTF!! Yep!!....Chinooks was not only out of oysters, mussels, clams, silver salmon and several other of their "daily specials"! I found the manager on duty, Jacob, who with a charming smile on his face explained that they have a hard time figuring out how much to order because they don't want "spoilage". After the conversation with him and our server, I left feeling less than happy with the situation and why I feel it's important to write this review. I don't believe the story that they "just ran out", I would bet that someone forgot to put in an order. During a holiday week how can you run out of anything?! Here's the take away: CALL BEFORE YOU GO!!!! Ask them if they've done their jobs and ordered enough product. Find out if you plan on being there in an hour will they have anything left. And be specific! Other notes: BBQ Prawns-Bland with out much flavor, heavy on the potatoes and over cooked! Fried Calamari-Very average, served on with tartar sauce and lemon, no cocktail sauce. If you want marinara sauce it wil cost you a $1.25 Alder plank King Salmon-Very good Gumbo-Good Pike Kilt lifter Scottish Ale-Very good Chinooks has turned into an average tourist destination with several very well done menu items but an overall less then impressive experience. The view is what you'd want to go for. It is sadly not the food. There are so many other wonderful water front restaurants that work hard to do it right each and every night. While no one is perfect, I suspect that Chinooks has become too "corporate" for my tastes or another visit.

    (2)

  • Lillian H.

    pretty chill place. super big. cool that you get a decent view of the boats. only downside was the food. fish and chips was.... had a funky smell/taste to it. oysters weren't the best but decent.

    (3)

  • Chantal C.

    Great place to bring people from out of town. Beautiful ambiance both day and night. The food is good. Happy hour oyster shooters are a great start to a solid quintessential Seattle meal. Highly recommended!

    (4)

  • Joe B.

    Chinook's is like that well worn pair of jeans and the big, soft T-shirt you keep around longer than you should. It's comforting. The food is solid, the service is excellent and the view is interesting and if you go during those couple of great months in Seattle you can sit outside in the sun! It is true that it can get a bit loud in there but the warm, soft bread they put out for you helps overcome that. I love the Halibut Tacos and their Cioppino while The Wife will just order the Wild Mountain Blackberry Cobbler. The menu is so large that if you can't find something that you like on the menu you just can't be satisfied. Oh, and free parking!!!

    (4)

  • Chris M.

    The Good- Decent parking and they do take reservations for the busier hours. The place is immaculate including the bathrooms. Comfortable seats and a great bar area play second fiddle to the star of the show here- the view. Huge windows give the perfect view of Fishermans Terminal and all of the fishing fleet based in Seattle. Come in the winter to see more boats since they are out most of the summer. The food is good if not great but this is a place more for taking visiting friends than a local hangout. The food is reasonably priced despite what I call a view tax. If you have guests in and want Northwest ambience without the hustle and bustle of the waterfront this is your place. The Bad- The food is not as good as some other restaurants of this genre ie; Other Anthony's establishments, Ray's Boathouse or Salty's. It is not bad by any means but if food is your only driving force you may want to look at other options. My server my last visit was not the most charming I ever met but this is far from the norm. Every hostess and manager greets you effusively even if your trying to sneak off to the restroom. Final Say- Take it for what is is and not what it isn't and you will be thrilled.

    (4)

  • Jolene R.

    What a great, not so hidden, hidden place. Water views are nice, walks to look at the boats are fun. Food has always been good, nothing to great to rave about, but good. The service is fast and the prices are reasonable.

    (3)

  • Jalissa N.

    We had terrific service & the food was excellent. We got there at a busy time and the staff did all that they could to make sure we were getting sat as soon as possible. Our waitor was very informative, gave us refills in a timely manner, and checked on us to make sure things were going great. I tries the shrimp fettechini and I would definitely get it again!

    (5)

  • Jeff R.

    This is my go-to place if I'm out shopping or something and it's like 5pm and I just want to just go and eat. I know I can sit at the bar with no wait. I almost always get the oyster stew, and then either fish tacos, or a pot pie, or... uh... some fish. The one little notch off the belt is, for a place with a rather workmanlike menu, it may be a hair on the pricey side. I'm not saying it's Herb Farm priced, but I always feel a little bit surprised when I get my check. The seltzer is not cheap, it's like $2.25 or $2.50 or something, that may be part of the problem. At a lot of joints, seltzer is gratis.

    (4)

  • Kerri B.

    We came here for lunch as our last food stop while in Seattle. #1 the bread! O M G! I wish they shipped it, because it was that good! I went big and ordered the dungeness crab cakes. There's no filler in those babies, only crab! They come with two sauces on the plate, a red one that reminded me of sweet and sour sauce, and a white that reminded me almost of an alfredo. I preferred the white sauce by far. The dish also comes with snow peas and potatoes. I don't know what else they could've paired the crab cakes with, but I didn't really enjoy the sides. I sneaked a spoonful of my boyfriend's white chowder, which I'd also recommend, and then I washed it all down with a Lynchburg lemonade. I'd go back here if in the area again! EAT THE BREAD!

    (4)

  • Nicole A.

    Must have: lobster and crap Mac and cheese!!

    (5)

  • Katie A.

    How the hell have I never been here before? I mean REALLY!??! Cute place with good food (and reasonably priced!) with a fantastic view.. This is a no brainer! We both had the Spanish Scramble and coffee. Comes with hot fresh currant scones- bonus! Oh, and I loved that when I ordered my scramble dairy free, they were so accommodating that when they dropped off my order, the waiter also mentioned that they did not use butter on the potatoes. That NEVER happens! So, thanks, Chinooks for REALLY giving a sh*t. Your service is excellent and you really do care. Much appreciated.. and much props.. just like 'Compton and Watts!' I will be back again soon, for sure!

    (3)

  • Jen B.

    Chinook's. Meh. While I liked the ample, free parking, and the view of the working docks (not to mention the drawbridge) was nice, the food was just bleh. Let's begin at the begin. The gratis foccacia bread was excellent and the waitstaff was attentive. The chowder was quite good (but I'm new here, so I'm no expert). Fried baby squid? The best, tenderest and most delectable I've ever had. So at this point, the stage is set for a great meal. And then it just fell apart. The halibut, a seasonal specialty, was odd tasting. Burnt, maybe. My husband's prawns were nice, but my son's fish and chips were not tasty and the mini-hot fudge sundae had an unexpected, unpleasant almondy flavor. The waiter did tell us that the key lime pie was made with real key limes. He didn't mention, however, that they don't remove the seeds from the juice. Lime seeds are not good. Not good at all. And the coffee tasted burnt and old. All and all, not what I expected.

    (3)

  • David L.

    Review is based on a dinner. Bring your Tums. All four of our dishes were extremely oily. My King Salmon had more oil coming out of it than any Salmon I've been served in a restaurant in Seattle. Definitely not worth $25. The Oyster Pot Pie had four poor Oysters in it. The Seafood Platter was all fry and little food. The Calamari starter was really bad. Again, all fry, little food. All in, it was $160 between four of us. One drink each. Starter, main, and no dessert. Not worth it. Even if you have to spend a few bucks more, there are so many better options.

    (2)

  • Matthew P.

    This is an excellent place to go if you have small children--which is why my family has been here a number of times since my nephews came on the scene. The restaurant has terrible acoustics, which means that you have to shout to be heard at the other end of the table, but it also means that you don't need to worry about an over-excited toddler disturbing any other diners. The open kitchen is also a hit with little kids (and with me, frankly, I like watching the action). The service is very fast (you kinda get the sense that they're looking to turn their tables quickly), and the food runs the gamut from okay to pretty good. It's also fairly reasonably priced for seafood. I would never come here for a quiet evening or romantic date but it is a great place for a large family to go out without worrying about disturbing other diners or dealing with irritated servers.

    (3)

  • lisa a.

    Great view, cool old 70's/80's fisherman photos throughout. Mediocre food. It was after 2 in the afternoon, so I chose not to look at the breakfast menu. I ordered from an area of the menu that said Beef and Chicken. I rarely eat meat but had a craving, so I ordered the ground beef with sauteed onions, fresh spinach,mushrooms and egg. What I got was a huge eggy scramble, with bits of hamburger. Yuck. I'm not a big egg fan. It was not what either of us at the table expected from the menu. The staff was kind about switching for me, but then I got berated by my teenaged daughter for the rest of the meal for embarrassing her. Not my idea of a good time. I'd rather order without being completely confused and disappointed. This is a place you can safely take every generation in your family who like familiar "Americana" food and free bread. I would recommend going there for a drink and a seafood appetizer, but for a meal, I would find somewhere with more fresh and inspired food.

    (2)

  • Ling L.

    Our host decided to bring us here because (1) it has a great view, and he insists of the party of 6, that we, the guests, have the view of the marina and boats and (2) he loves the photographs of the fishermen and their catch. We had the breakfast/brunch, and I'm glad it wasn't one of those cold salmon platter and roast stations; instead, we ordered off the menu. The fare wasn't mediocre nor bad, but it wasn't raving fantastic either. It was definitely fresh. And nothing better than the ability to walk off those calories at the marina and reading the names of the docked boats.

    (3)

  • Dick H.

    Delish fish tacos. Red chowder wasn't bad either. Better prices than downtown Seattle

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    We had a very good experience here recently with a large party. They don't take reservations for large parties, which is kind of annoying, but they were very accommodating and friendly when we arrived. We ended having their sun room essentially to ourselves. Our main server (I can't remember her name) was extremely friendly and efficient. She remained cheerful throughout, despite our rowdy children and indecisive adults. Their food is solid, but not outstanding. I would stick with seafood. The entrees of people around me looked tasty, but my chicken cesaer salad was unremarkable and overdressed. The view, of course, is wonderful, and this is a nice affordable place to take out-of-town guests.

    (4)

  • Occam W.

    4 stars just for the calamari.

    (4)

  • Kyle H.

    I wish there were half-star ratings... I really liked this place and would go again for sure but I wasn't totally blown away by the food or service. The dining room has such a great ambiance and the way the seating is set up, there isn't a bad view from any table. The servers seemed a bit harried...it wasn't extremely busy but it just seemed like they were bored or tired. But, they were swift about bringing out some of the best bread ever! It's a warm, pillowy (and crusty at the same time) garlicky-focaccia. You know it's really good if you gotta describe it with that many adjectives...either that or it's really bad. Anyway, the food to follow was decent - steamed shellfish appetizer of mussels and clams (perfect with the bread to dip in the clam juice); for my entree, I had the cioppino with ceasar salad. The cioppino was loaded with great seafood but was really salty. I forgot to ask for my dressing on the side so the ceasar had so much dressing, it was soggy. yuck. My dining partner had the oyster tacos (I tried a bite and wish I had ordered that!). Overall, this place really hit the spot after wearing yourself out getting lost on trails (hey...i'm an amateur) at nearby Discovery Park.

    (3)

  • Delilah R.

    WOW! Whether you are in the mood for a fun bar with a great happy hour menu, have family in town and want to go to brunch, have a romantic dinner or even are hungover and just need a hearty spot to freshen up at, this is the place! The food is excellent, staff is super friendly (but not too chipper or obnoxious), and the view is relaxing. I've seen the Manager on several occasions walking around saying hi to people and goofing off with the employees. With the perfect mix of professionalism, priority and personality I always look forward to eating here. If you get the chance ask for Oliver...he has waited on me a handful of times and he is so efficient and able to remember what I like, it keeps me coming back. The fish tacos are amazing....and you cannot go wrong on the breakfast menu.

    (5)

  • Garrett H.

    Well the beach scenery is nothing but boats, the food is ok and the service is slow and the food is pricey. I like going with groups but with a family it is not the best place. I'm being nice to give this place a 3 stars. But let me say I don't mind it every now and then.

    (3)

  • A J.

    Came here for lunch after exploring Discovery Park on a sunny Saturday - what a great surprise! The bread was fantastic since we were pretty starving and I really enjoyed my clam chowder & salmon tacos. My date ordered a yummy Cioppino and we both LOVED the blackberry cobbler w/ ice cream. The blackberries were the real deal, small and fresh not like the giant ones you see at the market that have no taste. Meal was a bit pricey for lunch but it was a nice treat, made us feel like we were on vacation.

    (4)

  • David V.

    I have been coming here since it was the Wharf for you Seattlites, and always brought my out of town guests for the view of the fishing fleet, cobbler, oysters and salmon. It still has the view but not much else, food is pretty generic but the last couple of times the service has been just plain awful. This time we had to listen to 2 servers telling the world how much more they were worth for 30 minutes from 20 feet away, but they did not attend to simple refill request. So sad to see a Seattle institution fade a way for no reason but lack of management. HH is still ok in the bar.

    (2)

  • Ray Z.

    Located at Seattle's working Fisherman's Terminal, Chinooks is a casual, unpretentious restaurant that has been serving great seafood for almost 20 years. While it is part of the Anthony's chain, it has a character of it's own. The interior is modest but comfortable, with floor-to-ceiling windows running along the entire harbor side. I like that one can show up in shorts and t-shirt, or be dressed to the nines, and not be uncomfortable in either case. The food is always fresh, and the massive kitchen (which features a large open area so you can witness the impressive activity) fulfills orders very promptly. There are, of course, the good old standbys like chowder and various fried seafoods and chips. But the menu also always features more progressive items. The highlight of tonight's dinner was seared Tombo Tuna, served with wasabi butter and a pineapple chutney. The fish was fresh and flavorful. It was cooked just right (seared on the outside, sashimi-like on the inside) and oh so buttery smooth. This was enhanced nicely by the mild bite of the wasabi butter. The sugary tartness of the chutney rounded things off well. The service is also spectacular. The staff is friendly, helpful and attentive; we were left wanting for nothing. I like restaurants that have extra floor staff - food runners, serving assistants and such - who help to scope out and take care of customer needs. I counted about 7 on the floor tonight. 4 Stars - I like this place a lot.

    (4)

  • CynthiaGirl S.

    Atmosphere Galore. A quintessential Seattle joint. Especially because it overlooks the historic, working docks of the ship canal as well as the Ballard Bridge and, appropriately, serves all sorts of local caught seafood. I took my out-of-town boyfriend and his even further out-of-town daughter to lunch the other day, and Chinooks did not disappoint. Usually, I order the seafood salad (not its official name) and the portions of shrimp and crab are generous! This time I ordered the Halibut Tempura (listed elsewhere on the menu as fish and chips so as to throw a wider net, so to speak - heh) and I found it pretty tasty, too. The tempura batter is not too heavy and has a slightly vinegar bite to it. My boyfriend had the rock fish lunch special which he snubbed slightly as inferior to his own preparation but he did eat every bite of it.. His ten year old daughter had oysters tempura and chips. A ten year old ordering oysters. Imagine! The only time I went to Chinooks for dinner was in my past life when I had a boat and we rode it up the ship canal and tied up at Chinook's dock. We sat on the patio that night with big Ralph Lauren blankets under the heat lamps and it was a memorable experience, again because of the wharf-side atmosphere. If I were going for sublimely prepared seafood at dinner time, though, I'd go somewhere like Flying Fish. But Chinooks for lunch is a solid choice. Generous portions of local fish and reasonable prices. No way to go wrong here. No way at all.

    (4)

  • Stephen M.

    Really good seafood. You get some buttery bread before they take your order; the fish is fresh and delicious. In particular, I had the blackened halibut with mango salsa last time I was here, and it was really good. Service has been great the times I've been there and the inside of the building is clean and pretty.

    (5)

  • Jack C.

    The historical aroma of a fishing town can be savored right when you enter this unique restaurant. Lined with NY times article, larger than life fisherman pictures and seashore outlook, Chinook's atmosphere tantalizes my seafood appetite. I ordered the Alder plank King (Chinook) salmon. The buttery sweet pepper sauce did not bring out the great texture and flavor of the salmon. In my opinion, the salmon should be less cooked; Our view out the window overlooks Salmon Bay- the lazy, peaceful resting fishing boats accompanied our lunch. I would say this is a great place to go for a hike in Discovery Park, learn about salmon migration at salmon ladder and end up here for a nice meal.

    (4)

  • Otto R.

    We ate at Chinooks one early morning before a Husky football game (took the Chinook's boat). I had a crab omelette and it was fantastic, that to go along with a Long Island ice tea, and the morning started out great. They also brought out giant scones, and they were beyond great. The view was amazing.

    (5)

  • Laura L.

    I have mixed feelings about this place. Brunch is good. The food is alright, but there is stiff competition for "good" food in the PNW. It is not marvelous, or anything I have ever recommended to anyone. I concur with samatha k's review. The place is not the cleanest and feels slightly greasy. Everything seems to be cooked with grease and mayo. I think they had their hay-day in the early 90's, but need to step it up a notch into the 21st century. Competition is fierce in the city!

    (3)

  • Stephanie B.

    This is my first west coast fish and chip experience (have had plenty of east coast, southern and midwest experiences), and I will say that it is the best fish and chips I have ever had! I had the salmon fish and chips. This place was voted best by Seattle Magazine, and its true. If you're in town, check it out!

    (5)

  • non o.

    3.5 stars. I like this place to have yummy chowder and fresh salads. I almost always end up eating smoked salmon pasta, but I wish if they had more variety of food. I don't know what but I can't pick what to eat. But their seafood pasta with angel hair is yummy, and BBQ Prawns are delicious. My hubby likes halibut with spring chives which is also really good.

    (3)

  • Michelle B.

    There is a little bread basket that they put on the table when you sit down, it is filled with a tourniquet, syringe, and some highly addictive substance. Ok, not really, it's just filled with bread, but I think it has been deep fried or otherwise altered in such a manner as to make me love it and hate it all at the same time. I will need a support group because of this bread when I am found curled up on my bedroom floor stuffing it in my mouth and yelling through the crumbs "I hate myself for loving you!" Ahem...Otherwise the restaurant was wholly unremarkable. Fairly sterile atmosphere, and I'm not sure why people talk about the view. It's dark at dinner time, you can't see anything, you might as well be anywhere. The seafood was all a bit overcooked and seasoned as if any ol' seasoning can go on any ol' thing - bring on the Lawry's Seasoning Salt...actually I think that's what was on the bread...screw that bread...I don't need that bread...well, one more won't hurt anyone...I'll quit tomorrow.....

    (3)

  • Seth L.

    Good food, although sometimes can be a bit too oily. Oyster stew is good, so is the berry slump.

    (4)

  • Alan H.

    I took my family here. They are from the midwest and wanted a no frills seafood place. We came here early and had a drink at the bar before being seated. At 6 this place was packed and there was a wait. We just missed happy hour, but they have half price appitizers and cheap drinks. Actually speaking of there drinks are normally pretty cheap. The menu here was very big and they had a daily specials sheet. Its the kind of place that you come becasue you want oysters or shrimp and you get to choose 6 different ways or preperations of how you want them prepared. Everything we had was pretty good. Was it the best piece of fish I ever had... no. Was the bread freshly sliced from an artisal loaf.... no, but it was darn good... too good for my own health. I myself am not a huge seafood lover, I like somethings but im kind of picky. I think there is something here for everyone, including non seatood items. The prices here were all very, very reasonable. I dont think I saw something on the menu over $20. Most items were under $15. The view was pretty sweet. You can see the boats coming and leaving the harbor. You can watch the ballard bridge and you can watch everyone walking outside getting drenched in the rain... too funny. Just a little warning. This place is noisy, big, full of people throwing birthday parties and little children-enough said. But its a great place to come outside of the normal seafood places on Alaskan Way and Chinooks has free parking :).

    (4)

  • Tim H.

    Great service. Great recommendations from the wait staff. Moderate pricing for travelers on a budget. Really great halibut fish & chips. A bit busy, but I shouldn't expect anything less for a Saturday night. Overall, a great meal and good times.

    (4)

  • Katie S.

    I love this place for the happy hour. They have the best bar food ever; check out the steamed mussels in white wine broth served in a little copper pot. With supafly tasty foccacia bread on the side. The popcorn shrimp, the shrimp cocktail, oyster shooters, all delicious and soooooo cheap. The brunch is pretty decent but it's kind of a take-your-out-of-town aunt out for breakfast kind of place. Sit at the bar and have some tasty tasties. Is the gorgeous gay bartender still there? We can hope.

    (4)

  • Cliff C.

    Great experiences on multiple occasions. I've been here as a two person party and an 8 person party. The waitstaff is swift and kind. The view is always gorgeous. The food is always well prepared. I've had breakfast and dinner here and it never fails to impress. This place is great for a family outing or if you want to bring a visiting friend to have a taste of the Northwest.

    (4)

  • Susan M.

    Our family always gets together at Chinook's when we visit from the Northeast. Love the atmosphere and being near the docks. Always a bit crowded and a bit noisy but enjoyable. The menu is varied enough to please everyone and the portions are generous. I love being able to order great Pacific Wild Salmon that is too expensive to buy in the Northeast.

    (4)

  • Coleena S.

    Chinooks is a beautiful marine-side restaurant. If there is a line of people waiting to be seated and you're in a lunch hour rush, sit at the bar. It's not really a bar anyway, it's where they make their salads and open oysters. My favorite item on the menu has to be their Crab Fettuccine Alfredo. Succulent pieces of crab, which are large in that rich creamy Alfredo sauce. Another favorite is the bread that they serve while you wait for your food. It's easy to fill up on that stuff so beware! It's warm, crusty focaiccia like bread with a sprinkle of Parmesan and chives on top. It's a bit loud around lunch time in Chinooks, but the view is nice. You can see all the boats tied up in the harbor and if you want to look at the chef's prepare your meal, just turn around. Nice restaurant, good food. Some menu items are expensive, but it's not over priced for the food and service you are receiving.

    (4)

  • K D.

    The sound of glasses and plates smashing, a man talks loudly and rather graphically about his prostate operation and the damage it's done to his..erm..."ability to function as a man"..***cough***. Several middle aged women are drinking too much and talking too loudly...one laughs incessantly, sounding like a cross between a hyena and a howler monkey (and shes sitting directly behind me. oh, joy). Children are running between and underneath tables as a baby screams and knocks over an entire plate of food and 2 wine glasses... An evening at Chinook's is just like an evening at McDonald's. That is, if your table is in the middle of the Playland ball pit on a Saturday. BUT...as long as you stick to the Fresh Sheet, you're in for some well priced and well prepared fresh fish. I recommend the Alder Planked or Spring Chive Halibut. One pet peeve I have is overcooked fish. I've never gotten a piece of overcooked fish from Chinook's. It's always been tender, flaky, and most importantly, moist! I've had the crab cakes, but I didn't care for them at all. Too greasy (I think they use too much mayonnaise in the recipe). I like the Fish and Chips here. The batter is thin and crispy and the Longbranch fries are tasty and nicely seasoned. The chowder is above average. I recommend getting the "New Jersey" style . It's the Manhattan and Boston mixed together. The Manhattan provides a bit of zip and spiciness. The taste is reminiscent of the sauce they use for Penne alla Vodka. I'd give it one more star if it weren't for the fact that I'd rather they set my table up behind an idling jet engine than in the actual restaurant. YES...it's that loud.

    (3)

  • Nadine W.

    Typical Seattle menu (salmon, clam chowder, etc) but with less than standard choices. This restaurant has the feel of a cafeteria with the prices of a four star restaurant - NOT a good combo. The food is OK at best. If you are going to pay these prices choose among the plethora of other excellent restaurants in the area. The one plus is that this is a great restaurant to take kids. It is very child friendly with a good kids me menu and they are willing to make substitutions. We got them to trade out fried shrimp and fries for grilled shrimp and steamed broccoli for our little one.

    (2)

  • Daria M.

    It always feels good to enter Chinook's - there is a welcoming staff, lots of light, great views. The food is good - impeccable fish. On a recent visit, even though we were obviously the last seating of the evening, we felt rushed - our wait person took my drink I was still drinking; swept away my fast-eater companion's plate, silverware, everything, when I was only half-way through my meal.

    (3)

  • Allie S.

    One of my two favorite fish and chips restaurants in Seattle. I especially love their Monday all you can eat special. I snack on the first plate they bring out but what comes after is so hot and fresh and served in little baskets for as long as you want! They have great herb bread and I fill up on way too much! Its fun to watch real fishing boats working outside.

    (4)

  • Ray A.

    *WARNING* THERE MIGHT BE SOME BIAS IN THIS REVIEW* Now I've been eating at Chinooks since the mid-20th century, 1995 actually...and since 1995, I always order the same things....a pint of hef, and the Hangtown Fry. Every now and then a shrimp cocktail, and I think that I once ordered the dungeness crab omelette and one other time the Cioppino...other than that, for 15 years, it's always been a pint of hef and the hangtown fry. Now it's not because everything else sucks, because it's all really good, it is just what comforts me. And that is what this place means to me. It's one of those comfort places. Been going there so long, they would be hard pressed to make me never come back again. They've always served this wonderful bread....Oh and I have had the chowder there......so tastey, especially with the bread.... It's always busy, kinda loud sometimes, but for some reason I like the atmosphere there. The pictures of the crabbers and fishermen, the view of all the fishing boats in Fishermen's Terminal, the Fishermen's memorial, it's very Seattle and very comforting to me. Tables are nice, but I personally prefer the bar if you can get a table. And with the boats all out there, you can pretty much bet that all the seafood served there is fresh...that would just be silly if it wasn't. So you ask me...."Why only 4 and not 5 stars?" Because one time back in 2003, I had to send my Hangtown Fry back....2X! Because who ever made it kept forgetting to add the damn oysters to it! I might've forgiven this if they had taken it off the bill for my troubles, but they didn't, just some apologies and a tastey remake. Plus they make it a little different in the recent compared to how I originally had it. They place the oysters ontop of a fritatta (SP), not the mixed in scramble I loved....it's still good, but not the same....so yeah, with a heavy heart, my favorite seafood place in all of Seattle gets only a four star. I still love eating there though and if you are as sickly sentimental as me....you might too.

    (4)

  • Scott T.

    I get to this place exactly once per year, because it's right downstairs from a place where I have to take annual refresher training. I'm due for training now, so this place suddenly came to mind. I was actually surprised to find that this place is part of the Anthony's family, because I think they do a much better job of presentation, and they're less snooty about it. Granted, I've only had lunch there, but it's always been a good place for that. Relatively fast, friendly, and everything I've tried has been good, although I agree with the other reviewer that said some items can be a bit greasy. The view, to me, is not as captivating...it's really just a close-up of the Seattle fishing fleet, but looking across into Ballard always puts me into a reflective mood (that's where my family ended up when they immigrated), and reminds me to cross the channel to the Scandinavian market. But I digress.... Bottom line, I'm looking forward to my refresher training, just so I can get a decent seafood lunch.

    (4)

  • Chas H.

    Bread? We were supposed to get bread when we sat down? Man did the kid need it. We had a starving, cranky 5-year-old (my nephew) with us. But he chilled with the Lego toy we brought. I was just impressed that Chinook's took kids so well. The hostesses were verging on hostile (it was busy, they were young), but they said about 10 minutes, and we were seated in 15. That's great. Food came quickly and it was as ordered. No mysteries. No problems. No complaints. The calimari ap was breaded and fried, yet tender. Everyone's dish was pretty much as we wanted - tender seafood, good vegetables, salads were great. This place isn't a five star, and it doesn't charge like it is. It's an upscale family Seattle-ish get a great view of some water and boats order some salmon and halibut kind of place. We got good quick service on drinks and dinner; the nephew wasn't sneered at; just come here if you need a seafood fix in the neighborhood. Especially if you have kids - I'm not used to dealing with the challenges of young ones, and after a day of kind of catering totally to him, it was great to find a place where it wasn't any problem at all. With family in town, we went to McCormick and Schmicks the night before, and got our fill of pissed off waiters charging way too much for surprisingly poorly prepared tourist seafood. Chinook's was a nice reminder of a relaxed restaurant that served some good food. I've been before with just adults, and the one caution I have is that the inside of the restaurant can be acoustically terrible. For old people (especially men) it's loud and bad. Go for outside if you can. But the food's always been just fine.

    (3)

  • L B.

    Good service, kid enjoyed it, good place for family - loved the casualness about the place. Especially with my son. Sides not so great(blah potatoes and green beans) but man that was the best salmon ever!

    (4)

  • patricia r.

    To the entire staff at Chinooks....Thank you!! I have been racking my brain for a week trying to remember where it was that I will only eat fish and chips and it was you. I mean it the only place EVER that I will eat fish and chips. You have the best. That goes from the moment that I stepped in to the moment I left. I am so happy that I found you again. Not only are the fish and chips the best but the bread you serve, the cole slaw, the onion rings, the bloddy marys I can go on and on. The staff was great the view was great, cna't wait to come back, very very soon.

    (5)

  • Linda K.

    One of our favorite breakfast joints. Love the scones! The view is looking out over Fisherman's wharf and I enjoy having breakfast and sipping coffee while watching the boats.

    (4)

  • Jenny B.

    This is a great place to take out-of-towners for a classic Seattle experience. In the summer we LOVE LOVE LOVE the deck. Also a great place to take kids -- lots for them to see, noisy enough that no one notices bad behavior, and the service is helpful and fairly fast. But... be aware that the open space and acoustics make it VERY LOUD inside the restaurant... my poor father-in-law (who is hard of hearing) never heard a word that was said through our entire meal due to the ambient noise.

    (4)

  • Gusty S.

    I used to eat breakfast here oh so many years ago when the crabber I worked on was berthed at fisherman's terminal. Sadly, it seems that this whole area has declined, and taken the service at Chinook's with it. We got some dried out bread as an appetizer, I'm not sure how people could become addicted to it, as the other reviews seem to indicate, and the food was hit or miss. The seafood dishes my friends ordered seemed to be to their taste (They liked the calamari), but my Cobb Salad was terrible. A mish-mash of unrecognizable greens and assorted lumps on a plate. It's hard to believe we waited for a table based on what we ended up eating. It also took forever to get our check, even after we asked for it. There is some good to salvage it, although none of the good stuff is new. The view is nice, it's like looking out on a harbor full of old friends, as I've seen many of the same boats on the fishing grounds. Also, the photographs decorating the walls and booths are very cool, especially to someone who grew up in a commercial fishing family. I did notice the photos repeat a lot, it would be nice if they were all unique. So if you are looking for some fishing industry nostalgia, and don't mind eating mediocre food to experience it, Chinook's is the place.

    (2)

  • Katherine I.

    Other than the view, this place didn't do much for me. I came here in October with my 'rents who were visiting from the East Coast. Figured, some unabashedly West Coast flavor would do some good. Pops loves Seafood (as does his youngest, me!), and we figured there was some type of fish/steak/non-seafood item on the menu for Moms. I came here on the recommendation of an acquaintance, and since it was close to where I lived, figured it was worth a shot. We couldn't hear each other! That was issue number 1. Issue number 2 was that while we were a decently sized party, we sat at such a large table that to share an appetizer was like throwing long in football. Ridiculous. And the guy behind me kept bumping my chair with his, which after the third time, I moved my chair in (I don't sit far from the table to begin with), basically having my sternum right against the edge of the table, and he STILL kept bumping me! WTF? I think that if I had been able to actually converse with the 'Rents that night, I might have given this place more stars. The food was eh at best, but I've had far worse. My recommendation? Don't come here if you want to actually HEAR the rest of your dining party. Or if you have a child in tow.

    (3)

  • kathy m.

    I have to write an update and upgrade Chinook's to four stars. We live in Maple Leaf which is a really tedious drive to Fisherman's Terminal, but we have discovered breakfast at Chinook's. They only serve breakfast on the weekends and they start it out with a complimentary cranberry scone with orange butter. Add a cup of hot cocoa and you've got yourself an entire meal! So far I've had the huevos rancheros, breakfast taco, and most amazing of all, the Fisherman's Scramble which are perfectly cooked eggs with huge chunks of crab meat and lots of shrimp! They top it with a creamy sauce and serve up a side of homefries and the the product is one tasty, tasty, taaasty breakfast. So the strategy here is to not eat the scone and take it home with the other half of the huge portions they serve here. Additionally, the service at Chinook's is always excellent. They've done it, knocked my socks off, and I am a fan!

    (4)

  • Brock J.

    A scenic, reasonably-priced, no-nonsense, casual dining seafood place. FOOD - From my two visits my wife and I have had the baja shrimp cocktail, blackened halibut, rockfish, crab and shrimp salad, and the tuna burger. Throughout all of these dishes, the seafood has been fresh and the execution pretty OK. OK because the dishes aren't especially inspired, but done well in the standard way. Classic example was my tuna burger, which despite the albacore tuna not being on the fresh list, was very fresh and generous. I was hoping the "wasabi mayo" would give it some zing, but I could barely detect it. So order accordingly: Don't expect zingy dishes, but do expect very fresh (especially if from the fresh list) standard seafood at good prices! PRICE - Probably the cheapest seafood I've had in Seattle given it's freshness (compared to Anthony's, Elliott's, McCormick's and Schmidts, Anthony's). To those who say it was too expensive, what the hell did you order? You are either cheap (stick to Ivar's or non-seafood or cook it yourself) or ordered way too much (you are not entitled to better entrées than everyone else because you spent like an emperor on appetizers and drinks). AMBIANCE - A little hard to hear your date because of the acoustics, but that is over-compensated by the nice view of the boats docked outside. Sunsets are especially nice there. The place is "family-friendly" I suppose, but I neither have kids nor remembered there being any loud ones (perhaps because of the black-hole acoustics). SERVICE - Both times has been excellent. No complaints. The fantastic , free focaccia just keeps on coming.

    (4)

  • Anastasia B.

    This place is so great. I have a lot of good memories going to this restaurant over the years. I had my first oyster here way back when. It was here that I was introduced to "Jersey style" chowder ( half New England and half Manhattan) by one the super nice servers. If you haven't tried it, I reccomend it highly...Yum! I always request for a window seat. I just love looking out at all the boats moored at the terminal. They do great Huckleberry and Blackberry desserts when they are in season. I would have to say one of my favorite dishes here is the 'Blue Plate special'....it's always the same...its a cod dish with a creamy sour cream dill sauce over the top that is broiled till golden brown. This dish is so comforting and they have had it on the menu for the last 10 years or more. Did I mention that they do breakfast? Great coffee...yummy complimentary scones...great egg dishes....it's a beautiful thing.

    (5)

  • Steven B.

    Mahi fish tacos and boston clam chowder really hits the spot. Good service and nice atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Matt P.

    Nestled by the Fisherman's Terminal with a great view, Chinook's is an unlikely place to find brunch, yet, defying logic, it serves up some great bunch, much of which is fish-free. That's pretty surprising for a seafood centric establishment! Our waiter was extremely pleasant, humorous, and extremely helpful, especially considering our party of 12. The food started off on a good foot with a wonderful bath of scones which are served before the brunch items are served. The scones were served piping hot and were melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Really. I ordered the french toast with bacon. It was good, but not amazing. The other breakfast and lunch items around the table seemed to be matched with a similar level of appeal. Go for the view, the service, and the scones!

    (4)

  • Jeffrey S.

    I have mixed feelings about the epicurean abilities of Chinook's. On the one hand, some of the menu items (and decor) looks like Skippers had a head-on collision with the (now defunct) Yankee Diner. On the other-hand, after sampling the garlic scampi and steamed muscles & clams, something of worth must have happened in that metaphorical collision because those two dishes alone are worth a visit. Although the food is overly salty (either to accomodate for the McDonald's crowd or the waning tastebuds of their elderly clientele) and some of the food is overly (and needlessly) greasy (like the bread), the staff are quite efficient (a rarity these days). I'd save this place for the second or third date. Ambience is part of why we frequent certain places in the first place. Not much ambience going on here. They really need to use less salt.

    (2)

  • Stephanie V.

    I don't eat seafood so I can't comment on how good the restaurant is for dinner or lunch. But they serve a dessert that is so good it is sure to make your heart sing - bread pudding with vanilla cream sauce (or as my friend and I call it - crack sauce, cause you get addicted to it). It is so good! And no raisins! If you're like me and don't like seafood you can always go there for dessert - sit at the counter, order the bread pudding with crack sauce and leave happy!

    (5)

  • Danika M.

    The BEST WAFFLES IN TOWN! Try a Belgian Waffle with Blackberry Saucey-stuff on it. It's got seeds (Stuck in my teef...), but they make their waffles with malt in the batter, and they're really good. I went here with a party of four other people @ noon-ish on Sunday. The lighting in here is great. Everyone loved their food. Good mimosas, too. The music in the Women's bathroom is noticably shmaltzy (not bad...), I came in to a warbling Barbara Streisand solo, and left to "Luck Be A Lady."

    (4)

  • Omarosa H.

    We have been going to Chinook's for many years, and at least one of those visits is an annual birthday celebration. This year was not great. I already know the sound level is VERY loud, making conversation with anyone but the person next to you impossible to hear. I also am aware they have few vegetarian options. This time I opted for the vegetable pasta. As I began eating it, I experienced a slightly smoky taste (think smoked meat/fish, not burned) but assumed it was because of some fancy cooking technique. After I got halfway through it, I came to a bite with a piece of smoked fish in it. I understand some people would consider this a free bonus, but I ordered it specifically for what it didn't have in it! I explained to the waitress that my order had a piece of fish in it and she said "Oh, is that a problem? Did you get sick?" She finally figured out it wasn't what I wanted when I ordered it and said she would tell "someone". Eventually she came back and said my entree would be free and offered me a free dessert. Her handling of the situation could have been better at the beginning, but it turned out ok. The larger question here is how the food is prepared. It's obvious the pans are not washed between entree preparations and I doubt I am the only one with dietary restrictions, whether those are preferences or actual health issues. I also don't know what the health department rules are for this type of thing, but I really wish Chinook's would use a CLEAN pan for each entree. Ick.

    (1)

  • Charles C.

    A sought-after destination on the Magnolia side of Salmon Bay, where one can eat quality fresh seafood steps away from some of the boats that haul it in. Once you and your company have enjoyed your meal, walk out on the slips and check out the boats. Try to catch the Ballard Bridge going up and down.

    (4)

  • Rachel B.

    This is a good fish and chip place right next to Chinook's. What I like the most here are their prawns which are fresh and have an excellent spiced batter. The coleslaw is good too. Wait times are not too long but this place can get busy at lunch time. Seating is a little cramped.

    (4)

  • Aaron E.

    I went to elementary school just up the hill from Chinooks and I came here at least once a week when I was a little kid. My mom worked ridiculous hours at a CPA firm and cooking was never in her plans so we came here. Yay! I love this place. However, Chinooks can be inconsistent. 89% of the time it's a lovely experience, 5% it's mediocre, and 6% it's terrible. And when it's terrible, it's pretty terrible. There will be slow service, mediocre food, etc. And my one major complaint is that it is rather loud. Oh well. Starting with appetizers, I'd order the chowder because it's absolutely yummy (I'm talking about the cream chowder, of course... red is never worthy of ordering). The clam steamers are also really, really good. They're steamed in a great combo of wine, lemon and garlic and always come out flawlessly cooked. Never too rubbery like clams tend to be. Also, they come in a monstrous portion which is always a bonus. As far as entrees, everything goes. When I was a younger kid I almost always would order their daily special. Now a days I still order the special quite a bit, but I also will get their fish tacos (I prefer the Halibut or Mahi Maji) or their Fish and Chips Whenever I go out to a sit down restaurant, I always avoid ordering things like Fish & Chips, or burgers, or anything you can get at a fast food restaurant, but you just can't help ordering F&C here because they're so delicious. I give Chinooks 204982938420384 stars for their fries, which are by far the best fries in the world, Seasoned like crazy, hot, soft, crispy, perfect. The fish itself can be really greasy, but when it's not greasy and soggy they're a perfect combination of flavor, crispiness, etc. Their specials are almost always good as well. My mom always used to order the Yakisoba (and still does whenever we come here). It's always been perfectly cooked. Very flavorful and very ginger tasting. OOOoooohhhHHHhh, and Dessert! Always delicious. They have a seasonal fruit cobbler which I always, always get, and you should too! The drinks are always good too. Coming here via boat is the best part! Unlike the busier restaurants on Lake Union that get more boat traffic, you can always, always find temporary moorage here. And hey, you may even see crew members of the deadliest catch!

    (4)

  • Stephen K.

    I've been to this place every time I've been to Seattle. It's an old family spot for me. It's right on some marina, with tall windows providing a nice view. I haven't been here in years, so I don't know if the quality has held up, but as I recall they have this fantastic garlic bread and great fish dishes of all kinds, particularly the salmon, naturally, since it's the northwest. The adjacent Little Chinook's serves quick fried fish dishes for take out lunch.

    (3)

  • Mark C.

    I've always been a big fan of Anthony's Homeport restaurant chain and I still remember when Chinooks first opened. I happened to be back in the Seattle area again on business last week after being gone for many years and wanted a quick, good delicious seafood lunch. Even though they are a bit out of the way- it's on purpose because of the tie in with the local fisherman- I found it to be exactly like it was when I was first there. Sat at the counter since I was eating by myself and promptly got a menu, asked what I wanted to drink (some wine), and hot ciabatta bread. Great view out the window of the fishing boats too. Ordered up the grilled rockfish with salsa and then sat there sipping my wine and enjoying watching the workings of a modern restaurant. Lunch came pretty quick and along with the rockfish were perfectly done string beans with a small amount of rock salt on them and grilled roasted seasoned potatoes. It was absolutely delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to have a great meal, a fantastic view and excellent service. Hats off to the folks here for keeping the restaurant just like it was initially intended to be- warm, friendly, fun, and delicious!

    (4)

  • Phil S.

    Chinooks at Salmon Bay and Anthony's Home Port share the same owners and their menus are similar. The big differences between Chinooks and Anthony's is Chinooks has brighter lighting and is more casual. Located at historic Fisherman's Terminal, Chinooks has a wonderful view of all the commercial and private fishing boats moored there. A number of the boats are over 100 years in age. I love the straight bows, curved wheelhouses and varnished wooden doors and windows on some of them. As for the food, both Chinooks and Anthony's know seafood and they prepare it to perfection in my view. A couple of my favorites on the menu are the steamed manila clams as an appetizer and the alder-planked king salmon dinner. Chinooks also has a decent selection of wine to compliment the food. One of the great things about Chinooks is, if I'm just in the mood for good tempura Alaskan cod, tempura prawns, clam strips or all of the above with seasoned fries, there is Little Chinooks connected to the same building. The food is equally as good but there is little or no wait and like the big restaurant, there is outside seating available.

    (5)

  • Walter E.

    The crabcakes are the best I have had in Seattle. I really liked the cioppino too. The planked salmon was awesome. The bread is deadly delicious! Try not to eat to much or you'll get filled before your meal comes.

    (5)

  • Jennifer W.

    I have been here twice now on trips to Seattle, spaced out over a year and a half, and both times have been excellent. I had the alder planked halibut with beurre blanc. It was served with perfectly cooked fresh green beans and yummy garlicky potatoes. The starter bread was yummy - it's not sourdough, which disappointed my husband, but I actually like that they don't go with the predictable. Oh, we had the cocktails - hubby got the rhubarb strawberry lemonade with vodka while I had the Sunset - both were quite tasty. The atmosphere is perfect - casual, right on the water, filled with the noise of people enjoying good food - it's a great place to eat the freshest seafood.

    (5)

  • Jennifer C.

    This is one of those places that I keep wanting to be better than it is. The restaurant itself is airy, right by the water, just the kind of atmosphere you want to experience -- or have guests who are in town experience. I've been to Chinook's probably just under a dozen times, always for a weekend brunch. I have no idea what it's like at dinner or any other time. For brunch, while the atmosphere is great, the food is sub par. I mean it ... totally and utterly sub par. Whenever I discover a dish I like at a restaurant, I tend to order it again and again, every time I go back. I think at Chinook's I've had as many different entrees as times I've been there, because I haven't found one single thing that I've liked, entree wise. That's pretty sad. What's sadder is that I don't think I'm a particularly picky eater. In fact, my friends always tease me for how much I can and will eat. What I do like is what they give for free -- hot scones at the table with orange marmalade butter. That always starts things off with a bang. Me and my fellow diners begin happy. Then the entrees come, and I remember yet again why I never walk out satisfied. :/

    (2)

  • Geoff R.

    A family favorite of ours for many years, chinook's still provides a great breakfast in their savory breakfast tacos, and their different pancakes and crisp, buttery waffles. Also, the pre-meal scones with orange peel butter are always the highlight of the meal.

    (4)

  • James W.

    A reasonably priced seafood restaurant, with fresh solid Pacific Northwest style seafood. Friendly service and courteous servers. Beautiful views from the restaurant. Love the fried clams, grilled fish tacos, steamed clams, etc Great beer selection also !

    (4)

  • Nicki W.

    Very disappointing! Knowing this was an Anthony's restaurant, we were excited to spend an evening celebrating a friends gma's b-day however this noisy atmosphere is not condusive to conversation! Not only is the noise repelling but there are no shades on the windows and we spent our first 20 mins there blinded until the sun went down behind the trees. Now onto the food, let's just say I spent the next day trying to get the taste out of my mouth. It seems they think by smothering not so fresh seafood in butter makes it taste better. Not the case, the fishiness still comes through and the supposed red pepper buerre blanc had a lovely moldy after-taste. The only plus was the green beans were crisp and fresh. My husband ordered the Halibut Cakes that he said were good but they were also smothered in butter. The others at our party seemed to enjoy the Tuna, although from what I could see it wasn't seared rare like I prefer. In addition the potatoes served were like home fries for breakfast however they were semi raw in the middle. We made the mistake of ordering desert, Burnt Cream, the crust was not even burnt! Instead it had a crumbly sugar coating that tasted stale. Lastly, I opted to join G-ma for a Martini, Grey Goose straight up. It arrived warm, in a small glass and had too much Vermouth so for almost $10 it was a huge let down. Maybe if the drink was better I wouldn't be writing this now as I would have been dillusioned to think things were better than they were! Thank God we had excellent company to make the most of this place! I'm glad I now know to avoid this place in the future as we are lucky to have some of the best fresh Seafood restaurants in this city with much better atmosphere and prices. Don't waste your time or money here.

    (1)

  • John H.

    Beehh didn't do much for me. Went here for Sunday brunch a couple times, and whatever I had was so bland I can't even recall what I ordered. Long wait, slow service, and not cheap. I have to agree with Laura L. - it's not bad, but there's lots of places that are better.

    (3)

  • Chester X.

    I ordered seared tuna, and I originally wanted it rare, but the waitress talked me into medium. It turned out I really wanted rare. The price is about right for this kind of place (big dinning area, great for a few friends to hang out and talk loud, a bit of sports-bar-ish), and the quality is probably a B to B+, not bad, but nothing extraordinary.

    (3)

  • Heidi F.

    I went there for dinner tonight and the all you can eat tempura shrimp were fabulous and so was the service! They have stepped it up a notch, and were very attentive to filling up the glasses of water and tea and we never once had to ask for more shrimp. Excellent choice for dinner!

    (5)

  • Alicia C.

    We visited around 12:45pm on a Sunday afternoon. We had our choice of the brunch menu (mostly breakfast items) or there specials sheet with some salads and fresh fish . We enjoyed some delicious belgian waffles with warmed blueberry sauce and whipcream. Yum!! Prices was fantastic and we were seatted quickly. Only downside? They were out of the scones that I was so anxious to try . A bit disappointed until they substituted with some of their foccacia bread that was full of buttery, flaky goodness.

    (4)

  • robin f.

    I like Chinooks. Been going here for a number of years. Food is quite good if not great. Fine views of working Seattle.

    (4)

  • Katie M.

    the fish was delicious and cooked perfectly. we actually ordered from the little place that's attached and because it wasn't busy they let us bring our basket of fries, fish, and fried clams into the main restaurant and sit at the bar area. good food, nice view. i dug it.

    (4)

  • Bernadette E.

    happy hour review!! unfortunately i am not a fan of seafood because of my allergies to shellfish, but i can always appreciate a great happy hour!! went here with the roomie and enjoyed some appetizers and a beer. great prices on everything and they have a pretty good selection of items to choose from on their happy hour menu. great view of the harbor from the bar and it makes for lovely surroundings. great place for groups that want to do happy hour since it's a larger bar area.

    (4)

  • Jim M.

    I am not a fan of this place. Its close by, and a bigger restaurant that can accomodate large groups. The only problem is, they wont seat you until all of your party has arrived. The times I have been there, were all busy days and the wait was excruciating. They do have a big menu with lots of choices, foods OK and priced fairly. Since it is a bigger restarurant, it can be noisy.

    (2)

  • samantha k. s.

    Yuck. Stacks of clanky, clattery dishes and glassware and flatware falling on tile. But how could they not? Try walking on the smeary white tiles along the hallway lining the order-UP window. They are slick with fry-grease. The kind of slick where your kids say to their friends, "Cool! I'm skating!" So, the irritating waiter, lugging a bar tray on his shoulder piled high with the remains of all-you-can-eat-fried-whatever and half drunk lemonade ordered under duress (more on that later) and left by kids who have eaten their fill of limp fries and are ready to run around on the dock, this foot-soldier for corporate overlords gets his karmic due: how could his feet NOT fly out from under him, what with those nasty tiles, splaying his gangly arms and legs like cracked crab. Gosh, I think. That sucks. Check please. Nothing memorable or even particularly tasty on this menu, with a nod to the fluffy, flavorful bread served up warm at the table. Regarding karma: If you *do* find yourself here with children, give stern warning to the waiter in advance that sugary drinks should *not* be offered repeatedly and directly to your children throughout the meal in spite of repeated polite declines from the attending adult (no thanks, we'll drink ice water! no thanks, we've already had plenty of sugar for the day! er ... no thanks!). The servers here must receive strict directives from management to stack the tab as high as possible, even in the face of glaring parents. Maybe they have some clever server contest going on behind the scenes: bonus for the waiter who sells the most strawberry lemonade by 7pm. What-ever. I really don't like this place. Two stars because it's not totally disgusting and maybe they were just having a bad day.

    (2)

  • SSS K.

    went on a tuesday night for dinner - was seated at the window booth w. the view of Seattle's fishermen's terminal (i think... or a body of water w. a bunch of boats parked). immediately upon entering, you'll notice the ambiance is of casual dining, perfectly fine to dine in a pair of jeans/t-shirt. but not to be confused w. "cheap," as i saw lots of dating couples, and food price is certainly not affordable. ordered crispy calimari, crab cakes, and three orders of alder plank salmon for 3 people. i'd say the calimari was of standard quality but not excessively greasy (B); crab cakes were genuinely crabby (B+); most notably, salmon was wild, tender/juicy, and the butter sauce wasn't too buttery or greasy.... it was as good as wild salmon can be (B+). big plus for me is the combination of casual dining experience and high quality food. good place.

    (4)

  • Maria C.

    Though there are as many pleasure boats as working boats these days, it still feels so authentic to eat at Chinook's in Fishermen's Terminal. It's definitely classier than what you'd expect for the location, but it's not pretentious at all. The crab cakes are good, the salmon burger is one of the best I've had and the halibut fish and chips are superb. Reasonable prices, great view, good food.

    (4)

  • Jen Y.

    Went there for a family brunch this past weekend and it was great. The waiter was excellent with my 90-year old Grandma and the breakfast was wonderful. Can't beat the view --we're definitely going back.

    (4)

  • Pamela L.

    Went for happy hour..not very happy. Apparently the employees are told to not smile or be friendly to patrons here. The free foccacia bread was delicious. I had so-so mussels in water with lemon 4.50 and a pretty good shrimp cocktail with salsa and avacado mixed in 3.50 a house vodka martini for 6.95!!!! Huh? The view of the marina from the wall of windows is pretty nifty, otherwise, not very spectacular...I'll try dinner next time and see if it is better. Edit to come, hopefully!

    (2)

  • Frankie G.

    I have been a patron of this restaurant for at least 16 years and have rarely had a poor experience with this business. If something is not to my liking, they go out of their way to fix it. The food is nicely prepared, the staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and professional.

    (4)

  • Atif Q.

    Great warm bread when you get seated. Decent view of a small boat harbor. My friend had the smoked salmon and was very pleased with it. Another friend and I had the blackened rock fish and were not too pleased with the flavor. The mango topping was good.

    (3)

  • Margaux j.

    We have been to both the restaurant and the fish bar. The restaurant was okay - good oysters. Not as pricey as Anthony's - and the food was just as good. BUT the absolute best salmon and chips in town has to be from the fish bar! Brian and I will drive clear across town, even during rush hour to get them. What we learned though is this - eat them right away, while they are hot and crisp. If you wait too long they get a little soggy and seem not as flavorful. If the first time I had them was after getting home 30 minutes later I would have thought they were just so-so. Usually Brian and I will disagree about fries, I like thin with seasoning, he prefers the kind that actually taste like a potato. The fries at Chinooks are the only ones we have agreed were yummy. The tartar sauce is good too - sometimes an icky tartar sauce can ruin the whole experience.

    (4)

  • domingo t.

    Brought our family of 5 to dinner for the first time and we are thoroughly impressed by the quality of the food and service. Our orders ranged from salmon to trout to pasta and all agreed that everything was delicious. Our waiter was excellent even when managing multiple tables in our very busy section. Water glasses were kept filled and service was efficient and unobtrusive. Would recommend this place without hesitation.

    (5)

  • Alary M.

    Blech. Food here isn't all that memorable and for what you pay, there are better places to eat. Last time we ate here, my fish was overcooked and the side potatoes were so incredibly salty, I couldn't get past a second bite. c'mon, lay off the salt!

    (2)

  • Nikki R.

    My husband and children love this restaurant. I love their bread pudding. Seriously, if I could rate this restaurant based on bread pudding alone, they'd get 5 stars, and I'm very picky about my bread pudding. That said, there are only a few other dishes I like here. The fish and chips are good, the calamari is great, though tentacle-y (they usually accomodate me when I ask them for no tentacles,) the crab cakes are very nice - pure crab and I don't know how they even get it to stick together in crab-cake form without the fillers, and the crab and shrimp fettucine. My husband likes the alder planked salmon and the cobblers, and had some kind of cherry dessert here in the spring that he can't wait to see on the menu again when cherry season rolls around. During peach season, the peach lemonade is wonderful and the peach cobbler is good, but not good enough for me to forfeit the bread pudding. The iced tea is Barnes and Watson Tahitian blend, and is good enough that I had to look up their website and order some for my home. Avoid the tempura ... they're not Japanese and the batter is just too heavy. If you're a big person or if you're bringing your larger friends, you may want to request a booth, as the captain's chairs are a little too narrow to comfortably accomodate overly generous hips. The restaurant does get loud, but this is a blessing for babysitter-less parents who need to bring the little ones along. If you're lucky enough to be female, check out the photo just inside the door of the ladies' room. It cracks me up, but then, I'm easily amused. :-)

    (4)

  • Julie R.

    Part of the Anthony's family (my favorite restaurants), this gem is great! It is more low key than the major Anthony restaurants, meaning you can get away wearing jeans and sneakers, and maybe even nice yoga pants. The prices are less expensive, but the food is still just as delicious and the fish is just as fresh. They offer more on there menu than just the fine fresh fish options, like burgers, red meat, and chicken. Service is great and they treat me like I am a customer at the pier 66 location (the most fancy Anthony's), though I could easily and comfortably bring kids into this location (but I don't have any). So instead I brought my younger brother and sister (18 and 21) and we had a feast!

    (5)

  • Justin L.

    ehh... fine for the touristy thing. The seafood was nice and fresh, but the sides were uninspired. Go for the view, the food is secondary.

    (4)

  • Sean M.

    I've been twice. Once for Breakfast and once for lunch. Both times the food was nothing to rave about. It was OK, but not worth the price. The service was good and the location is great, with a wonderful view of the water. I have to agree with Michelle here, the bread basket is very good, its just too bad the rest of the meal doesn't follow suit.

    (3)

  • Crystal S.

    Mostly, I've loved Chinook's. Every time I've been there for dinner, the food and service has been remarkable. Brunch, however, has been another matter. Since an ingredient I'm very much allergic to is part and parcel of their whipped butter during brunch, I always make a point to order plain butter pads for my scones and tell the wait staff that I'm allergic. The last time I was there, the waitress neglected to tell the kitchen staff, and a garnish of the ingredient was included on my plate. When I explained the error to her, it was only to discover that my order would not be duplicated because "brunch was over." I was supremely ticked off - it wasn't my fault that my food had been contaminated. I have ceased going to Chinook's for brunch, but I still love them for dinner.

    (3)

  • Rose G.

    Just returned from Christmas Eve dinner at Chinooks. We've been eating at this restaurant since it opened - for years now. Its food has finally taken such a dive that we feel that we are needing to give it a long break now. We used to be able to count on a quality of cooking that was above average with ingredients that were also above average. Both quality and quantity are now erratic at best. Their fish tacos can be juicy and yummy or dry and very short on ingredients. The fish and chips were quite greasy tonight and the fish was of minimum size. The focaccia that is served at the beginning of the meal can be fresh and great or, as it was tonight, not thoroughly cooked with a bottom layer soaked in greasy oil - clearly someone didn't follow the recipe properly. The sliced beef dinner used to be sublime - the beef melted in one's mouth, it was so tender, and whatever vegetable was served with it, along with the potatoes, was also cooked to perfection. The beef is now dry and tough and just unappealing. The green beans tonight were cooked unevenly - some tasted raw and others tasted overdone. The potato pieces were a bit mushy and blah. All of this is disappointing after having had a restaurant that we cherished for years. The really difficult aspect, given the mediocre quality, is that the prices have risen quite substantially. We paid $60 for our dinner tonight. We have complained and re-ordered or been comped when the food was unacceptable at other times. It's just no longer worth it. It is unfortunate that the restaurant appears to still do good business, regardless as it probably makes it immune to its problems.

    (2)

  • Scott S.

    A little pricey but very satisfying. Located at the heart of Seattle's Fisherman's Terminal, you'll find the atmosphere to be casual and the seafood fresh. Start out with a Northwest Seafood Bowl with succulent mussels, clams, prawns, king crab, and oyster on the half shell. This will tend to stuff 2 people before your meal so watch out. I suggest the alder planked salmon entree which is served with a very titillating sauce. You can also stop in for lunch then go out on the pier to search out a boat that has just came in with fresh fish.

    (4)

  • R C.

    One of my favorite restaurants EVER!!! My grandparents (when they lived near Seattle) used to take us there when we visited them. They have amazing salmon and their Cobb salads (for a while I didn't like seafood) are fabulous and huge! I recommend their chocolate malts as well. The thing I remember most about this place is their incredible, heavenly bread that comes before the meal. It's making my mouth water right now! Also, spectacular views and ambience. Go there. You'll thank me later.

    (5)

  • Marisa L.

    Decently sized portions at $13-$25 prices. This place seems to fill up fast, so arrive early or make reservations if possible. I had wild Alaskan silver salmon with an herb sauce, potatoes, and butternut squash. This is simple, hearty food served in a bright, bustling restaurant/cafe setting... very unpretentious and family oriented. Apparently this place is "where the fishermen go" since it's on the Fishermen's Terminal. I guess I could believe that!

    (4)

  • J.Nichole S.

    Ok, so it could be that I am spoiled from so much fine dining. It could be that I have a chowder-o-meter installed in my brain based off my fishy genetics alone, it could be that I am not super fond of eating back-to-back with a squirmy, not-so-silent 8 yr. old, but it it could also just be that Chinook's is only a decently moderate place to consume some foods. The scenery beyond the windows is lovely -fisherman's terminal. The scenery inside the windows however, is more like a family dining establishment named after someone's mom or grandma then an Ivars or a Steamers (which I suppose is what I expected) The service was great- our sever was nice, but not over-the-top syrupy nice, and our food was prompt and mostly hot. I think I just expected more when I walked through the 16 foot entrance past dozens of articles touting Chinooks as the place to be in Ballard. The menu is pretty vast - many fishes, many prawn dishes, many burgers and salads and chowders etc. - certainly no shortage of choices. I was pleased with my salad and our mixed clam/mussel appetizer - but the chowder was very disappointing, and the crab/shrimp pasta which my compadre ordered, was luke-warm and left a lot to be desired. In the pasta's defense, there were large chunks of real crab... not shredded imitation krab with a "k". We also got a hot fudge sundae for dessert which had real whip cream and almond slivers (bonus!) so that ended the night on a high note. All in all, I would go back, but probably stick to fresh fish entrees or perhaps try the fries which looked pretty grubbin' (and by the way, if you are not a fan of "family dining" - this is not the place for you, I felt like a minority in the room because I have already passed puberty)

    (3)

  • Lindsey D.

    Chinook's is close and has pretty tasty food. We never wait for a table, but the resturant is quite loud. It's a place I'd consider taking a family for a reasonable meal, but not a date (mostly for the noise factor). Food's tasty, not incredibly expensive, staff is friendly, service is quick, space is loud. So 3 stars!

    (3)

  • Zachary P.

    I was expecting a bit more of a local feeling. I am waiting to review fishermens terminal until I have a tour guide because I definitely didnt get the same impression that others seem to have gotten. The whole restaurant had a very tourist-y feel. Generic decor and just kind of boring in general. I sat down at the bar/tables for one area and asked the waiter what was on tap. After a little run down I ordered an IPA. As the waiter went to get my drink, the oyester shucker guy informed me that the IPA's all had the highest alcohol contents. I smiled and nodded beacause I didnt really feel like telling him why he was wrong and since I must have given the impression that this was the first time I had ever heard of an IPA, let alone ordered one, I figured I would just smile, nod and laugh a little on the inside. Service was super quick and the lingcod fish and chips were pretty tasty, but I think I will just hit up Little Chinooks for some to go next time.

    (3)

  • Akiva S.

    This is where I discovered plank-cooked salmon for the first time after moving to Seattle and it's something I'll never forget. I like everything about this restaurant but am especially impressed at how the restaurant feels both upscale and casual at the same time. It's bright and roomy, the waiters are friendly and very professional. Every aspect of the food is absolutely outstanding. I can't think of one negative thing about this place except the fact that I'm not eating there right now.

    (5)

  • Holly T.

    This was my brother's choice to expose me to Seattle's best seafood. The food certainly did not disappoint. They have to have some of the best complimentary bread ever - nice, warm, focaccia. I ordered the "Northwest Duo" of alder planked wild salmon and halibut cake. Both were fantastic - the halibut cake was nice and creamy on the inside, and the salmon was melt-in-your-mouth. There's just nothing like wild salmon; you should never have it any other way if you can help it. My only major complaint is that it was super crowded, seemingly not adequately staffed, and very noisy. We were there on a Saturday night, and it was a full house of large families with small children, and even what looked like high school students getting dinner before or after their winter formal dance. We went long periods of time without ever seeing our server, which was a little disconcerting. I would certainly come again, but hopefully at a time when it's less busy.

    (4)

  • Tom E.

    Wonderful, spacious waterfront dining! Classy, professional servers who treat you like a king. Seafood to die for, and a delicious brunch, but the BEST thing about the place is their pre-meal garlic bread! I'd go there just for that if i were you. Also they will pack up anything and everything togo. Not just after your meal, but you can call in and have them pack it up so you can take it to a picnic or party. And the menu is very reasonable for a classy seafood restaurant like this. Definately the place to go for a business lunch to make a good impression on the boss or a potential client.

    (4)

  • L S.

    I LOVE Chinook's! Really good food, unpretentious wait staff, and affordable. The last two times I've been, I've had the seared tuna. It's just so good and tender and delicious, I didn't want to try anything new the last time I went! On another recent trip, we had the mussels and clams appetizer. So good! Another delicious appetizer is the Baja shrimp cocktail. I ordered the regular shrimp cocktail, and Oliver, our super nice waiter, suggested the Baja shrimp cocktail. I took his suggestion and am so glad I did. It was a delectable combination of cocktail shrimp in a baja-flavored salsa (for lack of better definition). Chunks of avocado, fresh cilantro, and flavorful onion make this appetizer a winner all around. Rounding out my last meal I had at Chinook's was the Mixed Berry Shortcake. I'd been craving berries and shortcake, and this definitely fulfilled my craving. Fresh blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries made this shortcake one of the best I've had. I suggest ordering it ala mode. Also, the focaccia served before your meal arrives, is so good and soft and warm. I like dipping it in the buttery sauce the mussels and clams appetizer are simmering in. The last two times I've been, we were accommodated in our request to sit outside. We were waited on both times by Oliver, who provided superior service! The first time, it was a little chilly, and he even brought us blankets to put on our laps as we finished our meal.

    (5)

  • tina m.

    This place can be awesome if you go during their Shrimp fest (or on Monday nights which is all-you-can-eat Fish & Chips night. I think that's a good deal for fish and chips which are usually so expensive IMHO.). Anyway, the Shrimp fest happens sometime in the late fall (call them, sorry I can't remember!) and it's an all-you-can-eat tempura shrimp extravaganza! I love the tempura batter on their fried stuff (well, I've only tried the shrimp and fish-n-chips) but make sure you ask for the soy dipping sauce. It's so tasty and much lighter than the tartar or cocktail sauce and goes so great with the shrimp. I also LOVE their cole slaw. Super yum. I usually eat everyone's on the table. And my daughter loves the kids sundae. I think it's only a couple bucks and she thinks it's the greatest and asks for it all the time. We usually skip the kids meal and let her eat the yum bread, get her a side of veg, beg her to eat a couple bites of our protein and the sundae. It's seriously her favorite restaurant.

    (4)

  • Christine C.

    This is my go to when friends are in town. Great food, atmosphere, service, and view. I usually get the BBQ shrimp app and some clam chowder if I'm not really hungry. If I'm there for breakfast I get the seafood eggs benedict. The complementary scones are so delicious and come with a sweet honey butter. For dinner I usually get the seafood alfredo. They also have a TV if you want to drink while watching a game. A must while you on the west side!

    (4)

  • Pennie P.

    I would have given this a 5 star if our waiter had been more on the ball. The food was amazing it was everything we wanted in a great local seafood joint. The view was also great. We all had something different and everybody was happy (10 people.) The deserts were great we had bread pudding (the best), key lime pie, and a peach crisp of sorts. Our waiter forgot half the drinks and had to be reminded several times what was ordered. However he was very nice and checked on us often, also made great recommendations. The clam chowder was very good and I highly recommend it. Overall the dinning experience was good and the price was reasonable.

    (4)

  • Carly O.

    I have been to Chinooks two times and both experiences just meh. The first time I went with a large group of about 10 family members. The service was pretty good, the bread was delicious, and the food was pretty good as well. I've got to say the best part of both occasions was the bread, and that's about as good as it gets. I went back for my boyfriend's birthday and was really excited to try something new. He got the half shell oysters and said they were pretty good, but a little on the pricey side compared to some other restaurants that do happy hours. I ordered the fish and chips this time around and was incredibly disappointed. The fries were cold and the fish did not seemed to be cooked all the way, it was soggy. Our waiter was really on point in the beginning and slowly started to get worse and worse, to the point where we had to ask for everything: more water, more sauce, etc. Once all was said and done, he and I both were not too impressed. To make matters worse, I checked my credit card statement and they OVERCHARGED my credit card. I'm guessing the waiter decided to add a couple extra bucks to his tip. To say the least, I'm extremely disappointed in the food and the fact that they overcharged my card. I don't think I'll be heading back here any time soon or referring my friends and family to it. sketchy sketchy

    (2)

  • Randy L.

    This is part of the Anthony's chain, and like most Anthony's, the food is solid, the service is good, and the views are great. This one overlooks the fishing docks and marina. Rob, did an excellent job, especially when we let him know that we had dietary restrictions. We both got the grilled Alaskan silver salmon, even though the Copper River salmon was hyped. This is an excellent fish, for less money than the Copper River. It's cooked through more than we like, but it's about usual for most restaurants. The deep-fried fish and shellfish, looked really good, and I would guess that they do a really good job with these. I just try to avoid deep-fried food. It's rough.

    (4)

  • Ashley C.

    Best happy hour ever!!! Okay, maybe not ever, but it's pretty darn good. The Ahi tacos are out of this world and the calamari never disappoints. The $5 burger is good but nothing special. Brunch at chinooks is also usually a winner, but be prepared to leave feeling like a glutton. The blackberry cobbler is a tasty dessert too for those who have room after dinner or happy hour. Did I mention the incredible view?! Chinooks is a seattle must!!

    (5)

  • Nicole J.

    We came here to watch the Seahawks game. Everything was OK until our server came over and told us that she had a personal rule that she wouldn't serve anyone more than 4 drinks. We had been there for approximately 3/4 hours, each had a meal and snacks, but somehow our server decided we were done. We weren't loud, drunk, or otherwise disruptive but the server kept making a point that it was "her personal rule" that 4 drinks was the max. She specifically told us we hadn't "eaten enough" despite the fact that we each had a meal and snack within approximately 3/4 hours. There are a lot of scenarios where I would understand this, but this was not one of them. After bartending for 10 years, this was something that truly blew my mind. I've never seen or heard of a bartender/server cutting people off because of a "personal rule" they have. While every establishment reserves the right to refuse service to anyone, this was unwarranted. We'll never come here again. Period.

    (1)

  • Christopher P.

    This is a hidden treasure! Owned by the same people as Anthony's. Service was exemplary! All meals ordered (by a large group) were satisfying to say the least. Everything from their wonderful tuna steak salad to just plain old fish and chips this gets a big up vote from me! Far less expensive yet also better than comparable restaurants in the area. Please if there is one place to stop for for a fresh seafood dinner don't pass this one up! Halibut was also fantastic btw :)

    (5)

  • Don O.

    Great atmosphere, not pretentious, comfortable, and outstanding food. This is one of our automatic must-dos for any out of town guests. It's one thing to have a good or bad experience and form an opinion after one visit, but we've had outstanding service and food every time of the many times we've dined at Chinooks.

    (5)

  • Olga A.

    The food is pretty good. The atmosphere is not too fancy, so you can wear whatever, which is nice. The view is awesome, and the deck is great in the summer. Huge place, plenty of room. The staff is very nice. The food is great. Happy hour is great. I recommend ahi tacos. Mahi tacos are good too, but ahi tacos are the best! Nothing to complain about... Will be back for ahi tacos!

    (4)

  • Carrie M.

    Use to go to this place when I lived in Ballard and forgot why I like this place. Had a guest in town and decided to take them to see the fishing vessels including driving on the dock to park on the end and watch the fishermen prepare there boats for Alaska. Walked to see the fisherman's memorial and passed Chinooks. Went in for some small plates and drinks and remembered the great view and pictures of fishing's past glory. That's what I love about the place: you get to stroll the fishing port, its boats, and hardworking fishermen, feel a bit of the Northwest fishing past and then eat a bit of its catch in a great atmosphere with fried razor clams or whatever seasonal catch is freshly caught.

    (4)

  • Larry L.

    Best breakfast on the planet I had Salmon Hash - she had Trout & Eggs. We both thought it was the best ever! This place is the perfect venue for Seafood at the Marina. The servers are always professional and so good. The food is superb. We sat outdoors in the sun and the character of this place helped make it a memorable day. Ummm Scones with Butter that has orange marmalade and honey is sooooo good.

    (5)

  • Sarah E.

    I really enjoy Anthony's no matter which restaurant I go to. This location has spectacular views of the harbor and drawbridge. We had the lingcod with sour cream and dill, ciopinno, clam chowder and a crab louie. The salads had a very generous portion of crab meat in them and were very good. The clam chowder has plenty of clams which makes it live up to its namesake, The ciopinno is always a favorite that has amazing flavors and a nice variety of seafood cooked perfectly. But the star for me is the lingcod. The sour cream and dill sauce goes perfectly with the tender flavorful fish. I could seriously eat it everyday forever. The burnt cream dessert is always a staple for us regardless if we are full or not. It's just that good! Overall this location delivers the consistent delicious seafood that Anthony's is known for.

    (4)

  • Aaron S.

    Chinooks Chinooks has fabless food. They just don't serve sea food they also serve other stuff. They have booths that you can sit at wood tables and some nice tables it the middle of the reststraunt. In the back there is a TV that you can watch sports. You might be able to ask them to change the channel but they will problem say no. It is located right by the ballered bridge and by magnolia. You can sit inside and outside. Outside is really nice and inside is also really nice and cool. You can see the water and all the boats that park by Chinooks. When you are done eating you can walk next to all the boats. Its pretty cool. That is why you should eat Chinooks! People that like seafood should go eat there because it is grate.

    (4)

  • Nicholas L.

    Pretty fancy eating on a dock huh? Pretty fancy eating really fresh seafood, with an open kitchen so you can see all the goings on... harbor views, family friendly, local beers, albeit with a somewhat confused menu. Apparently, pretty fancy will cost ya.

    (3)

  • Jen G.

    Best food ever. My favorite seafood restaurant and prices are excellent. Can't wait to back to come back to Seattle to eat here again. Came last year and the food was just as I remembered. Service was very good and we had a great time. I had the crab and shrimp fettuccine which is absolutely wonderful. We also had the blue plate special, rock fish and clam strip appetizer. Everyone was happy.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch, Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Chinook’s

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