I am a tri tip snob so am always leery of places claiming to specialize in tri tip bbq. Gray Whale delivers. Delicious pulled pork and tri tip. Haven't tried the seafood yet but the tri tip is so good I just order that. Parking sucks.
(5)
Dana G.
Excellent BBQ using good quality meat and ingredients in this quaint little Shop located right on the highway. Service is good, food is excellent. Large menu and a variety of BBQ sauces makes this an excellent choice. Parking is problematic... Not a lot of space. I think it's a little pricey but considering the quality I'm willing to pay a little extra. Try the tri tip wrap!
(4)
Shaun E.
Ok, this review requires context... First, this is Seaside, not Kansas City, not Austin, not South Carolina. So is it the best BBQ you can find? No. Is it delicious, reasonably priced food in a small town seemingly devoid of many options? Yes. We ordered the family meal which gives you 3 meats and 4 sides. This was supposed to feed 4 people, but I think it should be more like 6. Or maybe 4 hungry truckers? I'm just saying it was alot of food. That's not a bad thing. For $60 we felt like we got a good deal. The service really was special. She was very kind and attentive and went out of her way to be nice to us and the kids. We would definitely return.
(4)
Tyson L.
We showed up with about an hour to go before they closed. Turns out the majority of the group ordered the DELICIOUS sandwiches so the owner took it upon himself to bring out a full rack of ribs, pulled pork and tri-tip at no charge just so we could sample his variety of BBQ. GREAT experience and highly recommend!
(5)
Jess H.
I had a plate with bbq pulled pork, fried fish, grilled veggies and beans. The food was great and the service was fast! I went in not expecting much because I couldn't find many yelp-approved places in Seaside, much less open on a holiday. I was pleased and would definitely go again, if only for the fish and chips.
(4)
Tony J.
Don't. Just don't do it. This was some of the worst food I've ever paid for, and that's saying a lot. We ordered the BBQ plate for 2 with pulled pork, brisket, and smoked salmon as our meat choices, and macaroni and cheese and beans as our sides. The pork was extremely dry, and barely smoked. I don't think it was brined or anything before smoking. The brisket, which the owner told us had just come out of the smoker, was tough, and had a huge layer of fat on top of it. The salmon was OK, and was the best part of the meal, not that that's saying much. Not even the barbecue sauce could save this meal. It was all so cloyingly sweet. The sides were no better. The beans were flavorless, and had the wrong texture. The macaroni was overcooked, and the cheese was globbed onto it in big clumps. We were extremely disappointed, especially given the inexplicable 4 star rating on Yelp.
(1)
Kelly R.
We found this great company on-line as well.... And boy are we glad we did!!! We were in Seaside running a four day conference at the convention center... We had them cater a board of directors dinner, for 20, at our house there. We had salmon, tri-tip, and BBQ chicken with all the fixens and it was awesome!! Steve was our resident chef...he grilled the chicken and veggies on the grill on the patio...so it smelled wonderful as guests were arriving. He was charming and funny...interacted just the right amount. They arrived on time...set it up pretty, and quickly. When guests departed, they cleaned up and were out of their in no time. I would hire them again in a heartbeat:)
(5)
Lynsey S.
The Slogan is "We're all about Whales & BBQ but NOT about BBQing Whales" Very quirky but amazing food. The moment you walk in you're met with a mouth watering smokey BBQ smell. And it appeared that this is a one man operation which is even more impressive. For the price, it's the best bet on the NW Oregon coast.
(5)
Ben T.
Very good restaurant - excellent burgers, and the fish and chips are amazing. Great service, and reasonable, too.
(5)
Paul E.
Had pulled pork lunch. Scrumptuous! We loved the bbq aroma entering the restaurant & the food was tasty. Try the whale sauce on the meat. Liked the pulled pork so much we bought a pound to take worth us.
(5)
Megan H.
There was certainly nothing inherently wrong with this place, they just didn't completely "wow" me. (Fiance and I have been exploring barbecue places all up and down I-5 in Oregon and Southwest Washington and have yet to find anything that matches up to Rib City in east Vancouver.) I had the 3/4 portion pulled pork with grilled vegetables. The pork was reasonably tender and flavorful, and their house-made barbecue sauces are very good. I liked that they didn't cook the meat with the sauces, they let us put the sauces on to our liking. I did taste some of my fiance's fries, and they were ok. Again, not a wow factor. I did find it interesting when the man who served us (who I am thinking is probably the owner, very nice, welcoming, personable) told us that the only things they don't make in-house are fries and the gravy. (Gravy doesn't strike me as the hardest thing to make, but I guess if you are bbq'ing all the meat you don't have much left over to make gravy with. The grilled veggies consisted mostly of onions and zucchini (I'm not a huge fan of zucchini, but they did as good a job with it as one can), and a couple mushrooms. I have no idea what kind of mushrooms they used, but I wish I did because WOW! They were juicy and flavorful, and if I knew what they were I would teach myself to grill them!! It was not crowded, and the whale theme is interesting, coast-appropriate, and I appreciate the personality it adds to the little place. Worth checking out if you are in Seaside (or nearby like Warrenton or Cannon Beach) and want some decent barbecue.
(3)
Brian L.
It is difficult to find a good restaurant in Seaside and the surrounding areas--most of them are tourist traps or just uninspired. We have had beef brisket up and down the west coast and this is one of the best we have had. It was very tender and had a good smoky flavor. It didn't really need the proprietary Whale Sauce but that was good also. Try the Cucumber Water for something original-- it is a refreshing and virtuous beverage after consuming cow.
(5)
Captain C. Branagain G.
****FYI**** Drove by and saw a sign on the door that they are CLOSED until FEBRUARY. May want to call ahead to make sure all is open and well before you make the trip there. The website was not updated as of Dec 28, 2012. I hope all is well. I do not want to see this place close, especially now that I crave their food.
(4)
Kahla Y.
My husband and I stopped by here on our honeymoon to Seaside. They were one of the few places open on Tuesday and we were starving and driving all over trying to find a place to eat. The guy working there, who I assume is the owner, was super nice and gave us prompt service. We both ordered an orca burger and a side of their mac and cheese. The mac and cheese wasn't mind blowing, but it was better than we expected. I'd eat it again for sure. The orca burgers come with one patty, bacon, cheese, lettuce, ketchup, and mayo. They were delicious! The buns were toasted to perfection. I think they may have been buttered too, because they had this perfect texture. The patty was juicy and flavorful. We were too full for dessert, but they did have a few tasty selections. If we end up coming back to Seaside, I'd definitely like to try some of the other selections here, like the pulled pork.
(4)
Lorelei Y.
Cute setup, with art from patrons' children wallpapering the hallway leading to the restrooms. Great menu for BBQ; bad selection for fish and seafood, since all of those offerings are frozen and the cod is bought pre-battered (what type of restaurant doesn't even make its own batter for fish and chips?) -- so if you're going to eat here, definitely do so for the meats. The setup is very casual; kind of like a small-town version of Hill Country BBQ.
(3)
Charles P.
Very moist bbq pulled pork. The fries were fresh and tasted great. Coleslaw was very tasty. My wife had the burger and said it was very good. Good service.
On a craving we went. Saw a bunch of good reviews here and on TripAdvisor. They were super busy and there was a bit of a delay in getting our order, BUT it was worth the wait! Ordered ribs, shrimp, mashed potatoes, and grilled veggies. My husband ordered the Shipwreck with fries. Neither of us left hungry and there was no food left on the plate either. Their house sauce is pretty good. The ribs were a good blend of sweet and spice - no dry meat there - YUM! Mashed potatoes are clearly made in house and were great. The grilled veggies were very tasty. My husband says the Shipwreck was very meaty, ample cheese, huge mushrooms, and a bun the size of a nerf football - says it was a very good sandwich which in normal speak means delicious and worth it. Server Paula was a bit frantic but she was really trying hard to please a room full of people, so for the circumstances, she did well and with a smile on her face. Overall, highly recommend this place. If we come back this way, I'd come again.
(4)
Trenton C.
I am a local and this is one if my regular favorites. It is great for kids and very very casual. It is uniquely quaint and very much a small family business. Food is good and prices are reasonable. Tri-tip and ribs are very good. They care about their customers and try very hard to accommodate and please. I spoke with the owner about the one very bad review here. He admitted that he had let things go a bit and took that review to heart. He has made a great effort to improve his quality and consistency. Personally, I have had nothing but positive experiences at the Grey Whale.
(5)
Martin F.
This is awesome! (A word I rarely use to describe BBQ in the Northwest). The owner goes out of his way to deliver a quality product. The place is nothing like a dive and the prices are reasonable. ** Update ** I tried the Chicken Fried Steak at three locations in Seaside on the trip that just completed. While a couple of them weren't bad, nothing compared to the tender, tasty mouth pleasing wonder that I found here. The steak was fork tender, the gravy had bits of his smoked sausage.... I definitely ate at the wrong places for the first two excursions. Their breakfast menu is pretty extensive in case CFS just isn't your thing. I also had a taste of the tri-tip and we will be feasting on that with family and friends now that we are back home and I was able to bring some take-out. Winter hours are tricky, but it's worth figuring it out.... Basically breakfast and lunch Tues - Saturday are safe - anything else, check first.... But call far enough in advance so that you can find another time if your first choice isn't going to work. This meat was prepared very well, it was fresh, tasty, tender and has a terrific flavor. I went for the brisket sandwich served on a very fresh roll with fries. They make their own sauces - but after trying three of them (the Whale sauce, mild and hot hickory) I certainly do appreciate the attention to detail. While I could have eaten more, it's only because what I had was so amazing - the sandwich was large and there were more fries than I could eat. I was better off to walk away before I did any damage to myself from over eating. I would have liked to try the tri-tip but they are still in search of a quality local supplier or a place to order it in. While I was disappointed they didn't have it, I am thrilled that they sacrificed availability for quality. The owner and folks that work there are very helpful, eager to make sure you have what you want and that everything is good. The place is spotless and comfortable. The place wasn't easy for me to find at night, in the rain - my GPS got me close, but not that close. During the day you'll probably have no problem noticing the big "BBQ" banner near the road - it's directly across 101(Rosevelt) from McDonald's in case you're having a problem finding it. If you went to McDonald's and they are open - just go across the street and have something a little more creative.... trust me, you'll like it. It's great food - if you're having a family get together on the coast you can call ahead and they can prepare large take out orders for you with 24 hours notice.
(5)
Vickie T.
Awsome! We used them for a large party we had here in Seaside. Ordered tri-tip, salmon and yummy ribs. The tri-tip was the best I've ever had, nice and tender, still pink in the center. The salmon was cooked to perfection....And the baby back ribs....amazing. I just can't say enough, highly recommend. If you like good barbecue....this is the place to go.
(5)
Andrew P.
The fish and chips were great. The fries were cooked well and salted perfectly. Kid's menu items are really inexpensive.
(5)
M H.
Awesome! Homemade BBQ - friendly and family friendly. A must if you live smoked meats.
(4)
Rick J.
We had dinner here and it was so good great BBQ as well as sides the burger I had was perfect. Then wee found out the do breakfast...chicken fryed steak and eggs...totally worth it..
(5)
Rob F.
I purchased 2 sandwiches to go,a pulled pork & tri-tip. The meat was absolutely tasteless and cost 21$ for two 8 inch sandwiches. I gave the tri-tip to my dog after taking a bite of the tasteless chewy overpriced sandwich. The tri-tip was rubbery chewy and didn't taste like fresh bbq at all. All I have to say I was very disappointed. The lady on the phone didn't really understand when I asked how much for 2 sandwiches with no sides. She told me the price of two sandwiches with sides even though i asked specifically "No Sides!" The service was great on a positive note but still 21$ for food I didn't even want to eat because of the garbage taste. Expensive Doggy food is all it was,I highly advise you look else were for food. Not trying to be a hater but the BBQ game at grey whale is weak.
(1)
Tammy B.
This place was great. We called in for seating for 17. When we got there the owner turned on the closed sign so we had the place to ourselves! The gray whale burger was amazing. Since only one out of 17 ordered barbeque the owner brought out a complimentary garbage can lid with a sampling of ribs, tri tip and pulled pork. It was delicious. Paula, our server, was VERY attentive to our needs. Especially for 17 people.
(5)
Kimberly S.
The service was good and attentive. The food was not the best. Although we came in because we were looking for seafood all that was available was clam chowder, fish and chips and clam strips. Adequate but not really seafood. We had the tritip which again was okay but not great. The BBQ sauce was okay. Sorry because we really wanted to like it. Wish we had gone around the corner to McKeowns. We didn't see it until we left, and they had a crab tank!
(3)
Mark S.
Just got an order to go of Tri-Tip. It was very tender and moist with a nice smokey flavor to it. Side was Mashed Potatoes, they were ok and the other side was Coleslaw that I thought was good with bigger pieces of cabbage that you would normally find elsewhere (chopped by hand instead of machine?) Place inside is nice, staff is friendly, the business theme is whales. I will be back and try the pulled pork or ribs on next visit.
(4)
Shannon J.
Super friendly service and delicious food! Fish and chips, tri-tip, ribs...all great. Even made a special order burger for picky kid. Great find!
(5)
Russ L.
Amazing BBQ! We had the 3 meat combo (Pulled Pork, Tri Tip and ribs) with mashed potatoes, baked beans and grilled veggies. The meats were delicious, as were the 3 BBQ sauce flavors. We also enjoyed the mashed potatoes and gravy as well as the mixed vegetables. The only chink in the armor was the baked beans... They were tasty with the chunks of pork mixed in, but just a bit underdone. I like my baked beans pretty soft. Absolutely going on our list of must visit places on the coast. :-)
(5)
John Z.
The service was something special. Although the restaurant was titled Grey Whale, it had a wide assortment of orca decorations. Pretty sure they don't bbq whale either, hmmmmm. Overall quick service with an Oregon coast-town vibe.
(3)
Krista R.
Delicious. BBQ doesn't get much better than this. We had the pulled pork and the grilled veggies. I don't even want veggies any other way. The coleslaw was decent and he was out of beans. Would be 5 stars except for the service the guy was very pleasant but a little quirky :)
(4)
Ashley W.
Stopped in on our way to the ocean from Portland. Corey got the 8 inch pulled pork with Mac and cheese and I got the 8 inch brisket with baked beans. The bread? Divine, perfectly toasted with a hint of butter. The meat was served naked with a variety of sauces to choose from. I was partial to the whale sauce for a hint of extra flavor. The Mac and cheese was great. The baked beans weren't up my alley, next time I'd probably go for the mac salad or coleslaw. Overall a great place to stop for a quick BBQ fix.
(4)
Victoria H.
Was excited when I walked in because it smelled like delicious BBQ. My group ordered clam chowder, fries, brisket, baked beans, homemade macaroni and cheese, and fish and chips with homemade tartar sauce. The fish and chips tasted like standard fish and chips, and the homemade tartar sauce looked and tasted like mayonnaise and onions (not what I was expecting). The baked beans were okay, the chowder had good flavor, yet was runny. The brisket was bland and the "homemade" macaroni and cheese was over cooked and wasn't appealing. Not what I expected... :( On a positive note, the servers were friendly.
(1)
David K.
Just down rite bad, the ribs we're not smoked and under cooked, they tasted like they are baked, they need To re think there recipes if the want to stay open.
(1)
Chris S.
These dry rub smoked meats are the real thing much to our surprise. I like the variety of sauces that we could use at our discretion, and they were very flavorful. Best rib crust since my last visit to Dallas. The tritip was a nice twist but rare, which I like, but not to my wife's liking.
(4)
Corey P.
Took a chance on this place while driving through Seaside. We always get the BBQ pork and brisket sandwiches when sampling a new BBQ joint and Gray Whale did not disappoint. They have a few different sauces to choose from, the portions are decent, and the meat was delicious. I had the mac and cheese as a side and it was just right. If I lived in the area this would definitely be a regular place for me. One other great thing about this place was the free wi-fi. Just make sure you don't get sauce on your computer.
(5)
Mary F.
I was craving some good barbecue & that's exactly what I got! I've never tried cucumber lemon water, but it was pretty good as well. The mac & cheese was home made, not from powedered cheese. Fair portions & a friendly place. I love that no whales were harmed in the process - special bonus that they raise money for the preservation of them.
(5)
Jon E.
Ok, so first about the 5-star rating - a restaurant that gets me food right, meets the quality bar, and exceeds my expectations for the region all while being open just two months gets high marks. I don't expect any restaurant to get something I care about right within two months of opening. That's more something I expect within six months. Let's get to it. BBQ? On the Oregon coast? Indeed, it does exist - and based on a Yelp search it's not exactly the most prolific type of fare. Understandable, since the ocean brings about images of Flipper and Shamoo, followed by Son of Flipper soup and Daughter of Shamoo chowder. But for some of us meat 'n' potatoes, gun-toting rednecks we loves ourselves some BBQ. Oh yes, indeed sir. Imagine my surprise to see a shop with an unobtrusive sign as we wound our way through the traffic jam of Seaside (yay Volleyball tournament!) Not being one to pass up a chance to be bitterly disappointed or exceptionally happy, I dragged my better half in to what was otherwise non-descript for a sample. Since we had eaten breakfast three hours before, it truly would be a sampling. The decor - this place is new, so didn't really have any expectations there. Plenty of tables, and the restaurant seemed to have diners in various states of waiting and/or eating. But this wasn't important. It was the smell. The SMELL. Jumping Jeebus in a sidecar, these are honest-to-goodness smoked meats in this place. And not the kind you order or throw in a smoker for a couple of hours. For those of you who know your BBQ, you *know* what smoking smells like. It's Mother's milk. It's the easy girl who agrees to go as your date to prom. It's (you get it, already.) The smell permeated the entire restaurant. The smell of hours of slow smoking, anti-PETA goodness. The owner (an affable fella who was hustling about with his new crew) encouraged us to sit anywhere, and was over to take our drink order. The menus were on the table, so we took a gander at what was available and settled on the brisket sliders. With order taken, the owner scurried back to get the process started. I need to say prior to that we were given "the spiel" which included a detailed rundown of how they prepare the meats for the day. This included a warning that "it may take a couple extra minutes because we want to serve the meat properly." For me? Yeah, I'm good with that. Sliders came out with our side of beans (a "small" side was American-sized. Plan on sharing it.) The meat was dry rub, with no sauces on the meat itself. A series of sauces sit at the sauce bar available for any table. On the menu there's a breakdown of what type of sauces they are (ingredients, taste, etc.) One, the menu is accurate. Two? The ability to enjoy what is akin to "K.C. style" BBQ was something I've missed for a while. We had the Whale sauce and the Memphis sauce, both providing a distinct taste which complimented nicely the meat and its preparation. My wife, who often finds herself eating five paces behind me, matched me bite-for-bite. As the restaurant cleared out of the lunch rush, the owner took time to spend time and ask us for any feedback we had, as well as make sure we were treated well and that the food was good. I appreciate that, since new business owners often times forget that every minute detail can make a difference in keeping customers. It's also where we learned that the staff wasn't family and that the owner wasn't from the area. He had moved there remembering growing up spending summers in the area with family and wanted to put roots down. The staff are all local people and in a short time coming together to do well. This doesn't mean you won't see some missteps, but what you will see is a new business that's committed to giving Seaside residents and visitors some variety and some quality. That, to me, is always worth it.
(5)
Halley P.
Awesome BBQ and terrific people! House made sauces compliment tender and succulent meats, served in a charming venue decorated with whale memorabilia. Definitely on my list for Seaside!
(5)
Dawn S.
Best food in Seaside! BBQ Tri-tip, pulled pork and ribs were tender, moist, nice mild smoked flavor with 3 choices of sauce. Yum!
(5)
Nancy H.
Excellent ribs, very lean (for ribs). They were tender and very flavorful, best I've had in a long time. I was very impressed! Grilled veggies were wonderful too. You add your own sauce to the BBQ, which is great, nice choice of sauces. I would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)
Fred C.
Service was great and the food was awesome !!!!! Ordered 2 Dolphin burgers and sampled the smoked tri-tip which melted in my mouth ! If you find yourself in Seaside definitely stop in and try this place , I will be back with my family again !
(5)
K R.
Seaside is not a foodie town, but this place was wonderful. It is small and was staffed by just the owner, so the service was relaxed. The food was superb. Tri-tip was as tender as I have ever eaten and pulled pork was moist. Loved that you can sauce your meat to your own liking. Grilled veggies were perfectly cooked and beans were also good.
(5)
Sam S.
A gem. Good BBQ and sauce. Good burger. Friendly staff. Totally unassuming. Didn't expect much and was pleasantly surprised.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Dave C.
I am a tri tip snob so am always leery of places claiming to specialize in tri tip bbq. Gray Whale delivers. Delicious pulled pork and tri tip. Haven't tried the seafood yet but the tri tip is so good I just order that. Parking sucks.
(5)Dana G.
Excellent BBQ using good quality meat and ingredients in this quaint little Shop located right on the highway. Service is good, food is excellent. Large menu and a variety of BBQ sauces makes this an excellent choice. Parking is problematic... Not a lot of space. I think it's a little pricey but considering the quality I'm willing to pay a little extra. Try the tri tip wrap!
(4)Shaun E.
Ok, this review requires context... First, this is Seaside, not Kansas City, not Austin, not South Carolina. So is it the best BBQ you can find? No. Is it delicious, reasonably priced food in a small town seemingly devoid of many options? Yes. We ordered the family meal which gives you 3 meats and 4 sides. This was supposed to feed 4 people, but I think it should be more like 6. Or maybe 4 hungry truckers? I'm just saying it was alot of food. That's not a bad thing. For $60 we felt like we got a good deal. The service really was special. She was very kind and attentive and went out of her way to be nice to us and the kids. We would definitely return.
(4)Tyson L.
We showed up with about an hour to go before they closed. Turns out the majority of the group ordered the DELICIOUS sandwiches so the owner took it upon himself to bring out a full rack of ribs, pulled pork and tri-tip at no charge just so we could sample his variety of BBQ. GREAT experience and highly recommend!
(5)Jess H.
I had a plate with bbq pulled pork, fried fish, grilled veggies and beans. The food was great and the service was fast! I went in not expecting much because I couldn't find many yelp-approved places in Seaside, much less open on a holiday. I was pleased and would definitely go again, if only for the fish and chips.
(4)Tony J.
Don't. Just don't do it. This was some of the worst food I've ever paid for, and that's saying a lot. We ordered the BBQ plate for 2 with pulled pork, brisket, and smoked salmon as our meat choices, and macaroni and cheese and beans as our sides. The pork was extremely dry, and barely smoked. I don't think it was brined or anything before smoking. The brisket, which the owner told us had just come out of the smoker, was tough, and had a huge layer of fat on top of it. The salmon was OK, and was the best part of the meal, not that that's saying much. Not even the barbecue sauce could save this meal. It was all so cloyingly sweet. The sides were no better. The beans were flavorless, and had the wrong texture. The macaroni was overcooked, and the cheese was globbed onto it in big clumps. We were extremely disappointed, especially given the inexplicable 4 star rating on Yelp.
(1)Kelly R.
We found this great company on-line as well.... And boy are we glad we did!!! We were in Seaside running a four day conference at the convention center... We had them cater a board of directors dinner, for 20, at our house there. We had salmon, tri-tip, and BBQ chicken with all the fixens and it was awesome!! Steve was our resident chef...he grilled the chicken and veggies on the grill on the patio...so it smelled wonderful as guests were arriving. He was charming and funny...interacted just the right amount. They arrived on time...set it up pretty, and quickly. When guests departed, they cleaned up and were out of their in no time. I would hire them again in a heartbeat:)
(5)Lynsey S.
The Slogan is "We're all about Whales & BBQ but NOT about BBQing Whales" Very quirky but amazing food. The moment you walk in you're met with a mouth watering smokey BBQ smell. And it appeared that this is a one man operation which is even more impressive. For the price, it's the best bet on the NW Oregon coast.
(5)Ben T.
Very good restaurant - excellent burgers, and the fish and chips are amazing. Great service, and reasonable, too.
(5)Paul E.
Had pulled pork lunch. Scrumptuous! We loved the bbq aroma entering the restaurant & the food was tasty. Try the whale sauce on the meat. Liked the pulled pork so much we bought a pound to take worth us.
(5)Megan H.
There was certainly nothing inherently wrong with this place, they just didn't completely "wow" me. (Fiance and I have been exploring barbecue places all up and down I-5 in Oregon and Southwest Washington and have yet to find anything that matches up to Rib City in east Vancouver.) I had the 3/4 portion pulled pork with grilled vegetables. The pork was reasonably tender and flavorful, and their house-made barbecue sauces are very good. I liked that they didn't cook the meat with the sauces, they let us put the sauces on to our liking. I did taste some of my fiance's fries, and they were ok. Again, not a wow factor. I did find it interesting when the man who served us (who I am thinking is probably the owner, very nice, welcoming, personable) told us that the only things they don't make in-house are fries and the gravy. (Gravy doesn't strike me as the hardest thing to make, but I guess if you are bbq'ing all the meat you don't have much left over to make gravy with. The grilled veggies consisted mostly of onions and zucchini (I'm not a huge fan of zucchini, but they did as good a job with it as one can), and a couple mushrooms. I have no idea what kind of mushrooms they used, but I wish I did because WOW! They were juicy and flavorful, and if I knew what they were I would teach myself to grill them!! It was not crowded, and the whale theme is interesting, coast-appropriate, and I appreciate the personality it adds to the little place. Worth checking out if you are in Seaside (or nearby like Warrenton or Cannon Beach) and want some decent barbecue.
(3)Brian L.
It is difficult to find a good restaurant in Seaside and the surrounding areas--most of them are tourist traps or just uninspired. We have had beef brisket up and down the west coast and this is one of the best we have had. It was very tender and had a good smoky flavor. It didn't really need the proprietary Whale Sauce but that was good also. Try the Cucumber Water for something original-- it is a refreshing and virtuous beverage after consuming cow.
(5)Captain C. Branagain G.
****FYI**** Drove by and saw a sign on the door that they are CLOSED until FEBRUARY. May want to call ahead to make sure all is open and well before you make the trip there. The website was not updated as of Dec 28, 2012. I hope all is well. I do not want to see this place close, especially now that I crave their food.
(4)Kahla Y.
My husband and I stopped by here on our honeymoon to Seaside. They were one of the few places open on Tuesday and we were starving and driving all over trying to find a place to eat. The guy working there, who I assume is the owner, was super nice and gave us prompt service. We both ordered an orca burger and a side of their mac and cheese. The mac and cheese wasn't mind blowing, but it was better than we expected. I'd eat it again for sure. The orca burgers come with one patty, bacon, cheese, lettuce, ketchup, and mayo. They were delicious! The buns were toasted to perfection. I think they may have been buttered too, because they had this perfect texture. The patty was juicy and flavorful. We were too full for dessert, but they did have a few tasty selections. If we end up coming back to Seaside, I'd definitely like to try some of the other selections here, like the pulled pork.
(4)Lorelei Y.
Cute setup, with art from patrons' children wallpapering the hallway leading to the restrooms. Great menu for BBQ; bad selection for fish and seafood, since all of those offerings are frozen and the cod is bought pre-battered (what type of restaurant doesn't even make its own batter for fish and chips?) -- so if you're going to eat here, definitely do so for the meats. The setup is very casual; kind of like a small-town version of Hill Country BBQ.
(3)Charles P.
Very moist bbq pulled pork. The fries were fresh and tasted great. Coleslaw was very tasty. My wife had the burger and said it was very good. Good service.
(5)Bill B.
Took staff from our restaurant out to dinner at Gray Whale Tuesday night, this was my second visit, everyone else it was their first visit, and they loved it! Very clean, interesting décor, good service is an understatement and the "Q" is spot on. I have had BBQ in many places all over the south, these guys know what they are doing. I'd put them up with the top 5 BBQ I have tasted. I hope they stay for a long time so I can get a local BBQ fix whenever I get the craving!
(4)Justyne S.
On a craving we went. Saw a bunch of good reviews here and on TripAdvisor. They were super busy and there was a bit of a delay in getting our order, BUT it was worth the wait! Ordered ribs, shrimp, mashed potatoes, and grilled veggies. My husband ordered the Shipwreck with fries. Neither of us left hungry and there was no food left on the plate either. Their house sauce is pretty good. The ribs were a good blend of sweet and spice - no dry meat there - YUM! Mashed potatoes are clearly made in house and were great. The grilled veggies were very tasty. My husband says the Shipwreck was very meaty, ample cheese, huge mushrooms, and a bun the size of a nerf football - says it was a very good sandwich which in normal speak means delicious and worth it. Server Paula was a bit frantic but she was really trying hard to please a room full of people, so for the circumstances, she did well and with a smile on her face. Overall, highly recommend this place. If we come back this way, I'd come again.
(4)Trenton C.
I am a local and this is one if my regular favorites. It is great for kids and very very casual. It is uniquely quaint and very much a small family business. Food is good and prices are reasonable. Tri-tip and ribs are very good. They care about their customers and try very hard to accommodate and please. I spoke with the owner about the one very bad review here. He admitted that he had let things go a bit and took that review to heart. He has made a great effort to improve his quality and consistency. Personally, I have had nothing but positive experiences at the Grey Whale.
(5)Martin F.
This is awesome! (A word I rarely use to describe BBQ in the Northwest). The owner goes out of his way to deliver a quality product. The place is nothing like a dive and the prices are reasonable. ** Update ** I tried the Chicken Fried Steak at three locations in Seaside on the trip that just completed. While a couple of them weren't bad, nothing compared to the tender, tasty mouth pleasing wonder that I found here. The steak was fork tender, the gravy had bits of his smoked sausage.... I definitely ate at the wrong places for the first two excursions. Their breakfast menu is pretty extensive in case CFS just isn't your thing. I also had a taste of the tri-tip and we will be feasting on that with family and friends now that we are back home and I was able to bring some take-out. Winter hours are tricky, but it's worth figuring it out.... Basically breakfast and lunch Tues - Saturday are safe - anything else, check first.... But call far enough in advance so that you can find another time if your first choice isn't going to work. This meat was prepared very well, it was fresh, tasty, tender and has a terrific flavor. I went for the brisket sandwich served on a very fresh roll with fries. They make their own sauces - but after trying three of them (the Whale sauce, mild and hot hickory) I certainly do appreciate the attention to detail. While I could have eaten more, it's only because what I had was so amazing - the sandwich was large and there were more fries than I could eat. I was better off to walk away before I did any damage to myself from over eating. I would have liked to try the tri-tip but they are still in search of a quality local supplier or a place to order it in. While I was disappointed they didn't have it, I am thrilled that they sacrificed availability for quality. The owner and folks that work there are very helpful, eager to make sure you have what you want and that everything is good. The place is spotless and comfortable. The place wasn't easy for me to find at night, in the rain - my GPS got me close, but not that close. During the day you'll probably have no problem noticing the big "BBQ" banner near the road - it's directly across 101(Rosevelt) from McDonald's in case you're having a problem finding it. If you went to McDonald's and they are open - just go across the street and have something a little more creative.... trust me, you'll like it. It's great food - if you're having a family get together on the coast you can call ahead and they can prepare large take out orders for you with 24 hours notice.
(5)Vickie T.
Awsome! We used them for a large party we had here in Seaside. Ordered tri-tip, salmon and yummy ribs. The tri-tip was the best I've ever had, nice and tender, still pink in the center. The salmon was cooked to perfection....And the baby back ribs....amazing. I just can't say enough, highly recommend. If you like good barbecue....this is the place to go.
(5)Andrew P.
The fish and chips were great. The fries were cooked well and salted perfectly. Kid's menu items are really inexpensive.
(5)M H.
Awesome! Homemade BBQ - friendly and family friendly. A must if you live smoked meats.
(4)Rick J.
We had dinner here and it was so good great BBQ as well as sides the burger I had was perfect. Then wee found out the do breakfast...chicken fryed steak and eggs...totally worth it..
(5)Rob F.
I purchased 2 sandwiches to go,a pulled pork & tri-tip. The meat was absolutely tasteless and cost 21$ for two 8 inch sandwiches. I gave the tri-tip to my dog after taking a bite of the tasteless chewy overpriced sandwich. The tri-tip was rubbery chewy and didn't taste like fresh bbq at all. All I have to say I was very disappointed. The lady on the phone didn't really understand when I asked how much for 2 sandwiches with no sides. She told me the price of two sandwiches with sides even though i asked specifically "No Sides!" The service was great on a positive note but still 21$ for food I didn't even want to eat because of the garbage taste. Expensive Doggy food is all it was,I highly advise you look else were for food. Not trying to be a hater but the BBQ game at grey whale is weak.
(1)Tammy B.
This place was great. We called in for seating for 17. When we got there the owner turned on the closed sign so we had the place to ourselves! The gray whale burger was amazing. Since only one out of 17 ordered barbeque the owner brought out a complimentary garbage can lid with a sampling of ribs, tri tip and pulled pork. It was delicious. Paula, our server, was VERY attentive to our needs. Especially for 17 people.
(5)Kimberly S.
The service was good and attentive. The food was not the best. Although we came in because we were looking for seafood all that was available was clam chowder, fish and chips and clam strips. Adequate but not really seafood. We had the tritip which again was okay but not great. The BBQ sauce was okay. Sorry because we really wanted to like it. Wish we had gone around the corner to McKeowns. We didn't see it until we left, and they had a crab tank!
(3)Mark S.
Just got an order to go of Tri-Tip. It was very tender and moist with a nice smokey flavor to it. Side was Mashed Potatoes, they were ok and the other side was Coleslaw that I thought was good with bigger pieces of cabbage that you would normally find elsewhere (chopped by hand instead of machine?) Place inside is nice, staff is friendly, the business theme is whales. I will be back and try the pulled pork or ribs on next visit.
(4)Shannon J.
Super friendly service and delicious food! Fish and chips, tri-tip, ribs...all great. Even made a special order burger for picky kid. Great find!
(5)Russ L.
Amazing BBQ! We had the 3 meat combo (Pulled Pork, Tri Tip and ribs) with mashed potatoes, baked beans and grilled veggies. The meats were delicious, as were the 3 BBQ sauce flavors. We also enjoyed the mashed potatoes and gravy as well as the mixed vegetables. The only chink in the armor was the baked beans... They were tasty with the chunks of pork mixed in, but just a bit underdone. I like my baked beans pretty soft. Absolutely going on our list of must visit places on the coast. :-)
(5)John Z.
The service was something special. Although the restaurant was titled Grey Whale, it had a wide assortment of orca decorations. Pretty sure they don't bbq whale either, hmmmmm. Overall quick service with an Oregon coast-town vibe.
(3)Krista R.
Delicious. BBQ doesn't get much better than this. We had the pulled pork and the grilled veggies. I don't even want veggies any other way. The coleslaw was decent and he was out of beans. Would be 5 stars except for the service the guy was very pleasant but a little quirky :)
(4)Ashley W.
Stopped in on our way to the ocean from Portland. Corey got the 8 inch pulled pork with Mac and cheese and I got the 8 inch brisket with baked beans. The bread? Divine, perfectly toasted with a hint of butter. The meat was served naked with a variety of sauces to choose from. I was partial to the whale sauce for a hint of extra flavor. The Mac and cheese was great. The baked beans weren't up my alley, next time I'd probably go for the mac salad or coleslaw. Overall a great place to stop for a quick BBQ fix.
(4)Victoria H.
Was excited when I walked in because it smelled like delicious BBQ. My group ordered clam chowder, fries, brisket, baked beans, homemade macaroni and cheese, and fish and chips with homemade tartar sauce. The fish and chips tasted like standard fish and chips, and the homemade tartar sauce looked and tasted like mayonnaise and onions (not what I was expecting). The baked beans were okay, the chowder had good flavor, yet was runny. The brisket was bland and the "homemade" macaroni and cheese was over cooked and wasn't appealing. Not what I expected... :( On a positive note, the servers were friendly.
(1)David K.
Just down rite bad, the ribs we're not smoked and under cooked, they tasted like they are baked, they need To re think there recipes if the want to stay open.
(1)Chris S.
These dry rub smoked meats are the real thing much to our surprise. I like the variety of sauces that we could use at our discretion, and they were very flavorful. Best rib crust since my last visit to Dallas. The tritip was a nice twist but rare, which I like, but not to my wife's liking.
(4)Corey P.
Took a chance on this place while driving through Seaside. We always get the BBQ pork and brisket sandwiches when sampling a new BBQ joint and Gray Whale did not disappoint. They have a few different sauces to choose from, the portions are decent, and the meat was delicious. I had the mac and cheese as a side and it was just right. If I lived in the area this would definitely be a regular place for me. One other great thing about this place was the free wi-fi. Just make sure you don't get sauce on your computer.
(5)Mary F.
I was craving some good barbecue & that's exactly what I got! I've never tried cucumber lemon water, but it was pretty good as well. The mac & cheese was home made, not from powedered cheese. Fair portions & a friendly place. I love that no whales were harmed in the process - special bonus that they raise money for the preservation of them.
(5)Jon E.
Ok, so first about the 5-star rating - a restaurant that gets me food right, meets the quality bar, and exceeds my expectations for the region all while being open just two months gets high marks. I don't expect any restaurant to get something I care about right within two months of opening. That's more something I expect within six months. Let's get to it. BBQ? On the Oregon coast? Indeed, it does exist - and based on a Yelp search it's not exactly the most prolific type of fare. Understandable, since the ocean brings about images of Flipper and Shamoo, followed by Son of Flipper soup and Daughter of Shamoo chowder. But for some of us meat 'n' potatoes, gun-toting rednecks we loves ourselves some BBQ. Oh yes, indeed sir. Imagine my surprise to see a shop with an unobtrusive sign as we wound our way through the traffic jam of Seaside (yay Volleyball tournament!) Not being one to pass up a chance to be bitterly disappointed or exceptionally happy, I dragged my better half in to what was otherwise non-descript for a sample. Since we had eaten breakfast three hours before, it truly would be a sampling. The decor - this place is new, so didn't really have any expectations there. Plenty of tables, and the restaurant seemed to have diners in various states of waiting and/or eating. But this wasn't important. It was the smell. The SMELL. Jumping Jeebus in a sidecar, these are honest-to-goodness smoked meats in this place. And not the kind you order or throw in a smoker for a couple of hours. For those of you who know your BBQ, you *know* what smoking smells like. It's Mother's milk. It's the easy girl who agrees to go as your date to prom. It's (you get it, already.) The smell permeated the entire restaurant. The smell of hours of slow smoking, anti-PETA goodness. The owner (an affable fella who was hustling about with his new crew) encouraged us to sit anywhere, and was over to take our drink order. The menus were on the table, so we took a gander at what was available and settled on the brisket sliders. With order taken, the owner scurried back to get the process started. I need to say prior to that we were given "the spiel" which included a detailed rundown of how they prepare the meats for the day. This included a warning that "it may take a couple extra minutes because we want to serve the meat properly." For me? Yeah, I'm good with that. Sliders came out with our side of beans (a "small" side was American-sized. Plan on sharing it.) The meat was dry rub, with no sauces on the meat itself. A series of sauces sit at the sauce bar available for any table. On the menu there's a breakdown of what type of sauces they are (ingredients, taste, etc.) One, the menu is accurate. Two? The ability to enjoy what is akin to "K.C. style" BBQ was something I've missed for a while. We had the Whale sauce and the Memphis sauce, both providing a distinct taste which complimented nicely the meat and its preparation. My wife, who often finds herself eating five paces behind me, matched me bite-for-bite. As the restaurant cleared out of the lunch rush, the owner took time to spend time and ask us for any feedback we had, as well as make sure we were treated well and that the food was good. I appreciate that, since new business owners often times forget that every minute detail can make a difference in keeping customers. It's also where we learned that the staff wasn't family and that the owner wasn't from the area. He had moved there remembering growing up spending summers in the area with family and wanted to put roots down. The staff are all local people and in a short time coming together to do well. This doesn't mean you won't see some missteps, but what you will see is a new business that's committed to giving Seaside residents and visitors some variety and some quality. That, to me, is always worth it.
(5)Halley P.
Awesome BBQ and terrific people! House made sauces compliment tender and succulent meats, served in a charming venue decorated with whale memorabilia. Definitely on my list for Seaside!
(5)Dawn S.
Best food in Seaside! BBQ Tri-tip, pulled pork and ribs were tender, moist, nice mild smoked flavor with 3 choices of sauce. Yum!
(5)Nancy H.
Excellent ribs, very lean (for ribs). They were tender and very flavorful, best I've had in a long time. I was very impressed! Grilled veggies were wonderful too. You add your own sauce to the BBQ, which is great, nice choice of sauces. I would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)Fred C.
Service was great and the food was awesome !!!!! Ordered 2 Dolphin burgers and sampled the smoked tri-tip which melted in my mouth ! If you find yourself in Seaside definitely stop in and try this place , I will be back with my family again !
(5)K R.
Seaside is not a foodie town, but this place was wonderful. It is small and was staffed by just the owner, so the service was relaxed. The food was superb. Tri-tip was as tender as I have ever eaten and pulled pork was moist. Loved that you can sauce your meat to your own liking. Grilled veggies were perfectly cooked and beans were also good.
(5)Sam S.
A gem. Good BBQ and sauce. Good burger. Friendly staff. Totally unassuming. Didn't expect much and was pleasantly surprised.
(5)