Ivar's Seafood Bar (closed)

Fries and chowder are great. Classic and delicious. The fish though... Wow. It is a shadow of the classic Ivar's from around lake Washington and downtown Seattle. So disappointing and unfortunate. It still tastes OK. But the portions are about 15% to 20% the size of what they used to be and the price is 2x higher. Sad.

Great tasting well cooked food. The order came hot and fresh, and provided all the accompaniments. Will definitely return to this location.

So pleased they brought the same high quality of fish and chips and clam chowder to a food court in a mall. Been to many of their Seattle restaurants, and have never been disappointed. The streak continues at Bellis Fair. Highly recommended, if you want delicious fish and chips!

I had a disappointing experience last night that doesn't change anything I raved about in my previous review. We were among the last customers before closing on Ivar's Birthday (March 19th). Unfortunately, our friendly (normally efficient) clerk forgot to put my cup of Chowder in our takeout bag. Normally, I check their work and have never found an error, but in this occasion it was late and I was hungry... But the time we discovered the error it was too late to even call the store, much less drive back for my missing soup.

When I returned the next afternoon it was too late to make a correction in the daily financial report and the staff was happy to give me a cup of soup and a heartfelt apology. Unfortunately, this was not a reasonable solution for me, v so I suggested a gift card for $4.57 -- assuring a return visit and additional sales. Apparently, Ivar's financial controls made giving me a cash refund and writing a note to the auditor was a better solution for them.

I submit that was a reasonable financial solution and a terrible business it marketing decision. Anyone that knows anything about the founder of Ivar's would recognize this is NOT what Ivar, the consummate promoter -- would have done. Ivar would have apologized, handed me a $10 gift card and encouraged me to ask for him the next time I was in the restaurant.

And, in this hypothetical situation, upon returning he would have committed my meal and handed the gift card back to me to encourage, yet another return visit.
OIf course, Ivar has been dead for years (yesterday would have been his 114th birthday) and, sadly, his employees are no longer empowered to make these kinds of customer service overtures.

That said, Ivar's is still an institution here, in Western Washington and nobody that has spent any time living here is certain Ivar won't return at some point to run his restaurants again (Keep Clam).

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PREVIOUS REVIEW
This is the only Ivar's in Whatcom County. Okay, this store isn't located on a Pier in the Seattle waterfront, but it does feature great chowder and the best regional chain fish and chips menu and food quality inn the west coast.

I love the traditional New England style chowder, but also enjoy their Manhattan style and one of a kind, Salmon chowders. Although one can find better fish and chips at some independent operators, Ivar's fried fish are never greasy and the fried clams are the Best in the West!

Really good fish and chips for a food court