LA｜Honest Review of a Highly-Rated Pasadena Seafood Spot on Yelp

Fishwives in Pasadena Old Town has been on my Google Maps saved list for a while—recommended by many friends and foodies. Finally had the chance to visit with a friend. The ambiance is nice, and the staff were friendly, but honestly, it didn’t wow me. It’s just… okay. 😐 First surprise: the menu is only one page + a seafood specials sheet—options are quite limited. Dishes aren’t categorized as starters or mains, but as "Cold Dishes," "Hot Dishes," "Soups," and "For the Table" (to share). Personally found it a bit confusing—we ordered two hot dishes and both portions were small. 😅 🌟 Clam Chowder Not my preferred style—broth was thin, while I prefer a rich, creamy texture. It leaned slightly sweet, probably due to lots of onions and carrots. If you like lighter clam chowder, you might enjoy it! 🌟 Fried Oyster on Deviled Eggs Honestly a letdown 🚫. The fried oyster had a thick, soggy coating—not crispy at all. No juicy oyster burst, and the deviled egg flavor totally overpowered it. The oyster almost disappeared. 🌟 Jumbo Crab Cake Nothing really wrong with it, but nothing memorable either—just okay. Overall impression: The space itself is pleasant, but it feels more like a spot to grab drinks and chat rather than a serious dining destination. The dishes work better as "bar snacks" than full meals. Not necessarily bad, but I left feeling a bit disappointed. Probably won’t return. Also worth noting: They’re currently running a DineLA menu for $55 per person. #LAFood #LAEats #Seafood #Pasadena #PasadenaFood #HonestReview #LAWeekend