The Depot Restaurant — Restaurant in Albany

I think 4.3, or even 4.5, as an average rating is just about right.

The Depot remains a decidedly old-school proposition in Albany. And I mean that in a good way. Pre- and post-pandemic, this place delivers quality food, filling portions, that are well-prepared (though see below), at a reasonable price.

Stepping in here now is like stepping in here for my first time decades ago. It is a thrown together, nautical-heavy, mishmash of stuff that feels authentically added over the years and not dictated by some calculated design plan (a feeling you got, esp. in the latter years, when you walked into a tired and long since disengaged McGrath's . . . beyond the two tired ones that still exist on life support). My point? It feels like it developed over time, matching the quality of the food with the charm of the environment (while McGrath's started to feel like going to a sodium-bomb imposter trying to compete with Seafood McFriendly's or whatever you would call a national chain with a fish-focused menu).

Sure, prices have gone up. But they have gone up everywhere. Portions are large. Fish always seem fresh. The batter is crispy. The fries remain outstanding. And the interesting ‘salad in the middle’ always makes new people I take here arch their eyebrow. The clam munchies and calamari are solid appetizers. Did I mention that they seem to like to add a stick or two of Havarti to the sides (and those fried Havarti sticks are decadent)!?!? Staff are always great, with lots of young people working the kitchen and front of house workers always sharing a smile while making sure you are enjoying your meal. You can also overhear staff talking with customers that have been coming here even longer than I have been frequenting this place.

Thing is, in recent years, I have noticed that the clientele are trending older and older (and older, at which point I am sadly sure they don't trend at all). I hope they can gain some new, younger, guests. And I am no genius, so I am not sure how to do that. Granted, generational spillover is always a plus (my grandparents took my parents and I take my kids who will take their kids . . .); but a new group of customers seems in order too.

I would also add two small critiques: the tartar sauce needs a touch more ‘zing’ (perhaps more pickle or vinegar) and the batter, while really good, could use a touch more salt or seasoning. That’s it. Nothing else that I can complain about.

I want The Depot to last another forty-plus years, esp. when other long-established Albany restaurants closed in recent years. And I will continue to sing this place’s praises. My last visit? Brought a friend from out of state who hadn’t been here in nearly five years. We walked in and he said, “this feels right.” I can’t disagree. And we walked out...

DISAPPOINTMENT! SKIPPERS WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER BY FAR. Used to be a great place to eat:( My husband and I used to eat here regularly. We went there on February 19th to celebrate Valentines Day. I ordered the large combination seafood platter, and my husband ordered the large prawn platter. Both of these dishes were over $20+ each. I received my platter and literally uncovered BURNED scallops that were hidden under the rubber prawns (they tasted like rubber). The only things I liked were the fries and the fish. The fish was slightly overcooked but was still good. My husband was starving so he ate his platter of overcooked "rubber tasting" prawns. This used to be the best place in Albany to eat, now I will never go there again. We were so sad. The quality is no longer of concern to the cooks. This was not a busy time for them, so there was not excuse for the food being overcooked. I know that all of my platter seafood was thrown into the same fry basket and when the fish was done they removed the basket. All of these foods cook at different times and should have been cooked accordingly. The waitress was nice enough to reduce the bill by $10. If they do not change fast they will be out of business by the end of the year. I am going to stop wasting my money on non-edible food like this was....

I got the combo with muscles, scallops, cod, and shrimp. Clam chowder and fresh cut fries. I think these were the best fries I have had in years. They taste exactly like the ones my dad would make me when I was a kid.

It was all good except the Dr. Pepper. I never send things back but did with the Dr. Pepper. I am not sure exactly was wrong with it. It tasted like a glass of water someone put a bit of carbonation in and maybe a shot worth of old doctor pepper. That's kinda what it was like. She mentioned that that spout has issues sometimes so that's probably what it was.

The fish was pretty good, didn't have as much flavor as what's on the coast, a lot larger cod pieces than I thought, coconut shrimp was perfect, didn't love the muscles but I think that's just personal preference. The scallops were very good tho. The chowder was pretty solid but not my fav.

Next time, I'll be getting double French fries and some coconut shrimp and a water. I loved those fries so much.

Service was great and it was fun listening to her talk to customers about her life. I also absolutely loved the atmosphere and the salt water fish tanks!!

On my next 2 times here, the fish was very rubbery, tasted pretty bad. Fries were dry as well. Hasn't been this amazing since the first time...