Burien Fish House — Restaurant in Burien

Update from Jan 2024: Took off a star. I hate to do this because we used to like this place, but we unfortunately had a bad experience last time we ate there. The kitchen staff were standing around and looking at their phone. The salmon tacos were nothing like they usually are. The cook over spiced them (and I like spicy food), and crushed the salmon into a mush instead of serving actual seared pieces of fish. My wife’s food never arrived so we shared mine while she waited. In fact, all the dishes came out at different times (for 4 adults and 3 children). When we got up to inquire, they handed us my wife’s food which was completely cold. The guy (young, Caucasian, tall) said he called us but we never responded and he didn’t know who it goes to so he left it in the kitchen. There were only two other parties there so I don’t know how that made sense to him. When I suggested he could have just asked us if it’s ours he got defensive and rude. Burien Fish House has a good reputation that’s fading away. I hope they start caring about their customers, the quality of the food, training and supervising their employees. One more strike and I won’t be returning.

My original review: One of our favorite Go-To's but unfortunately have to take off 2 stars from my review. Good ingredients and preparation method varieties + relatively fast. Prices are just about reasonable but on the high side for fried food with no table service and not serving seafood that's environmentally sustainable. For all I know, the fish is farm raised and full of growth hormones and pesticides. I'd like to see Burien Fish House align itself with PCC's seafood standards. Removing 1 star for this. When you pay, you'll notice a suggested tip of 20%, which I don't find acceptable. Given the prices and self-service, that number should be 0%-10%. I guess the proprietor isn't paying the employees a fair living wage so they need to make it up by asking customers for a hand out. I appreciate service workers still going to work during a pandemic, but wages and benefits should be sufficient and rolled into the cost of the menu items. Removing 1...

Been to Seattle and the PNW countless times, have gone to Ivar's and Jack's Fish House in Pike Place market so those are the what I have to compare Burien Fish House too here in the Northwest. On a friends recommendation we came here.

First impression was good. The place was packed and when a place is packed, 95% of the time it means a place is doing something right. The wife and I decided to share food because as with most fish houses, things add up real quick. We ended up sharing a captain's platter with fries ($15 comes with 2 sauces (small) each additional sauce is $.50) and instead of beer battered, I decided to go with the panko crusted fish and change it up a bit. Wifey, on the other hand, decided on a Lobster roll (market price) and 16 oz seafood chowder ($8). By far, Burien Fish House made the best tasting seafood chowder I've had here in the area. The chowder was chunky with big pieces of fish and potatoes plus the flavor was on point. On the other hand, the fish platter was so-so. The fish pieces (cod, salmon, and halibut) although big, were a bit bland for my taste, side of fries were pretty miniscule, and the biggest disappointment was the lobster roll. Flavor of the lobster roll was non-existent. Needed a bit of lime and salt for my taste, but there were big pieces of lobster for those purists. One 16 oz soda (pop here in the PNW $2.75).

Service is fast casual. Food is delivered but get your own water and utensils. Parking is bad as it shares parking with a tiny strip mall.

I'd for sure return for the seafood chowder. Maybe when I return to Seattle, I'll make a...

A bit disappointed with my last couple of visits. They get 3 stars because the Mac and cheese shrimp and white chowder is truly the best!!! However, I placed a full order online and it said it would be ready in about 30 minutes and had a specific time. I showed up at that specific time and said I’m picking up an online order that should be ready. The lady working at the register said “oh my computer must not be working I just got your ticket..you’ll have to wait a little”..I literally had to wait for 28 minutes and didn’t get any apology or even a “can I get you a drink while you wait since WE made a mistake”. Me and another guy who placed an online order stood there and waited. A drink cost them 50 cents or less and is the least they could have offered..

Also the cod po boy had the smallest piece of fish in there. I barely tasted the fish. If you know the fish piece is small why would you use that in your sandwich?? Customers are paying $15 for just bread-not fair and right.

Please change operations. If your system was down then yes we get it. But if you’re making a customer wait for 30 minutes when you told them to arrive at a specific time for pick up and if your system is down, then at least offer them something small. It’s called good customer service. Also, if you’re running out of fish, let the customer know of other options you might have. This place could be exceptional but y’all have a few things to fix.

Keep the Mac and cheese and chowder the way it is- it is...