Tapped Camano — Restaurant in Camano Island

I drive past this place all the time since my chiropractor is very close by and I live towards the south end of the Island. My wife and I went in Saturday evening on 8/9/2025. I wasn't expecting anything special as my experience in Washington state's food scene has always been abyssimal coming from the midwest you just learn not to expect much out of the food or the people.

We ordered wings, a pretzel and tater tots and a couple of beers. The people were friendly and we went outside to sit and wait for our food. That's when I realised that it was close to closing time. I am always scared to go to restaurants too close to closing time. When our food arrived it looked really great. I have worked in the restaurant industry over 20 years and how your food looks when it comes out is just as important as how it tastes.

The pretzel was very good with the beer cheese and the chicken wings are hands down the best chicken wings in the state. I was amazed...like they were really good. Another employee walked over and asked if everything was good, which I replied "everything is perfect." I asked him who was the manager and if I could speak to her. He asked if something was wrong and I assured him not at all.

When the manager came over she was actually smiling not knowing what I was going to say sometimes puts restaurant workers on edge in anticipation of an unsatisfied customer. She introduced herself and I told her about this amazing food I had just eaten and she was very conversational. I learned she is from Texas and she was very friendly. She asked if we had tried the bread pudding and we hadn't. Most of the bread pudding I had ever eaten was trash and thick gunky blocks of left over bread that didnt resemble anything like a pudding. She said we needed to try it and that theirs would change my mind. So we did.......and OMG! What a masterful creation. It was soft and fluffy and had a peanut brittle type topping on it with caramel drizzle and it was the most precisely made dessert I have had in a long time. She informed me that the chef's name was Mike and I told her that whatever planet you got this alien chef from...dont ever let him leave.

The quality of the food, the perfect meal even at closing time is a true sign that these employees from the front to the back of the house are "dialed in." Great employees are a reflection of exceptional management. This may be my favorite restaurant experience in this state since I moved here 10 years ago. We will absolutely be coming back here every week....

EVERYTHING IS GREAT BUT THE WAIT. I'd love to give this place five stars. Great food, staff, setting, beers, etc. But they are using an ordering model/concept that really doesn't seem to match their business. There were 3-4 groups of 4-5 people ahead of me a few minutes after opening. Another few groups were behind after I gave up. In ten minutes the line hadn't even moved. Everyone has to stand in line to place their order at the counter like Starbucks. But also people want to try beers and ask questions. I've been here enough times now that each group of 4-5 usually takes about ten minutes to figure out what they want. Sometimes they open a second register, which helps a bit - but the bottom line is that there's no reason for anyone to need to wait 10—30 minutes to get seated and order. It seems like a lot of the staff feel like they are required to restrain themselves from offering table side service aside from refills, which confuses a lot of customers, especially senior citizens. I personally don't have enough information to know the reasoning behind this approach, but - it has the feel of an owner or manager being unnecessarily tied to an idea "because they like it" despite the fact that it has serious disadvantages in efficiency and being able to effectively turnover customers. My other thought might be that they are doing the tip pool a certain way that they don't want to adjust. Or - they like things to move slow and they're in high enough demand that they're content to let single customers walk. If that's their model, cool - but it's not working for me. Great place if you aren't in a hurry. But on what arguably should be the slowest day of the week, there's a completely arbitrary 30 minute wait...why? Counter ordering at Tapped seems to be a bug sold as a feature. Doesn't improve the experience for the customers or the staff. I'd be happy to return and up my review if this ever gets addressed, and I want to be crystal clear that the staff can't be any faster or more effective than they already are. They are awesome - but hindered by the process. Maybe tableside isn't the answer, but whatever is happening now...

Glad to have something back in that location! Did notice a few off things: you order right where you walk in. It isn’t really clear and can be confusing. It made my anxiety flare up for sure. the prices are HIGH. Even for the island. they were interviewing people as were eating outside. It was awkward. I imagine this won’t always happen though? there is no salt or pepper available, and unfortunately the food lacks seasoning. you bus your own tables, which I imagine cuts down on cost tremendously in regards to staffing, but tips are still expected? They brought out our food and they are VERY nice folks, but we did our fair share of the work too. they played country music the entire time we were on the patio. A variety could be nice.

What we liked: the food, though under seasoned, is fresh and a feast for the eyes. Beautiful presentation! they use Beecher’s cheese. That’s a major + they have tons of beer choices! you can sample all beers they have outdoor seating! they have a good selection of non alcoholic beverages. Including Mexican coke which I adore! they have root beer and cider on tap the menu is diverse

What we ordered: The burger (bacon jam is fantastic) The tomato salad with micro basil ( like micro machines but tastier) The kids Mac n chz The waffle fries with cheese fondue The street corn (one ear of corn for $6, but I ain’t gonna lie, it’s tasty.) The BLT

Our total: Roughly $74 BEFORE tip

I’m giving it 3 stars because I found it to hurt my wallet and not necessarily compensate in my belly— I’m going to continue to go back though. I believe it can get better with tweaks and they seemed like they were still making adjustments. Again, very nice...