Ivar's Seafood Bar — Restaurant in Edmonds

We were coming from a nice trip to the beach at the Edmonds ferry and had a hankering for fish and chips. Though Spuds was just across the street from where we were parked, the poor reviews online made us decide to drive over to Ivar's about a mile away. I've been here once two or three years ago and it was just ok, mediocre compared to the Ivars in Bothell.

Anyway, we headed over and initially ordered a five piece true cod and chips. The dish came out piping hot and tasted really good we had to order another. Ordered a four piece true cod and chips plus a cup of chowder but was disappointed with the fish on this one. It tasted so much different from cod (we regularly and only ever order the true cod at Ivars in Bothell or the downtown pier). We suspected we got the pollock but decided not to return to have it replaced and just finish it grudgingly (the chips was excellent though).

The service was fast and friendly, the dining area ok, the price was reasonable and the fish and chips great except for the pollock we received in our second dish (two stars dinged for that) that ruined it for me.

We'll be sticking to Ivar's in Bothell...

Don't get me wrong--I love fish and chips and don't want to disparage one of the last local seafood chains in the area. But paying $17 for 5 (finger-sized) pieces of cod, some coleslaw, fries and a drink is more tha I expected (the natural impact of rising minimum wage laws). The fish filets are tasty but there is just not enough there. I remember actually getting whole filets at Skipper's back in the day when the prevailing motto was, "Get good seafood without getting soaked." The coleslaw and fries are good, and they have their famous cocktail sauce that just can't be beat. Overall, good quality, just lacking in quantity for the main item that leads you to Ivar's in the first place. The staff person was nice, friendly and very helpful. I'll go again when I'm nearby, but I'd make a point to go more often if I didn't feel like I was getting soaked and knew I'd still be hungry every time I wanted to enjoy some quality...

Ivar's used to be good but now. They charged you $25 for five pieces of fish and a cup of chowder. A couple of years ago I got a thumbtack in my coleslaw. I tried to deal with them but all I want to do is give me a little bit of fish. Which was fine but then we ordered online. A full boat and first they tried that double-charged us and then got home and only had tartar sauce. I would say that Ivar's corporate doesn't care about their customers anymore. I really tried not to talk about a tac in my food or double charged or lack of service. But every time I try to go back there seemed to be a another problem. Update 5/11/23 I noticed Carl responded to my Review and wanted to make it right but no Contact info. So I will continue to avoid thumb tacks in my food and their...