Fisherman's Market — Restaurant in Eugene

I have marked 5 stars here, but I told the manager today that my actual review awards The Fisherman's Market 7 stars (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) for outstanding food, service, staff, customer service, atmosphere, location, management... just everything!!! This is the first time I have even thought about giving 7 stars, and it's definitely a once-in-a-blue-moon thing with me. I have given only a few places 6 stars (in the review), and this was already going to be a 6, but they gave me reason to add one more. So here it is. I didn't even plan to walk in here, but I needed a quick bite before heading to the university either before or after catching a bus across town. I saw a couple happily chowing down on their meal on an outside picnic table in front of this place, so I stopped in my tracks, did a 180, and headed inside. This place is lively and "electric" in the best way, perhaps like Pike's Market in Seattle. Even when there were only 2 or 3 of us in line to buy a meal, ALL the staff behind the deli-style counters were visibly and audibly positive and upbeat at all times (in addition to serving us, they were processing many to-go orders as well). This is a seafood place, but there are also burgers for land lubbers. The fish stew was as good as if I were on the Oregon Coast getting it. My salmon burger was very good with the crosscut fries which come with it (I didn't know about them before). I am still impressed by the condiment bar in the middle of the dining area, which is an absolute must for a fish place like this. I ordered a soda (San Pellegrino to be specific), but with all the lively buzz in this place, the new gal in training did not clearly hear me and charged me for a canned beer, as they have a unbelievable selection of beverages in self-serve coolers. I didn't discover this error until after I sat down to eat and was looking at my receipt. I didn't let much time go by before walking back to the counter to let her know that I had been overcharged by $4. What caught me totally off guard was how quickly and cheerfully the manager stepped in and took care of this and refunded the difference in cash. I later told her that I could have asked for some of my tip in return as well (which would have been mathematically correct), but instead I gave back part of my refund as additional tip. That's how positive I felt about the outstanding service that I had received, along with everything else that just made me happy to be eating here. This is a simple, down-home restaurant-deli-market that has an incredible variety of fish and seafood to buy as groceries or to eat in-store, cooked to perfection. If I compare this with the multitude of seafood dives that I have eaten at before, it was the upbeat attitude of the staff that made all the difference for me. This is a one-in-a-million rare place where I actually feel welcome and wanted as a customer. Kudos to everyone who is a part of The Fisherman's Market. Having discovered this gem not far from the heart of Eugene, I will be back, and I will bring a worthy appetite with me. [Update 7/5/2022] I got the Rockfish Sandwich this time and it was heavenly! I ordered Oyster Shooters and Clam Chowder for my friend, and he said something about Beverly Hills in his reaction. This was a fabulous dinner. I stand by my 7 star rating...

We had lunch and dinner here several times while on vacation. We had fish tacos (grilled wahoo siracha style) with rice and beans. They have an extensive self serve sauce bar with lemons etc. So help yourself and try them all. We are from the south and they have great ice tea, LOL. Limited parking at building but plenty free parking across the street. Short walk! We enjoyed eating on picnic tables outside as the inside is busy, loud at time. It's small and tight but a lot of character. You can order a meal and eat there and get fresh seafood from there market to take home to cook. We did both! Employees are helpful and glad to answer any questions you have as a first time customer. One day there was a lady at the door as you enter giving samples and info about what they offer. You could sample while you were in thine to order. A lot going on in a small but efficient space. Not familiar with the area.I did not care for the restroom experience outside the building .You have to get a key ten walk down the outside of the building past their dumpsters to corner of build by a traffic light control/ sidewalk. It felt isolated and questionable. Sign on door instructs you on what to do. Like make sure you look/ close the door when your done so homeless or non customers will not use/ abuse it.?.? This place is very popular and have a strong following. They were very busy. We did enjoy our experience, meals we ate here and seafood we took home to cook later. We look forward to doing it all again on our next trip. You should come...

To start this off, I've been to their fish market and it was delightfully fresh seafood. Some of the best I've found away from the Oregon coast.

However, this review is about the food cart at Play. I'm rather disappointed and here is why.

We walked out to the truck and chose it out of three others. We decided to order the clam chowder and then come back for another round of food. We rang the bell. Nothing. We knocked on the window. Nothing. We looked through and saw someone sitting there who was obviously ignoring us. I turned to my friend perplexed, but decided to knock one more time a bit louder. About 30 seconds later, he stirred and put his phone down to answer the window.

We ordered the chowder and he took our payment and then I proceeded to watch him take the chowder out of the fridge, ladel it into the to-go container and then straight into the microwave they went.

5 quick minutes later we were presented with two spoons a handful of crackers and two microwaved bowls of $8 soup.

Needless to say, we did not go back for our second order.

When we got back to our table and compared our soups, mine was basically cream with a few chunks of potatoes and clams, and hers was so thick it was cold in the middle.

The flavor was good. It has a lot of potential to be great, but consistency is the root of a successful reputation.

Sad showing for a high quality fish market. You need to fix this or just stay in the fish market sector. I sadly will no longer...