Calvin’s Crab House — Restaurant in Neah Bay

It seems clichéd to say it, but sometimes less is more. So it is, we found, with Calvin's Crab Shack. It's easy enough to miss Calvin's: it's just off a bend in the road in Neah Bay, in an unassuming building: really, a shack. We had been told by another couple that they were really impressed: how could we not try Calvin's? The first surprise was that my wife had a hankering for crabs: sorry, they're out of season. Okay, how about salmon? Sorry, we're fresh out. Now this may sound foolish, but that made me sure we were in the right place. Fresh seafood, first and foremost, must be fresh. Frozen might be good, fresh is, well, fresh. That Calvin's thinks enough of its reputation to stand on quality, that's impressive. I've worked for a fishmonger: there's a difference between fresh and everything else. So, my wife got fish and chips: the fish was tender, moist, and flavorful in delicate, crunch batter, perfectly fried. Perfection! I got the clam chowder. Over the last several days I have sampled several clam chowders: this was by far the best. Not too thick, redolent of clams, bits of salmon and corn, just simply the best, while being a complex melding of flavors. We enjoyed our meal on a picnic table, where the tang of saltwater, the bite of cedar smoke, and the beautiful vista of Neah Bay contributed to a symphony of seafood delight. Calvin's is worth seeking out: this is what fine seafood...

Calvin's is a great location with a nice view of the Neah Bay harbor. It's a very small place that can seat maybe 6 people so it's mostly carryout and the people running the place are very nice. Our family ordered four meals and ate in house. Fish and chips for our teen daughters, the daily shrimp and clams for me and fried oysters and chowder for mama. All came with a massive helping of chips from fresh cut potatoes. Very good. However, the kids complained that the fish was dry and I'd agree. My shrimp were good but the clams seemed like the usual deep fried small strips from the freezer. The clam chowder was traditional with cubed potatoes in broth but had very few clams and was generally flavorless. Kids and mama love clam chowder, but would not eat any after the first spoonful. The fried oysters were good, but nothing special. We spent $60 with tip at Calvins and with a name that included "Crab" in its name and its logo we had a very different expectation that crab would be somehow part of the exerience. No crab on the menu. They did a fairly brisk coffee business which I think is their real main go to. With a place right on the water with a great view I would hope to see at least one local fresh caught item. Meals were filling but the kids left most of it behind. Pretty spendy for what we got. Hoping this is just new business things to work out. Great location and view and could be awesome...

This place has a great location alongside the bay and depending on time of day, you’ll see lots of bald eagles flying over the water looking for food & the place has a few chairs and picnic tables to sit outside.

Unfortunately over the Memorial Day weekend, they ran out of the usual fish used in their fish and chips and the salmon that is used in salmon & chips.

When I asked the young girl behind the counter a few questions about the menu items & later if she could print a receipt, she said she didn’t know how & then it couldn’t be done (because she didn’t know how). Not helpful at all!

The halibut in the halibut & chips was above average in taste & texture, but came with just 2 pieces, but I suspect they were rationing to avoid running out of it too, as I was in about an hour earlier a was told it came with 3-4 pieces.

Not the best way to run the place, but they live off the tourists and not repeat customers.

Fries that came along with the halibut were greasy and limp, so pretty much sucked!

Gets 4 stars for location & fish freshness & taste; the rest is...