BLUE OCEAN FISH&CHIPS — Restaurant in Parkwood

I've seen Blue Ocean appear on my Yelp searches quite a few times since moving here.  The pictures and reviews seemed to be erratic at best. On one hand, it just looked to be a standard pho with fish & chips type place.  On the other hand, I'd see these amazing plates full of fresh seasonal crab. The reviews, though mostly positive, still run the gambit a little more widely than I'm usually comfortable with.  I'm a big fan of fish & chips and a very big fan of crab and crab boils. King crab is my kryptonite. If it's available, I'll order it regardless of cost. I'm a frugal guy, but when I see it on a menu, it's almost certain I'm ordering it.  I've had Pho a couple of times and have decided it's not my jam. To be honest, I was just scared to try this place. I think, I was scared to make the trek, ready for some king crab only to find out they don't have it or something.

My lady kind of convinced me to go try this place while we were in Port Orchard not too long ago.  We decided to start slow and try out their fish & chips. We both ordered a cup of clam chowder each, and she ordered the smaller 1 piece, while I went crazy as usual and ordered the large fisherman's platter.  The clam chowder came out first and was pretty darn good. Lots of big pieces of clams and the potatoes are diced into tiny cubes. I think that's a great way to allow the clams to shine instead of it being overwhelmed with the potato.  All our fish and chips came out nice and hot. Everything tasted fresh and crispy. They brought out our own bottles of ketchup and tartar sauce. As I once pointed out in another review, this place had the vinegar on the table before we even ordered.  That always makes me feel like we're somewhere that knows what they're doing.

The restraunt itself is just OK. It's a kind of mish-mosh of decorative elements.  The floors look a little dirty, and the chandeliers are out of place for this type of establishment.  I'm thinking it was some other kind of restaurant before Blue Ocean took over. It's in no way enough to put me off or make me not want to eat there.  All the staff are cordial, helpful and quick to fill up drinks and keep the table clean. I'm the type who loves to stack my empty dishes at the end of my table to give me more room, so I appreciate when the waitress or whomever walks by and has the wherewithal to grab it.

We decided to spoil ourselves for a date lunch not too long ago, and tried the crab pot this time.  We ordered the king and Dungeness crab mix. We expected it to take a while to come out, so we again ordered a couple cups of clam chowder.  We were starving and quickly scarfed them down. We patiently waited and it did take quite a while. One of the sweet waitresses dropped by our table with a basket of tater tots.  I can only assume that was to help with our hunger. The pot finally came out and it was overflowing with seafood. It came with one king crab leg segment that was very large, easily almost a pound.  It also came with several Dungeness crab sections, also probably about a pound. Finally, there was potatoes, sausage, corn and some peel and eat shrimp. Everything was pretty good for not being a fancy seafood restaurant.  It was the first crab boil I've had at a restaurant and everything really does have the flavor of the ocean imparted into it. It was a little pricey, and I could have bought the ingredients myself and done them at home and executed it better.  However, if you're afraid to cook seafood, this would be a great place to get your fix and stay in the middle of...

A Culinary Gem in Port Orchard - Blue Ocean Fish & Chips

In the lovely town of Port Orchard, there is a jewel that shines bright. This gem is none other than Blue Ocean Fish & Chips, a delightful eatery that offers a gourmet experience unlike any other. This place is not just a restaurant, it's a testament to the profound joy that comes from savoring high-quality seafood at its best.

The highlight of the Blue Ocean experience is unquestionably their delectable fish and chips. In an era where finding genuinely good fish and chips can be like looking for a needle in a haystack, Blue Ocean serves as a shining beacon. The batter they use for their fish is light, crispy, and ever so delicious, embracing the fresh fish in a delicate and loving culinary hug. The chips, as integral to the dish as the fish itself, are a marvel in their own right. Perfectly fried, they carry the exact right balance of crunch and softness, acting as a flawless companion to the glorious fish. This is a delight that doesn't just meet expectations - it exceeds them on every level.

The charm of Blue Ocean Fish & Chips extends beyond their spectacular food. The owners of this quaint establishment are some of the sweetest people you will ever meet. Their love for what they do shines through in every dish served and every interaction with their customers. They embody hospitality in its purest form and make you feel not just like a customer, but like a welcomed guest in their culinary home.

What we have in Port Orchard is more than a restaurant; it's a precious treat. Blue Ocean Fish & Chips is a place that reminds us of the joy of eating, the comfort of community, and the magic that can happen when these two combine. This haven for fish and chips enthusiasts isn't just raising the bar for local seafood dining; it's defining it.

With all this in mind, Blue Ocean Fish & Chips earns nothing but the highest of recommendations. Here's a place where food, hospitality, and love for the community intertwine to create an experience that doesn't just fill the stomach, but also warms the heart. So the next time you're in town, make sure you stop by. You're in...

Go somewhere else. Doesn’t matter how good the food is if they take pictures of your license plates and have your car towed for being in their parking lot. Portion sizes are often too small, anyway. I was a paying customer, stopping by while also bringing my daughter to dance class. Won’t be a customer anymore. They threaten to tow, and do tow, any dance studio customers for parking on their side of the lot, when there is always PLENTY of empty spaces. Their fish may be tasty, but is it worth paying to get your car back? And is it worth supporting such unkind business practice?

EDIT response: Actually, even though the “restricted” lot is a joke with a cone and a rope, and not officially labeled, I was parked in between the dance studio and the restaurant in the main lot but on the restaurant side when the license-plate photos and towing occurred. Hundreds of people pass through this lot for the dance studio. If the restaurant was smart or kind, they would welcome families to park on their side and even offer discounts to the dance studio families since we are there more than weekly. Instead they nit-pick and terrorize actual customers, believing they are only parked there for dance. It’s not new. I’m told when the new owner took over the restaurant was still closed and they were towing cars parked on the restaurant side. Choose kindness and community. Go somewhere else.

I’m a local nurse, working 7minutes away at the VA. I really did like this place at first and was going to frequent regularly during lunch breaks. Food is TIED in quality for Ivars, except smaller portions. I can put up with the rude cashier and with paying extra for tartar sauces not included with the fish. But I can’t put up with harassment, nit-picking, photographing license plates, towing,...