Ivar's Seafood Bar — Restaurant in Renton

Ivar's Cajun true cod with chowder is something I crave in this city. My wife usually gets clam strips and we share. Food is always consistent, and cooked to order. I do wish, however, that at this price point they would throw in a ramekin of slaw and offer a chowder upgrade (something I was a fan of at the old Skippers joints). More options to replace fries (too much fried all at once, need some vegetables in my life) would be nice. It's the best fast food seafood joint in the city though; almost an attraction, like Dicks.

Their marketing has always been entertaining, for decades: 4th of Jul-Ivars, acres of clams, keep clam, in cod we trust, the clam people, and the whole old signage they say they pulled out of the sound for their anniversary and subsequent cheap chowder deals. Rare that I would even mention a companys marketing.

Kids meal comes in a bag with activities on it that everyone can get involved with (I appreciate this). Much better than some toy you are going to throw away a month later when you clean out your car.

I like this location because it's basically on a dock, and there are plenty of seating options outside on a nice day. They manage the queue pretty well with a single line on busy weekends, and still keep it made to order. Staff is friendly, and attentive. You can get frozen confections here as well, and sometimes they run a separate line for it.

I'll always return. An unadulterated and nostalgic staple of history in the greater community, worthy of being in a...

Came here on Friday afternoon lunch while visiting Renton. It was half full from about the 10 tables outside on the pier and tables on the inside. Walked in and the staff was very welcoming and helpful. Wanted to try the traditional fish and chips, so ordered the Alaska True Cod, but also tried the Wild Alaska Halibut Fish and Chips. For the sides, ordered the Clam Chowder and Cole Slaw.

Within 10 minutes, they brought the order to the table. There were nice thick cuts of Cod and Halibut. Asked for some malt vinegar as I don't like for tartar sauce or anything else to take away from the flavor of the fish. The fish was very fresh and flaky on the inside with a nice fried crisp on the outside. The chowder thick, creamy, and also had nice chunks of clam. It was a little too cold to eat outside, but the inside still provide a nice view of the water. After the meal, it was a nice walk around the boardwalk right around the restaurant. I can imagine how nice it is to sit outside and enjoy your meal. This place had good quality seafood without paying the high...

The 5 piece cod and chips were very disappointing. The fish didn't taste like cod to me. It had a tough almost gristle like texture. The pieces were small and not a good value for the money. The fries are okay, but nothing special. If we go again we will have to try the halibut in hopes it's better, for a much higher price. We tried the new calamari which was okay and only $3 for a half a dozen pieces. My husband likes the chowder and bc of that it's worth the trip. The restaurant was pretty clean and well staffed. I've lived in the Pacific NW my whole life and in my opinion Ivars isn't as good as it used to be many years ago and definitely not as good a value. Unfortunately a lot of Coulon Park is under construction now so not as much fun to go to Ivars just for the not so gr8 meal. NEXT VISIT: tried the salmon chowder and the jumbo prawns & chips. The chowder had very good flavor and was enjoyable, the prawns were good and I would probably...