The Old Fishtrap Seafood and Spirits — Restaurant in Washington

My husband and I walked in, sat down and waited for someone to acknowledge our presence. I finally got up and approached the bar where all the regulars were sitted. Waited and waited for the lady behind the bar to stop playing with her phone and to ask me what I needed I had to walk over closer to her and get her attention. I asked for some menus, she replied "I have some here somewhere " Found out she and her husband own the place. He was very pleasant and told us what the special was for the day. We've been there before a while back and their menu was a lot smaller. We ordered burgers because there was not much to choose from. They were good. After lunch found out they don't take credit cards and the wife refused to take a local check. Also found out from the husband that they have fish and chips which is what I went there for but wasn't on the menu. We wanted to support a small business on our way home from Astoria but was terribly disappointed with the poor service. We won't go back. They seem to cater to their regulars and can care less about having...

This is easily the best seafood I’ve had. We were especially fortunate to come when they had half-shelved oysters available as a special, and they were the BIGGEST oysters I’d ever had in my life. My partner got the crab cakes - we both agreed that they were the best crab cakes we’d ever eaten. I got the steamed clams and literally dipped salad leaves into the sauce because it was so good.

According to the bartender, all the seafood is fresh and it definitely tastes like it. They were also so friendly and charming.

What’s most unique is that by all accounts, this is a dive bar frozen in time. You walk in and there’s no frills, just find a seat. When they can, the bartender will get to ya or you can take it upon yourself to order at the bar. And if you’re lucky, a local like Earl will decide to play the piano for everyone before he has to head back to work.

This is a spot we’ll be dreaming about...

I live near Portland and own a cabin in Klipsan. For 30yrs I have driven by this place and never stopped as until recently it did not look like much from the road. I heard really good things about it and decided to stop in as I was leaving town.

It is a small, clean and friendly place. Many Chinook locals hang out here. I sat at the bar next to a commercial crabber and noticed several local beers on tap. I ordered the cod fish and chips and also sampled a large butterflied shrimp. Both were great. They use an understated Panko breading so the fish/shrimp must stand on their own (which they did). Talking to the staff, all the seafood is fresh (as one would expect since they are a stones throw from the port of Chinook and Ilwaco is just down the road) and they make all their sauces from scratch. I think a lot of local pride shines...