Big Disappointment at Little Chinook's

A family tradition of ours is to dine every July at the Anthony’s restaurant at Fishermen’s Terminal in Ballard. This year we made the call to spend $100 and eat at Little Chinook’s — their sister fish and chips stall next to the restaurant — instead of $250 at Anthony’s. Restaurants should be for special occasions where you expect to spend a bunch of money but I have been known to cry if the food is bad at a place and in the past few years Anthony’s has gone downhill. Of course they have - it’s a corporate chain now with over 30 stores in Washington and Idaho. Would you rather eat at a factory or at your old Italian grandma’s house? Easy choice.

Little Chinook’s used to have the best fish and chips but this time around was different. The Alaska true cod and chips was served to us breaded with panko instead of their classic wet/beer batter. And there is a good chance these were pre-fried freezer fillets.

This is what we brought home for the dogs.

There’s an executive at Anthony’s somewhere who made the decision to downgrade the quality of a menu item - all to add a bit more to the profit margin. A brilliant move for long-term success!

Over $100 for four true cod and chips meals and four iced teas. And a cup of their “New Jersey style” red clam chowder, which has always been excellent. I have fond memories of ordering that chowder every single day when I worked at Pacific Fishing magazine’s Fishermen’s Terminal office. Their cole slaw is also still excellent - red and green cabbage in a tangy vinaigrette with no mayo to be found. Fries awesome and the same - double fried and perfectly spiced.

—Alex

A net shed at Fishermen’s Terminal.

Beneath the Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial statue at Fishermen’s Terminal.