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    Bob's Chowder Bar

    3.7 (395 reviews)

    Bob's Chowder Bar Photos

    BOB'S CHOWDER BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Bob's Chowder Bar

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    White oatmeal....I mean clam chowder. Cold and not very appealing to look at.
    Kenny W.

    I work in Anacortes and had not ate all day so I decided to have Bob's delivered. I ordered at 2:30pm 07/02/2024 a bowl of clam chowder and the Mini Bob which is a kid's fish and chips. the order arrived fast but the clam chowder was cold and looked like white oatmeal and I had to use a fork to scoop it. How can you have Chowder in your name and not focus on the most exquisite chowder ever. The Mini Bob was a real "treat." Instead of fish and chips I received breaded deep fried salmon bites. WTF gives a kid fried salmon for a fish and chips meal? Isn't it usually cod everywhere else on planet earth? I am not sure who's idea this was but thank you for making my lunch absolutely horrendous.

    Clam chowder bowl
    Philip P.

    I am surprised that I haven't written a review of this restaurant yet! Cause I tend to head over here fairly often. It's been one of my favorite places to get clam chowder and it hits you in the right spot. Every so often, I would drive an hour away just to satisfy my craving for Bob's clam chowder. It's the best item worth getting. I've tried the calamari and fish and chips here, but nothing beats their clam chowder. Don't get me wrong, the other items are good too, but the chowder is on another level. First time I had it, I ordered just a cup and immediately I regretted it cause I should've gotten a bowl! It was so good that I wanted more! The other times I did just that and there were a couple times that I've changed it up too. I've gotten their chowder sampler in the past and their bread bowl, but I think the best way to go is to simply just order a bowl of the regular clam chowder. Feel free to get something along with it, but make sure to get some chowder. Totally worth the drive!

    Love the great outdoor space!
    Elisabeth P.

    We stopped off here after an epic kayaking trip this last weekend and were really looking forward to some comfort food. I was excited to see so many gluten free options on the menu and made the executive decision we were going here. It's a cute little place with lots of great seating options including a great outdoor patio where we were seated. Our server seemed a little frazzled when she stopped by but was able to get some answers about gf items from the kitchen for me and then take our order. She brought drinks to us but only brought half a beer to our friend saying the tap ran out and she'd bring him a second one with the meal but unfortunately that was the last time we saw her so we never got that promise fulfilled. The group ordered fried avocado bites which were not gf but apparently good. I wanted the fish and chips because they have gf breading and I was thrilled to try it! Unfortunately they use one fryer for everything so it's only safe for someone dieting, not with an allergy like me. That being said I did not go hungry because they had gf chowder and fish tacos! I had to send back the chowder originally as it came with bread in it despite me reporting the gluten allergy. The tacos were kind of meh but the chowder was fabulous! I had the salmon chowder and licked the bowl. The husband and our friends ordered crab sandwiches and fish and chips and they were so happy they kept complimenting my choice in restaurants. We didn't see our server again or get passed on to anyone if her shift finished, so we pestered anyone we saw for more drinks, water, and finally the check. My experience was closer to 3 stars considering the service issues and mix up with my meal, but everyone else was so pleased I've got to give it 4 stars per group consensus! Wish they had a dedicated fryer so I could pass out in a heap of golden crispy fried halibut but I'll keep dreamin!

    Top-Old bread that was hard and wrinkle, like it had been microwaved. Bottom- all the watery mayonnaise that dripped out.

    The biggest disappointment of day! I ordered the rock crab sandwich and that was a big mistake. The bread was old and hard. The crab did not taste like crab and had a pungent old taste. . The crab had a load of celery all bathed in mayonnaise that just kept dripping out. i did not even attempt to finish it.

    Three piece cod and fries. One piece was so rubbery and chewy that it was inedible. Fries were good.
    Kimber R.

    You know what I hate? Bad service. You know what I hate even more? Terrible service. We came in and were immediately sat in the dining room. I think they have 8 tables total right now inside, and maybe 4 outside. Not all tables were taken while we were there. 3/4 waiters/waitresses. Our drink orders were taken right away, and took 22 minutes to arrive. Then another 15 before our food order was taken. When food orders were taken, another drink was ordered. Said drink never arrived, and our drinks that were received, were never filled up. The owner even stopped by our table, and all cups were empty and nothing was said or done. We didn't even see someone long enough to ask them to be filled. They just sat, empty, at the edge of the table. When our food came out, the waitress stumbled and two meals fell in together making a sloppy mess on her tray(and our plates). No napkins on the table. None brought to help with the mess. We didn't see someone again until the check came. Now, the food was okay, but pretty bland. Everything needed a little salt(and of course there is no salt on the table due to COVID). I got three pieces of fish, and one was so rubbery that I couldn't chew it. The chowder was ok, but nothing to write home about. It was a pretty disappointing experience made even worse when the check came. They use a square system where you insert your card and pay on the pad.... not a terrible idea, but was made weird when the waiter was looking directly down telling my husband to enter the tip and watching his every move while he did so... on the pre chosen tip choices. It was so uncomfortable. This is not a place we will recommend and we won't be back. We had such high hopes after reading reviews and it did not live up to the hype.

    Oyster Burger and salad
    Scott L.

    I wasn't too sure what to expect when this place was suggested. It is on a corner and the entrance is very "busy" that at first I thought it was just a take out window. It actually is a pretty large seating area both inside and out, plenty of light and well decorated. We were seated pretty quickly and had quick service even though they appeared to be moderately busy. I had the oyster burger and a salad. Now, I've never imagined having a pile of fried oysters in a delicious breading, smothered in tartar sauce, topped with coleslaw and all put into a ciabatta bun. Much to my surprise it was an excellent choice. Not too heavy for a sunny day. The house salad was a good mix of greens and croutons. For the dressing I chose their Lemon Love. Not too overwhelming with a good amount to tang. I also tried a Rock Crab Tater Tor, which was a small ball of rock crab meat held together with some type of sauce then breaded and fried. It comes with a big cherry mustard sauce I think on top and not in the middle. Moist, almost a little too much, but with a great flavor. Options available if you have someone in your party who does not like seafood. For the rest, you will find something you like!

    Menu 06/21/20
    Khadij A.

    Great service, good food, wonderful atmosphere! This establishment is doing a great job at keeping their place open and maintaining social distancing with hygienic processes. We were seated outside and hand sanitizer was made widely available. They're using paper menus at this time to avoid reusing and over sanitizing. The food itself was pretty good and tasty. The fish tasted fresh and the menu was variable enough to have something for everyone. I would return if I'm ever in the area! Next time though, I would avoid the fried seafood basket as that was too much fried food for me.

    Rock crab tots
    Lo V.

    We have been coming here for years and it's great every time! Best chowder and fried pickles I have ever had. Highly recommend the chowder flight so you can try all the goodness. Great spot with good parking and friendly staff.

    New England Chowder
    Kait S.

    Absolutely delicious seafood! The Salmon Chowder Bread Bowl was the standout winner. New England Chowder was also good and the Fish and Chips were perfectly flaky and crisp. 10/10 give it a try!

    Menu
    Amy P.

    Came here to get some clam chowder. I got a cup of New England clam chowder to go for $8. I grew up in New England, so I'm particular about clam chowder. The flavor was just ok, not enough chunks of potato. The server who helped us was very nice though. Ambiance was nothing special. Free street parking.

    Outside
    Mary H.

    Super delicious food here at Bobs. Found this place on Yelp after our whale watch trip and glad I did. Cute outdoor patio with plenty of shade. We both had the clam chowder which was full of clams and hot and tasty. We both ate all of it. Then I had the penn cove mussels in white wine broth. I love mussels and these were very good to me- the broth especially! Hubs got the 3 piece Halibut and chips. So very good- the batter is crispy and cooked perfectly. Serious stop here to eat and ignore the bad reviews- this place was amazing!!

    Worst Caesar salad I've ever had

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    2 years ago

    Great chowder and pretty good fried oysters. Good selection of beers. Good place. Nice crisp bread with the chowder.

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    2 years ago

    Food & service was very good. Portions were adequate, menu offers good choices and their salads and chowder are both great.

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    2 years ago

    The chowder bread bowl with fried clams was amazing. The service was a bit slow could have used another server.

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    4 years ago

    Yummy bread bowl and fish & chips! Nice staff. Clean restrooms... we'll be back when in the area again.

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    Page 2 of 10

    Ask the Community - Bob's Chowder Bar

    Do the people that interface with customers wear masks all the time like the CDC suggests they should?

    It was two weeks ago when we order takeout so things could have changed since. No the guy who took our order and delivered to us in our car did not wear a mask. I would call and confirm if they have changed that process.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    the food we did receive was generally good but communication caused some issues & important items…read morewere forgotten. the good: ~ i got the Old Town Lunch with the Calico Cuban & clam chowder. sandwich tasted great, i especially liked the slaw. ~ his original item was not available so my uncle got the Popeye Scramble which he said tasted good. ~ my grandpa's mac & cheese looked delicious & he looked happy about it. the bad: ~ no spoons were included which turned my chowder into a container i just stared at throughout the meal since we took our food to the beach. ~ i ordered two sides of bacon for my daughter & we only received one. she's seven & was still hungry & got cranky. ~ my mom's salmon benedict was served on a biscuit instead of english muffin she requested & was overcooked. ~ the girl who took our order over the phone seemed unsure & unfamiliar with the menu. we asked if it was possible to substitute the bread on the Cuban & she said yes. when we arrived to pick up we were told it was not possible (requested a bun instead of grilled bread). i wanted to be able to share w my grandpa & he can't eat harder foods. i don't mind but it was a disappointment. ~ no ketchup served with breakfast potatoes? ~ apparently pot pie is not available to go. we were treated to lunch so i did not want to ask for the receipt but definitely hope they weren't charged for two sides of bacon as we only got one. most of the food we did get that we could eat with our hands was good.

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    Just traveling through This beautiful Washington State and decided to have dinner at this…read morebeautiful Restaurant with amazing views! However our dining experience was not Good !! Our server was not a pleasant person at all ! She seemed overwhelmed and not friendly or interested on explaining anything from drink menu or dinner menu! We felt like we were a burden ! May be she should have called in sick and not be there dealing with customers! Another issue that No one ever picked up our appetizer/salad plates!!! So let's go over our food and cocktails, (2) stars on cocktails! (1) star on appetizers! (1) star on salads! And (2) stars on our dinners!! WE DEFINITELY DECIDED TO SKIP DESSERT! I'm not sure dessert would have been any better! I'm sad to review this beautiful Restaurant at only ONE STAR !!!

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    My family enjoyed this place the first time they came. It has nice pub decor and good drinks…read more This time around we got the fish and chips, steak sandwich and lamb burger with onion rings. The fish and chips were good and had a nice crisp breading. The fried were battered and fluffy inside. The sandwich had a good ratio of meat to bread and a nice au jus. I ordered the lamb burger with the mango chutney on the side in case it had chili pepper in it. They had to take an extra minute to fix my burger because they accidentally put the chutney on them, at which point I did clarify that I can't eat chili. It arrived and looked nice with a very fluffy bun. First bite in I could tell there was some kind of chili in the lamb patty (which was unexpected as it's a Mediterranean inspired dish with feta). I couldn't eat the rest of it so I paid $22 bucks for some thick soft onion rings. This place does not offer for you to choose your burger cook temperature either, which is a little odd since their patties are very thick 1/2 pounders. This burger was definitely overcooked and very dry. The mango chutney tasted good but really did not go with the Mediterranean taste of the dish. I'm sure my family would return here and rate it 4 stars, I probably won't return and I rate it 2 stars (so I am splitting the difference here).

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    Bob's Chowder Bar - seafood - Updated September 2026

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