This tavern has been around since the dawn of time, I'm pretty sure- I remember being a small kid and hearing my parents talking about going to the Chester. Walking inside you can see things haven't changed a bit in the past decades- with the exception that now the tv's have flat screens and you can hook up the juke box to an app on your phone if you so desire Maybe there has been a few more funny bumper stickers added to their collection. Sunday is the best day, it's taco day Coming in on a Sunday afternoon and interacting with the staff- the waitress Rebecca who works behind the bar (she usually has mermaid colored hair) is always super friendly and easy to talk to when we have questions, as well as being attentive and you always see her eye roaming, checking in with everyone to make sure they have what they need and if they need any refills- I have seen her be super rushed when everyone has decided to come in and enjoy some time there all at once and she efficiently runs through her routine, always taking her time to make sure to present the best customer service. And oh my gosh, as much as I love their tacos... their burgers and fries are super amazing. It's often hard to decide which I want more! I expect when you come around to visit and check out the food, you'll be met with the same hard decision but my suggestion is to try them both. read more

Came on vacation from California and the bartender, was very rude and compulsive, as she spoke to me I had trouble understanding her dialect, It seemed slurry. I believe, under the influence. She should not be working there. Can't remember her name but she was the thinner bartender. Also had crooked teeth. Would not recommend going to her for your cocktail needs . read more

ZERO STAR - Thursday night Horrible service clearly the bartender was under the influence! she couldn't even calm her nerves enough to take an order after waiting 18minutes for her to acknowledge my husband and I. We got a drink ordered then another 35min wait for the fries we ordered. Owners should evaluate employees and standard drug test! I don't recommend this dive at all! read more

Good food and great bartenders/cook. Cash only, ATM available. Tavern who slings his drinks and serves amazing food, in that order historic building, and great experience. read more

Sat down wife ordered a drink. Waited 10 minutes. No drink asked for the waitress so we could pay and leave.paid and left . A dive bar has better service. Cash only. read more

Chester's isn't your typical city bar--it's the people bar. Grab some fried oysters, a bourbon, and a High Life. Play some pool, enjoy the tunes, soak it all in, and enjoy the ride. read more

Chester Tavern - Its that easy - Pubs Near Me - South Bend, Washington

Hands down the best breaded oysters on the planet, raw ones are on point as well, It's has amazing vibes of a true locals spot-- it's a must try read more

Great view, great food, great place. Came here on our way back to Portland from Ocean Shores & glad we did! It's right on the water so you get a perfect view. The food is insanely cheap! Really liked the feeling of being in a place where there are locals and everyone is being themselves. This place is CASH ONLY but there's an atm right across the street. read more

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Don't know where the person who wrote the last review I saw on here was eating, but I don't think it was Chester's. View from the window is straight out to the water. The waitstaff are friendly and attentive without being pushy. To top it all off... Best fried oysters EVER! I've had them from Maine to Florida, and all over the NW, these are BEST 6 is too many for one person, but I managed... Would recommend you bring a friend to help you eat up, so you will be able to comfortably stand up to leave. "Fried" doesn't do them justice. Brings up a mind picture of layers of thick greasy breading that could be fish or fowl or who knows what. These have a thin tasty crispness, holds the oyster together, melts in your mouth. Have one extra bite for me, please! read more

Looks can be deceiving... this a unique gem, and should not be missed when traveling through South Bend... Fabulous Bloody's!! read more

Chester Tavern - two glasses of iced tea on a bar - Pubs Near Me - South Bend, Washington

This is one of the best small town bars I have been to. It has pool, good tunes and the best fried oysters!

Ordered the fresh oysters with fries. They came out fried. When we questioned the fact that they were cooked she said, "Well did you want them uncooked?" "Yes." "Oh well, you should have specified." "But it says fresh. Nothing on there says fried." She just stood there and looked at us. read more

Chester Tavern - Pubs Near Me - South Bend, Washington

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Oyster capital? This place exceeded my expectations! This is a Local hot spot for fresh meaty oysters and great fresh fish and chips - I've tried oysters all over the country and these are second to none. If you are an out of towner/tourist (like me) don't be a loser like that one yelp chick who walked in and walked out without trying any thing. Don't judge a book by its cover (yelping 101)! Sure the decor or ambience is that of a roadhouse but who cares (grow a pair) we are here for the food and the food was awesome. read more

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Maybe I'm just a sucker for dive bars, but I think this place is pretty darn cool. Is it the Ritz Carlton? No, it's not. But if you want a cold beer and some friendly service, then you can't go wrong coming to the Chester. I have found the bartender to be welcoming, even when the appearance of the place might suggest otherwise. The kitchen is small and the bartender doubles as the cook. Be aware of this when ordering food. They're supposedly world renowned for their oysters, but I can't comment on that as I only had their Costco hot dog, which I enjoyed. Two pool tables, several TVs, and a laid back atmosphere. Pretty cool joint. read more

When we are within an hour's drive from the Chester Tavern this is where we go for the most delicious fried oysters. The breading is light and the oysters meaty. We camp with friends in the area frequently and we will make a special point of visiting the Chester Tavern. Best oysters we have ever had! read more

Best fried oysters ever!!! Friendly service, lots of locals. Not sure they get many Irish rockers in leather, chains, and a kilt, but they were cool. I don't do camouflage well (wink) Great drink prices...damn stiff ones at that. Food prices were awesome as well. Oysters were meaty, huge, and the coating was sweet. Went so well with the briny flavour and a pint!! Really chill local bar. Felt very comfortable. Big 50th birthday party was being held there that night. So much fun. Awesome group of women. Who needs karaoke when we all carried the tunes!? Open late..kitchen too. read more

This place is so sick. Stopped on my way from Astoria to Snoqualmie because I saw all of the oyster signs, and I was met with a big hello by the folks outside waiting on the game to go back into play (I clearly don't watch sports, but these folks loved the Seahawks who have Ciara's husband playing quarterback for them). Anyway, these fried oysters were big, delicious, not super greasy, and the bartender was super nice. Love ! It ! read more

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Great place! Great food, great old bar with lots of atmosphere! A SB institution! Gotta stop!

Oysters as fresh as it gets, cold beer, friendly staff, and it's so cheap it's almost ridiculous. Yeah it's dive-y, if you think you're too good to drink PBR steer clear for everyone's sake. This place is hands down a gem, give it a shot. Did I mention oysters? Oh my god. read more

If you are ever in South Bend Washington the self-proclaimed oyster capital of the world and you want to try oyster Burger the best place for that is the Chester Club. Listed on Yelp as the Chester Tavern. My wife and I just had two of the best oyster Burgers we have ever had there. And I know my oysters. I was the South Bend oyster eating championship 5 times. The event is held every year during the oyster Stampede Festival Memorial Day weekend. I forgot I was going to take a picture of my oyster Burger until after I took two bites out of it. The side dish was potato salad. read more

Chester Tavern - Oyster burger from the Chester Club. Formerly called the Chester Tavern and downtown South Bend Washington. - Pubs Near Me - South Bend, Washington

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Chester Social and Oyster Bar is (clearly and obviously) a roadhouse, of the homey kind that are being devoured by malignant corporate chain bars all over the U.S. Because it is a roadhouse, and not another Hooters, Chester doesn't have to serve the kind of homogeneous, packaged, factory food that every Hooters in the U.S. serves. Instead, Chester Tavern can buy ingredients from the oyster processing plant down the street, so that Chester's fried oysters are as good as any oyster dish served by the best restaurants. The oysters you eat at lunch on Monday were in their shells early Monday morning, and as with all fish, the fresher the better. No oyster I have eaten in Seattle, New Orleans or San Francisco equals these - plump, juicy, full of flavor, cooked until perfectly done, but not a moment beyond. I've never had oysters in New York, but apparently Chester's oysters don't have any competition there either. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/travel/30bites.html?_r=0 That said, Chester's is a roadhouse. You get a few menu choices from the menu board, service comes from an actual human being who speaks English as opposed to Marketing, there are the usual run of drinks, and a plain linoleum table will serve as the altar on which you will appreciate these glorious oysters. A basket of the best fried oysters in the country plus french fries or onion rings will set you back $8. Beer posters decorate the walls, and the big screen TV is always on. Welcome back to America. Order an extra basket. Enjoy. read more

Chester Tavern - Fried oyster basket with french fries. Onion rings also available. - Pubs Near Me - South Bend, Washington

This is a dive. If you must go here be ready for unfriendly bartender. Also its supposed to be an oyster bar but the only oysters they serve are fried. Oh and go at public restrooms one block west before you go here because you do not want to enter the bathroom. read more

After 3 hours of traffic and long winding roads into nowhere, we were surprised and absolutely delighted to come upon this magical haven upon the shore. We were greeted by a very comprehensive collection of vintage Budweiser ads, ostute and ironic bumper stickers, and my favorite kind of bartender, the old bitter woman kind. Being that we were under 50 and "city slickers" we stuck out like sore thumbs, but were made to feel right at home. The fish and chips was nothing fancy, but we had the option of every kind of dipping sauce. Here's what you can't live without though... OYSTER SHOOTERS. The freshest, most amazing, clean beautiful oyster I've ever had with a healthy dollop of cocktail and a fresh lemon. I will dream of this oyster for years. Get it in you. read more

It's easy to zoom right by this place as you're driving on highway 101, but if you're an oyster lover, this place is a great place to stop. While it calls itself a club/tavern, there are tables in the back half that feel more like a lunch place. The oysters were big and juicy and fresh, not too heavily battered, all around perfect. You can get a basket of six with fries for nine dollars, which I consider a win. South Bend is teeming with places that advertise oysters, but I'm glad I stopped in here. read more

Friendly place right on the bay. Ate an oyster shooter for the first time & it was good. My companion who loves them said it was the best he ever had. Will definitely stop in again next time I'm in the area. read more

They have absolutely the greatest Oysters Fried and otherwise. Tim the owner is so friendly and helpful you couldn't meet a nicer guy. Occasionally have music to be enjoyed. The bar takes part in Community events and has a very cordial evening crowd. South Bend is a quaint small town atmosphere your guaranteed to enjoy read more

The most amazing oysters you can find...i dont need to say anymore...search this place out on your next trip on the Washington coast and order a dozen oysters and savor the goodness... read more

One of our local, and historical, taverns. Simple menu, cash only, but worth the experience. Nothing fancy but that's perfectly alright. Staff are always friendly, we enjoy lunch there when we can. The views aren't bad either if you take a window seat, literally on the river. It's worth a stop and say hello! read more

Great little dive bar filled with locals who were beyond friendly. Quite loud but that wasn't a bother, heck, it's a tavern. The oysters were definitely amazing. Not strong or fishy. Tender, mild and sweet. Watch out for the loud guy named Randy. read more

I felt jipped that the sign says "oyster bar" yet the only option for oysters is fried. Now granted, they were the best fried oysters I have ever had - but it seems a bit misleading. read more

When my boyfriend and I hit South Bend, oyster burgers at The Chester becomes a priority.

Dive, not faux-dive, but this place is as real as it gets. Upside: good beer selection. Cheap as hell. Isn't trying to impress anyone. Bartender is a real character. Cooler has 2.5 million high-larious bumper stickers on it. Oysters are incredibly good (straight out of the water, pretty much, and super-cheap either fried or shooters in a plastic cup with hot sauce -- upretentious, but amazingly tasty). Always somethin' on the tee vee. Fun graffiti in the terlets. Nice design on the hats. Downside: not much in the way of cocktails. Hats not available for purchase when we were there. Cash only. Serious townie vibe leaving slight sense that you might get murdered. Otherwise a solid four stars, would stop again. read more

Having traveled extensively and considering myself a good judge of bars, the Chester is undoubtedly memorable. This bar would have a fanatical cult following of it were in Philly or DC (and YES there are still cash bars out there). The fried oysters should immediately become the official state food of WA. Do yourself a favor and step in for at least one drink and some oysters. read more

Horrible service, not great food, we were passing through town and decided to stop in for a bite to eat. Only one person working, very slow service, she brought out our food before our appetizers, we ended up canceling our appetizer. Then they don't take cards! I would have given a no star if I could! read more

The interior is old. The food is o.k. and the prices are decent. I probably wouldn't eat here again.

great food - fun times - oysters are perfect would have been nice for the 'lone' gal to have some help but she ran the floor with ease - highly recommended stop read more

Place smelt like urine. Couldn't hold my breath long enough to place an order so I left. My partner returned to order the world famous oysters to find they are a commercial frozen product, and poorly cooked/presented at that. Will not be back, stopped instead at a local oyster harvester in South Bend and bought fresh to prepare my own. read more

It doesn't look like much on the inside or outside, but, hey, the oysters are some of the best I've ever had, they're fresh and there is a view of the river. The folks at the historical museum sent us there when we asked for the best oysters in town. They should know! Unpretentious. Friendly. Lots of locals. read more

We have driven past here so many times in the last 10 years and never thought of stopping until last weekend. Yes, if you were uppity and walked in you may walk out, but if you walk in all the way and see the view at least, it's pretty darn great. It's an old tavern, but everything was clean as was the bathroom, which is alway a good indicator. The Seahawks were playing and that is why we stopped to catch some of the game. Reasonable beverage prices, not a great selection of wine but doable in a pinch. It really gets good when we decide to order their Willapa oyster basket. I was raised around fresh local seafood and had a mother who could cook it well, so I know good when I taste it. Who would have thought that I would have the best oyster in a bar/restaurant I've ever had? I haven't ordered oysters for a very long time out, because they are never good or worth it. This is not the case here, super fresh and great small ones (the best way to eat them), and cooked to perfection, not smothered in a heavy batter, guesssing a light flour dipping and fried. It's the freshness factor that really makes these rock, you can taste it with the first bite. We had great friendly service which is always a plus, even though we weren't a local. The owner ended up coming in, and very attentive and friendly, making sure everyone had what they needed and were well taken care of. This will definately be a place we will stop on our travels to Long Beach and beyond, just wish we had stopped here years ago. It's cash only, but right across the street is an atm with no fee, so that was great. read more

My husband and I found this little gem by accident, we had no intention to stop in South Bend, Wa but when we did we were so happy. We visited the county seat and were told by a very friendly woman that Chester Tavern was a good place for lunch an she was so right. We had the most wonderful fried oysters we had ever put in our mouths. The staff was fun and friendly even to us strangers and to see the article that was written up by the NY Times Food Editor was a bonus but not needed to know the food was great. If you don't like a "Bar" atmosphere it might not be for you but for us travelers from Southern California it was a real treat. We highly recommend it to anyone in the area to stop by. read more