Stop by Seabolt’s for seafood in Oak Harbor
Published 5:06 pm Thursday, May 22, 2008
OAK HARBOR — For me, a visit to Seabolt’s Smokehouse is mandatory when visiting Whidbey Island.
In 1978, Seabolt’s opened as a roadside stand near Deception Pass. The current owners, Vinton and Charisse Waldron, bought the recipes along with the name eight years ago and moved into their current location about four years ago.
The restaurant, which is across from a Safeway, faces Highway 20 with the smokehouse in back, and the enticing aromas greet you long before you’re through the door.
Once inside, there’s a deli cooler with smoked salmon and salmon pate. I always take home one of each because one of my favorite super-easy dinners is smoked salmon Caesar salad.
The airy dining room is furnished in country-style pine tables and chairs, and be sure to get a table with a nautical chart under glass as the top. A collection of blue ribbon awards plus photos of boats, fish and fishermen serve as decoration. There’s also a selection of gift baskets along the dining room’s far wall. The atmosphere is casual, with orders taken at the counter, orders served in wire baskets and plastic containers for condiments and cole slaw.
My friend and I visited Seabolt’s twice this month. Our first visit was also my dinner companion’s first visit ever, so he played it safe and ordered two pieces of Alaskan cod and chips ($9.75), which includes cole slaw and fries. I ventured into unknown waters and ordered the steamed Penn Cove mussels ($10.50), which comes with garlic bread and cole slaw. On our second visit, my dinner mate had the prawns and chips ($9.50) and I chose the fish tacos ($8.95).
My friend said on our first visit that his fish and chips were OK but he didn’t like the panko breading. On our second visit, he really enjoyed the prawns, even though they had the same panko crust, because they tasted like they had just come out of the water. On both visits, the fries were fresh from the fryer and our cole slaw was fresh and cold.
For me, it was difficult to decide whether the garlic-white wine butter broth or the steamed mussels were the highlight of the classic dish. I used my garlic bread to soak up as much of the broth as possible and enjoyed every bite. My fish tacos were just as delicious with fresh tortillas, lots of chopped cabbage and chili-lime tartar salsa.
A visit to Whidbey Island means lots of fresh seafood — clams, crab, mussels and seasonal choices. A visit to Seabolt’s Smokehouse makes a visit to the island complete.
Herald restaurant reviewers accept no invitations to review, but readers’ suggestions are always welcome. Reviewers arrive unannounced, and The Herald pays their tabs.
Contact Anna Poole at features@heraldnet.com.
