Terrible food… over priced… over cooked and over battered… years ago we were here and it was so good, couldn’t wait to go back, this time… not so good. Way too much batter on everything we ordered… left half of our food… did I mention that we won’t be back?
Kevan P.
Classificação do local: 3 Renton, WA
Good location for lunch after visiting the locks. One of the odd Seattle fish places for sure. 1 $ rating is inaccurate. Really is $$, expensive for run of the mill from a bag Fish and Chips. Really, $ 12 for a very small fish and chips combo? Ouch. Food is okay, lots of bowl for clam chowder bowl. But if you just accept the cost, it is a nice comfortable convenient eating experience.
Lauren B.
Classificação do local: 1 Seattle, WA
Worst chowder of my life. Threw it away and saw the evidence in the trash can that others had done the same.
Luisa I.
Classificação do local: 1 Seattle, WA
Chowder sucks… gluey consistency and lacking in flavor. Fish and chips were overpriced — three piece cost more than $ 15. Nice location but nothing else to write home about.
Cami G.
Classificação do local: 5 Seattle, WA
rip!!!
Chase A.
Classificação do local: 3 Seattle, WA
I’m a Ballard native and was shocked to just see the Totem House is either closing, or is now closed already. Wild. Old Ballard is disappearing bit by bit. Farewell, Totem House.
Abby L.
Classificação do local: 1 Seattle, WA
The only reason I gave this place one star at all is because their fries were at least decent. Everything else was horrible. The chowder tasted like cheap soup you get at an airport cafeteria and the fish portions were overpriced and not good at all. Do yourself a favor and go to Ballard Brothers.
Billy D.
Classificação do local: 4 Madison, WI
Cool place to visit if you’re in the neighborhood — total home grown operation with nice people. I enjoyed the food. I don’t remember it being amazing, but definitely solid.
Bonnie C.
Classificação do local: 2 Honolulu, HI
Fried fish, fried clams, fried oysters, fried potatoes. An unsurprising franchise of the endemic fish n chips establishments of Seattle. Small stand, nothing fancy, pretty dingy. Tip: Just because the seating is outdoors doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wipe it down every once in a while. The food is fine, but it’s hard to ruin deep frying. Ivars to-go window is way better, I suspect the Totem House is in business only because of their stellar location across the street from the locks.
Cynthia M.
Classificação do local: 3 Seattle, WA
Fish = good, large pieces, fried nicely Chips/Fries = gross, ok, maybe not gross but a little pale, underseasoned and slightly on the limp side, I guess they could be good if you like bland Chowder = just alright
Andrea H.
Classificação do local: 4 Vancouver, WA
4 stars for frequent attendance. I don’t usually do fried seafood, so I can’t comment on most of the menu, but my daughter and I like the chowder – that’s almost always what we get. It’s not as creamy as some chowders, but it’s still good. The cup/bowls/bread bowls of chowder seem like a good value. I can’t recommend the chowder + Caesar salad combo – overpriced for a little cup of chowder and a small portion of entirely mediocre salad.(In case it’s not obvious, I’m feeling a little disappointed after branching out from my usual chowder bowl today). Fine dining this is not, but after a few hours at the Locks or Golden Gardens, it always hits the spot.
Chris m.
Classificação do local: 1 Seattle, WA
I think I had their clam chowder, It was ok. The rest of my food was greasy and not really appetizing. The tables outside were dirty… If you like fast seafood this might be your thing? There are really a lot of seafood options in Ballard though, so I wouldn’t risk a bad experience here again.
Cathy G.
Classificação do local: 4 Seattle, WA
love the food — sometimes greasy. no prob, blot i twith a napkin friendly staff –all but one WHY do you want extra tartar with an accusatory voice. CRAP I just do!
Ginger T.
Classificação do local: 4 Seattle, WA
We recently tried Totem House for the first time,(we usually go to Lockspot), and the fish was pretty good. Not awesome. but not as horrible as others are saying though. Mostly, they get 4 stars because the employee’s there were so friendly, and the sides were pretty darn good too!(Onion rings, Cajun fish bits – YUM)
Joe B.
Classificação do local: 4 Seattle, WA
Firmly put me onto the side that loves the Totem House! I have been coming here since the 60’s and it continues to be my «go to» place for fish and chips. I really don’t understand the Unilocalers that find it «dirty» because I certainly don’t. Sure, it is no sterile fast food joint but it does produce some of the best fish and chips in Seattle. It is true that the prices are pretty high here but what you get is fish that isn’t processed, fries that taste like potato and I would suggest a side of coleslaw or a dill pickle to round it all out.
Totem does not have the best fish & chips I’ve ever had and unfortunately it’s really not even close to being some of the better fish & chips I’ve ever had. The fish usually seems to be overcooked slightly(making the breading dry and too crisp) and the fries, while good, are nothing to write home about. I’d personally rather visit Spud for good, solid fish & chips. Prices seem kind of high for choices other than cod, but I suppose most places run similar pricing. Other places seem slightly more worth it though, since I find their fish better. However, I hear a rumor of butterscotch milkshakes??? I shall have to return to find out whether or not these exist… because if I can walk from my place to get a delicious butterscotch milkshake, they’ll likely gain a star…
Nina W.
Classificação do local: 4 Seattle, WA
Im sorry, but my grandfather used to take us here for fish and chips when i was a kid, and not much has changed over the past 20 years. I think the problem that these Unilocalers have with the need to have a restaurants interior clean enough for them to rub their butts on is absolutely ridiculous. Sure, the lobby and interior are pretty old and dingy looking, but there arent spilled condiments, napkins and straw wrappers everywhere. The tables are kept pretty clean. I have heard and believe from tv chefs that the best kinds of food can come from the most«dirty» looking locales, such as street vendor food. Its insulting to think that anyone would judge someones food with any exceptions BUT the taste and quality. Honestly, from reading reviews of fine dining restaurants by some Unilocalers, who tell horror stories about rats scurrying underneath their tables, this place is VERYTAME. Why would you come to the locks for fish and chips on a summer day and want to sit INSIDE the restaurant anyway? Go sit outside on the covered patio. And order the HALIBUTANDCHIPS(a lil more pricey but definately worth it). Their food beats out ivars and skippers any day for taste and quality. There is definately a reason why a business like this exists for 40 plus years. It is a Ballard institution, and their food is good.
Karl H.
Classificação do local: 1 Kirkland, WA
After my fish taco here on Friday night I lost about 4 pound between Saturday and Sunday. What’s that saying again… oh, yeah… «dropping the kids off at the pool». 40 years in business my ass… more like 40 years of paying off the health inspector.
Nadia R.
Classificação do local: 1 Seattle, WA
I ate here once, and will never return. Everything about this place is totally filthy, from the parolee employees to the horse flies marinating in their vinegar. TOTALGUTBOMB.