BBQ Heaven
Land in BBQ heaven at Dad's Diner Old School BBQ. Neil Stuchal and Fletcher McLean, proudly brought the "food truck scene" to Anacortes, which has become a beacon for BBQ and smokehouse lovers. Stuchal and McLean's food philosophy is to make it from scratch, which means they grind their own meat, make their own sauces, sides, fixings and rubs. Their menu offers apple wood smoked meats, fresh ground burgers, plates and sandwiches with homemade sides, such as, honey horseradish coleslaw, smoked seasonal veggies and house smoked gorgonzola. Dad's Diner a Go-Go Old School BBQ was inspired by "a true passion, a real friendship and a shared loved for the simplicity of great food prepared from scratch." Both Stuchal and McLean give back to the community by supporting local events, such as, the Friends of the Forest and Punch Out at the Port, as well as, the Taste of Anacortes. A new brick and mortar location is now open at 906 Commercial Avenue this spring for breakfast and lunch.
Location: The corner of Commercial and 22nd Street Hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check out Facebook for daily specials.
Rustic and Scratch
Old world food and rustic scratch defines A'Town Bistro, the most recent restaurant to make their mark on the locavore scene. Owner, L.M. Libby, was inspired by two things; her Maine childhood and her love of the Pacific Northwest. Libby's food philosophy is to create a fresh and simple menu and let "the product speak for itself." The setting with natural wood tones and handmade tables and chairs reflects the rustic nature of the menu that includes old fashioned Irish pate, Tuscan angel hair pasta, wild boar burger and quinoa salad, and redeye, just to name a few. Each bowl of clam chowder is made to order and its well worth the wait. A'Town Bistro smokes their own meats, including ribeye, pork, duck and the meats for the Charcuterie Board. As the President of the Anacortes Farmers Market, Libby honors her relationships with local farmers, fisherman and foragers. A list of about twenty purveyors that range approximately 30 miles distance from A Town, greet you at the door. Libby's enthusiasm for "rustic, scratch food" is contagious and the staff hones their skills beside her in the "teaching kitchen." LIbby gives back by supporting local events.
Location: 418 Commercial Avenue- Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday Brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check out Facebook for new menu items, tapped bears and specials.
Gourmet Hot Dogs
Looking for a hot dog that will astound your taste buds? Or a juice that pops with all the flavors of the tropics? The Juicy Dog is the creation of James Mayo and Lacee Root (an Anacortes native) who were inspired by the unique hot dogs and juice bars of Baja. Their food philosophy is as fresh and organic as possible, and wholesome. I've got to admit, they've turned a regular hot dog into extraordinary delight. How? Imagine a hot dog with roasted garlic, sautéed onions, smoked gouda and sliced apples or sautéed onions, roasted red peppers and jalapeno mayo sauce. Mayo and Root know their flavor combos. They also serve fresh squeezed juices and whole fruit smoothies, gluten free buns and recently added fresh ground burgers, homemade soup and homemade sausages and work with local farms. The relish, pickles and sauerkraut hail from Pleasant Valley Farms. The Juicy Dog diminishes its carbon footprint even further by using compostable cups, straws, lids, silverware, napkins and to go boxes, just to name a few. Mayo and Root participate in local events, such as Oktoberfest, and support many community events.
Location: 408 Commercial Avenue Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m to 6 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday reopens from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. check out Facebook for pictures of their soups, burgers, specials and Dog of the Week.
Southern Meets Northern
Need a bit of Southern comfort food? 5th Street Bistro, part of the Majestic Inn and Spa, fuses Southern and Northwest flavors. Need an example? Chef Dusty Cope's Country Shrimp and Grits or Bacon Infused Alfredo. Chef Cope strives to make guests feel at home with his fusion creations. Cope is from North Carolina and believes in supporting local grown and harvested food. The Skagit Valley with an abundance of fresh produce and local seafood has given him the opportunity to refine his passion for fusion cuisine. Cope actively seeks local purveyors and believes that buying locally goes beyond necessity; it is part of his environmental and social ideals. The Majestic Inn and Spa will be adding to the charm of Old Town with a new thirty room edition. Cope already has plans for the top, a roof-top garden. The Majestic Inn and Spa participates in local events, such as the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce Spring Wine Festival, Taste Anacortes at the Farmers Market in the fall.
Location: 419 Commercial Avenue Hours: Breakfast, Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday and Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Lunch Monday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Dinner, Sunday to Thursday 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Check out Facebook for information about the Inn, Spa and Bistro.
Artistic Cuisine
Enjoy local art, literature and the bounty of the Pacific Northwest, all in one place. Adrift is owned by two sisters, Nicole and Maggie Holbert. Their food philosophy is to create a unique dining experience that combines their love of art and camaraderie with the bounty of the Pacific Northwest and "present it in an atmosphere that will nurture both body and spirit." For the Holbert sisters "food and community are inextricably entwined." Each month, for First Friday Artwalk, they showcase local art. In between the dining tables are shelves lined with books that one can pursue while eating or purchase on your way out. Adrift is a cell phone free zone which means your attention is focused on the food in front of you and those at your table. Adrift supports local events.
Location: 510 Commercial Avenue Hours: Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. check out their Facebook page for pictures of menu items, specials and wine.
Anacortes restaurants are proving that locavores give us more than happy bellies. They support the very heart of our community; from our local farmers to town events. This philosophy has touched other Anacortes restaurants as well, such as, Frida's Gourmet Mexican Restaurant, The Petite Wine Bar, and Penguin Coffee, just to name a few. One bite will reveal they've cultivated the art of local flavor.