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Operation: Orca-Dungie. Anacortes Gives Back.

Mary LaFleur of Anacortes has enjoyed boating in the Northwest since she was young and looks back at some great memories of time spent on the water with her friends and family.  But she understood that, it was because of the sacrifices of others she was able to enjoy her favorite pastime.

“It occurred to me,” she said, “while I was out there having a good time, someone somewhere on the other side of the world was standing guard.”  LaFleur was referring to the men and women serving in the armed forces, and she was looking for an opportunity to express her appreciation.

Beginning in April of this year, she began contacting friends and associates, and in the span of four months organized the inaugural “Operation: Orca-Dungie” on July 20-21 in Anacortes.

Over the two days, a group of military veterans from the Northwest traveled to Anacortes where they were treated to a whale watching tour aboard the Mystic Sea on the first day, where they saw Orcas, Humpbacks, and a very rare sighting of a fin whale – a whale not seen in Puget sound for over five decades.  Day two was spent crabbing and sightseeing aboard boats hosted by local boaters, and finished off with a huge crab feed.

“The Anacortes crab feed was one of the best experiences I’ve had as a vet!” one veteran said.  “The Anacortes community really went all out for us.”

LaFleur thanks the many supporters who donated their time and resources in to making the event happen.

To help out, or for more information, contact operationorcadungie@gmail.com .

Check out a short video of “Operation: Orca-Dungie”

 

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Boatable Burgers – Dad’s Diner, Anacortes

For this installment of Boatable Burgers, I’ll be featuring another Anacortes location – Dad’s Diner.

At 906 Commercial Ave, Dad’s is a short walk – literally only minutes away – from the Port of Anacortes’ Cap Sante Marina.  Open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday, Dad’s has become a popular local spot since opening in February of this year.

The atmosphere is fun and inviting, with a vintage eclectic decor.  Ample seating is available either at tables or along the bar.  Shelves display old guitars, radios, toys, and other cool artifacts that give the space a classic diner feel.  The menu is written on a blackboard, amongst the “Wall of Dads” – a collection of framed pictures of customers’ fathers.  The place has a really cool vibe.  

Owners Fletcher McLean and Neil Stuchal cheerfully greet customers.  Fletcher has an amazing ability to remember names.  Visit a few times, and he’ll remember yours.  Neil is hard at work in the open kitchen, creating the dishes that make up Dad’s menu.

I decided to try the Bacon Cheeseburger.  The patty is a generous portion of brisket, ground in-house, topped with smoked bacon that is also house-made.  Being of good Norwegian heritage, I chose Jarlsberg cheese from the several cheeses available.  The bun is a Schwartz Brothers Bakery brioche bun that is lightly toasted, bringing all of the fresh ingredients together for a great burger.  Crisp hand cut Jo Jo potatoes are served on the side, making this is a plate of food that won’t leave you hungry. 

This would have to be on my short list of favorite burgers.

The menu offers variety for the non-burger types, and there is not much that comes out of the kitchen that is not house-made or locally sourced.  Their breakfasts are amazing. They offer beer on tap as well as some great bottled sodas.

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Boatable Burgers – The Brown Lantern Ale House, Anacortes

Sampling and writing this one, is like the old proverbial “fish in a barrel”. I don’t need my boat to get there, as The Brown Lantern is in my home port of Anacortes, and I can get there afoot from home or boat.

An easy walk from the Port of Anacortes’ Cap Sante Boat Haven, “The Brown”, as you might hear it referred to in the local tongue, is located on downtown’s main drag Commercial Avenue. Being a bar, it’s 21 and up, but they will gladly prepare takeout orders.

In the afternoon and early evening, The Brown is a popular lunch and dinner spot that is relaxed and casual. As evening rolls on, things get more lively and the place can fill up. The staff is always good about finding a table, even for a group. There’s something happening almost every night, from game nights to a Thursday open mic, and live entertainment on weekends. A schedule of events can be found on their website.

They make a great burger. I should know. I’ve had more than a few of them. Their menu offers several different burger selections and the option to substitute chicken breast or veggie burger. They even offer a lamb burger.

My burger of choice on my most recent visit was the tried and true bacon cheese burger. A 1/3 pound beef patty topped with cheddar and thick-cut bacon on a sesame seed accompanied by very fresh lettuce, tomato, and red onion and pickles served on the side, along with a heap of fries. This is an excellent burger, and one of my go-tos.

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For the non-burger folks (I scoff), there is a wide variety in the menu, including some great soups, salads, sandwiches, and they always have a daily special. A full bar and several beers on tap will keep your thirst quenched and conversation lively.