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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 – Boundary Bay Brewery, Bellingham

On a recent weekend trip to Bellingham, my burger research led me to visit the Boundary Bay Brewery. It’s my duty.

Located approximately one mile from the Port of Bellingham’s Squalicum Harbor, it’s within walking distance with some worthwhile stops along the way. Not far off course, about mid-way is Pacific Marine, with it’s huge assortment of used marine “stuff” as well as nautical books, charts, and artwork. When you reach the brewery, directly across the street is the Bellingham Farmers Market, open every Saturday of the season.

The Boundary Bay Brewery is a popular spot in downtown Bellingham, and as we found out, they do not take reservations for lunch on weekends. With a packed house lunch crowd, our party of seven had to be split up over two tables. Had we wanted to wait a while, they would have been happy to accomodate us, but we were hungry.

I decided to try their burger topped with bacon and pepperjack cheese. The menu described local beef on a “pretzel bun”. I elected to forgo fries for a salad.

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The burger was nicely presented with a generous side salad and all the accompaniments you would expect. The meat was lean and flavorful, the bacon thick sliced. The meat was cooked a wee bit more than I prefer, but it was still juicy. The bun had an interesting crisp texture and flavor unlike your average hamburger bun. Altogether a good burger. The salad was excellent, and I actually dove in and finished it before even starting on my burger… I would definitely have this combination again.

Others at my table had a pesto salmon sandwich that looked very good, and reports indicated such, as well as a nice-looking plate of fish tacos. The menu is varied, so there’s probably something for every taste. Some desserts passed by that looked pretty amazing, too.

They brew several beers, their IPA being my favorite ever. I refer to it as my “measuring stick” IPA that I compare all others to. They offer bottled beers for sale, and sell and fill growlers. All ages are welcome in the bistro, offering a family-friendly menu and atmosphere.

The Boundary Bay Brewery is worth a visit if you find yourself in Bellingham, by water or by land.

 

 

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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.

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Boatable Burgers – The Cask and Schooner, Friday Harbor

I've decided to begin a new "feature" here that I'll call "Boatable Burgers". I like burgers, and if there was one food I'd choose to eat for the rest of my life, the hamburger would probably be it. However, if that were all I ate, I understand that time could be shortened significantly.

I get the idea from one of my boating friends who conducted a study of fish and chips he ate from the San Juans to the Broughtons a few summers ago. I'll concentrate on burgers from places that can be reached when boating, and share my tasting notes with you here.

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