Shrimp Shack  | Bellingham |  | Downtown |  |
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Address 1200 Cornwall Ave Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 752-9100 |
Hours Mon-Sat 11:30am - 8:00pm |
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Go down Cornwall towards the water until you cross Chestnut -- there it is on the corner.
Description:
Never, in the history of Bellingham, has the reopening of a restaurant been as eagerly awaited as the reopening of the Shrimp Shack. After 27 years of operation at the original location on Holly Street in Old Town, the Shrimp Shack closed its doors when the City of Bellingham acquired the property for an expansion of Maritime Park. After a five year hiatus, The Shrimp Shack threw open the doors of its brand spanking new location on Cornwall to throngs of Bellinghamsters eager to consume boatloads of fish.
Eighty per cent of all restaurants go bust in the first three years. Only women’s clothing stores have as high a failure rate. So what does a jam-packed restaurant say about the Shrimp Shack after 27 years plus a five year absence from the already crowded restaurant market in downtown Bellingham? Something has to be pretty damn good about the place.
I’ll be quite frank and tell you I go there as often as I think I can get away with, in terms of wallet and waistline. And I’m there for the shrimp. The Whiskey Crab soup is delicious, yes. The Halibut is quite good and I’m sure the scallops and clam strips have their merits. Sure, they have salads. I think I saw someone order one once. However, I regard all these as distractions; tricks to lure me into filling up on something other than the amazing shrimp. The Shrimp.
It is with great difficulty that I order anything besides the shrimp. Regular shrimp with fries or double shrimp and fries or just the plate of shrimp. The shrimp are large, the breading is actually a complement instead of a detraction and they are cooked to perfection. Rumor has it that the owner is unable to let go the helm in the kitchen because he has been unable to find a cook that can meet his demanding standards.
It’s the shrimp that keeps me coming back and inspires the kind of loyalty that keeps a restaurant open for 30 plus years. The key to restaurant longevity is consistency and the Shrimp Shack consistently delivers great tasting seafood.
Written By: Glen Berry
Features
Lunch
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Smoke-free
Comments
I have great memories of the frist Shrimp Shack. My dad would take us the all the time to buy fresh seafood. One thing that has not changed is the freshness of the food. You can not pass up the crab louie! Not like the other places, you get a whole mess of fresh crab. It's a meal in itself. You have to check it out.
- mish on Sat, July 5, 2008
Not being a native of Bellingham and having moved here during the Shrimp Shacks hiatus, I did not get to experience the original location. However, I was here for the opening of the Cornwall location and I was looking forward to trying the restaurant after hearing all the rave reviews. I must say that the food is pretty good but the atmosphere is horrendous. The acoustics are so loud that it is difficult to think much less carry on a conversation. I would suggest that if you want to eat the food, take it to go and find a nice quiet bench somewhere else. Otherwise you may end up with a headache. I went twice hoping the second time would be a little less busy/noisy because I was meeting my husband for lunch but no luck. We could barely hear each other across the table. The food keeps bringing the people in and the noise level escalates accordingly. If the owners would make a little more effort to quell the eatery noise, it could become a regular eatery for us but until then, we will avoid the headache and dine at home. It's good but not good enough to risk the irritation.
- Kiki on Wed, February 13, 2008
I enjoy the atmosphere at the new spot. I enjoy the food with the exception of the ice tea. Would be nice to have fresh brewed ice tea with an endless bottom. My absolutely fav is the whiskey crab chowder. I have been looking for a recipe or at least a contact for the company in Oregon (can't remember the co.) so that I may make this at home. More than willing to pick up some Jack and add some to soup, add some to me. If anyone has any info, please let me know. I would be thrilled to hear from you.
Have a great day....Mo
- molly h. on Sat, February 19, 2005
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