Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Seattle Restaurant: Duke's Chowder House

Posted by Kelly

What: Duke's Chowder House
Where: Southcenter Mall, 757 Southcenter Mall, Seattle, WA 98188 (1 of 6 locations)
When: 11am - 10pm Sun-Thurs, 11am - 11pm Fri-Sat, Bar til 11pm Sun-Thurs & 12am Fri-Sat

Jenna turned 23 in April and I decided to surprise her on her birthday. I probably won't have a flexible schedule forever so I have to take advantage of it now! I arrived at the Tacoma Mall at 5pm, jumped in Michael's (Jenna's bf) car, picked up Jenna (she was surprised!) and her sister, then headed to Southcenter for her birthday dinner. We met her fam, and our pre-ordered mojitos, at Duke's Chowder House.


Jen's Dad had signed up for their email specials and came prepared with the offer of a free taco dinner (if that's what the bday girl wanted) so Jen and I split the Mahi Tacos ($17.99/12.99) with grilled sweet Tahi Chili marinated Mahi Mahi, sharp cheddar, mango chutney and tequila lime aioli with a cucumber pico de gallo and corn tortilla chips.


This was really good, but maybe a little saucy, and definitely a dinner that should be shared! The tacos where huge and full of fish. They don't skimp on the portions here...


I think we imagined the tacos being smaller, so we also ordered the Wild Mixed Greens ($6.99/$11.99) with crumbled bleu cheese, fresh orange and grapefruit, candied pecans and tarragon vinaigrette. This salad was fresh and would be great with grilled chicken breast ($4.99), calamari ($4.99), blacked wild alaska salmon ($5.99) or fresh dungeness crab ($5.99).


Michael went with the Chowder Sampler (All Five $12.49). This includes Dungeness Crab and  Bourbon Chowder, Northwest Seafood Chowder, Cajun Chicken Corn Chowder, Lobster Pernod Chowder, and the Duke's "Award Winning" Clam Chowder. We decided that it's fun to taste them all, but when you find the one you really like you wish there was more of it! Not a bad way to find your favorite though if you plan on returning.


Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of everyone's meals. Too much work and we were all too hungry to wait for photo taking. We all left full and happy though! This is a great place for a post Southcenter shopping din or if you're looking for a good meeting spot between Seattle and Tacoma. I'd say I'll be back, but I think Jen has a few other happy hours on the list for my next visit!