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Barbara's Fish Trap
Category: Restaurants Seafood Seafood [Edit]
Princeton by the Sea281 Capistrano Rd
Half Moon Bay, CA 94018
(650) 728-7049
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 8:30 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
533 reviews for Barbara's Fish Trap
Review Highlights
"awesome sourdough to dip in the awesome clam chowder."
(in 258 reviews)
"Chowder was great, crab sandwich even better."
(in 50 reviews)
"My favorite secret off the menu is the corn fritters."
(in 18 reviews)
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533 reviews in English
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Review from Dan D.
Mountain House, CA
2/6/2012
Family has been going here for generations! My to boys have grown up here as we travel to the Fish Trap every year multiple times! Th wife and I only get one thing, the calamari! Mmm Mmmm Mmm rings and tentacles, not cheap steaks.! Clam Chowder is great as well!
If you have little ones, they bring out a basket of small toys that can keep them entertained while you wait for your food (which usually isn't long once you order). They even suggest you bring a toy and take a toy, kind of cool.
Yes, there is usually a long line, but take your head out of the frustration cloud, look down the levy and you will see a nice beach to go walk on, a pier to check out, etc.. It's worth the wait by a long shot, and I have yet to run into any pushy people. -
Review from Christina M.
San Francisco, CA
2/2/2012
This place is great to go to when you just want to relax, enjoy the view and eat quality fresh food...especially seafood!
I do agree with some of the reviews that the clam chowder is a must try. It has no cream and it's so good you won't even know!
The combo seafood pasta is amazing as well since they use all olive oil, fresh tomatoes, lots of garlic and fresh seafood.
The fish sammies with tartar sauce are great to try as well! -
Review from Hana H.
2/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Food I recommend: Clam chowder, corn fritters, steam clams.
Price: Not cheap.
Service: Friendly and efficient
Wait: Quite long.
CASH ONLY: It's a bummer. But they do have ATM inside. -
Review from Reyna D.
Mountain View, CA
2/7/2012
Came on a Saturday afternoon. Didn't have to wait long. Husband and I each
got a cup of the clam chowder. Meh. We both concluded we should've just shared a cup. Not a fan. Too salty. Fish and chips were good though. -
Review from Alfred Y.
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
What greets all patrons is that darned line that wraps from the door out along the side of the building. While waiting the 30 minutes, you'll notice all the signs that give you ample warnings of a cash only joint. Which you'll definitely need to heed once you look at the menu, because it's...
Pricey. But aren't all seafood restaurants? We had the jumbo shrimp cocktail appetizer, fish n' chips, and the clam chowder in a bowl. That's it. Oh, and one beer. Total cost plus tip? Spot on $40. As for the taste? I'm in the creamier-clam-chowder school of taste, and the fish n' chips were nothing compared to the kinds I've had elsewhere (Australia). I did not find the signature dishes to be worthy of being signature, and I am almost positive I would have been more satisfied with their other dishes that would have been more worthy of their signature titling.
It's crowded whether you sit outside or inside, and people can get pushy. The servers were fast, and always seemed to know when you were ready for either your next dish or the bill. -
Review from Robert R.
We were craving the Calamari and the Clam Chowder. The same Food but the convenience of an ATM. The Cajun Spiced Snapper was good. The Corn Fritters and Fried Mushrooms were new to the Menu. The Beer of the Day was Fosters for a $1.50. The dessert was Key Lime pie. I was being good and had neither. The Service and Food makes it our Favorite Family restaurant.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/11/2009
I have been going to this place for at least 8 years and the place Rocks!! I found this place… Read more »
Comment from Melodie M. of Barbara's Fish Trap 2/9/2012
Robert R. Thank you for the 5 stars twice now. Your review… More » -
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Review from Nita L.
Aptos, CA
1/25/2012
I stumbled on to this place on the way back from San Francisco. We went on a Tuesday around 1:00, no wait. The food was really good. You have the option of sitting inside or outside. Some tables by the window have a nice ocean view, but no really bad seats. We sat outside, which is more of a covered patio area with heaters.
There is a white board with the fresh seafood available that day. Some of the entrees are fairly pricey...up to $27.95 for steamed clams. But there are several reasonable options. We shared the Fish and Chips and a Salmon Burger. The Fish and Chips were right up there with London and the Salmon Burger, while a bit dry, was very tasty. The french fries were thick, crisp and not soggy. They also have several desserts that looked good, but we were too full for dessert.
The service was really good. The waitress was at our table within 2 minutes after we sat down to take drink orders and we had a brief wait for our food.
I expect this place gets very busy on the weekends, so if you have the luxury of a weekday lunch that is the way to go.
We would come back again if we were in the neighborhood. -
Review from Naida E.
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is a lovely spot to stop in for a beer and simple sea food. I thought the service was friendly and quick.I enjoyed my clam chowder immensely, the beer list is quite nice and the cole slaw a bit too sweet for my taste. There is inside and outside dining and the atmosphere is quite casual. I would eat here again.
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Review from Angel L.
San Francisco, CA
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
Our first time coming here is the best place ever! Our friends took us and showed us a great time coming here before going to the Ritz Carlton Hotel. I'm so glad that we went and ate at Barbara's Fish Trap! Highly recommend everyone to come here!
Comment from Melodie M. of Barbara's Fish Trap 2/9/2012
Angel L. Thank you so much for the 5 stars. We appreciate… More » -
Review from Kay-Kay H.
Pittsburg, CA
1/17/2012
Every time we head to Half Moon Bay Barbara's Fish Trap is one place we MUST go to!
This place is worth the wait! Doesn't seem to matter what time we go there is a line.
Their zucchini makes me wanna cry! Their seafood especially the fried stuff is mouth-watering!
I swear the waitress could be rude, slam the food on the table and walk off in huffs and we'd still come back! LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! :)Comment from Melodie M. of Barbara's Fish Trap 1/17/2012
Kay-Kay, Thank you for your comments, they are encouraging… More » -
Review from Coco S.
Berkeley, CA
2/3/2012
wow, it took me a while to find this place again. I went to here on a trip to LA last summer, I know it's been a long time, but I just can't forget the oyster here!!! I have been tried most Oyster place in SF, even went to Oyster farm for fresh oyster, but no one can pass oyster here! They are fresh, big and even have a delicious smell. There's no need to dip anything, it has the taste of the sea and a natural sweetness of oyster. OMG, I just missed it so much!
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Review from Justin L.
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
This was a spot we checked out as part of my visiting sister's Christmas Eve "To Do List". While I'm not always in complete agreement with her ideal day in the Bay (which includes frequent stops at used clothing resellers, craft stores, farmer's markets, etc)...I did enjoy our HMB beach hike and meal at Barbara's.
We originally wanted to dine in the actual restaurant, but we were greeted upon arrival with a long waitlist. Given this, we opted to grab our meal from the outside to-go window. Our group sampled the lactose-free chowder, calamari, lobster roll, and fish & chips. I don't know if it was partially due to the fresh Pacific air or the unusually warm December sun that we were basking in, but all of our food tasted especially yummy. Everything was simple, fresh and tasty. If we had to pick, the fish & chips was probably the unanimous fave. -
Review from Peter K.
Updated - 1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Apparently, the manager here doesn't like customers. Here is her response to my original review.
"Peter, Peter,
You served 4 people with one bowl of soup? Prices too high?
You were seen with your arm up and no eye contact, (just eating your food you did not like), seemed there was no problem. We do not use rosemary in the crab, where do you get your info? Your taste buds?
Glad you will not be back.
Fishtrap Manager
Melodie Madsen"
Wow... pretty spiteful.
(And for the record, I had my hand raised and my head was looking around the entire place for a good 5 minutes and no server made a move towards me even though eye contact was made).1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/24/2011
Based off all the awesome yelp reviews, we ordered several of the top items that were recommended,… Read more »
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Review from Stef M.
Belmont, CA
1/6/2012
We came here for lunch on New Year's Day. At 11:30 there was already a 20 minute wait and the inside of the restaurant looked too cramped for my preference, so we ordered at the takeout window instead and sat at one of the picnic tables outside.
We ordered clam chowder, fish and chips, and veggie tempura.
The fish part of the fish and chips was just about the best I've ever had--thick, juicy, cooked just right, and the tempura coating was light and well seasoned. The chips were pretty ordinary.
The clam chowder and veggie tempura were pretty good.
I will definitely come back for the fish and chips. -
Review from Tisha M.
Castro Valley, CA
1/15/2012
Went in for dinner, had the Calamari and fried Fish dinner, $19. The calamari was mediocre but the fish was fried to perfection and fresh. The dinner is served with sourdough bread that is the best I have ever had, and I am not a fan of sourdough. The french fries where crispy and good.
The place is small and the tables are fairly close together, so its not a good place to carry on a private conversation. There is seating outside but it the winter you will have to brave the cold. I like this place and I will be back. I can see why it is a local favorite. -
Review from Shirley N.
San Francisco, CA
12/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is one of our favorite places when down the coast. It's like a shack but dressed up. We prefer to order from the takeout window as it is so much quicker. Grab one of the several picnic tables along the sidewalk. Else expect to wait for a table indoors averaging 30 minutes.
Today outdoor window service was very expeditious. A laminated menu is tacked by the window. Order and pay; then wait for your number to be called. Order was ready within minutes. Condiments, paper napkins, and plastic utensils available on the shelf.
Favorites include fish and chips or the fried calamari. You can substitute cole slaw in place of fries.
My fish and chips were especially good today. Hot and crispy fries and a nice batter on the fish. Comes with tartar sauce.
We ate at one of the picnic tables. Looked out toward the water, and just enjoyed the outdoors. Wonderful. And over the hill is the infamous Mavericks where the best surfers in the world come to catch the giant waves. -
Review from Yeka C.
San Jose, CA
1/25/2012
I ordered the cheese quesadilla and the pasta marinara and my boyfriend ordered the calamari and clam chowder. All of the food tasted good and was served fast- our server didn't pay us much attention and wasn't very polite however. The pasta wasn't the greatest but everything else was great. I would go back here again, hopefully to a friendlier face though.
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Review from BonBon B.
San Francisco, CA
1/29/2012
Basically the fact that I'm willing to drive over 20 miles through treacherous sea cliff territory should be review enough that this place is Bon-Bon Delicious. HOWEVER, I will go into detail so you know exactly what I mean.
I have never had anything here I did not like, and I always end up sharing a lot with whomever I bring. The portions are large, the service fast, the prices reasonable to the unreasonable (But this is a semi-fancy seafood-on-the-sea type place, in the Bay Area) so all things considered they are actually cheap.
The best dishes are the fish and chips, the pasta dishes are really excellent and the garlic shrimp are to die for.
I have a girlfriend or three who are die hard pasta/Italian divas. They tell me this place has the best seafood pasta ever. -
Review from Ed A.
Sacramento, CA
12/3/2011
I'd give this place a 2.5 star rating if it was possible. It would be more appropriately called Barbara's Tourist Trap. This restaurant sits adjacent to the harbor and has great views of the marina. The furniture is rickety and the decor is dated. It's straight out of the 70's...not because they made an impeccable effort to maintain that theme, but because they simply had no desire to devote effort or money toward the ambiance.
The food is generally good, but I was not impressed by the use of canned kidney beans and canned beats in the shrimp louie salad. The entrees were overpriced with respect to the quality of the food and lack of pleasant ambiance. The inconvenience posed by their refusal to accept credit cards did not add positively to my impression. After a wonderful experience at Brophy Brothers (see review) in Ventura 24 hours prior, I expected an equivalent or better experience, given the prices. Such was not the case.
I won't be returning here. -
Review from R S.
Santa Maria, CA
12/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Barbara's is in a great location and it is just a hair's breadth away from a whole in a wall. I thought the chow was decent, but I did not come away with the same enthusiasm shared by many of my fellow-Yelpers. It's good--not great.
PROS: The service was friendly and efficient. I started w/ the clam chowder, and was pleasantly startled that it was not some form of white gelatin. While the flavor was good, I'd prefer my pieces of potatoes, celery, bacon and clams to be more than flakes. My "good, but not great" experience continued w/ the fish and chips. We went on a Wednesday for a late-lunch, and I guess it was a bad for the fryer grease, because my fish and chips were just a bit too greasy. The saving grace? The fish behind the batter was excellent.
CONS: Not much room to breathe. Granted, the restaurant is small, but I just don't appreciate getting bumped and jostled while I'm eating. The fryer grease needs to be rotated one more time above the weekly average.
Barbara's is a neat little place in a great location. Tourists? Yup. But it has a cozy feel, and I'd go back to try some more menu offerings. Just want them to rotate that fryer grease one more time!!!
Cheers!
RS -
Review from Jen Z.
Berkeley, CA
12/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yum! Got a crab melt sandwich combo with a cup of clam chowder. So delicious. They were busy so service was a little slow but it was worth it to be so close to the beautiful ocean!
Only a single stall for the women's bathroom... made for a long line! :( -
Review from Sophie S.
San Francisco, CA
12/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Get the clam chowder! They can make it without whole milk for those who are lactose intolerant like me. The other dishes were overpriced and just okay.
Get the clam chowder! -
Review from Alain D.
Monterey, CA
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is so good that after stopping by on the way to Monterey, we stopped again on the way back. We loved it
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Review from Mish L.
11/13/2011 7 photos
Oh, you poor sea creatures! You had to die to feed us, but know that you made us very happy on the trek to our stomachs.
Fish and Chips.
Scallops Tempura.
Calamari.
Clam Chowder.
Sides that come with Mains: Rice, Coleslaw & Fries. Since we got three main dishes, we got one of each and sampled them all amongst ourselves. The fries won hands down for me. Fat fries with delicious mealy insides, crispy outsides.... Skip the rice and coleslaw.
My favorite: Fish & Chips.
Deep fried, crispy on the outside, flaky soft on the inside... fresh fresh fresh fish.... Add malt. Enjoy! :-)
Runner Up: Scallops Tempura.
More deep fried goodness. Scallops cooked to perfection. No rubber scallops here! It's all fresh. Generous sized scallops and delicious.
Third Place: Clam Chowder.
They hook it up with the chewy clams! I like that. It is a little waterier and came out a little more lukewarm than I'd prefer, but the taste was uniquely solid. Comes with a side of crackers. Not bad!
Fourth Place: Calamari.
This dish got cold fast and comes with a side of tartar and cocktail sauce. While it was good, it wasn't the best calamari I've ever had. More on the side of extra rubbery. They were generous with the portions but I'd opt to skip this the next time.
We were 2 days shy of the commercial crab season, so we didn't get to try their Cioppino since it wasn't in season yet.... :-( Damn! That had been my first pick. Will have to come back for it!
Love this cute, colorful shack by the pier. Definitely fit the area and put a little cozy in my tummy. It fills up fast so beat the lunch rush if you can!
Forget about dieting here. See food, you eat it!
This place will have you happier than the fish that avoided becoming food!Listed in: Culinary Treats, just…
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Review from Andy W.
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really wanted to love this place but I found myself underwhelmed.
The fish and chips and calamari was just standard. Although the crab sandwich had a generous amount of crab, the flavors fell flat. The clam chowder leaves me on the fence. I find it interesting that their "clam chowder" is not made with milk but at the same time it didn't taste like a clam chowder. While the flavor was good, it tasted more like a thick vegetable soup with clams.
I also found that there is a subtle sweetness across all the dishes. I'm not a fan of that.
The service was good and I like the fact that they have free parking right across the street but their cash only policy sucks.
This place just didn't work for me. -
Review from JEANNE M.
Redwood City, CA
1/20/2012
Casual, great views. Very generous portion crab cocktail. Beer specials.
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Review from Joe B.
San Mateo, CA
11/30/2011
This place is a real local treat... we have been here numerous times... Each time it has been consistent.
We enjoy the fish and chips and the deep fried mushrooms..
Don't go here if you are on a diet...
We enjoy sitting outside and taking a peak at the view..
A little pricey but good to go.
We will be back... -
Review from Jive T.
San Jose, CA
12/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Barb has the BEST fish n chips I've ever enjoyed! The BEST! I've been coming here for 8 years now and I love going here as it's a great scenic relaxing drive from the east bay and the weather is generally cooler here in the summer than it is inland.
Choose to eat outside--people watching and enjoying a great meal is wonderful way to enjoy a few hours with friends. The oysters on the half shell are great--a tad expensive, but everything is expensive in California. The beers available are good--a nice selection of brand name and micro-brew.
It is close to the marina and this makes for a leisurely walk after your meal, or a stroll on the beach below Barb's is fun as well. This is great place for kids to play while waiting for your table as Barb's is always busy. I hope to be able to always enjoy Barbara's Fish Trap. -
Review from Sandra L.
Half Moon Bay, CA
10/13/2011
Please NOTE: the only reason I'm giving Barbara's 5 Stars is because being lactose intolerant I can actually eat their Clam Chowder w/out spending my evening in the bathroom and it is WONDERFUL! otherwise, I would have rated it 3.5/4 stars
OH Barbara, I love thee, your amazing lactose free Clam Chowder is amazing! I'm a HMB resident and I hate to admit the only reason I come to Barbara's is for her Clam Chowder Bread Bowls. The bread is always fresh and toasted on the outside while nice and soft on the inside. Her Clam Chowder is thick and full of clams! For those people who love Clam Chowder, I will warn you, it does taste slightly different than your cream based Clam Chowders you are typically used to it, but you know what, Barbara's Clam Chowder is a Beautiful Thing, so get use to it, and savor the flavors that her chowder has to offer!
The rest of the food at Barbara's is good, don't get me wrong, I just can't get Clam Chowder often so I always order it here. They have a ton of fish selections, duh, it's a Fish Place and right on the harbor people, but I do admit if your there for lunch they have an amazingly huge Steak Sandwich that is pretty note worthy. Their salads are pretty big and they run a lot of specials so make sure to check the specials board before making your final decision.
The place is always packed on the weekends so do expect to wait, and wait, and wait. Us locals, we go to Barbara's during the week, where there is no wait and the service is fast, friendly, and welcoming! Yes, people I said the service is friendly and welcoming!
This is what I think happens on the weekends, super crowded restaurant, people get pissed off because they have to wait 60-90 minutes to eat, they are staring down the service staff, giving dirty looks (I know I've been there on the wknd and have seen it happen), by the time they get to the table they are pissed off and have been rude to the service staff (yup, I've seen this too), and well in my opinion, negativity feeds negativity people. During the week, I walk into Barbara's smiling, saying hello, they say hello, everyone is nicey nice, see how that works. Now yes, I didn't have to wait 60-90 minutes in line to get seated, but people, if your going to one of the most popular restaurants on the coast on a weekend and expect to get seated right away, your smoking crack and I want some. So chill out, no matter how long you have to wait and just smile and be nice....Listed in: HMB Eats Yelped by a Local
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Review from Lucy C.
San Mateo, CA
1/9/2012
I love eating here...I wish they had more room to eat and you can use credit card...But the food is excellent and they give a lot to eat....Im full when I leave this place and you have a view of the ocean
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Review from Garett T.
10/10/2011 1 photo
Quality of food and duration of time spent here can vary quite a bit, which is why after several visits, this collective review cannot be 5 stars, though at least one of my visits would individually deserve such ranking.
A lover of seafood I am, so I prefer to sit inside and wait for the food to be prepared, instead of choosing selections from their "Seafood-To-Go" line outdoors. But, it's in a prime coastal spot by Mavericks in HMB, so there's bound to be a line on weekends. On holidays, all hope is lost!
Once inside, if you're willing to wait a good half hour or more from the entrance, they actually do have some great seafood delicacies. I've especially savored some of their pasta seafood dishes. Not a huge fan of their calamari, but everything else they serve from under the sea is at least close to excellent.
Could be pricey, but it's worth the wait if you come for the full experience. Friendly staff, too. Please don't trek out here, though, if you merely want to convert the dining adventure into a McDonald's fast food jaunt. It nowhere near justifies what's served inside. -
Review from Gina S.
10/12/2011
Quite a long wait, but it moves somewhat fast. Its right near a pier and water so on a nice day, I dont mind waiting. There's a quick take out section and a sit down section. I think they need to upgrade their bathrooms because there is only one for women and one for men. The line for that is ridiculous especially they dont have paper towels and they have the air dry machine which makes the wait longer.
People rave about their clam chowder. I thought it was mediocre. It has a nice texture, but it doesnt taste like clams! I feel like it tastes a lot like celery and vegetables with a hint of bacon and clams. I also had the steamed clams. That was tasty. Needed a little salt tho, but the broth was delish! I ordered the cajun fish sandwich and I thought it was a bit bland. The fish wasnt "cajun". It wasnt even salty. My friend ordered the crab sandwich and that looked good. Portions are HUGE so you need to be super hungry!Comment from Melodie M. of Barbara's Fish Trap 10/13/2011
Gina, Thank you for your review. We are sorry you were not… More » -
Review from Golda R.
11/5/2011
My husband and I just had dinner here and we came thinking we were going to try the cioppino. We both digressed and instead tried the same sampler plate except mine was a smaller version. Our sampler plate came with fish, fried zucchini, calamari, fried scallops, and fried prawns. Don't think thats all that came with the meal. On top of the seafood medley, you get to choose between chowder or salad and then a choice of fries, baked potato, or rice.
My favorite tonight was the fried scallops. I've never tried fried scallops before and I loved it! The two sauces that came with the plate (cocktail and tartar sauce) paired well with the battered ingredients. I typically hate most tartar sauces but the tartar sauce was good with the fish. Best of all the fried scallops and calamari went well with the cocktail sauce.
I actually like this place better then Sam's Chowder house because you get more food with the price you pay. Good job Barbara!!
There's a dine in area that we ate in and there's the option of take out, which is located in a window next to the seating area. Its nice to dine in at least once to check out their awesome views of the ocean, but if I were to go again, I would do takeout and picnic by the water. I guess this option is only for the summer. -
Review from Christine T.
Millbrae, CA
10/30/2011
I took my kids around here today (the day before Halloween), because we wanted the HMB pumpkin experience without dealing with 92 or the crowds at the bigger patches. After getting a pumpkin at the Harbor Village patch, we walked to Barbara's for lunch ... and it was surprisingly, refreshingly reasonable and delicious.
SERVICE
Jeannie was our waitress, and she was FANTASTIC. A no-nonsense woman who was dryly funny and completely took care of me and my kids. Extra plate? She thought of it already. Three-year-old eating pasta? She brings out a lobster bib for the inevitable sauce avalanche. No false, perky banter ... but genuine warmth behind her efficiency. Can I clone her, please?
THE FOOD
Clam Chowder: The bowl is HUGE, comforting, and impossible for me to finish. I was totally satisfied eating just half the bowl. Because there's no cream/dairy, it doesn't leave you feeling bloated or unpleasantly full. For flavor, I'd give it a 3.5. For consistency, clam count & value (around $8 or $9): a 4.
Kids Menu: My daughter got the broiled fish & chips, and the fish was mild, well-prepared and plentiful ~ 2 medium fillets. Again, a great value (around $8) for the quality and quantity. The chips were middle-of-the-road, but just fine.
My son got linguini marinara, which was very good. He ate a ton, and we still took home more than half of it. I love it when restaurants respect their child patrons enough to serve them well-prepared food.
BEER SPECIAL
$2.25 for Great White Lager today. Yay, yay and yay.
We just came in for a quick lunch today, but I wouldn't hesitate to return with out-of-town family, or for another casual bite when we're nearby.
And, I'm serious about cloning Jeannie. -
Review from Stefan L.
San Francisco, CA
11/27/2011
BIG MISTAKE . . . COMING ON A THANKSGIVING WEEKEND! USE CASH AND AVOID GIVING FEES TO THE 1%!
Took an hour to get to HMB, then another hour wait. But none of that mattered once we got in to order our food. It was well worth the effort and waiting. Been to other sea food places in the area and this one is fantastic.
Had the fish & chips and calamari. Oh yes, the clam chowder. Our waitress Kim was moving the orders right out and we were served right away. Clam chowder first: it was really tasty without the heavy cream and thickeners that are usually associated with clam chowder. This made for a more tasty soup-base. There was quite a bit of seasoning but that was just fine. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the thick clam chowder and Barbara's is different. At least it didn't make you feel as if you were going to explode if you took a curvy road home.
The fish & chips and calamari came out next. The batter used on the fish is light and crispy, not heavily battered where you'd get more batter than fish. There were four generous servings of fish with a mound of fries. The fries were done just right and very crispy.
The calamari was also excellent, not over battered and done to perfection. I can't stand it when the food is overcooked, but everything here came out just right. Being fried foods the oil must have been fresh since the food came without the heavy grease buildup.
Had a nice window seat and enjoyed the view. Oh yes, about using cash. Please do so since Barbara doesn't have to pay a fee and percentage to the 1%. Great place to go but next time I'll go on a weekday. -
Review from Ramo T.
Pleasanton, CA
11/30/2011
Mmm. Enoyed this place so much that it became a family tradition to drive out to HMB just to get some of that delicious Fish and Chips and Calamari!
Found this spot while on a camping trip with my family. We found it by accident, as we were looking for another restaurant that I had recommended that had bomb Fish and Chips. I have never looked back. The outer area lets you order and go and the sit-in area is very nice. It's a rickety ol' place but it gives it the air of it being a homey, cozy place.
I will note that credit cards aren't accepted so I recommend bringing cash beforehand.
If you live in the area or are feeling adventurous, try Barbar's Fish Trap. It's a real catch! -
Review from Drew R.
Palo Alto, CA
9/22/2011
I try to make it a point to come here whenever I'm visiting Half Moon Bay. This place sets the standard for Fish and Chips- beer battered, and cooked well without drying out the fish. The fish is always nice and flaky, no rubbery or chewy parts.
As for the rest of their menu, I've never bothered trying anything else at this place since I always only order the fish.
I don't even want to think about the calories I'm taking in, but luckily, I don't come here that often. -
Review from Elizabeth K.
Half Moon Bay, CA
10/12/2011
Barbara's is a staple on the coast. People flock here, so there is always a line. I think part of the attraction is the history of the place and being part of that history. Just so you know, part of that history is that they do not accept credit cards or cards of any kind, so come with cash or your check book! And, no cell phones allowed, so take a step back in time here and experience the feel of old Princeton-By-The-Sea.
Barbara's is known for their fish and chips and their clam chowder bread bowls. They have a unique touch to both dishes: their fish is battered in tempura batter and their clam chowder is not cream-based, but it is not Manhattan clam chowder either. You can eat inside with a view of the beach below and the harbor, on their patio, or outside from their take-out window. They have picnic tables, but you can take the food right down onto the beach. You can ride right by this place as you bike along the coastal trail and stop for a bite to eat.
As far as fish and chips places go, Barbara's has my vote. -
Review from Tammy K.
Sunnyvale, CA
9/26/2011
Really good fish & chips.
I like they gave you a lot of fish and it wasn't fried hardcore (some places are just really oily and gross), it was perfect.
The portion was great too for $13.50!
Tartar sauce was delicious
The waitress/host were super friendly considering we came in 20 minutes before they were closing.
PS. FAST service!
Will definitely have to try their clam chowder and prawns next time -
Review from Melissa L.
San Francisco, CA
9/8/2011
I never thought I'd find a really good seafood restaurant nestled at the edge of the sea. Odd thing, no? I've spent a summer or two working at Fisherman's Wharf and seafood restaurants on the water scream tourist trap to me - overcooked and overpriced rubbery seafood shipped from everywhere but here. Am I happy I was wrong!
Barbara's Fish Trap serves well prepared, fresh seafood in generous portions. We started with the dairy free clam chow-dah. It was thick and hearty, chock full o' clams and veggies and well seasoned. I didn't miss the cream/milk at all. My previous foray into dairy free clam chowder (in Boston no less) resulted in a few clams floating in watery clam broth. This version was so much better.
We decided to split the bucket o' clams, full of garlic, butter, wine and parsley. The clams were plump and juicy. We could not resist dipping some of the bread into that lovely broth.
The Neptune Special (large) is definitely meant to be shared and contained batter dipped and fried fish, scallops, prawns, calamari and zucchini. None of the fried items were greasy or heavy. The seafood was perfectly cooked and tender, and its freshness was very apparent.. The batter adhered to the fish and did not fall off upon first bite. Cocktail sauce and tartar sauce come with the dish, but really aren't needed. We chose a baked potato as our side and it was super creamy and fluffy.
The crab sandwich included a jumbo scoop of Dungeness crab, lightly dressed on a roll with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle. Of the three dishes, this was our least favorite. Although it was quite good, it just didn't stand out as much as the other two.
Service was quite good. This place was packed during this visit and our waitress did a great job or maneuvering around the tables and checking with us and the other guests a few times.
There's a parking lot across the street from the restaurant. Yes there is always a line, but on this last visit our wait was only 20 minutes or so. The restaurant is small and tables are pretty close together but it wasn't uncomfortable in any way. The views are pretty spectacular. There is a TO GO window and picnic tables set up for al fresco dining. Not a bad option when the wait for a table is a bit too long.
Cash only. A great place to stop by and enjoy some really good seafood.
