Ivar's Inc
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
11 reviews
San Jose, CA
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9 Reviews for Ivar's Inc
When I used to travel often for work I would fly to Seattle at least every couple months. My favorite thing to do when I first either arrived or right before I left, would be to stop at the Ivar's Seafood place in the mall near the airport. I would order the scallops and chips everytime! It was reasonably priced, the scallops were tender and tasty, and the fries were fat and cooked just right. I loved it!
That's why I was so excited to find out there was an Ivar's Seafood in the mall in Santa Clara not far from my boyfriend's house. The first couple times, I was mildly disappointed as it wasn't quite the same - the scallops weren't as big and they weren't as tender or tasty. I thought it would get better somehow.
Nope it got worse. This last time I went, the scallops were teeny tiny, they were overcooked and they looked so scant on a big bed of flat tasting fries. For the money we paid for our lunch there, this was not a value at all.
I was so disappointed that I wrote the company an email to complain (I never do this), and the manager wrote me a lame email back that he had seen to it that the problem was resolved inviting me to come back and visit Ivar's at Santa Clara again (no discount, no coupons). This time the disappointment was too great. I don't think so.
So, what's the big deal with this place?
I read from other reviews that the brand is from Seattle and this Valley Fair food court location is the only one of its kind in NoCal. Uhm yeah, that doesn't mean it's good.
The fish and chips I received were on par with Van deKamp's frozen fish filets from your grocery store. From the shape to the taste to the texture. For the 8 dollars I spent here on a 3 pc and chips I could have bought a 10 pack of frozen fish filets and I would have been much happier.
Also, the clam strips were disgusting.
Oh and the guy at the counter let my friend and I get a taste of their clam chowder. It was PACKED with butter. I took a closer look at my sample cup and the butter was coagulating at the top. Disgusting.
Disgusting food, terrible value, bad experience.
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Ate here for dinner after an afternoon of shopping at valley fair. I ordered the standard 4 piece alaskan cod fish and chips with a large soda. At around 10 bucks I was surprised to see a small basket of fish over a small amount of fries. After a few bites I had no regrets skipping the usual choices like mcdonalds and subway.
Lets just say I am a fried foods lover. Some things I dont eat unless its fried, like seafood. I hate that strong ocean taste that usually comes with fresh fish when its baked or grilled. The fish was flashed fried right when I ordered it along with the fries. This fish easily rivaled sitdown restaurants that serve fish and chips, it just so happens its served like fast food in food court. The price reflects that as well but its worth it. The fish was fresh with light oil, less greasy than i'm used to. Outside the batter was golden brown and lightly salted. I hate when things are left in the fryer too long and become dark brown and super hard.The meat inside was firm and flakey. I hate when you grab a piece and its so soft and mushy most of it breaks off and falls on the floor.
The fries are like natural cut fries. They are thick with the skin left on them on one side. However they are crispy unlike the big soft bland natural cut fries you usually get. They are more like steak fries with skin on them. Very good, I just wish I had some ranch to dip them in but ketchup was fine.
Overall very good meal, when im in the food court at valley fair thats where i'm going to eat.
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Take something healthy (fish)
Soak it in mystery batter
Deep fry it in reused industrial cooking oil
Add French fries (cooked in the same oil)
Dip fries in ketchup
Soak fries in malt vinegar
Dip fish in tartar sauce (as an aside, Tartar was the European word for the Mongol hoards that almost conquered all of the known world. How the hell that turned into a mayonnaise and relish based dipping sauce for deep fried fish, I have no idea. How the mighty have fallen.)
10,000 unhealthy calories later, the Kid and I head toward Hot Dog On A Stick for an extra corn dog with all the trimmings.
I'm going to hell.
Two stars only because the Kid has an unhealthy love for the stuff.
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The fish & chips @ this Ivar's is fair @ best.
They do have the tartar sauce, which is the best.
I like the red clam chowder over the white.
I'm from Seattle, therefore I'm an expert on Ivar's.
Yes, this is the only Ivar's outside of Washington.
One must eat @ the original Ivar's Fish Bar on the Waterfront in Seattle to really know what this institution is all about...
I am surprised to see how many Yelpers have actually eaten at the Seattle location of Ivar's. I too, used to sit at the waterfront on chilly mornings and warm myself up with a bowl of white chowder. I got suckered into the restaurant once and found that the food was pretty much the same but the prices much much higher. I guess I paid for food served on real plates. Nonetheless, Ivar's is an institution, and I was positively amazed when I saw this location in my new hometown. Every time I come to Valley Fair I have to stop by to taste it, even though I would say the chowder is about 90% of what it tastes like up in Seattle. That's good enough to satisfy my craving. 3-stars for opening an Ivar's in Santa Clara!
This place is just ok. It is usually my last resort if I do not find anything that I like at the food court. The prices are horrendous. Expect to pay about $10 for 2 sole and chips and a soda. The food is depressing. After consuming the food, I sit there wondering why I made such a purchase....and why I was still hungry. The best thing to get is the clam chowder. The white clam chowder prevents this review from having 1 star. This place can get really busy around lunch time so be prepared for that.
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Growing up in Seattle, Ivar's was a staple in the malls there and I fondly remember eating at their seafood bar on the wharf and feeding the chips to the seagulls. To my delight, they opened up the only Ivar's in California inside the mall when I was in high school. Their clam chowder is award winning and after you try it, you'll see why. Don't go with the red one, go with the white one; its creamy with delicious chunks of clams swimming in the sea of cream. The fish and chips is coated with a light batter and fried quickly. It tends to not be as greasy as one would expect it and the batter adds a nice crunch to the flakiness of the fish.
Recommend: fish and chips, clam chowder
Stay away from: clam strips (they tend to be overly breaded with minimal clam in there), shrimp cocktail (you're there already! get the fish and chips! you can get shrimp cocktail ANYWHERE!)
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After pondering on my thoughts of what to get, I scarfed down the salmon and chips. I've never had that combo before, but it was pretty good. There was just a light coat of batter on the salmon, so it didn't seem like it had been sitting in the fryer all day. The fries could use some work though. It's just odd for me to see a fish 'n chip establishment in a mall, but it's worth trying out.
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