Montereys Fish House - Monterey (CA)

2 /5 Camille: Wait time: We were told that the wait time for this restaurant was 30 minutes, turns out we waited for an hour and 15 minutes out in the cold. Giving a more detailed time, we got to the restaurant at 6:50 and got seated at 8:05. Service: When the 30 minute mark came up, we asked the girl (Matron D) with the red hair for an ETA on the wait time, she was being broad and we came out with us still not knowing an answer and wanting to leave. She also flipped to the page, where are our name was written down, and everyone’s names were crossed out, EVEN THE PEOPLE WHO CAME AFTER US was seated before us. I think this is unfair treatment. When we sat down, the waiter came and we told him we were ready to order, instead of taking our order, he told us a bunch of options - basically restating the menu- and we were confused because we just wanted to order. Food: Since we weren’t familiar with this area, we thought the wait was going to be short and ended up staying. The clam chowder came really fast and it was delicious. The bbq baby octopus tasted like charcoal. The clam pasta was soupy, and the pasta was very hard- as if it was undercooked and hard to swallow. The highlight of this dinner was definitely the salmon, although very pricey ($39) it was crispy on the top, juicy on the inside, and it was soft. I don’t know if it was the day, but they were out of stock on a lot of things like the swordfish, muscles, and more seafood. Although I don’t have a picture of one of the other foods we ordered (a hamburger), it was burnt on the side and very well done.

5 /5 Billy Yee: Right away we were greeted, seated and menus in hand. Service was too notch. Cioppino, fish n chips, chowder, raw oysters were for lunch. Excellent taste and quality food. We were very satisfied with our meal. We were the first ones at the door and shortly after it was starting to get packed and it was only lunch time. Ive heard stories were people waiting hours to be seated during dinner service. So to have a quality lunch there was best option. They do close between 2pm and 5pm. I highly recommend this place. Even if its during lunch. Same food and freindly staff.

5 /5 Ken Emery: I am happy that I discovered this restaurant while looking for a place for lunch. Service was both friendly and helpful. The food was delicious. I had two lunches here, and each time the restaurant filled up fairly quickly after opening. On my first lunch I had grilled oysters and the VIP seafood salad from the special menu. For my second visit, I had the grilled halibut fresh catch special, which was especially tasty. The only change I would make if I were to order again would be to skip the pasta and request extra vegetables. The restaurant appears to be more of a locals restaurant, since it is away from the touristy area of Monterey.

5 /5 jeff chou: Wonderful seafood restaurant! Service was outstanding, atmosphere was welcoming and the food was amazing! We drove by many times and had always see a long line in front of restaurant. We finally decided to try it. We arrived Sunday at around 5:15pm, got seated right the way. I had the Sicilian Holiday Pasta and wife had the oak grilled salmon. The pasta came in a large soup bowl filled with chunks of salmon and two other kinds of fish, clams, octopus, calamari, mussels, prawns and pasta. Warm, hardy and delicious. The grilled salmon with pasta were also very tasty. The portions were large, really good value for the price we paid. We will come back again.

3 /5 SeeTheWorld: We went here for the first time and my food was disappointing. I had the crab cake sandwich and my husband had the calamari sandwich. The $26 crab cake sandwich had no flavor. Honestly, I expected better. My husbands sandwich was better than mine. The calamari was tender and there were 2 generous slices. I dont think Id go back.