McGrath's Fish House Reviews

I have been a regular at McGraths Fish House in Salem, Oregon and have enjoyed several different dishes there. I decided that for my 61st Christmas Birthday I wanted to eat there for lunch. (Thursday, December 24th, 2020 at 1:30pm.) I knew they had outdoor dining only but did not anticipate how cold it would be out on their patio. That did not deter me and my date. We quickly discovered the atmosphere was not delightful and cozy but rather had an Arctic igloo feel. Seating was very uncomfortable with narrow wicker and metal chairs that my hips sat on top of two metal bars and no cushions. The wait staff was pleasant and right away they turned on an outdoor heater that could be felt halfway through our meal. We opted to have a cup of Clam chowder instead of the salad to start. Although the chowder was steaming in the cold air, it was not hot by any means and could have been served a lot hotter. We also ordered Hot Buttered Rums which were served with paper straws. Right away our straws deteriorated and were no longer useable after the first sip, we asked for plastic straws but was told they do not have them. My date had the Chicken Alfredo and I decided to splurge for my Birthday meal by ordering the Dungeness Crab and Shrimp Pasta dish, which was a big mistake and prompted this review. The food temperature was good. The shrimp, mushrooms, linguini, and sauce were cooked perfectly as well. However, the Dungeness Crab was extremely disappointing and what there was of it, it had ruined the dish. There were only about 6-7 teeny tiny diced pieces of crab, not leg meat, but from the body section. Each piece I put in my mouth I had to stop after the first chew to remove a piece of crab shell from my mouth. Very frustrating and unpleasant. I paid $22.38 for this dish and will not have it again. I usually have dessert, but this time I was so turned off by this whole experience I opted out of my usual Marion Berry Cobbler. I paid $49.96 for our meals and left our waitress a $10.00 tip. Although I had considered McGraths my favorite Restaurant, I will not be visiting again while they are outdoor dining only. I do recommend they change the name of the dish I ordered to Dungeness Crab Shell and Shrimp Pasta.

Great friendly staff and amazing clam chowder. I will be eating here at least once per trip to salem.

Delicious food! Clean, comfortable and want to go back!

Food is ok but service is slow and lousy. Mgr came to our table unsolicited and asked how our experience was. After we told him how bad it was he said nothing and walked off

Crab dip, Halibut and prawns we're very good. French fries a little cold. Our service was great.

I'm sorry to say that the food is not to par as it was pre pandemic. I ordered the all you can eat prawns and the only ones good were the coconut breaded prawns. The buttermilk coated prawns the dough was not cooked and the prawns with pasta had no taste. Others within the party did not enjoy there meals as well. This was the second time going after they reopened.

I m outside and was asked to leave because my 10 week old puppy was with me. I am part of the bringfido reviews. And we got sent home being told we could not be served because of a puppy. I have come here multiple times but after today I will not be returning nor any of my friends. Do not go here if you wanted to be talked to respectfully

Really good and refreshing. We had a large salad with shrimp and it was just right. Thank you we will be back.

The atmosphere was amazing and the food was even better can't wait to go back and eat there again.

One star because the clam chowder was good. This was the second chance after the last time I was there and was ignored by the staff completely for 15 minutes and just left. This time I waited 20 minutes for my drink only to be told that they were all out and I would need to pick another. The food took quite a while to come out, not a big deal as I like well prepared meals, but that was not the case here. After I bit into the first bite I could tell it had been sitting under the heat lamp for at least 10 minutes as the fries were cold and rubbery along with most of the plate. The crab legs were another 15 minutes behind that. I was done choking down the rest of what I could eat when they showed up and even they were of poor quality. Black spots all over and quite rubbery as well. They tried to make up for it with $5 off an appetizer for my next visit. There will be no next visit, consider that strike 2 and 3 all in one.

Ordered for pick up 2 fish and chips (halibut and cod) and the appetizer combo and when my wife came home with the order there were about 15 or less fries for each fish and chips, the appetizer came with 2 of each thing (I've gotten better elsewhere for the price) and worst of all THE FISH WAS NASTY!! I am a New Englander and know what frigging fish tastes like and alllllll of the fish (remind you there were 2 types in each dish) tasted exactly the same. The halibut was the same as the cod. And they were soggy and could taste the uncooked batter, discusting . Went out and got pizza cause this place sucked. The manager Mia I think, was very helpful tho when I returned and gave me an appetizer platter and 10$ coupon for next time, IF I come back. Not a good way to serve food when you call yourself a seafood restaurant!

I ordered the captain's plate. My friend ordered the shrimp. Both were excellent in flavor and the amount was huge. The dinner salad was awesome. Very high quality lettuce. Service was very good. I will be back, for the quality, value and service it was well worth it.

Good food. Great atmosphere. Friendly staff. A bit of a wait but fast service.

Food was amazing, service was so so. Great atmosphere.

Food is cold, not tasty. Go to red lobster instead.

Good food friendly staff overpriced food for what you get.

very good food and great service. we will definitely be back.

My favorite place to sit is at the bar and watch some football if it's on. I make a point to go here every time I visit Salem on my annual trip.

I love the atmosphere and quick service. One of our favorites, esp. without the kiddies.

Good food, bad service. Seated at our table, then I had to track down a waitress after 15 minutes. She took our order, then the waitress for our area took over. She was so hit and miss with seeing to us. As we were waiting for our entrees, she came and wanted our dessert orders. We had to tell her we still had not eaten our entrees. She was clueless. Later, a manager came and said the entrees would be delayed, because she was on the phone handling a personal matter. So, good food, bad service. But I still left 20 percent tip, mainly for the others that helped us.

I had 2 fish tacos and there was no fish in one of them. The food wasn't hot. The servers were very nice tho.

They used to be one of our favorites, but now it's just ok.

They have great food, friendly staff, + their prices are reasonable.

The serve was wonderful. Our was server was on the spot for all our needs. Food was good as usual, and portions were perfect.

This place is the BOMB for seafood! Fresh, reasonably priced, attentive,friendly staff... I wish I lived here or they had a place this good in Tucson/Phoenix. I'd go at least once a week, it's that good.

We have enjoyed this restaurant for a very long time! This afternoon we went in for a late lunch. Its halibut season! Which I love. So I was hoping for a win! The service was great! But the food was lacking! It seems to have really gone down in quality and this isn't the first time I have felt that way! I had a halibut sandwich and it was so so, but the fish didn't really seem fresh. After that we got a marion berry pie and that was terrible. I took literally 1 bite! It was cold, and stale. Huge waste of money! I am having serious second thoughts about revisiting them after numerous disappointing trips! Used to be a favorite! =(

As usual, the food was excellent and tasted fresh. We ordered the shrimp louis salad and a plate of golden fried clam strips. The salad had the perfect amount of shrimp, and my request for extra dressing on the side was quickly taken care of. The clam strips were also very good and the portion size was generous.

Descent spot, wait times are short usually. Have always had really friendly, and helpful staff.

A shell of what was once a fantastic place to eat. Sad loss really.

This has become our favorite spot to eat at. We have been multiple times and love the food.

Great service and great good. They cooked the crab perfectly!

My favorite restaurant in Salem and in Medford, Eugene, too. Oh, those coconut prawns!

Decent drinks and food. Mostly over 60 crowd. But a big menu, lots of seafood and other items.

Greasy food. Service was good. But the food was a disappointing.

Food was phenomenal! Only negative was that I waited 45 minutes to an hour to get my food after they took my order. It wasn t too busy.

Used to really like this place, servers are getting slower and slower, our server didnt seam to really care at all that we waited for 20 minutes after being seated to take our order. The last three times we were here, they were out of clams...? And the waitress said that the Halibut wasn't worth the money....? Really?

We had great service, the food came fast even though they were very busy. It was prepared perfectly and well displayed on the plate. The amount of shrimp for the price was outstanding.

The food was not very good my potato was not even warm enough to melt my butter on it. The service was alright.

One of dishes is unique I thought it was chip nachos. Wish to give a full stars well... No one asks us if I want dessert.. how sad...

Good food. The service was a little slow this time.

Good food, good portions, great service, clean atmosphere!

Friendly service and great food. The wood fired shrimp skewers we're outstanding and the Monday fried sampler was very flavorful. The outdoor seating area was spacious and clean.

The salad was very fresh. Salmon moist and delicious.

Waiter was great but I used a coupon for crabfest special. We got the crab and shrimp platter. Was very disappointed in the taste of the crab (2claws). Overall experience of this visit was disappointing. Was not worth the value or time we spent there. My son did enjoy his hamburger kids meal but how can you mess that up?....

Fresh food, great presentation and attentive service equals a great experience

Great food especially seafood of course. The reason for docking a star is that they are often under staffed during busy times.

The steamer clams were delicious and the clam chowder was also good

So delicious!! I couldn't eat everything on my plate.

I got stuffed salmon, steamed veggies and clam chowder. It was all just delicious. It was $22 so it is a bit more money. But they have a good selection of meals to choose from with prices running around $15 a plate. I love this place and they have great customer service

Food and service is always so good! The lobster tail was requested by my 3yr old. Only $10. She loved it!.

Their clam chowder and bay shrimp salad are excellent. Prices are OK. Beware of their cocktail shrimp for the last ones I got there were as dry as parchment paper, and when I pointed it out to the shift leader what did he do? Give me more leathery shrimp. I should have been comped or substituted for that. As a trend many of their serving portions have gotten smaller and drier. However, their fish and chips are good!