Catalyst Seafood Restaurant & Lounge

Clams in clam chowder were like trying to eat rubber, fried calamari similar--also like eating rubber, deep fried oysters were greasy and basically uncooked. Server was friendly but food prep was slow (food came approximately 45 minutes after it was ordered). The limited offerings on the menu would have been OK, IF the food had been good. Meal check, that included a glass of wine and a beer, was $70 plus tip.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 2

The fish was light and fluffy

The clam chowder was excellent

The staff was friendly and tentative

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Awesome service the best fish n chips, loved the loaded clam chowder

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great seafood! The calamari was the best we've ever had! Also had the rockfish tacos and clam chowder. All the food was very good. Also dog friendly on the patio. The even offered to move us inside when it started to rain, but we stayed on the patio under their umbrella. Will return when in the area.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Steamed clams were fantastic, so were the fried oysters. Our waitress was amazing.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was good, however the vibe and service is strange and unfriendly. We had to ask for silverware 3 x and they brought a beer in a can without a glass. I actually love the fish and chips, however, the service was so strange that I didn’t go back on my 4-day stay.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 1

Easily the best seafood in town. The menu is small, which is what you want so you know what they do is perfected. Options are still good though with oysters, clams, fish, and burgers. The place is packed by 5PM, people seem to eat early in Brookings, but by 6 is thinning out. We came twice in one week while in town.

The onion rings are yummy and crispy. Fried clams were exactly what I was looking for and not tough at all which happens sometimes. Clam chowder was incredible- can't get that in Florida! They were out of oysters the first time we went but had them back on the second visit. The rockfish is really good fried, blackened, or grilled.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder, Onion Rings, Clam Strips

Tiffany was an amazing hostess/waitress/server!!! The food was amazing both times I went.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing fresh seafood right on the dock. Had the grilled rockfish sandwich and was impressed with the freshness of the fish and the care with which it was cooked. The servers and bartenders are also very friendly and good at their jobs. 9/10.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Great place to eat 😋

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was absolutely wonderful. Had fish and chop, deep fried in beer batter and fries with a bowl of clam chowder. Best clam chowder I have ever eaten thus far. The fish and chips were great, rock fish so not as solid as say cod or catfish, but very tasty indeed. Go, you won’t regret it.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Pretty disappointing experience, we just wanted some clam chowder and crab eventually if they had some, the clam chowder was full of bacon, no crab and everything is fried.. I’m still processing how this coast can be so rich , and yet locals cannot do much with it foodwise.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 4

What a lovely little gem! If I could give more stars I would. The seafood was perfect. The land lubbers were satisfied! The onion rings are worth it. The service is excellent! Go. Enjoy!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Me and my family (9 person party but only 7 actually eating and ordering) visited today. We said our party number and I expected a wait so that was fine, waited the hour needed for enough tables to become available. We was seated quickly enough once we was called upon, unfortunately that's where complications started picking up.

One of the first things was told when we entered was our party wouldn't be able to split the bill, which kinda struck us due to this being our first time hearing this anywhere (small business included). That left a sour taste off the initial period we was there. We sat down for about 15 minutes before they brought drinks (That we didn't ask for but rather informed us that was on the way and we wasn't able to say what we wanted but I suppose was complimentary water).

We waited for about 25 minutes after being seated for our appetizers to arrive (Only two items). In that meantime I personally pointed out something that really had me feeling indifferent, I saw I woman who was an employee carrying a dog into the kitchen area In a sling. She stayed In there for about for about 3-5 minutes till she existed with another employee chatting dog still In sling so I knew I wasn't just seeing things.

After 35 minutes food arrived, which I have little complaints for since I enjoyed It (Granted I could be bias due to being hungry but I got the fish tacos and I liked It).

After we eating some a member of our party called for the manager, we waited about 10-12 minutes before the woman we asked to go get the manager originally returned to the table and asked If the manager came over yet so we responded no and the employee got a bit of an irritated facial expression for a moment before going and fetching her. They returned together and after negotiations we was able to split the check which was the main moment of satisfaction service wise. We then payed In full and left.

(Other things that some may be critical on Is there wasn't any changing stations for babies, we had two babies In our party so that would of been good to have available.)

Personally I think If you come In a smaller party that the experience you have will be much different. I watched a party of 3 who came In 15 minutes after us (Which they walked up to the front desk and said they was waiting 30 minutes then was quickly seated outside) was served a decent amount before us with similar meal choices.

I think the main redeeming quality was the food for me personally

However the main Issue I had was the woman with the dog walking Into the kitchen area, I personally had some hygiene concerns with that and It kinda made me feel a certain way but I was far to hungry to ask the party to go somewhere else.

Hope this Is helpful

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 1

Came from florida to experience the worst service I’ve ever had from any place. I’ve traveled every state. Sad to say don’t waste your time here if you have more than 5 in your party. They won’t split your check because it’s an inconvenience to them and will skip serving your table and start smaller tables that seat after your party because you have a bigger party. What a disappointment and we had a hungry baby had to wait over a hour just to get seated! Go somewhere else get better service!
Also came to celebrate a day after my son got married. Party of 10 2 babies 1 year n 10 month old 8-16-2025 7:15pm. ALSO NO BABY CHANGING TABLE AND WE WATCHED SOMEONE HAVE A POMERANIAN IN THE KITCHEN NO PLACE FOR DOGS

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1