Katie Downs Waterfront Tavern

We are so thankful to Katie Downs Waterfront Tavern for their generous donation of a gift card for Teacher Appreciation Month. Your kindness allows us to recognize and celebrate the dedication of our incredible teachers. We sincerely appreciate your support and partnership in strengthening our community. Thank you!

I have always gotten the best fish and chips
At Katie Downs in Tacoma. Unfortunately, the pieces have gone from lovely big filets to very small pieces. I do not eat the Panko that the fish is fried in, but like to remove it from the fish as it steams it beautifully. The last two times it has been small crunchy and very little fish. For the cost, it is no longer worth ordering. The My Pies are very good, but often over baked now. The staff is wonderful. Disappointed.

Our waitress was a dreamboat! She was so delightful! Food was delicious. The Mexican pizza on happy hour? That is a must!

Food was delicious! The halibut was really good, fish and chips and Cole slaw were delicious and the steelhead great was as well. We really enjoyed our food and would eat it again in a heart beat.

However, I’m knocking two stars off because- some of the plates were dirty with food stuck on them, the floors were dirty as well. It also stunk of moth balls.

The waitress was new (stated it was her first week) and didn’t know the menu which caused some disagreement and arguments between my party and her, it made for an awkward meal and everyone at the table. We finished our main meals and were given a check and she walked away; however, we had planned to get dessert and we were never asked if we wanted anything else. Again this may have been the new waitress not knowing- but that’s the responsibility of those training her.

I ordered a bowl of clam chowder & found it to be less than stellar. The small, small amount of very tiny clam pieces & lack of creaminess left me wanting to help them by suggesting they rename it potato chowder as they were abundant. Others in my group had the pizza & liked it.

We were in the area and decided to have fish and chips. We have never been here before. The food was delicious, but 1 guinness beer, 1 mixed coffee drink, and 2, 2 piece fish and chips $100.00. + tip. Is absolutely ridiculous, in my opinion. The food was good but not that good. And we didn't get silverware, so my wife ate cold slaw with her fingers...

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Aside from the cute building and pleasant location. The word I'd use to describe this place is mediocre.

My fish and chips were disappointing, the kind where the breading falls off of the fish before you can eat it. I cannot stress this enough, I've had better fish and chips out of a school cafeteria. Normally I wouldn't be this critical, however if I remember correctly it was $28 for 2 pieces of cod and some french fries.

Prices are not evident on the online menu either, probably for good reason. The cost is that of a really fancy restaurant, but the quality is that of a third rate dive bar.

There was a gentleman who was very nice who brought us our food and seated us, he was fantastic. The server seemed like she didn't know how to interact with us, maybe it's just because we're in our 20's 🤷

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 2

Their famous fish and chips are
Now half sized pieces (2/$30)! Ice tea refills are actually a second charge for a second tea (undisclosed). It is not The same as years past. $185 (before tip) for three lunches and an appetizer is nuts! Location and service is great but it ends there. They get away (for now) with it because of Location but as shenanigan’s learned the hard way, quality matters for Long-term survival.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bruschetta

We went to KD 4 days before Christmas. There were few ppl there.
The service ok...not very friendly but ok. The food was subpar.

We ordered a 12 inch deep dish pizza (40 bucks) and it was just ok at first, and about half way through the pizza it was beginning to taste pretty yuck. We didn't eat it all. Expensive price not expensive taste.

Our thoughts are...if one pays a lot for dinner the dinner should reflect the price. At KD the pizza cost did not reflect it's quality.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 4

Beautiful location, great pizza!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Waterfront dining. They no longer offer beer-battered halibut or red snapper but they do offer cod. Very good fish and chips!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Fries, Fish and Chips

Great food and awesome server.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Sicilian

Great service and great food - Highly recommend!

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips

Food has been consistently good since I began coming hear over 10 years ago. I usually just order the soup and salad and a bloody mary. Their chowder is very good! They are a little spendy, however the prices are comparable to the rest of the waterfront restaurants. I'd recommend this place. Keep in mind it's a 21+ establishment.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bruschetta, Deep Dish Pizza Funghi Pizza, Salad, Fish and Chips

We had a nice lunch here. The views are great and I bet it’s a great spot to have lunch outside in the summer. We tried a few different things from the menu. All of it was good. Our favorite was the Deluxe Nachos, big plate and lots of fresh toppings. I think a little more cheese would have been great, but they were still probably the best I’ve had in this area. I’m giving 4 stars instead of 5 because we weren’t asked if we wanted beverage refills and the interior, primarily tables and chairs, are pretty dated. Overall though, it was a nice, casual lunch and we’ll be back.

Parking: There was plenty of open parking spaces around lunch time on a Saturday. I’m sure parking can be more challenging at night.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Burger, Fries