The Yellow Totem Pole Says Goodbye

[Anonymous]

For 71 years the Totem House totem pole and rustic yellow seafood eatery has stood across from the Ballard Locks. I was born in Ballard and although I grew up in Bothell, the Totem House was our family go-to place for fish-n-chips. As a very small child its totem pole was always a welcome sight because it meant that we were either heading for the beach at Golden Gardens or to the locks, two of my favorite places. After our order was wrapped in plain paper and slid across the counter we would head off on the days adventure. The smells that escaped the now greasy plain paper wrapper that sat in my moms lap as my dad navigated our old family station wagon to the beach were heavenly. In fact the contents of that greasy paper were probably a major contributor to my culinary addictions. For me Totem House wasn’t just comfort food but the catalyst for many fond memories.

As a child it meant the start of a day at the beach, fishing off the pier and skipping rocks. After I had a car and an increased interest in the fairer sex, a date always started at the Totem House and oddly still seemed to end skipping rocks and fishing off the pier…oh well. After being transferred to Southern California, twice we got up on a Saturday morning and ended up at the Totem House for lunch. All of my kids now have their own individual experiences at the Totem House, including a family reunion of sorts. After transferring back to the PNW a few years back, my brother’s family, sister’s family and my mob filled the small eating area while the kids reacquainted and shared stories. It was heartwarming to sit there and see myself 50 years ago.

But the Totem House Seafood and Chowder is now closed, a victim of the economy. The current owner Dianne DeLatour, the fourth owner, owned the iconic restaurant since 1995. Dianne was born the year it was built. The Totem House was built in 1939 as a place to sell Native American artifacts. It closed during World War II, when the Locks were closed. The Totem House reopened as a restaurant in 1945. Now a small sign on the door simply says "Goodbye friends."

[Marc Martyn]

Here is a Time article that I found.....

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/a ... ks_ha.html

[Gringo Pescador]

We just ate there last summer. Another Seattle icon gone. Sad..
Dog House, Twin Teepees, The Blob

Buddy Holly Lives!

[bionic_one]

I wonder if the economy had the effect, or if the type of people in the area had more influence to it going out of business. Rseas, did you continue the tradition of your youth, with your own children?

[wolverine]

To me the place was always a place for lunch after taking out of towners to watch the cluster at the locks. The food never really was "good", but OK. The past few years I avoided the place because it had marginal quality and stupid prices. The restaurant biz is tough as it is but a place that loses its local support and has to depend on tourists for survival is really behind the 8 ball. Hopefully new ownership/management can come in and run a quality house that has more to offer than just childhood memories from bygone days.

[racfish]

The Doghouse . I loved that place. Thats the kind of restaurant where the waitresses called you "honey or sweety". that place was awesome. I went every thursday eve for liver and onions. MMMMMMMMMMMMmm it was da bomb. I gambled there and ran book from there for a number of years like the old Ben Paris Sporting goods.Do you all remember Abruzzis or the Guadalahara on Pike St?Abruzzis was awesome place. we always sat with our fronts facing the door. Some guys that came in there were hella scarey. Like the Cosa Nostra or the Black Hand guys.Great food. I saw the Totem House was Closing. People want healthy food.Their Fish n chips were very good but not good for you I'm affraid.There were some great eateries in my earlier years. Wed go to Woolworths for fried chicken and Hoagie sandwiches after our school bowl. LOL...

[saltyseadog]

lol your not brubbin' right now are ya.... i love it

The Doghouse . I loved that place. Thats the kind of restaurant where the waitresses called you "honey or sweety". that place was awesome. I went every thursday eve for liver and onions. MMMMMMMMMMMMmm it was da bomb. I gambled there and ran book from there for a number of years like the old Ben Paris Sporting goods.Do you all remember Abruzzis or the Guadalahara on Pike St?Abruzzis was awesome place. we always sat with our fronts facing the door. Some guys that came in there were hella scarey. Like the Cosa Nostra or the Black Hand guys.Great food. I saw the Totem House was Closing. People want healthy food.Their Fish n chips were very good but not good for you I'm affraid.There were some great eateries in my earlier years. Wed go to Woolworths for fried chicken and Hoagie sandwiches after our school bowl. LOL...

[The Quadfather]

The word on the streets is that Red Mill Burgers is looking to open a 3rd location at this location. If any of you from farther out of town have not had a Red Mill burger..... Oh man,,, it is a Seattle treasure.:chef:

[mics]

that used to be the place we would go with the kids and visit the locks when they were younger.it had great fish and chips at one time,but then it started to go down hill no longer a great place to go for fish and chips.

[wolverine]

Get ready for the Red Mill Burger Totem House!
Lets see; Red Mill burger or fish & chips?

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/a ... _a_go.html

[rseas]

The wait for the Red Mill Totem House in Ballard is almost over. Owner John Shepherd tells us they will officially open next Tuesday, October 11th. The interior has been completely redone, with the ceiling beams exposed and re-stained. There is also a photo of the original Totem House before it was completed and you’ll see some of the original pieces on display inside the restaurant. The new Red Mill Totem House has several tables inside and picnic tables outside. Next spring, Shepherd says they’ll add additional outdoor seating. Along with the expected burgers, the menu also includes fish and chips and clam chowder – a tribute to the history of the building.

The Red Mill Totem House (3058 NW 54th St) will be open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday noon to 8 p.m. As with their other restaurants in Interbay and Phinney Ridge, the Ballard spot will only accept cash and checks.

[Gonefishing]

Well my brother will like that...... opening on his birthday - Red Mill burgers in ballard which sounds way way way better than Dicks Drive in Edmonds. That is my 2 cent opinion on that topic.

[knotabassturd]

We still have Spuds on Alki and of course Ivars on the waterfront for fish 'n chips. Did eat at Totem Pole but not terribly memorable for the food. Guess we'll have a new place to try when visiting the Locks Although burgers may not be quite as tantalizing to my wife and daughter as fish 'n chips. Like the tartar sauce at Spuds.