This is My Favorite Food in Washington — This is the One Place You Have to Go to Try It

Okay, mea culpa. Geoduck might not be my favorite Washington delicacy, but it's undeniably one of our most unique foods — and practically a must-try if you want to call this state home. Whether it becomes your new go-to or not, there's only one place I'd recommend for your first taste of geoduck: Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar. Serving their own products with creativity and seasonal flair, this beloved Olympia spot is the perfect place to challenge your palate and secure your Washingtonian bona fides once and for all!

The Lentz family began shellfish farming in 1987, passing down the tradition and eventually expanding it into their Olympian eatery. With locations in Eld, Totten, and Henderson Inlets, as well as Harstine Island, they’ve been local leaders in sustainable harvesting, providing jobs and helping safeguard the future of the South Sound's mudflat ecosystem.

While oysters remain their bread and butter, geoducks have become another key part of the Lentz family business. As a native mollusk, geoducks — or gʷidəq — have been a staple of the Pacific Northwest dinner table for thousands of years. They’re also the world’s largest burrowing clam, weighing up to eight pounds and can live for as long as 150 years!

It's easy to forget about the farm side of the enterprise while dining at Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar, where lofty ceilings, bright decor, and friendly service make the hard work of harvest seem distant. But it's when you take your first bite that you're reminded just how local these ingredients truly are. Geoduck, in particular, shines when served incredibly fresh. A trio of tacos — my first experience with geoduck —didn’t disappoint, enhancing its unique flavor with a refreshing salsa without overshadowing it.

If you're hesitant to commit to an entrée, I recommend the PNW Seafood Platter. Perfect for two, this selection of Washingtonian delicacies — smoked salmon, Dungeness crab, and oysters — includes a sample of Chelsea's geoduck ceviche. The citrus of the ceviche enhances the subtle sweetness and saltiness of the mollusk, and the portion size is less intimidating for geoduck novices.

And whether you need a little liquid courage before your bite or something to toast with afterward, Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar offers an incredible selection of cocktails. My favorite, the Flotsam & Jetsam, combines vodka with rhubarb, lavender, bergamot, strawberry, and strega, creating the perfect concoction to celebrate your newest Washingtonian experience. If you're feeling spoiled for choice, your server will be happy to guide you, suggesting something that complements your order.

What are you waiting for? There's no time like the present to try geoduck, Washington's oddball delicacy, and no better place to do so than Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar. Even if it doesn’t become your new go-to, you'll be glad you challenged your palate with this delicious part of our state's local culture and history.