When my dad moved to Oak Harbor, there was one joke we couldn’t help but make every time we drove on the winding road of Highway 20: Who would eat shrimp out of a shack?
But the more times I drove by, the more I noticed The Shrimp Shack — a walk-up seafood eatery south of Anacortes — consistently had a line more than 10 deep.
I avoided it for years but finally succumbed. I was surprised to find out the menu is far more than just shrimp. A few standout items include homemade clam chowder, an oyster burger, a gator burger and my favorite, domestic beer for $3.50.
After ordering at the window, customers get a number that is called when their order is ready. Adjacent to the shack is a large tent and picnic tables for outdoor eating.
Clearly meant to be a tourist eat-and-stretch, this pit stop is right on the highway and is a perfect place to grab a bite before checking out Deception Pass.
According to its website, the family-owned business opened in 1973. In September 2022, it opened a second location in Clinton, Island County. Built in 1900, the building that was home to Cozy’s Roadhouse, a tavern, is now known as The Shrimp Shack at Cozy’s.
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