Red Mill Totem House Reviews

The only reason why I didn’t give five stars is the fact that my order to go wasn’t what i ordered. Never the less my lunch was fantastic. When you want a super delicious fresh calorie packed lunch go to Red Mill Totem House. The onion rings are the best I have ever had anywhere. The fresh lemonade actually has a slice of lemon in the cup. This place is so far beyond the level of fast food it shouldn’t be considered in the same category. I always look forward to a meal there where it’s always great.

I walked into the Totem House looking for a quick lunch but soon found that they offered Red Mill’s bacon focused burgers and delicious shakes (in addition to fish and chips). While seating is limited this is a good place, with good parking, to grab a Red Mill burger.

I stopped by this place after visiting the Ballard locks and spotting it across the street, and was so glad I did. I ordered the BBQ burger which was very yummy, drippy and messy. For the fries, I was happy to see that tartar sauce was one of the main dipping sauce options, as any good PNW burger and fries place should have.

On a search to find the best fish and chips in the Seattle area I stopped into what was once considered a great fish and chips joint near the canal locks. It appears that it has become a burger joint that still serves fish and chips. The fish was good, but not great. Cute place inside and was warm on a cool, damp Seattle afternoon. There are better fish and chips in Seattle.

We enjoyed a sunny lunch at the picnic tables outside after a visit to the Ballard locks. The fish was fresh, hot, and crispy. It was actual big chunks of real fish, breaded and fried. The fries were perfectly cooked. They had the best tartar sauce I have every tasted. It was a short wait despite the crowd.

My family of 4 (2 teenagers) had lunch here after spending some time at the Ballard Locks. The burgers and fries were super tasty, as were the shakes— chocolate, mint-chocolate chip, and banana!

I was told by a friend that it was the best burger in town. One hour drive to get there but not deluded. Really an excellent typical place and the best burger I ever had - I swear!

There is usually a line to place your order but it moves fast and when the order is ready they call your name. The cheeseburger with bacon is very good and this location is across the street from the Ballard Locks. They do not serve liquor or accept credit cards. The multiple location chain is owned by a Seattle Family that treat their employees good and it shows the way they are happy and treat the customers.

Native Seattle-ites, a brother and sister team, own and run the Red Mill mini-chain. Thank goodness they took over the old Totem Fish and Chips gloriously located across from the Locks in Ballard. Look for the signature Verde Burger with roasted Anaheim peppers - you can get it veggie style, chicken or beef. It's fabulous! But it's hard to go wrong with any burger here. Be warned: They're huge and messy and worth it. Cod and chips are still delish here as well; a 3 piece is $12. Shakes are top-notch as well and you can mix the flavours - I had a caramel chocolate malt yesterday...so yummy! It can get really crowded here - thank goodness there are lots of nearby places to picnic. Also - they used to be cash only , but now accept cards!

You’re not going to get a better tasting burger anywhere else! I enjoyed a classic cheeseburger deluxe and fries - amazing! There isn’t much seating inside but there are a few picnic tables outside to supplement the tight quarters inside. In addition to the burgers try one of the delicious shakes!

Hands down Red Mill is my favorite burger in Seattle. Their burgers are big, juicy, full of flavor, the bacon is cooked to perfection, and adding avocado is heavenly. I love the fries. The onion rings are huge and are breaded perfectly. The brewed iced tea is also better than just about anywhere else in the city, or anywhere for that matter. The advantage of this location is the expanded menu, (due to the fact that it was formerly Totem Fish and Chips and Red Mill kept the Fish and Chips menu when they bought it), the proximity to the Locks, a generous sized parking lot, and outdoor seating. There are outdoor concerts at the Locks at 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays in the summer and that is always a treat. If you are visiting from out of town, it’s definitely worth it to walk across the street to watch the boats going through the Locks and also to check out the fish ladder to see the salmon swimming back upstream. We love Red Mill!!!

We stopped at Red Totem after kayaking through the locks. It was perfect. Yummy hamburgers, fries and shakes to fill us up after our strenuous morning. It was a cheap delicious burger and had great options for our vegetarian friends. They also served our large group fairly efficiently, I was impressed. We were able to find a few tables outside to eat, but there is not a big table for a large group. It was a beautiful day, so eating outside was a treat. It's right by the Chittenden Locks if you want to walk over and check them out. As I recall, it was cash only. It would be nice if you could use a card.

Great food across from the locks in ballard so if your visiting its well worth having lunch with good burgers & fish and chips at great prices.

Huge, thick, juicy burgers, perfectly seasoned & cooked. Love their Verde burger...but all the others are just as good. Been coming here for years and they never disappoint. Very casual with picnic tables & umbrellas for outdoor dining. Can get busy so call ahead.

My Seattle-based brother said it was the best burger in Seattle, and he was right! Juicy, flavorful burgers with outstanding crispy bacon and a mouth-watering sauce! Big burgers - consider sharing the excellent fries or huge, tasty onion rings. Seating is a bit of an issue. Great location across from the Locks.

This is kind of a "dive" restaurant but the burgers are greasy and delicious, the onion rings are tasty, and I am still dreaming about my milkshake. It is small, the line is long, and they only take cash but it is all worth the hassle. The only thing I was turned off by is that when I walked by the kitchen area to use the restroom I noticed that the kitchen was a complete mess. Food was all over the floors. I have never worked in the food industry so I am not sure if this is normal or if it is because the restaurant was staffed with teenagers only.

This is a great place to grab fish and chips then cross the street to enjoy them at the locks. Today there was live jazz being played right at the locks. The fish and chips were very good and generous portions. If you near well worth the stop.

burger, fries, onion rings, milkshake.....ruined my appetite for the fancy dinner we had planned, but it was completely worth it. This isn't a fancy place by any means, but I would absolutely return on our next trip to Seattle. I liked the totem poles both outside and in. It wasn't touristy at all, in fact local families, school kids, etc came and went with takeout while we were there.

they are across the street from the Chittenden Locks (an attraction worth visiting) and usually packed with people. We were pleasantly surprised about the very tasty batter covered cod with a generous portion of great fries. The food was so hot that we actually had to wait a couple of minutes before taking our first bite. This is a rather unique place with totem pole carvings and bright colors inside and out. There is not a lot of space inside, however, outside are quite a few picnic tables. The parking is free (try finding that almost anywhere else in Ballard). Beyond what we picked the menu choices include chicken, burgers and veggie burgers, onion rings (apparently THE best). Lots to be had for under $10. The staff seems to crank out the food orders like clockwork and with a high degree of efficiency.

A wonderful and homey little restaurant with very cheap delicious food. I believe its cash only, and the portions are a tad smaller to accommodate the price, but overall, it hits the spot perfectly

I've had there cod & chips with coleslaw very bland no flavor at all. Would recommend it. We back again got a bacon cheeseburger with onion rings. Burger missing the cheese also very bland even the onion rings lacked flavor. They even lost order when I finally asked they found it have fallen off there wheel of orders. They did not compensate me at all. Wouldn't recommend anyone to eat there. Go to Scooters much better food.

Sadly it's the death of seattle's culture and uniqueness as this restaurant is long gone to be replaced by a pizza place : (

This place was really good and really close to the Locks. I had the 2 piece cod and chips and it was yummy but not the best I've had. It wasn't dry at all. They do have malt vinegar and their homemade tarter sauce was amazing. The ketchup was good. The creamsicle milkshake needed more orange in it but it was good. The burger was very good and tasted charbroiled. The atmosphere is relaxing and they play good music. They have outside seating but could use more umbrella on the tables. It wasn't a long wait at all to order or get our food.

A cozy feeling little restaurant, with outdoor eating too for the warmer Seattle days. The basic cheeseburger was good, and I added an order of onion rings. If you are eating with another person, try the fries also. There will be enough in one order of fries and onion rings to share. This location also serves fish and chips. Staff was friendly and restaurant very clean. Shared large tables and counter space, so not an intimate setting with privacy when it is busy.

The burgers are good, but they are just burgers. Today, however, I had a raspberry shake that was so good I should have ordered a large! The food is always delicious and fresh... and you can even pay with a card now! Great food after a day at Golden Gardens or before going to the Locks.

Red Mill offered a great old fashioned hamburger on a rainy day. Located just north of the Ballard Locks, has its own parking and limited inside seating. Well prepared burger, great fries. Well worth the stop after a tour of the locks.

Whenever I go to Ballard, a small suburb just north of downtown Seattle--I enjoy visiting the Locks and my favorite local eatery--the Totem House. Both parking and seating can be a limiting factor during the peak tourist season, but if you time it right, it's well worth both your time and money. It offers lots of local character. During the fair weather months, I enjoy sitting outside--most times others will share some potion of their picnic table if you're in a pinch. Inside seating is also limited and you share it with the line trying to place their orders so it can feel both congested and noisy. Bathrooms are available. The food is really the best part--both seafood and burgers. I've been sampling their food since the 1950's so I really appreciate that they are still offering some of my favorites--like the 2 piece cod and fries, or shrimp and chowder. I think many of the younger crowd may favor the burgers. Either way--you can't go wrong. Enjoy!

While strolling with my pup down the Burke-Gillman trail early one afternoon, I couldn’t help but notice the sign at Red Mill Totem House proudly proclaiming, “Bacon never lets u down.” Of course I had to stop in and see what the fuss was all about! To satisfy my bacon craving, I ordered a Double BACON Deluxe Burger w/Cheese, Onion Rings, and a Chocolate Shake. All I can say is: “WOW”!! It was definitely worth the calories, and thank god I didn’t go into immediate cardiac arrest after consuming all that! But what the hay; you only live once. Prices at this Red Mill are very reasonable. It’s the perfect lunch stop for families visiting the Ballard Locks, which by the way, is one of the most AWESOME places known to man!

Pretty much one of Seattle's best burgers. Did not try fish and chips from here, could not resist the burger. Been twice for lunch; will return. Good service, they pump it out fast especially during the busy lunch rush. Good parking, outdoor seating, would not recommend for a group over 8 due to seating constraints. Excellent place to check out the locks and museum, kiss your sweetheart under a tree in the park, & follow by lunch at this location. Shakes on the sweater side, large style fries. Somewhat cramped interior seating. Can be very busy during the mid day rush. Overall GREAT place.

My Partner and i found our self In Seattle on Business on a sunny, warm June Tuesday. I mentioned to her that when i lived in Seattle in 2006 there was this little place that had the best fish and chips west of Brittin! A short drive into the eautiful neighborhood of Ballard

This is a tiny burger/fish & chips place located right across from the Chittenden Locks. There were 6 of us and we were lucky to get a table. The burgers were fantastic. I know there are lots of burger places in the world, but honestly...These were great. And having lunch there after spending the morning at the locks was a great way to spend the morning. When you are ordering your food, be sure to take a look into the open kitchen. The person working the grill has a 12" stack of cooked bacon sitting by her, ready to put on your burgers. Hilarious and delicious. I highly recommend this place.

We where thinking of where to eat and thanks to other reviews, we loved the food and experience it was fabulous. We're coming back soon

What seems to gives the burgers legs is the sauce. I'm not much of a "sauce-guy", so I can't say there is anything remarkable about these burgers. Anything beyond a simple burger here, and the price jumps a bit. The quality of the ingredients is above average. What does stand out is the friendly staff; they are diligent in their courtesy towards patrons. My wife wants me to add that the fries are tasty.

Parking may be a hassle but the rewards are worth it. Really good burgers and other foods to tingle your taste buds. Remember...CASH or checks only! There are a few tables inside and picnic tables outside to eat at. They have plenty of good drinks to order, like today was a local peach shake. Not fancy, just good.

We have been coming here for 35 plus years and are glad to see they still exist but sad to see the changes. First they changed the name, then they changed the menu. It used to be just the best fish and chips in Seattle and now it is trying to be everything to everybody. They are located directly across the street from Ballard Locks, the most popular tourist attraction in Seattle, and on the road to Shilshole Marina. They are mostly always crowded and cater both to carry-out and eat on premises customers. Picnic tables inside and outside are always crowded. It has always been Totem House Fish and Chips, now Red Mill is part of the name, and we don't why they added that, or why they added so many other menu items.

The totem house has been recommended to me by a friend as "best burger in town". I can just confirm. Wonderful, tasty and with simple "recognizable" ingredients ! Top !

We first ate at the Totem House probably 30 years ago. At that time it was primarily a fish and chips place and their fish and chips were excellent. We were driving around my wife's old neighborhood in Seattle today and decided to head down to Ballard and then decided to have lunch at the Totem House. So at some point they added Red Mill and I've always wanted to try a Red Mill burger because they have a great reputation. I had a bacon cheeseburger. Very good. My wife had a BBQ chicken sandwich which also gets a very good. The fries were done just right, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. We would definitely go back. Too bad Seattle traffic has gotten to be such that we tend to avoid Seattle and therefore Ballard. We decided to head up there today because it was Sunday and glad we did. On a return visit the tough decision will be burger or fish & chips.

We stumbled upon the Res Mill Totem House while looking for the locks. Great burgers and fish N chips!! Must try next time you are in Seattle.

We visited this restaurant one warm evening and ordered the fish. The fish was pretty good. A vegan in our group said the vegan burger was really good. Service was exceptional, with the ladies who were working behind the counter showing genuine concern for their customers. That was refreshing. We opted to dine outside under an umbrella at a picnic table, and am glad we did, for it enabled us to watch people, traffic, and to see a train engine come by. Indoor seating is rather limited. When we finished with supper, we strolled over to the locks to watch the watercraft portage through. Who could ask for more? Ships, a train, family, and good food. It doesn't get better than this.

For a delicious burger (both chicken and beef), and a thick creamy milkshake, Red Mill Totem House is the place to go.

This is a counter service burger joint that will slap bacon on anything. The burgers are the sloppy juicy kind -- just know that going in. We enjoyed the chicken sandwich, the burgers, fish and chips and onion rings which are a thick cornmeal batter -- not a light and fluffy beer batter. They're delicious -- just know when you order they're heavy. Service was friendly and quick. A line forms so know going in there may be a wait.

This is a great location , just across the street from the locks. Unfortunately we were in a hurry and had to eat quickly and couldn't explore the area . Service was wonderful . They were patient as we looked over the menu at the counter . We both ordered the same burgers and the special flavor , raspberry milkshake . Both the exterior and interior of the building are very interesting , it kept us occupied as we had a short wait for our meals. The shakes were awesome , with actual seeds . We sat out at one of the many picnic tables and really enjoyed our burgers also . The meat is fresh and I've never tasted lettuce that fresh in a burger before . Another thing I liked is that they have separate garbage bins for compost items and everything but the foil wrapper could be composted .

We had the cod fish and chips plus milkshakes. Our son had a vegetarian burger. The fish was flavorful and a good size. The shakes were tasty. Fries were okay. Nice place to eat after visiting the locks.

Many Seattle natives SWEAR that this is the best burger ever, but, for me, it's just okay. Not worth the price or the (sometimes) long wait. Also, beware, I THINK that they fry their french fries in peanut oil, so, if anyone in your party has an allergy...

Lines out the door but quick service. We found space at the counter for 2. I love the verse burger and definitely add the bacon. Nobody does bacon like red mill!

I had the bacon burger. This was some meal! It was delicious and very very filling; BIG servings! Staff was very nice, friendly with great customer service.

Red Mill Totem House has a more rustic decor than the other Red Mill locations, but is generally less crowded and serves great burgers and shakes. Anytime you need bacon, this is the place to go!

Got the 2 pc fish & fries and was not disappointed. Great seasoning and flavor and big pieces. Fries were good. The strawberry lemonade was good. The only thing that was disappointing was the coleslaw. A bit on the dry side but I'd go back in a heartbeat.

We have wanted to try this spot for a long time and finally made it today for lunch. We had an order of fish and chips, a cheeseburger, onion rings and a chocalate shake. The batter on the fish and the onion rings was the same, sort of a Shake 'n Bake with tons of pepper; the cheeseburger was also heavily peppered and the chocalate shake was not fully blended. The food was terrible but the bright spot was the enthusiasm of the woman that took our order.

When I get back to Seattle, one of the things on my to do list is to get some fish & chips (others are natural soft tacos at Taco Time and a ferry ride). Typical places I go include Ivars, Spuds at Greenlake, or the place in Pike Place Market. We were referred to Red Mill by a friend. The fish & chips were very good. Corn meal batter. I got the 2 piece; glad I didn't get a three, the fish pieces were of decent size. They make there own tarter sauce. My wife's burger and milkshake were also good, although, not "Bubs" good. They do not take credit cards; a ATM is nearby.

After all these years hearing how great Red Mill is, I finally got to try it when taking a lunch break from the Locks. They're right across the street. I try to eat things that a place is known for during the first visit, so I tried the Verde burger. It is good as advertised. Pretty good, but not sure I can get it up to the great level. With the Anaheim peppers in there. I was expecting very hot and it wasn't. It's still a very good and tasty burger. The dining room is small, but there is outside seating on nice days. The staff was friendly. Red Mill does continue the trend I've been experiencing where price wise the more independent shops are more than the chains, This is one time though it was worth the extra cost. Red Mill definitely deserves all the praise that it gets.

Fish and chips and burgers served up in an informal and friendly atmosphere. This place is firmly in our wheelhouse for us when we're on the road. Fish cooked perfectly. Light bayyer not greasy. Chowder was one of the best we've had not too heavy and spiced beautifully with plenty of bacon and rosemary. This was a GREAT find!

Out of all the great places we ate when vacationing around Seattle, this place was mine and my kids favorite. The chowder and fish & chips were the best I've had in a long time. My wife loved her burger too. You have to try the mill sauce on your fries. The value was great - our family of 5 ate for under $40 which is hard to do in a big city at anywhere good.

This corner spot is a great burger joint. They also have an excellent selection of variations on toppings. Bacon. C'mon, bacon is it's own food group. But if you want seafood their fish and chips are up there with the best. I like the red onions carmelized on top of my burger. The onion rings are a must try side dish. Being from the midwest originally and used to fried stuff, the idea of a chicken-fried onion ring escaped me. I'll skip the fries to order these each time I go. They have outdoor seating in good weather and the place is busy but not to the point where the waits are historical. The staff is friendly and remember you when you're a regular.

Love this place, drive by it after sailing when we are all super hungry, there is always a line but it moves fast and the food is amazing.

The burgers are fantastic and the milkshakes are out of this world. The portion size on the fish and chips is big and they are tasty. My personal fav is the onion rings.

..... But no more. Unpleasant owner with ancient, unenlightened beliefs, and no matter how good the food might be, it isn't worth it. Not the fault of the people who work there - they work hard. Too bad.

We were using Google maps to navigate around the Seattle area and decided to look for a place for lunch. It said this was a burger place, but when we got there, we also found fish and chips on the menu. The fish and chips were the best we have had in a long time. The fish was juicy and tender, the chips were good, and the tartar sauce was really good(it had a little something extra in it that made it stand out). If you are ever near the Ballard Locks in Seattle, this is a must do for a meal.

CLOSED. This Red Mill location has turned into a Pagliacci Pizza. There are other Red Mill burger locations in Seattle, but no more Totem House. (Pagliacci Pizza is excellent, by the way)

Great burgers low key and fast service easy to get to. Located right by the locks and fish ladder. Good for children and folks of any age

A tiny facility. We luckily found a table. Would be great to take out and sit outside or bring meal to a nearby park. Husband and I enjoyed fish and chips. One in our group had a pumpkin shake and gave it a thumbs up. Check out the stack of bacon : )

Stopped here after a walk through the Ballard locks. Burgers were ok, fish was oily, have had much better elsewhere. Location was convenient, and wait was average,

This is a great place for some quality fast food right by the Ballard locks. Easy to find with lots of parking. This used to be a seafood place and it still has a limited selection of good fish along with a complete burger menu. The flavors and service are fantastic. I'll be back for sure.

We wanted lunch. Burger was mediocre. Shakes weren't anything special. We sat outside and even though it's curbside, the surrounding area is gorgeous.

We've been having totem house food as a family treat for over 2 years. The last time, the order was 20 minutes late and the fries were cold. I said to my family, it's just a bad night, they are always wonderful. Well, tonight, again, it was 20 minutes AFTER their stated ready time, and the fries were uncoocked. The two piece of fish were bizarre - one was over cooked ( almost like it was cooked twice) and the other was under cooked. I"m really going to miss RED MILL. I used to love it. Maybe New management? Not a happy camper.