We found this place on YELP once we got off our ship. Best Fish and Chips! Susie Ann, Don & Miles were so nice. the fish is really good and so fresh! You may wait a little while but it's worth the wait. Your fish will come with either fries onion rings or clam chowder on the side. If you want a nice authentic fish and chip lunch this is the place to go. read more

The best fish n chip place I ever tasted! Fresh caught halibut, pacific cod or shrimp. Small place across the ship dock. read more

Almost hidden on a sliver of land between the tunnel and the street going the opposite direction, my wife and I finally found Alava's subsequent to wondering around staring at Google Maps for a bit. After ordering a cod fish and chips at the window, we snagged the last open picnic bench (they don't have many) to wait for our reward. And wait we did for almost 30 minutes. We joked that they had to go out and catch the fish first, bread it and then fry it up. There was not a huge crowd so the extended wait was baffling but in the end worth it. The fish was wonderful and whatever they use as the batter to coat the fish is amazing and the best we have ever had. The one lunch ended up being plenty to share between my wife and me. read more

I looked on Yelp and found Alava's. They have great reviews even though there were only 31. When we finally found it, I immediately regretted my choice. I had a group of hungry relatives and my family depending on my choice. It is a small shack on the side of the road. There is a covered patio open to the cold Alaskan air. There are only a few tables to eat at so with a party of 11, we took up 2 of the 4/5? picnic tables. It was about 11:00 am when we showed up but they weren't quite ready to open. We waited for about 15 minutes and they started taking orders. Order taking was slow going for the entire group. We ordered separately as 3 families. I was still regretting my choice but there was no turning back now. We all sat down and waited for our food. Over 15 minutes later, our drinks slowly started trickling out. Cans of soda, some room temp and some cold. The iced tea was soon out of ice because it was freshly brewed. We asked for a cup of ice and was brought out about 10 cubes, ice shortage in Alaska.. I guess. Finally...after a long time and everyone getting hangry, we all started receiving our food. My family ordered Halibut, Cod, and a Halibut Sandwich. All served with a side and cole slaw. We all chose fries. The Halibut was probably the best fish and chips we've ever had. Ever. The fish was flakey and fresh. I think they caught all of it in the morning. The batter was light and not greasy. Grandma ordered onion rings and chowder. She loved the onion rings. She thought the chowder was good but a little heavy on the dill. Overall everyone enjoyed their Alaskan lunch. What a relief! Prices on entrees run about $15-$20 bucks but well worth it. Portions are on the bigger size. Service is slow, just expect it. And know that you are waiting for the best Fish and Chips of your life! read more

Alava's Fish-n-Chowder - Halibut Fish and Chips $20 (Best I've had) - Food Stands Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

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Thanks for the yummy lunch!!! We had chowder and some of the best onion rings we've ever had. read more

Alava's Fish-n-Chowder - Food - Food Stands Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

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Alava's Fish and Chowder has been in Ketchikan for many years, but in the total of 7 visits we've never managed to eat here until today. I'm sorry to say I did not get here sooner. I know superlatives have become eye-roll fodder, but the halibut fish and chips dish shared by my wife and I was THE BEST fish and chips I've ever had, and I've had fish and chips literally all over the world. The fish at Alava's is fried in a crispy corn meal concoction that may or may not contain beer as an ingrediant. But the batter is just the cherry on top of the fish's banana split. The fish is fresh, moist, firm and tastes like it was caught within the last couple of hours; which in Ketchikan, it might have been! I've heard rumors of serious family illness and there is a "Business for Sale" sign in the window. My recommendation - take a cruise ship, charter a helicopter, swim - but get here, soon! You will NOT regret it! read more

I went on a Fish-n-chips grand tour of Alaska, trying every hole-in-the-wall non-touristy place I could find, and this was by far the BEST fish-n-chips I've ever had (not just in Alaska). This is a family-run business, they make everything from scratch (awesome coleslaw and onion rings), and the Halibut is melt-in-your-mouth perfect. The owner/chef was chatting with me while I ate, and you could tell he takes pride in the food, and rightly so. A+ for great service, hospitality, and awesome food. Almost makes me want to go on another Alaska cruise just so I can eat here again. :) read more

Alava's Fish-n-Chowder - These people know how to make fish-and-chips the right way. Don't miss out! - Food Stands Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

This place was PHENOMENAL! The fish was fresh and fired to perfection, and the onion rings are the stuff dreams are made of. As my husband said, "This is how you always hope onions rings will taste, but they rarely do." We enjoyed a nice chat with the owner and his son who were very nice and knew a lot about the surrounding area, as you would expect. The only bad thing about Alava's is that I am henceforth ruined for fish and chips. :) So yummy! **be aware that our gps did not take us to the right location at first. I think Google has this place listed at another address, so double check that** read more

Alava's Fish-n-Chowder - Absolutely delicious fish & onion rings!! Plus a sunny day in Ketchikan in September?! - Food Stands Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

Great chippy! Outstanding fresh halibut and shrimp! Lightly breaded and hot! Highly recommend this place, right across the street from the cruise ship dock read more

Not anywhere near as good as it was hyped up to be. It was good, but we had a bad start. They opened like 45 minutes late, while we waited outside. Then when we tried to order the chowder, they didn't have it available yet and you look back to see them just starting to cut up the vegetables for it. It was a really bad start because frankly...it was clear that gave 2 F***'s about their business. They didn't care to be on-time, they didn't care to keep the place clean, there was no heat, so it was freezing. And the fish was REALLY greasy. I would imagine that is because the fryers may not have been up to temperature yet, because they were late. It was really disappointing and they do not deserve a good review because of it. read more

Alava's was our first meal in Alaska--and the only problem is that it couldn't be beat! It's a rustic establishment along the side of the road with outdoor (covered) seating, and the food is absolutely fantastic. We ordered Alaskan cod and halibut, both lightly breaded and fried to perfection. Best fish and chips we've ever had! Plus, the father/son team running the joint were very friendly and pleasant to talk to. Make Alava's a MUST-EAT stop on your visit to Ketchikan! read more

Alava's Fish-n-Chowder - Food Stands Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

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We love their fish, chowder, clam strips, and chicken sandwich! You cannot go wrong here with anything you decide on. Yet another place where the owners are friendly and care about their product and satisfaction of their customers. To us, that means everything! read more

So, so good. We were drawn in by the reviews and it was totally worth it. They opened a little later than posted, but we were starving and still had a few hours at the port so we parked our butts outside and stared through the door like creeps in the rain until they opened. Yay! I've had copious amounts of fish and chips from when I was studying abroad in London, and I have to say that Alava's really takes the cake. We literally ordered everything on the menu that was available (3 hungry boys and 1 hungry girl), and my favorites were the halibut, butterflied shrimp, and fried oysters. The cod and chowders were nothing to write home about, however. We were the first one in the doors and first to order, so our food came out after a reasonable wait, but I could see them getting seriously backed up as more and more people streamed in after us. If you have a few hours at port, I would definitely check this place out before you leave. Yes they're expensive, and yes they'll probably make you wait, but the halibut, shrimp, and oysters are worth the trouble. read more

The other reviewers were on to a brilliant idea. Skip the boring cruise line buffet and eat at this place easy walking distance from all 4 cruise ship berths. I ordered the seafood chowder combo with fries and slaw. Let's get the afterthoughts out of the way first - the fries were a bit too browned but still crispy and with tasty seasoning. Cole slaw was too sweet for me but at least I did enjoy the caraway and celery seed they added to it. The reason to come to this place folks is the chowder. It's not too rich yet creamy, savory, very fresh seafood and layers of flavor including dill. There's a respectable amount of seafood in there and the expected potatoes for starchy comfort. This is the best chowder I've ever had - keep in mind my company HQ is in Boston and I've eaten chowder there frequently. With all due respect to New Englanders, this shack in Ketchikan, AK has it beat! The chowder combo meal is not cheap @ $15 including the 2 sides, but it's a satisfying meal. If you're really hungry, the two fried fish options are probably more filling. It also took over 10 minutes to get my order to-go. I would say you might consider skipping the sides and just order some fried halibut or cod with your cup of chowder and call that lunch. The only regret I had was that they don't sell beer in this shack which would have been just the ticket for a Tuesday on vacation. Handy tip: If the shack is too crowded with the limited seating, just take your to-go order across the seat where they have a public covered tourist area with benches to eat. read more

Visiting Alaska in a cruise and checked in here. Nice family. Their fish and chips are light, perfect, crispy battered and the fish melts when you bite into it. So fresh. It's delicious and I'm glad I stopped by. If you're getting off the cruise ship they're close by, walking distance across the street. Recommended, thank you for a good meal after the zodiac backwater tour. read more

Alava's Fish-n-Chowder - Food Stands Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

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The best halibut and onion rings ever, plus a great family that runs it. So happy to have found this. Thank you Yelp and thank you Alava's for a great meal. My first Alaskan meal. read more

Alava's Fish-n-Chowder - Food Stands Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

I've had a lot of fish and chips in my life but never had it better than what they serve here at Alava's. There is just something really special about their batter. Fresh fish doesn't hurt either. The chowder is good but Alaska Fish House (few blocks away) has a better chowder. I do like how they let you pick a side and chowder is one of the options. It's order at the counter and bus your own table kind of place. Will be back whenever I'm in Ketchikan. read more

Solid location when you're lost and looking for something yummy and in the middle of nowhere. The fish and chips are greasy, no doubt about it... but when are fish & chips NOT greasy... it's fried in oil my friend. =D Don't try to order other stuff IMHO. The fish is super fresh. One of their fishes was much better than the other but for the life of me can't recall which one. There's a shake/burger spot about a block down if you need to kill some time before this restaurant opens. My husband loved his shake from there... their poster boasts so many different milkshake flavors! read more

Amazing halibut and chowder. Definitely a must hit for any cruise ship guests since it's only a few feet away from the the port. Skip the buffet and come straight here! You won't be disappointed. read more

Alava's Fish-n-Chowder - Halibut and chowder. - Food Stands Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

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Had the pleasure of stopping here on our Alaskan cruise. It was some of the best fish I have ever had! Family owned and operated! It will be a wonderful memory from a fabulous trip! read more

A no-frills mom and pop kind of place with good food. Tucked away just across from the cruise ship pier. It's certainly worth a return visit. read more

Best fish and chips I've ever had. Avoid the stands and stores right where the ship docks and walk 5 minutes to this stand. It's well worth it! Excellent price, friendly service, and large portions. Everything is fresh and hand battered. One of the best meals we had in Alaska, not to be missed! read more

Alava's Fish-n-Chowder - Food Stands Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

Located right next to the cruise ship docks, Alava's has some of the best fish and chips I've ever had. The halibut is soft and tender and doesn't have that lingering dryness that mars most attempts at fried fish. Neither does it have the overwhelming oiliness you see so often. Instead, the batter is light while remaining crisp and well seasoned. It's well worth checking out. read more

Alava's Fish-n-Chowder - Halibut fish and chips are amazing! - Food Stands Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

Totally 5 stars for the fish and chowder, excellent! Small little dwelling next to dock, picnic tables and a ordering window. This is the real thing. read more

Perfect cap to a fun day in Ketchikan. If you're traveling by cruise ship, it's super convenient and close to the berths. Yummy fresh food and wonderful Alaskan hospitality!! Had the cod plate with a side of clam chowder and slaw. The best!! read more

Delicious halibut fish and chips that will beat anything the cruise has to offer! Super casual, laid back vibe with a few picnic benches inside but good nice people running it! read more

Was looking for a great chowder . Best deep fried halibut and shrimp we've had in Ketchikan huge pieces and very fresh . 9 huge pieces of shrimp. Delicious read more

This small place packs a huge punch. The fish n chips were the best I've ever had. The shrimp dinner was fantastic, and we know a thing or two about shrimp. The batter is light n crunchy and fries seasoned just right. Don't leave without getting a cup of the chowder, it was amazing as a side or a whole meal. Our party also got the milkshakes and they were smooth and creamy. The onion rings are to die for, very large portions on all of the plates. Don't skip this little shack by the local Wally World. The owners were nice and very friendly. read more

Everyone speaks the truth here: this is the best fish and chips you'll ever eat. I'm from Oregon and visited the Oregon coast regularly growing up (and I've made trips to California and the East coast as well) and none of the halibut I've had comes even close. Despite being on a cruise line with unlimited food options, I felt very strongly about having Alaskan halibut while still in Alaska, and I'm so glad I waited till this particular port of call because it was absolutely worth it. We ordered the halibut meal, which comes with coleslaw and one side (we opted for a cup of clam chowder). The whole thing cost $20, and that's a really reasonable price for the quality of food you're getting. The fish was some of the freshest, flakiest I've ever had (what I love about halibut is how firm and meaty it is, but it can oftentimes be overcooked, and this was not the case here). Their batter is very light and crispy without being greasy - think of a more substantial tempura batter that holds up well and doesn't leave your face and fingers oily. The meal came with three large pieces of fish, and I wish we'd had time to place a second order! The coleslaw was also good, and it was clear it had been made fresh that morning. I overheard the cook (who I presume is also the owner) mention to another person they were the only ones in town making their clam chowder, and it's really delicious. It's a little on the thinner side (it's not too thin by any means, but don't expect it to be thick and gravy like) with a LOT of fresh clams and some great herbs. The flavor was really incredible, and you can purchase just a cup of it for $5, so if you're not a fish person, I highly recommend that option. Though we arrived right after it opened and were only the second in line, the wait was around 30-35 minutes because they cook to order, but it was 100% worth the wait (and maybe even missing your cruise ship). If you're a local who hasn't stopped by yet, for shame! It's a gem hidden in your town that deserves all the support it can get. read more

Alava's Fish-n-Chowder - Halibut fish with coleslaw - Food Stands Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

Superb fresh halibut, light crispy coating. Delicious. If you want fresh and to know what halibut is supposed to taste like, try it here.

Glad we chose this little place for lunch while in town on a cruise. The halibut basket was delicious and had an amazing light and well seasoned batter. The fries were just ok but did the trick. Clam chowder was tasty, just wish it were hotter. Very happy with the price: $22 for a basket of fish and chips, cup of chowder and can of coke. read more

Alava's Fish-n-Chowder - Halibut basket - Food Stands Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

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The wait is a bit long so take this into consideration: We had the fish and chips, oysters and chowder. The fish was delicious but I've had better, more clam meat-filled chowder in San Francisco and other seafood restaurants. If you don't normally have access to fresh chowder, then you should give it a go. A regular in line recommended the oysters but it really wasn't for me; deep frying them really brought out the strong taste of the belly (dark stuff). Last note, if you can't stomach potential bites filled with oil, you may want to try other fare. read more

It has been one week and a day since I had my halibut. I miss it so much!!!! This is worth the wait and the best fish and chips I have had to date. Due to an injury I was just going to pop off the ship for a quick stroll, but Alvas caught my eye. So glad it did. Loved it from the start. The seating areas is what we call a 3 season room in Missouri. I shared a table with 2 couples and had some great conversation. The fries were delicious. But oh the fish!! The batter was perfect and the fish so flaky!! I have to wait one more year (well 352 days) until my next trip!!! Thanks!! read more

Alava's Fish-n-Chowder - Food Stands Near Me - Ketchikan, Alaska

Dosapppinted. Came here on a local's recommendation excited to try some fresh fish. The chowder was cold & French fries were previously frozen and dry. They got our order wrong and service was grumpy. read more

By far the best halibut I had in all of Alaska. Amazingly fresh and flakey with a light breading. Good fries and very good coleslaw. Don't mind the wait times when it's busy - it is worth every minute. read more

Tiny little place serving great seafood chowder. Shared a table with a couple off the cruise boat, he was retired military. Great lunch!

Delicious! I can't say for sure how touristy this place is since we here just after the Fourth of July Parade and there were locals there. However it was great food! We had both the cod and the halibut and both were cooked perfectly. I think we liked the cod better but that's not to say the halibut wasn't good. Our boys who are typically picky even liked it. Honestly, fish and chips were a great change to the food we had been eating. It may have been the best food all week (well that wasn't a meal with crab or lobster). All the meal needed was a beer. There are a few tables but turn around is fairly fast. If your here because of a cruise, run over here and enjoy it! read more

Great fish and chips! It was right across the street from the water. The slaw and fries were great. Clam chowder was excellent! I had the halibut, and it was very well done. I will definitely go back next time we visit! read more

You would not want to stop here on your own. It looks like a dumpy little hole in the wall but my the food is good. Thank you Yelp for the recommendation. The fried halibut was fresh hot and tasty. The fried squash the same. The portion size was huge and I am still full 4 hours later. I almost did not stop here because there is seating only outside and the temperature was chilly. But I found a place with a bit of sun and it was ok. read more

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Omg! Wow! Amazing! Best I've ever had.. Are some of the words and phrases that come to mind when I think of this place. My wife and I stopped by for a late lunch after our excursion. The previous reviews were all spot on. The food here is simply simple yet exceptional. I ordered the halibut with a side of their amazing chowder. The batter on the fish was light, yet super crispy. It was thin yet flavorful. The fish itself was super fresh! Chowder was on point as well, I like my chowders not so creamy, so this was perfect for me. Flavorful and packed with goodies. If you are looking for fresh, delicious seafood while in town, you have to stop by here. read more