What a gem of a place we love it here they make you feel welcome even if you're not a local. We've been here twice in the last two weeks once were a concert and the other for some lunch. They know how to make lots of food for a whole crowd of people. The salmon was wonderful. We had a wonderful evening. We will definitely be back. Thanks for having us Guemes General store. read more

The food takes forever and is terrible. Everything tasted old. The buns were dry and burnt, the fries were cold and undercooked. Truly, truly terrible. A beautiful view but stick with just having a beverages. read more

The only game in town. Great location. Pretty view. Relax, enjoy! Additional characters here per yelp. read more

I am thankful for the Guemes Island General Store. We did not research the island as well as we should have. This was the only restroom we saw. I did not see a restroom at the terminal either. I hope they will always be there. It wa sa cute store and we had some yummy marionberry cobbler. I hope they will always be htere. read more

Their carrot cake is insanely delicious. I have never ever had any that comes close. This stuff should be studied. I always have to get a piece. read more

Cute little store with friendly staff. Delicious giant chocolate chip cookie very yummy

Just had one of the best Rubens ever. Have been on Guemes many years, this is best meal I've had at the General Store. Plus the service was excellent. read more

Guemes Island General Store - Smoked Ruben - Bars Near Me - Anacortes, Washington

A great stop for the space and views! Looks like a well stock market. The offerings at the cafe was sparse since it was a Tuesday afternoon but tasty. The service was slow as molasses -- was this Island time (?), and not even a smile to say hello or thank you. Next trip to Guemes Island, we'll bring a picnic basket. read more

We stopped to check out this "general store" while waiting for the ferry back to the mainland. With a small selection of bougie groceries, wine and snacks, it's pretty much your only option if you're on Guemes and need to buy food. If you're planning to stay on the island, however, you should definitely bring your groceries with you! The store is fairly spacious inside, although most of the space is for the dining area. The groceries are packed onto shelves that go around the walls. At the front is a small coffee bar and pastry case, along with a case that has a few sandwiches and pizza slices. The food in the case didn't look very appealing, though. We tried a couple of the baked goods. Nothing in the store had prices (a bad sign), but a large chocolate chip cookie and a slice of cinnamon roll cake was $11. A bottle of Coke and a slice of cake was also $11, which seems wildly overpriced. The cookie was fine, if a little hard, but the cinnamon roll cake was dense and slathered with way too much (non-cream-cheese) frosting. My friend seemed to like her carrot cake, though. Service was... not great. The employee ignored us for a while even though we were standing at the register, and then walked away after taking my friend's order, so I had to flag her down again to order. Very weird. Overall, this seems like a place you'd go as a last resort if you REALLY needed something, but based on our experience, I'd avoid it if at all possible. read more

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We are so disappointed in the management at Guemes General Store. We have been trying to plan a small party in September at the store. We started planning in January, and received a response from William, the manager, that they could accommodate our request. However, 5 emails, at least 10 phone calls, and one on-site visit later we have yet to hear back from him. Unfortunately we have to move our party, which is too bad because we really wanted to support this small island business. Just a call back and conversation would have made all of the difference. It's so maddening. [edited Aug 17, 2024] Happy to say that Jamie from the General Store got back to us after this review and another call. We are optimistic that planning is moving in the right direction. We will update the review again as we get closer to, or after, the event. read more

Took our bikes across the channel for a ride on this scenic, not so road-crowded island. What hasn't changed is the crappy (mild euphemism) service at the general store. The islanders like to spout that "island time" excuse but really , the people employed here are just too damn lazy to work in service job. We waited 45 minutes for our order. Like what were those 4 people in the kitchen doing? And the rush for the music event starting at 6:30 hadn't even started yet so what was the delay? Island time.....wel stick your island time where the moon don't shine. Don't even bother with this place and if you do, bring loads of cash for their overpriced "food." read more

I've lived in Skagit County all of my life and I've never been to Guemes Island. We walked on the ferry from Anacortes with our bikes and our first stop was the Guemes Island General Store. I've heard so much about the place over the years, a lot of musicians play there. We took a piece of Carrot Cake and an Oatmeal Cookie to go. There were so many choices in their showcase, everything looked good too. The Carrot Cake and Oatmeal Cookie came out to nearly $13.00, so it's not cheap, so be prepared to pay that San Juan Islands upcharge. There is a nice deck to eat at, or inside dining too. It was a beautiful sunny September day, so we rode our bikes to the the South Shore Public Access to enjoy lunch. I must say that the Carrot Cake was the best Carrot Cake I've ever had, next time we will purchase two pieces so we don't have to share. We had our cookie on top of Guemes Mountain, and the cookie was excellent as well. We will be heading out to Guemes Island again very soon. read more

I just enjoyed the most delicious cup of seafood chowder I've encountered in all my 25 years of living in the PNW. Shoutout to Willie for his amazing chowder! read more

A quick little 4 minute ferry ride to the island for amazing views, food, & shopping! The vegetarian burger was amazzzzing! Their cookies are homemade and huge. They also had a DING DONG cake the day that we came to eat. They sell local, hand crafted goods, honey, jams, etc. the store itself Carry's anything that you'd need for a little getaway, and the candy section is awesome! They have Beer, wine and spirits! read more

I realize this is the ONLY store on the island, but I couldn't recommend anything for beautiful than this space and help. ENJOY!

Really digging this place. Advice for first timers: - The kitchen is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Baked goods and prepackaged stuff is available, though, as well as deli kind of stuff left over from the weekend. - There is a bar! So, though the store sells beer and wine, you cannot purchase alcoholic beverages inside and drink them on the premises when the bar is open. The bar has a few beer and cider options, and I assume liquor and wine, too. There aren't tons of choices, but it gets the job done nicely, and the bartender is very nice! - GREAT VIEW! Take the ferry on foot, walk to the store/bar, and enjoy the view. It's glorious. - Beyond just bar indoor/outdoor seating, there is a fenced-in area with a few hammocks, a stage, and a few frisbee stand things for disc golf. Hula hoops were available, too. - Seating: indoor, outdoor covered porch, and outdoor on the lawn at tables. Super rustic place, very casual ambiance. - Two gas pumps are available out front. - The package store carries a little bit of everything - from diapers to frozen pizza. Had a great time there with a big group, a small group of friends, and a date afternoon with my husband. Call ahead if you're going with a big group, though! read more

Such a fun place. The blackberry cider is to die for. My friends loved the fish and chips. I had a sandwich with chicken and pesto that was great. I also recommend the Snickerdoodle cookies. We sat on the deck and watched the ferries. Perfect. read more

There are so many good things about the Store. Friendly staff. Awesome bartenders, and really, no better place to sit and have a beer, watch live music, or just stare at the Guemes Channel than at the Store. If you're a daytripper or a weekend getaway visitor to the island stop here for snacks, bevs or any last minute things you forgot. The store has it for sure, and they are quality goods. No cheap shelf items here. If you're stuck in a ferry line, visit the store for the BEST cookie you'll every have. They bake them right in the store from scratch every morning. They also have a rotating cast of characters in the baked goods case - seasonal pies, crisp, muffins. It all looks delicious. As an islander, I'm definitely based, but the Store is the heartbeat of our tiny community and we're lucky to have it. It's a one-stop-shop for seeing friends, having a beer, grabbing a thing or two, and having a meal, if you fancy. read more

This was our first time to the island, we were excited to come see what the store had. As we walked up they locked the door, we waited a little bit and some people came out who clearly bought some things, and the worker said they were closed until six then closed and locked the door with no explanation. read more

This is a.wonderful place to have lunch or pick up a snack. You order at the counter; the staff is very friendly. We took advantage of the outdoor patio overlooking the water. Both salads were delicious and it was nice that the restaurant offered non-alcoholic beer as well as the usual beer and wine. We topped everything off with a giant and delicious molasses ginger cookie (the cookie selection draws down fast, so consider ordering early). In all, a completely lovely summer afternoon experience. If you are waiting for the ferry, consider asking one member of you party to move your car into the cue midway through your meal. We lingered so long, we weren't close enough to the front of the line to catch the first ferry that left after we finished lunch. read more

I Tried to order something at their window, and was turned away by a lady working there because I didn't have my face "all the way covered", even though I had a freaking motorcycle helmet on, which I have gone to plenty of business wearing during the virus and have never had a problem until going to this place. I would say that's more than a little over paranoid, but what do you expect from people that chose to live on an island. Don't go here. read more

We stopped by for a few items and were pleased they had everything (eggs, Advil & soda) and a sweet treat too (ranger cookie & snickerdoodle). We appreciated the friendly service at the new covid precautions where they shop for you, wear a mask & have a huge bottle of hand sanitizer available. read more

I think this place has gotten a bad rap by folks in a rush. Good food, drinks and views. Great selection for being a small local spot. Only deducted a star due to price. I understand that there's a higher cost to get items here due to access, but $47 for a frozen pizza, salame and a six pack seems extra spendy. Worth a stop for lunch if you're on Guemes though! read more

The Fish and Chips and the Calamari were amazing!! Wish we could have had the whole inside seating experienced, but next time hopefully things will be back normal! Great place to visit! read more

Honestly this business is complete and total shit. Most of the staff are nice people but completely incompetent. Food always takes 2-3 times as long as you'd think. Also they call themselves a "general store", is that a joke? I can't get a loaf of bread, milk, eggs, or toilet paper but thank god I can get a $12 jar of organic pasta sauce. I can't tell you how many times I've gone in to get something to eat, and after not being given a menu for up to 20 minutes finally just leave pissed off. The owner or whoever runs this business is a complete idiot. It's LITERALLY the only business on the island. It could be an absolute gold mine with the right ownership. They're closed on mondays? That makes a lot of sense. Complete and utter stupidity turned this potentially wonderful meeting place into an absolute shit hole. Will never return, unless ownership changes. read more

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Guemes, I would like to provide a little bit more information and add my two cents. First of all, the store changed hands about two years ago and has had its ups and downs with previous owners. That might explain some of the inconsistencies. The current owners are a whole new breed of animal. They hire locally and seem to have picked the most pleasant people around to staff the kitchen, store, and bar. The made to order food is fresh and delicious and most of it is organic and locally sourced. Most of the baked items are better than anything you could get on the mainland and there is always a good variety. I may be chopping off my own hand to tell you this, but they have some of the best carrot cake I've ever had. One of their humongous cookies could last you days. This is not your large supermarket; go to Safeway or the Marketplace in Anacortes to stock up on essentials and fresh items that you will need if you're staying on the island. Think of the island store as part deli, part bar, part restaurant, and part 7-Eleven. The grocery items are essentially liquor, snacks, and convenience items. The Guemes Island General Store is an institution on Guemes and has kept its general name to avoid confusing people who may have visited in the past or who might be wondering if it has changed. It has changed; for the better. Being the only practical place on the island to do this, many of the locals use this as a watering hole. I find them very friendly and welcoming, but the bar area can (infrequently) get a bit rambunctious at times (as with any other place where people are having a good time). They have music events frequently and many people come over on the ferry to grab a meal and enjoy the music and scenery. The store is only closed a couple of days each week during the slow season; during peak season it will be open every day. If you're reading some of the older reviews, I hope my post has answered some of the questions you might have. I moved onto the island two years ago, just as the change was happening. I welcome everything that has occurred and understand that there will be some new surprises coming up that will enhance their offerings even more. Keep up the good work guys. read more

Had a beautiful spring bike ride on Guemes island. Look forward to lunch and a beer after a ride. Unfortunately the service was friendly and slow. Food was OK but the beer was cold and refreshing. Unfortunately this is the only stop on the island. It's an amazing location with an incredible view. It looks like the owners are developing a very appealing outdoor space. I hope this was a one off, because this place could be a real jewel. read more

It's been a year since we've been here, and the mood of unwelcome feeling hasn't changed. Walking in, the girl behind the counter (Aug 2-2021) doesn't even look up or great you because too busy counting her tip jar (pretty empty...). With the most moody and unwelcoming voice she tells me they're not serving today, only the not so good looking snacks on display. Further questions were also answered trying to get us out ASAP. Too bad. Place has good potential with great views. read more

The food was absolutely Amazing! For a Louisiana Gal that says a lot, as everyone knows Louisiana has Great Food Sha'. The only downfall was when I put my order in I requested No pickles but I had pickles on my burger. ;( But I will be back esp. want to try one of those Bloody Mary's or (Marie's) my go to drink, That people have raved about on here! read more

As a general store, since that's what it claims to be, I would actually award only 1 star, since it probably has less groceries and general merchandise than your average convenience store. It, however, has lots of cold beer and a fair selection of wine, along with a shelf of high priced organic resale foods - no bread, no eggs or cheese (unless I missed them among the coolers full of cold cases of beer), no produce or meat, no toilet paper or paper towels; pretty much only what you can fit in the 150 square feet or so of space they allot for store merchandise. The rest of the large building is devoted to dining and drinking space for their bar and grill, which was closed at the time due to the holidays. Years ago we spent time on the island and counted on the store to provide much of what we needed. This time, we rented a cabin and brought some groceries, but planned on supplementing from the store to support the island economy. Since we don't drink, that was a total bust. I can recommend the cookies and cold beverages, but that's about it. We headed for Safeway, with another ferry ride, to get some more basics, which broke the lovely spell the island had cast upon us. Wise up guys, your days are numbered - sooner or later a real store will appear and your eatery will be just another trendy business that's a major hassle to get to. And trust me, that store will likely sell good sandwiches and soups, too, even during the holidays. PS Per their 2017 online video where they say they have everything an islander would need or can explain how to do without it, I would really like the owner to explain to me how to get along without the numerous products they don't carry. However, the place is beautiful, clean and the staff is friendly. read more

Delicious sandwiches, nice view! The bacon sandwich was the best I've had, packed with thick smokey slices, fresh tomato and lettuce on homemade sourdough that was just right, soft and chewy with barely crisp edges. My husband had the Ruben which was huge and delicious as well. read more

Great food and amazing selection of beer! Cheese curds, Brussel sprouts, cheese burgers, Ruben, fish and chips were all delicious! Never had a bakery item we didn't like here! read more

Guemes Island General Store - Fish and chips - Bars Near Me - Anacortes, Washington

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For the best music in perhaps all of the San Juan Islands and the northern Puget Sound, keep your eye on the gigs at Guemes Island General Store (GIGS)! They don't have music every weekend, but they book amazing regional talent quite frequently. Plus they serve great locally-sourced and mainly organic food, have super-fun and friendly staff, offer indoor and outdoor seating, all framed by a sunny water view summer and winter. Jump on the charming open-decked car ferry in Anacortes, (it's only a 5-minute run) and you're at GIGS on the other side. I've lived in the big cities and lived here for 23 years and I'm so impressed! read more

Homemade chocolate chip cookie, hot coffee, and a wonderful place to start your day and watch the channel roll by. Can't beat it

As a general store, since that's what it claims to be, I would actually award only 1 star, since it probably has less groceries and general merchandise than your average convenience store. It, however, has lots of cold beer and a fair selection of wine, along with a shelf of high priced organic resale foods - no bread, no eggs or cheese (unless I missed them among the coolers full of cold cases of beer), no produce or meat, no toilet paper or paper towels; pretty much only what you can fit in the 150 square feet or so of space they allot for store merchandise. The rest of the large building is devoted to dining and drinking space for their bar and grill, which was closed at the time due to the holidays. Years ago we spent time on the island and counted on the store to provide much of what we needed. This time, we rented a cabin and brought some groceries, but planned on supplementing from the store to support the island economy. Since we don't drink, that was a total bust. I can recommend the cookies and cold beverages, but that's about it. We headed for Safeway, with another ferry ride, to get some more basics, which broke the lovely spell the island had cast upon us. Wise up guys, your days are numbered - sooner or later a real store will appear and your eatery will be just another trendy business that's a major hassle to get to. And trust me, that store will likely sell good sandwiches and soups, too, even during the holidays. PS Per their 2017 online video where they say they have everything an islander would need or can explain how to do without it, I would really like the owner to explain to me how to get along without the numerous products they don't carry. However, the place is beautiful, clean and the staff is friendly. read more

Can't think of a nicer setting to get a craft beer, enjoy delicious food, and soak in the view from the deck. Meat and veggie options abound. The menu mainstay is local seafood, but you should try the outstanding vegan fare (super tasty homemade ancient grains burger). Loved the vegan pizza from the food truck. The owners Mark and Kelly are a pleasure to talk to. Lots of neat music happening in the store on a regular basis, from pickup bluegrass to rock bands drawing a crowd. There's a frisbee golf course in the front lawn next to a new outdoor stage and hammocks for the kids to enjoy. Will definitely frequent this place when I come back to the area. read more

I have been visiting friends on Guemes Island for years. Although the General Store has always provided good food and amenities, I was more than impressed with the level of customer service on my last several visits. Having a background in hospitality management, I tend to be more critical than most about customer satisfaction. The General Store has new ownership, along with an expansion of the restaurant, food & beverage menu and entertainment. On a trip to Guemes in September, I stopped by for some eats and a beer. It was a Friday, and there was a jamming band (Snug Harbor) playing in the outside dining area. As I was trying to decide on a beer, a guy came over and started making small talk as if I were a local and he knew me. I asked if he had a recommendation to help me pick from the myriad beers offered. He said I should try a melon draft and asked if I wanted to try it first. Thinking he would give me a "taster," I was pleasantly surprised when a pint appeared on the bar. My new friend was Mark, the owner. He had a beer with me and brought his wife Kelly, also an owner, over to say hello. I ordered the fish & chips, which was delicious, before going outside to check out the music. After 20 minutes or so, I realized I had forgotten about the food. When I went back to the bar, the bartender said she had been keeping it warm and ready for me in the kitchen. Now that is attention to detail. I always enjoy having a "local's experience" wherever I go. Mark, Kelly and the entire staff effortlessly created a wonderful environment to make that happen. The General Store is a must-stop on Guemes Island. read more

This place has the worst service and the worst food and I really don't like it please don't visit it it's not a great place at all

Love taking the short ferry ride over to Guemes for some live music and good food at the store. But so much more than a store! This is a store with a bar, and a patio, and stages inside and out for live music. The restaurant serves up the basics (burgers) as well as fancier things like pasta with scallops or grilled salmon. I love the brussel sprout appetizer... Everyone there is super friendly; staff and customers alike. You might make some new friends, like I did! read more

I've only stopped there once, but I was impressed. It seems to have a little bit of everything for the community.