Skippers Vancouver

Top photo was taken in 2008. Mike and I had just opened the restaurant that year in April. I’m not sure what month we received the HWY signs but I know it took awhile as there was a waiting list. I remember being so excited about these going up on the 5 Freeway. I’m sure in the last 16 years at least 37 million cars have driven by those signs. Probably ten times that.
The bottom photo was taken today as I handed them off to Mike to use for his place up in Silverdale.
A big thank you to Mike Hertz and his brother Eric at Designs of All Kinds here in Hazel Dell.
Known those guys from the beginning and they made a sign that took 16 years of the elements and still looks great.
They also always did all of our crew shirts and hats etc so hit them up if you need quality logo apparel for your company or whatever.
Another thank you to my Uncle Ted for all the way cool graphics and menu design over the years. You rock brother. It was good to see Mike today. We talked about Skipper’s a lot. We shared some laughs. And maybe a few tears. If any of you are ever near Silverdale WA - stop in and check out his Skipper’s. His restaurant looks great and it is everything it should be.
I have some more thank you’s to get out there and a few stories to tell before I shut this page down but until than - Cheers and eat more seafood~

https://www.gofundme.com/f/hawaiian-soul?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

It’s for a good cause.
Homies helping the homeless.
Please help or share if you can.

hawaiian soul, organized by Dat Guy Aloha! my name is Louie I'm the owner of Hawaiian Soul were a food truck in the minnehaha neighborhood. We've … Dat Guy needs your support for hawaiian soul

Safeway has the Skipper’s sauces. Always has for as long as I can remember. I have not seen the canned chowder anywhere though

Happy Thanksgiving 😊

There have been several days since our closure where I have done very little except spend the time with my two dogs and cat. Taking my dogs for walks and than just chilling with them.
I’ve gotten good(even my wife says so) at taking them for those walks without her help as she’s at work. I’ve truly enjoyed this time with them❤️

Seriously. Groceries are out of control🤨

For Stephen.

We used to have great onion rings.
I didn’t keep them in stock as much as i should have. And when we did have them - they would always sell out. Thick cut and beer battered yum.
Who has your favorite Orings? And why do you love them- let me know!

My father served our country for just shy of 30 years. I don’t recall my Dad ever bragging about his sacrifices or service. He always looked at it as a privilege to serve. It was his honor. Such a humble and gentle man. I’m thankful for the life he gave us. And for his service. And for the sacrifices we all made during the early years.
The time spent away on deployments were especially tough. Especially tough on my mother. She would have to do the job of both parents while he was on deployment. That made our family stronger. A strength that military families understand and share. Strength.
Thanks for all you gave Dad.

Lol this is a little harsh.
I am going to make some cheesesteaks soon though😂👇🏻

A GoFleet location recently opened in Beaverton. Has anyone checked out a GoFleet Skipper’s yet? I have not tried one in probably 8-10 years. Let me know

#1 Tidal Raves. Depoe Bay. Oregon Coast.
Without a doubt my favorite restaurant.
Great view. Excellent service. Always really good food. And not super spendy either. Love this place.

#2 and it’s a two-fer. Bandon Oregon. One of my favorite cities. I love both Tony’s Crab Shack (top) and Bandon Fish Market (below)
The fresh battered ling cod at Bandon Fish Market is probably some of the best on the Coast. And everything at Tony’s is great.
I would also give an honorable mention to Luna Seafoods next door in Yachats- I’ve only been there once, but it was very good. No picture though!

Before we get to #2, I want to throw an honorable mention to Camp 18 Restaurant.
I love stopping there for breakfast on the way or way back from the coast.
I had never had fried oysters or fried razor clams paired with breakfast before, but it totally works.
The fried oysters or fried razor clams and eggs at Camp 18 Restaurant. Seaside Oregon.
The address says Seaside but it seems to inland to be Seaside. Anyways, it’s on the way to the Coast.

#3 on my list. I had to poach these photos from Google because I have no photos of my own from Gracie’s. I’m pretty sure the first time I went there in the mid 90’s my phone had no camera. It was barely even a phone.
I love the chowder and the halibut fish & chips.
Back than you could have some good drinks around the fire and Gracie would “play” the bottles. Even with Gracie gone now, it’s still a legendary Oregon Coast restaurant. I need to get back there as it’s been awhile.
Gracie’s Sea Hag- Depoe Bay, Oregon Coast

#4 on my top 5 fish & chips/seafood in the PNW.
MO’s. Up and down the Oregon Coast. I prefer the Cannon Beach location. I like how consistent they are. And consistency in a restaurant can be very hard to do.
I love the fried clams and oyster shooters at MO’s

I’ll post my top 5 fish & chips/seafood in the PNW. #5 - Spuds, Alki Beach, West Seattle.
Hand breaded cod. I think there’s a Spuds on Greenlake as well, but the Alki beach location is better. Nice, big hand breaded cod done fresh everyday. Of my top 5, the breading at Spuds is the closest to Skipper’s original breading when we used to do it ourselves. Tasty clams too. 👇🏻

Nov 1st. Thanksgiving soon. My favorite time of year. Time to give turkey the bird though.

10 days after our last day of service, and we finally finished up with the building. It felt really good to leave it cleaner and looking way better than when I got into it 15 years ago. It felt even better to give the keys back. Empty now. An empty building. I looked at my wife today when we were inside and I told her “it really always was just about the food and the people, this is just a building”.
Thankful for the memories of the food we served to the people.
I didn’t keep anything from the restaurant. Not even a salt shaker or a ketchup bottle. What I get to keep is priceless. I have the memories.
That’s what I get to keep.
I left a message for the incoming tenant- “it’s your space now. An empty canvas for you to create and to serve” Do well.
By the way, If I could have kept anything I wanted from the restaurant - I would have kept the stained glass window at the north end of the building 👇🏻
Onward and Upward

💁Who has your favorite mac? Years ago I had some really good Mac n cheese at Goldie’s BBQ.
Recently, we had some good Mac at The Cove

Unemployed day 5. I’ve decided to take on some important issues. First up- chicken wings.

Time to focus on myself and my family.

Can’t say enough about these 2 guys. They were with me 15 years ago when we reopened HD Skipper’s, and they were with me when we packed it up. Thank you brothers. Couldn’t have done it without you

Chef! Yes chef!
86 Hazel Dell Skipper’s.
Heard.😢