Patty and I had a GREAT DINNER at your South Center Store on July 18th! Your food and service staff were simply “THE BEST!”
Congratulations on your leadership in sustaining “such a high level of restaurant excellence from 1976 to the present!” To be at
your best in a very competitive arena in the short term is one thing, but to sustain excellence over the long haul places you in a unique
category among business men – in any business and in any marketplace in America! Bravo, well done!!!
Your sharing and caring attitude has greatly enhanced the lives of the John Barrington Family in Seattle!
Your generous spirit and integrity continue to serve both you and the total Northwest Community so very well!
Thanks for being ”you” and for never changing!

May continued good health, prosperity and happiness be yours in the years ahead. “You” deserve all things good!

~John Barrington

Hello again...

Just a quick follow-up. Last night we decided to use the neat gift certificate you gave us. So...we returned to Dukes in Tacoma. It was almost 5:00, and we did not make a reservation, we just dropped in. The place was hopping...apparently lots of people out enjoying the sunshine. The staff was really scooting to keep up with activity. But...as we have grown to expect at Dukes, we were greeted with smiles, good humor, and professionalism. Our wait was not long...about 30 minutes...and we waited in the first seats by the check-in station. It gave us a great observation point to "watch". The woman at the check-in (Shannon) was doing a super job of balancing off-the-wall requests and all sorts of situations including kids setting off firecrackers in the parking lot. She also dealt with some really diverse personality types...from bikers to young couples to older folks...each handled with personal attention and personality/age appropriate professionalism. As we waited, my wife, Judi, and I commented to each other about how hard Shannon's job must be...and how well she represented the company. As Shannon escorted us to our table, we complimented her on her professionalism and personality.

And then for the dinner....once again exceptional! And...a different server than we had before. This time it was Courtney. She was excellent! She commented on how it was a really busy night and how that made it "fun". She demonstrated a super personality, right on top of entries and such, and the perfect balance of being attentive to needs, yet not being around too much so as to interfere with the fun "date". Great people skills! In the end, we had an outstanding meal, yummy dessert, and once again a memorable time at Dukes.

And...then came the bill. As I gave Courtney my VISA card and the gift certificate, Courtney mentioned that the manager had "taken care of the desserts". To our surprise, the manager was the fun lady at the front check-in, Shannon! It surprised us. We had assumed she was just a super member of the staff, but were then pleasantly surprised to find out she was the manager. No wonder the place is so fun! She is obviously leading by example. You are lucky to have her!

What a cool staff...what a fun place to go! Once again...our congratulations and thanks for a great evening of dining! You guys have really figured out the key to success. You are not just selling food...you are selling fun! And...doing it REALLY WELL!  And again...thank you for the gift certificate!  Best of everything in your excellent business endeavor!

~Steve

To Duke and all the Dukettes: Thank you for two great meals that we thoroughly enjoyed, last week. If I have any complaints, it is only that my stomach won't allow me to eat more. The food it great, staff is friendly and helpful, ambiance is bright and inviting, and the prices are extremely fair. We had dinner one night down the street, and it totally missed the mark on every one of those attributes that you do so well. Keep it going. Please accept this as a brief testimonial from a recent, but extremely loyal customer.

~Paul Dorf

 

We had an amazing time at Duke's Chowder House at your South Center Restaurant on 09/09/09.   Enclosed is a photograph that was taken by our waiter.   Our waiter was fun, efficient, and added to our get-together.  We started with lunch at noon, moved into the bar for happy hour, and finally departed at 7:00 PM.  What fun!  Thank you for making our reunion one to cherish.  

~ Cherie Duncalf

 

Hi Kawika, I had lunch on your patio Saturday, the food was terrific! I shot these two pictures, that I wanted to share with Dukes, thanks.

~ Michael Griffin Mukilteo, WA

     

The food, staff and and atmosphere at Dukes on Alki with spectacular view from upper deck is excellent and always a most pleasant dining experience. In fact, we rarely dine elsewhere in the Seattle area and especially enjoy seeing what's new on the fresh sheet. The Fisherman's Delight dinner entree of cod with very flavorful but not too heavy mushroom sauce with side of asparagus and fingerling potatoes when prepared less as a stew and more as separate items on a platter was one of our most favorite dishes eaten at Dukes over the past 12 years of regular visits. Dukes lobster pernod and special Bloody Mary cocktail with chilled prawns are unique treats and the wider selection and availability of sauvignon blanc wine offerings is always appreciated.

Thanks again for providing great support and the most delightful dining establishment in West Seattle!

~Jim Kaiser


We really had a fabulous, memorable experience at Duke’s on Alki – and will be back for our next UW Graduate in 2012.

I have to tell you that you have been very supportive of the organization that I work for too.  I am Development Director at Eastside Domestic Violence Program in Bellevue. Chat With Women hosts our annual Holiday Toy Drive for the children in our shelters andDuke’s Chowder House helps collect the toys during the holidays! 

You have really gone above and beyond for me already.  We will continue to send our neighbors, donors and friends to Duke’s.  Thank you!

Sincerely,
Kelly & Brad



Since attending our first wine dinner at Alki last fall, we've become die-hard fans. We're always raving about the food, service & atmosphere. We've been to other wine dinners that don't compare in taste or price (too little for too much). If you've never had the Wild Gulf Prawns with the Balsamic Reduction, you have truly been deprived.

Becca, Jaime & Kisela

 

Thank you SOOOOOO much for such a WONDERFUL rehearsal dinner. We couldn't have asked for better food/ service!!! You guys were the best! We had so many guest commenting on the excellent quality of the food and how delicious everything was! The salmon was the best I've ever had. Even my dad, who normally doesn't even like Salmon, loved the dish from Dukes! The food was even better than our reception!

Thank you so much! Please pass on a BIG thanks for Cameron for me!

Thank you also for working with our budget! We had 40 people and made it within our budget!!!! Yay!!!!

Sincerely,
Jing


Dukes has one of the best cocktail programs around, Period. And you can quote me on that. Cheers!

Allen Kropf, Editor In Chief, Mutineer Magazine


Simply put, WELL DONE.

To flesh that out a bit--I was a skeptical participant last night. (I had really wanted to be at the Deschutes Night a month ago, but did not respond fast enough.) I am really not a fan of Pyramid--thinking that its brews are sort of played out and too 'extreme' for my more muted tastes. I especially dislike Hefeweizen.

What an experience last night was. Only Duke's could have created the experience I had.

Having intelligent minds pair food with drink was remarkable. Beers I could not otherwise drink were truly pleasant with the foods served in conjunction. And the food (always good at Duke's) was even more enjoyable because of how the drink would reset my palate so that the next bite of food was a fresh experience rather than a repetition of the last bite. The food and drink made each other more 'valuable'.

I wrote quite a few remarks by the end of the night, so I will only use this email to reiterate the important one.

What differentiated last night from every other meal I have eaten at Duke's is that over the course of the meal I had five different beers. And the servings of beer were more modest to be timed/proportioned with the stage/course of the meal they were meant to complement.

So how do you make this work on a regular visit to Duke's??
Both sharing John and Bill's intelligence for how to pair drink and food, plus serving smaller amounts of beer and allowing for the flavor to change from the "sit down" to the "appetizer" to the "entree" to the "finisher"?????
If anyone can seize this opportunity and solve it with simple cleverness, I have to believe it is Duke's.

thanks,
David Barbe

Hello,

My name is Fernando Maese. I reside in the city of Whittier, CA. I wanted to write to you because I am suffering of the meanest Tuna Wasabi Quesadilla craving and it's ALL your guys doing!!! My wife Veronica and I visited your restaurant on Wednesday the 5th of September of this year for dinner. Our dining experience at Dukes was tops in comparison to all the other places we visited. The food and service was outstanding. I found your restuarant in the dining out magazine that our hotel provided.

Well, that was my first visit ever to Seattle and all I can think about is your Tuna Wasabi Quesadilla! I had your Seafood Cioppino and my wife had your Halibut Macadamia for dinner. Everything we tasted at your restaurant was great. And the Clam chowder is the best. I have been boasting about Dukes to all my friends and they tell me that they are going to stop by your place and see if it's true about how good the food is there. I've even printed out a few of your menu's for a couple of business friends to tuck away in their briefcases.

Regarding your Quesadilla, my wife and I are hosting Thanksgiving dinner here at our home for both our families and I though it would be a change if we were able to offer our guest a sampling of your Dukes Tuna Wasabi Quesadilla's as an appetizer before the main course. So, I was kind of hoping that you might be so kind as to share your recipe on making this dish with my wife and I. I promise that I won't try and pawn it off as my creation and I'll even go as far as displaying your menu in our kitchen so that everyone can see all the other wonderful dishes you folks prepare and serve.

Believe me, I look forward to my next visit to Seattle and I definitely will be stopping by Dukes a few times during our next trip. My best regards to your staff and Happy Holidays to all.

Sincerely,
Fernando Maes

"Just wanted to let you know, my husband and I went to your Ruston Way restaurant Sat. night. (He’s never been.) He said it was the best tasting meal he’s had in years. One bite of the Stuffed Prawns and all he could say was “Oh Holy Hell” in a very good way. And your chowder has now beaten out his mom’s as his favorite. Congratulations! All the employees were in great spirits and yes the bathrooms were clean! Thought I’d let you know! It was wonderful!"

~ Monica Haman

Hi Duke,

I've been to your Ruston/Tacoma Waterfront location twice now, and thought you should know, I am hooked!! Both times I have been there, I have very friendly waiters, and the hostesses are pleasant when entering and leaving. Also, the food I've had was exceptional. My first visit I had a cheeseburger, and it was one of the best I have ever had. My second visit I tried the coconut prawns and the smoked salmon lettuce shoots. The portion was very fitting to the price and they were delicious, and very well presented. But my favorite part of it all are your Bloody Mary's!!!!!! Keep up the good work. Can't wait for my next visit.

~ Heather Brown

"I swear I woke up dreaming of Duke’s cheeseburgers. Sad that Barbie dolls and mink coats no longer top my list to Santa. Just cheeseburgers.'

~ Kristen Akyel

"I'm going to keep on drinking Cucumber Mojitos until I get my name on your menu."

~ Rich Carr

"The Dungeness Crab Chowder was worth the cold walk from my apartment and warmed me right up. I got seated even without having a reservation (it was Valentine's Day) and the hostess was very nice about it. I can't wait for warmer weather so I can sit outside and watch the parade around Green Lake."

~ Robin H


"I've liked Duke's for their chowder and having explored the menu over the last few months, am more and more impressed. The burgers are great, and for happy hour you can't beat their quesadillas."

~ John H


"The Lake Union location is a favorite of mine. During the Summer it's a must stop kind of place. The patio is great! During the winter it takes on a cozy element and the chowder is just the thing to warm those hard to reach cold spots!!"

~ Munny


"Have to say, I've seen other claims by many restaurants that "their's" was the best - Duke's was by far the BEST I've ever had anywhere!"

~ Chall


"For the money, for the view, and especially for the food, you can't beat a meal at Duke's on Lake Union. I joined their email club and was sent a free dinner email back right away, used it the following weekend on the best Salmon of my life, and have become a three times a month regular because of it!"

~ Merlin F


"I have been to Duke's for lunch twice in the last month. The service & the food have been flawless. The food has been excellent, the chowder and fish nicely prepared & flavored. The waiter couldn't be better if he tried."

~ Dawn M