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Norma's Ocean Diner

20 N. Columbia St., Seaside, OR - (503) 738-4331
Posted By Michael Stern on 12/26/2012 6:26:00 AM
Seaside is a semi-honky-tonk town in a divinely beautiful location along Oregon’s Pacific shore. You can buy all kinds of t-shirts, fudge, and salt water taffy; and at Norma’s, you can have a real Northwest meal.

The waitress congratulated us on our choice of petrale sole mid-April: “Oooo, it’s in season right now,” she said. And it was wonderful, a refined as an ocean fish can be. Nor could we resist Dungeness crab, which is available here in all sorts of ways. We chose the “Louis” presentation, a classic array of crab chunks sided by good 1000 Islands dressing and accompanied by garlic toast.

People at a nearby table were all eating fish and chips. The menu lists cod, salmon, halibut, and even albacore available as the fish part of the equation. We asked our dining-room neighbors how they liked it. Between bites, they were able to exclaim that this is the best fish and chips they have eaten anywhere, any time.

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Scorecard

5 - Overall: Legendary - Worth driving from anyplace
Overall: Legendary - Worth driving from anyplace
Clam Chowder
Petrale Sole
Fish & Chips
Marionberry Cobbler
Dungeness Crab Louis
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Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

A close view of Crab Louis. Those big hunks of crab meat are indescribably moist and ocean-sweet. The 1000 Island dressing comes on the side for either dipping or drizzling. Shrimp Louis is also available.
"A close view of Crab Louis. Those big hunks of crab meat are indescribably moist and ocean-sweet. The 1000 Island dressing comes on the side for either dipping or drizzling. Shrimp Louis is also available."
Michael Stern





Norma's boasts that its chowder is pork free, but that doesn't mean it isn't rich as sin. Creamy and deliriously savory, it is available as a cup (shown here) or a meal-size bowl. Garlic toast comes on the side.
"Norma's boasts that its chowder is pork free, but that doesn't mean it isn't rich as sin. Creamy and deliriously savory, it is available as a cup (shown here) or a meal-size bowl. Garlic toast comes on the side."
Michael Stern


Petrale sole is a West Coast treasure. Here it is lightly pbreaded and pan-fried, accompanied by garlic toast and excellent cole slaw.
"Petrale sole is a West Coast treasure. Here it is lightly pbreaded and pan-fried, accompanied by garlic toast and excellent cole slaw."
Michael Stern


Norma's has been open over a quarter-century. It is a modest restaurant with exemplary Oregon food.
"Norma's has been open over a quarter-century. It is a modest restaurant with exemplary Oregon food."
Michael Stern


In the fish & chips combo, you get to try cod, albacore, salmon and halibut. Just don't ask me which one is which!
"In the fish & chips combo, you get to try cod, albacore, salmon and halibut. Just don't ask me which one is which!"
Cliff Strutz


We didn't love all the desserts, but who can resist this marionberry cobbler with a scoop of Tillamook vanilla bean ice cream?
"We didn't love all the desserts, but who can resist this marionberry cobbler with a scoop of Tillamook vanilla bean ice cream?"
Cliff Strutz



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