4046 Sonoma Hwy, Santa Rosa CA 95409
(707) 539-0899
Parking: in parking lot
Last Visited: June 17, 2006
Food: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
Enter Betty’s and you’ll see that it’s a cozy family place. There are blue and white colors all around the room along with sea faring decorations. Booths are available as well as regular tables. If you sit at a booth, you’ll receive a placemat with a scene of the sea on it. If you are at a table, the placemat can be seen through the glass on top. The usual items arrive once you order fish – ketchup and tartar sauce. Since they make their own tartar sauce, you might think it’s ranch, but it’s just a non-chunky tartar sauce. Our waitress was extremely efficient with drinks, checking back after our order had come, giving us the check and just keeping an eye on all her tables. She had her system down pat.
- New England Clam Chowder Cup – The clam chowder has great flavor with lots of clams – I think almost every bite had some clams in it. It’s creamy, but not starchy, and it’s accompanied by a package of oyster crackers. Although it’s not the very best clam chowder I’ve ever had, it is good stuff, and would be welcome on a cold day. Cup $3.75, Bowl $4.95
- Icelandic Cod and Chips – The pieces of cod are very lightly breaded and deep fried until dark brown. I was a bit surprised by the color since the chips came out a more golden brown. The chips are fantastic – crunchy on the outside, a little soft and tender on the inside – these fries are very yummy. The fish is fresh and has a mild flavor, but the darker color is a little unusual, and it would be better if the fish were lighter in color (but it’s easy to get past this after you taste it). Good portions and a jumbo could fill up two people. Small (1 piece) $7.25, Medium (2 pieces) $9.95, Large (3 pieces) $12.95, Jumbo (4 pieces) $15.50
- Homemade Coleslaw – The slaw has a natural sweetness about it, given to it by pineapple. Perhaps I just like pineapple, but it made me want to eat more and more. It wasn’t too salty or too sour, but more on the sweet side, and yet, not too sweet. A nice combination of cabbage and the like. Good. Medium $1.25, Large $1.75
Other offerings include Seafood sandwiches, both cold or from the grill, fried seafood, and don’t forget Betty’s Lemon Cloud pie.
The only thing I would improve besides the coloring of the fish is the tartar sauce. The woman at the table next to us brought her own and seemed happy. If you’re accustomed to chunky tartar sauce, you may find this one too smooth for your taste. So perhaps you should bring your own too. It all depends on your preference.
I was most impressed by the gal who handled our section. Despite all the hustle and bustle, she saw us leave and yelled out a thanks and good night. Although some may find yelling inappropriate, this is a casual place and her greeting was most welcome. It shows that Betty’s has that special something. It shows that they’re on top of things. I would definitely go back to Betty’s to try out more of their seafood delights.
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