Bow, Washington is a small place – the downtown area consists of one street. But for a place so small, the beer is plentiful.
During the year 1900, four saloons resided on the street now called Cains Court. The Old Edison was the only bar to survive the Prohibition Era. The tavern was converted into a card room and soda fountain in order to stay in business.
Today, a sole cribbage board remains and soda is off the menu. Two brand new shuffleboards stand in either corner of the bar. Four to five men in their mid-sixties crowd around each board. It is 2:00 p.m. and they are already drinking. Game on.
A giant pirate ship steering wheel hangs from the ceiling behind the bar. Beer tap handles replace the wooden spokes. The Old Edison changes their 13 rotating taps every week. It is surprising there are not multiple steering wheels yet.
With a slogan that boasts “Eat Oysters, Live Longer,” it comes as no surprise that there is much more to The Old Edison than enjoying a good pint and bar-room banter.
In addition to the drinking, The Old Edison is known for its oysters. Blau Oyster Company operates out of Samish Island, five miles up the road. Blau supplies fresh oysters to all of the local restaurants on Cains Court.
And let me tell you, there definitely is not a shy amount of oysters on the menu. The Old Edison understands this is what they are known for, and they bring quality oysters to the table in every shape and form.
There are oyster shooters, oyster burgers, oyster scatters and you can even get grilled oysters on a salad of your choice. The oyster dinner especially stands out, consisting of seven pan-fried oysters, complete with fries and a choice of salad. I was feeling extra adventurous, so I added five more grilled oysters to my Big E salad, which consists of seasonal greens.
Over at The Old Edison they emphasize the use of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. In addition to receiving product from Blau Oyster Co., they source from The Golden Glen Creamery, The Breadfarm and Northwest Homegrown Ranch Meats.
In addition to beer and grub, the bar and restaurant have live music every weekend. Usually there is an eclectic mix of acts. One weekend could be singer-songwriter acts and the next weekend good ol’ folk-stomp Americana music.
Situated between the Chuckanut Mountains and the Samish Bay, The Old Edison offers an ideal location to grab a great bite to eat and enjoy a smooth beverage to wash it down with. If you’re looking for more variety for the palate, check out the Captain’s Plate or the Crab Cake Burger.
The Captain’s plate includes a plethora of sea-inspired goodies: two cod fillets, two prawns, two grilled oysters and clam strips, served with coleslaw and fries. Enough food to send you home happy and trust me, you’ll sleep well too.
