May 7, 2007
by Matt Wastradowski of The Columbian

Linda’s Homeplate co-owner Linda Lindauer says the halibut fish and chips special is a popular Friday evening entree at the restaurant, which caters to baseball fans. STEVEN LANE/The Columbian

Why: With baseball season in full swing, taking in a Mariners game at Linda's Homeplate could be the next best thing to driving up to Seattle's Safeco Field.

Co-owner Linda Lindauer is a die-hard baseball fan whose favorite team is the Seattle Mariners, and it shows in the baseball-themed decor. Seattle Mariners curtains cover the front windows. The theme carries into the bathroom, where there's a poster with a reprinted transcript from the classic Abbott and Costello baseball comedy routine, "Who's on First?" And even the bottles of ketchup are covered with baseball uniforms.

Linda's Homeplate is a family-style restaurant where you can grab a booth, settle in and enjoy some hearty food while you watch the game on the restaurant's two televisions. The menu offers a selection of pastas, sandwiches and meat dishes, including prime rib and pork chops. For the diners who want to complete the "ballpark" experience, there are polish dogs and hot dogs.

Memorabilia: Mixed in with the baseball decor are items Lindauer has collected over the past 15 years. Mariners-themed Wheaties boxes share space on the wall with photos of Mariners past and present. A toy Mariners-themed basketball hoop hangs on the door to the kitchen. The counter along the bar area is packed with old Mariners hats, a small army of bobblehead dolls and baseballs displayed in protective cases.

Lindauer's favorite pieces of memorabilia on display are tickets to see the Mariners in the 1996 and 1997 World Series. The tickets were printed in advance and never used because the team didn't make it to the World Series either year.

Be sure to try: The halibut fish and chips is available each day for lunch and dinner, but on Friday nights, the halibut is cut and beer-battered to order. Otherwise, it's frozen and pre-battered.

Be sure to show up early, though. When I dined at Linda's at about 7 p.m., I ordered the final few pieces of halibut, and the restaurant wasn't going to close for another hour. The batter was light and not greasy. It didn't fall off the fish with each bite.

Cost: Breakfast entrees range from $4.25 to $6.95. Sandwiches cost $3.50-$6.95 and include potato salad, chips or coleslaw. Dinner entrees, including prime rib, sirloin steak, meatloaf and pork chops, range from $8.95 to $11.95. The halibut fish and chips special costs $10.95.

Where: 12200 N.E. 60th Way, Suite 101A, Vancouver; 360-604-3181.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 5-8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.