The History of the Restaurant

Callen’s Restaurant is the newest restaurant to occupy this building after nearly 70 years of restaurants in this location. The first restaurant to occupy this building was called The Ripp Tide and was in operation for many decades. The story is told that the original Ripp Tide was located across the street (where the ferry landing is now) and was set to be torn down when the ferry landing was moved from further south on the inlet. The locals loved the restaurant so much that they got together, jacked the building up, set it on logs and then rolled it across the street to its current location.

How penn cove mussel farm helped to decorate the dining room

When the Jefferds family started Penn Cove Mussel Farm in Coupeville their mussel ropes suspended by the very wormwood you see on the fireplace room walls. When the floats could no longer support the mussel ropes because of the worm holes it was dried and milled into paneling you see here.

the owners

Michael and Emily are a husband and wife team that fell in love with Whidbey on a vacation trip to the Island. We decided to move here with our four children to start a new life at this iconic restaurant location. We are proud to be carrying on traditions that have made this one of Whidbey Islands more unique locations. We welcome your thoughts and comments. Please feel free to reach out to us directly at hello@callensrestaurant.com.