Review of The Fly Trap Restaurant in Ferndale

Bottom line: A diner with character and camp, The Fly Trap is a great place to grab blunch (breakfast + lunch) or a creatively conceived dish of carbs. In fact, the restaurant was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, a Food Network show. As it turns out, the small restaurant dishes up a good meal at a reasonable price.

While The Fly Trap does have some trendy tweaks like black-painted rafters, red walls and colorful lighting fixtures, the restaurant manages a sly wink at its diner origins through a Picasso-inspired “specials” board, dish-rag napkins, and a row of stools along a stainless-steel counter. While the dining-room space is small with limited seating, the restaurant’s high ceilings save it from feeling cramped.

Food

Yep, the diner serves breakfast all day long and has macaroni and cheese on the menu; but, like everything else about The Fly Trap, the dishes are turned slightly on their ear. For instance, the diner slings not only a beet-infused Red Flannel Hash, but Green Eggs and Ham. While a new take on an old favorite can go either way, The Fly Trap doesn’t forget to make its dishes taste good in spite of (or because of) their creative presentation.

The macaroni and cheese breaks the traditional mold in utilizing Gouda and Blue cheese in its makeup, but it is the caramelized onion that provided texture and a sweet contrast. It is served in a big bowl with a sprinkle of parmesan.

The Charmoula Chicken sandwich is served with a thick, lightly browned and juicy chicken breast. The sourdough bread is thickly sliced and perfectly grilled to a light brown. The caramelized onion; lemon, garlic aioli and Jack cheese compliment each other well and made the chicken sandwich a memorable interpretation of a traditional favorite.

The Fly Trap features daily muffin concoctions. The 25-cent, golf-ball-sized muffins make a great sweet finish. In spite of its small portion size, each component of the peanut butter/chocolate/banana muffin came through.

Service

The apron-adorned waiters at The Fly Trap are relaxed, friendly and on top of coffee refills. Best of all, there is no smacking of gum for effect or trendy reserve.