This just in my inbox: Ivar’s has set an opening for its Puyallup store: May 24. The Seattle-based company announced in February that it would open its newest seafood bar at 13101 Meridian Ave. E., the former location for Del Taco. The Northwest homegrown chain of fish and chips restaurants will introduce a new menu at the Puyallup location: A mix of healthier grilled fish sandwiches, tacos and salads, in addition to the regular menu of fried stuff. Click “more” to see the new menu, and to find out about the free fish for a year give-away for the first customers on opening day.

From the announcement about opening day, “The first 100 customers at the grand opening will score some seafood swag from Ivar’s; the first 25 people in line will win free fish ‘n chips for a year, the next 75 will be slurping on free chowder for a year and all 100 will receive gift bags with various prizes.” The official opening time is 10 a.m. 10:30 a.m. (the ribbon cutting is 10, the restaurant will open at 10:30)

One more reason to visit on opening day, albeit slightly dorky, the dancing clams will make an appearance from 5-7 p.m.

Here’s the new menu. Don’t worry, they’ll still have fried fish, too:

Grilled Salmon BLT: grilled wild Yukon River Salmon, red leaf lettuce, tomato, bacon, house made garlic aioli and served on a rustic, multi-grain bun

Crab Cake Sandwich: Panko breaded Northwest Dungeness and Snow Crab with garlic aioli, organic wild greens tossed in balsamic vinaigrette and served on a freshly baked bun

Fish Sandwich: Ivar’s famous Pacific True Cod topped with red leaf lettuce, tomato and Ivar’s famous tartar sauce served on a Kaiser bun

Asian Soba Salad with Prawns: Tiger Prawns and ramen noodles tossed in a ginger sesame vinaigrette with edamame, red bell pepper , red and green cabbage and topped with hand cut won tons

Grilled Fish Tacos: Southwest spice marinated grilled Pacific True Cod, Ivar’s signature coleslaw, chipotle tartar sauce and served with a side of fresh garden salsa

And here’s something curious. You know those new Coca Cola machines that are super fancy and dispense 100 something different soda combinations? This Ivar’s will have one. Alert the children.

Ivar’s Seafood Bar
Where: 13101 Meridian Ave. E., Puyallup
Info: http://www.ivars.com/
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.