Having moved to the Island just 3 years ago, I am absolutely baffled why we can get better seafood and fish on the prairies than right here next to the Pacific ocean. I am on a quest to find a really great F&C place near us in Esquimalt. This wasn't it.I stopped in for a lunch today, and placed an order for a 2 piece Atlantic Halibut. $32.90 tax & 15% tip included. WAY WAY WAY overpriced for this type of food and overpriced for this meal.What was awesome: Love the presentation of the meal wrapped in newsprint (no dyes or ink, just newsprint). Felt like I was going to experience an authentic British F&C experience, and I was happy when I saw it come out of the kitchen faster than the guy said.Immediate impression: I picked up my package and it felt much lighter than I anticipated. I was asked if I wanted condiments. I had noticed tartar sauce and ketchup in the side fridge, so I was looking forward to a good tartar experience. I was handed two packets of Kraft tartar. Which, in the grand scheme is fine, but at this price point, my expectation was a small thing of house made tartar (tartar is something easy that even I make, so why couldn't they?)The grand reveal: When I opened the package, it was obvious that the 2 1/2 blocks I drove home was enough time for the steam to soften everything and the fries became soggy and batter was now coming off the fish.The food: Generally, I found the fries and fish under-seasoned. The fries seemed like possibly home made and cooked, but were either un-seasoned or under seasoned, yet still had decent flavour. But, as I mentioned, were fairly soggy. The fish was overcooked and bland. Not what I was expecting. The portion sizes were very small filets which was underwhelming.Take-out packaging: If packaging for take-out, just give the customer cutlery and napkins. If I was taking this anywhere but home, I would have to eat with my fingers and use the newsprint to wipe my hands. I'm not going to hold this point directly against the restaurant, as I find it is endemic to the industry -- all restaurants are suffering from poor standards management and underperforming staff that don't think about the customer experience. I don't know how hard it is to remember to give customers cutlery, but everyone is horrible at this!What would have gotten more stars from me: +1 for larger portion sizes & house made tartar that is good; or +1 for $5-9 less for the price.For me, this is a miss for next time, but I am sure many who want to support this local establishment will be fine returning. It's probably one of those things where people are used to it. But jumping in for the first time, big disappointment.
Ordered a few things from this location. Pretty sad on what I received. The clam chowder was what was left in the bottom of the pot. No clams at all just tomato broth and a couple of broken overcooked potatoes. The oysters were terrible as well. Really small. Looked like they used one piece to make four. Luckily for me I forgot the last order I was given
Great food fish was nice and tender not greasy.However the service was terrible we waited 15 mins before we got a menu and ther was only 2 other tables.
I wonder if this was family operated? My understanding of the restaurant industry is that I pay for the over-priced food, they in-turn dignify me with respect and good service. This place did not give good service unfortunately.There were only two servers - teenage boys. Both with shaggy long hair that I pictured falling into every occasional plate - both dressed very casual (one in a worn hoodie and hiking pants). The older of the two applied great effort - the younger...not so much. In fact he behaved entirely like I would expect a 15 year old boy to act - relaxed, unsure and without stress or purpose.It was frustrating given the circumstances. I came on Tuesday for all you can eat Fish and Chips. They served the food on time (and good too!) however it took 5 minutes to get the ketchup / tartar sauce, and then they never came back. It got busy and they continued to serve new customers however after 30 minutes of being ignored, we eventually left. We joked that "all you can eat" means "here is your plate, it's all you can eat because were too busy for you".These two young gentlemen should be applauded for working and contributing to themselves and their family, however some direction, training and effort should be spent to improve their dress, urgency and skills. I point at the management (parents?) on that one - great potential.All and all - I do recommend eating here but maybe avoid rush hour? Maybe COVID has made hiring hard - so I do credit them for that!
Quite good cod and chips which didn't seem as greasy as you often find. It was ready right on time, served by happy people, and a relaxed environment. Nothing fancy, but that's not what you get fish and chips for.
Fish nice, but even though I had called ahead to order and specifically asked for the chips to be fresh , and repeated this on arrival, the chips were old and just warned up.?. Perhaps these two young people don’t know what ‘fresh’ actually means!Twice bitten means never again . A pity ..
This was my worst Fish and Chip experience in my entire 82 years.Chips tasted like they were warmed up in a microwave as did the fish.Horrible waste of money and the most I have every spent on Fish n Chips anywhere.
Had 2 piece halibut wasn't impressed the frys were dry small pieces of fish put the 2 pieces together you might make a 1 piece fish and chips
Very friendly service and good quality fish. Get the home made tartar sauce! Also love the side window for pickup.
Fish batter was a nice crispy texture, enjoyed the fries. Oysters, Shrimp, and scallops are not worth putting on the menu. And the tartar sauce could be used to strip paint.