Friday Free-For All: Fish Fry
2008 August 15
I grew up around the Great Lakes where the Friday fish fry is a pretty common special at most restaurants and bars. Every now and then, I get a hankering for a good fish fry, or fish and chips. It’s hard to find around here though, at least I haven’t found a great one. And I can’t eat crab (allergic) so the crab cakes seen all around town are out of the question. I’ve noticed a lot of the restaurants known for seafood serve fish stuffed with crab or shrimp so that’s no help for me.
Any ideas? Have you had a really great fish fry in the area that you can tell me about?
The fish and chips at Barley and Hops and Brewers Alley are both pretty good.
The best fish & chips in the Frederick area is, hands down, from Bushwaller’s. Nice, light and crisp… not too oily. Perfect.
I agree with Tory. Bushwaller’s has great fish & chips. Brewer’s Alley food comes with a side of grease so I would avoid it.
I’m the opposite – I can eat shellfish but not regular fish. But my husband and in-laws enjoy the fish and chips at The Main Cup in Middletown.
I’ve heard good things about The Main Cup. I need to get out there.
At the Bentz Street sports bar they have The “Belly buster fish sandwich”, which is a huge haddock sandwich (fish is deep fried) and served with chips. and coleslaw. I haven’t been there in quite a while but my husband and I have always enjoyed it. It’s about $7 and well worth the price. I hope it’s still good!
The Main Cup has incredible quiche. My favorites are the bacon, tomato and parmesan and the bacon and cheddar.
They also make a Milky Way latte that is delicious (I get it iced or blended).
Cracker Barrel has a nice fish fry every Friday with a choice of cod or catfish.
I am not sure when it is, but the caltholic schools and churches always have really good fish fries. The huge catholic church on your way in to green valley/monrovia has the best fish fry. The private school ontop of the hill on butterfly lane is pretty good too, but always crowded when they have it.
Ate at Bushwallers recently – great fish & chips, but don’t expect an upscale ambiance. It reminds me of the hole-in-the-wall Irish bars around Boston. Our waitress was very friendly, but she had too many tables to cover by herself on a Saturday night. At Brewer’s Alley, my hubby loves their fish & chips but I prefer their crabcakes. I’ll have to try Barley & Hops – I’ve never been there.
I had the fish and chips at Barley and Hops over the weekend and it was pretty bad. I’d had it before and it’s gone way downhill since then. The breading was thick and very heavy and the fish was way overcooked. For a brew pub, I’d expect a nice, light beer batter.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I have lots to try now!
Whenever, my husband craves fish & chips we go to either two places… Brewer’s Alley or Dogfish Head Brewery (in Gaithersburg). He loves both places!