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The One That Got Away
Category: Restaurants Fish & Chips Fish & Chips [Edit]
581 King St WToronto, ON M5V 1M1
(647) 351-6153
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11 am - 10 pm
Thu-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
Sun 12 pm - 7 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
44 reviews for The One That Got Away
Review Highlights
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"...you need: vinegars, katsup, and homemade tartar sauce." In 11 reviews -
"First timers should definitely try the grilled barramundi." In 5 reviews -
"The seafood chowder is wonderful as well, chock full of..." In 5 reviews
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44 reviews in English
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Review from Louis T.
12/5/2011
I was *really* into the Halibut and Chips at Vancouver's Go Fish. If you want fish chips in Canada, I guess I am sticking to that recommendation.
The matter of it being impractical to just hop over to Vancouver, though, means I should probably review TOTGA instead of dreaming about the West Coast. And I have mostly good things to say about TOTGA, especially given the location. The fish is fresh, the chips are real, and this is pretty much what you need for nicely executed fried seafood.
Plus, if you've been eating in Chinatown all week (cf. other my other Toronto reviews), the change of pace is welcome. 4 stars, even if you're still in the Midwest, making seafood from the sea a slightly odd proposition. -
Review from Vivek S.
I was so eminently disappointed by my last visit here, I need to update my review. I had promised a splendid fishery to a non-yelping friend based TOTGA's fairly deece rating. Now mine and Yelp's reputation is ruined. Thanks a lot guys.
It started when we both ordered the fish tacos. Though the orders were punched in at the same time, mine took a staggering 25 minutes longer than my dining partner's. As we waited, I could espy a noticeable lack of hubbub in the kitchen. One guy was doing salad prep and another washing dishes. What about my tacos?
The cashier probably heard my silent (yet potent) seething, when an order placed after mine came out first. "I don't know why they're being so slow today," she shrugged. Please note that she mused about this Pressing Quandary not six feet from the kitchen staff. Why not ask them?
It wasn't until another cook emerged from the basement that the second order of tacos in their batch was undertaken. From soup to nuts I spent 30 torturous minutes in this establishment, waiting for a trio of fish tacos.
And the real reason I'm writing this review? They weren't even that good. Normally delicious food will dissolve my hanger (hunger/anger) and make a long wait seem like a trivial happenstance. Not this time. The scar of my long wait time was rejuvenated upon tasting those bland soft fish tacos on tortillas that could barely stay together. Never again.Listed in: Uno Dos, Sammich Showdown, Gone Fishin'
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/21/2011
The One That Got Away can be found at King West and Portland amidst a trio of takeaways that… Read more »
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Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
3/25/2012
VIBE
It's really cute in here. Light and airy. Tin ceilings. We got take-out so I didn't really look around too much. It's nice for a casual eat.
THE GOODS
I heard mixed feelings about the halibut and chips so I opted for the halibut sandwich. It was DELISH! The halibut wasn't fried; it was grilled and came on a nice bun with a butter that tasted a bit like garlic bread (which I love). Fresh tomato, lettuce and mayo were added but didn't take away from the fish. I highly recommend the sandwich. It's a bit pricey at $12 for the size but for the quality, I'll pay and I'd have it again.
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
If you're looking for a quick bite in the King and Portland/Bathurst area, don't let this one get away (cue symbols). -
Review from Rachael T.
Toronto, ON
12/11/2011
One of the places on King that opens until 10pm at night,so it's a good option to order take out when working late, or if you just want to sit in for a casual eat.
They have a good selection of fish - from salmon, to pickerel, halabit, scallops, calamari, shrimp and baramundi - which I got. You also have the option of having your fish with chips, as a sandwich, wrap, or salad which I think is a good way to cater to everyone's tastes.
Being a salad junkie, I got the baramundi with my salad, which was supposed to come with dressing and mango salsa. with my dressing on the side, the fish was put in a separate take out container so the salad would not get soggy. Confirming whether or not I would get mango salsa, I was a little disappointed that they were "out of season" so they were offering beets instead, which I was okay with.
However, I wanted a side of manhattan clam chowder, and they were sold out of that... and the seafood chowder too... so that was a double downer.
Taking the salad back to the office, and wanting to get into the salad before it gets cold, I was extremely surprised to see the portion size of the salad... it was incredibly small like a SIDE salad that didn't even fill half of the small takeout box. I have to say that they grilled the fish very nicely. It was flaky and had very good flavours, but for $11, it was definitely not worth the price.
Knowing all this, stick to the fish and chips because I'm sure you would get a larger portion of fries cheaper.
............. the day after I got this salad, I got takeout from Utopia Cafe and the salad, no joke, was 3 - 4 times larger than the greens I got here. and I consider college still the main area of downtown so there is no reason the portion sizes should change this drastically,Listed in: King St W and Surroundings
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Review from Kate M.
Toronto, ON
5/24/2012
They make a wonderful Fisherman's Basket with scallops, shrimp, calamari, fish and fries. The fish and scallops are very good but the calamari can be hit or miss. The shrimp, though, is consistently the best I've ever had -- really fresh and delicious. The service is friendly but sometimes a little flaky or slow. They're always happy to correct any errors, though, and that more than makes up for it.
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Review from Michael Y.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 4/7/2012 10 Check-ins Here
What da?! What happened to this place? Everything is so soggy and the fish didn't seemed to be cooked properly. Seems like hits and misses but more misses than hits. I wish I can be more creative in my review here but what more can I say?
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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11/15/2011
3 stars to 4 stars! This place stepped it up a notch. They changed their batter which is so much… Read more »
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Review from Kent P.
Updated - 4/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
10$ for a tiny wrap. Really unfriendly service. Took a long time. Not great. Why do you people love this place so much?
Listed in: Worst Experiences @…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/30/2011
I had the haddock and chips. It was just alright. I'm from the East-coast and find you Toronto… Read more »
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Review from Ed S.
4/1/2012
Had the fish platter which comes w/ two each haddock strips, shrimp, scallops and some squid. The batter could've been lighter and crisper and they could've used fresher oil, but my biggest complaint was it was more chips than fish. In total, it was a pretty full serving of food, but it could've been tastier. My other complaint was the complete lack of deep fried Mars bars.
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Review from Anne B.
10/5/2011
I would have liked to have given this establishment a higher rating, because the food was actually quite delicious (particularly the mango salsa). Unfortunately, when they neglect to make 1/2 your order? That's rather a bother.
I had ordered dinner for 5 and sent my sister to go and pick it up (about a 15 minute walk away). When she returned, they had only put 1/2 of the order into the bag! I called to alert them of their error and they tried to pin the mistake on me, claiming that I neglected to order 1/2 our dinner. Riiiiighhhttt...
They ended up not charging us for the forgotten food, but we still had to walk all the way back to the restaurant to pick it up.
Another delightful tidbit? Upon picking up the 2nd batch of food the girl behind the counter informed us that she had a bad case of food poisoning and had been stuck in the bathroom all evening. Yum. Totally the mental image I want right before I'm about to chow down. -
Review from Stephen S.
Mississauga, ON
2/27/2012
I have been to a number of fish and chip places(8) throughout the GTA in the past 3 weeks and have come across NONE that even compare to the quality and selection that are offered at TOTGA. For someone to claim to be "from the east coast" and then go ahead and recommended Harbord F&C over TOTGA is plain and simply wrong and retarded. Right now, TOTGA is the best offering of fish and chips in Toronto.
That being said. I still have about 13 more establishments to compare it to..but the bar has been set fairly high. -
Review from Amanda C.
Calgary, AB
9/28/2011 7 photos
This place -- i have no words to describe it.. where do i begin?
I got here at 9:40 - they close at 10pm and we were starving and needed late night eats! So how can we turn down fish tacos, fish and chips, and other fish related foods?! HUGE fan of fish tacos here!
We go in, and there were 6 of us... but 4/6 ordered fish tacos (which are only available after 2pm) and 1 ordered the Arctic Char and chips.. (1/6 ordered just fries).
The fish tacos came with 3 of them (no sides) and it game with a small ramekin of what LOOKED like guacamole -- but definitely wasn't. I believe it was a jalepeno hot sauce.. SPICY! these tacos were amazing! there were gigantic pieces of fried fish and it definitely got messy with all the sauce..
I didn't get a chance to try the arctic char but it sure did look moist! and as for the fries?! its a ketchup and vinegar heaven!!!
i am actually torn that i don't work closer and i want to literally try everything on their menu.. you can get these fish as sandwiches or wraps or just the usual fish and chip combo... ugh! amazing!!!
the service was excellent.. the guys that work there are casual and cool and are indeed friendly.. i accidentally dumped out my metal fork into the garbage when i was cleaning up and was teased at by them!.. but it's all good :) super nice guys.. theres no doubt that people will go back! -
Review from Lee-Anne K.
Toronto, ON
3/23/2012
I was looking for a decent fish taco for lunch and decided to give this cute neighbourhood place a try. The portion was appropriate but the fish taco was disappointing. I thought it was tasteless, even with the homemade salsa. My bf's halibut was good because the batter was light but it was pricey for the what we got. The tastiest item on our plate was the tartar sauce.
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Review from Anne M.
7/21/2011
Love love love! A great options for fish and chips, if you're looking for something a little healthier. I've had the grilled fish with salad a few times. Rather than feel like I'm missing out on the real thing, I now prefer this version. It comes with plenty of vegetables and a delightful mango salad. Prices are a little high, but the portions have been big enough to share.
As others have mentioned, it might be better option for a small group or take out. -
Review from Graham R.
Toronto, ON
8/30/2011 3 photos
I have been here a few times now. So far I have tried their:
1) Barramundi Sandwich
2) Fish and Chips w/ Haddock
3) Fish Tacos
4) Coleslaw
Of these I really loved the Barramundi Sandwich the best. It had lots of flavour and was well put together. I had been looking for a good fish sandwich for a while and this fit the bill.
The tacos were also really good but a bit pricey (around $12 plus tax). Fortunately the portion is a really good size so its somewhat worth it.
The coleslaw as an add-on is well worth it. I love a good coleslaw and think theirs is really nice (not the creamy style).
The Fish and Chips I found were just ok which kinda shocked me as this is what they are supposed to be known for. Anyway if I go back I am going to have to try one of their wraps to get a good coverage of the entire menu. -
Review from Karen S.
9/16/2011
I strongly dislike fish in general and this place made me reconsider my bias. Fish and chips should be heavily breaded and greasy right? Not this place! So good...
First timers should definitely try the grilled barramundi. It's so flavourful, meaty, exotic sounding and with the salad, it just makes you feel healthy. The seafood chowder is wonderful as well, chock full of creamy, seafoody goodness. The more 'traditional' breaded haddock is absolutely delicious and unexpectedly light. The thin, crispy breading is just so good.
Great portion sizes, causal take-out atmosphere with interesting architectural details to look at (whether real or faked). We came late at night and while not packed, there was a steady stream of customers. -
Review from rasaka s.
10/2/2011
Great fresh fish tacos, my friend had the halibut and chips..... both where very tasty and for sure will be back soon again.
yum yum..... -
Review from Matt H.
Toronto, ON
9/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Damn good fish and chips. I made my first visit here after hearing such good things about this place for a while. I ordered the fish basket which had Haddock(best I've ever had, so meaty. Better than stuff at the eastern passage, ns), shrimp, scallops, calamari, fries and slaw. I ordered take out since the place was kinda busy for a monday evening at 7pm.
Opened up the bag and it came with everything you would need to have a seat in the park(ketchup, malt vinegar, napkins and a folk/knife combo). Always a plus. Everything above was deep fried and delicious minus the coleslaw and scallops. I might have been spoiled recently in having such delightful scallops at Woodlot that made these taste kinda gross. The slaw is missing some flavour, too bland of a vinegar or oil. Another thing I love is the different batters for each fish.
This place holds it down for one of the best fish and chips spot in Toronto! -
Review from James H.
Toronto, ON
4/23/2011
Don't tell the folks at chippy's (where I've been a staunch supporter for years) but the folks here are doin it right...the one that got away is doing a great job in all areas...from service to food u can colour me impressed.
U had me at the tartar sauce...my server asked if mine was for here or to go....to b honest I'm not sure what I said...They opted to give me a takeout, which I sat and enjoyed. Upon seeing that I'd chosen to stay and eat the server came to apologize profusely for givin me take out when I was in fact dining in. Hardly an issue for me but nice to c that whether the confusion was my fault or theirs, that they were aware and apologetic. A very nice touch considering the poor service i got a few days earlier 2 doors down at craft burger.
The fish was great, the fries were thick cut and still crispy...not soggy...the menu options were perfect.
Definitely worth checkin out -
Review from S D.
Toronto, ON
3/30/2012
I've passed this place a ton of times and finally ventured inside today for lunch.
I was pleasantly surprised by the selection as it wasn't your run of the mill "fish and chips" place. They offer much more than the classic fish and chips; including sandwiches, wraps, salads, and chowder/soups.
There are various fish options to choose from too (Haddock, Arctic Char, Cod, Halibut, Pickerel, and Crab Cakes). You also have an option to have it Baked or Fried...so it's not as unhealthy as you'd think.
All of the meals that my friends ordered looked excellent, and didn't have that "caught in Lake Ontario" appearance.
I opted for the Salmon Burger with a salad and it was great! (It looked like they actually put a bit of effort into the salad, instead of the standard Iceberg lettuce with 1 green tomato slice.).
The only slightly negative thing to note is that it is a bit pricey - $13.50 for a Salmon Burger, Salad and bottle of water.
Despite the price, however, I thought it was worth every penny, and I'll definitely be back! -
Review from Danielle F.
Toronto, ON
2/2/2011 ROTD 1/8/2012
First off: love the name. Way to pick something that makes one think of fish and lost love. Deep.
Anywho, the person at the register sensed my boyfriend and I were first timers so he gave us the rundown. I thought this was really sweet that he took his time to explain each fish and the possibilities that could accompany it. It was great because on our way there I said, "You know what would be cool? SALMON FISH AND CHIPS" Well, they didn't have that however they have arctic char which is like salmon, but milder and more batter-appropriate. I wouldn't have known this had it not been for the man's guidance! I kind of wish that I went for my first instinct (fish and salad) but instead went against my own grain at the last moment and got fish and chips. I feel like I can handle eating a ton of salad but not a ton of fries. However, I couldn't not get their classic dish; I just couldn't bring myself to.
We sat down, pretty empty on a weeknight, and the food came to us in no time. The fish was to die for. Perfectly cooked under a light but satisfying breading. I was well-informed because the fish was just salmon-y enough for me. The chips were delish as well and the portion was enormous. I saw some other people getting the sandwich and I would definitely like to give that a go. My only qualm is turn up the heat, dudes!
I'm not a very fish-and-chippy girl. It was not my idea to come here. HOWEVER, it was excellent. I find it a bit difficult to give a fish and chips place four stars but I have to in order to properly honour this experience.Listed in: ROTD'ed
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Review from Kathy H.
Mississauga, ON
8/9/2011
Walked in because they had a sign outside that said, "salmon sandwiches" and I wanted one! But we actually forgot about that until we walked out and saw the sign again haha.
Anyways, so me and my boyfriend shared the Fish Basket (check it out on their website, bottom left), and it was sooooo goooodddddd
Their fries were wonderfullllll, definitely salty though.. but I kinda ignored that. Scallops were SOO yummy! So fresh and so THE BEST :) And the calamari was nicely seasoned. But the haddock was only alright....
The place looked so adorable! Loved the decorations! I had no problems sitting on their metal chairs. The waitress was expressionless, but wasn't mean. -
Review from Alan W.
Toronto, ON
7/30/2011
This is a great place for a healthier quick lunch.
They have a great selection of fish where you could have in a wrap, in a sandwich, in a salad or as fish & chips.
My favorite is the grilled pickerel in a wrap where it is mixed with greens and a fresh and tangy salsa.
The fish (which I believe are all sustainable species) is fresh and good quality, so it's well worth what you are paying. -
Review from Lindsay S.
Toronto, ON
OK, I lied!
I went back.
I was craving fish, and this place is so close to me. I couldn't resist. I'll give it another go ...
And I'm happy to report, it was a thousand times better!
My boyfriend got the battered Barramundi, with fries.
Side order of coleslaw (not worth it, bland) .
I got the grilled Barramundi salad. Not much flavour. Mixed fresh greens, the dressing was the typical oil vinegar, slightly better than I had expected. Pine nuts on top.
I found the Barramundi overall very mild. I wanted to try it, and now I know I won't try it again.
Got take out, and it was quick. I ordered, and it was ready in 10 minutes.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/15/2010
The Good: The chips were AMAZING.
Really really amazing.
We got take away, and it was ready quickly.… Read more »
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Review from Marco V.
Toronto, ON
1/5/2011 1 photo
Got away eh? I'd let the line out on this one...
I'm gonna keep this one brief since it's hard to go on about disappointment.
The place has a nice ambiance to it and it's bright and inviting. The staff are also friendly and courteous, but it just doesn't really amount to the disappointment really.
Being a place that specializes in Fish and Chips, you'd think that they would have a good handle on it. To my bitter disappointment these were hardly up to par to some fish fry shacks I've visited. I opted for the halibut and chips - and I'll give you that the fries were decent. The fish however was a completely different matter. The batter was thick, bland and with no character at all. And it seemed the fish was way overcooked to the point where it was a bit tough and dry. So part of me questions whether it's the quality of the halibut (and possibly the other selections) before the fry. Because let's face it, you can deep fry almost anything and it'll most likely be a tasty mess.
In the end, I'm glad I got to try it out, but they'll be the ones fishing for me if they want my business again. -
Review from Lauren M.
Stopped here on my way home from the gym to cash in my fabfind coupon. It's more of a take away place but they do have seating for 10-12 diners.
The counter guy was very friendly and you can see into the kitchen for a good view of what the kitchen staff is up to. Everything is clean & tidy looking with cute fish & chip shop themed decor.
This place basically has 5-6 kinds of fish, which can be purchased FRIED with chips (fish & chips) or grilled and served in a wrap, sandwich or on salad. They also do fried calamari, fried shrimp and fried scallops which can be combined with either chips, in a wrap, sandwich or salad.
I like that they do some healthy options; not all fish & chip shops do salads.
I tried a barrimundi salad and a shrimp salad. Everything here is made fresh, so you wait 5-10 mins for your food. The salads were huge but the fish portions were a bit small. My barrimundi filet was probably 4-5 oz and the shrimp salad came with 5 large battered/fried shrimps. Came with tartar sauce, salad dressing and a mango salsa on the side.
Food was quite delicious but it's just slightly overpriced for my liking (menu items are between $7.99-$13.99 or so plus tax), so -1 star for that. -
Review from Kelly O.
I had the halibut and chips (12.99), and I thought it was fantastic! The batter was pleasantly light and crispy without too much of a grease overload. The fish itself was quite thick, perfectly cooked and flaky.
I also really liked the tartar sauce, as it had a nice flavour - perhaps of dill pickles? The garlic mayo was good, but not the best I'd ever tasted.
The portions are out of control, and I could only eat 1/2 of the delicious fries. I would consider coming back and just having the fish all by itself! Would definitely like to try the seafood basket next time!
The decor was great too - kind of like an urban harbour, with portholes, rope rigging, and distressed wood.
What separates this fish and chip place from the others is the option to have your fish grilled, and served as a sandwich, wrap or salad - so if someone from your group wants to eat healthy, they can. Its definitely a nice addition to the hood if you don't feel like burgers or bbq.Listed in: ROTDs! Holla!
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Review from Erika J.
Thornhill, ON
10/4/2011
Authentic, rustic, "genuine feeling" fish and chips?
Clearly this place is in Toronto because nowhere this pretentious would survive (and thrive) anywhere else.
The presentation was good, although the fake newspaper felt like something Macca's would do, to be perfectly honest. The chips were great but that's not what I came for.
I swear when I bit into the fish a tiny, "womp womp" sting was sounded.
They act like they deserve a prize for preparing from whole fish fillets (I'm assuming "market fresh" but since they're frying it, my bet is--and it tastes like--it's at least two days old.) If the fish and chips here are so amazing, the fillets should be fresh, fat, juicy and falling apart in moist chunks. Mine was slimy, just like fillets from a frozen box, but slightly fatter with fresher batter.
Speaking of the batter, here's one factor that was totally up to them to shine, and they blew it. It is utterly, for the lack of a better word, "whatever." It lacks that "grandfather's secret ingredient" factor--I mean, that whole "rustic" thing is what they were going for, right?
As someone who grew up on fish and chips prepared by hand, and with an ACTUAL famous fish and chip shop on the corner, this felt like a bit like going to Disneyland: shiny, glossy, expensive, and ultimately, totally fake. -
Review from Lynn C.
5/23/2011
3.5 and rounded up cuz my friend said he'd eat here everyday.
The three of us got to share:
- fish platter: deep fried haddock, shrimp, scallop, calamari, and fries. My favourite was the calamari...seasoned so well! It also came with coleslaw and tartar sauce.
- fish cake with some greens: sooooo good. essentially a mixed of seasoning, haddock, and potatoes. that really made our meal. it was all of our favourite.
The price was right too. The three of us for about 23 dollars and we walked out really full. Good stuff! -
Review from Eric M.
Updated - 12/8/2010 22 Check-ins Here
My experience was much better this time around. My portion was a bit smaller which is fine by me since I'm not a big eater in the first place. Everything was cooked perfectly and stayed piping hot on the cold walk back to the office.
It was the first time I'd experienced their lunch rush however and I might just wait an hour later or start calling in.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/12/2010 First to Review
I'm giving this place a 3 to start because I did like the food but there is room for improvement.
… Read more »
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Review from Patricia S.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 7/15/2011
Since I've been trying to get back in shape for summer, lately I've been eating a lot of grilled fish salads for dinner. Mmmm, Arctic Char.
I really want to thank the people at The One That Got Away for providing me with a delicious, healthy, quick and inexpensive option for dinner!
The service is quick and friendly. My only complaint is that there aren't more locations.
Oh, and I can't get enough of the mango salsa!2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/6/2011
Since it opened I've been eating dinner here at least twice a week. I've brought friends and family… Read more »
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Review from Alvin V.
Toronto, ON
12/5/2010
After hearing good things about this place initially, I was excited to experience what it had to offer. What better way to satisfy the hunger on a cold evening right?
Decor:
The feel I believe they wanted to achieve here was a old fisherman's warf type of ambiance with a bit of old meets new. This place is pretty small unfortunately and could seat maybe 15 people at most. I've never been to a big, spacious fish and chips joint with modern decor and TOTGA makes no attempts at distinguishing themselves from the rest of the crowd.
Food:
I have this mentality that when I go to a restaurant that I don't plan on frequenting that often (yes, I don't think I'm going to eat Fish and Chips everyday without exploding), I tend to shell a bit more dough because 'when in Rome' right? In my case, 'when in potentially health hazard restaurants if you eat too often'.
So this time, I didn't ignore my 'when in...' and ordered the most expensive fish which is the Halibut(at $12.99 w/chips)
**side tangent here. Why is it called Fish and Chips when clearly chips aren't served? Just go Fish and Fries. A good April Fools prank would be packing a bunch of french fries into a chip bag and when the customer opens it, there's a note saying "What? These are also known as chips in the Fish world" =P
Anyways, back to my review. I'm sad to report that the halibut was not flaky and the batter was bland and a bit too chewy. In the world of fried fish batter, if you want to distinguish yourself you need to really put all your eggs into the batter because that's your selling point. It seems like this place didn't care much for that unfortunately. The fries were pretty good but I tend to enjoy more thin-cut fries.
Overall:
This place had it's appeal at the storefront because it had a picture of a mermaid. Maybe if they had a special mermaid dish or played on the title 'Fish and Fries', then I would have maybe given another star:P
Nice try little mermaid, I'll have to let you get away next time I see you. -
Review from Diane R.
Toronto, ON
11/30/2011
Maybe it's because I can get to and from the office within a 5 minute stumble, or maybe it's because I can't get away from the smell of their fries, but this place gets it right.
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Review from Anabel L.
Toronto, ON
11/25/2011
did he really get away? or did you let him go?
I have been waiting and waiting to eat here. "Everyone" already came and went. Now it's my turn.
I love the name (course if it got away, how'd they catch and cook it?) I'm not sure how the name came about or what it is they're playing on, but that's okay because I love fish & chips and this place does sustainable fish - cooked on demand. If I had to sum it up, I'd say this place is like Big Smoke but instead of meat, it's all about fish. Same idea: simple drop-in decor and eat-in seating, reasonable prices, custom choice menu, and fresh ingredients made-to-order. It is a winning formula.
Halibut is a classic so we ordered that and the Barramundi because I like saying it. They have all the fixings you need: vinegars, katsup, and homemade tartar sauce.
I will definitely go back. Although there was a bit too much excess batter, the fish inside was so buttery and meaty that I can still say I really liked it. The fries were delicious, of course. I've never had bad chips at fish & chips.
Next time I will be coming for the fish tacos...and chips. Always have to have chips. -
Review from Ryan M.
Toronto, ON
12/13/2010
I was really glad to see a fish & chips spot open up in the area, especially given the relatively good (and fresh) seafood we can get here in Toronto. (I was also extremely happy to see a non-burger spot open up but that's another matter entirely.)
We ordered 5 halibut & chips meals for pick-up. The store design is kinda cool and despite what other reviewers have said, I think they did a great job modernizing the theme of a wharf. I was also pleasantly surprised by the seating they had, especially when you look a couple doors down at the also-wonderful Craft Burger.
Anywho, the order came to just under $15 per person with tax. Given the sheer volume of both fish and chips, that's already a plus in my books. The proof is truly in the pudding though and thankfully things were delicious. I found the batter to be fairly light and crispy with the fish cooked to flaky perfection underneath. The chips were... simply amazing. Good fries are hard to find and I'd head here simply for a basket of their deep-fried spuds. Topping it all off was the awesomeness that is their tartar sauce, which definitely had the garlic and dill flavours others have mentioned.
All in all, I'm a fan. -
Review from Patty L.
North York, ON
Came in today with some friends on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. One of us had a mad craving for clam chowder so all of ordered their seafood chowder (which according to the fellow that worked there contains the top 5 fish on the board, shrimp, clams & scallops) and it was lovely! It wasn't fishy at all - in fact it was a very hearty clam chowder (with the odd scallop bit) to me and wasn't too salty. It totally hit the spot on a cold, snowy afternoon. At first glance the little cup seems a bit pricey at $4.75, but if you think at what you get at Tim Hortons for a bowl of soup and how little "stuff" is in it, their Chowders are very reasonably priced. FYI the Manhattan chowder has the same seafood ingredients but is tomato based and dairy-free.
A couple of friends ordered the Fried Haddock & Chips and the portion was huge - it would be way too much for me to eat on my own for a meal. The fish was tender, flaky and not "fishy" - a sure sign that their fish is fresh. If you're a fish & chips fan this is a good spot to check out.
The decor is interesting - metal ceiling tiles with deliberately peeling paint, wooden benches and barstools but only enough seating for about 10 customers. The largest table seats 4. -
Review from Brandon M.
2/13/2011
Opted for a late take-out lunch. Ordered the a seafood chowder and Arctic Char and chips. Chowder tasted good and was hearty -- packed with fish, scallops, clams, shrimp and potatoes -- but the broth could've definitely been thicker and creamier.
Arctic char was very good and the fish itself was decent, not just an excuse to eat fried batter. That said, the coating was crispy and oily without being greasy. Fries were disappointing as they were dried out and lacking a crunchy exterior, though they did look good...and probably tasted better a few hours earlier, before they went under a heat lamp.
Overall, I'd recommend and would definitely return. But it didn't stand out. -
Review from Ana W.
2/8/2011 6 photos
I was impressed with how juicy my fish turned out.
I ordered the Barramundi salad and the seafood chowder. The salad vinaigrette was good - tangy, sweet, sour - topped with pine nuts. YUM!
The chowder was very hearty, filled with fish, vegetables, potatoes. It was a bit on the salty side for my personal preference, but it might have been the fact that it was on the stove for some time since I had a late dinner.
I like the presentation. It's simple. The take out containers are great. They are all recyclable. I personally don't like Styrofoam takeout containers.
I would love to come back to try the other dishes, especially the scallop and calamari. Heck, the tartar sauce for their fries will have my back *drool*
It's also nice to know that their bathroom was clean. -
Review from Lori D.
Toronto, ON
5/29/2011
Nice place to get some fish n chip around king west as i don't think there are other places that offer it in the area. The service was very nice and helpful. The decor is trendy and clean.
Not good for a big group if you want to sit down, better for a small group of friends.
Nice place to grab a bit to eat before going out! It would be better if they offered beer.
I was a big fan of the fries n mango topping. -
Review from Evan J.
Toronto, ON
7/15/2011
I'm not always in the mood for fish and chips, but when I am, this is the place I enjoy going to.
Good service and really good fish n' chips. I come here when I need a causal bit to eat.
The portions I find are always huge and they give you a shit load of fires. I can never finish them, and it's a shame because they are so tasty!
I no longer live in the neighbourhood, but go back once in a while for these fish and chips. -
Review from Steve S.
Toronto, ON
9/19/2011
Fast and friendly service, excellent fish and chips, and really good homemade tartar sauce ... what more could you ask? Actually, if you're asking for homey atmosphere, a thriving lunch business (always a good sign), and a full range of retro "Pop Shoppe" flavors (remember Green Apple pop???) in stubby glass bottles whose "twist off (hah!)" caps threaten to rip your hand to ribbons just before finally letting go ... then you're in luck, because The One That Got Away has all that too!
