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Tony's Fish & Oyster Café
Category: Restaurants Seafood Seafood [Edit]
1511 Anderson StVancouver, BC V6H 3R5
Neighbourhood: Granville Island/False Creek
(604) 683-7127
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:30 am - 8 pm
Sun 11:30 am - 7 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Touristy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
43 reviews for Tony's Fish & Oyster Café
Review Highlights
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"Good peppery clam chowder." In 9 reviews -
"...we had was also local, from the halibut to the clams to the..." In 7 reviews -
"Fish + Chips + Beer + friendly service = a happy meal." In 3 reviews
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43 reviews in English
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Review from Ashley S.
Coquitlam, BC
2/26/2012
I visited Tony's yesterday for lunch and after a short wait outside (the restaurant can only hold about 25 people) was seated next to a very nice couple from Ireland. It was actually pretty cool being so close to your table neighbours, as we had a great conversation with some new people!
I was impressed with the $10.99 lunch special, served daily until 2pm, that included a cup of clam chowder, coleslaw, 1 piece of cod and chips. Food was served promptly, was hot and delicious. I was extremely impressed with this restaurant, especially since I have visited some other restaurants on Granville Island for fish & chips recently, and for about double the cost, was nowhere near as impressed. -
Review from Patricia L.
Vancouver, BC
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nice service and good food for decent prices in the touristy Granville Island area. While there are other places with better views, Tony's is always a great place to stop after a long hard day of walking around all the Markets.
The place is kid friendly and they always have great food specials. I'd recommend the Cup of Chowder and the Fish and Chips to get the best of all that Tony's has to offer. I'm looking forward to summer Granville Island visits already so I have an excuse to stop by for good treats! -
Review from K P.
5/21/2012
Cute little joint, friendly and fast service, and we got there at just the right time to get seated immediately. This place really is tiny, which I personally love.
Considering we only had a dozen oysters, I'd hope to hit 5 stars, but there were a few key things that let them down. We've done a lot of oyster shucking in our time, and I appreciate it's not an easy task (I have experienced many slices to my palm) but there were so many fragments of broken shell in every single bite.
Also, I need horseradish with my oysters. The hostess was so busy it didn't make sense to bother her for it, so I really am not complaining, it's just a side note. -
Review from Ellen L.
5/13/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Clam Chowder was good.
Light crunchy batter on the Fish.
Fries were a little lacking on the crispy scale.
Prices a bit high, but expected with the touristy location.
Overall a good meal. -
Review from Billy P.
4/15/2012
Very small location right on Ganville Island, with good food!
Nothing to die for, but nonetheless, very fresh fish, and oysters. We got a couple dozen fresh oysters on the half shell, and fish and chips, and I got the trio of pan fried halibut, cod, and salmon.
Service was great, food was good, but price was a little steep for a not quite fine dining experience...
Maybe because we went a bit overboard with the pitchers of beers, few orders of oysters, and dessert... So I guess a quick fish and chips deal wouldn't be bad...
Stop by for a lunch, well worth it! -
Review from X B.
5/5/2012
5 star for fresh oysters, it was crisp, plump, meaty and sweet...amazing! but pricey
6 oysters for $18
clam chowder was good
seafood platter was fresh and ok, has clams, mussels, shrimp, one crab claw, battered cod, chips or rice
ceasar salad did not have any anchovies in it
the fish and chip was good but the one in Granville Market was a lot better, I think it's called Celine's -
Review from Jenna L.
2/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
A small tiny cafe in Granville Island you almost walk past by if you weren't looking for it. I had the lunch special which for $10.95 it comes with one piece and fresh coleslaws, a cup of seafood chowder, and fries, is a good deal. I am no fish & chips expert by no means, so take me lightly on this. I liked the fish, it was tasty and not rubbery, and the fries were surprisingly good. The batter was good, thank goodness the fish is not wrapped in those thick rubbery, greasy cover that some places serve. The chowder was good, thick and a good portion for a lunch special. The service was great, the lady works the tiny room with styles, calls everyone "honey" or "darling" or "girls". It is very casual and sometimes you find the majority of customers to be tourists, but it is Granville Island after all, so no complaint there.
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Review from Alara O.
Downtown, Vancouver, BC
1/2/2012
If you are looking for healthy food, "grilled" go somewhere else and don't bother people waiting on the line for deep fried delicious fish and chips.
This place is by far the best fish and chips restaurant in Vancouver. It is small, family owned business and the line could get long sometimes. If you have the patience to wait, it is worth giving a try. They don't have the best calamari but the prawn appetizer has really fresh flavors and makes you feel like summer time. The most important thing is, the batter they use for frying is not overpowering and let you taste the fish itself. I visit this place once in a month for a treat. -
Review from Steve K.
12/3/2011
I don't get some of the reviews. Love this place...come here twice a year from New York.
Great Clam Chowder, cod with fries, seafood caesar salad. Granville beers on tap for $6. Small family business. Take Bus 50 to Granville Island.
A fan -
Review from Jon M.
8/21/2011
This small restaurant gets crowded, but we happened to get there at just the right time. Ended up splitting a 2-piece fish and chips which was plenty to share. Service was quick (they had to get people in and out quickly) and just enough attention.
+ Prices cheaper than other fish and chips in the Public Market.
+ Fish batter was yummy.
- Small, can easily get crowded. Not for those who get claustrophobic.
- Coleslaw was kinda boring, with little sauce. -
Review from Yelp W.
10/2/2011
Food: Very good solid meal. I got the basic fish, chips, and cole slaw meal. I remember the fries being very good. The fish was your typical batter dipped cod. The cole slaw was probably the best I have ever had. I was never a fan of cole slaw so maybe it is just me maturing as a culinary student.
Workers: No complaints.
Atmosphere: Nice location near Granville Island. Atmosphere within the spot was nothing special. -
Review from Staci M.
1/13/2012
Even with the family with 2 screaming children next to us this was a great dining experience. I do not get the impression that there are children here often so I'm sure this was just a fluke. We ordered the Seafood Platter for 2 and it was a great deal. We got to try a bit of everything for a reasonable price.
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Review from Kahanalei M.
5/24/2011 1 photo
Had I ordered anything else, I would have been able to give this place at least a 4 stars rating. I'm not sure why, but at the time I felt in the mood to try their Oyster Pepper Stew, when I saw that item on their menu. When my order came, it was nothing at all what I expected and when I tasted the actual stew I was in total shock at just how unbelievably salty it was. I regretted my order immediately. The stew came with 4 oysters and diced up red and green peppers. If you ate the whole stew, then you would have easily consumed a few days worth of your recommended daily sodium intake: no joke, it was really that bad. And if it was supposed to taste like that to begin with, then I'm sorry, but that's just ridiculous.
The only reasons why I gave this place two stars instead of just one was because the sweet potato fries that came with the chipotle mayo, on the other hand, tasted good, and the 1/2 dozen pan fried oysters that my Mom had ordered, was pretty good too and definitely a better choice. I really had wanted to order the pan fried oysters in the first place and should have done so to begin with, but decided on the oyster pepper stew at the last minute instead - what a mistake. So like they say, it's always good to go with your first choice. . .
The restaurant itself is pretty small and when we got here, we grabbed the last remaining table, as the only other available seats were at the counter. If you go here, then I highly suggest to just stick with the oyster/fish entrees, burgers or fish and chips - do not get the oyster pepper stew - avoid at all costs, or else you're gonna end up regeting your order! -
Review from Monica S.
7/26/2011
So freaking good. tasted fresh, and you could tell it was a little place only real locals know about. Yumm.
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Review from Mim B.
Vancouver, BC
9/12/2011
Over priced, greasy food, stale chips, rude manager/owner, long wait for a half empty place. It's a total tourist trap. Order a piece of halibut and see how small it is! It's like a joke! There's no grill option, everything is deep fried and so greasy that you'll feel sick after finishing the tiny fish. Horrible food, anywhere in Granville island is better than this place.
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Review from Ryan B.
Port Coquitlam, BC
6/30/2011
If you feel like fish and chips and walk by this place, keep on walking to Go Fish.
I'll start with the good. Fast and friendly service and the place is clean
There I'm done with the good.
Now the bad. The coleslaw was tasteless as were the fries. Not sure how get tasteless fries but there you have it. The fish was passable. The batter was too greasy and had that thick and heavy feeling to it. Plus it was gooey next to the fish. The actual fish tasted a bit...fishy. Too fishy for a place next door to a fish market and fishermen's wharf. It's not like we are 1000 km from the sea or something.
Overall, I've had much better. Give it a pass for fish and chips. -
Review from Gary T.
1/30/2010
Came here with my gf for a brunch-ish meal after walking all over Granville Island looking for some good food.
The place looked very small, but it was packed. I was unsure because it was a touristy area, so we held our breath and waited. After a short while we got a seat at the bar and commenced to ordering, first thing was beer! We got GI Brewing Co. pale ale and lager.
I ordered the lunch special that included a piece of Cod, fries, and cup of clam chowder. My gf got the two piece Cod and fries. The wait was a little longer than expected due to the kitchen being slammed with orders the whole time that we were there. My cup of clam chowder was some of the best I've ever tasted, a good foreshadowing of the meal to come. Finally our order arrived in all it's splendor. The fish portions were huge, fresh, and delicious. The batter had a light flakiness and texture that was unbelieveable. The fries were excellent too.
Both my gf and I have been all over the world including London (the Shangri-La of fish & chips) and this place won hands down. Seriously, no shit, it was that good. -
Review from Kyle F.
10/6/2009
Good peppery clam chowder. My cod and chips was tasty.
Light batter on the cod resulted in a very thin crisp layer. -
Review from Tiffany M.
Vancouver, BC
3/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
So I'm a native of Alabama and grew up going to the panhandle and loading up on oysters, fish and (once I was older) beer until I couldn't feel my sunburn anymore. I also really love west coast oysters and seafood and this place definitely satisfied my taste buds. We shared two dishes - regular fish and chips and the oyster burger. The oyster burger was okay...I put a good amount of hot sauce on it and couldn't help craving a oyster po' boy. The fish and chips were delightful...really love the batter they use. This is definitely one of the few places I would eat on Granville Island. I especially like the decor and friendly service.
Oh and I am also a fan of serving white and malt vinegar at the table! Gotta have options. -
Review from Tinella T.
Vancouver, BC
5/11/2009
Yummy food, crispy fires, nice service.
I was here several times, never get disappointed. I love caesar salad and salmon here, today I also had dessert there and was really satisfied :)
I love to return here. -
Review from Pieter E.
3/7/2010
Hankering for fish?
Salmon o'er Halibut/Cod.
For the chips, go yam. -
Review from Angela L.
5/6/2009
We came here specifically because of a recommendation for the oyster burger ($10.50 served with crispy yet potatoey fries) and it did not disappoint. The combination of tartar plus BBQ sauce was actually nice, although I could imagine someone who isn't as condiment-loving finding this overwhelming.
The oyster stew ($7.50) although chockful of oystery goodness, was disappointly lacking in the vegetable (or anything else, rather) department. It would have been more suitably named "cream of oyster soup", in which case I would have expected nothing more and loved it for what it was.
The singular server (who looked like she was part of the family) seemed a little impatient and was kept busy serving the entire (be it quite small) area by herself. -
Review from Glo F.
9/8/2010
Location is near the entrance of Granville Island (if you take bus 50, you'll walk pass it. It's small and long wait. The fish, coleslaw, frieds were all just okay, the fish was a little greasy. We had the special, came with clam chowder which had more black pepper than it should, but it was not bad. Only one server, and the ambiance is.....what ambiance. It's a small fish joint.
Give it a try if you're in the area. This place get's busy, so busy that you feel like you're rush so eat fast....close seating, really close. I would not personally wait for seating, there's plenty of other places to eat in the area. -
Review from Bobby C.
2/25/2010
On our way into Granville Island, we stopped off for lunch at Tony's Fish & Oyster Cafe for lunch and were lucky to be seated within 10 minutes as the rush came in soon after 12 noon. Our group of 7 had to be split up into two tables because the restaurant only has about 15 small tables to begin with. Most of us, including myself, ordered the lunch special consisting of a piece of cod, fries, coleslaw and a small portion of clam chowder. We shared a pitcher of Granville Island lager. The brewery is right across the street!
Clam chowder, fish and chips, and fresh cold local beer makes for an excellent lunch. My friend got a half dozen of their oysters and couldn't stop raving about them. I was tempted, but I was stuffing myself on my food. The clam chowder was very good, pretty standard stuff. The cod was okay, tasty yes, but I felt like the batter was a bit thick and while it was crispy on the outside, you had to bite through a layer of it to get to the fish. Also, I appreciated that the fish was a filleted piece rather than a fish stick. The special was $10.99 if i remember correctly.
The service here was okay, there was mainly one waitress serving every table and I felt kinda bad since she was constantly running around taking orders, delivering food, getting people drinks, etc. I mean, can she get a little help? The food still came out pretty quick, though we had to wait halfway through our meal for the beer.
So overall, this place is a good stop off for lunch when you're in the mood for fish and chips. It's small, quick and has other menu selections I didn't get to try (ie. oyster burger). Be prepared for a wait though if there's a lunch rush, otherwise, give it a shot when you're at Granville Island. -
Review from Dee D.
Burnaby, BC
5/11/2011
I love this place. They have the best "Banana Foster" dessert ever. The only problem with this restaurant is that it is too small. Tony really needs to find a bigger restaurant. Getting a table is hard, but if you are willing to wait, it is so worth it.
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Review from Jaye V.
10/30/2009
Not only were we rolling our eyes with pleasure over the local Pacific oysters, but so were the table of girls next to us. The squeals of pleasure and "oh my God, that's so good" and "I'm so happy now" resulted in the waitress asking jokingly if they needed some valium to go with their extra napkins :). In their defense, the oysters were sweet, a little briny, and SUPER creamy. They burst and then melted in your mouth. I could have eaten two dozen by myself.
We ordered a bit of this and that and shared, which made our waitress excited. "You guys are trying a little of everything and sharing it all? Sounds perfect. With wine? Even better! Sounds like a perfect lunch. You guys know how to eat!"
The steamed clams in herbed white wine sauce with carrots and onions were perfectly cooked, juicy, and plump. The fried battered halibut had really flavorful, savory batter -- bites melted in our mouths after the initial delicate crunch of the outer batter shell and the soft flakiness of the white flesh. The half carafe of wine we shared was the local house white wine -- which was also local to British Columbia. Smooth and clean with apple notes, it went perfectly with our meal.
Everything is fresh. Everything we had was also local, from the halibut to the clams to the oysters to the wine. The waitress ensured that the kitchen made each dish only after we finished the previous one -- to ensure the best quality possible. After 3 weeks in Vancouver, it was the only time I had run into someone with a New York accent. But instead of being curt and brash, she was exudingly warm and friendly. A NY Italian woman with warm Southern hospitality? In Vancouver, anything can happen.
Simple local seafood done well in a very relaxing, warm, casual setting. They are proud of their food here. A highly recommended stop while visiting Granville Island -- especially if it's cold outside.
P.S. The waitress recommended that we try the seafood platter and/or salmon fish & chips the next time we came -- two of their specialties. Duly noted. -
Review from kath r.
3/9/2009
Fish + Chips + Beer + friendly service = a happy meal.
I had walked past Tony's on many a Granville Island visit, but always discounted it bc I figured the crowds were a result of the small space, and well, GI is kindda a tourist haunt. How wrong I was. I first tried this place on the recommendation of a Fringe Festival comedian who swore by the chips.
This place does not compete w/ Go Fish in the categories of adventurous and innovative Fish n Chips, but it does give them a good run for their 'taste' money, and I much prefer the chips here - they're of the thicker cut variety so they're nice and crispy on the outside but potato soft on the inside.
Go for the... tasty hand-cut fries. creamy chowder. lightly dressed fresh and crunchy slaw. lightly battered fish. delectably stacked burgers. crispy onion rings. cold brews. Be entertained by the friendly and locally knowledgeable servers and get yourself a good base down before venturing further onto the island.
Check out the lunch-time special (served til 3pm) fish, chips, slaw and a cup of chowder for $9.99. -
Review from Lisa N.
Vancouver, BC
3/24/2010
Came here for lunch, my first non-vegetarian meal in over two years so it was weird for me.
The location is great, though it doesn't look over the water and stuff, it is located by the entrance of Granville Island making it easy to find.
The menu is definitely limited to burgers, salads, soups, and fish and chips. Which is fine with me. The place is pretty crowded and definitely awkward when sitting next to someone else you don't know, cause you can hear everything they're talking about. They seem to have a lot of regulars too.
My friend ordered their lunch special which was the fish and chips with cod, cole slaw, fries, and clam chowder. I had the fish and chips with salmon, fries, and cole slaw. The special was 10.99 and mine was 8.99 (because of salmon, it's a dollar more). The clam chowder was just okay, nothing special. The cod was.. kind of tasteless? I found my salmon decent, maybe a little fatty.. or maybe it was the oil. The fries were okay, steak cut. The tartar sauce could have been better. The salad was just cole slaw salad, nothing special. Friend could not finish her meal, said the clam chowder to be very filling. And I was stuffed, most likely cause this is my first meal in awhile with meat content and because everything on my plate was deep fried.
I wouldn't especially recommend this place for somewhere like Granville Island, there are many other restaurants nearby to eat at. But then, I haven't had fish and chips for awhile.. so don't take my opinion on this restaurant too seriously. -
Review from Kristin H.
Vancouver, BC
4/18/2010
2.5 Stars, technically.
The food was decent. I prefer their fish & chips to the ones down the seawall at Go Fish. Their batter is crispy and tasty, and their chips are crisp, and not soggy. Their clam chowder is also pretty good.
The service was... interesting. The waitress was friendly, and nice, but my boyfriend was totally put off when he went to pay. He speaks immaculate English, but has an accent. Anyway, when she counted his change, she made a point of explaining each denomination (including coins) as she handed it to him, talking VERY SLOWLY AND LOUDLY to be sure he understood. A bit unnecessary, and mortifying.
I probably wouldn't go back personally, based on that, but I wouldn't not recommend it either. -
Review from Ravenas M.
Vancouver, BC
4/30/2011
We were in the mood for some fish and chips while exploring Granville Island and happened upon this place. It is small but the seating is generous. The food was decent, nothing outstanding. The service was quick and friendly, with the place being at about half capacity. Everything was clean and well presented. Overall, if I was hungry on the island I might consider this place again, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
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Review from Ronald J.
North Vancouver, BC
4/23/2011
My girlfriend and I always had a great meal every time we eat at Tony's Fish & Oyster Cafe on Granville Island.
The restaurant is not part of the market, it is short walk closer to the Granville Brewery. This is truly a cafe style dining, don't expect fine seafood cuisine here, you will find the full list of all the standard seafood meals (fish and chips, clam chowders, scallops, fish meals etc.) with a drink for under $20.00.
The place is small quaint and you might have to wait a bit to get in because it is always busy. The staff is friendly and the food is prepared fast. -
Review from Joey L.
4/9/2011
My buddy was on a budget so we wanted good food at an affordable pricing. Was getting some fresh fruit at the Granville market and asked for a recommendation, Tonys fish and chip. When we got there, the part owner/waiter was very nice and accommodating. I ordered a cup of clam chowder....wow...one of the best I've had, and I've had chowder in Boston and Baltimore prior to this. For lunch, I had a very fresh salmon sandwich with a hefty portion of fries. Even the fries seemed it was just sliced that morning.
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Review from Michelle D.
1/19/2010
Just wanted to grab an order of sweet potato fries before heading back to Downtown. I still can't get over how nice everyone is?! Anyway, one order became two orders which became my Friday nite dinner. Wonderful!
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Review from S H L.
12/29/2010
Wanted to go to Go Fish Emporium after reading the great reviews but unfortunately they were closed :( Someone recommended Tony's so we decided to check them out. It's a tiny place w/ probably 5 tables. Ordered the fish and chips (obviously!) and the fish were way over battered and the fries were cold. Probably won't go again but they get really good business, it seems like there's always a line.
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Review from Sea M.
11/25/2010
Damn good fish-n-chips shop. Also had hella good chowder and the server (I think she was the manager/owner) was VERY friendly. Would recommend this place to anybody. Nice, casual, fast service. If it's chilly outside and your stomach is empty, go here!
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Review from Jenny Y.
12/12/2008
Tony's is a casual place and was crowded with families happily eating fries and burgers on checkered tablecloths. We 3 got seats at the counter where I was able to observe what was going on in the cooking area behind it. I ordered the chips with 2 pieces of fish for $12. I thought the price was a little steep at this quality. The chips were cut thick and good (I haven't had a fry I didn't like) but the coleslaw came from a bag in the fridge. The pieces of fish were substantial but it was pretty flavorless and I wondered if they came from a bag in the freezer... the tarter sauce was supposedly homemade and good but you only get a little bit in a teeny plastic cup. You can get a pint of beer brewed right on Granville Island for $5 which was nice but I recommend seeking out another place for decent fish and chips.
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Review from Dr. K.
9/23/2009
Solid fish and chips alternative to the feeding frenzy at Go Fish. The Salmon fish and chips were very good, and not at all soggy. Nice selection of beer, good service, and reasonably priced too.
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Review from Amy C.
2/18/2010
Came here b/c of reviews from Yelp and was slightly disappointed. Menu options are very limited and space is limited, so be prepared to wait. We got hte daily special (I'm not really a fish and chips person), which included pan seared halibut, cod, and salmon with rice and cole slaw. Overall, taste was good, although I wasn't impressed. I expected much better quality. I actually went to get lobster from Lobster man down teh street after this meal, which finally satisified my fresh seafood craving in Vancouver....and that lobster was made on a barbecue on the street. Anyways, service was good and atmosphere was nice.
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Review from TootTootTootsie G.
9/20/2008 1 photo
One of the vendors in the Granville Island Public Market recommended this place and we're glad we took his advice. The salmon burger, served with lettuce, tomatoes, and homemade tartar sauce on a toasted bun with a side order of fries, was made with cajun spices and had a real kick to it. The batter on the halibut fish and chips was light and not at all greasy and two generous pieces of fish and a large handful of fries were served with a tangy coleslaw. For dessert we split an order of Bananas Foster and were glad we did, because it's large and too rich for one. The atmosphere is casual and the prices are moderate.
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Review from Abby M.
8/8/2011
I believe it is fair to say that the only reason I came here was that the line at Go Fish was much longer than I had time for. Already disappointed, but craving fish and chips, I came to Tony's. It is a sit-down restaurant. There were no seats available, but I was able to snag one at the bar. I ordered the Halibut and Chips. The fries were nothing special. They tasted to me like they could have been frozen and I didn't want to waste my calories on them. The halibut was quite good. The batter was nice and light and the fish tasted fresh. The coleslaw it came with was also very good. Perhaps I'd have enjoyed it more if I wasn't still dreaming of Go Fish, but the food was quite good and would definitely be worth a return visit. Next time, I really want to try the Clam Chowder.
