British Fish and Chips
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British Fish and Chips
Sept 2004
My Australian husband is threatening to move us if I don't find
some good fish and chips around Oakland, and he means ''British''
style. It seems that when we follow recommendations around here
we wind up with the cornmeal coated ''Southern'' style, which he
doesn't go for. Does anyone know a good source for reasonable
fish and chips around the east bay?
Crogan's in Montclair makes good fnc but it's a fancier place
than we often feel like going to. Maybe a place more like
Barbara's Fish Trap in Princeton.
Fish Lover
Don't know if it's British, but my family likes the fish and
chips (and clam chowder) from the Seabreeze roadside
market/restaurant at University Avenue and the freeway.
A Fish and Chips Fan
There is a place in Oakland on Grand Avenue, across the street
from Fairyland that has/had great fish and chips.
Also, Chelsea(?) in San Francisco (you can order food at the
Edinburgh Castle while you have a pint and they will bring it
in, wrapped in newspaper) is really good. Near Geary/Polk, but
that isn't exactly right.
And the Pig and Whistle (also in SF, sorry) also has great fish
and chips. They are also on Geary, near Masonic.
And there is a good pub in San Leandro called the Englander that
seems like it should be good, although I've never had their fish.
Hope this helps.
Kean
Try the little cafe on the entrance road to the Berkeley Marina (down University Ave,
just over the freeway overpass, on your left). I think it's call Sea Breeze Cafe (NOT
Spenger's!!!). It's a takeaway and you sit at tables outside in the car park, but it's
the closest to proper fish and chips we've found. The other food there is also pretty
good, and in season, they serve freshly cooked crabs.
- Fellow Australian fish lover.
I haven't been there (yet), but I noticed an H. Salt Fish & Chips
in my East Bay Entertainment Book, in Fremont (39230 Argonaut
Way; 797-7963). We used to go to H. Salt when I was a kid (in
L.A.), and it was the British style, as I recall. I don't think
they serve it in a newspaper cone any more, though! Good luck.
Jennie
This may be useless, but I'll give it a try.
There was, maybe still is a place in SF (I know you said
Oakland, sorry) called the Old CHelsea. Now, I think the Old
Chelsea was the bar, and across the street was this little hole
in the wall that had, what I was told were REAL BRITISH FISH AND
CHIPS. I don't know what the batter was, but they delivered them
from this place to the Old Chelsea in newspaper with vinegar on
the side.
The name Edinborough Castle comes to mind too. So maybe the bar
was Edinborough Castle and the Fish and Chips palce was Old
Chelsea...or vice versa. I hope this is helpful.
not the best memory, but not bad
Have you tried Kensington Circus Pub? It's got ''traditional''
English pub food (Incl fish and chips) as well as a play area
for small children, and a great beer menu. Not sure if it will
please the ''purist'' but prices are reasonable, food is good, and
the kids love it!
food lover
try kensington circus pub in kensington on colusa (on the circle,
impossible to miss) yummy f+c, bangers and mash, the whole nine
yards. and they are VERY kid friendly too.
juliet
Your husband might like the Kensington Circus Pub, on Colusa
Ave. in Kensington. I'm not a fish & chips fan, but I have
British friends who say theirs is the real thing.
Patty
mmm...Fish 'n' Chips
Try the Edinburgh Castle in San Francisco on Geary Street for good British style fish
and chips. It's a great pub that'll make you feel like you're in the UK.
anonymous
We love the Kensington Circus Pub on Colusa. The fish and
chips are yummy and not too expensive. The other bonus is the
fabulous play area for the kids.
Joan
I haven't had the real thing in England, but the pub food at
Beckett's in Berkeley (on Shattuck) is yummy, and the atmosphere
(starts off quiet in the early evenings and weeknights, can get
bar-like on weekends) is fun. I am pretty sure they have fish
and chips too. It's not generally full of families, although
I've seen kids there in the quieter hours, and my 2-year old has
been there and done fine. They have live music a few nights a
week as well.
Kathleen
You might want to try the Kensington Pub, though it's not really
in Oakland, but at least on a sporadic basis if your husband
really needs ''fish-n-chips'' it might be worth the drive. The
Kensington Pub is on the Colusa Circle roundabout on the border
of Berkeley and Kensington. It's also extremely kid-friendly (a
little rug play area towards the back), so it's one of the few
places we would eat out at when our babies were really babies.
Hope you check it out.
Luisa
I used to live in the UK and have a UK born husband and I too
miss Fish & Chips! The only place in the Bay Area that I have
found that has real authentic Fish & Chips (wrapped in the
traditional newspaper) is the Edinburgh Castle in SF. This is
not very practical because (1) its in the City and (2) its a bar
& doesn't allow children, but if the opportunty presents itself
he should check it out, he won't be disappointed!
In the East Bay, Yorkshire Fish & Chips near Lake Merritt has
pretty good fish, although I wasn't too impressed w/their chips.
Beckett's in downtown Berkeley is also not bad. My husband & UK
in-laws have eaten the fish & chips at Pyramid without complaint.
Good luck!
another Fish & Chips enthusiast
I almost hate to recommend our favorite place (since it'll create more of a wait when
we go on a Friday evening) but to be fair I will: Kensington Circus Pub - in the
Kensington (Colusa) Circle is known for it's fish & chips, as well as a good English
beer variety. (They're so British that they have good Indian food, too.) Enjoy!
pcooper
Although they are not in the Oakland area, here are two
recommendations:
Kensington Circus, 389 Colusa Ave, Kensington 524-8814. I am
sure that many others will list this one. It's a dark pub
atmosphere and even has a kids' play area nearby to entertain
young kids while adults are eating. Good fnc, battered fried,
not greasy. Even offers kid portions.
Fisherman's Hut, 15930 Hesperian Blvd, San Lorenzo 510-278-
3868. Take 880 south to Hesperian Blvd heading west. This one
is out of the way, but well worth the drive. No atmosphere; in
a small strip mall. Food is made to order and VERY inexpensive
(most items are around $5 or less). Again, nicely battered
fried fish, good fries, real onion rings, on the greasy side,
but thoroughly satisfying, malt vinegar and all.
Another fnc fan
Have you tried Kensington Circus Pub? It's in 389 Colusa Ave.
(at Colusa Circle)Kensington, CA 94707. Check on-line at
www.eastbayexpress.com, they have a description of the place.
Our kid loves it!
Cristina.
Come on, the only possible place is The Circus Pub on Colusa in
Kensington. Dry cider on tap too! (Actually, the Cliff House
used to do a decent fish & chips too.) The only problem is, no
one around here has quite the right fish to pull it off
perfectly.
Missing Atlantic Cod
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