Best Fish and Chips in Victoria and Vancouver

[JudyDenver]

We will be in Victoria and Vancouver a total of 6 dinners. I am hoping we can eat one fish and chip dinner in each city (depends on how we feel after the first one!). I know that all battered fish is not the same and we won't have the luxury of sampling--we need to go direcftly to the best the first time.

I've heard Red Fish/Blue Fish in Victoria is recommended. What about Estevans in Oak Bay?

Any ideas for Vancouver?

[S_B_Russell]

Dollarton Crab Shop (2464 Dollarton Highway) in North Vancouver. It's a seafood market, so it doesn't have a sophisticated ambience, but it does have the best fish and chips I've ever tasted. Definitely worth checking out.

[JEheartbreak]

I've always wanted to stop in there and never have. Definitely will now!

[anewton]

Estevan F & C, i.e. "Willow's Galley", recently changed hands. The current incarnation is no good.

Haultain F & C off of Cook St. in Victoria is okay, but the sides are all pretty gross IMO (coleslaw has WAY too much mayo). Atmosphere is grungy, greasy, but that may be appealing to some.

I would think RFBF would be your best bet, but I actually do not care for their tempura batter. I prefer a crisper, firmer batter.

Really I do not know where to send people for fish and chips in Victoria anymore. Estevan was "the" place, but no longer. Maybe go for one of the fish sandwiches at RFBF instead.

[fmed]

What do you think about Fairfield, anewton? I was there a few months ago and I had some good F&C. I didn't try any of the sides, however.

[cassie]

I like Naughty Nellie's in Gordon Head (note: Naughty vs. Nautical, which is downtown) - a good F&C batter, but not too thick. Mushy peas are a pass - canned and smashed (ugh) - coleslaw is pretty good.
Shame about Willow's Galley - mostly I did fries as take-out there - as they packed in newspaper bags - nice & classic.

[anewton]

I have not actually tried Fairfield F & C. I have had a half-decent burger there. I might give it a try. But for those "in the know," Estevan always had the reputation as being the best.

[texasredtop]

We eat at Old Vic Fish and Chips every summer in Victoria - 1316 Broad Street. It's very reasonable and very casual.

Someone recommended Moby Dick's in White Rock (south of Vancouver) to me and we ate there one day on our way to the border. I'm picky about my fish and these two places were very good.

[fmed]

adding links

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Moby Dick Restaurant
15479 Marine Dr, White Rock, BC V4B1C9, CA

Old Vic Fish & Chips
1316 Broad St, Victoria, BC V8W2A9, CA

[grayelf]

Nice to have a casual rec in White Rock -- seems like we usually get asked for/receive more formal recs there. Thanks, texasredtop. Now I have to go Google what a texasredtop is :-).

[texasredtop]

It's a red-headed woman in Texas :-)

[grayelf]

Or in White Rock, apparently ;-).

[scout100]

I like Cockney Kings in New Westminster and Burnaby. Pajo's is also good, but it's weather permitting. I've heard good things about Mr. Pickwick's, but I haven't tried them.

[fmed]

I still haven't manged to go to Cockey Kings despite all the glowing reviews.

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Mr Pickwick's
1007 Denman St, Vancouver, BC V6G2M4, CA

Cockney Kings Fish & Chips
6574 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5B1S2, CA

Cockney Kings Fish & Chips
1035 Columbia St, New Westminster, BC V3M1C4, CA

[el_lobo_solo]

second Cockney Kings at either location. I know it's completely against its namesake and purpose, but you can also request to have your fish grilled. They should still have an AYCE Mon-Wed. I like them better than Mr. Pickwick's. But what was a pleasant surprise last week was White Spot's halibut and chips--light, crispy batter and firm fish. Tried the halibut and chips a few days later at the Boathouse on English Bay. Soggylicious for both the f & c and more expensive.

[cassie]

fmed - thanks for the suggestion of Mr Pickwick's - I've passed it by tons when I'm in Vanc, thinking they were cheesy. Stopped in there this weekend (one of the few places without a giant Olympic line-up). Great deals ($13 for 2 pieces of fish & chips). Really fast, crisy and a nice thin-to-medium batter. I'd go back again for sure. My friends eating the same meal at Steamworks for $18 + 18% automatic gratuity were not happy to hear how great our meal was.

[fmed]

Thanks for the update on Mr P's, cassie. I have to admit it has been many years since I have been, and so it is good to know that it is still in fine form.

[grayelf]

I went to the one on Granville in Marpole on my way to pick up the parentals at the airport last week. V tasty and they had deep fried pickles -- will post a couple of photos later.

[JudyDenver]

Cannot imagine a fried pickles! Is it a large dill pickle, battered and deep fried?

[grayelf]

JD I tried to post a picture so you don't have to imagine, but CH won't let me browse, argh!

[JudyDenver]

I did a google image search and couldn't believe there could be so many different batter possibilties. The best ones looked like deep fried fish, only with green visible. I supppose the pickle stays crunchy? If you like pickle, it seems like a great idea.

[grayelf]

I am a big fan but I've only had it at a few places. So far my faves are RFBF in Victoria and now Mr Pickwick's. Both do a thin, flat "chip" of pickle in batter, a bit lighter at RFBF but cheaper at Mr P's. Deffo worth a try!

[grayelf]

Now I can't browse photos on my work machine either -- argh. Sorry to waste your time.

[grayelf]

Thought I'd post a pic of the pickles at Pickwick's (better late than never) now that I can do so again. And a shot of the cod and chips for good measure. I liked this more than my recent meal at Go Fish, actually.

[slugsunderfoot]

victoria: haultain fish & @ 1127 haultain st. a pain to locate- but worth it. feels like an east- end london chipper.- circa 1979. very good fish & chips plus non- organic mushy peas and other essential coronation st. fare.

[fmed]

Adding link.

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Haultain Fish & Chip Cafe
1127 Haultain St, Victoria, BC V8T1V4, CA

[victoriafoodie]

Estevan, aka Willows Galley, is my favourite f&c in Victoria. I love RFBF but usually get the tuna tacones there rather than the f&c.

[fmed]

I should try Estevan next time I'm there.

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Willows Galley
2559 Estevan Ave, Victoria, BC V8R2S8, CA

[JEheartbreak]

You'll have to sit outside, but the scenery is great @ Go Fish near Granville Island. Only catch is that you have to go for lunch -- they close @ 6 pm.

[fmed]

VIctoria: Red Fish Blue Fish and Fairfiled.

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Go Fish Ocean Emporium
1505 W 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J, CA

Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W, CA

Fairfield Fish & Chips
1275 Fairfield Rd, Victoria, BC V8V3B3, CA

[fmed]

Steveson:
Pajo's (no Chowhound link in the database) and Dave's

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Dave's Fish & Chips
3460 Moncton St, Richmond, BC V7E3A2, CA