Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Food Fight The Great Fish and Chip-off of 2012
Posted by Chris Chamberlain on Tue, Jan 3, 2012 at 6:15 AM
Recently, one of our ringleaders expressed a craving for some good fish and chips. That started quite a debate as to whether such a thing actually exists in our fair burg and where we should go in our attempt to find some. Each of us had our own opinion, so we agreed to add a regular fish and chip trial to our lunch rotation. The initial recommendations are McNamara's, Batter'd and Fried, Dan McGuinness, Fleet Street and Whiskey Kitchen.
Of course, not only can we not agree on who has the best fish and chips in town, we also can't even agree on the criteria to judge them by. Do they have to be authentically British? Should hot fish be considered? With or without malt vinegar?
So I invite you into the debate, Bitesters? Are there some other places we should be investigating? Are any of our initial contestants unworthy of consideration? What do you think makes a great basket of fried fish goodness? Chime in below in the comments and I'll keep you apprised of our efforts and our final decision. Providing we can agree on anything ...
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Comments (26)
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Blackstone. I don't care what Lee had to say.
http://www.nashvillescene.com/bites/archives/2009/03/05/fish-n-chips-update-lunch-at-blackstone
I was driving into work this morning wondering when this was going to happen. SO EXCITING!!!
I've never been to Fleet Street, but McCreary's Irish Pub in downtown Franklin serves a good fish and chips. I like the lightly colored batter with a big crunch and white flaky fish. I'm not a big steak fry guy, so the chips are almost meaning less to me.
Have not tried Fleet Street. But I met a British lady at Dan McGuinness who said that they had the best fish and chips that she had eaten in the States.
The Grill at Whole Foods (Green Hills) has some mighty tasty fish and chips!!
I like the Fleet Street version. The batter is perfect, and the fries are phenomenal (and not an afterthought). I don't know anything about authentic, but for parameters, I think if you stick to the best of what restaurants offer up as "fish and chips," that should be enough.
McCreary's are pretty great. Dan McGinnis' aren't bad, neither are the one's at Black Stone. I really want to try Fleet Street, but going down town is never something I look forward to.
Malt vinegar is essential but the fish should be damn fine on it's own. I don't think hot fish should be considered. When I hear fish and chips I think of the English pub staple.
Are there any places in town that offer whole fish servings? I have family in London and visit often. One of the pubs I like to go to offers filets or whole fish options. A whole fish can be a good shared plate.
Personally I like to drench my basket in Heinz malt vinegar, dip the fish in tarter sauce and the chips in ketchup. A crispy beer batter might be one of my favorite things to eat.
@ulika you preach the gospel re:steak fries. It is truly a disappointing think to see "thick cut steak fries!" on any menu.
I'm anxious to try Fleet Street now that it has a strong consensus although I am loath to go downtown. The availability and cost of parking is a malediction. The grill at Whole Foods, McNamara's, McCreary's, and Whiskey Kitchen I haven't tried yet, mainly because when I crave fish & chips I've always been very satisfied with Blackstone's. Their beer batter is extremely crispy and good. The beer flavor comes through perfectly. Dan McGuiness compares favorably and it took a few visits to decide I like Blackstone's better. Dan's has a bit of chive in the batter? Not a bad thing, just different from Blackstone's. Batter'd & Fried I didn't find to be that good and whatever they oil they cook in has a very unpleasant reaction with anyone I've ever known to visit.
You only think parking is bad downtown. It's really not. Any of the metered spaces are free after 6:00. The best place to park for free to try Fleet Street is along Deadrick St, Charlotte Ave between 4th and 3rd and James Robertson Parkway. Yes, you'll have to walk a few blocks but it's safe and walking is good for you. Of course you can pay to park in a garage that is RIGHT NEXT to Fleet Street. For paid parking, consult this link:
http://www.parkitdowntown.com/maps
I haven't made it to fleet street yet, but I put in a vote for the grill at Whole Foods Green Hills. Theirs is amazing and ginormous
Looking forward to trying Fleet Street. I've never been disappointed with Blackstone's fish & chips. Good flavor and crunch to the batter even after a good dousing of malt vinegar. The chips part is just usually hit or miss, though; standard fries, but tasty enough.
It looks like Blackstone and Whole Foods need to be on the list. I have had the fish at Blackstone's several times and it is quite good.
So are there any on our initial list that we should ignore? Nobody has spoken up for Batter'd and Fried yet.
Fleet Street, hands down. The fish, the chips and the tartar sauce are all amazing!
Gold Rush on Elliston. It's the lunch special on Thursdays, and one I hit up every chance I get
Fleet Street's are definitely good! Had dinner there a few weeks ago. My friend's food was cold, though, and the shepherd's pie was super greasy, but they got it right with the fish and chips. Beware, the import beers are pricey.
I've had them at Dan McGuinness but Fleet Street wins hands down. The batter is super crispy and the fries are pretty damn tasty as well. Pair it off with an Old Speckled Hen and you have a great meal.
Batter'd and fried filters and resuses their frying oil. That's just nasty and that's why some commenters above noted it tasted gross.
