Friday a good day for fish and chips, says food columnist Andrew Coppolino
Some spots had pre-orders for fish and chips last week
People just love fish and chips.
Done properly, the classic pairing is an absolute treat with the soft interior of white, flaky cod or halibut gained only after biting through a crisp beer-tinged batter.
It might just be the perfect plateful when accompanied by a bit of fresh lemon and some tangy coleslaw.
Fridays have become known as fish and chips day at many restaurants, and that history is drawn from early Christianity when people traditionally refrained from eating the flesh of warm-blooded animals in religious observance; fish are cold-blooded, so they were acceptable to eat.
And they're delicious, too. Making fish and chips at home requires using the right type of oil and keeping it at the correct temperature, between 350 and 375 F. You also need to chill your fish batter for 20 minutes before using it and fry in small batches so you don't crowd your pot or fryer.
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Finally, make sure you turn your fish regularly to achieve a deep golden-brown colour. A side of double-fried French fries is the traditional accompaniment.
And yet, the best way to enjoy fish and chips is at a restaurant in communion with other lovers of the special treat – and perhaps especially so on Good Friday. So, here's a short list of fish and chip restaurant options for Good Friday, and a bit of a strategy for getting your fill while avoiding the crowds.
Local fish and chips spots
The Berlin, Kitchener
Open for lunch between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on this special day, Berlin haddock and chips is served with a celeriac remoulade sauce, a side salad and lemon charred on their open-hearth wood fire. Try a traditional cider with the dish. Also available for dinner beginning at 5 p.m.
Brownestone Gastropub, Cambridge (Hespeler)
The newly renovated Brownestone is part of the Hespeler revitalization. Pre-order special Alaskan pollock for take-out or make reservations for your fill of fish and chips.
Ernie's Roadhouse, Cambridge (Hespeler)
They recommend making a reservation or getting there early because they do get busy serving haddock and chips, including a two-pieces-for-one special. Pre-orders for take-away welcomed at the newly renovated roadhouse in downtown Hespeler.
Ethel's Lounge, Waterloo
Two pieces of beer-battered haddock with creamy slaw, potato wedges and house-made tartar sauce. They are ready for your take-away orders as well.
Longtime favourite Granny Bonn's recommends pre-ordering because the restaurant on Weber at Lincoln in Waterloo gets very busy on this day. Regular fish items on the menu.
Holy Guacamole, Kitchener
A twist on fish and chips: The popular Tex-Mex outlet is running a test market for a foray into fish tacos at the Bleams Road location only. The restaurant has sourced fresh tilapia from Caudle's Catch and is serving tacos with home-made slaw and sauce.
Joey's Only Seafood, Kitchener
Crazy-busy can be the theme at Joey's when it comes to fish and chips off their regular menu. The wait can be as long as two hours so get there early – 11 a.m.early, according to the restaurant.
Manitou TakeOut, Kitchener
Owner Sherri Brezinski says the road-side take-away shop had already received a dozen take-away pre-orders by early last week. Regular menu is offered. Pre-orders get priority service. The wait time at dinner can be long, Brezinski says.
Marbles, Waterloo
Chef Nick Benninger is preparing a take on the filet-o-fish sandwich: battered cod, iceberg lettuce, tartar sauce, pickle and fresh roll. The restaurant will also serve salmon cakes with mustard aioli and green salad, as well as creamy fish and mussel chowder with a pastry top.
Stoyles, Cambridge (Galt)
No phone-ins please, says Stoyles. They will be busy; accordingly, they set up two lines, one for cash and one for debit. Wait times can be as long as 30 minutes for haddock, cod and halibut off their regular menu.
The Wooly Pub, Guelph
The regular menu applies and they will have lots of fish, according to the popular local-ingredient driven pub – that said, local bass is the attraction.
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