[Cliff Fr]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

In the Villages, eh. Everyone gets their frozen breaded fish and french fries from Sysco, it's all pretty much the same.

Fish Camp at Lake Eustis is excellent though. I had their fried shrimp when I went a month ago. The breading was delicate, not too thick, the shrimp itself had that awesome momentary crunch followed by your teeth sinking into the flesh almost like butter. It came with a really delicious kale salad with a ceasar dressing they make from scratch (yes, with egg and anchovy). Reasonable prices, and they get all their fresh-water fish locally, some of them right off the boat (they have their own dock).

I hear from someone with 1st person knowledge that their kitchen is filthy.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by bonbonn

I like fish camp just a bit far to drive

I'm active in a group that meets in Tavares once a month at 6:00pm, so I have to pass the restaurant anyway right around suppertime. I definitely plan on going again. But this time I'll bring a thermal bag with ice packs, and get their crab-stuffed flounder. It's too big to eat in one sitting and my meeting is a couple hours long. So I'd need to keep the leftovers cold while I'm at the meeting.

CRAB-STUFFED FLOUNDER 28.99
1/2 lb oven-roasted flounder filet layered with a generous portion of our
succulent jumbo lump crab stuffing. Served over a bed of jasmine rice and
topped with a savory lemon caper sauce.

I'm also planning on trying the creme brulee. It's been years since I've enjoyed it.

[GymJim]

I love these, "Who has the best ??? in The Villages" teasers. Of course the responses depend on opinions based on so many variables that there can never be one true winner. For example: what day of the week was it; how busy was the restaurant; how attentive was your server; who was working in the kitchen; when was the oil in the fryer last changed; where do you come from; what are you used to; how hungry were you? Just to name a few. You get where I'm coming from.
With regard to the Fish and Chips question, I will provide my "opinion", but I make no claim that my opinion will be anything more than that - just an opinion.
My go-to order in restaurants in and around The Villages has been either fish and chips or pizza. I do this because I am conducting my own, who has the best fish and chips and/or pizza survey. As a result my sample size is considerable.
Context: I spent several decades living and working in Europe with three of those years being in the UK. While there, I had the privilege of eating fish and chips in a "Chippy" in Scotland that has actually been named the winner of the "Best Fish and Chips in Britain" contest. So, my tastes are generally defined by what I consider to be closest to the way those "dishes" are served over there. Since both come from Europe, I think this is a fair comparison.
A bit off topic: To digress for a second, with regard to pizza, for my taste the "best pizza" can only come from a 800-900 degree pizza oven where there is wood actually burning inside to provide the heat and woody taste. Sorry Pieesanos or Sammys or Stavros. No wood fired oven, can't be the best - not even close!
Back to fish and chips: In my 12 years of living in The Villages, the best Fish and Chips (to me) was ONE TIME (the first time) I had it at Miller's Ale House. I say "one time" because the other time I had it there, it was not even close. Wasn't even the same fish. Either something was terribly wrong the second (bad) time or the first time was a "one hit wonder." I'll give them the benefit of doubt and say the second time was an anomaly.
I have also had fish and chips at most of the "country club" restaurants. None of them have been consistent. Glenview has been consistently good and Bonifay has been consistently not-so-good. Haven't tried Lopez or Palmer, but their food (in general) has been consistently very good. Havana does a good job with it, but none of these were anywhere near as good as that first time at Miller's Ale House.
Winner: So, Miller's Ale House comes in first place in my survey and second place goes to - drum roll please...Culver's! Yes Culver's. Their "North Atlantic Cod Dinner" is far and away better than any fish and chips I've had at any of the country clubs in The Villages - or even in any other restaurant in, and around, The Villages except that "one time" at Miller's Ale House.

[Risuli]

Obviously my opinion: We like the fish and chips at Glenview CC on Friday (BOGO 1/2 off). Their "chips" are seasoned potato wedges thou... Otherwise, as previously mentioned, Culvers has excellent fish which are well batter Cod fillets, crinkle cut french fries, coleslaw for around $14.00. Miller's Ale house wasn't bad for a sports type bar.

[Laurawilcox]

Just looked it up. The Clermont Fish House. It looks great, thank you!

[BobThay]

Originally Posted by Howdy

Where can I find the best Fish & Chips in The Villages with real French Fries

I agree Culvers has good fried Cod, how ever the fries are not French fries or British chips.
Cody's has good fried Haddock and again good fried Potatoes, not French fries or British chips, more like Steak fries however they are good.
O' Shucks is always good, however again only good fried Potatoes, not French Fries or Chips.
Most Brits eat their Fish and Chips (cooked in Lard) with Mushy Peas and or Curry sauce, served with a giant Pickle (A wally) and Malt Vinegar.
BTW, The national dish of Great Britain is "Chicken Tikka Masala " ,not Fish and Chips or Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding !!

[lawgolfer]

Originally Posted by Howdy

Where can I find the best Fish & Chips in The Villages with real French Fries

Most restaurants in or around The Villages serve Haddock. While acceptable, the customary fish has been cod. For those who have not had cod in fish and chips, it is far superior to haddock. Unfortunately, cod was overfished and the limits placed by various governments on the catch has caused an increase in the price of cod and a subsequent decline in its being served in restaurants.

On Fridays only, Cane Garden serves cod. On the other days, it is haddock. The potatoes served are french fries and not the classic English "chips", which are, usually, large and soft. I prefer french fries, of which Cane does a good job.

Cane coats the cod in batter and not breading. Again, the use of batter is traditional. Sometimes Cane gets the batter a little thick.

The supply of cod at Cane Gardens on Friday is limited. You'll be wise to go early. I expect that, next Friday, Cane will have several new customers who have read this post.

I almost forgot, the fish and chips are served with coleslaw. No mushy peas (which really aren't as bad as many people believe).

[Retoline]

Orange Blossom Country Club.

Originally Posted by Howdy

Where can I find the best Fish & Chips in The Villages with real French Fries

[Howdy]

Originally Posted by GymJim

I love these, "Who has the best ??? in The Villages" teasers. Of course the responses depend on opinions based on so many variables that there can never be one true winner. For example: what day of the week was it; how busy was the restaurant; how attentive was your server; who was working in the kitchen; when was the oil in the fryer last changed; where do you come from; what are you used to; how hungry were you? Just to name a few. You get where I'm coming from.
With regard to the Fish and Chips question, I will provide my "opinion", but I make no claim that my opinion will be anything more than that - just an opinion.
My go-to order in restaurants in and around The Villages has been either fish and chips or pizza. I do this because I am conducting my own, who has the best fish and chips and/or pizza survey. As a result my sample size is considerable.
Context: I spent several decades living and working in Europe with three of those years being in the UK. While there, I had the privilege of eating fish and chips in a "Chippy" in Scotland that has actually been named the winner of the "Best Fish and Chips in Britain" contest. So, my tastes are generally defined by what I consider to be closest to the way those "dishes" are served over there. Since both come from Europe, I think this is a fair comparison.
A bit off topic: To digress for a second, with regard to pizza, for my taste the "best pizza" can only come from a 800-900 degree pizza oven where there is wood actually burning inside to provide the heat and woody taste. Sorry Pieesanos or Sammys or Stavros. No wood fired oven, can't be the best - not even close!
Back to fish and chips: In my 12 years of living in The Villages, the best Fish and Chips (to me) was ONE TIME (the first time) I had it at Miller's Ale House. I say "one time" because the other time I had it there, it was not even close. Wasn't even the same fish. Either something was terribly wrong the second (bad) time or the first time was a "one hit wonder." I'll give them the benefit of doubt and say the second time was an anomaly.
I have also had fish and chips at most of the "country club" restaurants. None of them have been consistent. Glenview has been consistently good and Bonifay has been consistently not-so-good. Haven't tried Lopez or Palmer, but their food (in general) has been consistently very good. Havana does a good job with it, but none of these were anywhere near as good as that first time at Miller's Ale House.
Winner: So, Miller's Ale House comes in first place in my survey and second place goes to - drum roll please...Culver's! Yes Culver's. Their "North Atlantic Cod Dinner" is far and away better than any fish and chips I've had at any of the country clubs in The Villages - or even in any other restaurant in, and around, The Villages except that "one time" at Miller's Ale House.

Frozen French Fries ruin the dinner 100% of the time. Havana has real ( sort of ) not frozen potatoes ( Fries ).

[RUCdaze]

I can't believe you folks don't know about O Shucks. It's by far the best fish and chips in central Florida. They have a special every Friday.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by kingofbeer

Place looks grubby and dirty to me. I won't go there.

Some people have no sense of adventure! More for me!

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by RUCdaze

I can't believe you folks don't know about O Shucks. It's by far the best fish and chips in central Florida. They have a special every Friday.

HEY! Shush! It's supposed to be our secret! 🤫🤫🤫

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

I
On the plus side the fish (Haddock) was so big it hung over both sides of the plate. It was a big plate, and it came piping hot. The "chips" though were like none I had ever seen: like little bricks maybe 1.5 inches long and a bit on the soggy side, and the entire dish was somewhat lacking in seasoning. Price was good, as I recall about 18 pounds per plate.
.

Originally Posted by Rocksnap

No one goes to England for their culinary delights. As they don’t have any.

Originally Posted by MandoMan

That’s the way REAL British fish and chips should be. That’s what they mean by “chips.” They are NOT French fries. Any place that serves French fries and calls them “chips” is NOT the real thing. The fish portion should be huge like that and about an inch thick. COD is a great fish for fish and chips. £18 was wildly expensive, but you ate in your hotel restaurant. You lucked out and got something good. When I’d buy fish and chips from the local “chippie” run by Pakistanis when I studied at Oxford forty-four years ago, I

[QUOTE=BobThay;2450319]
Most Brits eat their Fish and Chips (cooked in Lard) with Mushy Peas and or Curry sauce, served with a giant Pickle (A wally) and Malt Vinegar.
/QUOTE]

I'm not sure where in London some of the posters are eating Fish & Chips, but ...

This was a couple of years ago, at Poppies in London. Poppies is one of the oldest traditional Chippies in England and generally rated #1 in London for Fish & Chips.

You get Haddock or Cod, not YOUR choice. It is not served with "mashed peas" and it's served with Tartar Sauce and Ketchup, not "curry sauce" ... & traditional french fries.

[Kittycat2]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Interesting...we just got back about ten days ago from some time in Europe. The hotel we were staying at in London (Tower Hotel) had "The Great British Fish and Chips" advertised on the menu of their main restaurant, so we both decided to try it. I mean, who can turn down the chance to try something world-famous in it's place of origin? On the plus side the fish (Haddock) was so big it hung over both sides of the plate. It was a big plate, and it came piping hot. The "chips" though were like none I had ever seen: like little bricks maybe 1.5 inches long and a bit on the soggy side, and the entire dish was somewhat lacking in seasoning. Price was good, as I recall about 18 pounds per plate.

It was good. But great? Well...

My British connection says the truly authentic are purchased from a street vendor.

[Laurawilcox]

Following the suggestion here this morning, we went to Claremont Fish House and loved it. Prefer the Cod to Haddock. Did eat the mushy peas, they were okay but enjoyed the corn fritters and the overall atmosphere. A great find -thank you for suggesting it. It will be a go to!