Duckworth's Fish & Chips — Restaurant in Ramara Township

Breaks my heart to make this review, because we used to frequent Duckworth's in Scarborough and it was constantly good food - then we retired in Bobcaygeon. Today we had business to attend to in Orillia and for the last 4 days I looked forward to doing lunch at Duckworth's Orillia location. Unfortunately, it turned into a very unpleasant (to say the least) experience. We pulled into the parking lot at 11:45 AM, the 'open' sign was clearly light up. We parked near the entry door, which is about 4 or 5 parking spots (at that time empty) away from a big garbage bin dumpster at the other end of the parking lot. Exiting the car it hit us; overwhelming, horrible stench of rotten fish was in the air all over the parking spaces and the front of the restaurant, clearly and obviously emanating from the garbage bin. We walked nearly to the door when the smell of rotting fish became so overwhelming that we stopped and my wife, holding her nose exclaimed "no way" is she going in there! The stench was gagging strength! Maybe the wind was from the direction of the dumpster..... We made gestures, threw our arms up in disbelief, made faces at the windows, hoping that maybe they saw us from inside, we were driving a blue Dodge Caravan. Getting into the car we found the stench gagging us inside, pulled away and rolled the windows down. I could swear it was all over our cloths and our hair, disgusting, horrible experience. As I write this back at home, it is 5 PM and we still have not had any food. We showered but we still smell it (in our minds I'm sure, but nevertheless). This is something that did not have to happen, had the managers of the restaurant were more on the ball regarding garbage that is placed only about 40' away from the front entrance! This is not a location we will ever be able to eat at in...

It's a shame that you abanded us during the covid crisis while so many others stepped up to look after the public. Even now you serve with very limited hours to suit yourself and not the public. You have a great product and I really enjoy visiting but will not patronize your business until you open for inside service and have better hours. I hope others feel the same. I wish to offer an apology to the owners of Ducksworth Fish and Chips for my comments not knowing the circumstances around the reasons you were closed. In all fairness to me I phoned weekly to see if you were open and the recording I received was to the effect do to covid 19 and to prevent the spread you would remain closed . Had you have said due to illness I would have understood. That's what had me so upset. I am a front line worker and worked all through the pandemic and I feel everyone has an obligation to work when they can as long as they are safe. In your situation I fully understand and I give you my sincere apologies. You have the best fish and chips in Canada and I was worried you would never open again and that would have been a great loss. As far as you having trouble to get staff the Government has to stop paying people to stay at home when there is work available. This is ruining small business like yourself as well as driving up the inflation in our economy. Once again I'm sorry and look forward to patronizing your business in the...

We have tried take out at two other well know places they both brag about how good their fish and chips are Well we decided to give Duckworths a try from being at the other two with portion size ( one place i dont even think was halibut )we went with 2* 2pc unbelievable one two piece could of fed us both the fish portions were huge and the chips were plentiful the gravy was great the homemade tartar was awesome it was truly a top notch meal The order was placed online and was ready before the estimated time we rated the atmosphere as a 5 star as well ,the house was full and every patron seem to be enjoying themselves the people cooking and the waitress were all very polite This was just a top notch experience Duckworths will most definitely be having return visits from us Thank you Best...