Smarts Fish Bar — Restaurant in Gosport

Just ordered and taken home 2 Reg cods, 6 chicken nuggets and a large portion of chips for £21.15 after standing in the high street and seeing the 2 chippys open. After looking at reviews I chose this shop based on the slightly higher reviews. I didn’t wait too long for the food and the service was ok. However I was handed 4 boxes without a bag. Little did I know all the food was swimming in grease in the boxes which saturated my daughter’s trousers on the way home. I’ve had to fairy liquid the two giant grease circles on each leg where the grease has run out the boxes on to her lap. Hoping that being quick and putting them in the wash will save them. The cod was lovely and cooked well but the batter was thick, the most greasy and soggy batter I’ve ever had (see the below photo of a complete box full of the batter off the 2 cod’s). Completely inedible- the chips were mediocre at best- very soggy, wafer thin and just not particularly enjoyable the chicken nuggets were reconstituted chicken bodies. Not breast chunks or like anything we’ve had from other shops. Completely disappointing and totally not worth the drive or money. Such a shame. Sadly I will not visit this place again and anyone wondering which shop to visit. Honestly I wouldn’t know as not tried Karen’s but will most definitely try them next time and hope the experience will be...

It's probably alright if you eat on the spot, but I had just a 10 minute drive home and the cod and chips had gone soft and soggy, although the fish itself was OK. Scampi was more like a white fish croquette with a little bit of scampi in it - not wholetail, which isn't acceptable if you call it "scampi" and charge £9! Calamari was nothing special - just bog standard processed, frozen rings. The owners from Madeira would never eat squid like that I bet! You're literally on the seafront so why not do it properly? It's not like squid is rare or expensive - I want tentacles LOL! A wedge of lemon wouldn't go amiss with everything either, for the cost. Pricey because of the location. Stick to the fish and chips and eat immediately is my...

Just cannot rate this place highly enough! The staff are awesome for their friendly service and banter, they always fit us in in the restaurant at the back, even if we are a few minutes late, and never rush us out. The good is just SPOT ON - fresh, crispy batter; moist, flavoursome fish; large, crispy but soft chips.... We come here a few times a month, either for a summer evening take out or a winter evening eat in. The portion sizes are MEGA, so we find that for a take out, we only need two small fish and a regular chips, for two adults, but we are not greedy eaters...... Really can't say enough how you should just give these guys a go, they are just wonderful, warm, happy people serving awesome, fab food. What more...