Fish Grill Lakewood — Restaurant in Howell Township

A Letdown at The Fish Grill of Lakewood

Having heard so much about The Fish Grill from my wife, who fondly remembers its Los Angeles locations, our expectations were tinged with nostalgia and high hopes. We aimed to be as fair as possible, trying to justify the underwhelming experience with potential reasons—was it an off night, or perhaps the post-Passover week was to blame? Yet, the restaurant was not crowded on a Sunday evening around 7, which dispelled those theories. It seems, regretfully, that this might just be the standard here. Seeing the other reviews doesn't seem to match what we experienced. If you aren't a local. Google reviews are the only way to see what's diners have experienced.

The Fish Grill of Lakewood, despite its charming lodge-like decor, aligns more with a fast-food model rather than the fine dining experience we anticipated based on its other locations. This disparity was particularly disappointing given the premium prices, which are expected with kosher food but come with higher expectations.

The logistical setup of the restaurant added to our frustrations. While the manager was attentive, explaining the somewhat confusing ordering process upon entry, the necessity for patrons to navigate stairs—without the option of an elevator—complicates the experience for elderly or disabled guests, despite the availability of handicapped parking and some ground-floor seating.

The food arrived suspiciously fast, hinting at possibly pre-cooked dishes, and did not live up to the hype. Mistakes in simple orders, such as the wrong tortillas for the fish tacos, and the lackluster quality of staples like fish and chips, left us unsatisfied. The fish and chips, in particular, were not the finger-licking, beer-battered style commonly served in England but rather two overly fried pieces of pollock that required cutting and dipping, which is a departure from the traditional presentation and flavor. Additionally, I tried the chowder, which, though not clam-based for kosher reasons, was unexpectedly orange rather than the traditional white and topped with fish that seemed to have overcooked in the hot broth. The soup itself was passable, but the fish made it less enjoyable.

Despite our experience, we plan to return next week ( we have to return ) to further investigate whether this was an anomaly or if it truly reflects the standard at this location. We'll ask around to see if other diners have had similar experiences, as it's hard to believe such a renowned chain could consistently miss the mark. Perhaps the recommendation for now would be to stick with just the soup or pasta, albeit without the added fish, though it seems ironic to suggest at a place celebrated for its fish dishes.

Given our experience, I feel it’s important to set proper expectations for future diners considering The Fish Grill. This location seems more suited for quick bites rather than special occasions or dining with clients. Its accessibility issues and fast-food style, despite higher-end pricing, suggest that diners should visit with caution, particularly if mobility is a concern.

If I give a review I just got...

The food is Amazing, but they are a bit cheap on the portions, for $14 I got a salmon sandwich while for $17 I could have gotten a salmon sandwich meal. Which includes a burger bun with salmon and a salad, with fries. And for the salmon Salad for $20 was delicious, and finally got a hot meal. All my previous fish orders were cold(Nasty). And it was a nice big piece of fish. Which they were a little bit cheap on the salad portion. But at least the food was great so something good I would say.

I do think if they would offer a bigger and nicer portion it would attract more people

Really tasty, good food. Nice cozy place, and very clean washrooms. Cozy chairs and couches to sit on and eat.. They do use paper and plastic vs cuttlery and dishes so I do feel cleaner when eating vs eating out of someone else's bowl.

Now I got some tacos and Cole slaw and a salad with chopped up salmon. Only thing I was surprised at that they gave me a cold fish. I like a warm fresh fish on my salad and not a cold cooked or fried salmon on a cold salad. But the salad was amazing so was the fish! Definitely recommend to anyone interested in a good solid meal... A+ solid location and very friendly staff! Thanks guys! Came in 9:35pm when they close at 10pm, very happy to have me come and didn't rush me out like most restaurants. Amazing store over all and to eat upstairs is really cool. Really...

A great place to stop by if you’re from the area or just passing by! Nice, spacious, & clean parking lot when you first enter. Take a nice little stroll from the parking lot and up the long ramp, to get into the restaurant. The Aesthethic is modern and trendy, so anyone can come here- young, older, men, & women will enjoy! The aroma is lovely when entering. Many options to Choose from whether you wanted your fish or chicken grilled or crispy- either way tasty and pretty healthy, well balanced meal you can find here. Staff is friendly and helpful. Lots of seating, even an outside upper patio. Many options for Drinks. Bathrooms are available and clean. You won’t regret stopping by...