Archie's British Restaurant — Restaurant in Melbourne

Archie's Bar & Grill- Lake Washington- 5 Stars

Maybe it was the dream I had last night where I was, "Bond. James Bond.," or maybe it was the Jaguar Vanden Plas in British Racing Green that blew by me on the road, but whatever it was, I was hunkering for some good old British food. In other words, I wanted some Fish and Chips and I wanted them now.

Pulling into Archie's parking lot off of Lake Washington Road, I noticed the logo on the front door: A British Bulldog in a top hat emblazoned with a Union Jack. Wondering if the Dynamite Kid was to be found inside (and sending a silent R.I.P. to Davey Boy Smith), I eagerly entered the establishment. What I found was reminiscent of an old English Pub complete with a long wooden bar, wooden high back stools, and British Memorabilia and Flags adorning the walls. I immediately felt like I was in London, only two things assured me I wasn't: 1. The sun was shining brightly outside and 2. The glaring absence of a snooker table and the resplendent authentic pig bristle dartboard found in every English pub as it is written in the Magna Carta.

I guess the owners, Paul and Amanda, were able to skirt around that stipulation by setting up shoppe in a breakaway colony. As my server, Tara introduced herself and asked if I was ready to order, I couldn't help but be a little let down by her lack of a British accent, however; she more than made up for this by her knowledge of the menu and her competence in performing her duties. She was zeroed in on her customers and on point all day.

I placed an order for a Wexford Irish Cream Ale, Fish and Chips and a Scotch Egg. The ale was served at the perfect temperature, delightfully refreshing and the perfect pairing with the Fish and Chips. The Chips here are the big, thick "steak fries" and these were fried to a perfect golden brown with a crunchy exterior and a soft interior. The chef really nailed them.

The fish, albeit of the frozen variety, was surprisingly delicious. Some of the best I've ever had, fresh or frozen. I am assuming this was due to the way they were flawlessly battered and fried to exquisite golden brown. The inside was moist and flakey, as optimally cooked fish is to be cooked, regardless of preparation. The cole slaw, however, was a slight let down as it had adequate crunch, but lacked any and all flavor.

The proverbial cherry on top of all this fried, crunchy goodness, the Scotch Egg. If you don't know what this is, see the accompanying photo, it is not that easy to make as it is a hard-cooked egg wrapped in fresh sausage and then fried. This was, by far, the crème de la crème of my order. I can only imagine the chef approaching the preparation of this dish with the same droit du seigneur found in the Lords of feudal Europe. I say this as he totally nailed it. The egg was wrapped in the arms of some of the most delicious sausage I have ever had. It was savory, crispy, juicy and slightly sweet on the palate. Inside was egg heaven. The egg was perfectly done to a firm hardness, yet still oozed just a tiny bit of yolk (mix this with the sausage crumbs on your plate so you don't miss a drop of this delicious concoction of Scottish culinary genius). I cannot recommend this place enough.

The Big Boy says, "Do not pass up this hidden gem in Melbourne for excellent UK chow, just leave your darts at home as they don't have a board....

Archie's British Restaurant turned out to be a delightful surprise during our visit to town for the Kansas concert and there was also the Renaissance Festival in town. Our quest for authentic fish and chips led us to this quaint establishment, and we were not disappointed in the slightest.

Despite its relatively small size, Archie's was buzzing with activity, both inside and out. The fact that the outside seating was also full attested to its popularity among locals and visitors alike. The cozy atmosphere added to the charm, creating a lively and welcoming environment.

Our experience wasn't dampened by the dedicated server who, despite being the sole staff member on duty (with two others calling in), was tirelessly working to ensure everyone felt attended to. Their hard work and commitment to customer satisfaction were truly commendable.

We had the amazing Banger Bites for an appetizer and they were so very good! Now, onto the star of the show – the fish and chips. Archie's delivered on the promise of authenticity, serving up a dish that transported us straight to the British Isles. They even give you the choice of haddock or cod. The crispy batter, perfectly cooked fish, and golden fries were a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality and flavor.

Leaving Archie's, we were not only pleased with our meal but also eager to return for more. The genuine atmosphere, coupled with the dedication of the lone server, made for an unforgettable dining experience. Without a doubt, we would recommend Archie's British Restaurant to fellow food enthusiasts seeking a taste of authentic fish and chips. It's a hidden gem that deserves recognition, and we'll be sure to return for another satisfying...

Very good fish and chips (fries) English style. I recommend this place.

Review of a place I used to love, the atmosphere was great the service even better, however I believe they may be outgrowing themselves, the product and service are very good, however it seems the problem lies in the ownership, maybe they are not in love with the business as they used to be or don't care enough to expand or provide the help needed. It seems the staff is overworked, which is affecting the quality of the food.

Maybe it's financial , whatever it is

I was requesting a takeout of their most popular food, fish and chips, both Cod and Haddock, along with the "Sheppards pie" actually a "cottage pie" as it is made with ground beef instead of lamb.

It was a Friday around 5 pm. and fairly busy but not swamped.

It took about an hour to get my order.

The fish was very greasy, and the fries were undercooked, some soggy and some partially raw probably caused by the amount of product put in the fryer at the same time to push out orders over crowding the fryers. Causing the oil temperature to lower giving soggy and oil logged food. It's a shame in order to supply a larger crowd. The staff needs help, more space, better equipment, and more help.

From this point on, if nothing changes, it's best not to go on busy times. Slow times should give you the best results.

The place is small and can only hold about less than 40 maximum. However, any crowd over 20 or even 15 will (eaters) will lower the quality of food simply because of the lack of kitchen space and fryer capacity.

It seems this once cherished place if not soon changed will soon be unable to provide the quality...