Mac's Fish / Chips / Strips — Restaurant in Minneapolis

After growing up on the shore of New England, I have a very high standard for my fried seafood. The Midwest experience has always had the potential to be even better with the contribution of readily available walleye. Unfortunately, most restaurants try to "upscale" the experience with spices and/or local craft beer added to their batter. Inevitably, this usually means that it is served with too much much of that breading, completely obliterating the contribution of the flavourful walleye.

Mac's is the only place that does it perfectly. Their batter is very tasty but doesn't overwhelm. The same applies to their housemade malt vinegar. You are only cheating yourself if you don't add a few splashes of their (rosemary?) malt vinegar. Also, if you have lived around walleye and want to change things up, you can actually choose between 3 or 4 different fish options. The halibut is just slightly more expensive than the walleye and is another great tasting option.

But this place doesn't just end with their signature fish and chips. I usually get a single piece of fish and a small order of fried clam strips. Each is on the large side, so I still can't finish it all, but I also can't bring myself to choose just the fish or just the clams. My only wish is that they offered the choice of belly-on clams or strips or a mixed batch. Then I could close my eyes and think back to the cooler end of season days on the beaches of Rhode Island, cuddling with the girl that you met just that summer.

And finally, get some salt water taffy! Sometimes they are out or they may be hidden behind the counter, so ask for them even if you won't see them. I forget the exact price, but they are well worth it. You end up with a good sized bag of them, so they are a great treat even for...

Ordered from google maps and it was ready in under the 10 minutes it took to get there. The cod taco, halibut taco, and shrimp taco total was under 20 before tax or tip. Had it back at the hotel in 10 and it was warm and delicious.

I think it was fish market fish, hand breaded and fried, not farm raised was my impression from the flavor profile. I’m not a walleye fan or I’d have tried that. I might get three cod next time due to the lower cost or two shrimp because of the texture profile and flavor. There was also a mango or something in the taco slaw/dressing, it was amazing. If you can get extra, which I did not know to ask for, I suggest it. Most people could probably get away with two tacos, and slight or smaller folks could probably get away with one. Children under 12 if adventurous enough wouldn’t finish one, well not the kids I know at least, and would probably want the cheese curds.

For 7pm it had space to eat in, only two of the 6(?) tables full, though they’re only 4 person tables, and “quick lunch” style from the 90’s.

Bon Appetite...

We had a random desire for fish and chips last Monday night, so we decided to give Mac's a shot. I read good things about this place on Reddit and had driven by it a few times, so I had been wanting to try it for a little while.

Got the walleye, halibut, fries, and cheese curds. We don't eat fried food all that much, so eating all of this definitely made us feel pretty greasy and gross, but it tasted great. We both loved the walleye and didn't like the halibut much. I also am not sure if they actually gave us halibut or if it was cod, but it was average. The cheese curds were good and the employees were kind.

The lemon slices were cartoonishly small... couldn't squeeze a thing out of those. The Cole slaw also tasted like it had been sitting around for a while.

Unfortunately the place was pretty empty, so I am hoping it was just an off night for them. If you like fish and chips, please give these guys some business! It was pretty solid all around. Looking to try the...