I've been hearing about this place for years and finally got around to giving it a try. A friend of mine is from Scotland and he raves about it, so it must be good, right? Right. It really is. The cod is delicious and the breading is unique in my experience with fish and chips here in the US. I've had it once in the UK in Heathrow during a layover and it took me back there. They even have HP sauce for the full UK fish and chips experience. The pies are also very good and hearty. Perfectly spiced and baked. The meat and potato one is a little bland for my tastes but I suppose that is the point over and against the chicken curry one they have. The atmosphere is amazing and it is definitely a hit with the locals. The lunch rush starts a little after 12 and they just kept coming.
My only complaint - and what keeps this four stars instead of five - are the "chips." They are incredibly unspiced and well done. Almost over cooked. And it wasn't just mine. Everybody's in the restaurant were cooked like this. So at least there is consistency. I was able to salvage them with plenty of malted vinegar and salt, but they were largely unsatisfying. Which is a shame because I really like fries.
OK, I lied...one other complaint. The tarter sauce had way too much dill in it for my tastes. Needed more pickle, too. But maybe that's the difference in British vs. Southern preparation? I'm not sure that I would have called it tarter sauce if they hadn't. More of dill sauce, really. Good, just not what my tounge recognized as "tarter sauce."
Overall, if I lived in the area, I'd definitely be a regular. If you're looking for authentic fried fish from the UK, this is your spot. Come early, it...
Read moreNot gonna lie, did I decide to go here mainly because their name is pun-tastic? Absolutely. Was it worth the 5 minute walk from my Air Bnb? Again, absolutely. What can I say about this place? I have never eaten a piece of fried fish so quickly in my life. It was the main star of this show. So delicate and light. The batter was golden and crunchy. And, the best supporting actress goes to the new love of my life, which is the tarter sauce they serve it with. I have NEVER had tarter sauce this DELICIOUS. Forget the bland viscous mayo you typically think of when you hear the words "tarter sauce." This made in house tarter sauce is so delicious that I wanted to drink it. Yup. You read that correctly. Drink it. The chips were kind of an afterthought for me. They tasted crunchy and fresh, even after being the bed for the fried fish. I was impressed that they didn't become greasy and soggy. The chips tasted great being dipped in the tarter sauce. Give me a gallon of that stuff to go, please. The atmosphere was cozy and eclectic. Several of the tables clearly had locals relaxing and enjoying each other's company. There's a bar to the right of the entrance and a lovely patio area with picnic tables. The menu is graciously simple. The gal working at the food counter was lovely and made us feel welcome with friendly banter. The food was served to us quickly, and it was pipping hot wrapped thickly in butcher paper, which makes a great plate/tablecloth. If you're a fan of proper fish and chips, go to CODfather. You will...
Read moreThe worst fish and chips I ever had in my over 60 years experience. I don't understand the rave reviews other than people love large portions of greasy batter. After the soaked in grease inedible fluffy coating basically fell off the fish, what initially appeared to be a good size piece of fish turned out to be about 3 ounces of cod, for 12.50 plus tax. The fries were terrible too, not crispy and cold. The restaurant is dumpy with old furniture and run down all throughout. The outside looks like a warehouse that needs paint and some curb appeal. Food is delivered on a paper tray wrapped in a huge piece of freezer paper with cheap quality plastic utensils. A waste of gas and time driving there from Charleston county. Plus driving into the lot from the main road there are huge unavoidable ruts in the driveway of the Codfather that will bottom out your car! That is the fault of the restaurant. Don't waste your time and money and get much better fish and chips downtown Charleston with a better atmosphere! I had heard so much about this restaurant that I had to try it. Also, it is in a unsafe...
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