The City Fish — Restaurant in San Jose

I always want to entitle this small restaurant, 'Fish City.' Wellll, there's actually alot you can get here. It's generally never crowded, even though the number of tables, you could count on both hands. If you want a taste of Santa Cruze, this is the place to come. And, I should know, there was a time - not long ago - I use to cross over the 'Summit,' every week, for nearly a year and a half, just to have dinner on the wharf at one of my favorite eating places - 'The Mira Mar,' since closed down (another one of the seemingly countless victims of what will someday probably be called, 'The Great Pandemic,' of the first quarter of the 21st. Century). I've been to 'The City Fish,' countless times, (maybe also, to keep me in touch, as a distant reminder of my ventures to SantaCruz), and, yet . . why I've waited this long to do a review, absolutely behooves me to no end. I often drop by here on my way to Eastridge, to grab a quick bite. Partly also, because it is very economical. I usually get the one piece fish dinner, and, a glass of water. It's always $10. How can you beat that price, for what includes a full plate of Alaskan Pollock, accompanied by french fries, and, enough cole slaw, to put at least some roughage in the old tummy. It always seems like an ample meal, and, I never seem to walk away hungrey. However, I did bend the regimen a little the last time I went, and added the scallops. As you know, the scallops always have that distinct texture and taste. They're really awesomely delicious, in my opinion . . it puts me - visionly - right there in Santa Cruz. And that, of course, only happens when they're fresh. I've had scallops at some places - I won't mention any names here, of course, but that taste sooo mushy, they had to have come from the same place they found a woolly mammoth, 4½ million years ago - Seriously! But, you won't get that here at The City Fish. Not only does everything taste freshly caught, but, the service is top-notch - always expedient, and, friendly. The place is always very clean, and, the ambience enhanced by a couple of flatscreens, to keep you up on how the games are going. The walls are nicely decorated with ocean-going decor, and, they even have a restroom, that is a bit of a challenge to find, but like the nose on your face, is closer by than you think. The City Fish - located on the corner of 2nd & Santa Clara (or, more specifically 30 E. Santa Clara St.) - what you could call, the hub of San Jose activity. The restaurant opens daily at 11 am. and, closes at 9, a full 7 days a week. City Fish - surely a taste...

With its sidewalk sign declaring "The best fish and chips in town", there should be no surprise that I have to check this joint out if you have read my other reviews. By the same token, you can feel my disappointment when I saw the thick batter on fish pieces.

The look is not the only disappointment. The fish tastes oily and slightly soggy due to over battering. The fries also taste dull. On the positive side, the portions are generous, very generous. That is about the only positive, unfortunately.

The City Fish is a small, low-key, and inexpensive eatery in busy downtown, with dozens of restaurants within walking distance, two of them right next door. To have survived for decades, they must have some special appeals. They have two big TVs showing sports programs. Other than that, decoration is minimal. You go to the counter to order, then sit down for the food if you eat in. They do serve other fried dishes, some may be better than their fish and chips. Unfortunate for me and my daughter, we went for our craving of which its signage takes pride.

And when the dish of their pride does not deliver, that...

My wife and I visited City Fish on Sunday sept. 7th. As a foodie I always check menus and reviews before making a decision on where to dine. It's a little "hole in the wall" local place with 9 tables and nothing fancy. And I mean nothing fancy. You order at a counter and they bring your food when it's ready. We're land locked in Colorado, so anytime we are near an ocean we look for fresh seafood, which was the case here. I've had some great meals at little places like this but this night that was not one of those nights. I asked if the grilled snapper was fresh and I was told yes. However, when it came out it was really easy to see and taste that it had been frozen. Remember I am a foodie with 20+ years in the steak and seafood business. Two small, thin filets that were NOT snapper. And it wasn't grilled. It was covered with seasoning to hide the old, freezer taste and it was baked and way overcooked. My wife's fish sandwich had such a small amount of fish on it, she didn't finish it because of all the bread. I didn't finish mine either. So if you are looking for "good" fresh seafood, this is NOT the...