JJ Fish and Chicken — Restaurant in Stockton

Let's start at the beginning. I went to JJ's, looking forward to everything they offer, as the menu variety looks great. The server was friendly enough, and we ordered a bit over $100 worth of jumbo shrimp, scallops, catfish, sole, chicken tenders, fries, hushpuppies, mac and cheese, and cans of soda.

After paying for our meal, the fruitless search for a table in the nearly empty dining area began. Plenty of tables were available; however, they all needed to be cleaned. Every single table looked sticky, with crumbs of food covering them. Perfect for a cockroach, but pretty gross otherwise.

Next came the adventure of finding the bathroom. Hint, it's behind the sticky and stained trashed bins, which you have to move to access the hallway the bathroom is down. The bathroom has no toilet paper or seat covers and hasn't been cleaned all day or two. After using the restroom, you get the opportunity to take the piece of well-handled PVC containing the key and covered in everything infesting the hands of every other person who has ever used that restroom back to the front counter. That is after you move the trashcans back into place, of course.

At last, the moment has arrived, and they call our number. The food is hot, and the hush puppies and french fries are good. Also, the Tatar sauce and JJ's special sauce are good. The end. Unfortunately, that's when the ground gave way, and things went downhill.

Scallops: Chewy! Not necessarily majorly overcooked (though still overcooked), but still chewy. Also, they varied greatly in size from one person's order to the next. If scallops are graded on quality in addition to size, JJ was offered the lowest grade possible by their distributor and then asked if they had anything cheaper.

Jumbo Shrimp: Overcooked!

Catfish: Average at best. No real seasoning in the cornmeal breading, and borderline overcooked.

Chicken Tenders: Overcooked, dry, and awful! The chicken may be helped if it were brined or marinated before cooking. Maybe. Probably not.

Sole: I wonder if we even got it. Nothing looked like a filet of sole. If so, refer to catfish.

Mac and Cheese: This should more accurately be named Mussy and bland. How anyone could develop this recipe, taste it and say to themselves, "Nailed it!" I have no idea. The pasta is overcooked (shocker!) and completely devoid of flavor, including cheese or salt. Probably the worst mac and cheese I've ever thrown away.

Lastly, the Diet Pepsi had expired six months ago and tasted like it.

This place is terrible! I wouldn't feed this to my dogs. The trash can is...

A great go to when I am experiencing a fiending for fried catfish filets don't want to commit to the 25 min prep/cook but am willing to drive 40 miles round trip 🤤. A large order is reasonably priced and yields four generous cuts of fillet that are seasoned with flavorful consistency. The order also comes with tasty french fries of an adequate portion and two pieces of bread pretending to be wheat maybe. I think.

I've tried the gumbo twice which was hit and miss. First time I bought a small size and it fulfilled my taste for a bowl until the holidays roll around and I visit with family. The gumbo was flavorful, had all the usual participants, chicken, crab, links, bay leaves and paired nicely wth the cup of rice. Greed got the best of me and the next weekend I ordered a medium bowl which I'd planned to eat for two days however it was a tad salty for my liking and therefore it went out on a date with Tracy Disposal the following week.

In all fairness I cannot add a comment on the cole slaw because I didn't even taste the dressing. It was not visibly appealing in my opinion as I am not accoustomed to soupy slaw and therefore it was a plus one on the Tracy Disposal date.

I also tried the German Chocolate cake which had good flavor and it met my minimum standard on moistness and freshness.

I will return to try other items on the menu such as the buffalo fish and chicken gizzards (fond childhood memories). Stop thru and see for yourself and be sure to speak if you see me. I will be in a booth sipping a delicious cup of Lemonade waiting for my order, which btw the wait time is reasonable if you order upon arrival.

Oh and double check your order before you leave because last time I did not get my rice and was too inpatient to cook a pot when I arrived home. Wondering if that would have offset the salty...

1st and last time spending money here. I spent 84.00 and was totally disappointed now I was pre warned that it was no good when they first opened. So tonight, I'm craving fish pregnant vibes. I order two 3-way combos' catfish jumbo shrimp and oysters, double up on jumbo shrimp and got chicken strips and then a large order of red snapper all with fries. some guy came back while i was waiting that spoke highly of them, he ate there at least twice a week. He had a look of disappointment on his face as he waited to bring his food back. I asked the guy did you double check my order he's like yes remind you I gave them a tip in their empty jar. I drive back across town to open the containers to soggy fries' shrimp were half crispy half soggy on one side red snapper had a real strong fishy taste and on my catfish 3-way combo he gave me 2cubes of catfish in corn meal then another type of fish cooked in flour whattttttttt. I'm totally disappointed and can't believe your affiliated with the JJs off of third or the one off of seminary. I called and asked them what happened is the cook having a bad night the guy just said you can bring it back and well fix it no ill take that lost and will never go again. Big disappointment:( 12/10/22 location Stockton California...