Coleman's Fish Market — Restaurant in Wheeling

As a relocated local, I understand how Valley Hoopies are addicted to this Fish Sandwich. It'snormally a fantastic sandwich. Most returnees to the valley haven't figured out that the sandwich you get in the regular line, is nothing like the sandwich you got when you were a kid. Years ago, the Regular Sandwich was Canadian Whiting. Today, who knows? It could be Talapia or the newest scam, Sway Fish, which is a vietnamise bottom cleaning cat fish or it could be some type of pollock. Either way, it's not what it used to be. I don;t remember there being a special line for a special upgraded fish sandwich back "in the day", but we do have the option now to avoid the long snaking line and go right to the counter to order a "special" fish sandwich. I enjoy the food, what I don't like is that it seems the workers are getting a little crabby! A few weeks ago as I stood in line, I was having a conversation with my brother, who returned from Afghanistan a week earlier and who just came to town from his home in north central ohio. As we were talking, we could hear the sounds of the crowd all tightly stuffed into the ordering que.People were ordering their fishes, having their own conversations, the workers behind the counter were jibbering and occasionally calling out a number. Well, the din was broken when at least two workers BELLOWED out "FIVE FOURTEEN" "FIVE FOURTEEN" ! They called out that number much much louder than any other number they called. It startled me, like it would startle a normal person had the workers yelled "FIRE! FIRE!" Turned out, it was my number. I didn't hear them call it out at the normal volume, neither did my brother, my brother in law or my nephew! I was immediately embarrased, thinking that I had missed the workers pleas for me to hurry up to the cash register and pay for my "fish" and they had to bellow at me because I might have been throwing off the pecarious balance of their nazi like ordering system. Quietly stand in line, place order, take pre receipt with your number, stand quietly, listen intently for your order number, do not make them repeat number! I am surprised they did not punish me by making me move to the end of the line and start over! I like Coleman's fish, but I will NEVER return, their sandwich is good, but not so good that I will be willing to stand in line and be YELLED at. I got my first sandwich there when I was six years old, I am now 52, Too bad for Colemans that this isn't the sixties anymore and I am not six anymore, these days, I don't have to tolerate rude people, nazi style waiting lines or being yelled at. I am DONE with stupid Wheeling Traditions like Colemans fish, DiCarlos Pizza and the obligatory visit to Jebbias Market for fruits that rot on the way...

Coleman's is a place that I go to Wheeling for. I grew up not far from there in Ohio and now live in Columbus, Ohio. I love the fish and the sides. I was a little taken back by the constantly rising cost of my meals there. They were a $1.38 when I first ate there in 1988 but are much higher now like everything else I guess. Still I enjoy the experience. I have learned to take my own bread, Italian thinly sliced because the white bread they serve is to oily by the time one's ready to set down and eat. I also bring my own tarter sauce and ketchup. Most times I get 2 large pieces of fish per sandwich and can make my wife a sandwich with half of one. She's not a big fish eater and it save's a couple bucks. As far as the " sometimes " crusty old women goes , it can get hectic when crowded and it's hard to hear so one must be load to be understood. Just pay attention and listen up and speak up and you'll do just fine. Next to a legion hall fish fry around Easter it is the best , a very tasty fish sandwich and festive atmosphere. Now...

Best fish sandwiches around though, if they are super busy make sure you request them to cook them well done. You'll get the maximum crunchiness of the batter without making fish tough or dry, though it takes a little more time. Makes sure you don't get an under cooked piece of fish. This doesn't happen often but has happened to me on occasion after I started getting them all done its all been golden. If you've never been go and order the fish sandwich get bread not a bun and put whatever you like on it. WARNING you may find that you approached this feasting endeavor with far less stomach than your taste buds would like. It's OK just take the 2nd or 3rd one ordered back home heat the fish up in the oven (not the microwave it gets edible when nuked) and you good for round two. Don't leave the sandwich in your car for any length of time you car won't start stinking like rotten fish for a while but it will make you car smell like Coleman's this making you want more. You have...