Bar-Bill (Clarence) - 4/3/20
So, if you have been keeping up every week, you have probably heard me going on about “fish and chips this” and “fish and chips that”. Mainly due to the lack of additional sides we have been experiencing. However, this week, I actually got a menu item that was labeled as such, given the current time being, we were slim with our pickings here, but boy I was actually really glad I made this choice in the end.
Price - $9.45
This is the cheapest option I have seen thus far by $3+ and yeah, you are not getting a crazy amount of food. But! It definitely justifies the price. If I was to choose a side of “overcharged” or “undercharged”, I would say under, as compared to some dishes in the past that I have felt were decently priced, but maybe slightly over priced. Part of the tradition of a fish fry I feel is how cheap they usually are. A+
Presentation
Much like Tully’s last week, the food all sort of blends together in a single monotone colour. However, that checkered paper underneath does wonders contrasting and making for a great photo. Definitely a picturesque fish and chips. And it came with a lemon this week!!
Taste
Fish
Rather than a giant filet, Bar-Bill does their fish in strips... or like Boujee Fish Sticks if you will. By far the crispiest and crunchiest fish thus far, but not so much that it is cutting the roof of your mouth, like a Round 3 bowl of Captain Crunch cereal. The battering on these were also by far the most seasoned, which is great because you usually only get one stand out flavour, not both. Either the fish is bland and the coating is delish or the outside taste like nothing and the inside is where it’s at! But this one did both. Plus, as a bonus, I got to eat these by hand and not dirty a utensil. Double bonus, they were not greasy or oily either meaning the stockpiles of paper towels are safe for another day.
Sides
The Tartar Sauce: Your typical run of the mill tartar. Get’s the job done!
The Fries: I am firm believer that waffle fries are the best incarnation of spud form hand cuisine, although curly may be a close runner up! My favourite part about this situation was the fact that these are the default option for this meal, which is cool, because I would have felt like I was cheating if I opted for anything other than the regular fries. And I can honestly say, despite only being about a degree above room temp, these were by far my favourite fries this year, and probably of all time right here. Just by looking at them you can tell you are in for some “seasoned goodness”. They delivered for sure! Nice and crisp, no grease, great seasoning. They were everything you could want them to be.
The Final Verdict - 7
Despite not actually being a traditional fish fry, I would rank this among my favourites for sure! That may not fit the criteria 100% but, there are no rules anymore. It is the Pre-Apocalypse baby, we do what we want... So anyway, I know Bar-Bill is known for their Wings and Beef on Weck, but I think I would opt for this with a side of wings over the sandwich on a night out for dinner. Definitely something I would recommend trying at least once.
