Tommy Ruff

It used to be the case that when heading to your local fish and shop, the only thing that wasn't fried on the menu was the lettuce and tomato in your burger with the lot.  With the introduction of the likes of Hunky Dory and Tank, fish and chip shops have been taken to a whole new level - offering a range of healthy, fresh and delicious seafood options.  Tommy Ruff is one such venue. With venues across Mordialloc, Windsor and Elsternwick, Tommy Ruff's menu consists of items such as seafood tacos, fresh oysters and mussel pots.

For those with the appetite, Tommy Ruff's famous Seafood Tower is hard to go past. However, on this occasion we stuck with the fish tacos and the grilled calamari.

Whilst the grilled calamari was clearly fresh and cooked well, it unfortunately came out cold. However, luckily the fish tacos delivered on the temperature, and were incredibly satisfying.

If you're in the area and in the mood for fish and chips,  then I would recommend giving Tommy Ruff a try.

Food: 3.5/5
Service: 4/5
Venue: 3.5/5
Total: 11/15
Verdict: Like - get around to trying at some point

Paper Fish

Owned by the crew behind the Stokehouse and Pontoon, and situated right next door, the view doesn't get much better then from this beachfront casual fish and chippery.  Having been on my To Do list for quite some time, Paper Fish offers all of the usual fish and chip culprits, as well as a few fancy extras (cucumber and mint salad anyone?).

The fish (Blue Grenadiar) and chips (Cajun spiced) themselves were incredibly delicious - the chips were well seasoned and the generous portion of fish was fresh and juicy.  The Fritto Misto was also a highlight - whilst deep fried prawn heads may not seem appealing to the fainthearted, these crunchy little morsels were incredibly delicious.

But then there were the tacos....ohhhh the dreaded tacos...how can you go so wrong with prawn and fish tacos? Well Paper Fish did.  They were so bad to the point that I took one bite and couldn't eat them, and for me not to finish my food is surely saying something. Both the fish and prawn tacos were dry, had no flavour (except for a burnt taste) and the protein had been cooked to smithereens.

Whilst there was the slightest language barrier with the staff, they were certainly still friendly and the food was quick and came out piping hot.

What a shame about the tacos though, otherwise this place would have been a real treat.

Food: 2.5/5
Venue: 4/5
Service: 3/5
Total: 9.5/15
Verdict: Get around to trying it at some point - but stay away from the tacos.

Tank Fish and Chips

The "healthy" fish and chip store concept has been around for a while - with the likes of Hunky Dory, Hooked and Saltwater Grill entering the scene, no longer are we stuck with just the good old potato cake and dim sim.  However, from all of the 'healthy' fish and chip stores that I have been to, Tank Fish and Chips has been far my favourite.

Why you ask? Well to start with, they offer up one of the best fish burgers I've had.  With its cheese, lettuce, lightly crumbed fish and lashings of sauce, this little beauty sandwiched in a fresh fluffy burger bun is fish burger heaven. The chips, however, while  okay, are not the best chips going around (a touch on the dry side).

Tank also offers the usual suspect of fish with chips, or fish with salad and rice.  However, distinguishing itself from the usual brown rice on offer, Tank's brown rice is deliciously seasoned.
The calamari is also a must - sold by the strip, it's deliciously seasoned and so tender you could cut it with a fork.

Located at both Emporium and Lygon Street, Tank Fish and Chips is definitely my recommendation if you have healthy fish and chips on the mind - especially seeing as they also serve wine!

Food: 4/5
Service: 3/5
Venue: 3/5
Total:10/15
Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon

149 Lygon Street, Carlton,

The New Fave dined courtesy of Tank Fish and Chips

The Village Fish Store

Every suburb needs a local Fish and Chip shop and, let's be honest, for the copious amounts of calories involved in an average serving, you want it to be a good one.

The Village Fish Store in Middle Park is a no frills type of place - resisting the trend of offering a healthier seafood menu (think Hunky Dory, Hooked), this place specialises in fried oily goodness.

For $12.90 you can get yourself a seafood basket - 2 fish bites, 2 calamari rings, prawn, scallop, chips and tartare.  Whilst the calamari is perhaps not the star of this venue, the Village Fish Store's fish is always moist and flaky, and the chips are crisp and well seasoned.  

The Village Fish Store does offer  healthy options - grilled fish and three types of salads on display - however, save the calorie counting for the likes of Hunky Dory and Hooked and opt for the greasier options here as that is absolutely what they do best.

Food: 3.5/5
Service: 3.5/5
Venue: 3/5
Total: 10/15
Verdict: like - get around to trying it at some point

Fishos Torquay

Fishos Torquay is the kind of fish and chip shop I get excited about.

Whilst technically not a fish and chip shop and more of a buzzing restaurant / bar - this hip little venue opposite the beach in Torquay has a fantastic outdoor area filled with wooden picnic tables, umbrellas and even a sandpit, all sitting atop a patch of fake grass.  With a view that sums up why people head to Torquay for the weekend, and a fresh and modern menu, we couldn't resist stopping here for a mid afternoon snack (well, meal) on our way back to Melbourne.

To eat I had the grilled flathead with a grain salad (and shared a side of hand cut chips).

There was an extremely generous amount of perfectly cooked flathead in my cute (and clever from the restaurant's perspective) brown paper box which sat on top of a flavoursome and filling grain salad (which had delectable pops of jalepeno's and corn throughout).  The three of us also shared a side of the hand cut chips (enough to feed a small army) which were perfectly crisp and deliciously seasoned.

If your in Torquay and looking for a healthier option to the usual fish and chips (although they have tempura fish too if you prefer it that way!), I would definitely recommend heading to Fishos.

Food: 4/5
Service: 3.5/5
Decor: 4.5/5
Total: 12/15
Verdict: Love - rush out and try it soon.