Cramped fish and chips place that offers a wide variety of soul food as well.
Reviewer: Jason
Total Reviews: 998
Reviewed: 7/9/2004
Rating: 9
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Jonathans Fish and Chips is another great restaurant found by accident. Terry and I had been finishing up our slices next door at the pizza place. We were still a little hungry so we decided to give Jonathans Fish and Chips a try. We're happy we did.
The fish and chips served here is not the traditional english style batter but more of a southern style cooking. The batter is a mixture of pepper, salt, garlic salt, corn meal, and some other secret ingrediants. The batter is cruchy and does not retain the oil like the english batter.
We shared an order of red snapper with 3 prawns. Texture of the fish was flakey and not oily at all. Very different taste than the english style...I'm lovin it. Prawns were a nice size and the southern batter left me wanting to order more.
My only complaint is...which is minor, if you plan on eating there, you might want to bring an extra shirt as you will smell like fish and chips when you leave. Other than that, I cant wait to go back. If you're in Menlo Park, stop by and give Jonathans Fish and Chips a try. A solid 9 indeed.
RETURN VISIT for Jason!7/6/2005 - 9.5 Rating: Ive lost count how many times Ive been to Jonathans. That just tells you how great it is. I think Ive tried just about everything on the menu from the gumbo to the chicken wings. I think the only thing remaining is the crab bucket :)
So heres the deal, Ive been to quite a few fish and chips places in the bay area and Jonathans makes my Top 3 list. As of July 05, here's my listings
1. Rose and Crown Pub 2. Cook's Seafood 3. Jonathans Fish and Chips
Something we've learned on our many trips, call in the order before visiting so it will be ready when you arrive.
RETURN VISIT for Jason!10/4/2006 - 9.5 Rating: I keep forgetting how incredible this place is. I am high off their food right now. I can't think of any place I have ever been to that serves a better style of southern fish and chips.
My new fish and chips listing as of 10/2006
1. Cook's Seafood 2. Jonathans Fish and Chips 3. Rose and Crown Pub
Reviewer: Terry
Total Reviews: 730
Reviewed: 7/9/2004
Rating: 9
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Jonathans was quite a find. We had no previous expectations about this place, no recommendations, etc. We just dropped in.
The price is about inline with fish & chips places. You need to spend over $8 to get a meal. In our case Jason and I split an order of 2piece red snapper with 3 prawns. (we did this because we each just had a slice of pizza). Believe me, this would normally be enough for 1 person.
Anyway, our first impression of the place was that it was quite cramped. It has a good number of tables/chairs but they are crowded close to each other. It seems like many of the customers get their food to go and it definitely is BUSY.
The food arrives somewhat quickly and it looks VERY tasty. Compared to most fish n chips places, its not that greasy. Its a different recipe than the standard. One I am happy to report is BETTER. The prawns were out of this world. Next time I will order the 6 prawns instead of just 3. Haha. They were large and cooked to perfection covered with their standard fish n chips batter (though batter isn't hte right word, its more of a cornmealish mix).
The fish was soft and crumbled in your hands. It tasted very moist and fresh. The fish was also covered in their "batter".
Our 2 piece combo came with French fries. They were thin cut and a bit on the greasy side (which means I downed them voraciously). With ketchup or their tartar sauce (which is like a tartar/mayo mixture) they are very delicious.
I need to go back here. Like next week. . . .
RETURN VISIT for Terry!8/24/2004 - 9 Rating: I have since gone here another 3 times and every time I go I find myself walking away stuffed and completely satisfied. The quality of the employees is as top-notch as the food. My usual order is the 2 fish meal with the 6 prawns. Amazing stuff those prawns. The taste here is most akin to what you would get at Bubba Gumps restaurant Bucket of Boat Trash dish. GREAT STUFF.
RETURN VISIT for Terry!6/2/2005 - 9.5 Rating: You know how when you have a memory of something beautiful or nice, you just build it up in your mind? And then if you have the chance to experience it again it can never live up to your expectations?
Well that just does not apply to Jonathans. I had some great memories of the fish and chips and shrimp at Jonathans. Yet when I returned the other day, I was completely blown away. The shrimp was succulent and non-greasy, the fish was not as good as the shrimp, but still the best I have had. The fries were fabulous. None of this was that greasy and was totally delicious. It seriously was BETTER than I remembered it being. And I cannot wait to go back again soon. Now they are opening up a location in Hayward. Gooooooooo. May Jonathans inherit the earth.
Again, this place is highly recommended by Terry and Jason. I came with the high hope and left with somehow a bit disappointed. The fish is ................... different. Its not your regular deep fried fish and chips, rather, its more like shake and bake. Not greasy at all, but thats about it. I ordered 2 piece red snapper w 3 prawns and a 16oz gumbo - looks like the signature item here. The damage - $21 plus change. You be the judge on that. The fish and prawn are good, but not excellent even they are not greasy. Gumbo is too salty. I cant really finish it after the fish and chips so I brought the gumbo back to the office. 2 hours later, I had to put another cup of hot water to dilute the saltiness. Not sure if this is part of your standard issue of southern style cooking by dumping salt to the gumbo.
“All I ever get at Johathan's is the Catfish. For me, all other restaurant catfish is rated by comparison with Jonathan's. I've had catfish at a small church in East Palo Alto that might be a little better, but no restaurant beats Johathan's cat”
8/6/2007 12:03:55 PM
dbol ate...
Snapper and Prawns combo
“Hot, fresh and tasty. Certainly not English-style fish, but some of the best fish and chips I've had in my life.”
