Reviews of McCowan Fish & Chips (Fish Shop)

CL Seafood Boil

The best fish n chips in Scarborough hands down. Extremely fresh fish cut in house. Perfect crisp home style fries. I can't get enough of this place. A must try!

THE EPIC LIFE

I’m suspecting new ownership be a the food and portions sizes were always excellent. Now the quality and the prices have changed. Twice now I have ordered from here and both times the order was wrong. The onion rings looked as if someone had stomped on them and the piece of halibut was barely enough for one person. After many years patronizing this business I won’t be back….

Kam

A classic spot in Scarborough since I was a kid, haven’t been here in years so I decided to pick up a Halibut w Chips and gravy. Sadly the fish was dry and not as tasty as I remember it, the fries and gravy were good though. I’ll probably return one day but not anytime soon.

Mr. Worf

I’ve heard of this place for years , I live close by so I went in to order Cod & Fries . Wow was it good !! The fries pushed out one side of the box . Very good meal .

Paul d

This is my second time ordering from here and both times the food was excellent! Had the halibut and chips as well as the onion rings. Highly recommend!

Remus Juniper Penney

The location and exterior is unassuming, but this restaurant has decently priced and consistently good fish n' chips. The menu is short and straight-forward. The batter on the fish is light and crispy and the fries are thick-cut. I like that, for the combo, there's the option of having a half serving of fries (and the cost of your meal becomes cheaper!)

J Jacub

Price can't be beat and you get a lot of fish I like haddock and chips with coleslaw and gravy. Remember no credit!

Yung-Hsin Miles Chen

Absolutely delicious. Server was very kind and polite. The decor is cute, there's many tables so you can eat in or take out. They have Coke AND Pepsi. Will definitely be coming back here, easily the best fish & chips in Scarborough!

Alison E. Read

My family's favourite local fish and chips place. The halibut is nice and flaky while the chips (thick-cut fries) are crisp on the outside, soft on the inside. The portions a decent size and neatly packaged; leftover fries will keep well for toasting later. And very polite, friendly staff!

Mei Kitten

Nice environment, quiet and great. Always fresh and crispy fish! I tried all fish they have, halibut, no need to say, the best seller! Haddock and cod are more soft. Come and try, never regret!

Melissa Waterman

I had the cod. It was good. I like they had the option of fish only or fish with chips. I usually dont like the chips, so the fish only option was good. On the bad side... - Way too oily. They didnt dab the fish in absorbent paper before packing it up - I had two orders of cod fish. They wrapped it in a single box. It was very difficult for 2 of us to eat out of the same box. Cost savings is one thing, but not like this. They didnt even ask! - Credit card not accepted. Only cash or debit card.

Mark Salvador

Date visited : Tues 04/10/2018 Service : 3/5 Friendly enough service. We visited during around early dinner 18:00 EST. Only 1 other couple was in the dining area. Food : 3/5 My wife opted for the the Halibut and Chips and Haddock and Chips for myself. A bit more pricey than our go to spot at Painted Post Fish and Chips. We received our orders in about 10-15 minutes, as for the dishes themselves, the fries were done extra crispy just the way we like without us requesting to be cooked as such. As for the "fish" both the haddock and the halibut were tender and fresh not mushy or soggy. Each of us received 1 decently sized piece of fish for our orders. Batter wise I'd have to say it was light and crispy, less greasy than we have tried at other fish n chip spots. I'd rate the oiliness at 3/5** (view rating list below). For the price paid, would have been nice to have a bit more fries included with the order (we love our fries when they aren't frozen!) Condiments : Ketchup in a squeeze bottle, not sure on the brand or quality. They have something that resembles tartar sauce, but it had a pink/orange tinge to it, which was also in squeeze bottle. However, something in the tartar sauce was making my tongue tingle to almost a numbing sensation, I had consumed more of their tartar sauce than my wife, so she didn't notice a similar sensation on her tongue. Since I have no idea what was/is the cause of that odd tingly/numbing sensation, I would caution other foodies with sensitive tongues to go easy on the custom tartar sauce that is provided to customers. Take out packs of tartar sauce are available (not as flavorful, but likely without that tingly/numbing aspect), along with malt vinegar packets are available. Beverages : We are kinda picky on our Water, not fond of tap water at all due to varying mineral content and sodium content, we usually bring our own from Home, since we buy 15L Ice River water and fill up reusable bottles. Alternatively we opt to share a can of soda or Iced Tea. Not many places offer filtered water as an option. Also, not all bottled water is good quality. At this venue they charge $1.00 + HST for a small glass of ice water with a 2 slices of lemon. Other : Parking is rather limited in the little strip. However, there is additional parking in the adjacent plaza within walking distance. Debit/cash accepted. Hard to enter the parking lot if you are heading Southbound on McCowan, other drivers will likely not give way for you to turn in. I had other drivers blasting their horns at me as I was waiting for a gap in the traffic flow. Repeat visit ? Possibly yes, a fellow friend on Yelp, had reviewed made in house fresh onion rings. So may return to try the fresh onion rings. Oiliness rating** : 1/5 very light and no oily after effect on tongue 2/5 still relatively light, Malt Vinegar/Lemon wedges not yet needed except by choice 3/5 medium level of oiliness; light effect on the tongue ; Malt Vinegar/Lemon wedges MAY be used to cut grease 4/5 starting to lean towards being heavy; greasiness now NEEDING Malt Vinegar/Lemon Wedges to cut grease 5/5 very heavy and noticeable on the tongue, DIFFICULT TO CONSUME batter without Malt Vinegar/Lemon wedges

Francis Lyew

Always amazing service! Best Fish and Chips in town!

Foodies GGzy

The food that I Ordered half hr ago. I was Looking forward for The Cod Fish... Im Very Disappointed. I Found a HAIR IN MY FISH!! NOT RIGHT. I Paid Alot for this Order. I WILL NEVER EAT HERE AGAIN. I SHOULD CALL THE INSPECTOR TO THIS PLACE!!! U SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN. UNSANITARY WORKERS IN THE KITCHEN

Joanne Hutchinson

Such a hidden gem, local spot in Scarborough! I was waiting for my wife's check-up at Scarborough General Hospital, searched for a take-out place, and this place came up! Looking like a family-run business, menu is simple and the haddock came out super crispy and light! Hand-cut fries as well! If you're in the area, please stop by and support this well-run business.

Larie L.

This used to be our fave fish and chips place and have been patronizing them for more than 20 years but it seems the quality of their food has gone downhill and not sure why. I also didn’t see the usual staff when we came here so not sure …

Marc C

Wanted to have good fish and chips. This place exceeded my expectations. ????! This is my first visit and it WON’T be my last. We had halibut and chips. The fish is lightly battered and crispy???????? NOT GREASY. The box was overloaded with hand cut fries. The price is worth for the quantity and quality. I must say, their calamari is the best ???? I’ve ever had. I told the lady we will be eating in car, she gave me all items required to eat in car. Their cole slaw is good. Service was heartwarming. I found my go to place for calamari; fish and chips ????

Mitchell Shu

Take out

Andrea H

Our favourite spot for fish & chips! The batter is perfect, light and crispy! Always good customer service.

Ar Jay

Good taste ! Super fries !! $12 for 2 pieces of Pollock. Size could be little generous. Asian owned place in a strip mall .

Rachel Grossman

I'm British living in Toronto so i'm very familiar with fish & chips. I miss it. But i was very happy with my meal here. I had Halibut & chips. Was like a taste of home. I will be back

Joy Xiao

Amazing food and owners, who are the staff. Thanks for such great fish and chips!

Stephen Nehpets

Lunch

Colin Doyle

I was definitely impressed, I have been looking for a good fish and chip spot for a while, this is the place. The fish was very good, and the fries were even better.. way better than any fish and chip place I've been to! To top it off, the portion was big and the price was reasonable. Update: This place is a hidden gem, so delcious, huge portions, lovely owners, and a good deal! Really good homemade tartar sauce and yummy gravy too! Definitely my favourite fish and chips spot ! (I had ate most of the fries by the time I took this photo haha)

Cay K

Service

C w

Meal type

Tony N

Nice place, I'm here pretty regularly. It's got good prices and the workers are very nice. Love the poutine and the onion rings

596. L

We ordered the halibut w fries and a side of coleslaw salad. The service was efficient and the cashier was well mannered. The portions were ungodly, and one order was more than enough for two people. I am definitely coming back.

Offroad Adventures

fried Cod + chips... fried Haddock... tar tar sauce and coleslaw... decent portion and delicious, I loved it

Rustle & Still

Been coming here since elementary school. Have since moved out of the city but when I come visit my parents I always have to get an order in. The owners changed recently but that hasn't changed the quality and taste of the food. It's always amazing!