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I wasn’t going to make a tour of the Pittsburgh area and give my thoughts on local fish this year but when I stumble upon something quite tasty I feel the need to share. I present to you the Sheetz Fish Sub.

This was the first time I had a fish sub that was 4 pieces and not one whole filet. Actually worked out for me since I usually eat at my desk and it broke it down into segments. Made it really easy to eat and work.

Bread was incredibly fresh, lettuce was crisp, tomatoes were eh tomatoes but the pickles cold and crunchy as I like them. A little snap to it even. I didn’t like paying the extra buck for a few slices of cheese but I really can’t eat a sandwich without it.

Now for the fish. I saw advertisements that Yuengling was in the batter and quite honestly with this I couldn’t tell. Didn’t matter because this is still one stellar piece (or pieces) of fish. I waited for the screaming hotness from the fryer to cool and cracked one of the 4 pieces open. Fried to a golden crisp and tasted delicious. Seriously, its deep fried fish. Either it sucks or it doesn’t. Paired with all of the other toppings I now have my go-to Friday fish meal.

Overall 4 out of 5. If I could have tasted the Yuengling more probably would have picked up a perfect score.

This is the final installment of Friday Fish for Lent. Next week is Good Friday and hopefully we won’t be putting in a full day at the office.

Cost: $7.99

Bread (B-) Soft but not chewy. Great job holding everything together

Tartar sauce (C-) runny and little flavor

Toppings (C+) Lettuce was fresh but the tomatoes were a little hard. Altogether with the sauce though it wasn’t half bad.

Fish (C+) Its cod and comes in 2 6inch pieces. Turned off by appearance and when I bit into the piece I ripped off it was watery. I’m not talking juices here, it was flavorless but the fish packed a punch.

Overall today it was the combination of all elements that saved this sandwich. Fries weren’t anything special but come on, this is a lunch special. Added bonus was the heaping amount of Frank’s Red Hot I got to drown it in.

This week we go to a place that I frequent for great craft beer and kickass burgers but never have I tried the fish. Well, until today at least!  Bocktown is located in the Pool City Plaza (across from Target) in what a lot of people assume is Robinson but is really North Fayette. Visit them online at http://www.bocktown.com/

Cost: $8.99 ($9.99 pictured above with onion crisps and cheddar cheese)

Bread (B) Solid hoagie bun that was soft and yet toasted really well.

Tartar sauce (B+) Packed with flavor but a little on the thick side for me. Incredibly tasty!

Extras (A) I was really surprised how well the onion crisps tasted. Typically I would expect greasy bastardized onion rings that weren’t ready for the big leagues but, just like the fish, these were fried to perfection. Under the bun was a pickle slice that is staple with most meals and a tomato that served as a perfect compliment to the sandwich

Fish (A-) I don’t think I’ve ever had a piece of fish fried more perfect. Succulent meat and a perfect crust that burst with flavor. This would have been a complete home run except the left end was overcooked and chewy. There wasn’t that much of it though so it got bumped up from a B+.

If you follow the negative jags on twitter you’ll see people come up with any excuse about why they won’t shop here but deep down they know they want to. Oh the crowds! The parking is so full! Its too big! Its too busy!  Face it people, Market District Settlers Ridge is a mecca for food. I have my own personal views on how craft beer is handled here but thats not what we’re talking about today; its about the fish!

Today was my first time in the mass hysteria that can be lunch time in the area designated for food bars, hot, cold, deli, sammiches, reallyanythingyoucandreamof section. What drew me here was a tweet from Market District actually showing their special for the day (which I wish more places would do). The problem with this was I couldn’t find the fish!  The sign you see to the left here was back by the ordering spot of the area but it was to the blind side of customers. You couldn’t see it unless you cut through the long line. I suggest moving it to more of the main traffic area or middle of the stand. Heck even hang something!

OK, the meal. I did the side and picked-up mac n’cheese and slaw. The slaw was already in a plastic container and the Mac n Cheese was slopped on the plate like a bad grade school lunch lady memory. Just as quickly I was moved to the pick up station and pointed in a general direction to pay. They were busy and had to keep the line moving. Fine with me, I was starving.

As you can see from this picture, what was tweeted and what I got were slightly off, it happens. I wanted to stick with the slaw since thats been a staple of my trip to find a fish meal in lent.

Cost: $7

Bread (A+) I don’t know what to say. This was the best bun for a sandwich I’ve had all Lent. Nice crust, airy and fresh.

Mac N Cheese (B+) It looks runny in the photo but was actually quite delicious. Creamy and flavorful.

Cole Slaw (D) I don’t know wtf this was. Instead of creamy it was dry and I saw some moisture on the bottom of the plastic container.  If you’re eating there I would rather have this served from a bowl on my plate and not in a plastic tub. Felt cheap.

Tartar sauce (B+) This was good! Tasted like a hint of 1000 Island in it and good texture. Perfect serving size also.

Fish (B) While the bun was generous sized the fish is even smaller in proportion than in my pic; it was flat. Before I covered in my sauce I ripped a piece off and I have to give them credit, this is a damn tasty fish. The breading and cod were cooked perfectly and I found myself wishing I could get a side of well done crumbs. My only wish was that the piece was bigger. If you’re serving fish that size your bun should be smaller to give the illusion that you’re getting a bigger piece.

Primanti Brothers is a Pittsburgh institution. Your sandwich comes crowded with slaw (vinegar based not creamy), fries and a tomato. Deal with it.

This fish sammich is mammoth. There really is no other way to explain it. The fish is Alaskan Pollock and heaping with toppings. Was the fish good? Sure but I had to rip a piece off to taste it myself because it was drowned with toppings. Did that take away from the meal? Eh it might to someone not from Pittsburgh but I went in knowing this would be a beast to conquer.

It is a long piece of fish but its not very thick as compared to other weeks. Appetite fulfillment is satisfied by the toppings which you see above. The bread almost serves no purpose since it falls apart or smooshes down like when you were a kid and put ketchup on your welfare burger. The only serious disappointment was that the tartar sauce was a packet from Kraft.

Cost: $6.99
Fish rating - B (crispy, juicy but could have used more thickness)
Sandwich rating - A
Tartar rating – C

Overall – I slipped into a food coma. No idea how I made it back to work. I’m ready for a delicious nap. Buy this not only during lent but year round.

Armstrong’s restaurant is known for HUGE servings of incredible food. In fact I plan knowing a meal will be had there and will fast the entire day. Today was a co-worker’s birthday so we packed up the group van and headed to their Moon Township location.

The plate pictured above was $8.49 for a whale of baked scrod, fries and a pickle. In case you’re trying to figure out the size, that would be a foot-long hoagie roll. Unreal portions of flaky white fish and baked to perfection as expected and slowly slipping into a food coma with the window open on this 70F day. Only thing that could have made this better would be slightly more flavor in the breading but still an amazing sandwich.

Fish rating: A-

Last Friday I had something arise that was a nice surprise when it comes to sticking with fish during Lent. It came up in hallway conversation that I was going to do this and others wanted in so now we have a group going out every Friday for fish in the area.

Our first Friday stop brought us to Patrick’s Pub in Moon Township.

I was worried at first because with a phone call they didn’t have a Lenten special but like every good Irish place there was a fish sandwich. Nestled back on Brodhead Road, Patrick’s Pub boasts authentic Irish cuisine and traditional American fare.

The fish sandwich all of us ordered was $7.99 plus $.99 each for mac n cheese and cole slaw.  The mac was OK and slaw was pretty standard but the fish… YES YES YES! The fish was breaded with what seemed like a mexican/fiesta type breading and the cod that was used couldn’t have been more perfect. This wasn’t some deep fried mess that most places will plate up for you, this was a masterpiece.

Oh it doesn’t end with the food either, you need to check out the bar. If, like us, you’re there just to eat for the first time you may not be aware of the bar. Our server told us to check it out and after walking through the bar door we were greeted to the coolest atmosphere in Moon. Beer selection, yeah you need to check this out. At the time we were there I couldn’t 4 “A” level stouts on tap. I talked to the chef and he told me that he works with the beer samplings to make sure there is a dish which compliments the night’s offerings. Prices, inexpensive! Selection, best in Moon TWP area.  In other words, this is the place I would be every night if I could.

Fish rating: A

Awwwwww shit it’s that time again! Unfortunately I have to be the bad catholic and not get ashes today. Didn’t get a chance at lunch and I have to work tonight so I’m going to settle with being a heathen. BUT with Ash Wednesday I’ve decided to bring back a favorite of mine to write, Fast Food Fish Friday! OK so today isn’t Friday but it is the start of the lent season. The rules are a bit different this time…

1. I will be eating fish from anywhere in Pittsburgh that I can make it to and back during my lunch hour so its not nec. FAST food fish. I’ve hit all of the chains I can think of.
2. Britney Spears just came on XM. write your own joke.
3. I spent so much time in Cranberry I really don’t know where anything besides fast food is. What are some places (downtown or out West preferred)  you would go for fish? No churches!
4. heheehe Britney
5. Trying not to do the staple Pittsburgh places (Wholeys, Benkovitz) but might end up there

So to kick things off I went to McDonalds today which was also featured in the original Fast Food Fish Friday project. Just like 3 years ago this is just bad fish BUT I had a Shamrock Shake to wash it all down. Mass produced fish, tart tartar sauce and a guy who’s lactose intolerant drinking a MILKshake. This isn’t going to end well around 3pm today is it?

Now to get things off on the right direction watch Mikey & Big Bob’s ode to the Filet O Fish

Oh, what did I give up for Lent? Nothing really. All parents get a break until their kids leave for college. Serious. Its in the updated bible.

There you have it, possibly the last of the Fast Food Fish Friday unless I can sneak one more in for Good Friday. Frankly I’m sick of fish by this point so I found it only fitting that I would end my adventure to a place known for fish, Long John Silvers.

You may recall that my first trip ever to LJS was this past Ash Wednesday and also the first time seeing “Dave”. Well Dave wasn’t here this time but surprisingly I get emails telling me they’ve seen him and to prove to you that he does exist, here’s a pic that was sent to me from the Strom Huelsman Podcast of Dave in action. Dave is a pimpdawg.

Now, your sammich… the bun is exactly what you would expect of McDonalds. Sesame seed bun. In fact it wouldn’t surprise me to find out they’re in bed together doing the nasty. The lettuce was shredded whichI was fine with because it was fresh and crisp and even the tartar sauce was a nice creamy flavor but the fish… SWEET JESUS was it good. I don’t know what batter they use but this was one awesome ass piece of fish. Yes, awesome ass. I snapped a piece of the deep fried cripsy goodness off and could tell that I had finally found my winner. Now because of the options that Sheetz offers I can’t say that it surpassed it so I’ll nail this one down as an A and 1/2 +. The fish was better quality but the overall sandwich experience was much better with Sheetz. Now if you don’t have a Sheetz by you then go to LJS.

Oh yeah, the buttered lobster bites are still hella insanely good.

Long John Silvers website

I’m taking this to video for Lent 2009.

Next Friday, if I don’t do fish, will be a special video treat for the holiday.

cheers!

When I started this I really didn’t have high expectations. I was doing this as a fun Friday activity and to twist all of those stuffy food reviews in the paper. Today though, I ate a slice of fish heaven and unfortunately, unless you’re close to the state of Pennsylvania, you’re not getting one of these.

Sheetz is a very large and very popular convenience store chain in PA. Most alcohol drinking adults in their 20-40′s know the wonders of the 2am Sheetz Death Dog ($.99 chili nacho hotdog). Their subs kick Subway to the curb and are less expensive. So I figured I’d give the fish a shot.

The world has come to a halt. This is hand down the BEST sandwich ever made by man. Why? Because YOU make it! Via touchscreen you pick the bun and toppings on top of a perfectly crisp and golden piece of fish. I’m not kidding you, this is THAT good. Just look at the pictures! All toppings are fresh and you see the employees make each one in front of you and take their time unlike the other joints. I didn’t have breakfast and not knowing how big the sandwich was I ordered 2 with different buns and toppings. I’ll stop typing and get to my toppings. Oh yeah, best – fastfoodfishsandwhich – ever!

Grade: A+

Sheetz Website - http://sheetz.com/

My 2 sandwiches:
(on the left) On a corn dusted bun – tartar sauce, tomatoes, lettuce, red hot sauce and provolone cheese

(on the right) On a pretzel roll – ranch dressing, lettuce, tomatoes, pickle chips and hot pepper cheese.

I admit that if I had to pick one fast food place to live off of it would BK and their Whoppers. Unfortunately the area I live in has 2 BK’s and they both suck. Not like “hey man you SUCK!” but “goddamn this food sucks.” Being a fair man I headed there this afternoon for lunch so that I can report back to you, my fellow readers who kill time at work on Fridays.

According to the BK site: “MASSIVE BK BIG Fish Sandwich commands satisfaction with a crisp golden breaded 4.3-ounce fish filet, tangy tartar sauce and fresh lettuce all served on a corn dusted bun.”

The Facts
No way in hell is this a) big or b) 4.3 ounces. It looked more like someone took what was once a bulky piece of chicken and laid it on the floor, stepped back a couple of feet and jumped on it heel first. BUT it was still crisp and golden. The tartar sauce was tangy and not all that bad. The lettuce is a fallacy and ranked up there with Wendy’s buffet quality.  Corn dusted eh? THAT’S what the crud was all over my fingers.

The Taste
Why is it that a renown BURGER joint can screw up every order I place for a Whopper but yet NAIL the fish. OK, aesthetically it was mediocre but this sammich is backed with flavor. The buns were light and moist (even though covered in corn crud). The fish had little to no “fishy” taste and when biting in could see that it wasn’t some cheap processed white mesh.

Grading: B+ (the visuals kept it from an A)