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Confession: We watch a lot of Food TV at our house. Recently we caught an episode of Bobby Flay's charmingly egomaniacal Throwdown where he challenged Mat Arnfield of New York's A Salt and Battery to a fish & chips battle, and our tastebuds began to tingle. To add insult to injury, a couple of days later, food-cutie Tyler Florence was making his Ultimate fish & chips, which made us think that if we were going to get us some deep fried cod with a side of chips, we would either have to fly to New York to get a bite of Arnfield's winning duo, or make it ourselves. This is because we have no idea where to go in LA for great fish & chips.
But neither seemed like an option. A quick scour of the Chowhound boards on the subject revealed we weren't alone in our quest to find this fare in our fair city. Here's what came up: The Whale & Ale in San Pedro, Ye Olde Kings Head in Santa Monica, and The Olde Ship in Fullerton. Well, terrific--except that we wanted our fish & chips now, and nearby to us in Ye Olde San Fernando Valley--and portable; we confessed we watch a lot of Food TV, so it shouldn't be shocking to know we wanted to make it a trio: Fish & Chips & the First Annual Food Network Awards. Since we'd already opted to leave off the local H Salt branch (it seemed unseemly to the us and our fellow fish & chippers), we turned to the Robin Hood British Pub in Van Nuys. A quick phone call confirmed they could comply with our order. We walked into what is clearly a refuge for Valley Brits, and decided a return in-house visit would be absolutely necessary, to get in on the pint drinking and dart throwing action. Minutes later, the precious cargo was in our hands...and then our mouths.
An order of fish & chips from Robin Hood consists of two generous pieces of battered cod and a side of chips (fries, you heathens!). Our kind and friendly helper at the Pub was nice enough to pack us an enormous container of their tasty and tangy tartar sauce, and some packets of the necessary malt vinegar. The batter was light and not greasy (we think they used Rice Flour, like Bobby and Tyler, but we're merely speculating) and the fish perfectly cooked. The chips admittedly lost a little in the translation--or maybe in the transit--as they'd gone a wee bit cool and limp, and had a bit too much chew to them. Good soldiers that we are, we ate every single bite in those takeout boxes. The craving was satisfied--but perhaps the quest continues.
Robin Hood British Pub
13640 Burbank Boulevard, Van Nuys
(818) 994-6045
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Another great place is Thousand Oaks Fish & Chips (3316 E Thousand Oaks Blvd). A bit pricey, but some of the best I've had this side of the Atlantic!
Another great one is "Cat & Fiddle" on Sunset. They have some of the best chips, and the fish is pretty swell too!
I live real close to Robin Hood, and while I like their food when I get a craving for pub grub I've had better fish n chips. The Library alehouse for one, in Santa Monica. They'll even do Salmon instead of Cod, which I know is sacrireligious (but oh so tasty).
I eat at the Whale and Ale on a regular basis - their fish and chips are solid. They have damn good curry, too.
There's the Buchanan Arms in Burbank, but I've not been there yet. It's on my list though.
if you're going to go to the buchanan arms in burbank, you MUST check out the picadilly shop next door (there is a connecting door from inside the restaurant). great little shop with a decent selection of imports.
The husband being from NZ is quite the fish n chips connoisseur and his fav place is just north of Pepperdine and Cher's house on PCH. Sorry, I don't remember the name of the place. He also claims Jack in the crack has some pretty good fish n chips, for being a fast food joint.
The Kitchen has a nice fish n' chips, as does The Village Idiot on Melrose.
Brit's Pub in Pasadena. Light and flaky. Very, very good. The place itself is cozy and welcoming.
I had the worst one's in my life at the Standard Hotel coffee shop. Robin Hood is a good call, but the service there is bloody slow, so sit back, enjoy your pint and wait.
Good article and nice tips from everyone. The one time I had them at Ye Olde Kings Head the fish was still cold inside from being frozen, but maybe I just got a bad order. It was done correctly in the British style at least.
Thousand Oaks also has the Crown and Anchor for British pub food.
Catch 21 (30869 E Thousand Oaks Blvd in Westlake Village)has the best fish n' chips I've ever had....not too greasy but still crispy on the outside. I've also tried Thousand Oaks Fish & Chips, it was not nearly as good.
Neptune's Net in Malibu on PCH is pretty good too....I think someone above referred to it but didn't know the name.