Fish Type: Lake Perch Price: $10.00
Overall, I would not recommend this Fish Fry.
| Fish Score: Fair Potato Score: Good Tartar Score: Good Bread Score: Good Miscellaneous Score: Fair |
Comment: McGovern’s in Sun Prairie looks like the prototypical Fish Fry hot spot, unfortunately looks can be deceiving. When we entered McGovern’s the first impression was that of a classic Wisconsin bar and low-key restaurant. The special was clearly posted on the wall: Fried Cod, Shrimp, Poorman’s, and Lake Perch, all $10.00 flat, you have to love that. The fact that the baked Cod was simply called ‘Poorman’s’ was also perfect, just how my mom would say it. Needless to say I was ready for some fish at this point.
We got to choose our own table from the 4 or 5 that were available. After looking our menus over briefly we eventually all settled on some form of fish. The two ladies at the table both opted for the Poorman’s while Gabe got the fried Cod and I chose the Lake Perch. The Lake Perch was plentiful, but was not very good. It had a decent texture and breading but simply lacked any kind of distinguishing flavor. The Cod was better, but not by a whole lot. It also really lacked flavor overall but unlike the Perch it was somewhat greasy. I also tried some of the Poorman’s and it too lacked flavor and just was not tasty. Needless to say everyone at the table was slightly bummed.
The French fries were very good but somewhat sparse, especially when compared to the amount of fish on the plate. The tartar was good, although there was a tiny bit of dill, it was practically unnoticeable. The toast served was good and was the first thing on my plate to be finished. The coleslaw was kind of ‘stanky’ but not necessarily in a good way. The service was adequate but certainly not great, the Spotted Cow our waitress brought however was divine.
Overall I don’t think a return trip to McGovern’s is in our near future. The fish was simply not up to snuff when compared to some of the other great places in the Madison area. The food was all warm but not served smoking hot which is usually a hallmark of a great Fish Fry. McGovern’s seems like a nice place to go have a drink and watch a Packer game but as far a Friday nigh Fish Fry goes, they have some catching up to do.
www.mcgoverns.biz/club.htm
818 W. Main Street
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 837-9997
