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Fish Type: Cod     Price: $7.00

Overall, I would recommend this Fish Fry.

Fish Score: Good
Potato Score: Excellent
Tartar Score: Good
Bread Score: Good
Miscellaneous Score: Good

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Comment: My previous visit to the Park Side Pub in early November was nothing less than exemplary. Since then I’ve had a couple really great rounds of Fish Fry, and a couple that turned out to be not so great. When the first Friday in December rolled around I really wasn’t in the mood for taking chances. I thought this would be as good of a time as any for Gabe to try the Park Side since their cod was great and he is a bit of a cod fanatic. Unfortunately, his wisdom tooth had other ideas which rendered him unable to eat, so I made the journey to McFarland solo yet again.

The last time I visited the PSP it was pretty much just me and a bunch of regulars; and by regulars, I mean regulars. It was your common clan of Sconnie gents, just hanging out and havin’ a beer or two to start the weekend off right. This time was no different and I’m pretty sure it was the same 10 or so dudes. The bar was full of ‘em so I grabbed a table for myself and awaited the arrival of the bartender/waitress. She stopped by quickly, took my order for a 3-piece and a Spotted Sow, and sped away towards the kitchen.

She was back about two minutes later with my beer, some coleslaw and a roll. I dove right into the slaw and found it was kind of runny and very raw tasting this time. I actually remembered it being much creamier and zestier my previous visit. The roll seemed to be pretty much identical on both visits and was perfectly average. I finished the roll and poked around at the slaw for a about 5 minutes before my fish was ready and served to me fresh from the fryer.

The fry cook that brought my fish this time was a different lady from my previous visit and the fish reflected it. While it was still good, it was different and not quite as tasty or well fried. The batter this time seemed to be more thrown together and while it was still light and flaky it lacked flavor and the fall-apart texture I was expecting. It also seemed as though the fish was slightly overcooked which made some of the thinner portions tough. Don’t get me wrong, it was still good, just not as great as the first time.

Like my prior visit I again chose the beer battered fries over the plain and was glad I did. They were perfectly fried, had great flavor and were more than plentiful. The tartar on the other hand was in short supply. It was a tasty little combo but with such a small portion I ran short before my fish supply had been exhausted. Since the bartender never came by to ask how I was doing, I never got more but managed to span it out as best I could. While not as good as a fully loaded tartar bite, the last couple were just fine without it.

As I finished my plate of food, save for a bit of the coleslaw mountain, the bartender came over and grabbed it. I downed the last of my beer and headed to the bar with a ten dollar bill in hand, seven bucks for the fish and three for the beer. I dropped a couple dollar tip, and left the bar no longer than 20 minutes after I went in. It was almost like stealing.

Overall, this is a great little Fish Fry; it reminds me of Wilson’s a lot, and I can easily recommend it. For only $7.00 you get the total package - fish, fries and tartar which are right on the money, as well as some slaw and a roll that play their part adequately. Apparently, the 10 regulars and I are the only ones who have figured this out which is just fine with me because it allows me to get a great Fish Fry at a great price in no time flat. I win.



5016 Erling Avenue
McFarland, WI 53558

(608) 838-6045