Fish Type: Walleye Price: $15.00
Overall, I would not recommend this Fish Fry.
| Fish Score: Good Potato Score: Excellent Tartar Score: Excellent Bread Score: Poor Miscellaneous Score: Good |
Comment: When you think of the famous Wisconsin Fish Fry Bunkys Deli isnt exactly the kind of place that jumps to mind. Bunkys is best known of their Mediterranean fare which includes Italian favorites like lasagna and ravioli, as well as other regional favorites like hummus, tabouli, and baba ghanouj. So you might be surprised to learn that not only does Bunkys have a cod Fish Fry all day on Fridays, but also features walleye, tilapia, shrimp and salmon. Over the course of three visits weve sampled the cod and the walleye and found both of them to be decent, but far from the best.
The cod is modestly priced at $9.00 and the 6 ounces you get are reasonably satisfying. The walleye is a bit of a different story and while the portion is only slightly larger, at seven ounces, the price tag nearly doubles to $15, which is a bit steep all thing considered.
Six ounces equates to three small pieces of cod, each of which is coated in a medium-thick breading. This extra girth enables the breading to hold together well, and stay fully attached to its host. In addition to its clinginess it also has a decent amount of seasoning which perks up the plain fish a bit. The walleye shares the same breading but since it has more inherent flavor any seasoning in the breading is almost indiscernible. Like the cod, the walleye had some flake to it, but was slightly mushy thanks to the few minutes it spent in transit (Bunkys specializes in carryout if you didnt know).
The highlight of Bunkys Fish Fry has to be house-cut fries which are plentiful and ultra-delicious. While they lost some heat on the drive they were still superb. They are clearly cut onsite, expertly fried, and salted to the sweet spot. If every place would just make French fries like this the world would be a happier place.
Bunkys tartar is also impressive, and the thick, creamy blend effectively covers any imperfections in the fish (of which the cod and walleye both had a few). Like most good tartars it is made mostly of mayo, and has just enough relish to let you know its there.
Keeping with the homemade theme is Bunkys coleslaw which looks scrumptious and tastes okay, but really needs a little more oomph. That said, it has a very good consistency and while there is a little slaw water at the left at the bottom of the cup the cabbage concoction isnt swimming in it.
Bunkys Deli historically specialized in carryout, but on the last of our three visits they had annexed the space next door and opened up a dedicated dining space (which we will certainly be taking advantage of on any subsequent visits). Fish is just better when its freshly fried and even a few minutes sweating in a bag can really take a toll on it. Overall, we recommend the cod, but the walleye is a little tougher to fully endorse. At $15 it really isnt a good deal, and in the end you have to ask yourself if youd get it again at that price, and unfortunately $15 its a bit too expensive for what you get.
www.bunkyscafe.net/catering_and_deli.htm
5440 Willow Rd
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608) 310-2221
