Fish Type: Cod Price: $9.50
Overall, I would recommend this Fish Fry.
| Fish Score: Good Potato Score: Excellent Tartar Score: Good Bread Score: Good Miscellaneous Score: Good |  |
Comment: No matter where you are in Wisconsin, Friday means one thing - Fish Fry. From Superior to Milwaukee and everywhere in between, when the clock strikes 11:00, battered fish meets boiling oil. I happened to be just north of Madison this Friday and figured Id roll the dice on the Lucky 13 Saloon since Id heard their Fish Fry was worth a shot.
The Lucky 13 is located at the junction of Highways 13 and 82, east of Mauston and north of the Dells. Like any good tavern, their Fry starts at 11:00 on Fridays, and this one features cod served three ways breaded, beer battered, or broiled. It costs a scant $9.50 and Bev the bartender had my breaded bunch ready in no time.
Since it was cod theres not much to say about the actual fish save for the fact it was flaky. The hand breading on the other hand can be dissected, although there wasnt all that much to piece out there either. It was light to the touch, but also light on flavor. It held the cod together well, but in all honesty, didnt do much to improve it. It was just a solid, inoffensive rendition but considering how much seasoning the fries had I could only wish some would have spilled over onto the fish.
While Im on the subject lets talk about the fries. These beauties were a battered brand and extremely well-seasoned. The seasoning danced on the palate and offset the crunch of the steak-style cuts superbly. If only the fish had gotten some of that love. If only
A 2 oz. cup of tartar was holdup next to the fish and was moderately zippy, but also a little rank tasting. If I had to wager a guess Id say it was standard issue Sysco which is creamy, but oftentimes has an odd aftertaste.
Half a slice of thick white bread and some horseradish slaw finish things off and do so admirably. While neither are head and shoulders above their contemporaries they both do what they need to do with no letdowns.
Once in a while an amazing Fish Fry shows up in the most unexpected of places and while the Lucky 13 didnt reach those heights it is a nice straight-forward take on the classic and if I was in the area I wouldnt hesitate to stop in again. Overall, we recommend this Fish Fry and thats that.
www.facebook.com/Lucky13SaloonWI/
1400 WI-82 Trunk
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 678-7272
