Fish Type: Haddock Price: $15.00
Overall, I would highly recommend this Fish Fry.
| Fish Score: Excellent Potato Score: Good Tartar Score: Excellent Bread Score: Poor Miscellaneous Score: Good |  |
Comment: I love trying the fish at new places, in fact I'm usually so eager to try it that I don't wait for them to work out all the kinks first which was exactly the case at the Rockhound Brewing Company. As soon as I saw Park Street's newest addition had a Fish Fry I had to give it a whirl. It turned out to not be a trip worth taking and I said as much in my review of it.
While I have no idea if my words influenced the change, one has been made...a big one, and for the better. The walleye has been replaced by a big old slab of haddock and it was a sage decision on the 'hound's part. While the fillet costs 15 big bucks it's totally worth it as this monster rings in at 9 full onces (that's over half a pound for you counting at home). This behemoth was moist and flaky and offset by a light beer batter that was about 1/10th the thickness of the old stuff. It was really excellent and while I usually prefer smaller chunks (which ensures a higher fish:batter ratio) the well-seasoned breading corralled this monster with ease.
Whereas the fish has taken a dramatic turn for the better the fries stayed the course. They were good, although slightly under-fried, and not cut in-house. Regardless, the princely portion didn't give an inch to the hearty haddock and lasted just as long. Rockhound definitely isn't afraid to pile on the grub.
The homemade tartar was also as superb as the fish and took center stage with a sweet zing and what appeared some mustard seeds. Despite the fillet being huge it endured the test since it could be used sparingly. As it should do, it nudged the haddock further down the line and added a flavor the fish couldn't supply on its own.
If this Fry has a failing it's that there's no bread on the side which is, and will always be, a bummer. A nice sized cup of slaw lived above the rim and had a pleasant although not zippy flavor. As my dining companion remarked it was "yummy" and I really had no basis for disagreement.
$15 might seem pricey to some, but it's pretty much standard practice in 2017, regardless of the fish being served. When you take into account the fillet is huge, the fries are ample, and there's no shortage of slaw the price tag is even more justified. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and will gladly come back again soon to crack some more of these Rocks. Shoot, there beers ain't bad either...
rockhoundbrewing.com
444 Sout Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
(608) 285-9023
