Fish Type: Cod Price: $10.00
Overall, I would recommend this Fish Fry.
| Fish Score: Excellent Potato Score: Good Tartar Score: Good Bread Score: Poor Miscellaneous Score: Good |  |
Comment: Club Lamark has a reputation. Whether that rep is deserved or not is debatable (the omnipresent "No Drug Dealing Allowed" signs would suggest it is), and while I've never been there after dark I can say during daytime hours it's actually a pretty nice place. It's surprisingly clean, they have a bunch of gaming machines, and the bartenders we've had have been very hospitable. If you're a biker or a NASCAR fan you certainly know all about Lamark and if you're a Fish Fry fan you should too...I only wish someone had told me about it.
I basically stumbled upon the Lamark fry when I took my wife there to get a drink on my birthday night out. I saw the fryer that day, asked about their Friday specials, and came back the first Friday I could. For $10 you get a 2-piece cod and you can tack on additional pieces if you'd like. I'll focus on the cod here since it was far and away the best part of the meal. These babies were big and meaty with an incredibly light and flaky breading. This is definitely not pre-battered junk, and the breading had lots of seasoning including a black pepper punch that takes hold and doesn't let go. The fish itself was 100% flaky and delicious and I only wished I'd ordered one more piece. It was surprisingly superb.
Beyond the fish there isn't a whole lot more to say (although there doesn't really need to be). The crinkle fries were just that, and the tartar seemed to be a food service variety. I will say of the sauce that it had that greenish twinge that most stinky commercial sauces have but not the raunchy flavor. It came in a big squeeze bottle fresh from the fridge so the thick mix was nice and cold.
When we walked in I noticed rolls sitting by the fry station but one didn't appear with our fish. I assume it was supposed to come since it's not like they were saving them for dinner or something, but with a kid in tow I didn't have time to go ask what was what. Not a huge loss, but something worth noting. Lastly was the slaw which looked like it would be terrible, but was surprisingly good. It had a real pleasant zip and a bevy of golden raisins (which I typically hate). For some reason the raisins worked with this mix and offset the stank of the sauce. It was definitely not your basic Sysco brew.
As far as I know Lamark starts serving their fish at 11:00 and once it runs out its done, so if you're thinking of stopping by for late dinner you might want to think again. Overall, we recommend this Fish Fry and think it could be one of those hidden gems in Madison that people don't talk about just 'cause. I for one will give them another shot in the near future and if things shake out like they did this time will have no problem signing off of that cod. And hey, they have pull tabs! My four year old was one happy camper.
stansclublamark.com/
1525 N Stoughton Road
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 244-4004
