Review
We rolled into the unassuming looking tavern around 6pm and found plenty of open seating awaiting us - this place is MUCH bigger than it looks from the street and while there was a crowd, we easily found a high top in the barroom. Our waitress swung by immediately, dropped the menus, took our drink orders and sped away. When she returned mere moments later our food orders followed, highlighted by my $10 bluegill and pub chips with a $4 perch addition.
You see, the Gym has a unique "start small and build" system with the main fish entree going for $10 with add-ons for $4 each. It's something I haven't seen elsewhere and this time I made sure to take full advantage. As per my previous experience, the bluegill was a solid rendition - three larger than average fillets with a light breading, subtle musk, and satisfying snap. The perch was also downright decent and seemed to share the same batter and its freshwater friend.
I've been a sucker for good homemade pub chips ever since I got addicted to them at the Harmony Bar many years ago. While the Gym's chips didn't quite reach that lofty standard, they were still really good. The slaw was a real banger and the tangy tarter was stupendous - besting even my homemade tartar in the head-2-head contest I had the next day with the kid's leftover cod. Rounding out the plate were two warm and buttery pretzel rods that were an outstanding upgrade from your basic dinner roll.
The Gym is a great little bar bar with great food to match. Overall, we recommend this Fish Fry and think it's an easy one to get pumped about.All four fish options at the gym start at $9 and can be upgraded from there for $3 a pop. It's a unique system that's got a lot of appeal for anyone who is a little indecisive when Friday night rolls around. In all honesty I didn't fully grasp the true mix-n-match nature of it, and probably would have added a perch or two had I given it more thought, but was satisfied with my bluegill.
The sunfish fillets varied in size but all shared the same light breading. The breading allowed the subtle fishy essence of the bluegill to shine through and meld seamlessly with the thick and pungent tartar. The little man got the 1-piece cod, a while he liked it just fine, it looked like a standard pre-battered fillet to me.
The straight-cut freezer fries were basic but dusted with a tasty seasoning that gave them a jolt. The slaw also had some serious snort but still went down easy. Topping things off were two warm and soft pretzel sticks that were far better than a basic dinner roll. Yum.
The Gym is a real bar and the place was full of fun-loving locals this Friday (as I'm sure it's most Fridays). The staff did an impressive job managing the crowd (and us) as we enjoyed a great time and great food. Overall, we recommend this Fish Fry and think that for $9 you simply can't ask for anything more.
We rolled into the unassuming looking tavern around 6pm and found plenty of open seating awaiting us - this place is MUCH bigger than it looks from the street and while there was a crowd, we easily found a high top in the barroom. Our waitress swung by immediately, dropped the menus, took our drink orders and sped away. When she returned mere moments later our food orders followed, highlighted by my $10 bluegill and pub chips with a $4 perch addition.
You see, the Gym has a unique "start small and build" system with the main fish entree going for $10 with add-ons for $4 each. It's something I haven't seen elsewhere and this time I made sure to take full advantage. As per my previous experience, the bluegill was a solid rendition - three larger than average fillets with a light breading, subtle musk, and satisfying snap. The perch was also downright decent and seemed to share the same batter and its freshwater friend.
I've been a sucker for good homemade pub chips ever since I got addicted to them at the Harmony Bar many years ago. While the Gym's chips didn't quite reach that lofty standard, they were still really good. The slaw was a real banger and the tangy tarter was stupendous - besting even my homemade tartar in the head-2-head contest I had the next day with the kid's leftover cod. Rounding out the plate were two warm and buttery pretzel rods that were an outstanding upgrade from your basic dinner roll.
The Gym is a great little bar bar with great food to match. Overall, we recommend this Fish Fry and think it's an easy one to get pumped about.