Fish Type: Cod Price: $14.00
Overall, I would recommend this Fish Fry.
| Fish Score: Excellent Potato Score: Fair Tartar Score: Good Bread Score: Poor Miscellaneous Score: Good |  |
Comment: Sometimes you just know. Maybe it’s a gut feeling or the subtle rumblings you see online, but once in a while you can just tell the Fish Fry is going to be good before you even step foot in the door…or into the the basement of the Dam Bar in this case.
The Dam Bar is a true dive if ever there was one - literally in a dimly lit basement with little to no airflow and a few high top tables scattered around. I knew from the second we walked in that my @madcitycocktails didn’t lead me astray this Friday. The Dam only serves their fish from 5-7pm so plan accordingly if you’re trying to squeeze it in. They have cod or shrimp or a combo of the two on the Friday Night menu, and the $14 3-piece sounded just right to me.
I’ll cut right to the chase - the fries were standard freezer fries, nothing special but nothing to complain about either; the slaw was food service style as was the thick and semi-pungent tartar. None of it was unique or inspired, but what it did do was clear the way for the main attraction.
Obviously, the main attraction at any Fish Fry should be the fish and this cod was certainly a show stopper. The pieces were average sized, but so dense and flaky that they felt like much more. At first rip I could tell this was high quality cod…maybe something you wouldn’t expect at a place like the Dam. It was pure white and kissed by a lightly seasoned breading that melded effortlessly with the superbly flaky meat. I absolutely destroyed my three and snagged one from the kid’s plate to make it a quartet. While I try to be evenhanded, my 11 year old is a much harsher critic and not afraid to let me know when something’s not up to snuff. He demolished his two and asked where his third one went as I sheepishly polished off its last crumbs. Oops.
Belleville has a some pretty damn good Fish Frys between Borland’s and Sugar River Lanes and this one seemingly fits right in. Overall, we recommend this Fish Fry based on the fish alone, and think with some minor enhancements it could seriously hold some water. Hot Dam!www.facebook.com/dambarandgrill1/
Belleville, WI 53508
(608) 424-9600
