Nicholas Del Vecchio West-Miles
+5
I use a (5) 4 point rating scale for food. It's a 1 if you don't particularly care to finish your meal. 2 means it's pretty good. 3 means it's quite tasty (you're likely to go back, for instance). 4 is reserved for those moments when you take your first bite, the heavens open up, angels start singing, and you just need to take a moment to process the experience and wait for your brain to catch up to your tastebuds. 5's can only be awarded months later, if you're STILL thinking about that moment.
As you can imagine, 5's are few and far between. This place has ruined fish and chips for me forever. It's been more than a year since my last visit (I, alas, live nowhere remotely close by), and I still think about my last meal there fairly regularly.
The ambiance is pretty standard sports-bar type, although the live jazz music really makes it stand-out. It's certainly not a formalwear type of place. But, it's comfortable and the service is friendly (although the food is so good that I tend to forget the other details).
I hope this place stays open forever, because it's comforting to think of getting to go back when next I visit the Pacific Northwest. And yes, I would travel to Portland from, say, Seattle, to have dinner here. It's just that good.
It's always great! My wife loves the classic halibut with malt vinegar. I can't stay away from the catfish, just perfect. The slaw is very refreshing, the fries are done just right. The only think that would make it better for me would be if I could get some fried okra with the catfish. Instead of walking over tonight we ordered from Grubhub, and it was just as hot and crispy as eating at the truck. If you crave some good fish and chips, or some catfish that anyone south of Amarillo would find more than acceptable, do stop and try The Original Halibut's for yourself, you won't be disappointed!
Best fish and chips anywhere. That is no exaggeration. Halibut, cod, salmon, catfish, sometimes marlin or ahi, and others. Two big things stand out: Dave is the best fish buyer anywhere, 100% hands on. And his batter is incredible, always very thin, it brings out, rather than masks, the flavor of the fish. He uses the healthiest, low saturated fat cooking oil available, always fresh and clean. Excellent chowder, too.
625 NE Killingsworth Street - Portland
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