Fish & Chips

Inhabiting the space once occupied by Papa Zuzu’s, Fish & Chips has changed little more than the lettering on the awning and the food. Diners are still greeted by the cramped, dingy space, passing the kitchen and prep counter on their way to the register to place an order. The menu is simple — fried fish, fried shrimp, fried oysters, fried fries. We opted to split the big combo for $ 12.50 and got it to go given the unpleasant «dining» area and proceeded to Marion Square.
Opening the styrene sarcophagus revealed a mound of amber colored fried goodness sprinkled with fresh cilantro — the aforementioned fish, shrimp, oysters, and fries. Two large filets of white fish were lightly breaded, slightly crispy and tender. The oysters were good — as good as the fried oysters at Pearlz. The shrimp was satisfying, but slightly overcooked. The fries are your typical frozen seasoned restaurant fries. I’d love to see fresh, hand-​cut ones in the future — I’d pay extra. The only culinary let-​down was the slaw… very bland and completely lacking in vinegar or toasted sesame seeds or anything to provide a contrast to the mayonnaise.
The sign says «Fresh fish only» and with entrees starting at $ 6 this is the kind of seafood place my fiancé and I have been looking for since landing in Charleston two years ago. If you live in or near downtown and are looking for honest, easy, inexpensive fried seafood then head to Fish & Chips… and get it to go.