I read a previous review that was spot on. The fish was good, but the fries are mediocre. But do you really go to a fish & chips for the fries? Don't answer that. The chicken was pretty good too. I think they could do with some BBQ sauce or something for dipping chicken. But overall, it was fresh, tasted good, and a very nice price.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Deee-LISH!. I see a few reviews where it mentions how this is not British or English. Someone even had the audacity to compare it to the catfish basket and Southern cooking. The problem with most of these reviews is that they really aren't food reviews, but more an opinion.
So let me start with saying this: sure its not English fish and chips--because we aren't in England. I am sure they tried to be as authentic as they could without offending the bland and often picky ElPasoan palate. Restaurants that are too original or different in El Paso, often times do not survive in this city. This place serves it just right.
As for Southern cooking--this is NOT Southern and was never intended--if you want Southern, yes go to Catfish Basket, but if you want Fish & Chips in El Paso, Tugboat is the place to go--don't compare apples to oranges, it makes no sense.
Now on to the review:
Food:
All the seafood tastes very good. Nothing tastes greasy or tastes old--which is a big problem when it comes to seafood in El Paso. Surprisingly, since we aren't on the coast, it all tastes very fresh (I am from Puerto Rico, I know seafood). The chicken is just OK and the french fries, or "chips," need a lot of work. The french fries aren't crisp and are somewhat soggy. Being fish and Chips, I come here for the fish and chips anyway, not the chicken, but that would mean that the chips need to be outstanding so that it is paired with their outstanding seafood. Their home made ice tea is very very good. I give them a 4/5 on food. Fix the french fries and they got it down; work on the chicken at their leisure because it is not bad.
Customer Service:
Friendliest people EVER. They are always smiling, always polite and caring. It seems to be run by very savvy Koreans and they understand what customer service is supposed to be like at Tugboat. One example was that they had served a piece of cod to my co-worker which had nothing wrong with it at all, but she came out with another piece and asked him which piece he preferred because to her the one she served seemed a little too small. Really there wasn't a huge difference, but just the fact that they CARE enough to be thinking this way for their customers says A LOT. The excellence and customer service at Tugboat is a rarity in El Paso. 5/5 for customer service.
Cleanliness:
This place is immaculate. The moment a customer leaves, they are cleaning up. Their ice tea stand is clean. Clean and comfortable. 5/5
Building and Decor:
The building is small but comfortable and the decor shows that they put a lot of thought and love into it. 5/5
Lets see some more reviews that are about the food and place instead of empty comments.
Good Fish and Chips for EP. Love Fish and Chips and for El Paso this isn't bad. The family that runs it is AWESOME. The women are so sweet. The place is SPOTLESS. Tables are always wiped down, the tea station is always kept nice even has a bowl of water for the lemon tongs so they don't get sticky. Food is good. Fries are mediocre but ok. Beer Battered fish is good thick all white meat. But fish is huge portion. I only get one fillet with chips. All I can eat.
Alberto Martinez Javalera Tarin
+4.5
One of the best places in El Paso for fish & chips. Fish is perfectly fried and not too greasy with great flavor! Decor is nice with a good atmosphere and some delicious home made iced tea
A Trip to the Coast. Stepping into Tugboat Restaurant is like being transported to some of the coastal fish and chips stands. The inside is decorated just like it was pulled out of the sea, there are even live fish you can look at. The food was good to. I got a Seafood Sampler and a side order of calamari. The prices were reasonable for the amount of food you got. Out of the fish, prawns, oysters, calamari and scallops it is hard to decide which ones were the best. Nothing was overwhelmingly greasy. Of course there was an ample amount of vinegar, tartar sauce, lemons and whatever else you might have needed for your fish right at your finger tips.
All kinds of fried seafood.... Although fried anything is not one of my favorite preparation methods, this place fries up all kinds of tasty and fresh fish and seafood nice and crispy and not too greasy. It's a bit overpriced for what u get, and their fries could use some sprucing up...but not too shabby of a place. Super clean!
Yummy. I really like this place! the food is not greasy and the taste is very good. This is the place to go if you hungry for fish n chips!
Tugboat Fish 'n' Chips!. The fried fish is simply delicious! My youngest child just can't get enough of this place (she loves lots of malted vinegar on the chips). The staff is friendly, the place is appropriately decorated with a water fountain, aquariums...very clean & cared for.
Tasty Fish n chips!. Light crunchy batter, flakey cod cooked just right. Fillets were large-pic is from side tho :(- and the place is clean and inviting. Will definitely return to try the rest of the items.
Great experience, good food and friendly service. I had the fish and oysters, w/ a side of calamari.
It's really cute inside, but our fish and chips were not freshly made. The texture and taste were like they'd been under a heat lamp for a while. Portions were good. The tarter sauce was bland. I might go back but maybe closer to lunch and not at 2pm.
Pleasantly surprised and delighted with our orders. The restaurant is very clean and well maintained. Our food came out fast and the taste was great. I was surprised at the the crispness of the fish. I look forward to going back in the future.
Popcorn Shrimp and Chef Special Sushi. The sushi was particularly good with the crusted exterior.
Delicious! Love the food, and the decor. It's just great 👍👍
We just had the catfish combo lunch here. I really like this place. It's kept so clean, the food is always very fresh, and it's great to patronize a local business. They make good sushi, too!
Sushi was good, but not a lot of variety. Fish and chips - cod was great with malted vinegar and salt, but the fries left you wanting a bit. The tartar sauce was really good.
We hadn't eaten here in a while. Other than the addition of sushi on the menu it was just as delicious this time as it was every other time we have gone. I loved the fish from the fish and chips. flavorful and just the right amount of crispiness to the breading. the sushi was alright. we got the Caterpillar roll and the Rising Sun roll. I liked the eel in the Caterpillar roll.
Great fried food. The meals came out extremely hot and delicious. They were using oil hot enough that the fries and fish were not greasy. Also they didn't have leftover taste so they replace their oil often enough. The downside is the parking lot is tiny and the prices are a little high. We will be back though.
Really like the aesthetics of the interior. Had the catfish and sweet potato fries. Both were ok. The catfish was ok and the sweet potato fries were ok. The hush puppies tasted good. The staff is really nice and the food comes out reasonably quickly.
This is probably the cleanest restaurant I've ever been to. The food is so delicious and reasonably priced. The decorations and atmosphere are fantastic. We will definitely be back!
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