The Fat Fish

UPDATING to Rule # 52: Don’t chince on the vittles
This place was a solid alternative in my neighborhood, but the last three times I frequented this spot they have been out of that good red snapper. It’s ok, it happens, but then you are going to give me a flattened out Catfish with no seasoning on the skin. Subpar.
… Because people like lists
1) I’m out on Skinny Fish.
2) They have inconsistent stock

A full basket of Southern goodness! Crystal and Ben, the young mom and pop owners, bring down home hospitality with deep fried fish, chicken, oysters, shrimp. Made to order, the cornbread covered treats are hot fried and never greasy.

This place is terrible. The fish was disgusting. Service was unfriendly. Décor and ambience is better at McDonald’s. Stay away.

Fish, fish, fish! I love fish. I enjoyed the juicy white flaky fish, after I’ve broke open the deap fright batter. The service was friendly and a happy atmosphere. Recomend if you enjoy fresh fish!!!

I generally avoid deep fried food, difficult as that may be at times, but finally yielded to temptation on a Saturday afternoon based on a recommendation from a friend who grew up in Pascagoula Mississippi who said this place was the best he’d had outside of his home town. Although I have been to Pascagoula it was some years ago and my memory isn’t what it used to be, so I’ll take him at his word.
The menu is mix and match so you can pretty much call out any combo you want. I went with 3 and 5 — three pieces of fish (your choice of 4 varieties) and five prawns or oysters, plus a side and bread. I added onion rings and that was definitely too much food — had to save some for the next meal. The corn meal batter is crispy and not at all greasy, very light in fact, and the catfish was moist and delicious. They cut the fillets on the thin side. Your choice of tarter sauce or cocktail sauce. They were out of the coleslaw so I opted for macaroni salad, it was a bit soupy — too much mayo/​dressing for my taste.
Order was up quick — interior not much to look at but it is bright and clean so acceptable for dining in if you choose, although most that came in while I was there were getting take out.

I’ve driven by a hundred times and wondered, could this place be good? And it was great!
There are about hundred permutations for ordering fried fish (in 4 different types: catfish, pollock, etc.), fried shrimp, fried oysters, and fried chicken in various quantities.
I went for 3−3−3: 3 fish, 3 oysters, 3 shrimp, piled on fries for $ 16.29 + tax. It was way too much food.
The crispy cornmeal crust was excellent. The tartar sauce could be better — it was too mayonnaisey. Bring relish.
The location is also clean and bright enough to eat in without feeling like some kind of shameful loser. I’ll be bringing friends…

I grew up in the South and Fat Fish makes my need for Southern-​style fried seafood go far far away. Love this place. Their catfish, prawns, oysters (and anything else they choose to fry) are done perfectly in a cornmeal batter that leaves the seafood tender and without a speck of grease. The staff are super nice, the place itself is clean, and I love that I get a choice of different kinds of fries — regular, garlic, and sweet potato. They also have onion rings (not so great). Lastly, they make hush puppies (aka fried balls of cornmeal goodness) — this made my heart go pitter-​pat. Sadly, their hush puppies are on the bottom side of just okay — I’d give this five stars if the hush puppies were as good as the fish. This place is so good that we have to limit ourselves to going only a few times a month — otherwise it’d be every day and I’d weigh 500 pounds.

I came here after giving into my craving for fish and chips. It was the closest location near me and had great review! Being the Unilocaler I am, it was a obvious choice!
Service:
The cashier was very friendly, patient, professional, and detailed. She could tell we were first time customers, so we took the time to explain what was included with what meal and what sauces came with what meals. Quintessential customer service!
Food:
Fried catfish — I never really had cornmeal fried fish, but it was absolutely amazing! The tarter sauce complimented the fish well. The fish was season perfectly. There was the right amount of fries with the 2 pieces of catfish. And on a side note, don’t let the 2 piece of fish fool you. They are huge pieces!
Fried Chicken wings — I am a big fan of fried chicken wings and am a pretty harsh when it does come to chicken wings. But I have to say this is one of the better establishment. The chicken wings were crispy and were cooked well. But too heavy on the seasoning. The saltiness from the chicken wings only added on to the saltiness of the fries. At the end of it, you felt like you just drowned in the ocean.
Overall:
I would definitely recommend this place.

My favorite fish fry in all of Berkeley! Right next to ashby Bart and great catfish! I recommend everyone try the lemonade as well! It’s made fresh and it’s the best I ever had!!!

3.5 Stars.
They didn’t have change for $ 100 at 2:00pm on a weekday. I ordered catfish & prawns, but have no idea what kinda fish I got. It didn’t look or taste like catfish, but it was piping hot and tasted fresh with a crispy bland semi-​heavy coating. (I probably should have asked about their spicy seasoning.) I don’t think the prawns were fresh. They were butterflied like the frozen kind, and on the thin side. Probably wouldn’t order them again. The salad was simply shredded iceberg lettuce with diced tomatoes and red onion. It was ok for the price. It came up to $ 10 & some change. I’d stop if I was in the area & hungry.

I love to come here and have the catfish and prawns. Ben always makes sure to take care of me when I come. I drive all the way from Fremont and I’m never unsatisfied! Always happy to eat here when I’m in town!

I come here for chicken wings, and I am never dissappointed. I come here after I get my haircuts from across the street. I remember when they only did mexican food. I am so glad that they stopped, because that stuff was bland and terrible. Hopefully, they don’t raise the prices. The 5 dollar meals are cool, when I’m not in the mood for massive amounts of fried chicken.

The service was fast and friendly… the serving sizes were perfect and the batter was just right. There is a food variety of other options on the menu if you feeel like something other than something that has fins.

Not fish and chips. Fried southern-​style fish (coating not batter). Nothing special. Coleslaw soggy, garlic fries disgusting and service lackluster. If you are looking for British-​style fish and chips, don’t bother.

Let me start off by saying this place is not as good as you would expect. The burgers are amazing!!! The problem is witht the fried products. The fish is nasty. Doesn’t taste like good fish.
I ordered a burger and a few wings today and the burger was perfect! Best burger I ever had!
The wings on the other hand were salty, and I could tell they had been deep fried in fish grease. Disgusting. I wanted chicken not fish. Too much salt on the chicken. Yet, not enough salt on fries.
The service was fast. I did a phone order. She said the wait was 15min. I got there in time and it was ready. I paid extra for a side of mayo.
The atmosphere is mediocre. Small hole in the wall type. They are under staffed. Seemed like she could use help. But she was very very nice and respectful.
I’d go back but only for the burgers. The fish is really mushy. I had it about a week ago.
Good luck with this place. It’s kid of a hit or miss.

This place is pretty mediocre. Its convient. Food is ok. I ordered food yesterday and i was given a receipt. The receipt does not have the amount paid or the items ordered. It only reflected that i was number 45, time, date, and name of establishment. It was actually pointed out to me by another customer there who thought this to be questionable

Mediocre at best. I know it a fried fish place but the greasiness was out of control. The cardboard boat had a puddle of grease in the bottom. Fish was ok. It has a corn bread batter, I was expecting a beer batter. The chicken wings chewy and tasted remotely of fish. I upgraded to garlic fries for $ 1.25 extra, NOT worth it. They just dump a table spoon of minced garlic over you standard, pre frozen, thick cut, fries. Not worth the money. Probably won’t got back.

Best fresh seafood I have had in the bay so far. Very filling. Great sides. I have to make a trip here at least once a month.

Keep it up. Don’t raise the prices and keep the same quality of food you have, and you’ll have a customer for life.
Love this place.

The Fat Fish sells just fish and seafood, no more mex. eats.
place doesn’t look rundown anymores. keeping up with the ‘hood?
eats: $ 5 fish deal (2 piece catfish and fries)
–fries the usual frozen kind,
–corn breaded catfish, 2 large flat pieces, tasty
3.5 stars
crumbs:
–fish cooked to order, 5 – 10 minutes wait.
–smiling service, a surprise indeed.