Tugboat Fish and Chips

Hidden gem… tucked away in a small shopping center with the Outback and Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The owner is super friendly and just makes you happy with his energy. Small but a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating. The french fries are delicious and anything else deep-​fried is very good I particularly liked the prawns. They have homemade tartar sauce cocktail sauce and malt vinegar available for dipping and of course ketchup for your fries. They have a TV which is usually showing Vines streamed from YouTube.

PROS
— hospitality
— clean, with hand sanitizer bottle on every table
— good price
— quick service
— non greasy food
— perfect amount of food
— not heavily battered, with tempura batter
— five sauces provided from fridge: ketcup, cocktail, hot, tartar, ranch. malt vinegar on table
CONS
— only two people working on a saturday
— music is lacking
A little hidden gem in Pleasant Hill! Off of the main road, Contra Costa Blvd, on Ellinwood. Found this place while looking up «fish and chips» on Unilocal.
Ordered two combos (fish and prawn) and one shrimp basket, along with three drink cups. Totaled around $ 30ish.
Fish and Prawns came with one big fish and four big prawns. Shrimp basket came with about 30 shrimps. All three came with chips, aka fries. We were provided with 5 sauce bottles upon being seated, and sauce containers.
Although there was only one cook and one person attending to customers, the service was quick and both employees acknowledged our presence and checked on us frequently.
For not being much of a «fish and chip» person, this was probably the best fish and chip spot I’ve come across!

Now re-​opened under new management, the Tugboat is better than ever. (The place had gone downhill fast in the previous year, with soggy food and a limited menu.)
The main thing is that the Tugboat serves great deep-​fried seafood at very cheap prices. If you ordered six pieces of, say, deep-​friend oysters at a regular seafood restaurant, they would cost you anywhere from $ 16-​$ 25. At the Tugboat, they’re less than half the lower price. The combo meals are good values, too: cod and oysters, shrimp and clams, various deep-​fried veggies, etc. All come with chips.
Of course, I’m not assigning the place five stars because I think it’s a Michelin restaurant or anything. The Tugboat is very simple, spartan even, the food served in plastic baskets; but the booths are clean and comfortable, the food is fresh and tasty, and, as I say, the prices are very attractive.

The Best Fish & Chips in N. California!!!
I lived in England for few years so I know what I’m talking about, this place brings the old memories.
Excellent quality, large portions, friendly fast service.
Glad that they are open again, highly recommend it to all.

I agree, hidden gem. Very fast, friendly service. Food was hot and non greasy.
Will definitely be back!

Excellent food. When my wife and I went around 2:00 PM on a Saturday, there weren’t many people in the place and there was only the owner working there. Orders took a bit because he would take orders, then go back and cook them to bring out to you as you sat waiting. He should consider hiring at least one person to help, but regardless, he was friendly and the food was excellent. We’ll definitely return.

Randomly came across this place and it’s very good. It seems like people in the area mostly take the food to go but it has plenty of seating to dine in. Fish and prawns were great. If you like egg rolls try the lumpia as a side or appetizer. I believe the owner was running the place alone while we were there and he was so kind and quick w the service.

The best fish and chips I’ve ever had. I ordered the fish and scallops. The scallops were fresh and sweet, everything was perfectly battered and fried. The fish was also very fresh and tasty. Coleslaw was freshly made and the hush puppies were made from scratch. Everything was delicious and perfectly cooked. The tartar sauce tasted like t was from scratch as well and the cocktail sauce. I was very impressed with how incredibly fresh everything was. The owner is Johnny and he’s very friendly. Even though it was fried food, it wasn’t heavy and greasy. I will definitely be going back. The owner was doing everything himself and could use some help. Be patient, it’s worth it! Best fish and chip joint. Hopefully he’ll add clam chowder to the menu. I can only imagine it would be a knockout.

I made my fish & chips today at home, i used to work there almost 5 years with the old owner etc.

I usually have a good experience at Tugboat, but today not so good. We waited for an hour for our food and kept hearing customers who ordered after us get their orders. I understand the person running the cash register and taking orders was also the cook as his employee called in sick, but did he not have another employee to call in? Lunch time is very busy there. He tried his best, but somehow got the orders out of line.
You know things are bad when a customer steps in and clears tables. Thank you sir, whomever you are!
Suggestions for next time:
1. Let your customers know their order will take some time as you are short staffed.
2. Place a trash bin in the dining area, near the kitchen, so customers can bus their own tables.
3. Offer your customers who waited a long time something for free or a discount on their next visit.

Not a happy camper, got it to go and they forgot my prawns– there phone is disconnected so that sucks and there deep fried mushrooms sucked, only good thing is the fish… Fries were cold when I got home as well, I take it you need to eat there so u get what u want… Get a phone tug

A++++++++ wonderful tasty food. I am glad that I stopped by to eat. Great service and a very friendly staff. really like the fish. If you’re in the area this place is a must stop.

Under new management, Johnny’s née Tugboat Fish and Chips is even better. The fish was fantastic, the portions were huge, the restaurant was clean, and the service friendly. To top it off, the prices are now cheaper. Will be going back.

We have been wondering when would this place open every time after our son’s Jiujutsu class. But it’s finally open!
Walked in and was greeted instantly. We took a few minutes to look over the menu. We had no idea what we wanted, just excited it’s open, lol.
The cashier, Kim (Owner’s nephew) was nice and friendly. The owner, Johnny Kim was nice enough to come over and asked how was the fish. John was nice & courteous. I could tell by the way he was talking to us that he’s a positive and friendly person.
Now to the amazing food… We ordered the 8 prawns, kids 6 mini fish, English clam chowder and a soda. Both meals comes with fries!
The prawns were delicious! They were big, tasted fresh, not skimpy like Outbacks’ store bought tiny prawns… The fish was really good, soft, full of flavor, just enough crunch with a lot of fish inside. The fries were amazing too!
The customer service was amazing and I’m not saying that because they just opened. I can tell this family is truly filled with kind hearted people. We will definitely be back!

Yeah! The old owner is back. .. this was a go to place for a long time but then the management changed a while back and boy were we dissappointed, apparently so was everyone else. The old owner came back and just reopened it. .. and it’s as good now as it every was. .. which was great!!!

Visit & review date 3÷12÷16… They are back and much improved. The past issues were centered around the former manager. Now, the actual owner is on hand and I was helped & served by his nephew, who is a very friendly fellow.
I had the 2 piece Fish & Chips, with a side of Lumpia. All very delicious. I chatted with the nephew, quite a bit. They are sourcing fresh Alaskan Cod for their fish dishes. It’s gooood.
The interior of the restaurant was clean and brightly lit. They’ve also added a couple of televisions.

aaaawwwww yyyeeeesssssss!!! they are open aganin! went in there, ordered a two piece fish and chips basket, just perfect!

They were closed for a while and have reopened. I’m glad they did.
I go to the nail shop next door and always wondered what happened to the place. It always had a nice flow of business to me.
Tonight after our mani & pedi my daughters and I went in. The owner came out to greet us personally. They have o my bee back open for 2days.
My daughter for the fish & scallop combo $ 8.99.
I got the fish & prawn Combo $ 7.99.
We also got a side of Hushpuppies $ 2.15
Everything was made fresh to order. Came out hot and we dig right in.
The food of course was delicious.
Customer service is Awesome.
I will be back!!!

This place has closed for over a month now. My favorite fish and chips location. We were told by owner and workers they were closing due to lease contract. Never failed my cravings. Miss this place so much. Friendly owner and services.

Still the same place with the same quality, and service. The Fish and Hushpuppy combo was great, and very fast. They were friendly on phone, and accurate with the order. It’s nice to have a reliable place to go on «no meat» Fridays during Lent.