Tugboat Fish & Chips

my wife loved the platter she ordered. usually dont eat fish but i had some of hers. for me to say fish is good. it must be

Great efficient service. The food was hot and crispy. Old location but it adds to the charm. It made me feel like I found a gem in the rough.

I was surprised to find out just how many locations there are, and then after trying it I realized why. This particular location isn’t what I would call aesthetically pleasing on the outside, but what they produce more than makes up for that. They are in a great location and their prices are reasonable for the portions. I can say with confidence that we’ve tried everything on the menu sans the fried zucchini (which is definitely on the list) and there is nothing on this menu I would not eat until the point of self debauchery. They are incredibly quick and a wonderful spot for lunch OR dinner.
I will admit as a nerd thing, (this doesn’t detract in any way from the review) that the shrimp they have drawn on their window is anatomically incorrect and a tich creepy.

At first glance, this place doesn’t look like much. It looks a lot less than «much», if you know what I’m saying. Located in an otherwise desolate-​feeling location, it certainly has a worn-​out look to it. But don’t let first impressions deceive you — this was a fine place for fish and chips.
We were driving back from Tahoe and were looking for a place to eat. We didn’t have any particular cravings, and I was just using the Unilocal app to look for nearby places as we drove. Eventually, this popped up on the screen. Since it was a just a short detour off Highway 50, we decided to give it a try.
The place looks a little sketch, both from the outside and inside. It still has that 70s-​style architecture that were typical of places like this long ago. The posted menu is also that old-​fashioned board where the letters and numbers are pressed into place. Appropriately, there were a few letters missing from the board. For me, this added to the appeal of the place.
The prices for the food was quite reasonable, especially as compared to Bay Area fish and chip prices. We asked for recommendations, and the friendly young woman at the counter suggested the prawns and shrimp combination. We also ordered a clam strip basket and a bowl of clam chowder.
It took about 10 minutes for the food to arrive at the table. Everything was hot, fresh, and crispy. Portions were very generous. The fish was really good — not too much breading and very moist and flaky. I loved the clam strips; they were just the right amount of chewiness with only a few overcooked pieces. The clam chowder had a nice creamy/​buttery flavor but was perhaps a little short on clam pieces and the consistency got a little watery after it cooled down.
The staff was friendly and the service was efficient. Overall, we were quite happy with our meal and will certainly be back on our next trip to the Sierras.

They are excellent! I drive from citrus Heights to go to that location! I’ve been going there for years! The fish is cooked perfectly and the oil is always fresh! They are also very nice there!

Great fish and chips shop food always taste fresh and made with fresh oil. I always get the sampler deal with fish shrimp oysters and scallops. This place never disappoints!

hi-​ya!
Fish and chips… I really like them… I like soaking them in the Worchester sauce, and slopping on tons of tartar sauce, but I’m not a huge fan of too much oil. I know, I know fish and chips are fried, blah, blah… but there is a point where too much oil makes things blah.
Anyway the place is as expected from the outside – small, reasonably clean and food good enough. I wish I could say amazing things, but this place got the job done for somebody hungry. Again tartar sauce smothering food makes things pretty darn good.

Tugboat has relatively low prices which has value in today’s economy, but I think this place is overrated. I noticed other Tugboats in the area average around 4.5 stars also, so it definitely has it’s niche in the minds of quite a few people, but I honestly don’t get it? This was my 2^nd time in and their service has been quick, helpful and friendly. The food is where things are a bit dicier…
Clam chowder here is not very good. 2 stars at best even though it has a decent amount of clams. I was told they make two small batches daily to keep it fresh by the lady who took the order but It lacked much clam flavor at all and was pasty. Potatoes were cubed well and the soup wasn’t too salty but a thinner chowder with a more pronounced clam flavor is preferable to this. I don’t like to waste food but in this instance, I ate about ¼ of the bowl.
White Cod fillet isn’t bad but a bit too thin. Some people may like the extra crunch factor but I prefer a thicker piece of fish with less breading.
Hush puppies and the fried shrimp here are pretty good. Oysters are not good (have napkins ready) a fried oyster and the scallop both had pockets of hot grease inside that squirted out and kind of burnt my hand.
Clam strips are average, lots of crunch and slightly overcooked like most clam strips are, but a decent sized portion. I like tender clam strips that keeps me from visiting the dentist but these were not very soft.
I really wanted to like my meal and if I do return I will order Shrimp and hush puppies and call it good. The rest of the menu from what i’ve tried so far, I will pass. Sorry Tugs.

Visiting these little fish and chips joints is one of my fave things to do. Where I live, sure I can get fish and chips in some restaurants, but the actual fish and chips stands like this are far and few between. Quick and fast great fried foods. The Sac area seems to have quite a few to pick from. I’ve heard of Tugboat fish and chips before, but never made it here. The pics and the reviews looked good, so since I was in the area for a business trip, I decided to give it a try!
I arrive around 11am… geeze they actually open at 10:30 am! I find the place easy and the parking lot is nice and newly paved. The building looks to have been some sort of fast food place in it’s former life. I go in and the place is fairly clean, not all super modern and chic by any means. Looking over the posed menu, I see the 3 piece fish and chips for $ 8.39. That’s what I get along with just water to drink, I don’t think they have beer here. There’s all kinds of other seafood here to fry as well, like prawns, oysters, clams and calamari. I think they fry in peanut oil, so if you have problems with peanut products, you better not come here.
I take a seat by the large windows, and my food is brought out to me, along with squeeze bottles of tarter sauce and ketchup. The malt vinegar is on the table as is the salt. All I need is salt and vinegar and I’m all set. The fish fillets are thin and long as opposed to the normal kind I get at the brew pub that are more chunky and thick but not so long. I like the thin kind better… more fried crispy area per fish that way! The food was all super hot when it arrived at my table… so hot I needed to let it cool a little first
My first taste, OMG, is this good! Not all greasy tasting at all, moist fish inside a golden batter and a nice little pile of chips underneath. The food here is very similar to my other fave fish and chips place in Roseville, Anchor Fish and Chips… same fish and same setup with the tarter sauce and ketchup. For a nice fish and chips experience, come here if in the Rancho Cordova area. I’ll be back when I pass through again!

Great place to go for fish n chips. The lady is really nice at the counter. She said their fish is fresh and not frozen. She recommended we try the fish and prawns. They came with fries and the prawns were pretty big. It comes with 1 peice of fish, but she gave us 2 because the peice was a little small. I can’t argue with that. For 2 baskets and drinks came out to $ 20.35. That’s a good price and we are plenty full. We will be back when we are in the neighborhood.

Ok this place is tiny and not all that glamorous looking from the street, but give it a shot. Definitely diamond in the rough. The fish is fresh and the batter is wonderful! Prices are fair. Restaurant is small but clean. To get better fish and chips you’d need to hit the coast, and even then, find the best place there. Just a wonderful find!

My girlfriend and I came here because it was close by and she was hangry (hungry + angry).
We ended up getting two fish and chicken strip combos and were surprised that it wasn’t as greasy or as salty as we thought it’d be. It came with one huge piece of fish and three chicken strips on top of crispy chips.
Our server wiped our table and gave us cold condiment bottles. Overall food and service was great. It’s definitely one of those «don’t judge a book by it’s cover places».
We’ll definitely be coming back here, whether my girlfriend is hangry or not.

Came in tonight on a Saturday evening, there was a line. we were in and out in 6 min. They were fast! We got the food to go and the fish stayed hot through a 5 min drive and getting settled at home another 5 min. and lastly our entire meal. It’s delicious, seriously. Best deep fried fish on this level restaurant ever! Flakey golden fried pieces Falls apart in your mouth and are light and not greasy. Fish is perfect. The tarter sauce is creamy and amazing — not too tart!
I’m not particularly a fry type of person but they have some warm tasty fries to accompany their perfect fish.
They gave us an extra fish, like another Unilocaler said happens to him. None of our fish was small, but we were appreciative.
Good value, tasty and hot! We will be returning again and again.

Today is the second time to visit Tug Boat fish and chips. It will not be the last! Shrimp and fish are simply stated the best I’ve ever eaten. Fresh, hot, super flavorful. It’s not the most lovely building but you won’t care. Stop in and enjoy, it won’t disappoint!!!

It’s… deep fried seafood, and they’re a dime a dozen here. I would say that Tugboat (this location certainly) does it a little better than the rest. I come here on a regular basis. The next step up from here is three times the cost.
What I like: They hook you up and give you decent portions. If you order two and they look small to them, you get three. If you order three and they look small, you get four. Cole slaw is decent. Oil isn’t rancid and overall the grease level is low.
What could be improved: A little less batter would be nice, but typically these places way overdo it. This place isn’t too bad.
The bottom line is I give it a go, it’s a good solid choice. If you’re hungry, come here. If you want top quality, you’re going to a place on Broadway and 5^th which I won’t mention because I’m reviewing this place, not them.

Great experience every time I stop by for a meal. Very quick and fast, the food is even better every time.

Tugboat Fish and Chips GIGANTIC 3 pieces beer battered fish and ‘chips’ (fries, in California and most of USA) for only $ 8.19 before tax! I’ve spent $ 12 before tax on awesome fish and chips, elsewhere. REALLY good fish and chips for inexpensive PLUS FREE STAMP REWARDS CARD!

Five stars because it WASN’T dripping with oil. Batter to seafood ratio is just right. Not overly battered. Crispy and light. Of course this place not being near ocean you can’t always expect it to be straight fresh from the ocean «catch of the day». For what it is its good.

I’ve always seen this place and since I was craving some fried oysters I decided to give them a try. I was not expecting them to be so small! They look like little jalapeño poppers. I’m use to the huge juicy ones lol. But over all tasty. I just wish they would have warned me of how small they were.
Tried the fish, really good and not all oily!
Would go back for the fish but Prob not the oysters.

The sketchy locale may off-​put some folks but not me! The worn down exterior of the place may cause some folks to just drive on by but not me! The decrepit interior may cause one to turn and quickly exit but not me! Because good food is where you find it!
So with that in mind I took a chance on Tugboat.
I ordered the fish and chips and some oysters from the friendly counter-​person. After about ten minutes my food arrived. Very hot. Very large portions of fish and lots of fries.
The fish was nice and crispy with good flavor but pretty greasy. The fries tasted of their frozen beginnings but were crisp and again somewhat greasy. The fried oysters were actually very tasty but a little over cooked. The tartar sauce from the squeeze bottle was pretty good. The cocktail sauce was like lumpy catsup in my opinion.
The three stars are for the following:
1) Cleanliness. Pretty spotless from what I could see.
2) Service. Nice and friendly.
3) Value for money. Low prices for seafood is tough to find.
The food has potential. If the greasiness could be addressed and a better French fry offered, this place would be a gem.