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Category: Fish & Chips
Neighborhood: West Village14th St-8th Ave (A, C, E, L)
14th St-7th Aves (1, 2, 3, F, V, L)
14th Street (PATH)
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I've never been to England so I can't attest to how genuine this place is...but I'd imagine that they're right on the spot.
They serve Fish and Chips like I've never tasted at any establishment before. I grew up in New England eating seafood regularly. I've lived in Maryland, another seafood mecca. But the fish and chips just never quite compare to those at A Salt and Battery.
Everything is cooked quite well. Crispy without being overcooked. Fried without being greasy. Juicy and tender on the inside. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
They are located in NYC, so they aren't cheap. But you shouldn't expect them to be. You're paying for good quality, and that's what matters.
By way of reference, I used to eat fish and chips from Leo Burdock's in Dublin almost every week when I lived there a few years ago. (The good one by Christchurch, not one of the many "rubbish" ones like near Henry St.) I was really interested in finding a solid chipper in New York because everywhere else I've had it in the States has fallen sorely short.
This place produces a product with integrity. This is not the deceitful imitation fish and chips that masquerades at every lame fake Irish pub in every city in America. Unfortunately, my meal was good but not great. I had a small pollock and small chips. The pollock lacked the crispiness, but was well cooked, fresh, and tasted good. The chips were pretty disappointing and lacked the type of texture that I look for. I don't know whether this is an issue with the vinegar or what, but no matter how much vinegar I put on the fish, the flavor just didn't transfer. I don't know why.
The value is a bit lacking, too. My small pollock and small chips came to $10. I didn't get a full serving because I was eating not too much later. But for $10, I didn't think the portion was enough. But maybe that's just New York for you.
However, the banter of the guys behind the counter was really amusing. And they played the Judas Priest Christmas album. Hell yea.
I'll probably come back here next time I have a craving for something British, but this place won't become a frequent destination for me.
How horrible is it that while reading Angela's Ashes the more Frankie starved the hungrier I got?
There he was eating the newspaper that fish and chips were wrapped in and I think to myself "hmmmm...fish and chips sounds good, I think I'll go around the corner and get some". Horrible, I know. I did try and redeem the situation by taking the fish and chips to the Irish Hunger Memorial downtown to eat them, but as I sat there looking at the reproduction of the famine covered landscape of Ireland, and squeezing an extra packet of Heinz vinegar on the chips, I thought I didn't make the food more relevant I made my attempt at serious reflection more insulting.
Then it got worse because I thought about yelping about the fish and chips. Can you review the quality of food when your eating it because you read a book about little boy starving while sitting in front of a memorial designed to acknowledge a country-wide famine? I was in a dilemma, until I thought of who Frankie grew up to be and yes, he absolutely would have an opinion of the food - after he ate it.
A Salt and Battery is an authentic English chip shop in Manhattan. I walk by it all the time but until Frankie came into my life I never bothered to try it. Well his hunger became my inspiration. I ordered the closest thing to what he would have been dreaming about - the Pollock (Cod was unavailable) and chips.
But after opening the paper boat container I looked at the soggy chips and drab fish and instantly understood why people like ketchup. The order I got was not good. Nothing was crisp and yummy as a matter of fact it was all rather bland and tasteless. Only after many packets of vinegar and a lot of salt did I even eat it. I certainly was not going to throw away food - there are people starving in this world. But at the same time I don't think I will be headed back to the chip shop anytime soon. Maybe you have to be starving to enjoy it?
This was another place I went to do to their feature on Food Network.
I had the regular 'Fish & Chips' - cod - and it was yummy. Even better splashed with that greta vinegar. I stayed away from the sauce. I wanted to taste the fish, and boy was it cooked nicely. The batter was just right, not overdone and crisped well. The french fries....Oopsss, the chips were average, but better again with the vinegar.
I stayed away from the desserts...that's just wrong, frying any candy bars!
Yum! So good! Don't expect this to be a dollar-menu place, this isn't it! The food is worth the wait (fresh fish), the service was speedy, the staff was nice (and funny!). We came to NY for a visit and we knew to pay a little extra, so for good food, expect to do so. Definitely recommend the deep fried toffee crisp as a 'dessert' (again, YUM!!). Would have given five stars but there was nowhere to sit (all seats, even the bench outside) were taken.
Pretty good if you are watching your wallet.
A little greasy, but I guess it should be right? A little underseasoned with the fish but nothing a little salt can't fix.
I would say worth going once, at least to see if you want to go again.
This is the best fish and chips I have ever had. I don't even like cooked fish as I only will eat it raw. However, I now love it "sole"ly due to this place.
The name itself is quirky and who doesn't love a play on words? I ordered up a fish and chips from the chap behind the counter and waited with the other blokes. After making it fresh, I bit into my crispy, flaky, juicy, succulent, perfectly fried fish. SO GOOD. The chips were lovely as well and not mealy or greasy. The vinegar and tartar sauce helped to brighten up the meal but honestly, you didn't even need it. I devoured the whole thing myself and didn't feel gross afterward. That clinched it for me and every time we make it back to NYC, I drag my willing husby.
The first time I came here I had a fried Lion bar and the guy behind the counter kept calling me "kiddo," which was sort of charming. The bar was super decadent and made me think I should consider what I put in my body in the future.
I came back recently and had the chicken chunks with chips. The chips were better than the first 20 minutes of "Saving Private Ryan." The chicken chunks were okay. I blame myself for ordering them instead of a nice piece of fish.
Went to this place last night and they were sold out of the haddock.
I had the sole, he had the pollock and we split a large chips.
One word: Awesome.
Now the chips were kinda thick and blah to me so they needed a lot of salt and vinegar but the fish... ooh the batter was amazing!
The apple soda I had: not so much.
They were out of Boddingtons so he got a Holy Gr/ail which was ok.
I love that I could feasibly, if I was hungry enough, go from fried fishy goodness here to deliciously cheesy welsh rarebit at Tea and Sympathy and finish off with some tea, scones and cream.
All the seats were taken by the time we got there but it cleared out enough that I got to sit for most of it and that's really all that matters. =P
Excellent fish and chips. Even though it was covered in batter, the fish looked and tasted ultra fresh. There wasn't that much of a difference in size between our small and large order of fish. The small chips was definitely large enough to share.
For the more adventurous, they've got irn bru and a few other exotic british drinks and scary menu items like steak and kidney pie, deep fried mars bars and chip butties (which are apparently sandwiches of french fries and butter).
Note: there's very little seating, and what there is is pretty uncomfortable (low stools and a very high counter).
I've been meaning to give this place a try for a long time, so I was super excited to finally give it a try this past weekend. I had the large fried red snapper, with chips and a apple soda. First off, the price put me off a bit. The total came out to $17.50, which is pretty steep for fish and chips. The fish was very fresh and fried to order, but the fries were a bit soggy and not crispy enough. All in all, I think it's overpriced and not worth the trip unless you're a fish & chips fanatic.
1) WAY too expensive. Even a can of soda will run you about $2.50. I spent $13 on a SMALL order of fish and SMALL chips with a soda. Not to mention you eat off of wax paper in a basket and with plastic utensils.
2) Too small; I'm always either forced to stand at the dirty and small bar or outside on the bench.
But people are like 'Oh, I gotta go just for the experience!' Um, okay, save your 'experience' for McDonald's fish and fries for half the price- and you can actually sit to eat.
This place came as a recommendation from a friend, in addition to being featured as a "Throw down" location on Bobby Flay's show, so our expectations were high.
The location is really more of a hole in the wall; about 8 stools along the wall is the seating capacity, but that didn't bother us as they also have a couple of benches outside.
We had the Haddock, which was very good, but the 'chips' were somewhat soggy. We made the mistake of splitting a large order of the chips, when a small would have been plenty for two adults.
All told, I'm glad we went, but for $30+ for a walk-up dinner, my expectations were greater.
I went here on my birthday, for a good fish and chips, and I was very happy about the results! They have many fishes to chose from, with very reasonable prices and a fun staff! Also they have UK only drinks there, you pay a bit more but hey at least you can have it in the comfort of your home.
They have cute t-shits saying "Cod Save the Queen" which are available for purchase.
I will come back here again when craving fish and chips!
I'm a child of the 70's. My dad left my mom in the 70s for a younger women who looked like Goldie Hawns twin sister. My dad would pick me and my kid brother up every Wednesday and bring us to Long John Silvers on Sunrise highway in Holtsville. I would get a fried fish combo and a Bama Pecan pie.
Well LJS closed (its now a Starbucks) but I ate a meal today that reminded me of Wednesday visitation day.
I don't get this place. I walk into a cramped small store with limited seating. I order a large piece of fish and a side of "chips". The entire order for myself is 14 bucks? And what adult needs to eat a entire basket of fries. (I'm not calling it chips dude) Make a friggin basket for 9.99 that has SOME fries and fish. Dude! I know you're feeling it from the throw-down with Bobby Flay. Cut us normal folks some slack.
Yeah, yeah, the fish was good but anything taste good when you fry it for 10 minutes. I guess when you place the order, they drop the order in hot oil to start the cooking process. No heating lamps here.
Whenever I see a Kate Hudson movie I want to smack her upside her head and smell my hands for malt vinegar at the same time.
3 1/2 stars, its the best I can do. I wont be back.
This place is very overrated.
One of my absolute favorite places in New York.
The haddock is the best out of all of the fish on the menu, and don't get a large chips basket just because it fills you up waay too much. Best fish and chips, hands down.
Every time I have fish and chips somewhere else, I wish I was here.
It may possibly be considered criminal to be in NYC and not go here.
I love wearing my A Salt & Battery shirt that, on the back, says Cod Save the Queen.
Best. Fish. And. Chips. I. Have. Ever. Had.
Now granted, the one time I was in London for two days…
Read more »
I don't remember how I first heard about this place...obviously, probably from Yelp. When I checked out the website and realized it had been the location of a Bobby Flay "Throwdown" episode, I knew the bf and I would have to visit!
So we made it here on a late afternoon on Saturday. There's not much sitting room (bar sitting and a bench outside), but by the time we had ordered, 2 chairs opened up and we had a place to sit.
I asked for two fish recommendations since what was on the list just seemed like all the same white fish. I've only had cod so I wanted to see how other white fishes do. Here's what we ordered:
-small sole ($6.50): DELISH! The texture of the fish was smoother and lighter than the pollock and slightly sweet
-large pollock ($8.95): okay. According to them, the pollock is similar to cod and was just as flaky
-small chips ($3.50): small was more like a large! The fries were slightly toasted on the outside and soft on the inside
The batter was so good! So light and airy, it just melts in your mouth! And I thought Pajo's (Vancouver) made good fish and chips! A Salt & Battery's may have taken the bait as the best fish and chips I've had! The tarter sauce was YUM as well...it was a cross between tartar sauce and Caesar dressing. You can use it to dip the chips in too!
The next time I visit, I'm definitely trying one of the desserts. Deep fried sweets...c'mon, that has to be good, right?
Their t-shirts say "In Cod We Trust," but that's for the sake of tradition. A Salt and Battery may serve six or seven types of fish along with its fish of the day, but they don't serve cod anymore. That takes guts.
They've stopped because cod-fishing is not sustainable anymore, so they try to sell fish that are just as tasty but locally caught...Don't worry, that means Long Island not the Gowanus Canal.
A Salt and Battery gets bonus points for that, as well as their very UK staff and surprisingly somewhat UK clientele. More points for their tasty tartar sauce, and the friendly atmosphere that seems to take over on Friday nights when everyone seems to be in a great mood hunched over their crunchy chips, and deliciously fried fish with a Stella or summat.
I don't like their desserts - that fried mars bar sucks..but their fish sandwich is to die for. The fried seafood combo is wonderful. The chips are great. The chicken chunks are yummy and even their chicken and mushroom pie is heavenly.
I have also had their shrimp - really good. The roll with butter is decadent.
I LOVE this place.
I like my fish two ways: Deep-fried or raw and wearing a skirt*. In the deep-fried realm, enter A Salt & Battery- where the only assault and battery charges will be made by your silly calorie-counting diets.
I have been coming here since I was a high school senior. Now, I'm a big girl. Literally. Have you any idea how much oil I've allowed this tiny body to consume over the years? If we were to collect all that oil and let it flow freely onto this good earth, you would need to build an ark on top of Mt. Ararat to survive its wrath.
A Salt & Battery has a tiny menu, yet they stick to the fool-proof practice of specializing in what they do best. This would be anything deep-fried. From their savory selections such as the fish and chips ($3.50-$12.25 depending on fish type and size) to their sinful fried Mars Bars for dessert (various items ranging at $3.25-$3.50), the fry cooks ensure every piece of mouth candy that meets its doom in the deep fryer is properly shaken and dried. In my 9 flatulent years as a repeat customer, I have yet to take a bite on a soggy fried piece at this joint.
One thing that did change since my faithful visits as a lonely hungry teen is the absence of Cod from their menu. Apparently, it has been out-fished and are declining in numbers. This establishment earned my respect for respecting mother earth and pulled Cod from their menu. Until we wait for the fruitful return of the mighty Cod, they will serve pollock, sole, haddock, and whiting fish. If you aren't a fan of fish, they also have battered sausage, chicken chunks, shrimp, and scallops all under $10.
The store front is a mere hole-in-the-wall, not to be confused with a restaurant which it is not. Regardless, they do manage to have very limited counter seating for 5 or 6 people depending on butt size. These are for those who dare to be gawked at with disgust from jealous calorie-journal-keeping passers by through the glass windows.
The service is everything a fish and chip shop should be: with a smile and an English accent. I am not an Anglophile myself, but I do fancy British fry cooks who do a spot-on impression of Led Zeppelin and perform an a capella mini-concert for you while you wait.
They have beer. That made my liver squeal when I finally turned 21. As a half-formed adult now though, it disappoints only in its limited selection of New Castles and such. Otherwise, more props to them.
So how do you end a perfect trans-fat-free yet horrible carbo loading marathon at this dietary sin hole? 4 words: Idris Fiery Ginger Beer.
My size 00 cousins back home have a 2 word alternate ending for their adventures here: Index Finger.
*Supplemental Footnote:
"...of seaweed. Get your minds out of the gutter and into some battered pesca-heaven!"
amazing fish and chips. It is surprisingly healthy and a lot less greasy than the reputation has. Fish is fried perfectly. the cuts and quality of their fish is impressive.
It's not cheap. though, for what it is, there is definitely a good value. It works out to 8 oz's for 10 bucks.. for a beautiful fish, cooked perfectly. I say it's a down right steal.. They have beer.
Really good, fresh fish (we had the haddock)
OK fries (they gave us tons of them)
But the prices were too steep for what it was. Especially considering that you have to either stand and eat or sit at a greasy bar facing a dirty window. Gross.
The fish and chips here are very standard, not much more. I really wanted to be wowed, but was left a bit disappointed.
The chips were somewhat mealy, not really my cup of tea. I far preferred my experience at the ChipShop in BK.
Upon reading some bad reviews of this place I think it's important to note what constitutes good fish and chips. I'm not from England nor am I British but I feel like when people say the fish here is bland or greasy they forget that they are eating fish (specifically chosen = no strong flavored fish as to contrast well with the batter) that has been FRIED (so obviously it's going to be at least slightly greasy, what did you expect?).
The batter is supposed to be nice and light, while maintaining a good level of crispiness and the fish shouldn't have so much flavor that the batter is just an afterthought and vice-versa.
FISH AND CHIPS IS NOT SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN.
I think a lot of people immediately expect fish and chips to be fried chicken only substituted with fish. IT'S NOT. The immortalized fried chicken that we think of when we hear the words is really an American food that involves so many more spices and flavors (than fish and chips) that it's truly a representation of the overemphasis on flavor and salt that, sadly, many American people have grown accustomed to.
Fish and chips is pure like a baby with freshly changed diapers rather than fried chicken, which, for the sake of this comparison, is like a baby with...not so fresh diapers.
So when people say the fish here is bland, please understand that you're supposed to savor the taste of the fish in accompaniment with the batter and the chips.
They are a set.
They work together.
They are a family.
And if that doesn't change your mind, you just don't like fish and chips. Period.
Everything is A la carte
Large Haddock.
Small Fries.
Cold beer.
Excellent.
Haddock was freaking amazing. Paired with the equally amazing tartar sauce and you are in fried heaven.
Chips(fries) are standard fare. A small order is a lot of fries btw. I also had some cole slaw in a failed attempt at being healthier but yea.. pass on that...
The place is pretty small and hole in the walley but the food is good and the beer is cold. What more could a man want?
The british guy wasn't a prick too - which is a plus
We went here after we saw the Bobby Flay throw-down. Easy to see why Bobby got smoked. This is the best Fish and Chips I have ever had.
Get the Haddock -absurdly good.
I've been looking for a place just like this for a VERY VERY long time. I guess this is the most authentic that you can get in anywhere. I ordered the sole and it was the best because I know that it didn't taste frozen...It's soo fresh! If you love fish n chips ....Go to this place and you won't be dissapointed!
We got there around lunch time and expect that this place just have 8 seats and it is not really a big spot to dine. However, I really enjoyed it because the batter of the fish is soo different than the previous fish n chips that I have tasted. It's crispy and more flavor. The chips here are soft but not soggy (you won't find it in here crispy) but for me it's like heaven hmmm mmm good! Did i mention I met and had a picture of Mat the head chef of this place ;) so that made my whole day!
The best fried fish I have ever had. Ever. Really!
Not to mention excellent, friendly, reasonable service. I wanted my fried banana, I really did. But our server knew that I really didn't want it YET. He waited until I had finished my fish & chips before plunking that sucker into the fryer. Now that's consideration!
One star off because the chips - while good - are not worth writing home about. Neither is the banana, for that matter. But it was fresh.
Nothing special. You could get better fish and chips at any dinner. You cant even sit in this place and they give you so much fries that you end up throwing out half of it because its soggy.
It just got a big name because of the location and some workers that have enligish accents. Its expensive too considering the price of fish elsewhere.
I`ve heard so much about this place that i had to go and try it. I was disappointed here is why. The… Read more »
I saw Bobby Flay feature A Salt & Battery on Food Network and clearly being a foodie I had to try. I came down here with 2 friends anticipating a gloriously traditional Brit meal and ended up with heartburn than a happy tummy.
We ordered the fish bites and chips. For 5 little pieces of fish that are more fried batter than fish, it should not be $9.95. "Chips" aka Fries--I'm sorry this is America--were soggy and an extra cost.
I was really rooting for this place but I definitely wouldn't suggest.
The cod and chips was perfect.
The fish was super fresh, flaky crust and not greasy.
Limited seating. 7 stools inside. 2 benches outside.
Cheerful and friendly staff.
Excellent experience!
I've been wanting to go to this place since I moved a block away two months ago, but have been balking since people say it's so overpriced. Then I met a Londoner who says fish n chips are his THING, he's had them EVERYWHERE, and A Salt & Battery is the BEST, so off I went a week or so ago.
Unfortunately they were out of the haddock, which was what I wanted. We got pollock & chips and a side of shrimp with one soda. It was $18, which seems W Vill reasonable to me. Did they undercharge us? I dunno.
Service was cute and friendly. We brought our oily, paper-wrapped goods home after requesting extra condiments. We're big dippers. The sauce, I must say, is really delicious. The shrimps were better than the pollock, and the fries were wonderful after dipped in vinegar (oh gosh I'm salivating). The food is sooo heavy that it didn't take that much to fill up my bottomless belly, but the portions were generous. It was much greasier than I expected, and though I am normally a huge proponent of the deep fryer, I almost felt like showering after.
Final verdict: crave-worthy, but didn't quite live up to my sky-high expectations. I'm sure I'll try it again, and thank god they aren't open late, late night when greasy food tastes best!
Decent place. The chips portion was HUGE. A large is more than enough for 3 people. The fish portion was also decent. I don't know if it was me, but my pollock was very flaky, didn't like that, as I wanted a bite with a solid chunk of fish and batter. It was still very good, though. Fish was very fresh, none of that old fishy smell. Remember to sprinkle plenty of malt vinegar on top, yum. I'll probably come here again sometime.
Came here a couple of years ago after seeing the guys pwn Bobby Flay to the ground on Food Network. Took a few bites first without any vinegar and tartar sauce; just as I expected, perfectly battered, flaky, tender, fresh, porcelain, juicy cod, need any more adjectives? The tartar sauce is their secret weapon. Washed it all down with a ginger beer.
Liked the fact that there are other fish options on the menu, and shrimp! It's too bad they've stopped serving cod. Tiny place with just a few stools, but with a perfect basket of fish and chips I'm not gonna cry about it.
The Good:
- Nice sized fish
- Fair price
- Tasty shandy beer for $2.75
- Plenty of ketchup, malt vinegar, and tartar sauce
The Bad:
- Not enough seating inside. The kitchen/fryer section behind the counter is large so that takes away from the seating.
- More of a take-out destination
- Fish and chips sold separately.
- No bathroom
Heard about this place when it was on Throwdown and it looked so good the girl and I made it a point to stop in here on a recent trip to NY.
The verdict? I wasn't overly impressed. It was tasty and filling, but it just didn't rank as "the best" fish and chips I've ever had. Maybe I came in here with higher than average expectations, but when it's talked about so much and has so many good reviews I tend to raise the bar.
Would I give it a second chance? Possibly, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
I read a lot about this place before going with some friends. Its achieved an almost legendary status among those into fish and chips, so I was expecting a lot. Sadly, it did not live up to my expectations.
The storefront is small, and inside there is only counter seating for about ten or so people tops (and that's if you crowd it). There is a bench outside, but that's about it. As we walked away from the store, there were people sitting on nearby stoops and closed storefronts eating. You'd think that is a reflection of how amazing the fish is, but really, it's not.
The batter on the fish held well to the meat, and the fries were very good. However the fish was tasteless. I've had plenty of fried fish in my time, and usually there is still some "fresh seafood" taste/scene to it, but here it was just gone. After pouring some vinegar and ketchup on it I got some flavor, but their vinegar is oddly weak (and they don't dilute it, I saw them pour it straight from the big jug into the smaller containers).
On the plus side, service was quick and efficient and they kept a rather long line moving quickly.
Disappointing overall and considering how pricey it was, I'd rather hit up an Arthur Tretcher's.
Im from the Dominican Republic... and in my island we like our fried fish well seasoned and we dont do batter... so granted, British style fish and chips are a change of pace for me. While out in london, i tried it and hated it because it was extremely bland compared to what i expect from fried fish.
That being said, i already expected some bland fish smothered in batter when i came to A Salt & Battery...
let me start by saying that the food here is great. while the fish DEFINITELY doesnt have the flavor and seasoning of some delicious fried fish on the beach in the Caribbean... i have to say this is the best Fish & Chips i have been to and they have some great stuff.
for starters, i recommend you get the haddock, a bit more expensive but the most flavorful of the bunch. if your a fan of batter, get the sole, but for the most part id steer clear of the cod, its just too bland.
personally what makes this place the ONLY fish and chips spot id go to, is the Homemade Tartar Sauce. it is absolutely INCREDIBLE. all of the injustice done by leaving that fish unseasoned is corrected by that wonderful tartar sauce
if you like traditional British chips, then im sure youll love the way they make them at A Salt & Battery, personally im not a fan so i go for the Potato Dabs which are big slabs of Potato fried in batter. they are very delicious especially if you dip into the tartar sauce.
go for the fried Shrimp as well they taste very good!
Neighborhood: West Village
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: West Village
Category: Specialty Food
Neighborhood: Harlem
Category: Fish & Chips
Neighborhood: Park Slope
Category: British
Neighborhood: Financial District
Category: Seafood
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