What do Americans call a meal of fries with battered fried fish. Fish and chips?
Posted by CrazyJoe29@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 477 comments
I’m Canadian. My dad was from England and my mum was a bit of an Anglophile so we used the terms “fries” and “chips” fairly interchangeably to refer to what an American would likely, exclusively call fries.
But I’m curious is “fish and chips” a common American menu item? Or is it “battered fish with fries” or some variation common? What have you seen on menus?
Always called them potato chips though, never “crisps”🤷♂️
batsmilkyogurt@reddit
Fish and chips, or sometimes a fish fry.
seecarlytrip@reddit
Where I live, I’ve only ever heard “fish fry” used in the context of the gathering to fry fish. Like “we’re having a fish fry this weekend if you want to come by!” Then it’s a bunch of dudes sitting around a deep fryer outside drinking beer.
Impressive_Ad8715@reddit
In Wisconsin, “fish fry” refers to the food itself too. Extremely common here on Fridays. “We’re going out for Friday fish fry” is pretty standard - usually it would mean going to a bar or restaurant to get their fish fry (fried fish with French fries) or if it’s during Lent, most Catholic Churches have them as fundraisers too.
ScyllaGeek@reddit
Regionally a fish fry to me is only ever used in the context of a fundraising dinner being held by the local church or firehouse or American Legion or whomever
Draconuus95@reddit
Grew up in Houston and surrounding areas. Having a fish fry plate at some restaurants was definitely a regular occurrence. Usually with fries being a side option. Although hush puppies were the more traditional choice.
EducationWestern5204@reddit
In the South, a if you went to a fish fry it would be cornmeal crusted fish (often catfish) served with lemon wedges and hot sauce, never beer battered fish. And fries could be present, I guess, but you’re more likely to see potato or pasta salad, fried okra, hush puppies, slaw, things like that. I would actually be shocked if I went to a fish fry and it was fish and chips 😂 So it’s fun to learn that a fish fry is something else in other parts of the US.
allonsy_badwolf@reddit
It is so funny.
If you said “fish fry” specifically where I live you’d definitely get a beer battered fish, often cod, with French fries, coleslaw, and possibly a Mac salad depending on location.
Must be a NY thing!
dragonblade_94@reddit
Lines up close to a fish-fry in WI. Beer battered cod is the norm, though you can usually upgrade to more expensove fish like bluegill. Fries, slaw, and rye bread are often the default sides.
chattahattan@reddit
Can’t forget the brandy sweet Old Fashioned!
EducationWestern5204@reddit
Rye bread 🤯
This really is a fun conversation. Can’t wait to see what else people from other parts of the country share about what fish fry is in their region.
BuffaloTexan@reddit
Yeah as a fellow wny guy this is the most obvious thing... Lol
EducationWestern5204@reddit
You can’t even order a fish fry in the South! You can order fried fish in a restaurant, but a fish fry is a community event. And unless specified otherwise, if you order fried fish in a restaurant, it’ll be cornmeal crusted. I’m glad we’re all having the conversation 😂 it might save us a lot of confusion one day if we’re visiting each other’s regions of the country.
FormerKey3258@reddit
I'm from Eastern Oklahoma and living in Colorado. We eat cornmeal-battered catfish (often blues that come from the Canadian and Arkansas rivers) back home, and I miss it here. It isn't a thing even a few hundred miles away from home. I'd like to have some garden-fresh fried okra, too.
I like fried fish of all kinds, but the fish and chips I've had in London leave a weird, greasy feel on my mouth that I don't like. I've had them at a few British-style pubs around the US and in Vancouver, and didn't care much for that style either.
EducationWestern5204@reddit
Yeah, I don’t care for fish and chips either. To me, the batter somehow feels greasy, rubbery, and doughy and doesn’t have a lot of flavor. I love the crunch and saltiness of a good cornmeal crust. I live in the PNW now and people here are wild for fish and chips, but that dish just isn’t for me. But I love eating cornmeal crusted seafood and okra when I’m visiting him.
Swan-of-War-425@reddit
PNW has some really good fish and chips
ethnomath@reddit
I think “fish fry” is the most accurate term because eating fried fish/seafood with fries is not uncommon. But if the place is fashion as a British ‘fish and chip’ shop, fish and chip is the correct term.
creamcandy@reddit
I have never ordered a "fish fry", but I've definitely gone to a fish fry; there must also be hush puppies
rogun64@reddit
Yeah, I always thought of a fish fry as an event that served fish and chips.
marko719@reddit
This is the correct answer. "Fish and chips" is a meal. A "Fish fry" is an event, typically held on Friday evenings across the Northeast and Great Lakes regions.
Drew707@reddit
I would assume it's fairly common among any large Catholic population.
creamcandy@reddit
Also among non Catholics. Frying outside for a large group makes it more worthwhile and less messy
Red_Sox0905@reddit
From illinois also, can't remember except maybe Long John Silvers using fish and chips. Always just fish fry, where except there's to be fries.
Dreamweaver5823@reddit
Are you saying that if you go into a place that serves fried fish with French fries, that item will be listed as "fish fry" on the menu?
Zato_Zapato@reddit
Yes
Red_Sox0905@reddit
No. Fried fish is just on the menu and side options are listed beneath it. A lot of local places here fish isn't a regular menu item either. It's usually just a weekly special, especially during lent.
Suspicious_Art9118@reddit
Wisconsin checking in to confirm
BurritoMaster3000@reddit
That's regional - its always Fish and Chips in the PNW.
donuttrackme@reddit
They're mistaken. The whole event is called a fish fry. The dish is not called a fish fry.
Zato_Zapato@reddit
You can’t say a whole group of people who refer to it as such are “mistaken”. It’s just a regional thing
donuttrackme@reddit
I'm from that region as well bud.
Zato_Zapato@reddit
Really? You’re from WNY, too, champ? Then you know you can walk into any local restaurant in the Buffalo area that serves such a dish and on the menu it is called “Fish Fry”
donuttrackme@reddit
And it's only ever served with fries? Nothing else?
Zato_Zapato@reddit
Usually fries but you can sometimes sub them with mashed potatoes. Often it comes with coleslaw and some other side, like Mac salad or potato salad, but that depends on the restaurant
donuttrackme@reddit
And that's my point. Fish and chips is not called a fish fry, because a fish fry can involve many other sides and things that aren't chips. So no, fish and chips is not a fish fry. A fish fry involves other things.
Zato_Zapato@reddit
Okay. Well I guess in that case fish and chips isn’t really a thing where I live. I can’t think of a single restaurant that offers such a thing by that name
CMFB_333@reddit
Where I’m from in Wisconsin we definitely say “I’m gonna order the fish fry” when we go out for a fish fry.
TheOGRedline@reddit
Yes. When I think of a “fish fry” I think of catfish and southern style breading. “Fish and chips” fish in the PNW is usually cod or halibut and a beer batter.
metallicafan866@reddit
Western NY checking in, we call it fish fry
donuttrackme@reddit
The dish itself is not called a fish fry though.
Zato_Zapato@reddit
In WNY it is!
donuttrackme@reddit
Even if there aren't any fries? I'm from CNY so I'm not just speaking bullshit. The fish fry can mean hush puppies, or other sides. Fish and chips is only fish and fries. Nothing else.
metallicafan866@reddit
Even with no fries we call it fish fry round Buffalo. It's more about the prep of the fish than the sides with it.
donuttrackme@reddit
Yeah, and that's my point. Fish and chips is very specially always fish and fries AKA chips. A fish fry can contain other things that aren't chips. So no, fish and chips is not also called a fish fry. A fish fry contains other things, and doesn't even need to have "chips".
Pinklobster87@reddit
Agreed, in Wisconsin it's fish fry.
couchsweetpotato@reddit
Western NY here, also call it a fish fry
Zato_Zapato@reddit
Yeah, where I’m from we call it a fish fry, and it’s presumed to come with sides, typically fries and coleslaw. I can’t think of any restaurant I’ve been to that called it fish and chips. Usually just fish fry. (I’m in Western New York)
Public_Recording2322@reddit
Upstate NY and seconding “fish fry”
Agitated-Sock3168@reddit
Upstate NY, as well, and they aren't the same things. Arthur Treachers was fish and chips. Ted's is fish fry (plenty of others, depending on location). Fish fry is fried fish on a bun...and, if you want fries you'll have to order them.
Bahnrokt-AK@reddit
Grew up just outside of NYC. Never heard of a fish fry. Went to college at UAlbany and it’s the first time I heard of it being a genre of food. But I agree. Fish fry =/= Fish and Chips.
Fish and chips tends to be a fillet of fish, fried and served on fries. A Upstate NY fish fry is a comedically long piece of fish on a hot dog bun. Fries as a side and onion rings are just as common.
Ted’s is the place. But RIP Bob and Ron’s.
donuttrackme@reddit
Fish fry is the event, the dish itself is not called a fish fry.
donuttrackme@reddit
Fish fries aren't the same as fish and chips though. Fish fries are a whole event, usually on Fridays and especially during Lent.
agenttrulia@reddit
That’s funny, we call it fish and chips in my neck of the woods… except during lent. Then it is exclusively a fish fry.
Abject-Recipe1359@reddit
Yeah but that’s more of an event rather than the dish, wouldn’t you say?? Like we’re gonna have fish and chips at the fish fry??
kyxtant@reddit
Grew up in KY. Fish and chips is a beer battered cod (or other white fish) and French fries.
A fish fry was always fresh fish fried in a cornmeal breading with some southern sides. A fish fry was always the event. you would have people over for a fish fry the same way you'd invite people to a cookout or barbecue.
klttenmittens@reddit
Cornmeal breading is the superior form of fried fish
ColoradoWeasel@reddit
I think a fish fry is more descriptive of the event versus the actual dish.
_lilidawn_@reddit
To me, a fish fry is something else entirely.
Fish and chips shows up on a lot of menus, tho
Spirited_Ingenuity89@reddit
I wouldn’t call a particular dish a “fish fry.” A fish fry is like an event. Like I wouldn’t expect to see “fish fry” on a menu. I go to a fish fry, I don’t order it. Whereas fish and chips is something I might see on a menu.
Nykaren24@reddit
Fish fry here in upstate NY as well, usually only on Fridays (although you can get breaded fish & fries on other days).
smythe70@reddit
Fish fry Fridays, we had.
neBular_cipHer@reddit
Fish and chips
Draconuus95@reddit
Fish fry is also used in some areas. But definitely not as prevalent.
Better-Delay@reddit
From my travels that seemed to be a mostly north-east thing, seemed like every firehouse had a friday night fish fry during the summer
Draconuus95@reddit
Ya. Mostly seen in areas with heavy Catholic populations since most meat wasn’t supposed to be eaten on Fridays. Fish was the exception since for a long time it was considered the poor mans meat option.
CupBeEmpty@reddit
And fun fact various diocese have also allowed beaver, muskrat, and capybara because… uhhh… they like water or something.
cjbanning@reddit
Also alligator.
CupBeEmpty@reddit
Yeah there’s a few more too
donuttrackme@reddit
Not the same as fish and chips though. That's a specific dish. A fish fry is just a fish fry, doesn't have to have fries/chips.
dgillz@reddit
I wouldn't say "never".
donuttrackme@reddit
In the Northeast? Are you from there?
dgillz@reddit
No, but I have spent a lot of time there, particularly Boston and Providence RI.
Words like "never" and "always" are pretty low bars to clear.
donuttrackme@reddit
Fine, almost never. And my main point is that a fish fry doesn't even have to be served with fries or chips. So the British dish known as find and chips is not equivalent to a fish fry. A fish fry can involve many other things, and doesn't even need to include fries or chips to be called a fish fry.
Fish and chips in Britain is always fish and chips. Nothing else.
dgillz@reddit
As many others have said, a fish fry is an event, not a dish. And I'll add that at a fish fry, fish and chips is a very common option.
Draconuus95@reddit
It’s not just a thing in the north east.
Happens a good bit in the south as well. And while hush puppies are the traditional side for many people in the south. French fries definitely are not a strange thing to see at them.
donuttrackme@reddit
The point I'm making is that fish and chips as we know it from Britain is only served with fries. A fish fry can involve other things like hush puppies or coleslaw etc. It isn't only fish and fries every time.
motivational_abyss@reddit
A fish fry is also a thing in the Deep South, usually with catfish and hush puppies. Though it doesn’t have the Friday connection, in my family they were usually a Sunday event.
tronj@reddit
Hush puppies are corn meal rolled into small spheres or cylinders and deep fried with optionally included mixins like finely diced onion or jalapeño.
motivational_abyss@reddit
Yeah no shit
tronj@reddit
Defining it for the audience of non-Americans ….
mburucuja@reddit
Friday night fish fries are a thing at churches and lots of restaurants and bars here.
mistiklest@reddit
The event is a fish fry, but I'd still call the dish fish and chips.
mburucuja@reddit
Fish fry here doesn’t usually come with chip-style fries. Standard sides are potato pancakes, coleslaw, rye bread, and tartar sauce.
peabody_soul109@reddit
In Cleveland, it typically comes with pierogi. I believe it’s regional
dragonblade_94@reddit
Interesting, I've grown up on fish fry in WI, and fries have always been the standard side pretty much anywhere that offered it (alongside slaw and rye).
Responsible_Fish1222@reddit
I'm in a fish fry area but we have regular fries, coleslaw, a bun (usually a bit on the sweet side) and tartar sauce
Inside-Run785@reddit
Not every place does potato pancakes.
BoomerSoonerFUT@reddit
Only time I’ve seen “fish fry” is for catfish
motivational_abyss@reddit
Same, don’t forget the hush puppies
th3rdeye_@reddit
And from my experiences it’s only labeled like that in bars and seafood joints
AnInfiniteArc@reddit
I would love to see the menu of a single example of a place not calling it fish and chips.
Icantevenhavemyname@reddit
https://www.captainds.com/our-menu/
GreyNCloudy@reddit
It’s almost always called “fish and chips” anywhere it’s on the menu in the PNW, regardless of the type of food or establishment (bar, fast food, diner, seafood-specific place or not). Not sure about anywhere else in the US.
ceebuttersnaps@reddit
In California it’s fish and chips too.
FilthyMindz69@reddit
PNW too.
Fish and chips is all I know it to be called too.
Alexandur@reddit
Same in the southeast
CupBeEmpty@reddit
New England usually goes with fish and chips as well. Some places just say fried [type of fish] and it comes with a side of fries.
shinymiss@reddit
I live in the Midwest in a very land locked state and can get fish and chips at a lot of sit down restaurants.
mesembryanthemum@reddit
Friday night fish fry in Wisconsin
MuchDevelopment7084@reddit
Nope. It's always fish and chips at every place that sells it.
Elmodipus@reddit
Where else would you get it?
FoggyGoodwin@reddit
Gulf Coast
Neb-Nose@reddit
This is the right answer. When fries are with fish, they are chips. Every other time, they are fries.
emploaf@reddit
Not necessarily, as a Texan when fries are served with southern style fried catfish they are without question called fries. In the US fish and chips is more of an east coast styled beer battered fish or else I’m calling them fries.
the-william@reddit
Also Texan. Yeah. Catfish and fish are, for these purposes, two entirely different things.
brains_and_tits@reddit
I live in Florida, born and raised in Philly. I have traveled all over the Southern US - and still can’t find hush puppies that I like. I want them to be sweet or dipped in honey or something
emploaf@reddit
Everyone one has good opinions and bad opinions. That’s definitely one of your bad opinions
brains_and_tits@reddit
lol - I was just saying to someone else, I think it’s because I didn’t grow up with them - I only ate them on vacation etc. I want them to be sweet, like sweet corn bread with actual corn in them. lol
the-william@reddit
ah. the issue is that you’re not from the south. i’m not being a smart-ass, i promise.
In the south, cornbread is/was/has-been a staple food served with dinner. cornbread with sugar is what my mother referred to as “yankee cornbread”and more resembles cake. presumably, it doesn’t turn up on other regional tables as a staple.
in fairness, i don’t actually dislike it with sugar. (and i really like unsweet cornbread with a small drizzle of honey.) but it ain’t real cornbread by my palate’s definition. 🙂
so, if you’re from philly and want your hush puppies sweet, I’m really not at all surprised. but i’m afraid you’ll always be disappointed.
brains_and_tits@reddit
I am absolutely sure you are correct - I didn’t grow up with them , only ate them occasionally when we were in the Carolinas, so I don’t think I developed a taste for them. I want them to taste like donut holes.. lol
the-william@reddit
well, who says you can’t have both?! 😁 love me a donut hole …
DryIncrease1865@reddit
Right. We never serve French fries with fried fish. It’s always Catfish and hush puppies, coleslaw and au gratin potatoes.
the-william@reddit
I’m hungry now.
NoDay4343@reddit
I don't think fish & chips is that much of an East Coast thing considering I have had it plenty of times in California and also a few times in various states scattered all across the country including in the south. But I'll agree when you're having catfish (and that's most likely to be in the south) you call it fries, not fish & chips. I've also never been offered malt vinegar with catfish & fries. And as another person pointed out, when it's catfish, it might not even be fries at all: it's likely to be hush puppies. I feel like they're just considered totally separate dishes and none of the same rules apply.
thenerfviking@reddit
Different kind of fries usually too. I feel like gulf coast fish and fries/calabash fish and fries can kind of be dealers choice when it comes to fry style where as fish and chips usually implies at minimum a steak fry and at maximum a jojo or potato wedge.
emploaf@reddit
Fries should be thin and have some skin on them while chips should be thick and skinless, although that’s more of an opinion than a hard rule
Majestic-Macaron6019@reddit
Yeah, fish and chips has to be beer battered. Cornmeal breaded is its own genre of fish. I prefer both.
IndependentQuick323@reddit
I haven’t had fried catfish in over 20 years and now I’m craving some.
emploaf@reddit
Just make sure it’s served with hushpuppies and you have a bottle of hot sauce ready
shelwood46@reddit
True, when I was growing up in Wisconsin, every Friday was Fish Fry Friday, and you got some variety of fish, beer battered, usually with fries but could be any kind of side, or even just a slice of bread and a slice of onion. It was definitely never called Fish & Chips. But when I go to a restaurant in the Northeast (NJ/PA/NY) it IS fish & chips, usually boring fried cod and whatever fries they usually serve. If they are pretentious, it will be served in a paper-lined metal cone, with malt vinegar.
GreenStrong@reddit
Yes, in NC we have calabash style fried fish and "fish and chips" refers to a slightly different style than fried fish with fries as a side. (Hush puppies are a better choice of side)
Sa1ntmarks@reddit
The same goes with Gulf Coast seafood. If there are hushpuppies involved let alone shrimp, scallops, oysters, crab, etc etc, they are fries. It's only Fish and Chips if that's the only fish on the menu.
bluecifer7@reddit
Honestly they’re still French fries. I bet if you asked an American what is in fish and chips they would say fried fish and French fries
sweetnourishinggruel@reddit
If someone wanted to grab a snack off my plate of fish and chips they’d say, “can I have a fry?”
EulerIdentity@reddit
They’d ask? They wouldn’t just grab it?
TableIll4714@reddit
I would look at the fries longingly until offered one
Leoliad@reddit
It would depend on who it was. Most people would ask first.
spidermans_mom@reddit
Can confirm. Did this last month.
AreYouAnOakMan@reddit
As long as you didn't ask to borrow a fry. Like, is you gon' give it back, ninja?
Fluff_Chucker@reddit
I don't want it back, when you're done with it... 🤮
justmyusername2820@reddit
Oh that’s so true! I never thought about it but you’re right. The combo is called “Fish and chips” but my husband gets my fries from that dish.
But at McDonalds it’s a filet o fish and fries. Fish and chips are the deep fried filets, usually cod, French fries and tartar sauce and lemon on the side. No bread
Future_Telephone281@reddit
The name of the dish is fish and chips.
It’s made up of fried fish and French fries.
I think that sums it up.
Oso_de_Panda77@reddit
Typically, they're not French fries, though. More often than not, they're STEAK fries. FRENCH fries refers to the cut.
do-not-freeze@reddit
Yeah, we just borrowed the whole name from British English.
forgetfulsue@reddit
Well, that’s what it is, isn’t it? Battered and fried fish and French fries, or more commonly potato wedges.
thaconnodor@reddit
No we don’t say that
chrismac47@reddit
Oh. I've never had fish and chips. What is it?
triple-dog-dar3@reddit
This must be regional. I don’t know anyone who consistently says French fries. There just fries.
jreid1985@reddit
Nope.
emaddy2109@reddit
The menu most likely clarifies it too. Something like: battered cod with French fries.
NoForm5443@reddit
I mean... The 'chips' aren't supposed to be french fries, right? At least they are cut up different, and I think fried differently?
StuckInTheUpsideDown@reddit
Not really. If I go to Captain D's and order a fried catfish entree with fries as a side.. nobody is calling those chips.
Fish and Chips is only large breaded pieces of cod in a basket with fries. Nothing else.
Side note: I once went to a fancy restaurant and ordered fish and chips. Not only did they serve it without malt vinegar... I couldn't get them to bring any either. Needless to say I never went back.
GelatinousCube7@reddit
they are "frenched fries" frenched meaning to cut into thick strips, or to chip in england. although some of our fries are more accurately described as chipped, i.e. waffle fries....
SmallKillerCrow@reddit
I'd argue that isn't right. The meal is fish and chips but the fries are still fries. For example if I wanted extra I'd say "I'll have the fish and chips with extra fries please"
UnderstandingDry4072@reddit
Unless they’re with steak, then they are frites.
charkleman@reddit
Steak frites.
neBular_cipHer@reddit
Happy cake day!
Yep_why_not@reddit
Unless with steak and then they are frites.
Fit-Restaurant-3550@reddit
Right, ordered as “chips”, but once they arrive, they become fries again.
AuroraLorraine522@reddit
East coast here and I’ve never heard an American call it “fish and chips”. Where I grew up, we’d call that a fish fry.
Cerulean_IsFancyBlue@reddit
I can testify to both. We have multiple fish and chips restaurants in Seattle, and “fish and chips” appears on the menu in plenty of other places. I grew up visiting family in New England, where it would be called something like a fried fish platter, or a fish fry.
mealteamsixty@reddit
The number of times I sold this in restaurants as an American waitress and had people get confused or even indignant expecting potato chips is too damn high.
Working in restaurants made me believe the hype about how many Americans are indeed functionally illiterate.
DrJaneIPresume@reddit
Yes, it gets brought in as a name for an ethnic food.
Bigmtnskier91@reddit
You mean Freedom Fries?? 😠 🇺🇸 🦅
05041927@reddit
Freedom fries are skinnier and longer. Chips are wide and thick.
PghSubie@reddit
"freedom fries" is never a term that is used seriously
05041927@reddit
It’s used seriously as historical reference to something that definitely happened.
05041927@reddit
And there is a very large group of people that still use the term. Just because you’re mad about it or won’t admit it doesn’t matter.
Own-Distribution-193@reddit
And we had to say dickitey because the Kaiser had stolen our word for twenty.
murdered-by-swords@reddit
I have never in my life heard anyone use that term unironically, even back when it was first coined
myredditlogintoo@reddit
I've been to a place that had freedom fries on the menu.
SoManyBirthdays@reddit
There’s still a Freedom Laundry in our town that dates from that era.
jackofspades49@reddit
Back then you'd mosey down to the five and dime with two farthings in your pocket and an onion on your belt, as was the style at the time, to pick up an order of freedom fries from the pharmacist and be back home before the streetlights came on!
Repulsive_Client_325@reddit
They didn’t have white onions because of the war. The only thing you could get was those big yellow ones.
hbi2k@reddit
We had to say "freedom" because Al-Qaeda had stolen the word "French."
KolKoreh@reddit
Bush tried to chase them to get it back but he gave up after dickety-six miles
HerrDrAngst@reddit
Get your mind out the 2005 and join us in the present
Efficient_Wheel_6333@reddit
Yep; probably the only time folks'd look at you weird here in America if you said fish and a side of fries. Well...unless you were ordering a fish fillet sandwich at McDonald's or something.
RealCarlPanzram@reddit
But if there’s a description of what “fish and chips” are, it usually says fries. I just checked the menus of my two local bars to see how they describe it.
Beer battered fish served with our Famous Fries and a side of tarter sauce
White cod, tempura batter, served with coleslaw and fries
Efficient_Wheel_6333@reddit
I think most places do that. It's just...I know that folks are going to be looked at a bit weird, at least where I live, if they insist on ordering fish and fries instead of fish and chips.
RealCarlPanzram@reddit
Yeah that would definitely confuse me if the actual item was called “fish and fries”
Digital_Simian@reddit
I call 'em fish and chips to. It's also the only time fries are referred to as chips.
husky_whisperer@reddit
Fish and chips are the only time we refer to fries as such. All other references to fries as chips levy a fine depending on jurisdiction.
Ugly-as-a-suitcase@reddit
we also might skip calling it fish and chips and call it a fish fry, knowing french fries are included
Ok_Two_2604@reddit
Here, we will call them chips if they are deep fried crunchy wedges. Though my understanding is real British chips are supposed to be soggy and gross.
KilD3vil@reddit
You mean steak fries?
7eregrine@reddit
/thread
Familiar-Attempt7249@reddit
It also tends to be the thicker cuts that you see when travelogues show fish and chips in the UK, what might also be called steak fries if sold without the cod/haddock, although I have seen a few crinkle-cuts and shoestrings here and there.
3m2coy@reddit
My step daughter is Australian and she calls fries and potato chips, chips. I was asking her mom how when ordering or reading a menu, do they differentiate between fries and chips. For example, if the menu has a sandwich and potato chips as a side, how do you know what you are getting? She looked at me like I was crazy because why would you ever put potato chips as an option on a menu? I tried to explain homemade chips, but I think her takeaway was Americans are crazy.
Vikk_Vinegar@reddit
Yes, and even then in the menu description they're almost always called French fries.
Nondescript_Redditor@reddit
fish and chip
blackunycorn@reddit
Always fish and chips in the US but we never refer to fries that way, ever, in any other dish (okay maybe halibut and chips… clams and chips… you get the idea).
Julesagain@reddit
Friday fish fry
FamousCow@reddit
There’s also the “fish fry”. Very common in the Midwest, and includes fried fish with sides that often include French fries.
tombrady_sitstopee@reddit
Big in western new york too
straightblather@reddit
Yes. Fish fry. Fish, fries and coleslaw!
JGF24@reddit
Here in Wisconsin, it is "Friday night fish fry" usually with fries (nobody calls them chips). Some places have other potato options - like potato pancakes which are objectively the best option, when offered.
animeistheog@reddit
Yeah exactly this. Lots of stores even offer like a fish fry on fridays.
Oomlotte99@reddit
As a Wisconsinite, fish fry is the meal as well as the event. So, for me, anyway, if someone made the meal on a Wednesday I’d still call it a fish fry but it probably wouldn’t feel super official if not taking place on a Friday, lol.
FormerKey3258@reddit
I've had tasty fried whitefish in Milwaukee. 10/10 would eat (and drink the local beer) again.
crunchyfoliage@reddit
As a midwesterner I would call it a fish fry if it were Friday, but any other day of the week it's fish and chips
makestuff24-7@reddit
The meal is usually also a fish fry, or a fish or seafood platter, if the place doesn't call it fish and chips. Biggest difference is you get hush puppies and slaw along with the fries, and there might be other fried stuff like clams or shrimp.
JoulesMoose@reddit
I live outside the Midwest and we still call it a fish fry if it’s just on a restaurant menu. Usually seasonally though so a lot of places will add a Friday Fish Fry to their menu during lent
Jazzlike_Duck678@reddit
In the South it would be called a catfish plate. I’ve never heard of fries being called chips in the South.
jeeves585@reddit
Fish and chips in the PNW.
I’d never call fries chips in any other context, they would be lays potato crisps, but. British pub it’s fish and chips and a lager.
MageDA6@reddit
I grew up in Missouri and we’d call it a “Fish Fry”, but “Fish and Chips” was also used by some places.
Super_Restaurant8673@reddit
Fish fry or fish and chips but i would think British breading vs long john silvers type. Then I'd get hush puppies any way
SigglyTiggly@reddit
Fish and chips caught on here in the early 2000s becuase of the brit crazy we had at the time
eatloss@reddit
Nobody in the south says fish and chips. Its just a fish plate. I dont consider two deep fried items a meal tbh.
allorache@reddit
You very rarely see it here, but when you do it’s called fish and chips, sort of like pasta is called spaghetti. We recognize it as foreign cuisine.
BlasphemousRykard@reddit
Don’t generalize, you get can fish and chips all over the place in New England
allorache@reddit
I stand corrected, being a west coast resident.
TeamTurnus@reddit
Intersting that its rare there, we get plenty of it in the south east as well/the Midwest tends to call it a fish fry though.
AnInfiniteArc@reddit
It is not rare on the west coast
GoodCallMeatball@reddit
now im more curious where on the west coast you are, seems pretty common around me
allorache@reddit
Oregon. And not Portland, which is a but more cosmopolitan
GoodCallMeatball@reddit
Gotcha. Well if you ever find yourself on the oregon coast fish and chips is also everywhere!
https://www.reddit.com/r/OregonCoast/comments/1aopcnz/the_mt_rushmore_of_oregon_coast_fish_and_chips/
GrandTheftBae@reddit
It's all over the west coast too
OptatusCleary@reddit
I’ve found fish and chips on menus all over California, Oregon, and Washington, both coastal and inland areas. I had it at a restaurant the other night. I don’t think it’s rare at all.
I do agree that it’s a recognizably “British” dish, and the fact that it’s called “fish and chips” is well know. I could see someone saying something like “the fries with my fish and chips are really good!”
AgKnight14@reddit
It’s on the menu at a lot of casual American and sports bar type places in the west/southwest
whip_lash_2@reddit
You can get it all over the place everywhere, same as spaghetti Bolognese or nachos, but it's still an assimilated cuisine.
IndependenceLazy4467@reddit
I'm not sure where in the US you live, but fish and chips are pretty popular and regular food item in every state I've lived in from New England to SoCal.
Such-Cartographer699@reddit
Where do you live? Ive seen it at near every british style pub ive been to, and many that aren't British at all.
IHaveALittleNeck@reddit
Where are you from? This has not been my experience.
she-dont-use-jellyyy@reddit
Not sure where you live, but fish and chips is not a rare meal anywhere that I've lived in the US.
Also who calls all pasta spaghetti?
KnotUndone@reddit
In my family we say fish and chips with a fake English accent which we might carry through the entire meal. We do the same thing when we offer each other tea. This all started with my grandma and her brothers teasing their mom from Liverpool. it has persisted for 4 generations.
B-Train_ATL@reddit
It took me a long time to realize the fish wasn’t served with what we call chips. Bill and Ted worked at a fish and chips place, and I found it strange that potato chips would be so popular.
No-Leadership-6939@reddit
In northern louisiana where im from a meal of fried catfish and fries is just called a fish plate
Leoliad@reddit
This whole question is making me think of nothing but Macleods in Seattle right now😋
tiger0204@reddit
I'd understand what was meant by fish and chips, but when I actually ate at a seafood restaurant last weekend I order fried flounder with french fries.
LordDeathDark@reddit
I was thinking the same after reading other comments. Not confusing, but definitely not local.
sometimes-i-rhyme@reddit
But can you order it three times, fast?
Any_Translator6613@reddit
Full fathom five thy flounder fries
Leoliad@reddit
It’s fish and chips in the US when referring to deep fried fish served with deep fried potato sticks.
IanDOsmond@reddit
We call it "fish and chips", but it's kind of like ... that's not a list of the ingredients. It's just the name.
DontKnowWhyImHereee@reddit
Fish fry, or fish and fries where I grew up. Even though, fish and chips is understood to be the same thing.
NoneOfThisMatters_XO@reddit
In wisconsin that’s a fish fry and it’s served usually on Friday nights.
waynofish@reddit
Fried fish with a side of fries!
Plastic_Electrical@reddit
If made correctly. Wisconsin Fish Fry!!
whimcor@reddit
We would usually call it a fish fry here (in Wisconsin).
kcdashinfo@reddit
Long John Silvers
Lezlord-69@reddit
In Wisconsin we more commonly call it a “fish fry” We had an old tradition of not eating meat on Fridays, but didn’t count fish as meat so people would fry them up for a Friday Night Fish Fry.
Miserable_Leg3663@reddit
Most places I go to in the Midwest have it listed as “fried *insert type of fish*… all dishes served with fries and coleslaw or side salad”. It is generally local lake fish.
The only places that really list it as “fish and chips” are in larger town Pubs, and generally are using sea fish, like Cod.
I see it more in Florida. Maybe it sort of is associated with salt water, coastal fish?
bapanfil@reddit
In my area we just call it a "fish fry". It's assumed it comes with fries and some other side salads too. It's a pretty popular local dish actually, especially during lent. Everyone knows us for the wings, but don't sleep on the fish fry
LukeSkywalkerDog@reddit
It's fish and chips if you use malt vinegar on it
bullshitpostofficer@reddit
Where I am from you can eat at restaurants without 300ft of each other where one place will have fish and chips and the other will have fried fish with French fries. Although the place with fish and chips is an Irish style pub.
DrBlankslate@reddit
Yeah, that’s fish and chips.
AuroraLorraine522@reddit
A fish fry.
I grew up in a town with a big Catholic population, and a ton of restaurants did fish fry Fridays. They wouldn’t necessarily come with French fries, they’d come with a choice of potato- fries, baked potato, mashed potatoes and gravy, or another side dish.
Fries are fries and chips are chips (like Lay’s potato chips). I don’t ever hear them used interchangeably.
ParticularBuyer6157@reddit
Fish and chips, but we never really eat that, at least not where I live. Never seen that on a menu
Proof-Republic-7587@reddit
You know you can just google “best fish and chips in Georgia” and see that it’s not only on menus, but that there are Fish & Chip shops all around Georgia?
ParticularBuyer6157@reddit
What do you want me to say? I have never seen that. I have never heard "I'll have the fish and chips" come out of a humans mouth in my entire life
kittyheartseapuppy@reddit
I see you're from/live in Georgia. About a decade ago, I went to Atlanta for a concert. Went out to eat before the concert around Inn at the Peachtrees and found an Irish pub with a name I've forgotten, but found thanks to Google Maps! Still there and has good reviews: Meehan's Public House. I got the Shepherd's pie while my companion got Fish & Chips. Both were great!
chiefcomplaintRN@reddit
I’ve had fish and chips at tons of restaurants in GA. One of my favorite meals to have with a good beer actually
AgKnight14@reddit
That’s interesting. I assume the dish is most popular in New England, but I thought it was a common bar menu item nationwide
Silently-Snarking@reddit
Not too popular. You can get it, but we have other better seafood. Fried scallops are my fav
HerrDrAngst@reddit
They should have it at an Irish pub that's nearby
revjor@reddit
It’s very common up here in Seattle but we have a ton of cod and halibut fishing.
Coconut-bird@reddit
I'm in Florida and it's fairly standard at every beach dive that serves fried seafood. You find it at a lot of Pub style restaurants too. I would not say it's rare at all.
catatethebird@reddit
In WI, and I'm sure other places, it's a fish fry. Typically also comes with coleslaw, tartar sauce, and a slice of rye bread.
linkxrust@reddit
Yes
DDrewit@reddit
We call it Fish and Chips but we’re acutely aware of the British origins of its nomenclature.
NameLips@reddit
We call it fish and chips, even though we call those fried potatos "fries" in every other context, and it confuses a lot of us, especially older people.
I worked at an old folks home as a cook, and when we served fish and chips they got confused when they got fries. Some of them would even send it back to the kitchen demanding chips like the menu said.
jc_penelope@reddit
From the East Coast and I would only refer to that as “fish and chips” if it was from a British-style pub. If I see fried fish in America, it’s just fried fish. If the type of fish is known, I’d say fried-specific-fish. The side of fries doesn’t change the name for me. In Baltimore, fried fish from a carryout restaurant is called “lake trout”.
j_truant@reddit
In milwaukee it's a fish fry.
PlanetJanet412@reddit
Fish n fries. No chips in the south USA ☺️
Mysterious_Mango_3@reddit
I call it either fish and chips, or fish fry.
Least_Bat1259@reddit
Long John silvers.
pudding7@reddit
Hell yeah. I still love LJS, and I would eat there often if there was one near me. That old nautical pirate theme their restaurants had, oh man that was the best.
oh2Shea@reddit
This is what I was going to say! 😆
Least_Bat1259@reddit
I haven’t had any for years. In my area they’re all closing except for one they just built a new one.
ShelbyDriver@reddit
Yeah, or captain D's.
rootsquasher@reddit
“2 Piece Fish and Fries” from **Captain D’s**!
izyshoroo@reddit
When someone takes meat and veggies and beans and cheese and wraps it on a tortilla, we call that a burrito, because there's already a word for this concept by the people who invented/popularized it. Same thing applies here.
No_Importance_750@reddit
We actually do call it fish and chips here, at least where I live.
MarekRules@reddit
Fish and chips and I see bangers and mash on menus sometimes but we would never call the individual items that.
MyFace_UrAss_LetsGo@reddit
Fish fry
Wyklar2@reddit
It depends on the style of fried fish as well. As people have mentioned, if it’s Cajun style or Baja style, etc, those potatoes will be fries, not chips. Or maybe papas fritas, or frites or something. But not chips.
I_Am_AWESOME-O_@reddit
Fish fry - though fish and chips isn’t unheard of.
Minimum_Afternoon387@reddit
Western NY (Friday) Fish Fry
California Fish and Chips
fetter80@reddit
Fish and chips if you get them at an Irish pub. Fried fish basket anywhere else.
MH_75@reddit
Fish fry. But we have hushpuppies with it too. Or, just a fried fish platter if its a restaurant
Timely-Group5649@reddit
Fish basket
NBKiller69@reddit
Here in the Midwest, that specific pairing is always listed on menus as "fish and chips"
silverbatwing@reddit
I do. But I grew up with an Anglophile mother.
Call_Me_Papa_Bill@reddit
We don’t typically call fries “chips”, but any time a restaurant serves battered fish and fries the menu will say “fish & chips”, and if the menu says “fish & chips” you can count on it coming with fries.
CannonWheels@reddit
we call it fish n’ chips, or will be “going to a fish fry”
wieldymouse@reddit
I've seen it both ways, but if you're specifically in a fish or seafood restaurant, you're more likely to see it as fish and chips. I call it fish and chips.
Premium333@reddit
We say fish and chips provided the intent is the british style batter. It is the only time we use the term chips for fries, but it is ubiquitous in this specific case.
If this is a Southern US style batter it's typically called "battered or fried fish filet with fries".
Better_Pea248@reddit
Might call them fish and chips, might call them fish sticks and fries. Depends on the shape of the fish
Roaris87@reddit
Fish and chips here are fried fish and french fries. It’s the only acceptable time here to call a french fry a chip. I ordered fish and chips from a place once and got fried fish and a bag of lays potato chips. I was so pissed (that means angry)
Fifi-Gobstopper@reddit
Fish Fry
kay_bryberry@reddit
Fish and fries.
jakerooni@reddit
Fried fish with a side of fries. We don't call french fries "chips"
blkhatwhtdog@reddit
There was a place in San Francisco, Edenborough Castle that had a UK style fish fryer and served up fish n chips in a cone of newspaper. they filled the cone with a big scoop of the bits of batter that comes off the fish when frying (in fact so much so that I wonder if they actually pour batter into the fryer to make excess chips) and I always thought the chips referenced was those bits and not the fries.
ac7ss@reddit
Fish and chips. But we cannot get mushy peas with it here.
Practical-Ordinary-6@reddit
I think although it might not be exactly the same thing it wouldn't be unusual in some restaurants to basically refer to something very similar as a fish basket. Meaning you get fish and french fries and probably coleslaw. It's in a plastic basket like serving container with a paper lining to hold the items. Many other casual restaurant food items come in a basket like that.
I've lived in a bunch of states and I've never ever seen a dedicated fish and chips restaurant so to me it would just be an item on a menu that might have an alternate name like the one I mentioned above.
husky_whisperer@reddit
Fish and chips are the only time we refer to fries as such. All other references to fries as chips levy a fine depending on jurisdiction.
werduvfaith@reddit
Fish and fries is what I normally hear them called
DoubleResponsible276@reddit
In my area it’s referred to as basket. Different combinations will be listed and you just ask for the one you want
NegotiationLow2783@reddit
Fish fry.
kodex1717@reddit
In Wisconsin this meal is called a "fish fry".
ToastetteEgg@reddit
Yes, fish and chips, even though we call chips in any other meal fries or French fries.
Key_Beach_3846@reddit
To be fair, I’ve seen a couple places serve actual potato chips/crisps as “fish and chips” but usually you get fries. I worked at one Irish pub that made us ask patrons if they wanted chips or fries when they ordered it because they were tired of people sending back the fries and saying “I thought it came with chips”
10thousndreflections@reddit
I thought chips were fries
Key_Beach_3846@reddit
“Chips or fries” here means “crisps or fries”. In America we call crisps “chips,” so if you see fish and chips on an American menu, it will usually be served with fries in homage to the traditional British dish, but some American customers get confused because they expect it to come with crisps.
10thousndreflections@reddit
This didn't really clear it up. It's not called fish and crisps in England
dontwantgarbage@reddit
The people ordering thought it meant potato chips.
CrazyJoe29@reddit (OP)
You know how you can get a burger and then choose fries or salad? Well one day my dumbass got fish and chips but changed the chips to salad.
Most disappointing meal of my life. 😔
SmokeRingEyes@reddit
And only if it's at a variety food restaurant. You'd never see "fish & chips" at even a cheaper seafood restaurant. You just order the fried haddock or cod, etc. and it might come with a side of fries (and usually cole slaw for some reason).
When its used it's very much referencing it being the stereotypical English meal.
OneArmMany@reddit
Like long John silvers?
tee142002@reddit
If it's a seafood place here in New Orleans, it's usually a catfish platter. Comes with fries, coleslaw, and hush puppies usually.
ToastetteEgg@reddit
That nasty coleslaw! Ugh!
suffaluffapussycat@reddit
I feel like they’re referred to as “chips” in the US when they’re eaten with malt vinegar.
TakingYourHand@reddit
Nope. Still French fries. They're still referred to as fries, once the plate of "fish and chips," arrive at your table, too. They're just ordered as fish and chips, as is tradition and the style at the time.
Abject-Recipe1359@reddit
I WORE AN ONION ON MY BELT
ColoradoWeasel@reddit
Malt vinegar is very popular with French fries at the east coast beach towns. Boardwalk fries like Thrashers in Ocean City, MD serve malt vinegar and specifically don’t serve ketchup.
pinchegaucho@reddit
Malt vinegar is a criminally underutilized sauce in America
BHobson13@reddit
American born and raised. I was turned on to malt vinegar back when Arthur Treacher's Fish n Chips was still around. I've used it since on any sort of fried potato. It is especially good on steak fries!!
eugenesbluegenes@reddit
Nah, they're only chips when served with fried fish/shrimp/scallops.
adrianlovesyou@reddit
I’m from the mid Atlantic and we eat all kinds of fries with malt vinegar, they’re still fries. Unless it’s fish and chips.
geekychica@reddit
I’ve never ever heard French fries referred to as chips (in the midwestern US) outside of the context of Fish & Chips.
ToastetteEgg@reddit
I’ve never heard an American call them chips unless they were with fried fish. Chips otherwise are crisps, potato chips. No one would know what you’re talking about.
PeorgieT75@reddit
Same, although I do find myself calling (American) chips crisps sometimes.
buoyant_quokka@reddit
We just call it a “fish fry” in western New York
ferrisbuellerspussy@reddit
I’m Cajun from Louisiana we eat fried fish with French fries a lot (usually with a salad to counter the salty fried flavor) we call it a fish fry
Ambitious-Emu-9839@reddit
So on a menu it would say Fish and Chips (or maybe Fish N Chips) but then in the little 1-2 sentence description it would would say like "beer battered cod with house cut fries" or whatever
Bronze_Bomber@reddit
We call it fish and chips because its considered an english meal and they called it fish and chips. Once it's ordered, they are back to being fries.
oarmash@reddit
Fish and chips. Fish Fry could also be reasonably used.
RealCarlPanzram@reddit
It’s still called “fish and chips” and it’s a pretty frequent menu items at bars. This is pretty much the only situation where French fries are referred to as “chips.” If the menu item has a description, it’s probably described as “battered fried fish with a side of French fries.” The menu item is just so well known that everyone knows what it means even though it’s the term that we almost never use in any other context.
Illustrious-Jump-398@reddit
Fish fry
unique_user43@reddit
fish and chips. we consider it an english dish so they use the english name.
very rare to find legit right proper fish and chips here though.
mindgame_26@reddit
Depends on where you live. Where I'm from, it's "Fish and Fries".
DVDragOnIn@reddit
Here in the Southern US, it’s “flounder and French fries” for homestyle restaurants, and “fish and chips” for fancier places where maybe they make their own tartar sauce instead of buying pre-packaged tartar sauce. The homestyle restaurants will throw a few hush puppies on the plate too, because who doesn’t need more starchy foods?
Economy_Effort9072@reddit
Fish fry
_teallach@reddit
They call it fish and chips, but it's still different from what you would be served in a British or Irish pub. Chips are often french fries, but sometimes you will get something closer to British style. It's extremely rare to see a single large fillet like you get in the UK, it's normally a few large "fish nuggets". Also rare to see it served with peas, often something strange like coleslaw.
BobbyLicari@reddit
We mostly call them a “Fish Fry” dinner. But also use fish and chips as a playful jester
kieto19999@reddit
Friday fish fry here in Wisconsin.
loisstuff@reddit
I's say "Dinner's ready." If anybody asked "What are we having?" I'd answer "Fish and french fries."
CherBuflove@reddit
In Buffalo it’s a fish fry and usually includes coleslaw, macaroni salad and rye bread.
BuffaloRedshark@reddit
Fish fry
Informal_Persimmon7@reddit
Fried fish and french fries
non-rhotic_eotic@reddit
It's generally called fried fish, fish platter or fried (type of fish) where I live.
At a minimum, it pretty much always comes with French fries and coleslaw. It might also come with your choice of two or three sides or even more like French fries , steak fries, potato wedges, boiled new potatoes or macaroni & cheese; coleslaw,; black-eye peas; greens; corn on the cob or corn fritters; and hush puppies or cornbread.
iloveyourforeskin@reddit
Here in NE Ohio it's often advertised as "beer-battered fish" (only available on Fridays) and the chips/fries are implied
MIGHTYKIRK1@reddit
Canada. Fish and chips. Burgess and fries
FoggyGoodwin@reddit
Where I am, it's Fried Fish with a side of French Fries
MadeMeMeh@reddit
It is just a "fish fry". It comes with the fish, fries, coleslaw, macaroni salad or potato salad, tartar sauce, and a lemon wedge. You also need a little malt vinegar to go on the fries.
hivemind_MVGC@reddit
Anywhere in the north-eastern USA that meal is called a "fish fry" and it's available almost everywhere on Friday nights.
FlamingBagOfPoop@reddit
I’d only call it fish and chips if it were meant to be in the English style and that generic white fish. Otherwise you could call it a fish basket. Being from the south, I’d prefer catfish. Would likely be called a catfish basket of i were to order from a menu.
Olympia94@reddit
I call it fish & chips, but that's the only time I refer to fries as "chips"
Zestyclose-Fig8583@reddit
Fish and chips ( fries )
Ikairos-seeker@reddit
Though everyone knows fish and chips from the UK, in my experience it often gets referred to by what fish is actually used unless it actually is cod/herring.
Here in the southeast, catfish is king outside of the coast. It might simply be “catfish plate/platter/basket” and options of different sides. Grouper is common on the coast.
hyooston@reddit
Fish and chips is only if it’s battered that way to me. In the south if it’s cornmeal crusted it’s usually a fish fry or a fried fish plate or a platter if it comes with hush puppies and maybe another small side. Tartar and cocktail sauces as sides.
poppitastic@reddit
Louisiana calling. “Fish”. We just call it fish. Personally preferably thin-cut fish. And it’s a cornmeal dusted and a fish such as catfish. Want fries? Yeah, sure, order those. I prefer onion rings. You want battered fish such as in fish and chips? Go to some pretentious faux pub and order fish and chips.
Spirited-Way2406@reddit
Always "fish and chips' and always locally caught fish. Blocks of frozen ready-to-fry beer-battered fish from the store are not considered to be good enough for fish and chips. It has to be locally caught pollock, halibut, cod, or (preferably) shark.
thisismythrowaway417@reddit
Here we would call it a fish basket. And the description would say fried fish with French fries, hush puppies and slaw.
naked_nomad@reddit
Fish and Chips was English food when I was growing up. Same for Lamb Chops. I grew up in a small farming community in the 60s with one television station.
Went to England in 1977 courtesy of the US Navy and had to try both fish and chips and lamb chops.
Beaded fish filet and french fries. Lamb chops were just bland.
Of course I had the same expectations from "Crepes" when we were in France. They were pancakes.
Ditto for Pizza in Italy. Nothing like I was exposed to in Chicago.
KilD3vil@reddit
Yeah, that's a weird thing we do, collectively. Like, I can serve a burger and fries, but if those same fries go on a plate with battered fish filets (or fish sticks, if I'm lazy) they become chips.
zinky8@reddit
Fish and chips. But it’s not common at all.
Defiant_Ingenuity_55@reddit
Death. But that’s just me being celiac and allergic to fish.
Crispricecereal@reddit
Fish and chips, but that is the only time fires are called chips in my area of the Midwest
Hammer_of_Shawn@reddit
Yes. Fish and chips. Even though we call them “fries,” we don’t change the original name of the dish.
Larrythepuppet66@reddit
It’s that weird thing in America when they get it right once. Example they do dates wrong, February 20th instead of 20th of February, except on their birthday when it’s 4th of July 😅
My_Lovely_Me@reddit
"Fish & Chips" is "battered fish with fries." We all understand that's what it is, and it is the only time we ever refer to fries as "chips."
AshDenver@reddit
Yep, that’s fish & chips for Americans.
Rapptap@reddit
Fish fry
JoshHuff1332@reddit
If it is the same style as fish and chips, we call it fish and chips. If it is southern fried fish, it's just called fried fish, or specified as fried catfish/bream/bluegill/crappie/etc, and fries are just assumed to be a part of the meal, along with hush puppies. This is from a southern perspective. Other areas might view differently
klenneth_@reddit
Yes but it’s customary to pronounce it FEESH & CHEEPS like our Australian friends.
BrazilianButtCheeks@reddit
I mean I’d know what you were talking about if you said fish and chips but I’d probably say fish and fries.. well except I hate fish and don’t care for fries so I’d call it eww 😅🫣
orcas-@reddit
We call it “fish and chips “ even though we call your “chips” French fries. It’s like in a Chinese restaurant we order “lo mein” not “tossed noodles.” It’s us using another culture’s name to call a food/ dish from that culture
olde_meller23@reddit
Fish Fry. Popular on Fridays, especially during lent, in the Midwest. The best stuff comes out of the basement of a catholic church. The nearer to the great lakes, the better, because you tend to get more of the regional fish than you do tilapia and cod. As a kid, I remember eating bluegill, perch, rainbow trout, and striped bass on Fish Fry Friday. It's served with some sort of potato-usually fries, roasted, baked, or potato salad, with a lemon wedge and tartar sauce.
Depending on where in the great lakes you go, the sides can be more German or Polish in the south and Scandanavian or native American in the north. There are also hmong variations of the fish fry.
SargonTheAkkadian@reddit
It’s Fish and Chips in America. Partially because there was a restaurant chain called Arthur Treaturer’s Fish and Chips. It just kind of normalized it for us.
lewisfairchild@reddit
Yes
Quick_Sherbet5874@reddit
if it has coleslaw it would be a fish basket. shrimp would be a shrimp basket and so on
Supper_Dreams@reddit
This is how I know it, too. Battered and deep fried fish with French fries and coleslaw is a fish basket.
diffidentblockhead@reddit
A fast food chain popularized the phrase as British-themed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._Salt_Esq._Fish_&_Chips
NoIncrease299@reddit
I grew up in the southeastern US - North Carolina specifically - and fried seafood (usually catfish, flounder, shrimp, oysters) was pretty much a staple. And it always came with fries and sides of tartar sauce and ketchup.
We just called it fish plate. Or sometimes fish fry. There's actually a restaurant in my hometown called, simply, "Fish Fry."
I don't think I was even aware of "fish and chips" till I moved outta the south.
maccrogenoff@reddit
We call them fish and chips. We view them as a British dish so we follow the Brits in naming them.
In fact, they are usually on the menu at British or Irish bars or restaurants.
The fries are usually thicker cut than French fries.
No-Sail-6510@reddit
If it’s sold that way. If you ordered fish as opposed to tendies and they asked what side you wanted out of a selection you would not say chips unless maybe they called it that on the menu. But if you went to a bar and fish and chips was a menu item it wouldn’t be strange.
Joe-Dang@reddit
Fish & Frites. Live in the South. People would absolutely throw a tantrum if we even causally suggested to call fries chips.
mulahtmiss@reddit
It’s usually on menus as fish & chips as far as I’ve seen
AcadiaRemarkable6992@reddit
I’ve seen them mostly referred to as ‘fish frys’ I want to say mostly in the south or on Fridays in predominantly catholic areas.
Dazzling-Astronaut88@reddit
It’s fish & chips if it’s English style or if that’s what it’s called on the menu. You don’t go to a Catfish restaurant along the Tennessee River and order fish and chips even though you’re likely eating battered/fried catfish with fries.
Ruthrfurd-the-stoned@reddit
Fish and chips or an x-fish(grouper, mahi, catfish, just fish etc) basket
StickaFORKinMyEye@reddit
WNY (aka practically Canada) here.
It's very common (especially on Friday but some places have it every day) and we generally call it a "fish fry" here. Usually haddock. Occasionally cod.
You don't necessarily choose fries, thought. Some places offer choice such as german potato salad or a baked potato.
_gooder@reddit
Fish and chips. We also have malt vinegar. Go figure.
Klonopina_Colada@reddit
Fish and fries. Chips in the US are thin sliced fried potatoes.
JtotheC23@reddit
Being labeled "fish and chips" usually implies cod. That's obviously not traditionally the case in the UK, not is it always the case here, but it's the case the vast majority of the time. Freshwater fish is usually labeled like any other menu item with the side in the description (even if only fries are offered). If you're near the coast, you'll start seeing fish and chips with fish other than cod, especially down south.
Like my parents living near the gulf coast in Florida, one of their favorite restaurants (in general, not just for fish and chips) actually uses flounder in their fish and chips. They offer loads of other fish, obviously, but their option with the label is flounder.
Beginning_End_361@reddit
In the 1970's I liked to go to Arthur Treacher's for fish and chips. Sadly, there are few remaining locations. I no longer live where they exist. I'll still call the fish and chips, especially if the fries are thick cut.
Tricky_Jellyfish9116@reddit
The Phoenix, AZ, area has a local fast food chain called "Pete's Fish and Chips," which serves fish filets (chopped, formed fish though--Phoenix is very much inland and it all comes frozen) and fresh fries. It opened in 1946, started by an American guy who had encountered English fish and chips in WW2.
So anyway, Phoenicians at least are pretty familiar with "fish and chips" meaning fried battered fish with French fries.
RageDeemz@reddit
Fish Fry - typically enjoyed on Friday evenings with a side of coleslaw and rye bread in my state
Maurice_Foot@reddit
I call it fish-n-chips (keep malt vinegar at home for when I make it for dinner).
But I grew up on Florida Gulf coast with pubs run by ex-pats everywhere.
DeCoyAbLe@reddit
Burgers and fries OR fish and chips.
LazyAmbition88@reddit
If it’s marketed together, Fish and Chips is common. However most American restaurants give you a choice of sides (even if fries are the standard option) so normally you would have the menu just list Fish (or fried fish) as the item and then you get a choice of fries or something else. So probably 80% of menus that offer the same meals as fish and chips just advertise it as fish.
FreeKevinBrown@reddit
Fish and Freedom Fries
MzSea@reddit
We call it "Fish and Chips" as a way to honor its origins.
But it's the only time we call fries "chips."
Specialist-Ad4464@reddit
We call it Long John Silver's
chiefcomplaintRN@reddit
Here in the south we fry fish but it traditionally uses a cornmeal batter instead of a beer batter. That we just call a fish fry. And it is catfish a lot of the time. Local churches or communities will have a “fish fry” where they will fry up a bunch of fish that way and have a huge get together. Now beer battered fried fish is still available a lot of restaurants. That we actually do call “fish and chips”. But that’s referring to the whole dish/meal. We don’t call fries “chips” any other time.
LeSkootch@reddit
Scallywaggs and Doodles.
ZaphodG@reddit
When I was young, the donut shop in the harbor village stayed open on Friday evening and sold fish & chips served in newspaper. Malt vinegar. I didn’t know about mushy peas until I was in the UK frequently. The side in the US is Cole slaw.
kittyheartseapuppy@reddit
Fish & Chips on the menu, with a picture and description so you know it's fries. Never seen a restaurant offer it differently. Always a UK style establishment (been to Orsh, Scottish, and English pubs in the US. Haven't found a Welsh place yet) or seafood restaurant.
90s_TV_Commercials@reddit
Fish and chips yeah. I don’t know of any other dish referring fries as chips in the US. I don’t know if it’s common though.
No-Lunch4249@reddit
We would still call that Fisn n Chips, probably because it's not a very common part of our own cultural cuisine and so we pay recognition to the origin
Phoenix_Court@reddit
We call it fish and chips!
Economy-Weekend1872@reddit
Fish and chips generally. Where I grew up it was a Friday specialty vaguely related to the Catholics, and it was also known as Friday fish fry at some restaurants whether or not it was lent.
SmallBeanKatherine@reddit
Fish and chips! But usually the "chips" are called french fries when you see them in any other context. This is an exception.
mettarific@reddit
In Wisconsin it’s called “fish fry.” Many, many restaurants have that as their main special on Friday. I think the tradition started because there are so many Catholics in this state.
jessek@reddit
Yes, we call that fish and chips like the British do even though we normally call chips fries.
DMfortinyplayers@reddit
If they aren't going for British fish and chips, it's usually just described as fried fish or battered fish and French fries are the side.
9inez@reddit
Fish & chips is terminology via the UK. I never heard Americans say this growing up or saw it on menus until Irish and British pubs became a trend (at least in my region) in the 80s-90s.
My British in-laws call beer battered fish and fries “fish & chips.” Chips being wedge-style fries. Like chips of a potato. What we call potato chips in the US, they call crisps.
Sorry-Government920@reddit
Fish Fry a Friday night staple in Wisconsin
Oomlotte99@reddit
People say fish and chips to describe that classic fish and fries combo, especially if it is being done the traditional way with the malt vinegar, in the paper, etc..
In my state the term “fish fry” is more common but that refers to a whole dinner and Friday tradition - battered and fried fish, fries (or potato pancake and applesauce), rye bread, coleslaw - and not just the standard fish and chips combo.
inbigtreble30@reddit
This thread is how I learned the rest of the country says fish & chips. Everywhere around me just says "fried [type of fish]" with sides indicated separately or else calls it fish fry if offered as a Friday night special.
Witty_Category_5957@reddit
I am in the midsouth and nobody ever says fish & chips, people say fish & fries
Relative-Corner4717@reddit
I've never heard anyone ever say fish and chips where I live. It's "I'll have the fish, deep fried (or battered depending on how it's on the menu), with a side of French fries".
RealFlatworm-@reddit
Where the hell do you live
Relative-Corner4717@reddit
Wisconsin. Land of the fish fry.
Itsdanaozideshihou@reddit
On the one hand, fuck you!
On the other hand. Yeah, i'd never say "fish and chips". "I'll have the walleye, fried and a side of fries" maybe with some coleslaw. That's acceptable, while fish and chips is very English!
Relative-Corner4717@reddit
Maybe this is the one of the few things we can agree upon on both sides of the river!
That, and we have more lakes!
RealFlatworm-@reddit
Best fish n chips ever had was in Wisconsin
HerrDrAngst@reddit
They must like to say a lot of words where you live when they could only say two
inbigtreble30@reddit
Fish fry is a cultural thing in Wisconsin and overrides fish & chips.
ShelbyDriver@reddit
In the south we batter our fish with a corn meal batter and fry it outside. At least that's how we did it back in the 70s and 80s.
pl0nk@reddit
Dad did that corn meal batter fry with lake trout, skin and tail on. Maybe grilled asparagus, baked potato or smoky bacon and beans on the side. Heaven
justsomeguynbd@reddit
I’d call their version fish and chips, and I do like it, but it’s not really how fried fish is traditionally prepared here. I guess we use meal more than flour.
Ronnoc527@reddit
Fish fry. The fries are assumed as a side. Really popular during lent but might be fairly regional.
deLanglade1975@reddit
I've seen "fish and chips" as a menu item hereabouts (Wisconsin) sometimes, usually at places trying to emulate an elevated pub food idea.
However, on Friday night "Fish Fry" is pretty much ubiquitous at every eating place. Beer battered and deep fried, usually whitefish like cod or pollack, freshwater fish like perch, bluegills, or walleye. If you hit things right in the spring, some places will have fresh smelt. Side of fries are universal, with an option for baked potato or hash browns being common. Potato pancakes are pretty rare anymore, but a real treat. Coleslaw on the side, and it should come with a slice of rye bread and butter. Fancier places do fancier versions, but the gist is the same
Clean-Fisherman-4601@reddit
The only time I called it fish and chips was when there was an Arthur Treacher's restaurant.
If I make it at home, it's fried fish and fries.
Adventurous-Copy3757@reddit
Fish dinner
Past_Worker_8262@reddit
No. Restaurant menus usually just have fried/baked/beer batter haddock/cod/maui. Very rarely at like small beach joints or smaller restaurants have I seen fish and chips here in the U.S. (I have been to every state east of the Mississippi and lived in 8 of them- been to multiple out west and lived in Oregon) We don't call fries chips; just fries because we have chips/scalloped/regular baked potatoe as all normal regular food items.
Alternative-Doubt-91@reddit
Sounds like you’re going to a “fish fry”. Also known as “Friday night fish”. Or simply “fish”
Most_Time8900@reddit
We call it a Fish Fry
suthrnboi@reddit
Here in Wisconsin it's just a fish fry, but everyone would know what you mean because of the magic of color television 📺.
cstrick1980@reddit
We had corn meal battered fish with french fries. The only time I seen them called fish and chips was in England or Ireland.
bluebellberry@reddit
Fish and chips is common. In the Midwest Friday Fish Fry’s are popular, which is similar though depending on the type of fish served it may be breaded rather than battered.
bcece@reddit
If someone said they were going to get "fish and chips" it wouldn't cause any confusion, but in general I hear "fish fry" most often. As a more hyper regional term growing up in Wisconsin people would say they are going for "Friday Fish" even if it wasn't Friday. This is because many many restaurants in Wisconsin have fish fry as the special on Fridays... And not just during lent.
BossDjGamer@reddit
Around me most menus would say fried fish/cod/flounder/etc platter or basket, and then comes with French fries is in small letters after it or listed for that whole section of menu choices. Fish and chips would be understood however if it’s on the menu.
inbigtreble30@reddit
Sounds like a Friday fish fry to me.
dethloonollie@reddit
fish fry in the midwest
SabresBills69@reddit
fish and chips in the USA Mr and actual pots to chips. fish fry and many places have some flexibility on the sides like if it’s fries or other things.
Emeah824@reddit
Fried fish basket with French fries
bellegroves@reddit
Fish and chips is specifically battered fish with fries. But usually you just get ketchup and tartar sauce, no malt vinegar, unless you're at a particularly good pub or if you're on the coast.
Metal_Rider@reddit
Fish and chips. But then the description will say something like “beer battered light and flaky fish with French fries”.
Ok-Ambassador8271@reddit
Fish & fries
MitchyS68@reddit
We copied England in this one and call them fish and chips. The restaurant my mom would buy them from literally had it in the name. At home? Frozen fish fillets or fish sticks and fries cooked in the oven were called fish fillets or fish sticks and fries. We did not have a deep fryer so no homemade fish and chips. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._Salt_Esq._Fish_%26_Chips
Otherwise-Ratio1332@reddit
We call it fish and chips but we still don’t always remember that ‘chips’ means fries elsewhere lol
thisislyncanthropy@reddit
I’ve seen both lol
Mental-Artist-6157@reddit
In Rhode Island they take their fish & chips quite seriously with malt vinegar ofc
Roadshell@reddit
"Fish and Chips" is recognized as a British food item and are refereed to by that name reflecting its origins.
tubular1845@reddit
Fish and chips. In any other context they're fries or french fries
Dingbatdingbat@reddit
Fish sticks and French fries
Or fish and chips.
Just depends on where you are
Silently-Snarking@reddit
It would be fish and chips but I’m way more likely to get fried clams or scallops with fries
goblin_hipster@reddit
I think because that's just what the specific meal is called in the UK, so we use that. It immediately brings to mind exactly what you're eating.
As far as how common... I think it's reasonably common in places that serve fish.
Ahtnamas555@reddit
Worked at a Captain D's (fried fish restaurant) as a teen - it was fish and fries on the menu and very rarely called a fish and chips (I can't actually recall that happening).
Belkan-Federation95@reddit
Long John Silver's
AmbulanceChaser12@reddit
Fish & Chips. We’ll give the British that one.
219_Infinity@reddit
In the US, this meal appears as “fish and chips” on menus even though you could also find “fries” on the same menu
MyUsername2459@reddit
We call it "Fish and chips".
It is the only time we refer to fries as "chips", and that's solely because the phrase "fish and chips" is understood to be a loanword from British English to refer to that specific meal.
EvilAceVentura@reddit
For the most parts you see it as fish and chips. Sometimes you'll see it as "fried 'whatever fish' " with a side of something. But thats usually when they are offering sides besides fries.
machagogo@reddit
Fish n Chips. Even though fries are never called chips in any other context.
Fish fry with a side of fries may also be used in some regions.
ixsparkyx@reddit
Yes
DOMSdeluise@reddit
yeah it's called fish and chips here
Hungry-Wrongdoer-156@reddit
In that context, I think nearly anyone would understand "fish and chips."
There are restaurants that will just list the main dish on the menu instead though, so a lot of the time you might also see a listing that says something like "fish" or "battered cod," with a separate indicator that the meal includes a side of fries.
Merad@reddit
Fish and chips is a menu item at many restaurants, yes. It's typically made with cod or haddock. If you go to an actual seafood restaurant the menu will usually just list fried fish but you'll be able to choose the type of fish and select whatever side dish you prefer, which may or may not be fries.
acu101@reddit
At Freds’s Fish Fry they’re fish and fries
Ok-Walk-8040@reddit
Fish N' Chips with a side of tartar sauce.
madame_de_la_luna@reddit
We call it fish and chips, and it's very common here. Most restaurants have it on the menu.
ArkansasTravelier@reddit
If it’s white fish battered like you guys do we’d call it fish n chips because it’s obviously inspired by your dish
But battered and fried catfish, bass, flounder etc with hushpuppies and fries I’ve always heard referred to as a “fish fry”
Crying_in_99Ranch@reddit
It's fish and chips if they are supposed to be British style. Otherwise it could be a fish fry in the south or just fried fish. With fried fish in the south, it's understood to come with a side and that can be fries, hushpuppies, and/or corn bread.
Usually it's fried catfish and it's popular on Fridays during Lent when you can't eat meat. You don't need to say the fries part as it's generally understood to be included.
rando24183@reddit
Fish and chips, but I very specifically consider that an Irish pub food. I envision beer battered fish and thicker fries. If I get skinny fries, it's not fish and chips to me.
HerrDrAngst@reddit
YES
ALoungerAtTheClubs@reddit
"Fish and chips" is a better marketing hook, conjuring up old-timey British/Irish associations. Like calling a restaurant/bar a pub.
shriekingintothevoid@reddit
We still call it fish and chips! Because it’s an English dish, the name for it just never changed when it made its way over to the US, even though we have a different name for the deep fried potato sticks served on the side 🤷♀️
cactuscoleslaw@reddit
Most Americans know fish and chips as a British food, so it often is just referred to as that. However there are some regions where that meal has deeper cultural roots, such as Wisconsin where it is referred to as a "fish fry" or "Friday Fish Fry" since it began as a Lent tradition when you couldn't eat meat on Fridays. The Wisconsin fish fry also includes coleslaw.
slam2foul@reddit
At a pub you might see “fish and chips” on the menu. In my neck of the woods there are many places offering fried seafood, especially in the summer. It’s typically called “fish fry” and if you order it as a “platter “ or “dinner” it would come with french fries and probably another side dish (corn, cole slaw, etc.)
hucareshokiesrul@reddit
It often is labeled/marketed as fish and chips but not always. Long John Silver's is a nationwide chain specializing in that and they just call them fries.
Pleased_Bees@reddit
Fish and chips. I've never heard an American call it anything else.
TeamTurnus@reddit
Its fish and chips, we adopted the British term specifically for that dish even though we call uk 'chips' fries and uk crisps 'chips' its all just fried potatoes in the end (yum)
Accomplished_Cell768@reddit
It’s always “fish and chips”. It’s really the only time we use chips instead of French fries.
Thauros@reddit
yeah bear in mind a lot of places serving it are going to be kinda going for an english pub type of feel. even like the denny's type family restaurant from when i was a kid calld it "fish and chips" and served it in fake newspaper wrapping
https://www.thepubchipshop.com/
Responsible_Side8131@reddit
We normally call the potatoes French fries. But when we order a meal of French fries and fried fish, we call it fish and chips. I have no idea why.
Many-Rub-6151@reddit
Yeah. All Americans call it that cuz we know it’s British. In the South it’s more fried fish and a side of fries.
dealers_choice@reddit
Depends on where you are but often called fish & chips or fish with fries. Never crisps for potato chips
AdamOnFirst@reddit
Fish and chips if it’s specifically beer battered white fish. If it’s a locally caught fish or fried in a different coating it won’t be called fish and chips. In the Midwest, it will often be called “fish fry,” often a “Friday night fish fry.”
KillBologna@reddit
Fish Fry or Fish and Chips.
gleaming-the-cubicle@reddit
Fish and chips and that's the only time we use chips instead of fries
jeophys152@reddit
Fish and chips, but that is pretty much the only time we call French fries ‘chips’.
Antitenant@reddit
"Fish and Chips" is a pretty standard name and it's understood what the dish is
TheDangerist@reddit
Yes. Fish and chips. Very common.