Don's Fish & Chips

40 Water Street West, Brockville,ON, XX - (613) 342-6979

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Posted By Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle on 4/8/2008 11:17:00 AM

If you plan to be spending some time strolling around Brockville in southeastern Ontario (a terrific idea), make sure you also plan to be on West Water Street around lunchtime, for it is here you will find Don's Fish & Chips, a traditional take-out only chip shop.

Choose between cod and chunky, meaty cuts of haddock and decide if you want one or two pieces of fish. The well-browned and shiny crust is both crunchy and chewy, and frankly oily, and the fish is sweet. The chips are fresh cut (you can see a mountainous pile of bagged potatoes in a corner). Both have a particularly savory quality that made us originally suspect beef fat as the frying medium (but we've since been told they use 100% vegetable oil). Salt and vinegar are available.

Your entire order is securely wrapped in brown paper, with a newspaper overwrap, resulting in that uniquely British fish and chips melding of flavors: steamy and just a little bit soggy (believe it or not, this is a good thing, if you appreciate old-style British chip shops). Take your package to a bench along the St. Lawrence River and feast.

Don's brief menu also includes some uniquely Canadian items, like that specialty of nearby Quebec, poutine (fries covered in cheese curds and brown gravy), and Pogos (Canadian corn dogs). Everything's also available a la carte if you'd rather build your lunch piece by piece.

Scorecard

Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip

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"As you tear open the oil-stained paper, that distinctive fish and chips aroma escapes."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"The haddock is chunky and meaty. Cod is also available."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Don's wraps the fish and chips orders in newspaper (with an additional protective paper wrap within), a practice that has mostly died out in the fish and chips eating world."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Don's menu is simple: fish, potatoes, Pogos (corn dogs), and drinks."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Don's is a very popular takeout shop in Brockville."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle