Food Away: The Best Fish and Chips This Side of the Pond

I’m not much fish and chips fan. In my experience, it’s more like fish and grease. So a couple of weekends ago, when we stopped at Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock in New London, CT on our way back from Boston to New York, I ordered the lobster roll instead. Still, Roadfood, a site I rely on for road food picks whenever we travel, said the fish and chips ($9.95 including excellent fries and slaw) at Captain Scott’s was outstanding. So I dove into my hubby’s fish and chips to see what all the fuss was about.

This was fish and chips like no other. Perfectly crisp and golden on the outside with a buttery finish. Tender and most on the inside. What’s the secret? Hot oil is a must. Plus, “we change the it a lot,” said the server manning the counter that runs along the front of the ramshackle fish shack. Cod is the fish of choice, she informed me. (If you’re not a fried fish fan, try the lobster roll for $13.95. It’s prepared Connecticut style, made with melted butter instead of mayo. Personally, I like the traditional recipe better. There’s also a fish market for purchasing seafood to take home.)

There can’t be a better  fish and fries plate than this New London rendition—not even in old London. (West Branch on the Upper West Side has a pretty good version.)  But don’t go for the atmosphere. There are picnic tables for devouring your grub, but you probably won’t want to linger very long.  For a bit of maritime atmosphere, look to the  few dozen pleasure boats  tied up adjacent to the picnic area. Otherwise, the view consists of rusting lobster traps, a dreary parking lot, and thundering Amtrak trains hurtling by every few minutes.

If you’re taking the ferry from New London to Orient or Block Island, Captain Scott’s is just a stone’s throw away.  The place is open from April through October.

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