Can a Vegetarian Eat at Pike Street Fish Fry? Restaurant Review – Seattle, WA
Pike Street Fish Fry is the brainchild of Michael Hebb, most known in Seattle for his celebrated series of One Pot underground dinners, and chef Monica Dimas, formerly of Le Pichet and Campagne. The Fish Fry opened to a lot of attention in April of '08, garnering notices in Food & Wine
But can a vegetarian even eat a Pike Street Fish Fry? Absolutely. You have three main choices: French fries, green beans, or a mixed fry of assorted vegetables. Each comes with one paper-thin slice of fried lemon, which everyone dotes on, and a choice of sauce.
I opted for the mixed grill. The vegetables were beautifully battered and fried, with a light and airy shell similar to tempura. The tartar sauce had a good tart edge and pickly crunch. Tasty stuff.
Now some of you might snub the idea of a fried meal. I grew up in the South, and lived for years in Milwaukee, where a fish fry was mandatory on Friday nights. For me, that meant French fries and coleslaw and I was still happy. I pretty much love anything well fried (fried dark, drained of excess oil, and well salted). So this is no sacrifice to me, though I'll readily acknowledge it constitutes nothing like a nutritionally balanced lunch! I'm of the school that would rather have a great indulgence occasionally than mediocre ones constantly.
Pike Street Fish fry is conveniently located outside Neumo's, so those of you that still have a (night)life can enjoy the deep fried stuff when we all know it tastes best: late and inebriated. There, I said it.
Don't let the salvaged Pacific Fish N' Chips sign fool you, that's the spot.
Michael, where do you stand on the issue of eating veggie food fried in the same oil that’s fried fish? It doesn’t bother me, but I wonder if you noticed any fish flavor. Sounds like you had a yummy dinner!
Hey Anne – yeah, personally I don’t worry about it unless the taste offends
me. They didn’t kill a fish for me to eat, it just incidentally touched the
same oil, so I don’t stress about it. Actually I think Pike St. might be
keeping a separate fryer for vegetable dishes, though I didn’t ask… kinda
looked that way to me. Anyone in the know? That would be a rare but nice
level of concern!
Sounds pretty tasty. My husband got really interested once I mentioned the fried green beans. We’re looking for good places to get a reasonable vegetarian lunch in the downtown-ish area, so we’ll have to try it out next week. Thanks for the tip!
Makes me wish I lived in Seattle. That looks delicious. I totally agree about the “great indulgence occasionally” rather than “mediocre ones constantly.”