In Nova Scotia, I went on a quest to eat the best fish and chips that I could find, and since I was in the Maritimes, I figured there was nowhere better to find the best fish and chips in Canada, if not the world.
Some background: what I consider "real" fish and chips is also called "English-style," or battered fish. If the fish is coated with a crumb coating, then it doesn't qualify. Secondly, I really have a very high benchmark to compare to. Many years ago, when I served in the Navy, I had the opportunity to be stationed in a little place called Holy Loch, Scotland, near the town of Dunoon. Up the hill, and across from the YMCA in Dunoon was a place we simply called "The Fish Bar," where they served fish and chips... *only* fish and chips, huge, steaming hot batter-covered slabs of Atlantic Cod on a bed of hand-cut fried potatoes, all wrapped in a brown paper wrapper that also served as your napkin. Seating was on the curb outside. I have never tasted food as good since.
SO here I am, in Nova Scotia, land of fishermen and fisheries, thinking I should be able to get a pretty good plate of fish and chips. Actually, there weren't many places that served it in Truro.
We did try a place called Murphy's Fish and Chips on Esplanade. I thought the fish was very good, *very* hot right out of the fryer! As I found out, that seems to be the norm for Down East; they like their food hot. The Murphy's fish was a bit on the greasy side, but that didn't deter me much. It tasted very good, and the price was moderate.
We hit a road-side stand the next day (actually looking to get a lobster roll, but they had run out of lobster), and again, the fish was almost searing hot! Pretty good, not quite as good as Murphy's.
On Prince Edward Island, I had fish and chips in a couple of restaurants, all of them batter dipped, and all served piping hot. I don't recall being disappointed by any fish and chip meal in either Nova Scotia or PEI.
Bathurst, New Brunswick, however, is where I had my least favorite and most favorite fish and chip meal. I think New Brunswick is in a world of its own when it comes to the Maritimes. For one thing, service is something that the server graces you with all in good time - when ever he or she gets to it. You are supposed to be grateful that someone is tending to your needs. I found that true in most everywhere I went except the full service filling stations, where the attendants were very friendly and quick as if their livelihoods depended on it.
The worst fish and chips appeared to be a couple of Mrs. Pauls fish portions fried (just warm this time) on a bed of fries, this at a family restaurant, so I should have guessed. The best was at what appeared to be a brand new bar opening up, where my fish was hot, floated on grease hot enough to cook the fish without soaking in, and hand-cut fries that were also fresh; excellent meal! Cynthia had what she said was the best roast beef sandwich she had ever had. Pricy, but a really nice experience in New Brunswick, of all places.
The best fish and chips, then, goes to the Meglodon Bar in Bathurst, New Brunswick, with a close second to Murphy's in Truro, Nova Scotia.
