Alabama Fish Bar is as simple as they come, and that's a very good thing. They make three types of fish ... Cod, whiting, and perch. Each dish is served in a take-out basket with french fries. You are then given the option to 'dress up' your fish with hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, etc. Do it. Don't be shy. Just dump a bunch of that stuff all over it. It's delicious. Make sure to ask for the grilled onions/peppers combo to go with it, and don't forget your tartar sauce. Next, go home, go to a park, go to your car, go wherever... and chow down. This is some dang good fried fish. I've always lived near a fresh water source and I'm used to having dozens of delicious fish options. That's not the case in Cincinnati or any other land-locked city aside from Vegas. The prices range from 7.95 for the perch and whiting to 8.95 for the cod. The portions are large enough to share if you're not overly hungry. I got the cod my first few times because I'm a snob and didn't think you could get good fish for under 8 bucks. Once I tried the whiting, I haven't gone back. It's their tastiest fish, IMO. If you haven't been there... and you like fried fish... go there! It's at the corner of Race and Liberty, not the best neighborhood but far from the worst. Just park on the street on Race and you're good to go. Enjoy! read more

The COD is my favorite, the PERCH is alright, and I've never tried the WHITING. I never eat the bread or fries, but the fish, with a dash of Malt vinegar, tartar sauce and hot sauce (and of course with the peppers and onions) makes the fish here perfect. Whenever visitors come from CA, they always ask to go to Alabama fish... But being a bit of a fried food snob... I only like it when it's super fresh. Luckily Alabama's is walking distance from my apartment, so by the time I get home it's still piping hot and crispy. I don't mind the price (about $6 for a basket of fish, fries, and bread), since it's a local establishment... please support small businesses in Over the Rhine! read more

service used to be good when it was just starting out, now after all the money they made they still don't offer sit in or decent parking, and they force you to get onions with your peppers now, even though you don't eat onions then on the onion and pepper mix it's all onions. compared to the past it went from a 10 to a 6 their still thriving off the past hype .... read more

Bring cash and be ready to love each and every bite. We had the fried cod and it was to die for. call order in ahead of time to make it go quicker. There has been times I've waited in line but it's worth it. read more

Fish was fresh and hot. Haven't been in a couple months, but did notice they switched to crinkle cut fries. Fish tasted a lot better today, but could be bc I haven't had it in forever. Still cash only. Parking can be hectic. Service is always fast and friendly. Peppers and onions, plus ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce?! Never knew this combination went so well with fried fish. read more

My favorite place in Cininnati for fish!! Absolutely the best!! Seriously good! Just make sure to bring cash. Had to walk a couple of blocks to an ATM but I'll be prepared next trip! read more

Best fish since the Delhi House shut its doors! It might get a bit crazy around lunch time, but man, it's worth it! The cod is really meaty and flaky. The tarter is delicious too. Maybe a little greasy at times, but hey! It's fried fish!!! So good, and a downtown staple for so many years! read more

I love the Cod dinner. Good portion size for fish and fries. Sometimes there maybe a wait (Friday's and Saturday evenings), but worth the wait. Yesterday afternoon, I bought the Cod dinner and was in and out in less 2 minutes secondary to no longer allowed to "dress" your fish and fries with catsup and mustard due to COVID-19. read more

This is by far the best fish place around. Very light breading, excellent flavor. Big portions

Alabama fish bar has the best cod I have ever tasted in my life. They give you fries, bread and fresh sautéed veggies with your meal.

Legit whole in the wall. This place offered 3 types of fish to choose. My only complaint was workers were unprofessional in there conversations with customers. read more

My roommate took me to this fine establishment because it's right around the corner from where we live. I love the atmosphere of it. The staff is friendly and it really feels like they give a crap about what they are doing. It's a hole-in-the-wall set up, complete with old-school sports memorabilia and standing-room-only waiting area. They only have 3 items on the menu: cod, ocean perch, and whiting. Orders come with fries and bread, and you can get toppings with it. I got jalapenos and onions with some hot sauce. The food itself is nothing to scream home about. The cod was good, but it's hard to do fried cod bad. The fries were sadly lacking. You definitely need to add something to it yourself. 2 people get a order of fries, 6 pieces of cod, and 2 pieces of bread for 16.00. Check it out once if you're a fan of fish, but once is really all you need. read more

A little too greasy and too much breading for me and the peppers are more sweet now not spicy and good like I remembered.

My friend comes down to visit from up North. The 1st place she wants to go is Alabama!!! Its so good!!!

Wow, who knew Cincinnati would have an excellent old school fish stand? This place gets it! Keep your menu super simple, don't pay a lot for rent and offer a top quality product. Been here a few times and never stray from the perch. What is better than perfectly deep fried perch with fries on the side? Nothing I say. Yep, it's in a shady part of town but compared to parts of Chicago it was like a trip to Hollywood for me. Go there if you like deep fried fish and don't care about your surroundings. You'll love it. read more

If you don't mind walking through the hood then Alabama fish bar is the place to go if you want excellent fish. There is no dining area, just a small waiting area wedged between the door and the counter, so it would be wise to have a spot to eat picked out somewhere close by (Washington Park for example) so the food can be eaten hot. My favorite option is the whiting, but they also have cod and perch which are also delicious. Be prepared to have leftovers because these are generous portions of food. Also, I can't imagine spending more than $10-$12 per person here, very fair prices. read more

Great cooked to order fish cod/whiting/perch but you can order it to go only. Moves fast even when extremely busy. Waiting area is very small so if you don't want to rub elbows with folk this isn't the place for you. Not easy to get to due to street parking so I advise a two person trip where one circles the block and the other gets the food! read more

Last time I got fish it was over cooked and extra hot like it was microwaved... I like my fish rightoutofthe grease but not old grease....They don't change their grease on a regular and lines are always long... they need to extend their hors as well... not open up long enough for working folks... read more

Anytime I'm in Cincinnati I have go by Alabama's. No one does it better than these folks.

Whoowee! South in your mouth. A ton of food for $8! Delicious fried Gish and classic French fries. Walk in only - it's a tight space and they run a tight ship! Shake on some malt vinegar and hot sauce and say YES to the grilled peppers, onions & tarter sauce! Cash only. read more

Great value and super fresh fried fish. Cod and perch are our go to orders. Huge portions. Remember no credit cards, no dining in, limited parking and closed on Sundays. You can call in to place you order in advanced. read more

I'm the last person to ever request seafood when trying to decide what to eat. That said, I LOVED the fish from Alabama's. Their fries and bread that's given is more like decoration than part of the meal. I wasn't actually there to order (co-worker got some for everyone and brought it in), so I can't comment on the experience inside the joint, but I'm told there's "room for 6 people standing" and "have your cash ready, cause they want people to move". 4 out 5 only because the fries were below average, and I really enjoy fries. Their tartar sauce was pretty good too (but not Frisch's-good). read more

Great place for fried fish. Stopped here two Fridays in a row. $17.98 for two platters. I tried cod and perch. Both delicious. You sauce up your food then they package it for you. I'll go back even after lent. read more

Alabama Fish Bar - Perch and Cod (with all the fixings) - Seafood Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

As old school as it gets. They do one thing and they do it well. Fish and chips. You get your choice of cod, whiting, or perch on a mound of fries and bread. This is strictly a cash only take out place so be prepared. Ordering ahead is a good idea if it's near lunch time as the line can be 15-20 deep. It's not as bad as it sounds as the will run they that line in 5-10 min. read more

It is absolutely INSANE to me that there isn't anything more written about Alabama Fish Bar here. I've got in-laws who live about an hour north of Cincinnati, and when I go see them, I make a point to haul their butts into town so that we can hit up the AFB. In the interest of getting more people to try this place, I'm going to give you a play-by-play of how it works. Feel free to print this out and carry it along as a handy reference to your first (of many) visits to Alabama Fish House. Go to the neighborhood. Park on the street or in one of the many lots located around the market. Walk down the block, keeping your eyes straight ahead. Walk in the door, and squeeze into the room. Look up at the board to see what kind of fish they're frying today. Work your way around to the counter on the left and order some fish. You'll get a number. Squeeze to the back of the room, and wait for your number to be called. (While you wait, help any confused-looking people who walk in. Pay it forward, dude.) If it's really crowded just tell one of the nice ladies what your numbers is and let her know that you're going to stand outside. Someone will yell out the door whenever your number comes up. Now's when it starts to get good . . . When they call your number step up to the counter and let the nice lady know which number is yours (there may be multiple orders up at a time). She's going to ask you if you want peppers and onions. There are two possible answers: "Yes" and "Double." You're really doing yourself a huge disservice if you don't get the peppers and onions (they're slowly sizzling away, like at the ballpark, on the grill off to the right). While they assemble your peppers, you have work to do. You'll notice that the nice lady will have, ever so subtly, slid your basket of fish toward you. Now's your chance: douse the hell out of the fish and the fries with the hot sauce, the vinegar, and maybe a little extra salt. When you're done, push it back toward the nice lady who now will have a little wax paper packet (or two!) of peppers and onions for you. They'll throw everything in a sack, wrap it up, give you one (ONE!!!) napkin, and send you on your way. You'll now be excited, and somewhat at a loss of what to do. Should you go sit in your car and eat? Should you drive it home? Should you sit right there on the curb and tear into it? No. What you want to do is walk right back up the street to the Findlay Market. Walk inside (the back door will make this much easier), and go find yourself a table. Now it's time to unwrap your prize. (Optional: stop off on the way to the table at one of the stalls to grab a drink, and while you're at it, try to sweet talk your way into more napkins.) Dump the peppers and onions on top, and start tearing that thing to pieces. You've earned it. read more

5 STARS!!! Located in probably the least ideal part of town. You are more than likely to get hit up by a panhandler, might struggle to find parking, be squeezed into the a storefront the size of a phone booth, and boy howdy will your clothes and car smell. But gosh darn it all to heckfire, IT IS SO WORTH IT!!!!! The AFB combines two of my most favorite things in the world: Lenten Fish Fries and OTR. At the AFB it is Lent all of the time. You are presented with 3 different options, large platters of fish- cod, whiting, and haddock I believe. All three will set you back about 6-8 bucks. Each platter includes 5-7 pieces of fish, fries, and two pieces of bread. You can tack on some sides and a soda for a couple of bucks more, but what you are given is at least two meals. The way it works is that you walk inside the small space, order, and you are given your ticket and one penny- for both luck and the fact that everything is 6.99 or 7.99. When your number is called out, you proceed to the counter and gaze in amazement at the large, delicious platter in front of your eyes. You then proceed to smother your deep fried bounty with vinegar, ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce. They ask you if you want peppers. You always say yes. Do you actually want peppers? Who knows, but just in case. They wrap up your catch of the day and throw it in a bag. Since there is no seating, everything is to go. Warning! Outside there are no seats and usually a person or two asking for money. You will have to transport your meal a distance before consuming. Be prepared for your breath, body, and motor vehicle to smell like delicious, delicious, yet smelly fried fish. I have been told that you get a free meal on your birthday. Mine is next week. I will relay back with more info. But you shouldn't wait for your birthday to feast on this fish. read more

Best place to go when you are hungry for fish!! I go to this place every week, when the weather is nice I take my food to the washington park and enjoy my little picnic with a little sunshine. With the chill weather like this winter I just call ahead and pick them up and finish them even before I can get home. It's just too good to wait! Cod is my personal favorite and the jalapeño makes the meal perfect! read more

The fish is great! Especially the Cod. Service was nice until I took a picture for Yelp and they yelled at me saying I could do that. Weird! Located in a less than desirable let of town and there are always people standing out front begging or trying to sell you stuff. Creepy. I only stop in of I happen to be passing through. Cash only! Carry out only! read more

This is the best hole in the wall that I have been to in a long time. The food is so delicious. The fish is fresh. I'm visiting Cincity(lol) for the first time and enjoying this restaurant. I will definitely return to this restaurant before I leave..... read more

Cincinnati's finest fish spot in the middle of the hood! Lol I've been getting this since a child and it never disappoints!!!!

OMG ! This place is sooo good. The mix of onions and green pepper makes my mouth water just thinking about it! Not in the best part of town and cash only but worth the hassle of both. read more

This place is amazing. I'm sure the whiting is good but we always get the cod and perch as our favorites. Always nice size pieces of fish, no minnows. Embrace the neighborhood and make friends as you wait a short time for your order. It is fantastic! The staff makes this place memorable. Thank you all. read more

I haven't had Alabama Fish Bar since 2016. So, Friday (4/15/22)/I decided to give it a try, since the re-opening. I experience the most rudest customer service from the staff. The man taking the orders, I asked a simple question-if they could put me fries on the side. He waved me off, very dismissively and said they don't do that anymore! $26.00! When I tried to get more understanding, he just asked for my money. Then the black lady behind the counter, the one that gives you the food. I asked, are you still allowed to dress your fish? Her response-you get what's in the bag! I said what does that mean? she repeated, you get what's in the bag! No expression, no thank you for coming. It has been the BLACK community that has kept this restaurant alive and running all of these years. To treat you customers like they are just suppose to support this business is horrible. The fish isn't worth 13-15 dollars! It's only worth the $8 dollars. read more

I love the place and drive up to Cinncy just for it. Quality seems to have slipped. Lot of bones in the whiting so I no longer give it to my kids and It is starting to have a less then fresh smell. I will still buy it for now but if it's going to be the same quality as everyone else, there will be no reason for me to buy it. read more

Only a few things on the menu and no place to sit - get it and go. So unhealthy but so darn good. I usually get the cod with onions and peppers. When you walk in there are so many people inside and spilled out on to the sidewalk you don't think they have a system but somehow it works. I try to go at least once or twice a year. Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm overdue and should go soon... read more

Oh my, what a place. Very specific! First the positives: the fish was indeed very good, as good as a deep fried fish can be. I tried cod and haddock, and would definitely recommend the cod. Haddock was very 'fishy' and I did not enjoy it that much. French fries were not crunchy. The onion, eeeee, not for me. Now the smell: OMG! I had to wait inside the place for several minutes, and it was enough to be completely soaked in the fishy aroma :o I had to dry clean my coat and wash everything, including my sneakers, as the smell would not go away. My car was stinky for a week. The area is far from nice. Passed it several times before actually stepping out of the car, as I did not feel comfortable in the area. Parking is a challenge and there are always people asking you for money etc. All in all, will not go back. Yes, the fish was good, but all the hassle was not worth it. read more

I use to always chose this place on our take out night at home...not anymore. I think that over the years as the place and food bwcame more popular the quality has really gone down. Now mind you that the place isn't in an ideal part of town. At least not forme, but when the ffood was good I sure would risk it all to go get some of the best fried fish in towm lol. However, not anymore. Standing in that crowd and being shoved around on the inside just doesn't seem worth it anymore for what they are selling. Also, the prices have really gone up and they don't take credit cards. I really miss the old place, taste and value. read more

If you like fried fish, this place is incredible. Easily the best fried fish in town (That I have had anyways.) Their peppers and onions are amazing, their tartar sauce is really good, check under your fish for the bread so you can make a sandwich. On the down side, i'm pretty sure their prices just went up. I could eat here once a week if it wouldn't kill me in 5 years. I have taken at least 5 people here that have never had it, and every single person has loved it. Two thumbs up! read more

The best!!! Fish is always fresh & hot! I love the peppers & onions on the side also. The staff are friendly & portions are generous. I recommend everybody to stop by this place whenever you're in Cincinnati area. You will be satisfied read more

There's a reason a famous rapper (whose name currently escapes me) gave 'bama's a shout out in one of his songs. That's how me and my former roommates found Alabama's Fish Bar. It's a wonderful hidden treasure in OTR. Simple operation with only a couple delicious options- make sure you get it with all the peppers and onions, etc! You walk up to the window and order. Feel free to bask in the greasy goodness in the storefront but be warned, your clothes will soak it the smell too, which is fine if you don't care about smelling like.. fried. I love 'Bama's and you should, too. read more