After a few mediocre experiences here, I find myself left with two questions - one, why do I continue to return to the 'Original' Victor Harbor Fish Shop, and two, quite how have they earned the title of South Australia's 'best' fish and chip shop??
As for question one, I keep going back because the alternatives for fish and chips at Victor are thinning out unfortunately - the Southern Fleurieu Fish shop has closed down, Cafe 61 is gone, as is Stingray's that came after it, the other competing fish and chip shop on the main street is closed, either for renovations or a new store altogether, and it's just that little bit too far to go up to Port Elliott on a whim for fish and chips. So I'm guessing it's convenience.
The fish is actually fairly good, if expensive for the small servings supplied - and the chips are hand cut which is a bonus. On my most recent visit, however, not only were the staff their usual abrupt and slightly surly selves, they also had an extremely limited range available - and would only cook chips in batches of $5 worth. No seafood sticks, potato cakes, burgers, hot dogs, calamari, yiros, prawns, fish cakes - or even a selection of fish, it was battered butterfish and $5 worth of chips, or nothing. Signs proclaiming all items would be available on the 9th onwards (this was on the 3rd January) did little to appease my kids who ended up only eating chips. To add to the fun, they'd chosen to close the dining room too, which send us out wandering down to the esplanade to try and find somewhere to eat out of the sun. Not happy, Jan.
Previous encounters have included a selection of seafood (prawn cutlets, calamari, fish sticks) that I think must have gone in the oil a little before it was ready, for they were absolutely dripping oil when we got them, and a catering fiasco that we had to cancel and source elsewhere as they were unwilling to take an order of around $150 for a birthday party because it would have been their 'busy' time - of course, if I'd wandered in off the street and ordered $150 worth of fish and chips that would have been fine.
All in all, as the stars say, I've experienced better. If you're happy to put up with an attitude that you're putting them out by buying food from them, and are craving fish and chips, you will usually get reasonable food here. I think I'll vote with my feet and take the trip to one of the alternatives down the road in future though.
Note there is NO Eftpos here - painful if you've queued for nigh on an hour on a saturday lunchtime. I've said yes for Waiter service - as long as you use the dining room which is also more expensive than the take away - but you do get a seat inside and a plate, so it equals out some. Outdoor seating is a couple of tables just outside on the street. read more