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    Tugboat Fish & Chips

    3.4 (168 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Tugboat Fish & Chips Photos

    Business Info

    TUGBOAT FISH & CHIPS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Fish & Chicken Combo
    Paul W.

    I have come here every now and then for about 20 years at the same location. Pretty much the only London-style fish and chips shop in Vacaville. For years, I always left satisfied knowing I'd be back eventually. But the last time I came (about two years ago) something seemed off and I figure maybe it's an off day. Fast forward today, and I decided to get there for takeaway during my lunch break. The wife and husband team have worked there for years and are always friendly. I went with my usual Fish & Chicken combo which came with one fish filet, two chicken strips, chips (fries), tartar sauce, and ranch. Everything was made right away and I headed back to work to eat. I think the one of the few things that has been consistent with Tugboat over the years are their fries. They're basic, but I've always enjoyed them and these were no different. The fish was nice and crispy in the outside, but the fish inside was thin. I think the fish-to-batter ratio was slightly more batter crunch that drowns the fish out some. The chicken tenders are very thin and lacked a bit of that tender. I don't know if they pound the chicken down to get it thin, but like the fish the batter was more dominant. The ranch sauce was good. Tartar sauce was a little on the sweet side which I'm not a fan of. But it's more of a preference there and it's still decent. Overall, Tugboat doesn't seem to hit home for me like it used to. I noticed prices have gone up slightly, but price is never an issue with me if the quality matches. But it's just not the same anymore.

    Fish and Calamari
    Neez I.

    We've been in search of a good fish and chips for a minute since our favorite spot in Benicia closed down. Fish, shrimp, calamari AND fries had little to absolutely no seasoning. No taste at all. We wanted to like this place because we love supporting small mom and pop shops, but this was unfortunately disappointing.

    The carpet is filthy they have seat covers over the seats at least the ones that are terrible No I check that back they're all terrible
    M H.

    This some nasty s*** I've already used 10 packs of salt and it's still nasty I don't come from but I'm starving so right now I'm going to eat it when you're very hungry don't go to the grocery store and don't come to tugboat The lady that took my order was nice Don't get me started about the ambience The carpet has 20 years of dirt on it

    This is the chicken strip. I think they striped it of its dignity.
    Carrie J.

    Walk in the door you're greeted by the stale, non circulating air. Not even a fan. It's 88 outside. A woman wanted extra napkins, they only gave her 2. I think you may have to leave your first born to get more. Maybe the kid can. Cook better. Bring your own roll of bounty. Chicken tasted like nothing, the Fish tasted weak, unsavory, flat, dead, unflavored, bland ,tasteless. Yes I went there with the description. fries had zero salt, and I have NEVER in my life seen a straight prawn until I came to this establishment. Two meals was not worth $40. Try your own discretion. Everyone has their own tastes. Enjoy sitting in the booths, and chairs that are probably from a 1978 dennys . Don't wear shorts , you'll get cut by the cracks in them. I'll update my review i get sick from what food we did eat. Three things would help a lot. SEAS-A-NING! (Yeah I did that wrong on purpose.)

    2piece fish & chips
    Arielle G.

    Lived here for almost 10 years and I still haven't tried the local fish & chips. But it was a no-meat Friday, so I was like hey, let's try it out. I had zero expectations going in so I wasn't too disappointed nor was I impressed. The good: 1) Fish was a good size. 2) The breading to fish ratio was perfect. I absolutely hate it when there's so much breading! 3) The fish was cooked perfectly. Another place had rubbery fish so this was already a huge plus for me. 4) I ordered food for pick up and my order was ready in time. The bad: 1) I agree with some Yelpers; both the fish and the fries (and even the tartar sauce) could definitely use some seasoning. Seasoning is everything. 2) The fries were cold and they gave a very small amount. So it wasn't super terrible, but for a place that specializes in fish & chips you'd think they would be good at it... kinda, sorta?

    Fish and scallops
    joey p.

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_PPxeGxAv1/?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng== Simple wonderful fried fish and sides You can't go wrong here

    Vanessa C.

    Came by for lunch with my dad and sister. I've never eaten here but they both have and said it's really good so I was excited to try it out. I got the 2 fish and chips. It was absolutely delicious! Food was fresh and hot! Came with tar tar sauce and malt vinegar. It seriously was so good, some of the best fish and chips I've had. The last at the counter was really friendly. There was plenty of inside seating and the restaurant was nice and clean. :)

    The chips that came with the 8 fish and 6 chicken strips meal
    Jonathan S.

    I haven't been to Tugboat in many years, but yesterday, I decided to stop in for lunch after work because fish and chips sounded good. I decided to order extra food for the kids when they get home from school. I ordered the 8 piece fish and 6 piece chicken that came with fries, side order of clams trips and a large coleslaw. There are quite a few tables to sit down to eat, but I opted for takeout. Ordering was quick and the food was ready fast. The lady that took my order was pleasant. I also want to add that they offer crab cakes, potstickers and lumpia as well. As for the food, it is just mediocre to me. They advertise London Style Fish and Chips and I believe them because they are exactly like fish and chips in London, bland and no flavor. Even just a little salt would help, but whatever fish they used had no flavor as well. The fish is not the traditional filet look, but rather long strips much I thought were chicken strips initially. The chicken strips were also bland and could use some salt. I was warned when I went to London to not eat fish and chips because they are bland and had no flavor, well this definitely reminded me of it. The side of fries clams were pretty good, but the portion size was a little lacking. They did give a ton of fries (chips). I ordered a large coleslaw, but I'm pretty sure they gave me the small, but if it is a large, portion size is also lacking a little. As for dipping sauces, they gave plenty of tartar sauce (fish) and ranch dressing (chicken strips), there was a small container of cocktail sauce for the clam strips. I wish they gave some malt vinegar for takeout, but was not included. Again the tartar sauce and ranch was bland, my son even said it was like they diluted them with water. The kids didn't mind the bland taste of the fish and chicken strips and thought they were decent, but my wife and I definitely feel they are lacking seasoning. Unfortunately, it will probably be many years before I come back as I would rather have the fish and chips and chicken strips from Long John Silver or make it myself.

    They gave me someone's order and it's all unseasonably seafood. How are they even in business
    Wan G.

    This is the most unseasoned fish I have every ate. This is horrible. Totally waste of money and gas to drive the 10 mins it took. You know what's even worst...I tried to look at order and felt like she was ushering me out the door. They actually gave me 2x as much as I order fish and scallops. I got 2 of those and a order of shrimp. They are decent size but still this food had nothing. Because she rushed me..I was hoping that condiments were on there. But just catch up and target...no hot sauce or malt vinegar. How are they even surviving selling this bland food.

    3 piece chicken strips and fries
    Braelyn Joy T.

    My family comes here every now and then for the fish and chips, but I get chicken strips. We all love how crispy their batter comes out, other places don't compare for the crunch. Nothing crazy amazing, but a solid food choice if you're craving fish n chips. Whenever people are thinking of ordering fish n chips at another restaurant, we tell them to order something else and promise to take them here the next time we go out.

    Fried Seafood Combo, delish

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    22 days ago

    It's pretty good order the Alaskan cod. Just your basic fish and chips, it satisfies the craving.

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    27 days ago

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    7 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Prices have gone way up!! 18.99 for 3 pcs fish & chips is crazy!! I am not sure if I will be back unfortunately!

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Been coming here for years .If you like deep frieed sea food this place is excellent.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    I go here a lot I always order the samething which is the shrimp dinner with regular white it's everytime

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Our order came out fast and hot. The fish was crisp with a tasty batter. My clam strips were excellent - just like we had in New England.

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    1 year ago

    I got the one fish combo. Everything was fresh tasting and delicious. The whole meal was excellent!

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    1 year ago

    Good fish and a really nice owner. They are my go to place for fish. I like that they have a decent list of meal options.

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    2 years ago

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Tugboat Fish & Chips

    What type of fish do they have?

    It is Swai....

    Is this the same restaurant that used to be in Solano Mall?

    May not be the same owners but yes, it's the same restaurant

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    The Codmother Fish & Chips - Combo (Fish, Shrimp & Chips)

    The Codmother Fish & Chips

    4.4(3.5k reviews)
    44.0 miFisherman's Wharf, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
    $$

    I've been meaning to try this spot and I am so glad I did!! I ordered the Codmother's combo which…read morecame with 2 fried fish, 4 pieces of shrimp and fries! The fish were huge, meaty and flaky with the perfect crisp! The fried shrimp surprised me with a light fluffy crisp and perfectly cooked meat! Possibly my favorite fried shrimp now! I love the tartar sauce and red sauce that came with the meal! And of course I had to use the vinegar on the fried fish as well! Yum! The fries were amazing! They give such a generous amount! I had to add a can of coke to go with all this delicious fried food! They have an outdoor patio area for seating with large umbrellas to shield from the sun. The staff are very friendly. They keep the area pretty clean. I highly highly recommend stopping by to try out their delicious fried fish and shrimp! Next time, I'm going to try their calamari, fish tacos and of course get the Codmother's Combo again!!

    The CodMother is an absolute must-try if you're in the area! It's a food truck setup with a super…read morecute outdoor dining patio with bench seating and umbrellas that gives it a fun, relaxed vibe. I ordered the Combo and substituted the fries for coleslaw. The shrimp had a light, crispy batter that wasn't greasy at all, and the fish pieces were huge, perfectly cooked, piping hot, and absolutely delicious. The coleslaw was perfectly dressed and honestly exceptional. This was by far the best fried fish I've ever had. Don't skip this place!

    Photos
    The Codmother Fish & Chips - Food truck

    Food truck

    The Codmother Fish & Chips - Shrimp and chips

    Shrimp and chips

    The Codmother Fish & Chips - Fish and shrimp basket

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    Fish and shrimp basket

    Ann’s Fish & Chip’s - Veggie platter, fish and chips

    Ann’s Fish & Chip’s

    4.7(118 reviews)
    78.7 mi
    $$

    The wife and I were in the neighborhood and she brought up Ann's Fish & Chips. I was definitely…read moredown. We ordered the #1, two fish and chips. We did substitute the chips for onion rings. I am not mad not mad at that decision. The fish were what seemed like two whole filets with a beer batter that would knock your Sox off. Tender fish with a crispy batter. The batter on the onion rings was thick and crispy. SO GOOD!! The service was good super nice. You walk up to the counter and order. And I'm really not a fan of this for the fact, I tip small here. Thats just me. I want to give bigger but you didn't do anything yet. Give me some good customer service and I will give you a ble$$ing. Ambiance was ok. Nothing fancy but your coming here I think, for the hang, beer and food. Definitely check out this place. The food and beer were on point!! SO GOOD!!

    We ordered the 2 piece fish and chips (16.99) Vege Combo…read more(7.99) Soda (1.99) Wine (7.00) The total for our meal was $62.50 Which we thought was pretty high for fish and chips meals. The food was delicious but the service is very slow (probably because they make each meal as the order comes in). The dining space is very small but for a little hole in the wall restaurant it worked. I ordered a water and never received it. We also ordered coleslaw and didn't receive that either. I had to wait in line to ask for it. The staff were all very friendly. Maybe they just need to hire more help. I'm not sure we would make the trip out to Hughson again for their fish and chips but the food was really good.

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    Ann’s Fish & Chip’s - Inside

    Inside

    Ann’s Fish & Chip’s
    Ann’s Fish & Chip’s

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    H Salt Esq Fish & Chips - Fish Fillets & Large Fries

    H Salt Esq Fish & Chips

    3.9(263 reviews)
    68.3 miEast San Jose
    $$

    [Food] - 3 Fish Filet n' Chips ($15.45): Freshly made and…read moresuper crispy! Filet is good with vinegar and the tartare sauce provided. Tartare sauce is more on the creamy side. I prefer to squeeze a bit of lemon too! Fries are a bit under seasoned but I don't mind since it still tastes good with ketchup or if you prefer to sprinkle on some extra salt yourself. [Service] - Friendly & fast [Ambiance] - Small, casual place with about 6 tables [Overall] - Would come back for the delicious and affordable fish n' chips!

    On a Tuesday afternoon, I stopped by H. Salt Esq Fish & Chips in San Jose because I wanted to…read moresupport a long-standing local business. This is a business that has been around for nearly 58 years as of this review. I ordered the #11 combo (1 fish filet, 2 shrimp, 2 oysters, 2 scallops 'n chips) ($16). Just a heads up: the online prices aren't up-to-date with the prices I saw, so expect some differences when you get there. Overall, the experience was very no-frills and straightforward. My order was impressively portioned, and the fish filet in particular was generous in size. I've definitely had better fish & chips elsewhere, but for the value, this holds up. The batter is light and crunchy, but pretty plain and not really seasoned. The seafood itself is good quality across the board. The scallops were a standout, while the shrimp were more on the softer side. Personally, I wished the shrimp were more firm. The oysters tasted fresh, but be careful. The moment I took a bite, the oyster splashed hot liquid onto my friend! The "chips" come intentionally unsalted, but you can ask for salt and pepper. They also provide tartar sauce, malt vinegar, and ketchup. The tartar sauce is decent, though I personally wish it had a bit more dill or relish, and maybe a larger portion. A couple small notes: lemons are 50 cents each, and parking is easy. The customer service is excellent. There is indoor seating. All in all, it's a simple, old-school spot. Not amazing, but solid for the price and worth checking out if you're in the mood for classic fish & chips in the South Bay.

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    H Salt Esq Fish & Chips - Inside

    Inside

    H Salt Esq Fish & Chips - 3 Fish Filet n' Chips ($15.45)

    3 Fish Filet n' Chips ($15.45)

    H Salt Esq Fish & Chips - Inside restaurant

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    Inside restaurant

    Falafel & Gyro - Chicken rice hummus Mediterranean salad pita bread

    Falafel & Gyro

    4.8(486 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    We were in Downtown Vacaville for an event that ended at 8pm and resorted to Yelp for place to eat…read more Falafel & Gyro was still open, just over a mile away; and with a 4.8 Yelp rating, this place intrigued me even more. It was a 5 minute drive, located in a small shopping center. The left side of the store is facing the parking lot while the entrance is on other side. Plenty of parking. We were welcomed by the owner, Safi. Everything on their menu was reasonably priced. I initially ordered the Combo Plate and lamb & beef Gyro; then after I paid, I saw the Philly Cheesesteak and had a craving for that instead. I asked if I could still change my order and pay the difference in cash, Safi changed my order and told me not to worry about the difference. We dined in, a few minutes later our food came with generous portions and absolutely delicious! We were also given orange slices and complimentary baklava. The baklava was so flaky and not soaked in syrup which, I like. I asked if they make their own baklava and was told that it's ordered from Sacramento to support another local business! Thank you Yelp Fam for the recommendation! I too recommend this place if ever in Vacaville.

    We were driving from Reno to the South Bay, and looked for a Mediterranean lunch stop…read more I ordered loaded Philly steak fries w/ gyro meat. It was huge, big enough for two! And delicious, I would definitely get it again. My companion got a falafel gyro, she said it was perfect. The falafel patties are flavorful and not dry, which is sometimes the issue with falafel. The restaurant is comfy, with the cleanest quick-food bathroom I've seen in a LONG time. It was very quiet at 2pm on a Friday. Our food was cooked to order, so it tasted fresh and was hot. We split a piece of baklava. I didn't think I like baklava, based of all of my previous experiences with it. I stand corrected! I'm tempted to stop and get more to take home when we drive back through Vacaville.

    Photos
    Falafel & Gyro - Empty fridge

    Empty fridge

    Falafel & Gyro - Massive portion, tastes soooo great and the owner gave us dessert for free!!

    Massive portion, tastes soooo great and the owner gave us dessert for free!!

    Falafel & Gyro - 4/4/25 FYI. Exterior

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    4/4/25 FYI. Exterior

    Tugboat Fish & Chips - seafood - Updated June 2026

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