Red Fish Blue Fish Victoria

There are many options for fish and chips in Victoria, from brew pubs to float-through windows at Fisherman’s Wharf – and I’ve explored most of them. Red Fish Blue Fish has been at the top of my list since Karen Hamilton told me about it years ago and this past weekend I was finally able to sample their seasonal seaside fare.

Located on a dock off Wharf Street in Victoria, the queue for Red Fish Blue Fish was about three times longer than the full length of its converted freight container.

It was a gloriously sunny day, and I had heard so many good things, that the 20-30 minute wait breezed by. In the meantime, take-out only patrons lucky enough to already score their lunches were sitting out on the dock, grabbing an Island Farms soft-serve cone, or enjoying the serenade of a nearby busker.

As I was in Victoria to speak at Social Media Camp, I didn’t want to have a full order of fish and chips so I decided on the tacone. Red Fish Blue Fish’s tacones are wraps that taper at the end, making a cone shape. My mistake was ordering two tacones (since one was filling enough) but I wanted to get a good sampling of their food. So much for not stuffing myself before my speaking engagement… but it was worth it.

Spicy Pacific Fish Tacone: Simmered in sweet-smoked chili adobo with pea shoots and lemon pickled onions. One for $5, two for $9. It wasn’t too spicy (I was expecting it to pack more of a punch) but it was full of flavour.

Tempura Cod Tacones: Sweet-smoked chili adobo with pea shoots and lemon pickled onions. One for $5, two for $9. This was my favourite of the two. Classic, crisp, flaky, and still juicy.

Other items from their full Ocean Wise menu include (but are not limited to) a local shrimp roll (lobster roll style), curry or Kennebec hand cut chips, BBQ Fanny Bay oyster sandwich, the cod dog, and your choice of salmon, halibut or cod for the classic fish and chips.

I could easily order a $5 tacone for lunch and be satisfied. If you’re in the area, you probably already now the goodness that is Red Fish Blue Fish but if you’re a visitor be sure to check it out the next time you’re in town. Tip: Follow them on Facebook or Twitter for updates as they do close early on poor-weather days.

Disclosure: cpm.ly/0 I was not paid to write this post nor was I given a review sample. I paid for lunch.