TL;DR: Honest-to-God, classic fish and chips Australian style. All of it, good quality only being the location away from the whole, old-school experience.
One of the old favourites that I have been hearing good words about for so many years, heralding back to when I first had some work so many years back at the Kelvin Grove campus. Carraway Pier must be one of the huge favourite among the QUT staff and students, particularly those living within the village and that is for a good reason - the prices are a-steal, but it also helps that the food is also tasty and pretty high quality as well. All that needs to be indicated is the average score here. And the question is does it deserve that high of a reputation? I would hazard a yes to answer that said question.
Down the hill, and taking a turn after the shopping village for an array of eateries, one of them being this fish and chip shop we have here. It is really simple in looks, maybe a bit decrepit, and more or less has a design like a takeaway.
This is so popular, that there is often a line out the door. Fear not, because they are quick and effective when taking the orders. Take a number, and either take a seat or wait for the number to be called out and it is all good to go. When eating in, it is cafe-style service and the waitstaff are in constant motion with so many orders to go.
Think of the old style fish and chip shop, and you have the answer to what they offer. That is, all kinds of fish and other seafood - available in the common modes of cooking - along with a good range of burgers, packs for one or more people, and the extra bits and bobs that have always distinguished fish and chips in Australia. While it is not anywhere near an ocean, it adds that one extra aspect where it could well be a beachfront takeaway by having ice cream by the cone with a variety of flavours, and a nice addition is the milkshakes and smoothies being choices for a beverage. Nothing more, nothing less, nothing ostentatious, they know what they are offering and stick to their guns and it is all the better for it. And the best part about it is that it won't be breaking the bank any time soon.
So far with this place, I have given in three turns and they have all been just as equal in returning a good and satisfying meal. For the first time that I went here, I ordered the student pack with it having all-sorts in it: a strip of fish (most likely cod), a seafood stick, several pieces of calamari, a prawn cutlet, pineapple fritter, and a side of fries.
The fish was tender, soft and had a beautiful, mild taste. This was complimented with a solid coating that was not too heavy, clung well to the flesh and was well seasoned. The seafood stick - for what it is - was okay, soft and a bit like butter, it went down a treat. The prawns were a solid addition, slightly sweet and also well cooked, while the calamari was perfectly done. Where the old school feel goes for a bit, there was none of the stringiness I used to associate with calamari present at all. The rings were just as tender as the rest of the offerings. The pineapple fritter was solid, sweet and tasty as well - the coating this time being suited to the snack, and that leaves us with what ties it all together: their fries.
The fries here are simply delicious, and are absolutely recommended. It is not often that they can make do as their own snack without anything else to go with them, but here is one instance where that is the case. They are cooked to perfection, hot and crispy with a soft as a feather inside. Finishing them off is the seasoning, which visibly has all sorts of herbs thrown into the mix. Absolutely wonderful down to the last bite.
Coming here a second time with one of my work colleagues, I opted for the single pack which had one piece of cod, three pieces of crumbed calamari, two prawn cutlets and fries. In addition to that, I also ordered a potato scallop. With exception to the potato scallop, the same thing that was said about the items in the antecedent paragraph are applicable here as well. The potato scallop was also good, well salted and the coating was pretty light - almost tempure-like. This was another good outing, with everything being good as it should be.
It was just on the day that I got around to writing this review that I realised there was still a chance to give it more of a go, and that was the king opportunity to try the real treat that I have long associated with fish and chip shops. That was the good old fish burger, and by golly would I get it with a side of fries and a potato scallop to put on the burger. Third time became the charm with this outing. Each burger is served with a fresh mixture of slaw, tomato, and lettuce with optional pineapple and beetroot. The bread they use is solid and good quality, and the bit of fish used was a huge piece of cod that was just as well cooked as the other fish beforehand and the potato scallop was a moreish extra to spruce up the burger. So in the trial of the most important component in a fish and chip shop worth its salt, Carraway Pier comes out winning.
With the first two times that I came here, I have tried one of their old-school milkshakes (no drinks the third time). Both of those times, the flavour has been coffee, and it was really good. They use a good, solid quality of ice cream to mix in their drinks and a good amount of it, since the drinks are slightly thick and very cold. The flavour of coffee here was apparent, and really nice. It had a slight sweetness to it, and nothing so bitter. That is one more positive mark for them.
In all honesty, recently with many fish and chip outings that I have had have generally been good but there is something in them that seemed cloying, and I don't reckon that is anything of their own fault. Something about them was a bit heavy after a while, but right here there is none of that present. Each time here so far has been very high quality as well as wholesome. The food being cooked fresh to order is a definite plus, and they always make sure that it is the highest quality. Not once did it feel at all oily, and every time the serving was just right for lunch time.
For what it is, it is as close to good as it can possibly get. There is a no-nonsense approach avoiding bells and whistles, and twists on the old school favourite, presenting it all in its classic glory - albeit they use actual crockery if you are eating in. I dare anyone who has eaten here not to be reminded of their childhood in some way or another, and that is precisely the draw card that it has. This is one place that really ought to the beeline drawn right to it, and I can assure that it will not disappoint.
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