Tugboat Fish & Chips El Paso

Deee-LISH!. I see a few reviews where it mentions how this is not British or English. Someone even had the audacity to compare it to the catfish basket and Southern cooking. The problem with most of these reviews is that they really aren't food reviews, but more an opinion.

So let me start with saying this: sure its not English fish and chips--because we aren't in England. I am sure they tried to be as authentic as they could without offending the bland and often picky ElPasoan palate. Restaurants that are too original or different in El Paso, often times do not survive in this city. This place serves it just right.

As for Southern cooking--this is NOT Southern and was never intended--if you want Southern, yes go to Catfish Basket, but if you want Fish & Chips in El Paso, Tugboat is the place to go--don't compare apples to oranges, it makes no sense.

Now on to the review:

Food:
All the seafood tastes very good. Nothing tastes greasy or tastes old--which is a big problem when it comes to seafood in El Paso. Surprisingly, since we aren't on the coast, it all tastes very fresh (I am from Puerto Rico, I know seafood). The chicken is just OK and the french fries, or "chips," need a lot of work. The french fries aren't crisp and are somewhat soggy. Being fish and Chips, I come here for the fish and chips anyway, not the chicken, but that would mean that the chips need to be outstanding so that it is paired with their outstanding seafood. Their home made ice tea is very very good. I give them a 4/5 on food. Fix the french fries and they got it down; work on the chicken at their leisure because it is not bad.

Customer Service:
Friendliest people EVER. They are always smiling, always polite and caring. It seems to be run by very savvy Koreans and they understand what customer service is supposed to be like at Tugboat. One example was that they had served a piece of cod to my co-worker which had nothing wrong with it at all, but she came out with another piece and asked him which piece he preferred because to her the one she served seemed a little too small. Really there wasn't a huge difference, but just the fact that they CARE enough to be thinking this way for their customers says A LOT. The excellence and customer service at Tugboat is a rarity in El Paso. 5/5 for customer service.

Cleanliness:
This place is immaculate. The moment a customer leaves, they are cleaning up. Their ice tea stand is clean. Clean and comfortable. 5/5

Building and Decor:
The building is small but comfortable and the decor shows that they put a lot of thought and love into it. 5/5

Lets see some more reviews that are about the food and place instead of empty comments.

Good Fish and Chips for EP. Love Fish and Chips and for El Paso this isn't bad. The family that runs it is AWESOME. The women are so sweet. The place is SPOTLESS. Tables are always wiped down, the tea station is always kept nice even has a bowl of water for the lemon tongs so they don't get sticky. Food is good. Fries are mediocre but ok. Beer Battered fish is good thick all white meat. But fish is huge portion. I only get one fillet with chips. All I can eat.