Frequently, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s always-hungry reporter has lunch at a local restaurant and tells you about the experience.
By ANON E. MUSS, Journal Services
We live in a complicated world.
Tried picking a paint color for the inside of your house lately?
Figured out how to navigate one of those Bossier City roundabouts?
Understand the whole Artificial Intelligence thing?
It’s enough to make your head hurt. So, I was relieved to see a restaurant which, according to its name, offered only two options – Chicken, or Fish.
It shouldn’t take long to order, right?
I had been to the Chick O’ Fish on Benton Road a few times, and always had fish. But on a recent Thursday, I invited a friend to join me, so I could try the chicken.
I learned a lesson before arriving at the Chick O’ Fish at 4020 Industrial Drive in Bossier. With the person you’re meeting, always confirm the location to which you are going. I went where I’ve always gone – to the Benton Road restaurant. Oops! After my friend called asking why he didn’t see my car, I made the 10-minute drive to the Industrial Drive location, where he had been waiting. We eventually made our way inside at 12:30.
Now, let me make something clear from the start. Chick O’ Fish is nothing fancy. You walk to the counter, survey the menu on the wall, and place your order. This Chick O’ Fish is in what was a Burger King building, and it didn’t look like much, if any, remodeling had been done. While we were there, most of the other diners were dressed for blue collar work, looking for a quick, affordable meal. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with that!
When deciding which chicken option to have, I discovered Chick O’ Fish wasn’t as simplistic as advertised. The restaurant offered a third choice – shrimp.
Now I had to think. I wanted something other than fish, so should I go strictly with chicken, or try a mix of chicken and shrimp? I chose the #8, which promised three chicken fingers and three shrimp. The meal came with two sides – I chose fries and Cole slaw – a roll, and a drink.
I felt bad telling my friend he had to have fish. But hey, business is business. So, he went with the #4, a four-piece fish combo. For his sides, my friend chose red beans and rice, and fries.
The first surprise at Chick O’ Fish came while still at the counter. I put my credit card in the machine and was given several tip options. However, the lady behind the counter quickly touched the “No Tip” icon. Wow! What a nice change! Instead of like most every other place which asks you to tip, a restaurant which doesn’t want you to leave a tip!
The next surprise came when we were served. Actually, I wasn’t surprised, because this has always happened at the Benton Road location. My friend’s meal came with an extra piece of fish. So, when you order a four-piece fish combo, you get five pieces of fish. Guess what? My meal came with an extra chicken finger, and an extra shrimp! Are the “extra’s” built into the price? Maybe, but I don’t want to know. I enjoy too much the feeling of getting something free.
I was very happy with my chicken and shrimp. While the fingers were a bit smaller than at the chicken finger place we all know, the batter was good and tight to the meat. The shrimp were plump and battered to perfection. The fries were thick and tasty. The slaw was just the right texture. Not too thick, and not too runny.
My friend thoroughly enjoyed his fish. “They were big pieces,” he said. “They weren’t wimpy catfish strips. They had some substance, and didn’t taste fishy. He also endorsed the fries. “Every place should have fries that taste like that.”
Now, not everything was to our satisfaction. My friend didn’t care for his roll, which he said tasted “almost like the breading on a corn dog.” My friend said the red beans and rice tasted “average” and benefited from the hot sauce he added.
We both agreed the ketchup which came from the plastic squeeze bottle on the table was absolutely horrible. Its taste was so bad, I couldn’t stomach it. Instead, I dipped my fish and fries in the remoulade sauce which came with our food. I’ve never had an issue with ketchup at the Chick O’ Fish on Benton Road, but this ketchup was beyond bad.
One thing I usually don’t mention in these reviews is a restaurant’s restroom. However, after our meal, my friend paid a visit and walked out wearing a not-too-pleasant look.
“If you have to go,” he told me, “I have two suggestions. Either hold it or hold your nose.”
I chose to hold it, which is saying something for someone who frequently uses, as my father calls it, “the little boy’s room.”
The cost of our meal before tax (remember, no tip) was $22.98. My friend and I thought the value was very good, considering the quality and quantity of food (remember the extra pieces). Heck, my friend couldn’t eat all he ordered – he took the rest home and had a second meal.
So, despite the negatives, I give Chick O’ Fish Three Forks. I would return, especially when life gets too complicated.
Is there a restaurant you would like the Journal to visit for lunch?
Email SBJRestaurantReview@gmail.com.
1 Fork: Would rather eat a box of dirt
2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying
3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it
4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so
Is there a restaurant you would like the Journal to visit? Email SBJRestaurantReview@gmail.com.
