Review # 1 Paxton's Grill 125 West Loveland Ave. Loveland, Ohio 45140

Picture by Jacob H. courtesy of Foodspotting.com

Nestled in the heart of Loveland, Ohio sits a quaint pub with local neighborhood charm. With good beer on tap and a local pub feel, Paxton's is a real treat for some old fashioned pub eats, but we are here to talk about the fish. 
Not for the faint of heart is the Beer Battered Haddock Sandwich. As the menu states, "A real monster!", this 10 oz beer battered haddock filet is served on a hoagie bun with lettuce, tomato and a side of tartar sauce. At the time of this review this meal costs $10.95 and comes with generous side of shoestring french fries and a cup of cole slaw. It must be noted that Paxton's also has a "Fish Sandwich" on the menu at $7.50 but it is much smaller in size and in this case it's a much better choice to go with the "Big Daddy."
Let it be said that this is a big meal not to be attempted by someone who had a sizable lunch earlier that day. This sammich is so big you nearly have to half crap your pants to make room and to avoid a fish head precariously poking you in the colon for the rest of the evening.

Bun: The hoagie bun is sizable with perhaps an inch of haddock overhang from both ends.

Batter: Paxton's claims a beer batter, but it has also been dredged in bread crumbs and so avoids the smooth texture of a beer battered only fish.

Fry: The deep fry leaves a golden brown filet with a decent amount of moisture preserved within the fish itself.

Toppings: Fresh iceberg lettuce and what appears to be a hothouse tomato. The veggies are appropriately fresh and the lettuce gives a nice added crunch to the sammich.

Portion: This thing is a beast. With an adequate amount of tartar sauce and some ketchup for spite, to be able to finish the sammich alone is a feat, but to finish the slaw and fries in completion takes a mid meal prayer and a hearty beer to distract your stomach for what you are about to do to it.

Service: The wait staff is accommodating and quick. Every time I have been they have been courteous and quick about getting whatever you ask.

Ambiance: With a bustling pub feel, Paxton's brings home the neighborhood pub feel. Seating can feel a bit packed and if you choose to wait inside to be seated you can feel a bit in the way huddled by the only empty space near the front door. Luckily, there are ceiling mounted tvs and lots of pub kitch and wall hangings to distract you from the wait. If you choose to wait outside if it is chilly out a chimney packed with burning timbers can be a nice respite from the cold.

Wait: At the time of this review it was a Friday evening around 7:30pm. It appeared to be the height of rush time and wait times can vary from 10-25 minutes on average.  

Bottom Line: This is the fish sammich to beat. Paxton's manages to set the bar with a solid entry into the fish sammich fray. Nothing fancy, but good batter, good flavor and a large portion makes this meal hard to beat!