Upon a recent trip I had to Northeast Ohio, I was treated to a true local gem called Brennan's Fish House. Locally renowned, all you had to do was mention Brennan's and the locals would beam with pride and tell you in a suspiciously Canadian-esque accent, "Yeah, dat Brennan's is some good eats!" I had to know. Perched on the corner of Lake Erie, I had high hopes for fresh fish and a sammich worth remembering and boy did Brennan's not disappoint.
With a long history dating back to 1968 and a dine in area full of nautical kitsch and local pub charm, Brennan's was everything you would expect from a lake front fish house. Boasting a generous menu and even more generous prices, Brennan's truly has something on the menu for any sea loving man or woman's tastes.
While the seafood entrees could be a bit more pricey ($13-17), the sandwich menu boasted all sorts of delicious lake delicacies and ranged from about $2.75 to $8.50. The biggest dilemma is which fish to sentence to death by sandwich. Walleye, Catfish, North Atlantic Whitefish, Roughy or Perch, the choice was daunting. After an unhesitating waitress recommended the yellow perch, I was locked in. At only $7 for the whole meal...what's that....Sierra Nevada Pale Ale as well? Yes Please!
Bun: Some sort of sesame topped kaiser roll it appeared. Simple and fresh and adequate to hold its cargo of deep fried goodness.
Batter: Lightly golden and light in texture, the breading on the perch was just adequate to cover the fish, but not to take away from any of the fresh fish flavor aching to get through.
Fry: Delicately fried, golden brown and leaving the fish slightly curled on the ends.
Toppings: Basic. Just a small cup of what appeared to be homemade tartar sauce. There was also ketchup and malt vinegar at the ready on the table, but I was saving those for the fries. After one bite with only tartar sauce, I for once was completely satisfied with their less is more approach. No lettuce, no tomato, just the pure fish sammich flavors at your tastebuds.
Portion: About the size of a Big Mac, this sammich was comprised of a handful of about 5 smaller deep fried perch fillets.
Service: Courtesy and ample, but for the majority you are left alone to enjoy your meal, but can easily get the attention of a nearby waitress if need be.
Ambiance: All the expected fair and kitsch of a boat house restaurant. From inset rope laminated into the table to the nautical wheels and lights and traditional boat decor, Brennan's had a true lake pub charm full of locals and hungry out of towners alike.
Wait: Even after the initially daunting greeting of 10-15 other patrons patiently waiting in the lobby, we were seated within 5 minutes - a truly unexpected feat on a dinnertime Friday evening.
Bottom Line: Brennan's has done it by staying true to less is more, fresh is best and word of mouth is your best customer. I was completely delighted and utterly full after my meal. The shoestring fries were a bit greasy but soaked in malt vinegar and in tow of a grumbling stomach, I didn't seem to mind. The coleslaw was pleasantly creamy and not overly bitter and was at the best homemade or at least extremely fresh. Fresh caught to table dinners is what Brennan's does best and this fish sammich is now #1 in my heart and my belly.
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