Every spring when the sun finally breaks through the clouds, there is a rush of customers to Troller’s, who are reminded, again, just how much they enjoy fish and chips by the sea.
Troller’s Fish and Chips, located in the Nanaimo Boat Basin, was voted best fish and chips in the city this year.
“It’s really exciting because I don’t think Troller’s has ever been awarded that distinction before so that’s pretty special,” said Penny Palen, who owns the restaurant with her husband Bruce Laird.
She said prices of halibut have gone up lately, so some fish and chip shops have moved to frozen fish.
Not Troller’s.
“We’ve kept serving fresh halibut, cod and salmon and people are obviously really appreciating that choice,” she said.
Laird said the two-piece halibut and chips is the most popular dish, followed by the 10-piece cod nuggets and chips, then the one-piece cod and chips.
There are other choices, too – customers Peter McDonald, Theresa McDonald and Val Ivanova gave glowing reviews to the clam chowder, oysters and grilled halibut burger as well as the fish and chips. Not far from their table was a stack of cardboard crates full of potatoes waiting to be turned into chips.
“That’s so cool to see homemade fries and we really enjoyed them,” Peter McDonald said.
“I like how it’s fresh here, I really appreciate it,” said Ivanova. “You can see them actually doing it in front of you and they make everything from scratch.”
Laird said the Best of the City honour means a lot because it means customers took the time to vote.
“It’s really nice for the people to speak their minds and have the voice, to recognize the freshest and the best fish and chip shop in town,” he said.
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