Ordered the fish n chips o lunch to go. The fish was so greasy it soaked through the container. The fries were mushy and wilted and were so greasy they were not editable. McDonalds fries are crispy and hot these could not compare. They were drenched in oil, soft and wilted when you picked one up. They were not made fresh. I live 5 minutes from this place and when I got home everything was cold and not editable. Really disgusting. Check out who is doing the cooking and you’ll know why the food is so bad.Never again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Jenn M
Great dining experience with friends. Wonderful deal for the delicious fish and chips. Exceptional service. Dated decor didn't detract from the
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Thistle's Original Fish & Chips
Nick
Excellent soft shell crab sandwiches when in season. Fantastic soup. Excellent fried seafood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike Csedrik
Fantastic Fish & Chips!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
janet hellmann
Nice restaurant, delicious food and very lovely help. All toll, definitely worth the 30 minute ride to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Suzette G.
I am excited to share my dining experience at The Thistle with you! The warmth and kindness of the hostess created a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere from the moment I arrived. It was refreshing to be greeted with such genuine hospitality, making dinner even more enjoyable. I immediately ordered exactly what I had been craving for. THE ORIGINAL THISTLE FISH & CHIPS! Satisfying my craving was precisely what I was aiming for. Perfection in a delightful crispy batter, paired with golden "chips" fries, tater sauce and coleslaw. [Don't be shy to ask for more tartar sauce.] It's a BYOB spot, so don't forget your favorite bottle of wine or beer, which goes great with fish! I'll be sure to bring a bottle the next time I go. Can't wait to go back.
Alex
Food was mixed. Wife's fish and chips were good. My fried oysters were terrible. They seemed as if they were store bought pre breaded frozen oysters. They were also extremely small with much more coating than oyster. Disappointing.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 3
Judie G.
First time for our group at this place. First impressions being everything, this place nailed it. It' tidy, quaint and, most important, clean. No fishy or stale frying oil smells. We ordered fried clams (the tartar sauce with lemon and dill is terrific) and a meat pie for starters and we all went for the broiled scallops. Everything was absolutely fresh and delicious. Our server was most pleasant with answering our questions. Can't wait to return to try something else!
Marc G.
FISH & CHIPS!!! Had a craving for some fresh, well-made, tasty AND SUBSTANTIAL fish and chips, and so the right choice was to go to The Thistle! Other dishes enjoyed were the Clam Strips (a special), a half dozen Oysters On The Half Shell, and Shrimp Stuffed With Crab Meat. All were very fresh and tasty. I considered trying the Meat Pie, but I was told it was made with beef. I prefer lamb, so that was a pass for me. The service is fast, friendly and accommodating. The decor is cozy and quaint, even if a bit dated. If appetizers hadn't come so quickly, I would say that (to start) some complimentary warm biscuits or bread and a small side salad to offset all of the other proteins and starches would've been welcome additions their dinner meal offerings... BUT THE FISH & CHIPS!!! Perfectly made fries, and a monster piece of fish HIT (ALL) THE SPOT(S)!!!
Fuad Al-Aali
Family owned second gen Scots they left their grandpa recipe alone. Traditional chippery.
I grew up in Kearny with the Thistle and the Argyle. My grandmother came through Ellis Island from Paisley Scotland in 1923. We'd get take out fish and chips a few times a year at her house.I had a craving for fish and chips the other night and there's just not many options left in this area. My wife and I stopped in on a quite week night and had a great meal that reminded me of all the meals I'd had at my grandma's house 30 years ago. Thistle isn't in Kearny anymore and things do change but it's still got excellent fish and chips. We also grabbed a clam shell container of empire biscuits on the way out. They were delicious and one of my favorite treats.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cod Fish & Chips with Tarter Sauce & Cole Slaw
Carrie H.
Ambiance is simple. You'll feel like you're sitting in someone's dining room. Service was good. Our waitress was super sweet and answered all our questions since it was our first visit The fish and chips were served super hot and fresh. Cooked perfectly, flakey and no fishy taste. Will definitely return
Rosaura Kennedy
I was looking forward to the fish & ship and I was super disappointed. I did take out. The portion is ridiculously small, just one small fish square and the fries were few. The batter is way too tin and tasteless and fries just an handful. Not worth $20 for such a small portion, especially when potatoes don't cost anything.Hard pass! ?
Food: 1
G Z.
Food was okay. A large piece of battered cod with no seasoning which is understandable. The side portions were small. Seating area was fine. Service was good hence the four stars. A local favorite.
Frank Watson
Excellent Scottish food!! And great service! Highly recommended!!
Ordered the fish n chips o lunch to go. The fish was so greasy it soaked through the container. The fries were mushy and wilted and were so greasy they were not editable. McDonalds fries are crispy and hot these could not compare. They were drenched in oil, soft and wilted when you picked one up. They were not made fresh. I live 5 minutes from this place and when I got home everything was cold and not editable. Really disgusting. Check out who is doing the cooking and you’ll know why the food is so bad.Never again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Great dining experience with friends. Wonderful deal for the delicious fish and chips. Exceptional service. Dated decor didn't detract from the
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Thistle's Original Fish & Chips
Excellent soft shell crab sandwiches when in season. Fantastic soup. Excellent fried seafood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic Fish & Chips!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice restaurant, delicious food and very lovely help. All toll, definitely worth the 30 minute ride to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am excited to share my dining experience at The Thistle with you! The warmth and kindness of the hostess created a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere from the moment I arrived. It was refreshing to be greeted with such genuine hospitality, making dinner even more enjoyable. I immediately ordered exactly what I had been craving for. THE ORIGINAL THISTLE FISH & CHIPS! Satisfying my craving was precisely what I was aiming for. Perfection in a delightful crispy batter, paired with golden "chips" fries, tater sauce and coleslaw. [Don't be shy to ask for more tartar sauce.] It's a BYOB spot, so don't forget your favorite bottle of wine or beer, which goes great with fish! I'll be sure to bring a bottle the next time I go. Can't wait to go back.
Food was mixed. Wife's fish and chips were good. My fried oysters were terrible. They seemed as if they were store bought pre breaded frozen oysters. They were also extremely small with much more coating than oyster. Disappointing.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 3
First time for our group at this place. First impressions being everything, this place nailed it. It' tidy, quaint and, most important, clean. No fishy or stale frying oil smells. We ordered fried clams (the tartar sauce with lemon and dill is terrific) and a meat pie for starters and we all went for the broiled scallops. Everything was absolutely fresh and delicious. Our server was most pleasant with answering our questions. Can't wait to return to try something else!
FISH & CHIPS!!! Had a craving for some fresh, well-made, tasty AND SUBSTANTIAL fish and chips, and so the right choice was to go to The Thistle! Other dishes enjoyed were the Clam Strips (a special), a half dozen Oysters On The Half Shell, and Shrimp Stuffed With Crab Meat. All were very fresh and tasty. I considered trying the Meat Pie, but I was told it was made with beef. I prefer lamb, so that was a pass for me. The service is fast, friendly and accommodating. The decor is cozy and quaint, even if a bit dated. If appetizers hadn't come so quickly, I would say that (to start) some complimentary warm biscuits or bread and a small side salad to offset all of the other proteins and starches would've been welcome additions their dinner meal offerings... BUT THE FISH & CHIPS!!! Perfectly made fries, and a monster piece of fish HIT (ALL) THE SPOT(S)!!!
Family owned second gen Scots they left their grandpa recipe alone. Traditional chippery.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I grew up in Kearny with the Thistle and the Argyle. My grandmother came through Ellis Island from Paisley Scotland in 1923. We'd get take out fish and chips a few times a year at her house.I had a craving for fish and chips the other night and there's just not many options left in this area. My wife and I stopped in on a quite week night and had a great meal that reminded me of all the meals I'd had at my grandma's house 30 years ago. Thistle isn't in Kearny anymore and things do change but it's still got excellent fish and chips. We also grabbed a clam shell container of empire biscuits on the way out. They were delicious and one of my favorite treats.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cod Fish & Chips with Tarter Sauce & Cole Slaw
Ambiance is simple. You'll feel like you're sitting in someone's dining room. Service was good. Our waitress was super sweet and answered all our questions since it was our first visit The fish and chips were served super hot and fresh. Cooked perfectly, flakey and no fishy taste. Will definitely return
I was looking forward to the fish & ship and I was super disappointed. I did take out. The portion is ridiculously small, just one small fish square and the fries were few. The batter is way too tin and tasteless and fries just an handful. Not worth $20 for such a small portion, especially when potatoes don't cost anything.Hard pass! ?
Food: 1
Food was okay. A large piece of battered cod with no seasoning which is understandable. The side portions were small. Seating area was fine. Service was good hence the four stars. A local favorite.
Excellent Scottish food!! And great service! Highly recommended!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5