Brown Fisheries Fish House

Browns has been closed for the last year and a half. Maybe longer I guess no one in town wants to say it. We have enjoyed their whitefish since 2016 when we bought our summer cabin up north. Maybe they will open - maybe not. My husband and I always drive by when we get to Paradise and I even call but no one is there. We wish they would update their status, as my husband says all the time. Just communicate to your patrons.

The whitefish is amazing! Fried to perfection nice crunch. Waitresses were awesome. We made it just before they ran out of fish, so go early!!

Wet batter, sweet relish in the tartar, and coleslaw was a little sweet. Some parts of the fish were a bit overcooked and it was a little too greasy for me. I would say this was pretty average fish, shrimp, and fries. The service was good and fast.

This place used to be the place to go for fish! We had a cabin up there and we’d eat there about 3-4 times when we were up there! It’s a shame it hasn’t opened guess the kids don’t have the same zest for good food as their parents did!!!

Fantastic fresh Whitefish, good crunchy French fries and Coleslaw. Because of Covid you order at the window and it's delivered to your car. We opted to eat at the picnic tables outside. It's really no wonder it gets high reviews for their fish, don't drive by because of its looks stop and eat.

If you travel to Paradise and don't eat (or get takeout) here, you messed up (or hate fish [and shouldn't be wasting time reading reviews of a fish joint]). You're getting daily catch whitefish in a town on Whitefish Bay. Best fish and chips since England! We always get fish sandwiches and take them to our favorite picnic spot on the Bay.

Best Whitefish sandwich in Paradise! Thoroughly enjoyed the sandwich and fries. Both kids ate their Whitefish too, like it was going out of style. Good food and friendly service. Loved the history of the place too.

Still the best place in Paradise to get a really fresh caught Whitefish Basket!

CLOSED PERMANENTLY - 8/25/23 Used to love this place- closed for quite some time w/tables and chairs stacked

Before we headed up to Paradise, friends told us we HAD to go to Browns for fish and chips. Just about every restaurant up here serves whitefish, but I doubt you're going to find it any fresher than you will here. Our server mentioned to us that they'd caught 300 lbs. that morning and were filleting them as fast as they could. We both ordered the two-piece dinner, which was more than enough. The fish was very tender, mild, and flaky, the batter crisp and not too heavy. Fries were done about perfectly. Lunchtime entertainment came when a server brought out a whitefish which she'd named Larry and paraded it around the dining room for people to photograph. How could you not? I got a piece of smoked whitefish to go, and it gave us the only sour note of our visit. Although the fish itself was good, with much more of a fresh fish texture than the long-preserved smoked fish you'll see at most markets, it was extremely salty. While still enjoyable, it could have had half the salt and been fine. Brown's is more than a meal stop. It's an iconic Paradise experience.

The freshest whitefish cooked to perfection in a humble setting that creates memories of the grandeur and magic of the Great Lakes. Brown fisheries in business many years and serving up these delicious deep fried filets!

Updating to give 5 stars because it's that good. Hard to find better whitefish anywhere in the UP.

This is the very best fish restaurant in the world. Seriously. It's in the UP and a hidden delight. If you have a chance to go there GO !!

Unknowing tourists stay away! Their dining room is closed...customers must stand in the parking lot. Which I don't mind for good food. However, here there is no ambiance or nostalgia to offset grumpy attitudes and less than average fish. They did not have perch. The chowder had been cooking for a long while therefore any potatoes, carrots, and even the celery were mush and barely identifiable. No taste whatsoever. Pepper did not help. As for the fish, TERRIBLE. When filleted, they failed to scrape off the brown goo that makes it taste dirty. The breading doesn't stay attached to the fish...sadly that is fine because it is greasy and overtly salty....and I am a salt fan. The breading was thick therefore the inside was still raw. The Cole slaw was SALTY and had the immediate odor of cabbage that had been gassed with a whitening agent. Flavor not good. Even the tartar sauce wasn't good enough to pull this meal together! The smoked fish was salty, bones in, and crunchy. I explained to one of the employees what I just shared and their reply was, "I'm sorry you think that". Then turned and walked away. I started to write this review, when another employee returned and asked me to move to the other side of the parking lot. I gladly did just that. Then a minute later two staff members came to my car and asked me to leave the parking lot. I have enjoyed fish over many parts of the world. This place not so much. I spent $40.00 for this. Ew!

I'm here now, 7/20/2023, camping nearby, and this place is closed up. It is unknown why per the rangers at my park, and it has been closed for a while apparently. FYI ...

Great friendly staff and delicious fish in the UP- it's Paradise!! What else is there to say? Except for YUM!

I never been here but the fish looks absolutely delicious! For sure, the next time I'm in the neighborhood, I will definitely find this place. My mouth is watering!

The fish is really, really good and super fresh. It is just the typical fried side and slaw in a plastic container. Nothing super great, interesting, unique, homemade or tasty about any of the sides. Fish = 5 star, Sides = 3 star, Hours = 3 star, No beer = -10 star, Price = 3 star

Stopped here after spending the morning at WFP. Ordering was a breeze, customer service was delightful! As others have said, you must have cash to pay and there is a 15% gratuity. Totally worth it, in our opinion. We simply waited in our car and they brought out our dinners in less than 10 minutes! We all had the 3-piece whitefish w/fries. The dinner came with a pickle spear, some tangy and delicious coleslaw and sweet tartar sauce. The fish breading was crispy and we loved seeing the specks of pepper in the batter. The whitefish itself was thick, flaky and fresh. We all loved it!! The fries were crispy and seasoned well. Also, for having all fried items, none of us had a stomach ache after eating our lunch. Yay! We can't wait to come back!

We came for the smoked whitefish and didn't expect it to be cold. The mozzarella sticks and fried shrimp and fish were fantastic. It's curbside only and it was nice that they brought the food to the car. They only accept cash or check. This is a must stop in the UP if you are a fish lover.

If you want fresh fish this is the place. I call it fish heaven. We had lunch when we were visiting the area again as we did four years ago. I ordered the Walleye Basket. Three huge pieces of Walleye, lightly breaded and scrumptious. Fries, slaw and a pickle spear were on the side. My wife got the Lake Trout Basket with slaw and fries. We were both in heaven. We talked to the server about the business. She said they have a local fisherman that brings about 400 pounds of fish to the back door every day. They clean them and have them ready to serve starting at noon and serve until they run out. They serve an average of 350 meals every day. If they ever do have any unsold fish they use it to make their famous smoked fish dip. What a wonderful business. If you like fish this is the place.

Blah, blah, blah, blah. What can I say that hasn't already been said? It was fantastic. So fresh it almost melts in your mouth. Thanks to my dining partner, I got to try both the grilled ($2 extra) and fried Whitefish, as well as the baked potato and fries. I loved them all; couldn't choose among them if I had to. And the cole slaw was super, too -- not terribly creamy like so many of them. Service was great, and surprisingly fast despite them being busy. I wish they took credit cards, but then they'd probably have to charge even more. Haven't had a better meal anywhere in a long time.

We arrived a few minutes before the noon opening and a sign on the door said "Sorry-no fish today". As we were standing there scratching our heads a pickup truck pulled up and we were told that they just caught some fish and would open in an hr. An hr. Later as the parking lot was filling up With vehicles, I called and was told they were shooting for 1:15 to open. We starts a line at the door and were promptly seated with 17 others who were in line behind us. We ordered pink lemonade to drink but they were out. We asked about the famous smoked whitefish chowder and were told they no longer have it on the menu as they would easily sell 10 gallons a day so only offer it as a special. We asked if they had any smoked fish for sale but they did it today. By the time we left the place was packed. Now on to the food. OMG it was worth the wait. We each ordered a 3 piece basket to take an Extra piece with us to make a fish sandwich later. The basket comes with French fries (which were very good) or baked potato and coleslaw. Wish we lived closer

The hours are till 7pm. We walked in at 6:55 and were served and we never felt rushed. They lock the door at 7 and do not let anyone in after 7. My husband and I ordered the white fish basket. For an additional price you can have it broiled. Also instead of fries you can get a baked potato. We also ordered fried mushrooms which were fresh portobello wedges -yummy. The fish fry as fresh from this morning catch. When back in the area we will definitely go back.

The best fish I've ever had (shrimp were perfect too) so glad a friend told us to be sure and eat here, would not have noticed this place otherwise!

The best freshest fish around. friendly atmosphere. Bring cash

Good fresh thick Lake Superior whitefish. Fries were great. I enjoyed the cole slaw. All served no frills , simple. No kids menu but they did make a 1 piece dinner for our 10 YO son who declared himself a fish eater after having it. Heads up - they only take cash but that not totally unusual.

THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!?!! After a day of playing and hiking in the Tahquamenon falls we were starving and got whitefish and shrimp combos. Omg, the fish is so fresh and juicy, the breading is amazing and delicious. All the sauces are generously portioned. If you want whitefish dip you have to get there early (like before 12) and we learned that the hard way. Whatever they're doing here... they're doing it RIGHT! I would give 6 stars if I could. Yummy!!!

The food was top notch but the service was terrible. Fries were delicious. Best fish I have had in a while. They were rude and unaccommodating. Price was too high and they charged a mandatory 15% gratuity for our carry-out order.

This place is easy to miss but DO NOT make that mistake. The fish was an incredible texture and flavor. I think it was among the best fried fish I've ever had. We got the onion rings which were very good, and an unusual onion ring where the onion doesn't slide out when you bite through it leaving the remaining onion ring as hollow batter. But I would have probably tried one of the smoked fish appetizers next time as they clearly know how to do fish here.

Great little place in Paradise, MI. On the way to Tahquamenon Falls or to Whitefish Point Lighthouse area. Service was friendly. Whitefish is caught each morning starting around 6 am and brought to the restaurant by 11, then they open at 12 the waitress said. :) They do not accept credit or debit cards. Cash or check only!

Best whitefish around. It is a little $$ but you won't find fresher fish, I believe it's caught that morning.

We've driven by and heard about Brown's for quite a long time but have never timed it right when they're open. Finally, we were in the area and made it a point to stop in while they were open. Best decision ever! Their fish is probably as fresh as it gets to catching it on your own. We purchased a smoked white fish and it was so delicious. It was smoked to perfection. We also ordered 3 pieces of Fried Lake Superior White Fish and it was without a doubt, the best fried fish we've ever eaten. The fish is breaded and fried in a very light and flavorful breading which gives you more fish to enjoy than a thick batter would. They even serve it with lemon wedges and house made tartar so you don't have to ask for it, bonus. The inside is currently closed for dine in. You can go inside to order or call ahead. They bring your order outside to you where you're welcome to eat at a picnic table, in your car or take it to go. We were very impressed and will be sure to always stop in when we're in the U.P. as long as they're open. Hopefully you enjoy it as much as we did!

In spite of what you read....this is NOT a BAD review. Just some observations. These people are hard workers in a tough time (Covid). They are still there and I'm sure it's not been easy. Now.....here's my side. I have done my best to support them during this. I pay their increased prices and I pay their 15% GRATUITY that they add to my bill. I pay all that somewhat gladly. I put up with eating in my car with plastic utensils and styrofoam containers. This is a $20.00 dinner; not a fast-food sandwich and Believe me I sure would much rather go inside and sit down and relax. They haven't even added a few tables and chairs outside like most similar businesses. But......I still support them. Today though I realized I had no bottled water in the car so I asked for a cup of ice-water along with my $20.00 dinner. They wanted to charge me $1.00 for the cup of water. I drew the line and said NO to the water. IMMEDIATELY the demeanor changed to angry and defensive. "WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CUP AND THE ICE!!!...." A minor thing taken by itself....but like I said it was where I drew the line, They aggravated a good customer over a 3 cent styrofoam cup and a few pieces of ice. TLDR: Things are tough for restaurants but so are things for the customers who continue to support you.

Everything you've read and heard is true. This is simply some of the freshest, tastiest and most delicious fish you will ever eat. The batter is a tad thicker than I typically like but I put my full faith and trust in the staff who clearly know their business and it was absolutely perfect. Crispy and light the batter encases flakey, meaty, tender fish with perfection. The portions are huge and a basket with fries will certainly fill you up. We lucked out with not just getting the signature fresh caught white fish but also some fresh trout that came in the morning. Both were equally stupendous. If you're in the Tahquamenon area, you MUST eat this fish!

Nothing better our favorite restaurant... we visit it at least twice a year ...best fish and service

Little place but a great find. Fish was fresh from that morning and by 5pm they were out of chowder. Got the three piece with fries. Fries were great but the fish was amazing. Light batter fresh tasting and perfectly cooked. My wife's first time having white fish and this was a perfect place to try. There was so much fish that's all I could eat and never made it past two fries. Wish this place was next to my house! A must try. Get there early.

Got a tip from a nice local who said the whitefish fish fry here was the best. Apparently, they were featured in The NY Times. It was indeed a solid fish fry! (We live in Wisconsin and know a good fish fry.). Definitely fresh and tasty. 3 pieces of lightly battered and seasoned whitefish with choice of potato, Cole slaw and a pickle for $13.99. Pretty good! For those familiar only with fried cod or perch, whitefish is not as firm as cod vis-a-vis texture; and taste, not as mild as cod, but not as fishy as perch. This is a very informal place which I understand closes at 7 pm even on Friday's, earlier if they run out of fish. No frozen fish here! The menu is fairly limited but the fresh and well prepared local fish and the nice staff are worth a stop. Oh yeah, no credit or debit cards. Checks okay. See you there. Yelp on! 4 strong Yelp stars.

If you are visiting the UP and near White Fish Point please eat here! It is worth the wait! Best White Fish you can buy! The smoked White Fish appetizer is delicious, maybe the best you can get! The portions are generous and delicious! The fries crispy! The service is excellent! Come hungry but plan on a wait. I promise the wait is worth it! No beer and no refills on the drinks but the sweet tea is like my Texan grandma used to make so what if you pay for for two! Total yumminess!

I ordered 2 lbs of smoked whitefish to go. When I got home whitefish was scratched out on the label and trout was hand written. It was horrible so I message them on Facebook and the person was sympathetic and asked me to call the owner on Monday. He was the most rude person I have spoken to in a long time. He basically to me to go F myself. Please don't go there and give him your money he doesn't deserve it. Horrible man!

Maybe the best FRESH fish I've ever had , it's a little pricey but it's worth every penny !! My wife and I both had the 2 piece fish dinner and it was as if it was caught hrs ago !!! We also ordered the smoked fish for a appetizer! It's a must go if you are in the Upper Peninsula

This is probably the best fried fish I have ever eaten. I have had fried fish in New Orleans, FL, London, the NW and numerous other places. The fish is very fresh generally caught the day or night before. The breading excellent the cooking time perfect. I cannot compliment this place more. My only complaint is it is a 800 mile drive from my home.

Definitely come early if you want the whitefish chowder. Fish is light and tasty. Service is quick and friendly.

Was extremely disappointed in our dinner. We had two fish dinners and diet cokes and was charged $39. It didn't add up to the prices on their posted menu. We ate here during Covid so you ordered from a window and they brought meal to your car. Fish was ok. Nothing spectacular. Was very Leary about eating fish. Wondered If the inside was as dirty and unkempt as the outside of building. We had whitefish a few times during this trip and would recommend you go elsewhere.

The hotel clerk recommended Brown Fisheries along with a brewpub (in Upper Michigan?) and another place that is nameless to me now. BOY ARE WE GLAD WE SELECTED BROWN'S! I love fish, admittedly, in any variety and consider myself a connoisseur (snob?) of sorts so when I say their fish was outstanding I can be trusted. HERE IS THE LOWDOWN: - Freshest fish both my aunt and I have ever had. - Smoked fish appetizer with crackers was so dang simple but so dang good. You betcha! - Very casual dining room and tableware. More casual than I expected but who cares when fish is this good? - Ample portions. My aunt and I ordered the 3-piece versions of Fried - Whitefish and Broiled Trout and we couldn't finish them. - Not far from beach. - 10 minutes from "the falls". - Excellent iced tea and cole slaw (mayo kept to a refreshing minimum). - Bob' Chinn's Seafood in Chicago is MILES away from this level of quality, value, and taste. Seriously, folks! My aunt (my dinner partner) loved it so much that we couldn't stop telling the staff how much we did. At the counter where I paid, I also told the man behind the counter how wonderful our simple fish dinner was. It ended up being the owner. If his face could accompany the dictionary definition for the word "pride", it would be perfect. The owner was so pleased that we were pleased. Just a pure reflection of what a restaurant experience (and restaurateur pride), although extremely casual, should be.

You'd never imagine you'd find fish this tasty and fresh in what looks like a mobile home parked on cinder blocks. Whitefish chowder... OMG, it was swimming in the lake this morning, but now it's swimming in dill. The fried whitefish is just very very good. I've never had fried fish with that kind of texture. You can't find it anywhere else. The tartar sauce isn't the best, so there's a knock there, and the fries are clearly frozen. Despite the general grunginess inside (that good old Yooper "this is what we got to work with"ness to it) you just don't care. The fish is that damn good. I'd bathe with a bar of their fried whitefish if I could.

don't miss this place!!!! forget Taquamenon Falls and keep going north till you almost get to Paradise.......simple, fabulous, FRESH fish.....no fancy amenities or sommelier, but the best freshwater fish you can get........be careful, when they are out of fish, they close....the only notice you will receive is a handwritten note on the door...........

The best whitefish and chips I've ever had! If they don't catch that day they're not open. The whitefish dip was also fabulous! Wish I had bought more to go. Do not miss this place

You MUST east here when possible. We drove 45 miles to make it in time and worth it for sure. Awesome white fish. The best ive had. Enjoy!

We had a delicious smoked whitefish dip and a delightful lunch of fresh caught whitefish and fries and coleslaw. Our server "Maude" was hilariously funny and we thoroughly enjoyed her sense of humor. Wink and a nod to "Maude" for helping us make more memories!!

Put this place on your list! We stopped here after visiting the falls and were not disappointed! It is a small family place that fills up fast. We arrived at just the right time and did no have to wait for a table. By the time we left however there was a long line. It would have been worth the wait. The fish was excellent. This is the perfect example of a place that does one thing really well, rather than many things poorly. The menu is small, but everything tasted fresh!

This place certainly doesn't look like much from the outside (or inside for that matter). We came in around 3pm and they were still very busy, so that's always a great sign. We started with the smoked whitefish dip, which was really good, but came with a few packaged crackers and about 4 cucumber slices. For the price I would have expected a little more. My husband and I both ordered the 2 piece whitefish basket, which was quite a large portion. The fish was incredible and lived up to the hype! The fries were some of the worst I've ever had - we were really hungry after a day of hiking and we still didn't eat them. The tartar sauce was very sweet (like miracle whip maybe?), which is not my preference and was a letdown. The service was friendly and efficient. Overall, worth a stop just for the fish, which truly stands out.

Had the smoked whitefish and the fried whitefish with fries and coleslaw. It was... Honestly some of the best fried fish and chips I've ever had. The catch varies depending on what's available (I really wish they had had lake trout available that day) and unfortunately what would probably be the best fish on the menu, yellow perch and walleye, have some rule or law that prohibits them from having it available any other way than frozen - maybe I misunderstood but the waitress said something about those being a "sportsman's fish" and that's why it wasn't available fresh. Go for whatever is the freshest and definitely try the smoked fish, it's like... Salty Bologna tasting but much more complex and delicious with some lemon and crackers I will say one big negative here is that is pretty damn expensive. I think my smoked fish appetizer and my fish and chips ended up being nearly 30 bucks with tax and tip - pricey for a little diner type joint in my view

Great fish simply has to be fresh, fresh, fresh, fresh. This place pulls their fish from the Gitchee Gumee daily and the fish is simply wonderful. The atmosphere is no-frills, but I come here for superb fish, not to see fancy tablecloths. I've been coming here since 1997 and it never disappoints.

Trust the reviews! Just. Stop. Here! 3 pc whitefish dinner, double coleslaw and a side of onion rings. DELICIOUS!!! Don't forget to stop at the gas station or grocery store ATM before coming here. Cash or check only.

Awesome. I've never had a better whitefish dinner anywhere. They have a very nice staff and quick service. We will be back, possibly later today for dinner, after having such a delicious lunch.

I heard of this place 2 years ago from a family friend and decided to give it a try while on a family vacation. It is a small restaurant and sometimes there is a wait to sit but it is totally worth the wait. They have several options of fish on the menu but I recommend the whitefish because it is caught fresh each morning. We loved it so much we went back the next two summers as a special trip to get the fish. They also have amazing smoked fish if they have enough fish left over to make a batch. The people that work there are nice and remember us even though we have only been there a few times. I would definitely recommend putting this place on your list if you find yourself in the u.p.