Mac's Fish / Chips / Strips

It is horrible now as of Spring 2024. The chicken used to be breaded and fried exactly like the fish, lending to a unique and delicious experience. However they have since changed it (they confirmed the chicken was indeed changed, it wasn't a one-off in my case). It has the kind of breading you'd find at any fast food place, except it's poorly executed. The chicken itself is now soft and squishy, the breading is also soft, not crispy like it once was. It barely has any flavor anymore. Totally awful. Why did they change it? Here's a piece of fish the same size and shape as a piece of chicken, why would you no longer cook and prepare them the same like you once did? I won't be coming back any more. The images represent the chicken breading vs the fish breading (that the chicken used to have).

I ordered the walleye basket for takeout. They completed the order in about 10 minutes, and everything was pretty good. A little light on seasoning for my taste, but the fish and fries were both fresh and crispy.

We stopped in here on walleye Wednesday where the walleye is 15% off! We Ordered a walleye basket and a piece of halibut. The gentleman working the counter was extremely kind and helpful. Our food came out piping hot. Everything we delicious! I love that the fries are cut right in house! The place is very tiny inside if you are wanting to eat in there. Unfortunately, we stopped by on the day the Canadian wildfires took over the Twin Cities with smoke, otherwise they have a great little outside seating area that would have been enjoyable. They package the fish in a brown bag with lots of extra napkins and even some wet wipes which were a great touch! I would definitely recommend this place if you are in the area!!

So delicious. There's so many times that I've ordered fish and chips somewhere and had greasy. This was NOT that place. Fish was fresh and crispy. It was my first time there and .y wife and I will go back many times.

Great tasting fish, crispy on the outside and tender on the core. Restaurant is very basic but the food is next level.

The food and service is fast, the people are nice, they give you a tip on how to take your to-go bag. I ordered, a #2 shrimp tacos x4, cheese curds, cod fish with fries.. amazing! My bf ate the shrimp taco before I could take a photo but the food is so good, hot and well done. Will make you wanna go to sleep before finishing food (we took a to-go bag) Will order again :D.

I've been grabbing walleye sandwiches and fries from Mac's for over ten years now, and the product is delicious every time. Awesome food, superb service. The location is small and can't fit or seat many people, so plan to take-out or sit outside. You don't go to Mac's for the atmosphere; you go there for the superb fish & chips (and delish taffy).

Fantastic fish. We had the walleye and the Halibut. Love this place, and their complimentary saltwater taffy, definitely coming back.

Parking was small and people do fight for their spots.. Lol had a quick driver just steal my spot so I had to circle back around. Interior is small as well, some places to sit but I prefer outside as I can people watch and just enjoy the weather. I do wish there was a station outside for at least some water and condiments, napkins and etc. Reasoning is because of the interior being small, and there is always a line, which is amazing for business. Just too much for asking for more ketchup or napkins Clams were a tad too fried for my taste and the amount I got was very small for the price. Cod basket that I got was very good. Not oily, perfect crisp, batter is not too fluffy, and seasoning was average. It paired well with the tarter sauce! Fries were pretty good, not as crispy as I'd like it but it worked.

I got takeout from Mac's last week for the first time and was not disappointed. The food was ready on time and was still warm when I got home. I got the walleye fish and chips and it was tasty. Plenty of food and a great value.

I don't get bored of this place. The fish and chips are made old school way with some sprinkles of sea salt. We usually do take out here because the dining space is quite limited. The place is small so you walk out there smelling like grease and oil. We like having some beverage at home with our fried fish goodness. But it is always a torture having to smell the fish and fries all the way home. I never fail to steal some fries though cause I just can't wait. They have really good home cut fries... chunky and satisfying. Highly recommended if you happen to be in the area. I usually order their halibut. Sometimes they have mahi mahi on special menu and that is a must order!! The fish is tasty with the crunchy light batter.

This was very very good. They have instructions on the paper bag for handling the fish for optimal crispness. It's a novel idea and works so you can get your fish and chips home without getting soggy. Good prices.

Last Friday I went into Mac's to get some fish and wings .I get myfish my wings were not cooked through and the fish was not either . So sent it back . It took them 2hrs to fix my food. I don't know if want to come back again ?

For walleye & halibut with fresh cut fry's I'd pay $18.95 any day of the week! I was paying $20 or more for 1 filet of crappy walleye in WI Mac's will be my go to for fish! 4/5

The French fries were cold and soggy and had no flavor w salt. The fish had good flavor but soggy and super oily. The cleanliness of the restaurant wasn't the best and most people did takeout. The temperature of the place was freezing cold. Service was ok they were helpful with our questions. I got the walleye basket and husband got the fish tacos the fresh mango pico de gallo was way to much on the taco and was more of a glop of the sauce and made the taco soggy. I wasn't a fan of the key lime jalapeño sauce either.

super fast and good service. fish was soooo good and they gave us tarter and a taffy and a moist towelette. couldn't ask for anything more. love

The food is fresh cooked, hot, and good The building is old, beat up and rough around the edges This place reminds me of a taqueria. Good food, don't look too close So you really need to make your choice. Good fish and chips? Yes A place for date night? Not so much Cod, halibut, and Walleye along with shrimp and. Chicken strips. Hand. Cut French fries and if you want to be wild, you can get fish tacos A bit of info or seating with more outside, this is more of a take out place. Just get home in ten minutes to eat or you will need to reheat the fish Overall, good for what it is

I drive about 15 miles just to get their fish because we like it that much, but is not inexpensive . The disappointing part is that they charge you extra for about 2 tablespoons of tarter sauce. One container should at least be included for 4 pieces of fish costing over $40! Instead, each one costs 50 cents and is very small. They should use the cole slaw cup for tater sauce too.

Stopped in for the first time with my friend Pat, both of us hungry for fish. Ordered the two-piece walleye basket with fries -- $17.45!!! when the food arrived we could see right away that it was very oily, even for deep-fried fish. Almost dripping with it. Worse, it tasted like oil , masking whatever fish flavor it may have had. Wanted to love this place but now not going back. $17.45!!! Culver's has much better Fish.

Traditional fish & chips. Period. I don't go for conversation. I go for excellent food. It could easily be in a food truck so don't get upset that it's not a pretty atmosphere.

It's hard to get past how dirty this place is. Where has the health inspector been?! The food is pretty darn good, but....

Super tiny little place but lots of amazing food! I don't have too many words because you just need to go try it. We tried almost everything and loved it all. Can't wait until I'm in the area again to stop by. Some fish items are a bit pricey but understandably so. Go try it! My favorite item was the shrimp!

Awesome diner! We stopped after a Como Zoo Conservatory visit. Walleye Wednesday--15% off so we had 3 of number two--2 pieces of fish, fries & coleslaw. Ordered chicken strips & fries for the 3 kids. Tooooo much food! The fish pieces on the menu board look small but they aren't! Thick & meaty with a great flavorful coating, served piping hot! French fries are tasty & again, tooo many! Coleslaw isn't worth mentioning. It was crunchy & had no flavor. I looked for salt & pepper but couldn't find any. A gentleman gave my grandson a cheese curd to taste--yes, this place has that vibe--so we had to order some. Delicious! Ranks up there with best of the best! Fish was perfect. Chicken strips? Meh. I tasted & thought: same coating but why bother when you can have walleye?! The place is small but has several picnic tables outside. Perhaps short on help because we had to bother the woman for more delicious homemade tartar sauce & napkins--she ran cash register & helped in the back. Idea: set napkins out for lunch & make bigger containers of tartar sauce. Yum. Go there! The fish tacos looked good, too!

I was looking forward to trying this place after passing by it so many times, but unfortunately it was super disappointing. The fries were bland and soggy, and so was the poutine. My boyfriend ordered the walleye which he says was decent, so at least that was okay. I ordered the chicken strips and they were so so salty. I couldn't eat them without dousing them in ketchup. If only the fries had some of that salt! We didn't mind having to swat away the horse flies while waiting for our food as we had such high hopes for the food. So bummed about this place overall.

We ordered the fried Walleye. The batter was nicely crispy and thick with the right amount of oil. The walleye was well executed and flaky. The fish itself had a bit of a pool flavor (characteristic of underseasoned freshwater fish). The housemade rosemary vinaigar was excellent. It carried the aroma of fresh rosemary well.

Fish tacos were very, very good. Our party had shrimp, walleye, cod and halibut tacos and everyone really enjoyed them. The 1/2 order of fries were also good. But the poutine... It was awful! Soggy fries, cold cheese curds, hardly any gravy. And the service left a lot to be desired. Not very congenial.

Great fresh fish and shrimp. Limited indoor seating , with (seasonal) outdoor seating!

I recently got mac's fish and chips for the fist time in a while and the first time since the pandemic has started. I was very interested because they said they have curbside pickup which was appealing because if you have been here before this business is very very small inside even before the pandemic it was a little too tight of a space. So I did my online ordering which went great and I got to macs, there is no number to call or anything so I had to look it up. The gal on the phone seemed very annoyed that I wouldn't walk in to get my food and that she had to bring it out to me. The food was great but this experience wasn't the greatest, I have had this happen at other places too. Please don't offer curbside if you aren't willing to bring it out. Overall though the food was great, we got the cod fish tacos (which I swear they gave us walleye but either way they were good), halibut baskets and cheese curds. My mom loved the cheese curds. I thought they were pretty greasy and not a lot of flavor but that was just my opinion. I would highly recommend the tacos and the halibut which we have had many times before.

Macs keeps it real. You don't go here for the ambiance or to hang with the locals. You go here for the fish, period. Oh, and the cheese curds...aaaaaand the shrimp. Order more than you think you can eat because it's worth it. Gluttony prevails. They have a few interesting tartar sauce options, all are worth trying. The salt water taffy is original and salty. I erroneously played taffy Russian roulette and one of those white-ish colored ones tastes like cleaning solution. Unfortunately, I can't identify which, so we can all continue the exciting game of Macs Taffy Flavor Risk. I prefer to take my Macs to go and eat at home. This allows me to consume without public observation and in a more comfortable setting. Like I said, Macs sticks to the food game and that's it. I don't even see it as a criticism. It's their jam, part of the Macs style and I'm cool with it. Good food doesn't have to bust the wallet or be served by someone with manners. On a Friday night, after a week at a job that disappoints, grab a sixer, Macs fish and curds, maybe some taffy if you're feeling dangerous, and bring that home- maybe to your special friend. Enjoy that perfectly greasy meal washed down with your favorite hops and chill the ___out. With your new found relaxation, contact your local state representative and remind them you are watching them with intent to hold them accountable. Then relax knowing you did your civic duty and you took care of you. Eat at Macs with realism.

Tried this spot again and this time it delivered!! Flavors and flavors! Fires are so so but that is the least of my concern!

Got the#2 with cod. Tasty fish, delicious batter. The fries weren't so hot... See if they can get you fries just fried.

Try to eat healthy But Mac's makes that difficult Fried food paradise I used to have a co-worker who wanted to go to Mac's all the time. Although I did like the food, figured it was best to keep my greasy grub consumption in moderation. Hadn't been to Mac's in like two years and now I've been twice in the past week and wanting to go back again daily. The walleye value basket is my jam. $7.99 for one piece of fish with fresh fries, cole slaw and a piece of saltwater taffy. Pretty chronic. The building is an old, dilapadated shack not that that bothers me. Automatic minus one for me, though. Perhaps that is good. If they had beer, I would be there non-stop.

Long time fan, but only been once since pandemic. One piece walleye, order of clams. Insanely small portions. Clams were basically fried bottom of the bag dregs, not a strip to be had. When I politely complained, the woman in charge wanted to argue. See you Mac's!!

Enjoying the best fish and chips that I've ever had in the Twin Cities. Have driven by it so many times as it's a small location with limited seating so didn't think much of it. WHAT A MISTAKE ON MY PART!! It's awesome huge fillets that are right out of the frier hot and tender. Huge amount of chips with home made pickles and slaw. Kid convinced me to try it with him and thank goodness. By far the best fillets and size I've had let alone how good they taste. If you like fish and chips you gotta try this place you won't be disappointed

I feel like I died and went to fish and chips heaven! This joint is real deal and not afraid to fry some killer fish and French fries. Stop on it and you'll be ballin on a budget in no time. I tried walleye for the first time I can remember and I was blown away. I got the half order of the fried walleye and chips for $7.99. This is a smoking hot deal with a generous portion. The fish exterior is crisp with a light batter yet not too greasy. The interior is flaky, buttery and melt in your mouth flavor town! The fish is also sprinkled with some dynamite rock salt. The fries are on point as well. The key lime jalapeño tartar sauce is the real kicker! Dip your fries in it and your might cry with joy. But seriously you gotta check this place out. They even gave us a piece of banana salt water taffy which was also incredible. It's got a hole in the feel but it's a no doubter 5 star in my book.

Damn this is good stuff. Maybe it's the quaint atmosphere. Or the outdoor seating on a sunny day. Or the taffy. Nahhhh, it's the food. Everytime I've dined, I've sat outside on a sunny day. The seating is basically in the parking lot, but it's still cool and a perfect place to enjoy the fish. Inside is maybe a bit scary and dank, but with that much grease flying around constantly for that many years, I can understand. I've read reviews saying the take out is bad. Well, yeah, of course. This is fresh, hot, crispy golden brown glorious fish. It would turn to a pile of mush if you tried to take it home. When's the last time French fries tasted good after 10 minutes of sitting out? Never. Just eat in. I've tried the Halibut, Walleye, and Cod. All 3 are awesome. I've had Cod that was just as good as the halibut and it's quite a bit cheaper so it's your call if you want to spend more. The homemade tartar, the malt vinegar, the fresh cut fries. All perfect accompaniments for some exceptional fish.

Its dirty....boxes are piled everywhere...the counters are so sticky they make ideal fly traps...oh...and the flies buzzing around the place is very unappetizing. Thanks but I will go get my salmonella poisoning elsewhere.

Great food! I had a piece of walleye, pile of clam strips and 3 shrimp balanced on top of a heap of fries. Walleye was very good. The clams and shrimp were fantastic. I haven't had shrimp that good since being on the coast. Clams were cooked perfectly. Quickly flash fried so the stay super tender. Awesome.

They have the best fried walleye in the twin cities.No salt water taffy this time. But that's always an extra side sweet.

Stopped here for a quick bite. Had the fish (walleye) tacos and poutine. The poutine was amazing!! Crispy fries, delicious gravy and plenty of cheese curds. We will be craving the poutine for a while. We ate outside as it was stifling hot inside. The staff was very pleasant. The place was packed by the time we were ready to leave. I'm guessing this is a great local spot. Try it if you're in the area.

The only true one in the twin cities Fries fresh out of the shipping box Been going here for the last 5 years Dan the owner is awesome too

Aw I wanted to give five stars as I tried to overlook the appearance of this long standing establishment. To walk in and find the central area stacked with cartons of their supplies makes me feel as though I walked in the wrong door to the back room. The menu is short and easy to comprehend with the smaller plate and larger and a la carte choices. The fish is freshly cooked and the service is friendly. There is salt water taffy available in various flavors if that's your vice. I only ordered the a la carte as I can skip the fries and wanted to cook around the fish at home. Add a little Bookbinder's Tarter Sauce and we have an impressive meal. I will be back to try other fish types in the future. This is 1000% better than buying frozen packs in the store or trying to get the crispy fried batter effect at home.

Great food! I had a piece of walleye, pile of clam strips and 3 shrimp balanced on top of a heap of fries. Walleye was very good. The clams and shrimp were fantastic. I haven't had shrimp that good since being on the coast. Clams were cooked perfectly. Quickly flash fried so the stay super tender. Holy crap they were good.

I'm embarrassed to say that I've driven by this place hundreds of times and have never stopped in. I'm not into greasy fried food (expect for the MN State Fair!), and typically have a fisherman husband who provides me amazing fish. So it's never been on my to-do list. However, we recently stopped by this place for lunch and it was AMAZING! While the ambience is lacking, the food was seriously amazing. We had the cod + chips plate and halibut special, and it was really delicious. A bit pricy, but overall, an amazing experience. The customer service was good, the wait was a little long, but the food was worth it. I'll be back.

If I could give this order zero stars, I would. We had a pretty terrible experience tonight. We ordered our food online at 5:45PM to be picked up at 6:15PM. We arrived there about 6PM, and I went in to let them know I was there. I was told that our food would be ready as soon as they could make it and that they'd bring it out. I noticed that none of the employees were wearing masks of any sort. We waited until 6:20 before I went back in, noticing that people who just walked up to place their orders are getting their food before we are. I was told that the food is made in the order in which it was received and that my food would be coming up soon and there was nothing he could do about it. I asked how long it would take as was told it would be no longer than 15 minutes. At 6:30, I watched a guy walk in and get his food immediately. As he walked back to his car, I asked when he placed his order, and he said he placed it at 6 to pick up at 6:30. So, someone who placed their order after I did got his order before I did. At 6:40, I went back in and asked where my food was again. It was another 5 minutes before it finally came up. The man behind the counter did not apologize, but he handed me a $10 "gift certificate" saying that I can use this for next time. I gave it back saying that I'd be hard pressed to come back after the quality of service I got. Our order was for 4 strips of cod, 1 walleye, 1 chicken strip and one order of cheese curds. I didn't order anything out of the ordinary. I also felt that I was shorted on sauces that I paid extra for. I won't be coming back, and I'll be sure to tell everyone I know about the lousy experience I had.

This is the definition of a dive.. pretty run down building and rickety tables and chairs, but you don't go to a restaurant like this for the atmosphere do you? My wife ordered the halibut, and I got the cod. It was phenomenal, and I think the breading was really what made it. It had the perfect taste and texture and they put it on everything (chicken, clams, cheese curds), which is what you should do when you get something right. They also had a jalapeño lime tarter sauce that was awesome on the fish and the fries. We will be back, likely with friends.

The outside of this place is an eyesore. I try not to look at it when I drive by. The little diner style building is outdated, rundown, and dirty looking I've passed this place plenty of times with no desire to step foot inside. My co-worker one day said he was headed there for some fried fish. I was surprised by this. I asked if they had fish sandwiches, he said he didn't know, and I decided to tag along anyhow. If I was going to get sick at least I wouldn't be alone. I was relieved to see that the inside was really clean. The bathroom was also really clean, I still didn't touch anything, but it was clean. The place definitely hasn't been revived ever, I don't know when it was built, but it looked like the design was from the 80's, or maybe before I was born. Okay, probably not that old. They have a few selections of fried fish baskets with fries and coleslaw. I opted for just a walleye sandwich and coleslaw. The fish was chunky, golden brown, crispy, flaky, and not at all greasy. I feel sad this is my first time here! I did find a couple of bones which made it a little hard to fully enjoy chewing and swallowing. I also didn't care for the bun, sorta dry. The bun, not the fish, needed tarter sauce to wake up. Coleslaw was fine. I'll be back for just the fried fish next time.

The fried fish is amazing. The poutine is pretty good. The french fries are terrible. The taffy is inedible. Mac's was my favorite place about 10 years ago, but it's really declined in the last few years. I love the fish, but the french fries are soggy and brown. The only thing the fries are good for is the poutine; drown them in gravy and cheese, and they become edible. Bought several flavors of taffy today, and they were impossible to eat because the wax paper stuck to every single piece. I could barely salvage enough to nibble to taste it. Total waste of money. I keep trying to like Mac's again, but I'm going to write them off for good. Go only if you get the fish; don't get anything else on the menu.

Had the walleye and cod that were both excellent, key lime sauce is outstanding. Will be back.

This place is great! Old nostalgic building and great food! We had the Walleye And Chips, and a order of Cheese Curds. The fish was battered excellently and was super crunchy and not oily, like fish and chips can be. The fries were hot and fresh tasting! We also really enjoyed the Malt Vinegar with Rosemary steeped into it. The Cheese Curds were fried perfectly and were hot and tasty! Definitely will visit again!

Macs is my go to place for fish and chips. The halibut is my favorite with a generous serving of fries. The quality is always consistant, never old fishy smell or taste. If there were better seating options inside I would give it 5 stars.

Mac's is about as visually beautiful as a pig in pumps. It's on a corner, the restaurant itself is cramped and oddly laid out and the interior looks like a time capsule from a 1980's fishing boat. In other words... it's perfect. There are no groundbreaking techniques or taste combinations here: They don't add fresh snipped herbs to craft beer batter or serve your meal with (insert sensational ingredient of the moment here) tartar sauce. But, you know what? That shit doesn't matter because they know how to perfectly churn out classic flavors in all their glorious simplicity. You'd easily be paying twice the amount for food like this in a fancier looking restaurant (and probably be served half the quantity, too). That being said, Mac's relative proximity to Como park makes it super easy to get your food to go and devour it in the wild like nature intended. I wouldn't recommend making a super long drive with this food in your car, though, as the fish and other fried items tend to get unpleasantly soggy.

Very good food, decent price for the amount. The house made fries are amazing. We got a 2 piece walleye basket and it was enough food to split between two people.

Having a selection of places to eat nearby is key. To that end, Mac's provides a decent option. I don't think I would go everyday, but definitely I would visit it once in awhile. Not all fish is priced the same. Last time I was there the Halibut was priced way more than anything else, so read the board menu carefully.

I've been to macs a couple of times and like others the place is tiny and smells like fried foods or more so fried fish. The parking lot isn't that big its been full the handful of times I've gone to the place but have been always able to find a spot to park. Of course perfect to go to for a fish fry during lent or anytime during the year. The food is inexpensive, comes with a good portion and never fails. If your craving a delicious, greasy and when I say GREASY it sure is the type that leaves a film on your mouth after your all done wiping the crumbs off your face. Make sure to have a coke on hand to wash it down. I've gotten the chicken before and its a bit on the dry side I would pass on that, the clam strips are smaller portioned but wasn't terrific the highlight of the place is the fried fish. They also put sea salt on their foods and have a container on each table if more is needed. During summer time they have about 3 tables set up to eat outside otherwise expect to either do to-go during busier times or your left stranded without a table considering they have about 5tables in the whole place. Each table also has condiments or all your extra flavor needs to make the dish just right. Overall I would come back if your craving fish on a warm day its a great feeling or just some greasy hang over food to cure that feeling.

Pretty good food tucked away for the locals. The fried clams have a great batter and the portions for the fish and chips are just right for 1. The fried fish wasn't that oily either. The salt water taffy desert was perfect to round out the meal. The only con is you might walk out smelling like fried food...might not be a con for some! Great place!

We love Mac's Fish & Chips! Okay so the building looks a little bit rough, but the food makes up for it! On our annual trip to the Twin Cities, we always try to make a stop at Mac's. It's a small place with only a couple tables inside and about 8 tables for outdoor seating. It is always clean and the service is always great! My husband ordered us 2 cod baskets and cheese curds. The cheese curds are to die for! We have eaten our fair share of curds (every new place we go, we have to order them). Mac's for sure are some of the best! The cod baskets come with 2 large pieces of cod, fries, coleslaw and a piece of homemade salt water taffy. The batter is light and fluffy, while the cod is moist and flaky. The fries are homemade and cooked well. The salt water taffy is great and fairly inexpensive to buy extra! We always end up bringing leftovers back to the hotel (almost an entire basket). The prices are worth the value. A 2 piece basket is around $12 and cheese curds around $4. We could definitely get by with 1 basket, but we always get 2. They have great tartar sauce! If you want something a bit spicier, get the jalapeno tartar!

Want to eat some excellent fried fish? Don't care about the "ambiance"? Splurge - Order the Classic basket with Halibut for $13.99 and eat it there. It comes with 2 large fillets (lightly hand-battered) fries, coleslaw, a small wedge of lemon, and a small cup of tarter sauce. At the tables are canisters of coarse sea salt and Heinz Malt Vinegar. Up by their soda machine, they have large bins of Heinz ketchup with a pump on top so you can fill a small cup with this near perfect condiment. Fries are decent, and the coleslaw was good with a little celery seed in the dressing. I loved their Halibut! So did my companion. It was crisp on the outside, and moist on the inside. I haven't had fried fish this good since Brit food served in the restaurant at the Walker Art Center during the Brit T.V. Advert awards in Dec. 2012 (and the Brit food was only for a limited engagement). This fish at Mac's would rival the fried Ling Cod I ate while in Alaska. I'll look forward to returning soon.