Bill R.
Yelp
I've lived in Hell's Kitchen for about 30 years and at least once or twice a year I end up at Landmark Tavern with friends from the hood because, well, it's a classic hangout and it's nearby and convenient to all of us. The block it's on has always been a bit sketchy but the comfort of being in a traditional bar in an ambiance that feels like you've been transported back to the old country makes it worth the slightly unnerving walk to 11th Avenue.
Probably every other time I'm there I foolishly order the fish & chips because it's one of my favorite dishes and I've had it all over the world, including in the UK where good fish & chips are as common as a good hamburger in the U.S. And every time I get it I'm reminded that the fish is invariably soft and mushy, to the point that it slides out of the breading. Good fish & chips starts with firm fish and for years Landmark Tavern keeps serving mushy fish, as if it's intentional, and I don't get it. It's more like eating mashed potatoes than breaded fish. One of my friends in our group said, "Oh, yeah. I never get the fish & chips. A Filet-O-Fish from McDonalds is better than Landmark's fish & chips." How can that be?!
Also, the fries it comes with are soggy, wilting, and cold. And their fries have always been soggy, wilting, and cold -- so that's not an accident either. Again, McDonald's fries are far superior! Making decent, firm, maybe even crispy fries and serving them hot is a no-brainer, and not difficult to do. LT has had 150 years to get the fish & chips and fries right -- it's time for the owner to get his head pulled out and really consider why he keeps serving what are arguably the worst fries I've had anywhere, in or out of the city. Who wants soggy, cold fries -- with anything? The answer is no one!
Other than the marginal food, the bar, the drinks, the beer selection, the ambiance, and the service are just great. Go to LT for the feng shui, NOT the food. This is the last time I'm ordering food at Landmark. They just don't care enough about returning customers to get it right.