The Fish House/Cafe Beignet

Very disappointing for the price you pay. Since I am from the east coast and a true lover of fish this is a very disappointing fish joint. When you walk in a fish joint you should smell fish and that is the not same as a fishy ordor. Secondly the fish, claim stripes and oysters are over fried. Under seasoned and only coleslaw no fries or bread. I expect more than one piece of fish. Will not be a repeat customers.
Coleslaw not bad…

Fish House is close to Bardstown Road on Winter Ave. Their parking lot only has limited spots, and it gets full easily during lunch hour.
Their food was great with decent price. Too bad they only serve fried fish, catfish, haddock and scrod, but their dishes are all delicious! Wish they offer blackened or grilled fish also. Their fish tastes pretty fresh and should be great to be grilled.
We were too stuffed and didn’t get to try their beignet.
Will definitely go back for their fried fish!

Service is horrible! We were excited to go to The Fish House for dinner, however due to the lack of anyone waiting on us for several minutes looking at you with no acknowledgement or would not even bother to answer when I said «excuse me» to ask a question. We decided to take a seat. When a group of people walked in and were immediately helped. So, I guess they do not want our business. We decided to leave.

This is my favorite fish sandwich in Louisville and the rest of the food is equally delicious. Very reasonably priced as well. Make sure you try the jalapeño tartar sauce. Yummy!

This place rocks. I’m a huge beignet fan, so I made my boyfriend pull over to check it out. They have classic powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar, as well as a beignet of the day. I’d highly recommend trying at least one of each. My boyfriend doesn’t have quite the sweet tooth I do, so he opted for a breakfast chicken biscuit sandwich. He said the biscuit was perfectly flaky, and the chicken was very flavorful. They also have an omelette of the day, and it was cheesy and delicious. Just know that the restaurant itself is very small, and fills up quickly for lunch. The owner (I’m assuming he’s the owner) is a nice guy, but doesn’t seem to be a fan of questions. It kind of made things awkward when we asked him about any recommendations he had, and he seemed almost annoyed that we asked. I don’t know about the lunch menu, but we ate our way through the breakfast menu, and there wasn’t anything we disliked.

Have been several times, always served fast, and was happy with the food all but once (kinda bland that one time). You’re paying for food, not presentation, which is plastic plates & flatware, paper cups, no frills.
Always see a mix of customers (age, race, etc.).
Two TVs, usually on sports.

We got off the highway due to construction on the way back to Chicago from spring break. Our son convinced us to try this place as he wanted cat fish. It was awesome. Boiled shrimp were perfect and the fried clams/​oysters were great. Nice staff /​owner and a pleasant clean environment. Very inexpensive for the quality received. Highly recommend.

It’s so disappointing, but my last visit was so bad, I won’t likely return.
This place is just too crowded! It took forever to find a place to park, order, and get my food. When you’re just standing around waiting, with too much time to observe the finer details of the interior, it’s pretty apparent (how did I miss this before?) that it desperately needs a makeover. It’s cluttered, they need new tables and a larger space, and the register area is outdated and just kind of gross.
Also, I’ve tried more items on the menu since my first review. Don’t try the stale, store bought tasting, «homemade» cookies. You know when you eat an old wrapped candy from your grandma’s purse? The cookies had that old, stale, purse-​type flavor = ewwww. When I bit into the fried oysters, they were juicy, but of the rancid, fishy, metallic, and questionably fresh-​variety. I’m a bit sick to my stomach thinking about it, actually. The scrod (in my fried scrod) seemed… shall I say «slimy»? My beignets didn’t taste right either — fried plastic/​styrofoam flavor, smaller, and overcooked/​tough — when compared to previous orders. I’d have taken them back for a properly cooked order, but I just don’t have that kind of time and patience to wait in the line again.
However, the customer service is still amazingly friendly and exceptional, despite the crowds.

If you’ve read the other reviews you realize by now this is a small local restaurant. Which means the service and food can possibly be hit or miss at times. That’s not been my experience, but I’ll accept what others have posted as factual. That said, we’ve always had great service and the food always met or exceeded our expectations. Given that we realize going in that it’s not a fancy, gourmet type place. It’s a fish house — and a good one. In the mornings it’s a beignet stand with some limited breakfast options — good ones. Omelette of the day? Yes please. Hashbrowns with applesauce? Yes again. Breakfast dessert of a plate of fresh beignets? Always. And a bottomless cup of good coffee — never a problem there.
If you were expecting more, then you deserve to be disappointed. I’m not aware that they’ve ever claimed to be ‘the best” of anything. But for most of us that go there often — they are.

Parking: small lot with additional free street parking around
Ambience: quaint, intimate
Service: counter service with serve yourself condiments like tartar sauce and water
Food: fried cod was excellent; exactly what you want out of a fried fish; crispy exterior, flaky interior; great flavor; fries were great and seasoned too; jalapeño hush puppies were on point; gumbo just ok; chicken tenders ok; beignets were a little disappointing; but I’m comparing them to café du monde so I’m setting myself up for disappointment here

I was a bit confused going in but it’s pretty simple, they are a fish house that at times also serves mor brunchy beignet house items. However, beignets are available at all times which is a plus. I tried the seafood platter which had some hits and misses. I loved the shrimp and the oysters, they were nicely seasoned and with a perfect crunch. The fish on the platter wasn’t that impressive. We also ordered the catfish and that was the star. You can taste the cornmeal batter when you bite into the catfish and its crispy, and delicious.

NOT A FAN. We ordered Togo and It was odd. The flavors were off, the breading was bad, and the coleslaw was sour.
Everyone from my work was disappointed and told me that was an abnormal type of situation. I am willing to give it another go but that will be after I’ve visited each new restaurant on my list.

This is one of those places where rudeness is a theme, like that joint in Chicago? I doubt it. But damn was the guy behind the counter grouchy. I asked about the clams and was given a gruff one word reply. It was more of a grunt than an answer. Too bad I didn’t trust my instincts and turn around and walk out. I’d describe them as deep fried rubber bands. I LOVE clams, having been in Boston over the summer, I ate them every day. This ain’t Boston.
The chowder was good. The vinegar slaw was WAY too sweet. All in all, the rude ass service really bummed me out. I guess I need to practice my drawl. Obviously I didn’t sound like a regular.

Oftentimes I am scoffed at by peers when, in response to the question, «what’s your favorite restaurant in the city?» I answer, «The Fish House/​Café Beignet.»
I get it. With so many amazing establishments to choose from, ranging in price levels from $ — $$$$, it may seem unexpected that this seafood place in the middle of Louisville is my «number one.» Aside from the menu (s) being perfectly priced, the consistency of quality, and the constant availability of those delightful beignets, there is also the ever-​important customer service to consider.
These guys genuinely care about your experience … and you will never leave unsatisfied. They run an excellent business and restaurant. I have enjoyed every single meal I’ve eaten here, and you can trust me – I used to be the duchess! (I was devastated on the day of which the title was taken from me [I have way more than 9 check-​ins here but apparently there’s been some technical glitch]).
It’s one of the very best places in the city to eat, and I would recommend it to anyone not yet fortunate enough to have tried it. YUM!

Great little spot for some home style fare. Nothing fancy, décor is awesome, what look to be old family photos and such scattered around.
After you come through the front door make an immediate left just past the cooler to the ordering area. There are coolers with beer and sodas to choose from. Home baked cookies and brownies sit in a small case to the left of the register. Menu is on the back wall, after you order to the right is the area for utensils and condiments. Grab what you need and find a seat. If you are going to sit outside let the person who took your order know so they can mark it on the ticket as the food is made to order and delivered to you.
The scrod sandwich on white was great, fish had good seasoning and was nice and hot! Fries were perfect, I mixed up some tartar and katsup for a seafood pink sauce that was awesome on the sandwich and fries. Got a west 6^th amber to go with… this was a good ass meal. I really wanted to try the beignets (pronounced «ben-​yays» for the neewbies) but figured the com o would be enough. It was filling but not over the top, just enough. The slaw was good, a little too sweet for me so I got about half way through and had to stop.
Over all this is an awesome spot for some great food. I’ll be back for some beignets this weekend when they do their Beignets Café (Saturday & Sunday breakfast brunch)

Never thought we find a highly reviewed seafood place in Louisville… very limited parking in the lot but lots of street parking, very old school looking place once you walk in… it’s a self serve place, relatively cheap and it the seafood was good but not the best I had… it’s fried seafood as we got the seafood platter, the seafood tasted fresh but did not blow my mind… ordered the potato pancake which was just hashbrowns –_​_​_​–
I should have asked what they were first, got the cinnamon beignets which was okay, basically fried dough covered with cinnamon and whatever other topping they had

The Fish House/​Café Beignet is a great spot for brunch! I absolutely love their potato pancakes. They’re like mini seasoned hash browns. So good! They’re served with sour cream and apple sauce for dipping. I prefer to go with ketchup, but the sour cream is awesome too! They also have really great skillet potatoes and their omelets are great. I’m not sure how many eggs they use, but it has to be like five! They’re so filling I couldn’t even finish mine!
We opted to try the plain beignets this past trip, but next time we hit up this spot I’m going with the beignets du jour for sure! The daily menu board boasted Butterfinger beignets on this trip, and I’ve seen posts about other delicious specialties like a red velvet beignet. Yum!
The location is great and there’s plenty of parking. We live close, so we ride our bikes over and there’s plenty of room to chain them. We haven’t tried the lunch menu yet, but I’m looking forward to return trips to try out some more of their menu.

What a weird place. Not charming weird, and not bad weird… Just weird. They have those concrete, circular tables in the restaurant, that you find covered in bird poop in peoples’ backyards. But that’s just one sitting area. The other sitting area has small wooden tables.
There really aren’t that many places to sit, unless it’s nice weather and you can sit outside. So if you go on a Friday during Lent and the weather isn’t nice, well then you’re up a creek.
With that said, I love this place. Really good food for a great price. I got a fish dinner (fish, 2 sides) and a beignet dessert for $ 13. And it was plenty of food.
The fish was good enough to eat on its own. Really nice season on it. But the jalapeño tartar sauce takes it to another level. I even began eating my fries with it. That tartar was remarkable.
Got the potato pancake thing. Solid option. I’d like to try some other sides. I don’t see the hype with the potato pancake, but I did like them.
Went with the recommended beignet for dessert. I saw people posting that they have different flavors. They didn’t tonight, so I don’t know if that’s a weekend thing? Either way — didn’t matter. Hard to beat deep-​fried batter that’s been covered in powdered sugar.
If you’re concerned about seating, call ahead and reserve a table. It really is a great place to eat, though. Fantastic food. Really good price. Can’t wait to go back.

So, yep, I’ve now been to The Fish House twice within one week.
Not really sure why it took so long for me to try this spot out, especially considering it’s less than five minutes away from my house and I pass it a few times a week.
It was my culinary monkey on my back.
But last weekend I finally got to check out the Café Beignet side of the restaurant with brunch. It was so good that tonight I went back to frequent The Fish House.
For brunch, a friend and I split the trio of beignets, potato pancakes and the catfish dinner — because why not.
And since it was Valentine’s Day we also got the beignet du jour, a heart-​shaped red velvet beignet with sprinkles.
The beignets were more dense than some of the others I’ve had, but they were still delightful puffs of sweet breakfast deliciousness.
The potato pancakes were like small rounds of hashbrowns, smaller than latkes. Dipping them in apple sauce was delightful.
And then the catfish. I’m a big fan of catfish, and this is the best catfish I’ve eaten in Louisville. The skin was crunchy and not at all soggy (as I’ve experienced elsewhere), and the fish was moist and fried to perfection — no weird gray mush of fish.
The fish dinners come with two filets, fries and coleslaw. I love the spice they put in the fries, which give them a bit of a kick. The coleslaw was delectable as well.
And to round out the meal, I got a mug of chicory coffee.
And then tonight, I went back to pick up more catfish for me and scrod sandwiches for my boyfriend and his sister, along with more beignets. It is Fat Tuesday after all.
The fish was just as good as it was on Saturday, and my guy and sis were happy as well.
On both occasions, the service was exemplary. The man working the register on Saturday took the time to explain the menu to us and show us where the self-​serve coffee and cutlery is. And then when I went in tonight, I only had to wait about five minutes between putting in my order and walking out the door with it.
Oh, Fish House, I’m a fan!

Adore this place-​the owner has such a great personality and will tell you all about his restaurant.
We go here because they have gluten free fried fish-​it is made with cornmeal.
Good portions-​good people-​clean restaurant and pretty quick to come out when you order.
Their coleslaw is pretty standard but they add enough seasoning to make it taste good, fries are the thicker cute. You can get all your own sauces which is nice so you aren’t waiting for the wait staff to come back by and bring you more while you are salivating!
They make their own special jalapeño tartar sauce-​I do not like tarter period so I do not eat it but Jason seems to enjoy it.
We have had breakfast here and it comes out fast and hot. It’s your basic breakfast food but they do a good job.
Prices are reasonable for the amount you get, you can choose between different fish. They also have shrimp, scallops etc.
Parking can be a pain; we have to park in the neighboring general store next to The Fish House.
Worth a try if you are looking for good fried fish and other types of seafood.