Gaffers Fish & Chips

With fish and chips in the name you would expect really good fish and chips, and hope for great. Instead you get average fish and chips in a dive bar. The fish was ok, a little overcooked and may have been frozen at some point. The batter was nothing special. The fries were typical bar fries, again nothing special but not horrible. All this in a dive bar. That smells like pee. Maybe if you’re looking for a dive bar and get hungry you could go here and order food after a few drinks. But if you’re looking for fish and chips skip it. Unless you think urine is an acceptable air freshener.

I stopped in to Gaffers on day on my way to my swing shift job to grab a quick bite of my favorite guilty pleasure, fish and chips. When I walked in, it was like a blast from my childhood in the 70’s. Sure it looks, worn, and dated, and some of the other derogatory descriptions put forth by other Unilocalers, but it looked just like a British public house to me, so I guess one person’s cave is another person’s castle. Overall the service was really great, the gruff looking bartender turned out to be a sweet old fella, and I made sure to leave a big tip after they made sure my order was made fresh for my, and I had all the malt vinegar my little heart desired.
The fish was AWESOME, regardless of what those other jackwagons are saying! Obviously they have never had a real English beer battered slab of cod. The price was great, under 9 dollars for 2 nice fat pieces of fish, fresh chips, and a pop. All in all, a good value, fast service, fresh food made to order, and lots of sports on many screens while you wait for your fish and cold brew! Go there, have a slab and a cold one, and enjoy! CHEERS, HOOLIGANS!

Came here and had the Special which consists of 3 pieces of Alaskan Cod (pre frozen not fresh, deep fryed & flavorless), Calamari Strip (pre frozen, deep fried & rubbery), French Fries (decent reg fries) & Coleslaw (also flavorless). They serve it all with tarter sauce (tastes a bit off) & cocktail sauce (to tangy). I don’t think I’m be back. Would not recommend this place to ppl.

I don’t write bad reviews based on one meal, as anyone can have an off day. I’ve actually tested Gaffer’s 3 times. Once for dinner and twice for lunch. I have to say the food has been consistently bad. The fish is obviously NOT fresh, but frozen (and flavorless) and the fries are also frozen NOT fresh, as stated on the menu. Salads consist of chopped up iceburg lettuce and a slice of tomato. The restaurant itself is just DIRTY, with some areas not having seen a cleaning in months (if not years). The restrooms are FREEZING cold with ice cold water coming out of the taps. The staff don’t seem to care whether you’re there or not. I wonder why they don’t just sell the place to someone who is actually «into food». These guys seem to be more into serving drinks than food. If you are looking for mediocre seafood, then head to Red Lobster and skip this place…

If a place includes a particular dish in their name, like Gaffer’s Fish & Chips, they’re pretty much steering you in the direction you should go. This place is known for its fish and chips. Looking for hipster-​friendly servers, ordering other questionable items or expecting modern renovations will inevitably lead to a disappointing experience. The fish and chips are the flagship fare and consistently decent. Shrimp? Just okay. Clam chowder? Watery and flavorless. Salad? Wilted mixed greens from a bag, an old bag. You get the idea. Advice? Go in, seat yourself and don’t be shy to ask for a waitress but do it politely. After all, you can’t see what they’re doing in that kitchen! Stick to the fish and chips and order a Newcastle with your meal like a proper Brit. Since its primarily a bar they’ll appreciate that.

I don’t remember what year it was but I attended the opening day at Gaffers when I lived in Metzler. We went frequently for some years but as moves, jobs, family et/​c replaced the evening out lifestyle, not so often, maybe a few times a year. Perhaps 5 – 6 times in the last year. Today when a friend and I stopped in for lunch I encountered a couple problems. First, the waitress, who has been nice in the past over the last year was operating at warp speed. First she chastised us from seating ourselves. I guess they have signs but really this is not a fancy dining place and we were seated right in the middle of the main dining area, not in one of the rear passageways. She proceeded to remove the things from our table and put them on the next table and then move them all back with no interim cleaning or anything to our amazement. Then she advised me that on a 3 piece fish and chips that substituting a small lettuce salad for the fries would have a $ 3.00 surcharge. Since, for some time they have been defying the restaurant norm of not charging anything for such a swap and charging a buck, I asked why in the world they would charge $ 3.00 to make the swap. The waitress did not know, she said the policy changed and that substitutions cost $ 3.00 now. I like cod so the fish is good and the batter tasty, but for $ 13.50, I really would not come back for it. The cost of a cup of out of the bag lettuce that was, by the way, water logged and a couple of tomato slices, is nil. It seems like a very foolish thing to lose customers over. If I had to guess, I would say that someone in the kitchen would just as soon lose customers as make a simple substitution. Guess what, some of us have eaten enough french fries for a lifetime already. I gave three stars due to having been a long time customer and the fish flavor, which is consistently good despite the other review of someone with no sense of taste remaining. Perhaps we will go back and I will just tell them to keep the fries because I’m not paying $ 3 for a 50 cent salad again. Everyone has a bad day. Perhaps the cook was having one when they changed policy. Probably no one reads middle of the road reviews, but there you have it.

All over Portland dive bars are worshipped, yet not this one??? Inexpensive food, friendly and accommodating service, excellent food overall, and cheap drinks. There is a reason fish and chips is pub food because it’s excellent when properly execcuted. And they cook here is a wizard with a deep fat fryer. Oysters in all forms are fresh and tasty. Drinks are not weak corporate pours. I never walk out without thinking wow that was cheap and delicious. If they blew out some windows and let some light in they might attract the rest of suburbia. Here’s hoping they dont.

It’s Friday during lent so we thought this was a good time to try this place. We just moved to the area and are looking for new places to try. Very impressed. The fish had good flavor and was good size portions. Service was quick and friendly. Well drinks were only 3.25. All in all it was a very nice meal and we will certainly be back.

This place you can definitely judge the book by it’s cover. My husband and I decided to give it a try and ordered to go the popcorn shrimp and the fish n chips. I asked the hostess/​waitress/​bartender if we could have 2 cocktail sauce instead of one, and she gave me a blank stare with raised eyebrows and said «okaaayy?» Wow, it’s not like i asked for a free meal. Also, I asked to TRADE a tartar sauce for the cocktail sauce so it’s not like it was a freebie. Anyhow, we get home and bust out the food. Husband says the popcorn shrimp it totally mushy inside and «nasty». The fish (cod) did has a crispy but greasy breading, but it had absolutely no flavor at all. I had to load it up with salt and douse it in the tartar sauce to get it down.
The décor is like 1970s veryyyyy dark. Not appealing.

Gaffers Fish & Chips is almost as old as the hills. Step inside and you’ll see that old Gaffers is really showing its age. Dark, old, worn, 1970’s style booths, and a ceramic bottle collection on the walls. Gaffers is not an uncomfortable restaurant. However, it’s a place that is very much in need of a remodeling and brightening up.
Gaffers has some very good things going for it. They offer a simplified menu with some very reasonable prices. The service is friendly, attentive, and quick. Most all of the entrees are below $ 10. Besides the signature fish and chips Gaffers sells things like burgers, sandwiches, and salads. With the fish and chips you receive very large pieces of cod fish. A two piece fish dish with fries should be sufficient for most people.
How is the food at Gaffers Fish & Chips? Unfortunately it’s pretty awful. On my visit I sampled a three piece fish and chips and a bowl of clam chowder. Speaking of the clam chowder, Gaffers version is New England style, watery, and virtually tasteless. A better bowl of clam chowder could have been obtained from a Campbell’s soup can.
Had the same problem with the cod fish. The batter was void of taste. Took two cups of tartar sauce to get down my fish. The fries (or chips) were the mass produced kind and lacking flavor.
If you wanted to fill your belly quickly and inexpensively then I suppose that Gaffers Fish & Chips would suit you just fine. However, if you were looking for food that actually had some taste I’d recommend that you continue on down Tigard’s Highway 99.

«Go Greased Whiting, Go Greased Whiting!»
At least the fries were super salty. Mainly this place seems like a bar to get hammered in and if that’s really what’s going on, then the fare is a nice compliment. I tried the fish/​chips on a break from work and will probably refrain from that again.

In my house, there are three things that will compel CC, the meanest and laziest cat on the planet, to venture off the bed: 1) Dinner; 2) Bugs; and 3) Fish and Chips night.
Sure enough, when I cracked open that styrofoam box and sat down to eat my fish & chips meal, there was that little black and white face in my plate, purring away.
Now, I must say that CC prefers Newman’s in Eugene, and we haven’t found a good substitute in Portland (yet). When I have a F&C dinner from Newman’s, she’s all over it. Constantly. She’ll eat half my order. Actually, she would prefer if I would just die and leave her all the fish, and then she could have the bed to herself.
And then there are fish dinners from other places, where she’ll take just a few bites and then split. Like Gaffers.
Cat-​tested and cat-​rated.

I don’t know about the nightlife side at Gaffers’ nor do I dare to find out about what’s going on inside this joint after dark. Don’t get me wrong, this place is not sketchy or look dangerous, but based on what I saw from my visit… seems like «older» ladies haunt this joint. By «older» please don’t expect Dina Lohan older-​ness but more like Alice from The Brady Bunch older-​ness with capri pants and flannel shirts.
My man and I came here for some fish and chips. When we entered this place, the sign by the door read «Please see bartender for a table.» Then we followed the long empty dining room, all the way to the back we went and that’s where the bar is. The bartender greeted us and we took our seats.
We browsed through their menus. Standard American fares, burgers, sandwiches, and the main attractions which are fish and chips. Not only the standard, but you can also get popcorn shrimps and chips or get them as a combo with the fish. I opted for the combo which only cost $ 8.95. It was pretty reasonable considering you will get 2 pieces of fish, popcorn shrimps, and fries.
Our food came out fairly quickly and I thought for sure it was going to be bad. I’m happy to say, it was actually quite delicious. The seafood were surprisingly fresh tasting. The batter was tasty and it was fried perfectly. I was surprised on how decent the meal was.
I will come back here again for some fish and chips. Maybe someday when I will be brave enough to mingle with the older ladies, I will try the nightlife of Gaffers. but for now. just dinner for me.

I LOVE fish & chip. however… despite the good rating here… I don’t think they deserve it.
Honestly. I don’t mind the décor stuck in the time warp, for I would have eat at hole-​in-​the-​wall kind of place as long the food is great! The fried oyster was greasy, fish is somewhat fresh (questionable), the fries was ok, could be better.
I was seriously looking forward to it since I have not have good fish & chip for 3 yrs, ever since I moved here. Honestly… Portland, can we do better at seafood? seeing that we are a seaport city!!!

So, on a dreary Friday during Lent I was craving something that was once alive. Seeing as though I gave up meat my only option was fish. So I pulled over right off of Pacific Hwy and went into Gaffers.
I went to sit in the lounge area hoping that there would be some good sports on TV… only golf, but I digress.
I ordered a combo plate consisting of 2 cod pieces and a handful of popcorn shrimp served with chips. The food came out quickly and was piping hot. The fish was wonderfully breaded and not greasy at all. The shrimp was good… not the best, not the worst. I really enjoyed the Tartar sauce.
My only issue with this place is the service. It seems like there are a lot of «regulars» in the lounge. Not that this is bad unless you ignore the new people obviously looking to eat. I was probably the youngest person there by about 15 years and I am no spring chicken.
All in all, if I need some fish and chips I’ll probably go back.

It was time for Miss Mona and I to step out Friday evening for a little quality time and to enjoy the patchy afternoon sun that the gods deemed fit to bestow on Portland.
We were craving Fish and Chips, but after our disastrous experience at McGuffys (SP) we were left without a place to go.
Our fellow Unilocalers suggested Gaffers in Tigard and despite a cranky GPS we found it in an interesting little mall right of 99W.
The place was virtually empty at 6pm on a Friday night and we were seated right away. The menu is pretty basic, nothing fancy.
I ordered the three piece fish and chips while Miss Mona indulged her shrimp lust with the «Two and Two», two fried prawns and two pieces of fried cod.
Our food was delivered very quickly and I have to say the fish was excellent, fried up golden brown and crispy and not a bit greasy. We had a side of cole slaw that was very tasty as well and went well with the meal.
My only complaint with the entire meal was the somewhat skimpy portion of chips, but hey, I came for the fish, which was first class and stayed for the service, which was top flight all the way.
Gaffers is now our «GO TO» spot for Fried Fish and, if I get a slightly larger portion of chips on my next visit, I see 4 stars in their future.

I give Gaffers a solid 4 stars. You don’t go there for either the atmosphere nor the aesthetic décor. You go there strictly for the fish (or the beer if you are into dark seedy bars). The fish is pretty good and the portions sizes are adequate. The quantity – always a sticking point with me – is also very good.

My boyfriend and I are searching for our couple. We took them here to Gaffer’s, in an easily located area of a strip centre, late Friday night, to test our compatibilities. I thoroughly enjoyed the quaint, quiet, dim atmosphere. It was as if I was in an old Irish pub where the waitress had a gritty and gruff persona. We were pleased to be inside on this dark rainy night. What follows is a telling rendition of what we experienced…
Prices: all under $ 10
Food: all great, filling, tasty (for a group of carnivores)
Recommendation: fish with popcorn shrimp (most for your money)!
Service: sarcastic and tough, i liked it.
Drinks: strong
What more can you ask for?
Needless to say, we took our dates home.

Okay, I admit it — I went there last year after a trip to Newport, Oregon and DID eat at South Beach Fish Market. Which will spoil anybody for fresh fish and chips!
Here is what I remember from Gaffers — excellent portion size for the money. I think it was 4 good sized pieces of cod for less than $ 10. Lots of chips (not greasy, but not fresh/​home made either).
Fish — not greasy, but VERY fishy tasting. It was hardly edible. In fact I’m sure I didn’t finish the meal and I went in to the restaurant hungry. Would I go there again? Nope. Do I totally regret going there the first time? Sorta.

We wanted a deep-​fried dinner one night. I love fish and chips, so we thought we’d try Gaffer’s. We weren’t disappointed.
Many places tend to serve greasy fish… not so here. We ordered the «combo» plate — two pieces of battered cod with a «handfull» of popcorn shrimp. Oh la! My cod was perfectly cooked, flaky — but not dry. The shrimp were juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside. The fries are plain ol’ straight fries, but with fish like this, who cares? The tartar was great and to make it even better… they have a full bar!