Meet the kings and queens of Eurobodalla’s fish and chip scene
The Eurobodalla on the NSW south coast is home to some of the best fish and chip joints in the nation – but who are the faces behind the delicious, fresh and local fish? Meet them here.
The South Coast News
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Fish and chips are a staple meal in Australia, particularly in coastal towns, with tourists and locals enjoying the iconic meal.
It’s no different for Eurobodalla on the NSW south coast, featuring towns like Batemans Bay and Batehaven which are home to a litany of fish and chip shops all selling the best, fresh and locally caught fish ranging from flathead to flake.
Whether it be a simple fish and chip basket or a seafood platter, here are some of the best fish and chips around the Eurobodalla and the faces behind the delicious, fresh seafood.
Berny’s at Batehaven
Berny’s at Batehaven has become a staple in Eurobodalla, for providing the community with fresh and locally caught fish for years.
What sets Berny’s apart from the multitude of competition in the area however isn’t just their fish sourced from the waters around Batemans Bay, but it is their locally sourced potatoes and made to order chips.
“It just adds to the freshness of the meal as a whole,” Berny’s owner Zed said.
“Yes you have this locally and freshly caught fish, but then you bite the chip and you think ‘this was also freshly made’.
“It just adds to the whole experience.”
Zed said the most popular fish was flake, due to its texture and flavour.
He said, despite its popularity, it was a rare fish to catch.
“I think that adds to its popularity,” he said.
“People get it when they can and they love it. I’ve had people travel all the way from Sussex Inlet just to have our flake and chips.”
Berny’s at Batehaven is open seven days a week, 10.00am to 7.30pm at 246 Beach Rd.
Innes Boat Shed, Batemans Bay
Innes Boat Shed on the Batemans Bay foreshore has become known for providing customers some of the best locally caught fish in the area.
The storefront was constructed on the foreshore nearly 50 years ago by the Innes family, with the original storefront and jetty still operating to this day.
Selling fish from grenadier to barramundi, the fish are caught by a team who head out every morning in their boat to bring in as many fish as they can to sell for the day.
Innes Boat Shed’s Jayde Paull said the fish was so popular, long customer lines were common.
“We often have lines going for ages, it’s just non stop here,” she said.
Ms Paull said the store’s most popular fish orders were the snapper and flathead.
“I think the location also has a lot to do with it,” she said.
“You can buy this freshly, locally caught fish then either sit out on our deck, out on the grassy foreshore and eat it while looking out where it was caught.
“It doesn’t get more local than that.”
Innes Boat Shed was recently featured on the Australian version of “Kitchen Nightmares” where host and celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge visited the oceanside restaurant to show what “real fresh fish looks like”.
Innes Boat Shed is open seven days a week, 9am to 7pm, at 1 Clyde St, Batemans Bay.
JJ’s at the Marina, Batemans Bay
JJ’s at the Marina has become a staple for the town of 20,000 – being a major seafood restaurant selling not just fish and chips, but other seafood meals from oysters to sushi and more.
Not only does the menu set JJ’s apart from other seafood joints in Batemans Bay, but the location on the Batemans Bay Marina is a huge selling point.
Owner Jacob Crooke said he opened the restaurant due to his love and passion for seafood.
“Seafood is the heart of my existence,” he said.
“I have worked in the local industry for over 25 years and have a personal connection with every piece of fish we serve.”
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, JJ’s provides meals from Eurobodalla sourced oysters to Batemans Bay sourced fish.
Mr Crooke said customers would find classics on his menu, as well as share plates with a modern twist.
“JJ’s also offers an extensive cocktail menu and an impressive wine list carefully selected by our in-house Sommelier,” he said.
Mr Crooke also recently proposed a plan to help grow Batemans Bay’s nightclub scene, by turning his restaurant into a nightclub once a month.
“The nightclub idea was at the top for most, as it gives staff opportunities to learn new skills and increase their work hours,” he said.
JJ’s at the Marina is open Tuesday to Sunday with differing times each day, at 27 Beach Rd, Batemans Bay.
Ocean Grill on the Bay, Batemans Bay
Ocean Grill on the Bay has run next to the foreshore for years, with the restaurant not only producing fish and chips, but burgers, salads and more.
Owned and operated by Dora and George Hatzikiriakos, Ocean Grill has become known in the Eurobodalla for using fresh and locally sourced produce.
Mrs Hatzikiriakos said Ocean Grill’s burgers and fish were “traditional” meals.
“This is great food, it’s clean, fresh great food,” she said.
“We make our own burgers and fish from locally sourced, fresh ingredients and people love it.”
Mrs Hatzikiriakos said the location was also a drawcard for customers who can eat their food by the ocean on the bay foreshore.
“We don’t get a heap of foot traffic since we’re at the end of the street, but people exploring the bay find us, try us and love what they try,” she said.
Some of Ocean Grill’s most popular items include the grilled fish burger and chicken schnitzel burgers.
“It’s just great food and big portions, but people come here for the big portions,” Mrs Hatzikiriakos said.
Ocean Grill on the Bay is open six days a week [closed Tuesdays] 11am to 7pm at 17 Clyde St, Batemans Bay.
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