The Fish House: a meal to make Kentucky proud
Simplicity is the watchword at the Fish House. You'll be ordering at the counter, and you'll be sitting at one of six tables with checked plastic tablecloths or two round cast-concrete patio tables in an enclosed porch.
No dazzling ambiance, no white tablecloths — not even stainless steel flatware. The fanciest it gets at the Fish House is that, in warmer weather, you can dine outside at two patio tables with umbrellas.
That goes for the menu, too. But while not fancy, what's on the menu at the Fish House is excellent and at bargain prices. And much of it is Kentucky Proud — that is, made with local ingredients.
The Fish House's signature dish is "Green River style" fried fish. Although a Louisville native, co-owner David Hilsenrad visited Western Kentucky, where he got the hankering for fresh scrod breaded in peppery cornmeal and then fried — the so-called "Green River style" fried fish. David Hilsenrad owns the Fish House with his son, Adam. The Fish House shares space with Café Beignet, which Adam Hilsenrad owns.
It's available as a sandwich — two bounteous pieces of hand-cut whitefish on rye bread, white or wheat, or a multigrain bun for just $5 (article prices are rounded) — and as a combo (with fries and slaw) for $7.50. The dinner, which boasts three pieces of fish, fries and the homemade Mean Mary's coleslaw, costs $10. Those who want to beat the heat can order the fish prepared mild.
Also on the menu are catfish (sandwich, $4; combo, $7; dinner, $9), tilapia (sandwich, $4.50; combo, $7.25; dinner, $9.50) and chicken tenders (sandwich, $4; combo, $6.50). Other $10 dinners are a seven-piece Gulf shrimp dinner, clam strips and pan-fried oysters — available year round, not just in the traditional months that have an "r" in it!
Patrons can get larger portions, too — great for takeout! Six pieces of fish (a pound) or a Fish Box Special for Two (four pieces of fish, double fries, two hush puppies and a choice of bread) both run $13. A pint of the soup du jour or David's Seafood Chowder or a pint of cole slaw cost $4. Call in your order, and it will be ready when you arrive.
The Fish House carries nearly a dozen sides, including crispy potato pancakes ($2), hush puppies (25 cents for two), several types of French fries and jalapeño cheesy fries ($3).
For those who want to up the heat index even more, the Hilsenrads have concocted a minty green-colored jalapeño tartar that's available at the eatery along with regular tartar. If you really like it, you can buy a 9.2-ounce jar of David and Adam's Jalapeño Tartar for $4.
The Fish House has a limited kids' menu: fish sandwich or chicken tenders meals. Both include French fries, a small soft drink and a cookie for $4.
- by Ivonne Rovira, Louisville Reporter for HelloMetro
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