I've eaten here many many times over more than 40 years. I don't know where 'the duck' (Nov 1998) gets his information from. This was owned by the Bryan Family I know because I went to Abbey Grange School with John Bryan in the early '60s. I know it's changed hands at least twice since then and I recall a TV documentary about the woman owner.
The restaurant is tired and very dated 1960's decor. The bench seats around the edge are difficult to get into particularly with regard to the older clientele. Service is mediochre sometimes bright and friendly and quick, other times very slow and miserable. The fish is superbly white, just opaque and flaky. The chips are very variable, I once complained that they were limp and saturated with fat and I was told it was because the potatoes weren't in season!!!! It was really because someone in the shop couldn't fry properly because they were replaced with delicious ones crisp on the outside and fluffy inside. The prices are outrageous for what the place is - £4.99 for soup come on get real. I refuse to pay £1.50 for a portion of mushy peas when a huge tin RETAILS for a fraction of this. The place HAS to make a profit, that's only good business sense and they've been there a very long time but they would have far more customers if they were more sensibly priced. Maybe they like it empty and quiet :-) My Aunt loves the place so I take her quite often but if it wasn't for her I'd never go again. The place is always empty when we go although I've seen a dozen in on a Friday lunchtime, all elderly people who probably can't travel further afield. I certainly wouldn't bother with Harry Ramsden's either, just a place living on it's ancient reputation when a fish restaurant (with chandeliers) was unheard of. Bretts in Headingley serve beautiful fish and chips, better I think than Bryans but they too are grossly overpriced and the female proprietor is downright miserable. Nor would I go to Murgatroyds after waiting for 20 minutes in an empty restaurant for someone to take my order and I walked out. The same lack of service applies to Marlowes on Street Lane, I don't know what it is with Fish Restaurants (in Leeds) service seems not to matter. I think a holiday in Thailand would give ALL restaurateurs an idea of just what REAL service is! read more