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    FishScale

    4.7 (173 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order FishScale Takeout or Delivery

    FishScale Photos

    FISHSCALE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Reviews With Photos - FishScale

    Toppings
    Shantal W.

    An amazing black owned and unique restaurant! The service and food is amazing! Ingredients are super fresh and your food is made when ordered. I would order before going in if it's your lunch break since they start making it after you order. Process: pick your meat and if you want it as a burger. You get to choose 2 toppings that are all made fresh daily. Pick your side and drink. Which are sold separately. I got the rockfish burger and chips. I chose the samba and cucumber-tomato relish. The samba sauce is SPICY!!!! So if you like a good tingle then I would try it out. The fresh cucumber and tomato relish was so refreshing in combination with the samba. Definitely loved the combo. The actual fish burger just melted in my mouth. The bread was crazy soft as well. 10/10 fish burger and definitely recommend trying this place out! Can't wait to go back and try another combo of toppings.

    Outside decor
    Kai M.

    I decided to visit this place in honor of #smallbusinessSaturday This was my first time visiting FishScale at the recommendation of my friend and honey, I did not regret it one bit. Hospitality: The woman who took our order was great at making a first timer feel welcomed as she provided a breakdown of the menu and any substitutes available. Food: Let's get down to business...the grilled rockfish burger was topped with diced cucumbers and tomatoes (there were other toppings available) but I selected this. The fish was grilled to perfection and still maintained a juicy flavor which was oozing with the right seasonings.I thoroughly enjoyed my selection but of course my friend informed me that for my next visit, I should try the salmon burger and crab cakes. Looks like I'll be doing a couple more runs over there lol Overall this restaurant has a great vibes, good music, and tasty food...what isn't to love about that!!!!! Black owned and so worth the visit!

    Fortunately, I live in DC and have access to " Fish Scales with such wholesome and delicious food. If you like seafood fish or just clean eating this is the place for you. You can get crab cakes, various fish choices, vegetables great potatoes etc, seasoned well with great flavors. On 3/29/2025 my stitch group joined me @ Fish Scales to celebrate my auntie's birthday and she was delighted. After eating her meal w/o a drop left on her plate, she sent kudos to the chef. She enjoyed her rockfish meal. I tried fluke fish for the first time. It was seared and seasoned to perfection. Thank you to such a courteous and friendly staff. The experience was wonderful!! You made my auntie's birthday a memorable one!!

    Door and internet says they were supposed to be open hours ago. Hmm....oh well. #mixedmessages
    Mike R.

    Wonderful place. Been meaning to try this place for a couple of years and finally made it here with the couple of the fellas. Black -owned... Up the street from my beloved alma mater, the great HU. We were originally going to go to a new soul food restaurant around the corner called "Doro", but there's no seating there. So we then proceed to walk around the corner in 20° BLUSTERY temperatures today (brrrrrr!!!!) and arrive inside of FishScale. We're the only ones there at the time save for the owners - and the one owner is an absolute gem. The other is the chef and he was busy working. Didn't say anything. The gregarious owner is Kristal and she greets us with a big smile and proceeds to run down her entire menu. I wasn't sure I was ready for all of that but we let her continue lol. Luckily it's not that large. She's clearly very passionate about her business. She's very personable and came over and engaged us in lots of good conversation during the meal. Her personality shines. Sandwiches, subs, fresh salad - all seafood based fare here. Deep River chips in bags. Reasonable prices. Good sized portions. One of my colleagues had a catfish sub (drizzled aioli on top). A riff on a Philly cheesesteak. The other had fish tacos, and I had a crab cake sandwich. Kristal suggested sweet potato fries since they don't have regular. Initially I was a little turned off, but she swore that I would never go back to regular fries because these were "Japanese sweet potato fries", and I was therefore intrigued. They were absolutely fabulous. She says the uncooked flesh is white inside. The potato cooked potato shows up kind of a banana yellow fleshy with a marvelous crispy skin having been grilled and drizzled with a savory sweet glaze of some sort. They were terrific, sure, but I'm still going to eat regular fries lol. The have some nice drinks including wine. I like this place. I shall return forthwith.

    Fried rockfish, taters, and tartar sauce.
    Murphy M.

    Really attentive service and the food was really fresh and delicious. I had fried rockfish and potatoes...yum! I watched them season and batter the fresh fish! Their tartar sauce was homemade and quite good. The inside is small but classy, well decorated, and clean with a few tables. Great addition to the neighborhood!

    Wild Caught Fish Burger
    Mekdela T.

    TASTY FOOD! Honestly it's perfect - so glad I checked out this black owned spot. If you haven't tried this place, YOU SHOULD. I ordered via Uber eats and everything came packaged so well, the sandwiches traveled nice! Also, loved the writing on the boxes lol I ordered the Wild Caught Fish Burger with the Spicy Sambal and grilled onions. VERY GOOD. You can choose what kind of sauce you want on the burger, so if you don't like spicy, don't get the spicy sambal - ITS GOOD AS HELL, but spicy. I loved this burger. The Chesapeake Cheesesteak was EVERYTHING. It's a filling sandwich, and all the flavors blend together so well. I could eat this sandwich daily. The roll was also perfect. I'll definitely be coming back to this place, I really enjoyed my food!

    Rockfish burger and Japanese sweet potatoes
    Andrew P.

    Like every year, I had to support a black business for Juneteenth. So, I decided on this place... though, next time I'll try to get there while a march isn't happening on the street that it's on. From what I can tell, Fishscale has a relatively small menu, but it's great stuff! I had a Rockfish burger with jalapeno sauce and grilled onion sauce, and Japanese sweet potatoes. The burger was outstanding. I loved texture of the bun, I loved the flavor of the fish and how the sauces worked with it. The sweet potatoes looked like regular potatoes, but they were indeed sweet like sweet potatoes. That sauce that was on them... WHEW. I forget what it was called now (and I can't see it on their site right now) but it was really delicious! I am looking forward to going back and having more of those sweet potatoes, and trying their catfish cheesesteak! I do wish more sweet potatoes came with one order though!

    Chesapeake Cheesesteak
    Shakira R.

    When I first heard of black-owned Fishscale, it was via an image of the Chesapeake Cheesesteak. I was a bit skeptical because it wasn't beef. ​ ​ ​Here is the thing, I think of myself as a cheesesteak expert. I am originally from south NJ & due to the proximity to Philly, I grew eating my share of cheesesteaks. When I first moved to VA 20+ years ago, I learned that it is called a steak & cheese sub, & often the taste was just a backward it was called. ​ ​ ​I preordered & walked from my sister's to take advantage of the warm day. ​ ​ ​While I briefly waited on my order, I inquired about the signature aioli on the side. The chef saw my "Foodie Est. 1985" (designed by me) t-shirt & asked, " How are you a foodie that orders sauces on the side?" ​ ​ ​I answered, " I like to taste my food before adding the sauce." I believe great food should be well seasoned on every level. ​ ​ ​I bit into my cheesesteak & wow, my thoughts about cheesesteak should only be beef changed! The Maryland Blue Catfish was fried and seasoned with caramelized onions & green peppers with provolone cheese. The cheese pulls that I was able to achieve with each bite were perfect. I regret not having the setup to video properly. After that 1st bite, I put on the signature aioli, and I found myself pouring it on! All respect to chef H. Brandon Williams. ​ ​ ​The secret sauce to a great cheesesteak is the bread, which is just as important as what is on or between the bread. My Chesapeake Cheesesteak bread was soft with a slight crunch! ​I almost greedily ate the whole sandwich, but I restrained myself & walked back to give my mom the last bite. She ate the bite and said it was a good cold. You know something is delicious when you can eat it cold! ​ ​ ​How do you get yours? Fishscale is located on Florida Avenue NW between LeDroit Park and Shaw neighborhoods, cross the street from the Metro PCS that plays Go-Go! ​ ​ ​There is limited seating for dine in, so I recommend either ordering for pickup on their website or having it delivered via Grubhub, Seamless, and Uberears ​ ​

    Chesapeake Cheesesteak  True Blue (crabcake sandwich) Jerk Salmon Cheesesteak
    Hammed A.

    I had been wanting to try FishScale for some time and once I finally did, I'm glad I did. It's on Florida Ave in the Le Droit Park community in DC. I had previously heard about it and also passed by many times over the last year however wasn't able to visit due to parking challenges. As a fish and seafood lover I am even more obsessed with fish sandwiches. FishScale clicks on all cylinders. According to their website the seafood they acquire is sourced from sustainable wild fish in accordance with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program. I met one of the co-owners, Brandon, who prepared my sandwiches. I appreciate the conversation I had with him and attention to detail. Actually, I'm glad I stuck around and watched him prepare my food. I commented that it is not often you get to see restaurants prepare high quality food. Usually if it is high-quality food it's prepared in the back kitchen however the set-up at FishScale allows you to get a glimpse of the food prep. Brandon seems to be a cool guy and so does his staff. The food here is exceptionally fresh. You can tell fresh seafood in particular. If you know, you know. Another tell tale sign of fresh seafood is the lingering smell of it once you get home (if you're doing takeout). I ordered takeout and my ride was 25 mins, so by the time I arrived home it still had that freshly prepared smell. The portion sizes are very appropriate. I ordered the following menu items: 1) The Chesapeake Cheesesteak (made with blue catfish) 2) True Blue crab cake sandwich 3) Jerk Salmon Cheesesteak 4) CharmCity single-serving wines The inside lobby of FishScale is also very welcoming and has a warm ambiance. Check them out. If you are a fish sandwich lover or even a casual fish sandwich enthusiast, give FishScale a try. I will definitely return.

    a burger with lettuce and a donut
    Vina Y.

    Love this place! The owners are really friendly and take their time to explain all the different fish options. They've got options to make your fish pan seared or fried, in a cheesesteak or sandwich and it's all delicious. You can tell there's a lot of care and love for the food; it shows in quality and taste. I got the rockfish, pan seared, with lettuce, tomato, and aioli. The fish was tender, flavorful and perfectly cooked. Also had the fried potatoes which were smashed and fried to crispy perfection. You can get delivery but it's best fresh and it makes me wish they had a location closer to me.

    Cucumber and tomato relish. Sauteed onions. Pesto. Mahi Mahi burger.
    Kesha T.

    I've driven past this place too many times to not stop in at my first chance. I'm glad I finally had a taste of their offerings. I enjoyed a Mahi Mahi burger with sauteed onions, cucumber and tomato relish, and pesto. The bun is toasted and light which was perfect. It's a fish burger, so it's nice to not feel weighed down by the meal. It was nice chatting with Crystal, the owner. I learned that Chef Brandon, who was working the grill and dressing the burgers, is her brother which is cool in it's own right. They were both pleasant and welcoming. There seemed to be regulars, or just friendly customers which is a good thing to see. The upbeat variety of music was a nice touch. Fishscale is clean and comfortable, just the type of spot to pick up a tasty fish burger. I'll be back when the crab burger is in season.

    Japanese Sweet Potato
    Brian C.

    Wow! Just got carryout here for lunch and loved every bite. I started with the Japanese sweet potatoes, which have a nice crispy skin to them and good flavor. For the sandwich I went with the Chesapeake cheese steak, which is made with local catfish. The fish was so perfectly cooked and seasoned, and was quite delicious. The staff were also very friendly. Bonus points to this restaurant for embracing sustainable practices too. They have information on their web site about their seafood sources, and I also appreciated that the to-go containers are compostable if you have access to a composting service.

    first and foremost, the customer service is amazing!! The person at the register( the owner assumingely) explained their entire menu throughly and answered every question. my issue lies in the food and cost. i completely understand that at the restaurant you are paying for quality, but this for basically $20 (see photo) is a slightly ridiculous. The fries were seasoned to perfection , but the fish was bland and contained several hard pieces.

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Two times so far and I nod in affirmation. Not only is the food great; the atmosphere is wonderful. The mahi-mahi hit the spot!

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    9 years ago

    Delicious, fun, friendly service. The chef is fantastic. The crab burger was heavenly and didn't feature breadcrumbs or annoying filler.

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    6 years ago

    I had the Chesapeake Cheesesteak and it was delicious. I will definitely be returning to try something new.

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    9 years ago

    Much needed! Thank you and welcome to the neighborhood. Awesome fish selections and toppings. Right off of the Georgia & U Street corridor.

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    Page 4 of 5

    Ask the Community - FishScale

    Do they do burgers with no bun?

    Yes, just ask for no buns when you order.

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    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Grilled Seafood Platter

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

    4.3(2.1k reviews)
    1.3 miDowntown
    $$$

    We had a fantastic dining experience at Joe's in DC. The moment we walked in the door, the service…read morewas attentive and friendly, and the atmosphere made for a relaxing meal. Every dish we ordered was well prepared and full of flavor. The Stone Crab was the highlight of the meal--fresh, sweet, and perfectly chilled with a delicious mustard dipping sauce. The Steak Béarnaise was cooked exactly as requested, tender and juicy, and the rich béarnaise sauce complemented it perfectly. The Crab Bisque was creamy, comforting, and packed with real crab flavor without being overly heavy. We also loved the Grilled Seafood Platter, which featured a great variety of seafood that was fresh, perfectly grilled, and seasoned just right. If you're looking for high-quality seafood and a memorable dining experience in DC, this is the place to be.

    7/7/26 DoorDash order…read more MOLD on the fries and cornbread muffin??? Just because people order delivery doesn't mean it's okay to serve moldy food! I thought if I ordered fried shrimp that the quality would be better than a non seafood restaurant... Boy was I wrong! The shrimp were not deveined!!! It's like they didn't even clean them before applying the batter! I've been here on a date so I know how the lighting is dim... perfect setting to hide the wilted brown lettuce and moldy food... I just so happened to look under the cornbread muffin; SO GLAD I DID! I spent close to $40 for inedible food. Won't order from here again! The highlight was the salad dressing; that was tasty!

    Photos
    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Area near hostess stand

    Area near hostess stand

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese

    4 Cheese Mac and Cheese

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Back dining room

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    Back dining room

    Hank’s Oyster Bar, Dupont Circle

    Hank’s Oyster Bar, Dupont Circle

    3.9(1.6k reviews)
    1.0 miDupont Circle
    $$

    It has been years since I have eaten at Hank's. Too long really. But we wanted some seafood and…read moretheir Dupont location was close so - off we went. We were seated immediately and the dining room is adequate. Sufficiently decorated to make it okay. It is furnished for maximum occupancy which is fine. Think casual place, almost bar with food, not fancy at all. I do not mean for this to be a negative comment. Hank's presents itself as more of a beachside joint, not a high end seafood restaurant. Each of these sorts of restaurants has a place in the spectrum. Our waiter - Keith or Kevin - I'm so sorry but I cannot remember his name - was GREAT! Funny, good at his job, great personality and helpful. He started out with a corny, but cute, joke and he kept getting better all night. The manager too was quite good, professional and friendly. What a great staff! The food is good. I could talk about the lobster bisque (a bit on the strong side) or the flounder (a bit on the salty side). But, honestly, the food was good and I enjoyed it a lot. I did not complain about any of it nor do I think a complaint was necessary. So, as I said before, it had been years since I had last eaten at Hank's. But it won't be that long anymore. I recommend Hank's for a casual seafood meal.

    I finally checked out Hank's Oyster Bar for their Monday $1 oyster special, and it lived up to the…read morehype. I sat at the bar to access happy hour (bar-only, but oysters are available everywhere). Ordered a dozen oysters, bacon-topped deviled eggs, Old Bay fries, a salmon slider, and a tequila pineapple drink. Everything was solid-- the oysters were fresh, the deviled eggs were flavorful, and the Old Bay fries were perfectly seasoned. The standout for me was the salmon slider-- the sauce was so good I wish I ordered more. Great vibe for a casual happy hour. I'd definitely come back, especially for the $1 oysters.

    Photos
    Hank’s Oyster Bar, Dupont Circle
    Hank’s Oyster Bar, Dupont Circle - Seafood Fettucine

    Seafood Fettucine

    Hank’s Oyster Bar, Dupont Circle - From left to right: Strawberry-peach margarita (margarita of the day), Bellini, Purple Reign cocktail

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    From left to right: Strawberry-peach margarita (margarita of the day), Bellini, Purple Reign cocktail

    Cordelia Fishbar - Coal Roasted Oysters

    Cordelia Fishbar

    4.3(164 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    Cordelia called it and we answered with another visit but this time with friends up from Richmond…read more A great way to end a birthday weekend...and it did not disappoint. Our waitress read the room immediately. With a very hungry pregnant lady at the table she prioritized the Parker house rolls without being asked. This kind of attention to detail sets the tone. We later learned she was a fellow Cancer with a birthday coming up. Cancer energy is real!!! The food and drinks did not disappoint. Asparagus, calamari, shrimp cocktail, coal roasted oysters, chicken chermoula, and lump crab gratin. Worth every penny. One tip worth sharing, ask for a bit of sea salt for the chicken. The first taste lacked it and that small addition made all the difference. We were five deep which honestly matched the energy of most tables around us. The space was bright and airy and the round tables made for great socializing, easy sharing, and yes some excellent boomerang pics. Checkout was seamless. Splitting the check evenly with tap to pay right at the table got us out quickly and on to the next stop. Puddin is a crowd favorite so we left room to run over there even though the dessert menu at Cordelia looked amazing. From a post embassy hang to friends up from Richmond, Cordelia meets every occasion at the table. We said a table worth coming back to again and again. Visit two confirmed it.

    I want to start with the service because our waiter, Ebon, was absolutely amazing! He was so…read moreattentive and made our entire brunch experience even better. He was a big reason why I would return. For appetizers, we tried the Crab Gratin and Cinnamon Roll, and both were amazing. We would definitely order them again! We also did the tiki bottomless cocktails, and they were absolutely worth it. The drinks were high quality, creative, and there was something for everyone. For the entrees, everyone had a mix of favorites and dishes they liked less. The biggest highlights were the Steak and Eggs and the Crab Benedict. Both were tasty, although the portions were just okay. On the other hand, the Shrimp and Grits were a bit of a letdown. While the dish tasted good, the portion was surprisingly small and did not feel like a full entrée. We left feeling unsatisfied from a meal standpoint, so unfortunately, I would not recommend that dish. Overall, we will absolutely be coming back to try their dinner menu soon!

    Photos
    Cordelia Fishbar - Part of bar

    Part of bar

    Cordelia Fishbar - HERILOOM CARROTS

    HERILOOM CARROTS

    Cordelia Fishbar - BRUNCH BURGER

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    BRUNCH BURGER

    Old Ebbitt Grill - Scallops - 2/11/2025

    Old Ebbitt Grill

    4.2(11.7k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    I got to hit up the oldest saloon in DC before heading back home! A lot larger than I expected…read more(which is amazing!) to help accommodate all of the people wanting to go there. Super popular tourist spot (and with good reason!),I def reccomend making a reservation. Luckily for my visit on a Saturday at 1pm, the wait to be seated wasn't too long, only about 10 minutes. I've never had oysters anywhere besides New York so I wanted to try them here and my mom got the fried oyster deviled eggs. Our sever Stephanie was such a delight and probably has the coolest pin collection I've ever seen. Also the restaurant just has a really beautiful atmosphere to sit down and enjoy some really great hospitality. Onto the food! Oysters were smaller than I thought they'd be but SO FLAVORFUL and just the right amount of brine, and slid beautifully from the shell 10/10 The deviled eggs were given a 10/10, presentation was beautiful and the pickled relish was a well rounded addition We then finished up by sharing the cheasapeake eggs Benedict! Which featured their famous crab cake. The HOLLANDAISE?? literally danced in my mouth. The crab meat was so tender and buttery! Only difference I would've loved if the smoked paprika that was on the deviled eggs to also be featured on the Benedict! Over all it was a very lovely and sense awakening experience 9/10

    Old Ebbitt Grill is one of Washington, DC's most storied saloons (turned into a restaurant), packed…read morewith old school charm. It has been open 150 years after starting in 1856. It's moved around a bit over the years and the exact original location is a mystery. The restaurant story is just the start. The food of course is where it's at. Old Ebbitt is famous for it's crab cakes according to the server so you know what direction I went in. They were more like a Maryland crab cake which has a ton of meat. We were at their lunch dining so salads were also ordered and tasted amazing. Finished the mean off with a Key Lime Pie and coffee. Reservations are highly recommended given its popularity. They also asked that all attendees in your party are present so remember that to be seated. Situated near the White House, and directly across the street from The Department of Treasury, it's an ideal spot for a meal before or after site seeing. What's clear about Old Ebbitt Grill is its longstanding appeal. President McKinley was such a fan he reportedly lived there during his Congressional days. Presidents Grant, Johnson, Cleveland, and Roosevelt all stopped in, basically making it a hot spot in Washington. If it's President approved you should go also!

    Photos
    Old Ebbitt Grill - Inside part of restaurant

    Inside part of restaurant

    Old Ebbitt Grill - Jumbo Lump Crab Cake

    Jumbo Lump Crab Cake

    Old Ebbitt Grill - Fried Oyster Deviled Eggs

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    Fried Oyster Deviled Eggs

    Fish Shop - Sourdough bread

    Fish Shop

    4.0(73 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$$

    The restaurant is nice and airy, with minimal but charming decorations. I couldn't tell how noisy…read moreit gets because there weren't many customers when we were there for brunch last week, which is too bad as the food is really good and not unreasonably priced. We had the very large breakfast burrito and the garden vegetable shakshuka. Both were excellent; delivered hot and were well seasoned. The coffee is strong but not acidic. The servers were very helpful and attentive, and responsive to requests for additional items. I would definitely return again for a meal before a play at Arena stage or otherwise.

    I had such a great happy hour at Fish Shop in 2025 that I'd been dying to return for a proper…read moredinner. This past weekend, I finally returned for dinner with a couple of friends after a show at Arena Stage. The restaurant is still stunning. We sat outside to enjoy the Wharf/water views and the summer weather. The food was still great, too. We shared lots of dishes: a half dozen oysters; tempura fried squash blossoms filled with Maryland crab and cream cheese; an heirloom tomato salad with feta and fried shallots; Massaman curry with fragrant herbs, housemade roti, and the fish of the day; a beautiful halibut dish; and a candied Virginia peanut tiramisu. Everything was tasty, but the entrees really blew my mind - beautiful and delicious. We also each had a glass or two of wine, and they have a great wine list. The service was very friendly, but at some point during our early dinner (our reservation was for 5pm), they got busy and our server disappeared a bit as he got busier. Still, it was a lovely dinner overall - exactly the kind of place you want to be on a warm summer day! If you love seafood and summer vibes, Fish Shop should definitely be on your list.

    Photos
    Fish Shop - The Bar and entrance of Fish Shop

    The Bar and entrance of Fish Shop

    Fish Shop - Twice baked potatoes - the little pot was so cute!

    Twice baked potatoes - the little pot was so cute!

    Fish Shop - The private dining room, with a giant canoe hanging above.

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    The private dining room, with a giant canoe hanging above.

    FishScale - burgers - Updated August 2026

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