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    Tugboat Fish & Chips

    3.4 (170 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Tugboat Fish & Chips Photos

    Business Info

    TUGBOAT FISH & CHIPS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for groups
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Tugboat Fish & Chips

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    Fish & Chicken Combo
    Paul W.

    I have come here every now and then for about 20 years at the same location. Pretty much the only London-style fish and chips shop in Vacaville. For years, I always left satisfied knowing I'd be back eventually. But the last time I came (about two years ago) something seemed off and I figure maybe it's an off day. Fast forward today, and I decided to get there for takeaway during my lunch break. The wife and husband team have worked there for years and are always friendly. I went with my usual Fish & Chicken combo which came with one fish filet, two chicken strips, chips (fries), tartar sauce, and ranch. Everything was made right away and I headed back to work to eat. I think the one of the few things that has been consistent with Tugboat over the years are their fries. They're basic, but I've always enjoyed them and these were no different. The fish was nice and crispy in the outside, but the fish inside was thin. I think the fish-to-batter ratio was slightly more batter crunch that drowns the fish out some. The chicken tenders are very thin and lacked a bit of that tender. I don't know if they pound the chicken down to get it thin, but like the fish the batter was more dominant. The ranch sauce was good. Tartar sauce was a little on the sweet side which I'm not a fan of. But it's more of a preference there and it's still decent. Overall, Tugboat doesn't seem to hit home for me like it used to. I noticed prices have gone up slightly, but price is never an issue with me if the quality matches. But it's just not the same anymore.

    Fish and Calamari
    Neez I.

    We've been in search of a good fish and chips for a minute since our favorite spot in Benicia closed down. Fish, shrimp, calamari AND fries had little to absolutely no seasoning. No taste at all. We wanted to like this place because we love supporting small mom and pop shops, but this was unfortunately disappointing.

    The carpet is filthy they have seat covers over the seats at least the ones that are terrible No I check that back they're all terrible
    M H.

    This some nasty s*** I've already used 10 packs of salt and it's still nasty I don't come from but I'm starving so right now I'm going to eat it when you're very hungry don't go to the grocery store and don't come to tugboat The lady that took my order was nice Don't get me started about the ambience The carpet has 20 years of dirt on it

    This is the chicken strip. I think they striped it of its dignity.
    Carrie J.

    Walk in the door you're greeted by the stale, non circulating air. Not even a fan. It's 88 outside. A woman wanted extra napkins, they only gave her 2. I think you may have to leave your first born to get more. Maybe the kid can. Cook better. Bring your own roll of bounty. Chicken tasted like nothing, the Fish tasted weak, unsavory, flat, dead, unflavored, bland ,tasteless. Yes I went there with the description. fries had zero salt, and I have NEVER in my life seen a straight prawn until I came to this establishment. Two meals was not worth $40. Try your own discretion. Everyone has their own tastes. Enjoy sitting in the booths, and chairs that are probably from a 1978 dennys . Don't wear shorts , you'll get cut by the cracks in them. I'll update my review i get sick from what food we did eat. Three things would help a lot. SEAS-A-NING! (Yeah I did that wrong on purpose.)

    2piece fish & chips
    Arielle G.

    Lived here for almost 10 years and I still haven't tried the local fish & chips. But it was a no-meat Friday, so I was like hey, let's try it out. I had zero expectations going in so I wasn't too disappointed nor was I impressed. The good: 1) Fish was a good size. 2) The breading to fish ratio was perfect. I absolutely hate it when there's so much breading! 3) The fish was cooked perfectly. Another place had rubbery fish so this was already a huge plus for me. 4) I ordered food for pick up and my order was ready in time. The bad: 1) I agree with some Yelpers; both the fish and the fries (and even the tartar sauce) could definitely use some seasoning. Seasoning is everything. 2) The fries were cold and they gave a very small amount. So it wasn't super terrible, but for a place that specializes in fish & chips you'd think they would be good at it... kinda, sorta?

    Fish and scallops
    joey p.

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_PPxeGxAv1/?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng== Simple wonderful fried fish and sides You can't go wrong here

    Vanessa C.

    Came by for lunch with my dad and sister. I've never eaten here but they both have and said it's really good so I was excited to try it out. I got the 2 fish and chips. It was absolutely delicious! Food was fresh and hot! Came with tar tar sauce and malt vinegar. It seriously was so good, some of the best fish and chips I've had. The last at the counter was really friendly. There was plenty of inside seating and the restaurant was nice and clean. :)

    The chips that came with the 8 fish and 6 chicken strips meal
    Jonathan S.

    I haven't been to Tugboat in many years, but yesterday, I decided to stop in for lunch after work because fish and chips sounded good. I decided to order extra food for the kids when they get home from school. I ordered the 8 piece fish and 6 piece chicken that came with fries, side order of clams trips and a large coleslaw. There are quite a few tables to sit down to eat, but I opted for takeout. Ordering was quick and the food was ready fast. The lady that took my order was pleasant. I also want to add that they offer crab cakes, potstickers and lumpia as well. As for the food, it is just mediocre to me. They advertise London Style Fish and Chips and I believe them because they are exactly like fish and chips in London, bland and no flavor. Even just a little salt would help, but whatever fish they used had no flavor as well. The fish is not the traditional filet look, but rather long strips much I thought were chicken strips initially. The chicken strips were also bland and could use some salt. I was warned when I went to London to not eat fish and chips because they are bland and had no flavor, well this definitely reminded me of it. The side of fries clams were pretty good, but the portion size was a little lacking. They did give a ton of fries (chips). I ordered a large coleslaw, but I'm pretty sure they gave me the small, but if it is a large, portion size is also lacking a little. As for dipping sauces, they gave plenty of tartar sauce (fish) and ranch dressing (chicken strips), there was a small container of cocktail sauce for the clam strips. I wish they gave some malt vinegar for takeout, but was not included. Again the tartar sauce and ranch was bland, my son even said it was like they diluted them with water. The kids didn't mind the bland taste of the fish and chicken strips and thought they were decent, but my wife and I definitely feel they are lacking seasoning. Unfortunately, it will probably be many years before I come back as I would rather have the fish and chips and chicken strips from Long John Silver or make it myself.

    They gave me someone's order and it's all unseasonably seafood. How are they even in business
    Wan G.

    This is the most unseasoned fish I have every ate. This is horrible. Totally waste of money and gas to drive the 10 mins it took. You know what's even worst...I tried to look at order and felt like she was ushering me out the door. They actually gave me 2x as much as I order fish and scallops. I got 2 of those and a order of shrimp. They are decent size but still this food had nothing. Because she rushed me..I was hoping that condiments were on there. But just catch up and target...no hot sauce or malt vinegar. How are they even surviving selling this bland food.

    Fried Seafood Combo, delish

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    27 days ago

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    3 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    1 month ago

    You get good food at a decent price. the owners are super nice. I recommend to family and friends.

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    9 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Prices have gone way up!! 18.99 for 3 pcs fish & chips is crazy!! I am not sure if I will be back unfortunately!

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

    It's pretty good order the Alaskan cod. Just your basic fish and chips, it satisfies the craving.

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    2 years ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Been coming here for years .If you like deep frieed sea food this place is excellent.

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    3 years ago

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    7 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    I go here a lot I always order the samething which is the shrimp dinner with regular white it's everytime

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Our order came out fast and hot. The fish was crisp with a tasty batter. My clam strips were excellent - just like we had in New England.

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    2 years ago

    I got the one fish combo. Everything was fresh tasting and delicious. The whole meal was excellent!

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Good fish and a really nice owner. They are my go to place for fish. I like that they have a decent list of meal options.

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    2 years ago

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Tugboat Fish & Chips

    What type of fish do they have?

    It is Swai....

    Is this the same restaurant that used to be in Solano Mall?

    May not be the same owners but yes, it's the same restaurant

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    Falafel & Gyro

    Falafel & Gyro

    4.8
    (511 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    We were in Downtown Vacaville for an event that ended at 8pm and resorted to Yelp for place to eat…read more Falafel & Gyro was still open, just over a mile away; and with a 4.8 Yelp rating, this place intrigued me even more. It was a 5 minute drive, located in a small shopping center. The left side of the store is facing the parking lot while the entrance is on other side. Plenty of parking. We were welcomed by the owner, Safi. Everything on their menu was reasonably priced. I initially ordered the Combo Plate and lamb & beef Gyro; then after I paid, I saw the Philly Cheesesteak and had a craving for that instead. I asked if I could still change my order and pay the difference in cash, Safi changed my order and told me not to worry about the difference. We dined in, a few minutes later our food came with generous portions and absolutely delicious! We were also given orange slices and complimentary baklava. The baklava was so flaky and not soaked in syrup which, I like. I asked if they make their own baklava and was told that it's ordered from Sacramento to support another local business! Thank you Yelp Fam for the recommendation! I too recommend this place if ever in Vacaville.

    Not as impressed as I was when it used to be Falafel Corner. The food portion is just as huge as I…read moreremember, but the food was alright. I got the combo plate; hummus had no flavor but it's probably to balance out the saltiness of the meat. Husband got the falafel plate; falafels were a bit dry. They never had really good ventilation in there, so I suggest taking your food to go.

    Photos
    Empty fridge
    Empty fridge
    Massive portion, tastes soooo great and the owner gave us dessert for free!!
    Massive portion, tastes soooo great and the owner gave us dessert for free!!
    4/4/25 FYI. Exterior

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    4/4/25 FYI. Exterior
    In-N-Out Burger

    In-N-Out Burger

    3.8
    (361 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    In n out is one of our favorites. We love the burgers and animal style fries…read more Service and ambiance similar across locations, and setup for a good experience regardless of which spot you stop at. This location can get super busy and long drive through lines. That is my only reason for a 4 star. Nothing bad to say about the food or quality - just can be a bit longer wait time here than the other locations in woodland and Davis. Recommend in n out!

    Sorry to say I am reluctantly done eating at In-N-Out restaurants…read more After a lengthy drive and stopping for a hopefully pleasant casual lunch it turned into an absolutely awful experience. Finding parking at this location was a nightmare. It's similar to other In-N-Out locations. Not enough and the layout is impossible to navigate. Plus the line for the drive up window blocks many of the available spaces. We, like others, had to park in a parking lot across the street... no doubt that business loves that spillover??? First using the restroom was disgusting. It was filthy, not maintained and way too small for the volume of people. As a model they should know better by now. Does any staff check it occassionally? It was 1:30 on a weekday and they just couldn't keep up with the orders and the lines didn't move and it got incredibly backed up. Folks were getting super irritated. Then the bedlam of finding a place to sit and eat. People hovered over tables waiting for that last bite to grab a place. Children ran around unruly, screaming and yelling (OK, that's a parent issue, but staff should be trained as they walk around to tell them that's not acceptable). Then, the most disappointing part- the food. I'm sorry it's not what it used to be. The volume is apparently sacrificing quality. What happened? Even the fries were soggy and greasy. I should give it one star, but this has been a long standing mainstay for quick quality fast food. Sorry, no more. I left this experience upset and with a lump in my stomach. They had a model that worked but didn't expand the corporate 'mold' to meet the demand.

    Photos
    It's the same stuff.
    It's the same stuff.
    In-N-Out Burger
    2/11/25 Exterior, entrance

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    2/11/25 Exterior, entrance
    Mendocino Farms

    Mendocino Farms

    4.3
    (228 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    We first discovered this place about a year ago and, tbh, we were not immediately impressed…read more.. mostly because we ordered the wrong things, I think... But... The service was incredible. One of us ordered a salad and she did not like the dressing it came with. One of the employees (Willis) overheard her mention it and was Johnny on the spot offering to remake the salad with a different dressing. Months passed and we went back. I immediately noticed how friendly the staff was. Like crazy friendly. Like... maybe they even enjoy their jobs friendly (in food service that is pretty rare). This time Jerry took our order. Super friendly and interactive. I mentioned that he seemed really happy. He informed us that one of his favorite artists was dropping a new album that night and couldn't wait to hear it. We went back a few days later and Jerry was there again. I asked him how he liked the album and then we got into a discussion of music. We discovered we had very similar interests. Anyway, we are now very regular customers. I have met Jerry, Willis, one of their new hires, Miah, and their new Manager, Travis. Every time I go in, if I meet someone new, they are just as friendly as everyone else. I am slowly getting to know them all. Also, I now have my favorites. The Almost Fried Chicken is really good as well as the Chicken Parm. If you are looking for a place with a positive atmosphere and good eats, be sure to put this on your list. I just want to add that I've now been there several times since writing this review and every time, without fail, the interactions have been unbelievably positive. It is SO obvious that they care about their customers. There are people I forgot to mention, also, so wanted to add extra shout-outs to Sierra, one of the managers, who obviously knows how to treat her employees and her customers. And I recently met Brae Lynn who seems to have been a fantastic addition. It's gotten to the point where I'd almost rather eat there than eat at home. In short, if you've had a bad day, head on over to Mendocino Farms and get a shot of positivity. I'm pretty sure that's free. The food is a bonus! Why go to some fast food place where people hate their jobs? We know it. They know it. They know we know it.

    We ordered delivery last weekend and had a really great experience. The food arrived in about 30…read moreminutes, which was faster than expected. The salads were fresh and really good, and we tried a few different sandwiches that were all very tasty and flavorful. Everything tasted fresh and well made. Definitely looking forward to trying the restaurant for dine-in next time!

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    Mendocino Farms
    Mendocino Farms
    Mendocino Farms

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    Tacos Jalisco

    Tacos Jalisco

    4.0
    (403 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $

    This is a locals spot that has obviously been providing very tasty food to Vacaville for decades…read more If you come here you should expect to be full and happy. The food is good and they make you feel welcome. Ambiance is simple and like what you might expect at a well run family owned diner. The restaurant is clean and it is calming to enter. I looked, and every customer appeared to be really enjoying their meal...It had that kind of ambiance. Hospitality is a very welcoming 6 stars. They are attentive and treat you nicer than you expect at a business. The food is served in very generous portions and they make a good, house made, horchata. I recommend ordering some. If grandkids are listening, I say the food is pulled up a bit by you're hospitality. Pico de gallo? A blended maybe cooked tomato chili salsa? Freshly chopped onion and cilantro? The rice is a bit bland, but when combined with the red wet burrito sauce, it is fantastic. I think a drizzle of that sauce should be on the inside of every burrito. I am a foodie, and I am giving you a full five stars overall, but recommend a little more fresh veggie. I only write reviews if establishments are excellent or somehow a disappointment. Tacos Jalisco is excellent and deserves your business.

    I was in Vacaville on business. On my way out the door I paused, (my stomach made me do it) asked…read moremy host if the Mexican spot across the street was any good, and waited to hear his reply: "nah, not really. If you want good Mexican you gotta hit Jalisco". Say less. "Oh, and get their green salsa." Ok, you said a little more but we'll get back to that. I headed out the door and started driving. Soon I realized I didn't actually know where I was going (not unusual for me) and called the host. All sorted out I not only found Tacos Jalisco but got the (green) spot right in front. Valet parking would have been less convenient. Things were looking up. I went full gringo and bought a super burrito. Was it OK? No. Was it good? No. Was it great? Getting there. Was it superb? Warmer. Was it T R A N S C E N D E N T? YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Was the sauce good? Ok, let's not do this again. Yes! The sauce was HELLA GOOD! How good? Let's just say they sell it by the bottle FOR A REASON, primo. For a reason. Did I buy a bottle? Uh, do people come from out of state to buy bottles to freeze? Uh, yes. So yeah, you best believe I copped a bottle. Call the burrito Davíd Blaine because that lil hommie disappeared real quick. (I got the al pastor which was perfect btw. ) The ambiance? I don't know. Do you remember the color of the carpet when you were at the California Lottery's finance office to pick up your Powerball winnings (you picked lump sum)? Then you know what I'm talking about. A lot of tops. Place was clean. Menu's were easy to read. The very nice lady working the register was hella cool and even offered up suggestions when I was vacillating. Lots of dudes in the kitchen so my to-go came out real quick. (Lots of cooks to me means they're doing a brisk business. Which means fresher food. Faster service. Etc. You know the ------ vibes! So all I have now is this bottle of green salsa and the knowledge that refills are only $5.00. For life. Yes they make it fresh every damn day. Stop playing. Maybe I'll see you at Tacos Jalisco when I'm filling up my bottle.

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    Wall Art
    Wall Art
    Tacos Jalisco
    Tacos Jalisco

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    Tugboat Fish & Chips - seafood - Updated August 2026

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