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Fish sandwiches have been making waves in the Bay Area. At the start of the year, San Leandro-based Chinese Bakery & Deli went virtual for its $3.50 fish filet bun. With a crispy fried white fish filet and kewpie mayo served on a freshly baked bun, the sandwich alone has been drawing hours-long lines in an otherwise quiet strip mall. Meanwhile, limited-time fish sandwich offerings at fast-casual chains have also upped the number of seafood-focused options.
Luckily, many restaurants across the Peninsula offer their own variations of a fish sandwich to reel in diners year-round. Here are 10 to try.
Fish filet sandwich, Birdie’s at Mariners Point, Foster City
Located at the Mariner’s Point Golf Center in Foster City, Birdie’s food truck offers a fish sandwich inspired by McDonald’s. Owner Jeremy Cheng describes it as a “homemade, grown-up version” of the fast-food favorite made with hand-breaded cod, American cheese and tartar sauce on a Martin’s potato roll.
The sandwich first gained a following when it was offered at Winner Winner, the now closed fried chicken spot at Hillsdale Shopping Center. Cheng also operates Birdie’s at Stanford Golf, though the site will close in May due to the clubhouse’s impending teardown and renovation. Both locations are open to the public, no golf clubs needed.
Birdie’s at Mariners Point, 2401 E. 3rd Ave., Foster City; 650-573-7888, Instagram: @birdies_mp. Open Monday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fried snapper sandwich, Flavas Jamaican Grill, South San Francisco
Amid its menu of hearty jerk chicken, oxtail and rib plates, Flavas Jamaican Grill also serves up a fried snapper sandwich. A popular fish used in traditional Jamaican escovitch recipes, Flavas’ snapper sandwich features a crispy filet with fresh veggies and tartar sauce, served on a roll with fries or a salad. Other sandwich offerings include a jerk wrap and jerk cheeseburger.
Flavas Jamaican Grill, 200 Grand Ave., South San Francisco; 650-741-6268, Instagram: @flavasjamaicangrillsf. Open Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.
Grilled fish sandwich, Alice’s Restaurant, Woodside
This general store-turned-restaurant has been a pit stop for motorists along Highway 84 since the start of the 20th century. Alice’s prides itself on a scratch-made, locally sourced menu, from microbrews to desserts.
Alice’s grilled fish sandwich includes locally fresh caught cod, lettuce, tomato and onion and comes with a side of chipotle aioli plus housemade potato chips. The sandwich is available daily on the lunch menu.
Alice’s Restaurant, 17288 Skyline Blvd., Woodside; 650-851-0303; Instagram: @aliceswoodside. Open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Captain Hook, Gigi’s, Burlingame
Known for hefty sandwiches piled high with deli cuts, veggies and sauces, Gigi’s is an eatery built around community, said owner Teresa Gee. One of Gigi’s seafood offerings is the Captain Hook, a sandwich of textural contrasts with freshly baked crab cakes, zesty arugula and crunchy potato chips on a soft French roll.
The sandwich started as a weekly Saturday special but soon became a daily menu item thanks to its popularity. A seasonal salmon sandwich is also available on Fridays through Easter.
Gigi’s Cafe, 111 Anza Blvd., Suite 111, Burlingame; 650-344-3355, Instagram: @gigiscafeburlingame. Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
West Coast fish sandwich, Brisbane Lunch Truck, Brisbane
Brisbane Lunch Truck takes a local first, gourmet attitude to comfort food. Its fish sandwich includes grilled, dry-rubbed Alaskan cod with fresh lime gremolata and citrus slaw.
Owner Kristi Yawata infuses Japanese flavors into her dishes where possible, and all entrees come with a side of scratch-made umami potato chips and a freshly baked cookie. As a non-mobile food trailer, the roadside eatery is located at Brisbane Community Park with a patio dining area.
Brisbane Lunch Truck, 250 Visitacion Ave., Brisbane; 415-660-6320, Instagram: @brisbanelunchtruck. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Spicy tuna banh mi, Dinosaurs, Pacifica
Local Vietnamese banh mi chain Dinosaurs can be found in San Francisco, the East Bay and on the coast in Pacifica. The sole seafood option features chunk light tuna tossed with spicy mayo, plus classic banh mi fixings of pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, cilantro, jalapenos and mayo on a French baguette. Fresh spring rolls and specialty drinks like Vietnamese iced coffee and Thai iced tea are also available.
Dinosaurs, 1116 Palmetto Ave., Pacifica; 650-735-5851. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Beer-battered salmon sliders, Godfather’s Burger Lounge, Belmont
This “The Godfather”-themed burger restaurant has been operating from its corner spot along El Camino Real in Belmont since 2009. While burgers are their specialty, the restaurant offers several chicken, seafood and vegetarian options as well as a sliders menu.
Its beer-battered salmon burger sliders include fried Wild Alaskan salmon with greens tossed in basil aioli, tomato, red onion, and homemade tartar-dill sauce. Hungry for more? Sliders can be ordered in sets of two or three sandwiches. Godfather’s also offers a full-size grilled salmon burger topped with crispy onion straws.
Godfather’s Burger Lounge, 1500 El Camino Real, Belmont; 650-637-9257; Instagram: @godfathersburger. Open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuna melt panini, The Toss, San Carlos
The Toss is a neighborhood salad restaurant in San Carlos turning 10 years old this year. The eatery was created around the design your own salad concept and features several house salads.
Sandwiches, such as the tuna melt panini, were added to the menu later on, but have now become a draw for customers, according to owner Tracy Everett. The sandwich comes on freshly baked rosemary focaccia with albacore tuna salad, plus melted Swiss cheese and crunchy lettuce. Order a cup of housemade soup to round out your meal.
The Toss, 677 Laurel St., San Carlos; 650-486-1479, Instagram: @thetosssc. Open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fish burger, The Bay Fish & Chips, Sunnyvale
The Bay Fish & Chips is a classic fry shop that has been a fixture in Sunnyvale’s Civic Square Shopping Center since 1989. Its fish burger is served with mayo and shredded lettuce on a sesame seed bun. Several combinations of seafood and fries are also available for fish and chip cravings, including shrimp, scallops, calamari, clams and oysters.
The Bay Fish & Chips, 2042 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale; 408-245-0988. Open Monday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.
Bang Bang Spicy Shrimp po’boy, Nola, Palo Alto
Nola offers a taste of the Big Easy in the heart of downtown Palo Alto. The two-level restaurant boasts a sizable menu of New Orleans-inspired appetizers, small plates and classic entrees such as jambalaya and etouffee, plus a selection of po’ boy sandwiches.
Its Bang Bang Spicy Shrimp po’boy includes crispy shrimp battered in Crystal hot sauce and cornmeal, topped with remoulade and served fully dressed with lettuce, tomato and pickles.
Nola, 535 Ramona St., Palo Alto; 650-328-2722, Instagram: @nolapaloalto. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (bar until 11 p.m.), Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (bar until 1 a.m.), Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (bar until 1 a.m.) and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (bar until 10 p.m.)
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