Month: August 2021

Best Catch Secret Fish N’ Chips, Provincetown

Fish n’ chips at The Squealing Pig, Provincetown. Photo credit: Mike Shaw.

by Mike Shaw (September 1, 2021)

During a recent long weekend in Ptown, I embarked on a culinary adventure seeking out the best fish n’ chips in town.  Well, that is, the best ‘catch‘ secret fish n’ chips among the several restaurants which I patronized! It’s quite difficult to imagine dining anywhere in Ptown – or the Cape, for that matter – and having an unsatisfactory meal.  

Having visited Ptown many times over the years, I continue to be surprised and delighted by its diverse food scene.  In a town most famous for its arts and culture, Ptown has a unique culinary history, too.  It’s the town where Anthony Bourdain got his start.  He spent a season living and working with other restaurant workers one summer, and it’s that gig that turned him onto the food scene.  According to a June 2018 Cape Cod Times article, “Bourdain went from washing dishes at The Flagship to learn-on-the-job cooking positions there and at Ciro & Sal’s, both owned by Ciro Cozzi.”

In Ptown, there are so many restaurants and cafés, it’d take a full season to visit them all! Covering both the East and West End neighborhoods, I selected four restaurants to begin the critical research necessary towards finding an answer in this fish n’ chips quest.

Fish n’ chips at Pepe’s Wharf. Photo credit: Mike Shaw.

Pepe’s Wharf

My first visit was lunch at Pepe’s Wharf.  https://pepeswharf.com/

Pepe’s Wharf is one of the town’s premier waterfront dining venues, just a 5 minute walk from Macmillan Pier overlooking Provincetown Harbor.  On a nice day, you can enjoy your meal on one of two decks.  During the peak season, you can expect to wait up to an hour for a seat at the popular outdoor bar on the second floor.  The fish n’ chips is priced at $24 which includes fries and cole slaw.

Fanizzi’s Restaurant

My second visit was dinner at Fanizzi’s.  https://fanizzisrestaurant.com/

About a 15 minute walk from the center of town, Fanizzi’s is a gem located in the East End and redefines waterfront dining as it literally stands above the water! It is open year round and offers a daily “Early Bird Special” from 4:30-6:00 p.m., which includes a starter and several entree options for less than $20.  The fish n’ chips is priced at $21 and includes fries and cole slaw.

Fish n’ chips at Fanizzi’s Restaurant. Photo credit: Mike Shaw.

The Squealing Pig

My third visit was lunch at The Squealing Pig.  https://squealingpigpubs.com/

The Squealing Pig is one of the most centrally located spots in town – a few minutes walk from MacMillan Pier – and provides a casual dining atmosphere.  It has a sister property in Boston and is open year round.  Channeling a pub-like aura, it has an expansive bar where you can dine and watch your favorite game and chat with the friendly bar staff.  The fish n’ chips is priced at $20 and includes fries and cole slaw.  

Fish n’ chips at Ross’s Grill. Photo credit: Mike Shaw.

Ross’s Grill

My fourth, and final, visit was dinner at Ross’s Grill.  https://rossgrillptown.com/

Tucked away on the second floor of Whaler’s Wharf, Ross’s Grill is a cozy European-style bistro which offers beautiful views of Provincetown Harbor and (limited) outdoor seating.  It is open year round and reservations are a must, especially during peak season. 

The fish n’ chips is priced at $20 and includes fries and cole slaw.

Now, the verdict (drumroll, please)!  While I genuinely enjoyed each of my dining experiences throughout this culinary odyssey, one spot stood out to me in terms of the quality and quantity of fish n’ chips served.  As of today, if someone asked me for a fish n’ chips recommendation in Ptown, my answer would be:  The Squealing Pig!  

If I discover that future fish n’ chip dishes give The Squealing Pig a run for its money, I’ll report back!

Picnicking at Cobie’s Clam Shack Brewster

Cobie’s unassuming sign off Route 6A.
Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

by Jeff Shaw, August 6, 2021

I’ve always been a fan of dining outdoors. While being seated outside at a fancy restaurant is usually enjoyable, I’m talking about picnicking, especially on Cape Cod beaches. As appreciation for the outdoors grows, especially in the area of dining and socializing, it may not be a surprise to hear, as the New York Times writes, “…and so we are living, it seems, in the golden age of the picnic.”

For decades, my family would regularly alternate between ‘pizza on the beach’ (Ridgevale Beach, Chatham; Nantucket Sound facing) or ‘fried seafood on the beach’ (Nauset Beach, Orleans; Atlantic Ocean facing) on summer evenings. In Nauset Beach’s case, the restaurant was Liam’s (of course it was!); the pizza rotated between George’s (Harwich Port), New England Pizza House #3 (Chatham), and Sweet Tomatoes (Chatham).

With a young family, nowadays we tend to migrate toward Cape Cod Bay (at low tide) for our beach escapades. A recent restaurant discovery checked two boxes of our goals to 1) dine outdoors, picnic-style and 2) dine near the beach. Cobie’s Clam Shack checks both boxes. Indeed, Cobie’s is our new ‘fried seafood near the beach’ (Linnell Landing Beach, Brewster; Cape Cod Bay facing). 

Cobie (I assume) sharing today’s specials.
Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Since 1948, Cobie’s has been in business along bustling route 6A in Brewster. That would be 74 years of operation for those keeping score. The restaurant is close to Nickerson State Park and a five-minute drive from Stony Brook Park, home of Cape Cod Baseball League’s Brewster Whitecaps (currently playoff bound as the #1 seed in the East). A paved recreational path even connects the restaurant parking lot to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. 

As a clam shack of yesteryear, the seating is completely outdoors, with a mix of covered patio tables and open air picnic tables in front and behind the building. There are two windows (and likely lines) to order from – one for food; the other for ice cream.  

Cobie’s fried clam strip plate. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

During a recent visit, we were the last customers to order dinner. Despite a few lingering ice cream seekers, we basically had the entire outdoor patio to ourselves. And while the hour was approaching closing time, our food was not compromised. In fact, it was hot, fresh and plentiful. 

The fried scallop plate had over a dozen sea scallops; with a crispy exterior, and juicy and soft interior. The fries were crispy and hot. The vinegar-based cole slaw was cold with a peppery kick, a delightful contrast to the steaming fried food. Previous trips involved plentiful fried clams, strips and clam chowder. No grievances have ever been filed.

“So Cape Cod,” was a customer’s reaction to seeing this curious parking job. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Cobie’s provides a comfortable, quick (for Cape Cod standards) and enjoyable casual outdoor dining experience – especially for picnic seekers. Just make sure you order before 7:30 p.m., their somewhat curious closing time.