Scalawags Whitefish & Chips
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Scalawags Whitefish & Chips
Review
About
Scalawags Whitefish & Chips is a locally owned and operated Northern Michigan tradition. We are a quick-service, casual seafood dining establishment featuring the freshest Whitefish, Perch, and Walleye harvested from the Great Lakes. Scalawags is open from late April through October each year. For more than 30 years, families and groups have planned their vacations and trips to Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island around a meal at Scalawag's Whitefish and Chips. Whether dining in or taking your meal out for a lake-view picnic, we are dedicated to serving the freshest Great Lakes Whitefish around.
Features
CUISINES
American, Seafood, British
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
PRICE
$$ - $$$
FEATURES
Black-owned, LGBTQIA+-owned
Accepts Credit Cards
American Express
Digital Payments
Discover
Dog Friendly
Free off-street parking
Free Wifi
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Mastercard
Non-smoking restaurants
Seating
Street Parking
Takeout
Television
Visa
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Free off-street parking, Street Parking
Is this a British restaurant?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 11:00 AM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Contribute
4.4
36 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
9
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Fay S
4 contributions
Oct 2024 • family
The food tasted great the only issue was that the hush puppies were a little hard. The inside dining area is very small and cramped for space. People kept coming in the exit door instead of the entrance door to get in line to order their food even though there are signs saying entrance order here that just shows that people don't take the time to read signs telling them where to go. The bathroom ran out toilet paper and the staff was very quick to fix the issue.
Written October 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cruiser2951
8 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
Our hotel recommended this place and gave us a coupon to use. They have some tables outside as well as indoor. You order at the counter and are given a number. You help yourself to the pop machine with refills and they bring your food to you when ready. The young man working was very busy delivering food and clearing/ cleaning tables. Prices were reasonable. We split a 3 piece white fish dinner. Not a huge portion, but it was enough. Coleslaw was very small. Cute place tucked in behing the main street.
Written July 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MGQ
Buffalo554 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
This restaurant was recommended to us by the ticket seller at the ferry dock. She is a local and told us the fish at Scalywags is as fresh as you will find.
We went and loved our dinner.
It is a "walk in and order at the desk" restaurant. Choose your own seat and your dinner will be brought to you. The menu is small but if you like white fish, there are many varieties of amounts to order. The restaurant is small but cozy.
Written November 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan
19 contributions
Aug 2022 • none
Went to Scalawags for fish sandwich. Heard it has new owner. We were not impressed. We ordered the fish sandwich and it was pieces of fish they tried to make into a patty, was not good. When we got there we were looking at the menu board and the man that was behind the regisiter never said a word to us so we sat down and waited . Asked another customer she said you had to go place your order. So went back up to cashier, still no acknowledgment . Finally put in our order and he told us don't forget the tip! Sat down they call your number and bring your food and it took him 3 steps to serve it. Will not go back there again.
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norm F
Valparaiso66 contributions
Jun 2024 • couples
This is our go to place for whitefish when we're visiting Mackinaw City. We get generous portions of nicely cooked fish, fries, and coleslaw. We usually sit outside with our fur person. Service is prompt and courteous and the meal is always delicious.
Written June 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas M
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • friends
This is the best place in Mackinaw City to get white fish or perch bar none. Service is fast, fish is perfectly prepared and portion sizes are fantastic. We chat with the owner everytime we visit, it's a great and friendly place.
Written August 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gram58
Jefferson48 contributions
May 2023 • couples
What a wonderful fine in Mackinaw City!! We had the fish and chips and it was delicious!! Native whitefish was perfectly fried. I’m picky about hush puppies and these were the real thing!! We were delighted to see sweet tea - we’re from the south and love our sweet tea! The tartar sauce is homemade and very, very good. The decor is amazing and the owner is extremely friendly!! Don’t pass this up!
Written May 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah B
17 contributions
Aug 2022 • none
With a name like Scalawag, you know you just HAVE to stop for a bite. What I didn't expect was a fish N chips that rivals any that I had in either UK or Ireland.... and I've had a lot of different fish N chips over the pond.
The owner was welcoming, chatting with each customer with out holding up the line and then made sure he came out to personally check that everyone was enjoying their meal. We brought our own Malt Vinegar (didn't know they supply a bottle on each table), and he got a huge kick out of that.
We will seriously think about a weekend trip just to go back for another meal, it's that good.
Written August 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fritomann
Portage Lakes267 contributions
Jul 2022 • solo
Whitefish was advertised and whitefish was what I wanted. With chips.
I feel like I know what whitefish should be like. I've enjoyed the Michigan specialty from Muskegon to Charlevoix to Sault Ste Marie, so this scalawags rendition was a huge disappointment.
Restaurant food in Mackinaw City has always been disappointing. This was right in line.
Fritomann says you should bring along your own food to snack on when in Mackinaw.
Written July 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tfz001
Fairview Park1 contribution
Sep 2023 • family
Scalawags has been a Fish & Chips restaurant in Mackinaw City for c decades. It is in an alcove. It has seating for about 30 people inside and another 20 on the patio. There is takeout as well. I ordered the White fish basket. My wife had a cup of the chowder. The white fish was lightly breaded and fried, but not oily or greasy. The fries were seasoned. Both were delicious! The chowder was full of clams and potatoes with a wonderful cream base. A true bargain! Highly recommended!
Written September 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
grannyr24
Marquette68 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
During our travels we always stop here for lunch or dinner during the summer. Staff is very pleasant and quick. On this trip we felt the fish was a little greasy compared to our other visits. This may have been due to the busy volume of fish frying and oil not as hot as usual. I agree the hush puppies were overcooked.
Written June 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SharonB231
Toledo1219 contributions
Aug 2022 • friends
This is a nice restaurant where you can eat indoors or outside. They have whitefish, perch , walleye, shrimp and chicken and clam chowder. You order at counter and they bring food to you. Food was hot and delicious fried fish. A nice choice for a meal!
Written August 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drprincesskaren
Heathsville54 contributions
Jul 2022 • none
Recommended as a great place for fish and chips. We tried both the perch and whitefish. The perch was excellent, not too much batter nor heavy fry taste. Service was fast and friendly, great outdoor seating and water dish for the dogs. You just walk in, order, and grab a seat anywhere indoor or out and enjoy. Very casual and enjoyable.
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Russell S
11 contributions
Aug 2022 • couples
Good food good atmosphere eat inside or outside.can be hard to find tucked away off sidewalk behind other buildings.
Walk in order and sit down and food brought to your table
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronald K
Ohio7 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
Ok, yesterday we had white fish basket. It was 5 star. Today we had White fish chowder it too is 5 start. I had walleye and I love walleye. I only gave it a 4 star because it was fried with skin on. That makes it taste strong. Would be much better in a beer batter with skin off. Hush puppies were very good. The slaw very good. The fries are fries.
I know they really want 5 stars but I have to be honest. I highly recommend this place.
Ron from Lancaster, Ohio
Written August 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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