Smiths Authentic British Fish and Chips - Balmoral Plaza

Smiths has been on our must try list for a while but when we realized how close it was to us after an appointment we decided to visit for dinner a little earlier than planned once the appointment was complete. It is standard authentic British food and while there was a price point to it I think it was worth every penny bc where are you going to find cod filet the size of your arm anywhere near us! 😅 The standard filet is a good size. Well worth for a quality imported fish and fried to perfection not needing any curry sauce! This is not sponsored, simply following a craving and paying attention to the service with care. We came in the last hour of operation on a Monday night and everything was piping hot and fresh. Huge thank you to the evening staff for taking such amazing care of us and accomodating our late dinner around 8:15p! (Last order is at 9) I dont have any formal complaints first time around. The food was hot, came out in a standard time for dine-in. Service was phenomenal and we asked for to-go boxes once 9p came around so we didnt extend our stay so staff could close up. Great experience!

The food is not too bad but not the best fish and chips. The chips are nice but it does not come with tartar sauce you need to pay for it $1.60. Although the vinegar and salt is not bad. The ketchup is diluted so it flows easily. I prefer thick ketchup. The fish is nice although the portion is not that big. The coleslaw is delicious but expensive. I don’t really enjoy the steak pie as much. It’s closing soon and since it’s a mixed bag I’ll give it 4/5 stars

This is a self-service spot, so no service fee is charged. You place your order at the counter, collect your own food, and return the trays afterward. However, there’s no complimentary water provided—only ketchup, chili, and BBQ sauces available for self-serve. The restaurant itself could really use a revamp. Everything feels old and somewhat grimy. Indoors, there’s a lingering fried smell, which explains why most diners prefer the outdoor seating. Unfortunately, eating outside comes with another downside: pigeons constantly hovering and fighting for scraps of food. Alcohol is served, but only until 6:30 pm sharp. One suggestion for the owners: consider putting up a clear sign to remind customers to return their trays—it would help keep things more orderly. As for the food, it’s far from premium. I tried the small portion of cod fish, which tasted frozen, while the halibut was only marginally better. The chips were the standard variety—soggy, bland, and almost completely unsalted—not to my liking at all. Overall, the experience was disappointing, and I won’t be returning.

I recently visited this restaurant, known for its authentic British fish and chips, after seeing a Facebook post about its impending closure. We decided to make time for a visit on a Sunday evening, hoping to support the establishment. Unfortunately, our experience left much to be desired. The restaurant was not too crowded, which allowed for a relaxed atmosphere. However, the service did not live up to expectations. After ordering, we eagerly awaited our meal, but what arrived was far from the authentic experience we had hoped for. We ordered the cod and halibut fish and chips, along with a fish pie. While the menu advertised authenticity, the food did not deliver. The batter on the fish was disappointing—it dropped off easily and lacked flavor. To our dismay, the cod was cold in the center, raising concerns about whether it was properly cooked. My kids opted for the fish pie, but when I tried it, I found it cold as well. I took it back to the counter, and the staff was kind enough to heat it up and add extra cheese. However, this gesture did not significantly improve our experience. Overall, the food was bland. We found ourselves reaching for salt to enhance the flavors, which might be a good option for those watching their sodium intake, but it shouldn't be necessary for a dish that should shine on its own. The mushy peas were also wet and tasteless, requiring additional seasoning to make them palatable. The total bill came to $110, including two Guinness, which felt steep given the quality of the food. I am confident that we could find much better fish and chips elsewhere. In summary, our visit the restaurant was disappointing. While we wanted to support a local business, the lack of flavor and quality in the food made it hard to recommend. If you're looking for authentic British fish and chips, I suggest exploring other options.

Ordered the Halibut - super oily. Didn’t do any justice to the dish. That was $30. Love the chips as it’s thick style but the thicker ones was quite uncooked inside. It’s raw. Not fluffy as they advertise to be. The Steak pie had good chunks of beef but not a fully filled pie. Just a few pieces. We dined outside as we didn’t want to reek of fried food. The tables were dusty from the roadside. Overall, we only enjoyed the smaller pieces of chips and coleslaw - a small tub for $9. Just a once off try. Mostly likely won’t be back again.