“The best Fish & Chips in the Universe” is a big claim. Ocean Foods claims just that. Not just Sydney, not just NSW or Australia, or the World but the Universe. It almost throws out a challenge to the stomach inclined to test it out. So one swelteringly hot Sunday this Summer we did just that. Awarded the best outstanding seafood outlet 15 years in a row, is Ocean Foods situated in Lyons Road in Drummoyne (if only it were closer to a beach!).
The lines are almost as famous as the fish & chips with reports of the line snaking around the counter down to the cafe two doors down. We’re lucky this Sunday night, well in a relative sense, in that the line doesn’t stretch quite that far but it’s still long nevertheless and standing in the queue which is about 30 people deep I’m waiting for about 10 minutes for my order to be taken and 5-10 minutes for the order itself. I take the time to examine the menu. It’s huge, ranging from sushi and sashimi and cold seafood to the deep fried stuff with almost everything you could deep fry except for the Mars Bars. There’s also a whole grilled fish which I wanted to order (from $12.95-$15.95) but am persuaded to order the salt and pepper calamari ($8.90). The guy behind the counter tells me “it’s smaller but I enjoy it so much more”. I also have stomach capacity for salt and pepper calamari and will go almost to the ends of the earth to find a good one. I also order the classic Fish & Chips ($10.50) and 2 potato scallops (one of my childhood favourite treats) $1.20 each or 4 for $4.40.
I stand off to the side, there’s much yelling, clanking and organised chaos. Well actually I wasn’t sure if it were organised and for a moment there I actually wondered whether I would get my order or not. The owner yells out to the guy that took my order about his forgotten calamari (mine) and he appears. He puts it all together and I get my steaming hot packets of fish. I take these outside to my husband who has been patiently holding a table outside for us and we tear open the paper bags.
The crowd outside is mixed, there are some families but it’s mostly guys who drive doof doof cars. The outside tables and chairs are clean but situated very close together who despite the no smoking signs light up after their meals.
Salt and pepper Calamari $8.90
The salt and pepper calamari, little tubes cut with little ridges are delicious. Melt in the mouth and absolutely perfectly seasoned I am glad that I ordered these. They’re tinged slightly orange although they are bereft of a chili taste.
Fish & Chips $10.50
The fish & chips are a large serve of delicious chips and 1 long piece of battered fish. The fish is a bit on the side of bland (I often find this with fish that’s used for Fish and chips) but the chips are delicious. The potato scallops are good although my husband finds these a bit too greasy. He’s a potato scallop aficionado having had many after a surf growing up. It is a bit greasy but nicely battered and fresh.
I strike a deal with my husband that he can have the rest of the fish and chips in exchange for what little is left of the Salt and pepper calamari. Reluctantly he agrees and I blissfully pop the last pieces in my waiting mouth.
Ocean Foods
154 Lyons Road, Drummoyne, NSW (corner Gipps Street)
Tel: +61 (02) 9181 4336
Cash only
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43 Comments | Add your own
WWow that looks so good. and Im not a big fish eater either. Interesting to read about these nice restaurant you visit. Pity I can’t visit them too. Well maybe someday
“I stand off to the side, there’s much yelling, clanking and organised chaos.”
Sounds like Friday Fish Fry Nite in Buffalo
My friend lives right near there in Abbotsford and I’ve driven past Ocean foods and wondered about their ‘best in the universe’ claim many times.
Lol to ‘doof doof’ cars. So true! – Although you need to go to Brighton Le Sands for the real deal
oh wow. those look absolutely lovely. one of my favourite foods is fish and chips. what kinda of fish was it btw?
I’ve been there a number of times, as a friend lives in the area.
Generally good, though I’ve had a very bad experience with soft shelled crab once. The salt & pepper squid isn’t something I’ve had before but I might give it a go now.
Seafood salad is worthy of mention, at least for me.
You know, I actually do a pretty good job at staying away from fried foods. But there’s one thing I just can’t resist, and that’s fried calamari. YUM
The calamari sounds and looks delectable, but what about the claim “best fish and chips”? Did it live up to it?
I should really learn to leave my foodblog stalking until after breakfast ^^;;
That’s nice of your husband to let you have the calamari
What’s a doof doof car?
A doof doof car is generally a Monaro with a fully sick sub-woofer, mate ;p
Hmmm it is very hard to find the perfect fish and chips. I’m also a potato scallop/potato cake aficionado and find the very greasy ones revolting, but then on the other hand I also loathe the undercooked-still-raw-potato ones, ack.
So did they live up to their claim?
I’ve been to this place quite often.The food is nice.Several weeks ago I had there fish burger
& yum,fresh grilled fish fish seasoned with tangy mayo & a soft bun.
I have never been there but can’t imagine they can beat my local.(Mediterranean Seafood 31 Rooty Hill Rd, Rooty Hill)
I have never had fish & chips done so well before, not even when I lived in Manly!
It does look yum though.
Nothing beats good fish and chips! Those salt and pepper calamari look really delicious too.
I’d pick the calamari over the fish and chips every time!!!
ohh I must say the calamari looks amazing! I’m a sucker for salt and pepper calamari
I often drive past this place and it always looks so crowded, which is a good sign, I suppose. I went in once but it was madness in there, and my fish and chips weren’t so great.
I had assumed it was one of those trendy places that people go to because ‘it’s the place to go’. Sounds like they get the calamari right, though!
doof doof cars – who knew!
mmm that calamari looks deelish! I would love to see a NQN recipe for salt & pepper squid/calamari please
Haha re: Red Neon Hearts’ comment, I think you’ll find doof-doof is more Jap ricer cars. Monaros have more class than that LOL. Anyway I think Drummoyne’s doof-doof is still relatively tame compared to Church St Parramatta!
But I digress – those salt’n'pepper calamari looks mouthwatering – almost worth the queues!
I used to live just down the road and it’s one of the best fish and chip shops I have come across
we used to get ours takeaway and go down the road to the water and enjoy it with the sun setting. Fave is the grilled fish and the oysters kilpatrick *yum*
ooohhh… The calamari just looks mouth-watering-ly yummy!
Doof doof car…now that’s a new Australianism for me. The calamari looks amazing….makes me wanna try to make it….17,000 km is a long way to travel for it….
That all looks very appetizing! I only love fish & chips if it is done to perfection!And I am sure it will! Then it is a real delicatesse!!
Those calamari pieces do look sooooo goodddd!!! OOhh haha long queues always remind me of Asia, esp the Jap, they LOVE their queues hee hee
LOL at doof doof nubs
Hi snooky doodle-Maybe one day you’ll visit our sunny shores?!
Hi Beth-Yes it does sound like it indeed!
Hi Christie-It’s a big claim indeed. Oddly enough, I try and stay away from the doof doofs although we sometimes even get them here!
Hi C-That’s a good question! Sometimes places will write down what the fish of the day is but I didn’t see any sign and I didn’t ask (it was crazy busy). I really should ask though…
Hi Simon-I didn’t see the soft shell crab on the menu, is it s special? Will keep the seafood salad in mind but I definitely need to have another serve of S&P calamari!
Hi Sara-Me too, I know it’s really bad for your health in so many ways but it’s so good …
Hi Chris-Sadly not although I can’t imagine a bigger claim as I found the fish on the bland side but the chips were really good. They ought to mention the S&P calamari instead!
Hi Arwen-Luckily for food he is into quantity
Hi Meridith-It’s a sportscar (or a wannabe one), usually populated by many youths, probably on a provisional license with a sub woofer blasting dance music with the windows down driving past slowly. Despite the desire to entice women however the doof doof car repulses us
Hi Red Neon Hearts-Yes true, you know much more about car models than me who goes by car colour
Oh yes potato should never bite back! Never! 
Hi Anna-Oh very nice! I love a good burger and fish burgers are nice with a super soft bun and mayo
Hi DevilishDamsel-Aha, a recommendation? Good to know if I’m in the area
Hi Bria-Yes F&C is so simple but so good
Hi Carolyn-Yep, I will from now on, I think I just wanted to test their claim
Hi Alexandra-Yes me too. It’s such a mouth watering seasoning
Hi arista-The crowds are big yes! I really wondered if my order was going to be lost at some stage
Hi Barbara-Do you get those around your area?
Hi Kathy-I will do one when I get a hold of deep fat fryer or a friend gets one. I’m too scared otherwise
Hi Karen-Ahh yes you know your car models too. I only know a few brands, certainly not models. Yes it probably is tame compared to Parramatta
Hi Fi-I noticed there were so many people getting takeaway. If we lived closer I would have although it’s probaby a good thing I don’t live closer. That calamari is so tempting!
Hi foodie-central-It was, I was craving it days later. Even looking at the picture of it makes me hungry
Hi Anne-There are probably other terms for it but that’s what we call it (the sound of the sub woofer being the “doof doof” sound). Alas yes it does seem a long way to travel!
Hi Sophie-Yes there’s nothing worse than bad fish and chips! I won’t eat bad ones, I wouldn’t waste the calories on it
Hi Ffichiban-Yes true, the queues are usually a good sign. Like not wanting to eat in an empty restaurant! Haha don’t tell me you’ know some?
We ate a ton of fish this weekend. Now I want more!
Come by for pie week!
The calamari looks AMAZING!
i had calamari once and didn’t particularly care for the chewiness factor. however, the ones you’ve pictured here look pretty darn appetizing!
These pictures are making me homesick for fish and chips.Your prices are wayyyy inexpensive!!! I would have loved to be in on this outing!
Oh the calamari looks so good. It’s hard to pass up calamari.
Hi Blond Duck-Love the pecan pie!
Hi Pigpigscorner-Just looking at me makes me want to go back
Hi grace-Ahh yes that sounds like calamari not done well. When done properly, it’s not chewy at all
Hi Nazarina-The prices there are pretty reasonable I have to say. Sorry to make you homesick!
Hi The Duo Dishes-It is hard, I don’t think I’ve ever said no to S&P calamari
Have you tried Fine Fish in Neutral Bay – it’s a little closer to home for you, and imho a little better too.
Hi Wayfarer-Oh I haven’t tried it, thanks for the rec as it’s much closer to home!
Add it to your list of places to try – the restaurant above the shop is worth a visit if you don’t fancy take out – I’m a sucker for their smoked salmon dip, try to keep a tub in the fridge…enjoy!
There is a fish and chip shop near Tom Ugly’s bridge that claims it has the best fish and chips in Sydney (apparently voted by Sydney listeners from a popular radio show). But then your see this shop with it’s bold claims and you think how can anyone beat the best in the universe?
Hi Wayfarer-Could it be that there are some great places to eat near me? Good to know!
Hi Forager-Ah cool, would you know its name? Hehe yes best in the universe is a very, very big claim indeed
I go there all the time for fish and chips. I seirously travel all the way form the eastern suburbs to go get my battered fish =P
LOVE IT!
Hi Leona-Wow, that’s dedication!
Do you order the regular fish and chips or something else?
I have been going here since it opened with my mum in 1985- best place i’ve been to. full stop!
if you aren’t happy with something, go in and see Mary, Maria or George and they’ll fix it up for you!
WORST SERVICE Takeaway I have ever been to. Staff don’t even acknowledge you.
Oceans foods has a fascist stance on their menu settings and rude staff to boot.
I asked for the meal deal but wanted to “upgrade” my chips from the miserable thin ones to the proper fish-and-chips-style thick ones. Of course, I offered to pay the difference. As though it costs more to cut chips thick anyway!?
Who wants Fish and Thin Chips??
The staff said they could not upgrade the chips. That it was impossible. Like trying to ride a bicycle to the moon – but even more difficult. Despite all efforts, they refused to take more money from me in exchange for the thick chips. Despite the fact that the chips were already in the container. They are, after all, just the same potatoes but cut thicker. It really is not complicated order or an extraordinary request.
The fish was okay, certainly nothing special. The batter, I’ve had a lot better. The thin chips were awful. As usual with thin chips they were crispy and soaked in oil. The location is dreadful, on a dull and dreary corner with nothing to look at but the traffic going by. The seating was terrible, metal bench seats which do not move and were too close to the table to fit my baby carrier – so I had to sit side-ways.
Ocean Foods is certainly no competition whatsoever for the Fish Markets! If you are looking for the Best Fish And Chips In the Universe, then you will be extremely disappointed with the thin, crispy oil-soaked chips which come as standard. Avoid! Because they won’t even let you pay the difference and have the thick chips instead! You will have to pay for the fish and the chips separately.
In summary, a customer offers to pay more money for more stuff, which means a happy customer and more profits – but Ocean Foods don’t have button on the till for that and their staff are not trusted enough to make deals.
It was upsetting to have to crunch through those pathetic thin chips. Never, ever, again!
Believe me, you do not have to walk far to find a much better place to eat.
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