There’s a new seafood restaurant which opened in downtown Arlington last June: Flying Fish. It’s fast-casual and great for a quick lunch or evening hanging out with family/friends. Whether you’re going for the Poor Boy Loafs, fried catfish, Ceviche, or boiled platters of shrimp/crawfish/crab legs, check out Flying Fish.
Flying Fish
300 E. Abram St (downtown Arlington, between Center St. & Collins)
Hours: 11am-10pm daily
(817) 303-3335
http://flyingfishinthe.net/Arlington.php
Flying Fish is fast-casual: you order at the counter and dispense your own drinks. One wall is full of those fake “Billy Bass” singing fishes (don’t worry, they’re not turned on). In fact, it’s the World’s First Billy Bass Adoption Center: bring that stupid plastic singing fish you got as a gift several years ago, fill out the adoption papers and put it on the wall at Flying Fish in exchange for a basket of fried catfish!
You can also add to the “Liar’s Wall” which is photos of people with their prize catches on recent fishing trips. I’ve never caught anything big enough to put on Liar’s Wall.
There’s also this funny sign on another wall: “We love kids, but please keep yours at the table…unattended children will be given a shot of espresso and a free puppy!”
Gotta love the sense of humor at this place!
They’re joking about the kids, of course. Definitely bring the family (they do a good business on weekends, especially on Sunday after church.
A couple of the specials include: Sunday’s Preacher Special (50-cent oysters-on-the-half-shell all day Sunday); and Wednesday’s All-U-Can-Eat Catfish Filets ($14.95).
For fried foods, they use 100% Peanut Oil.
The Kids’ Menu (called Kids’ Boats) are $3.99 (ages 12 & under) and include fries, drink, and your choice of: kid burger, 1 catfish filet, 2 jumbo shrimp, 2 chicken strips, or chicken sandwich.
Of course, if you really want to freak out the kids, order the fried Crispy Frog Legs ($9.99)!
The Poor Boor Loafs (includes fries & hush puppies) range from $7.99 to $9.99 and include choice of catfish, shrimp, oyster, chicken, tilapia, BBQ shrimp, crawfish or grouper.
For the non-seafood lovers, there are burgers, chicken tenders, and salads.
Can’t decide between the fried oysters or catfish or shrimp or chicken strips? Get the Combo Baskets ($5.99 to $14.99).here’s also the “Hog Wallow Fry” ($15.99, probably the best value) which includes 2 catfish fillets, 4 shrimp, and 6 fried oysters.
The most expensive of the boiled platters is the Snow Crab Legs (1 lb) for $14.99. The hot-boiled shrimp (my husband’s favorite) is $13.99 for 1 lb. Mud bugs (okay, crawfish) are served in-season by the pound.
Something you don’t find in every seafood restaurant: Grits & Gumbo (my mom usually order this) for $7.99.
Trying to be a litter healthier than the fried foods or Poor Boys? The grilled plates selections include catfish, rainbow trout, salmon, tilapia, snapper, grouper, chicken, BBQ shrimp, or shrimp ka-bob. Add Veracruz sauce to any of the grilled fish for only $1.29 extra. The Snapper Veracruz (fried whole red snapper w/rice & veggies, covered in Veracruz sauce) is $13.99. Fish tacos (grilled tilapia or fried catfish) are $9.99 and come with cole slaw, rice & beans.
One thing I’d like to recommend (and what I usually get for a light lunch) is the Crawfish Chowder ($3.99 cup/$5.99 bowl). Yes, I enjoy the Seafood Gumbo, but the crawfish chowder is when you’re in the mood for something a little different (and equally delicious!).
If you like shrimp cocktails ($7.49), try the Mexican Shrimp Cocktail ($7.99) which has a little zesty kick. I haven’t tried the Ceviche ($7.99) just yet (maybe next trip).
More interested in adult beverages? Yes, you can get beer, wine & margaritas here. Beer on tap is $2.75/$3.75 and bottled beer ($2.95/$3.95). You can also get a 6-pack bucket ($14.99/$18.99). Wine is available by the glass; Frozen margaritas are $5 (regular) or $8 for the 18 oz.
Only four choices of dessert, but they’re tried-and-true: Key Lime pie, banana pudding, bread pudding, and cobbler.
(Note: all prices listed are from menu as of January, 2012)
Click here to see the full menu: http://flyingfishinthe.net/Arlington_Menu.php
LOCATION: in downtown Arlington at 300 E. Abram Street, at the corner of Elm and Abram. For a Google map/directions, click here: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=300+E.+Abram+St+Arlington,+TX+76010&sll=40.718572,-73.995174&sspn=0.013222,0.033023&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=300+E+Abram+St,+Arlington,+Texas+76010&view=map
It doesn’t get more family oriented than this seafood restaurant. The menu looks great and I’m sure the atmosphere is even better. Can’t wait to come back and see more comments.