I have an extreme weakness for fish and chips.

Maybe it was all those childhood Fridays during lent when we couldn’t eat meat and ended up at the local fish and chips dive. But, there is something completely homey about a dinner that involves battered fish, fries and coleslaw.

That is not to say that all fish and chips are created equally. In fact, I would have to say that a truly great fish and chips place is most definitely hard to find.

We ended up at Dick’s Fish & Chips in Campbell River recently mostly because we heard there was a herd of harbour seals that hang out at the Quadra Island Ferry Terminal dock, totally wanted to check them out, and got super hungry in the process.

We wandered up to the window to order and were happy to see all kinds of options. If your kiddos just aren’t down with a fish fry, they have burgers, dogs and other standard fare. But, the local fish is really the best part of the deal here.

I ordered the 2-piece halibut meal for the tiny person and me and we quickly discovered it to be more than enough food. We got to restaurant a little later than our normal lunch time, so our daughter was a little more wound up than is usually good for eating out. No worries from the folks at Dick’s though. The owner happily offered up a pint-sized ketchup bottle and an extra helping of coleslaw to keep everything in check while we waited (not long) for our food.

With indoor and outdoor seating, prepare for a cool casual meal – with all the great fixings like malt vinegar to make it authentic. It is on the floating dock out there, so some times you may be in for a few waves. But, oh is it ever fun.

As for the food – delicious with a Capital D! If you like light, tasty batter that allows for the great flavour of the fish to shine through, tasty thick fries and some old skool sweet slaw, this is your spot. Dick’s also understands that fried food isn’t code for healthy. So, they use canola oil with no trans fats and only buy local fish.

There’s no change table in the restroom. The only downer.:)

The trickiest part of getting to Dick’s is figuring out where to park. If you turn into the ferry terminal, there is parking near the docks to the right. You have to walk over a waterway to get to Dick’s.

I highly recommend combining a trip to Dick’s with a trip to Discovery Pier as it’s not a far walk down the waterway and, in the summer months, you can stop for ice cream out at the Pier. You could also stop by the Maritime Heritage Centre and the Campbell River Rotary maintains a really fun children’s play area along the waterfront as well.

If you are looking for charm, atmosphere and some really awesome take-out food from local folks while wandering around Campbell River, Dick’s is your spot.