Tucked along a quiet stretch of downtown Flagstaff, Evans Fish and Chips has quietly built a reputation that reaches far beyond Arizona. With a 4.7-star rating and hundreds of glowing reviews, this small spot at 113 S San Francisco St punches well above its weight.
Visitors from Florida, Texas, and even seasoned travelers fresh from England say it rivals the best fish and chips they have ever tasted. If you have not made the trip yet, here are thirteen reasons why Evans deserves a spot on your must-eat list.
The Perfectly Crispy, Non-Greasy Batter That Sets Evans Apart
One bite and you will immediately understand why people drive hours just to eat here. The batter at Evans Fish and Chips is light, crispy, and shockingly non-greasy — something even experienced fish and chips fans rarely find.
Reviewer after reviewer mentions being amazed that fried food could feel this clean and satisfying.
The secret seems to lie in the cooking technique. Each order is made fresh, and the batter comes out with a satisfying crunch that holds up even during a drive back to the hotel.
There is no heavy oil aftertaste weighing you down afterward.
For anyone who has avoided fish and chips because of the greasiness factor, Evans is genuinely a game-changer. The ratio of batter to fish is also carefully balanced, letting the seafood flavor shine through rather than getting buried under thick dough.
Fresh Cod That Tastes Like It Came Straight From the Sea
Cod is the cornerstone of any respectable British fish and chips shop, and Evans takes it seriously. Customers consistently describe the cod as incredibly fresh, tender on the inside, and perfectly cooked every single time.
One reviewer who had just returned from a week in England said Evans holds its own against the best the UK has to offer.
What makes the cod here stand out is how cleanly it pulls apart. You can flake it with a fork and see distinct, moist layers inside — a clear sign of quality fish handled with care.
There is no mushiness or fishy smell that sometimes comes with lesser-quality seafood.
Whether you order a small portion or go all out with a large, the cod arrives hot and fresh. It is the kind of seafood that reminds you why simple, honest cooking done right beats fancy preparations every time.
Thick-Cut Chips Worth Every Single Calorie
Forget thin, sad fries — the chips at Evans are the real British deal. Cut thick and in-house, they come out fluffy on the inside with a golden, slightly crispy exterior that holds up beautifully.
Several reviewers specifically called the chips “magnificent” and “insanely good,” which is high praise in a world full of average fries.
The seasoning is just right, and paired with one of Evans’ signature sauces, they become something genuinely addictive. One visitor noted that even after a cold drive back to the hotel, the chips still held their texture and taste surprisingly well.
British chips are a different experience from American fast-food fries, and Evans nails the distinction. They are hearty and satisfying in a way that complements the fish perfectly rather than just filling space on the plate.
One order might honestly be enough for two people.
The White Dragon Jalapeno Tartar Sauce You Will Dream About
Some condiments are forgettable. This one gets its own paragraph in nearly every review.
The White Dragon jalapeno tartar sauce at Evans is a spicy, creamy masterpiece that takes an already excellent plate of fish and chips to a completely different level. Fans of bold flavors should absolutely not skip it.
The heat is present but not overwhelming — it builds gradually and pairs beautifully with the mild, flaky fish. It adds personality and punch without masking the seafood flavor underneath.
One reviewer said it deserved its own separate review, and honestly, that tracks.
Evans also offers a classic tartar sauce and other dipping options, so there is something for every palate. But if you enjoy spice even a little, the White Dragon is the move.
It is the kind of sauce you will find yourself thinking about long after you have left Flagstaff behind.
Sticky Toffee Pudding That Stops People Mid-Sentence
You came for the fish, but you will stay for the sticky toffee pudding. This classic British dessert at Evans has earned its own fan club, with multiple reviewers admitting they ordered extra portions to take home.
One visitor said they returned specifically for the pudding before flying back to their home state.
Warm, rich, and deeply flavored with toffee sweetness, it is the kind of dessert that makes you sit quietly for a moment just to appreciate it. The texture is moist and dense without being heavy, and the sauce soaks in just enough to make every bite feel indulgent.
For many people, sticky toffee pudding is an unfamiliar treat — but Evans makes it impossible not to love at first taste. A reviewer called it an “absolute show stopper,” and that description is hard to argue with.
Save room. You will not regret it.
Scotch Eggs Done the Authentic British Way
A proper scotch egg is harder to pull off than it looks, and Evans does it with impressive skill. Wrapped in a generous layer of seasoned sausage meat and coated in a perfectly crispy breadcrumb shell, the scotch egg here features a soft-boiled egg center that is cooked to an ideal, slightly runny consistency inside.
One reviewer ranked it as the second-best scotch egg they had ever eaten — a serious compliment from someone who clearly knows their British snacks. The sausage layer is thick and meaty, not skimpy, which gives each bite real substance and flavor depth.
Scotch eggs are a traditional British pub snack that most Americans have never tried, making Evans a great place to experience something genuinely new. Whether you grab one as a starter or a side, it rounds out the meal with a satisfying, savory punch that feels completely authentic.
Flaky Sausage Rolls That Melt in Your Mouth
British sausage rolls are deceptively simple — sausage meat wrapped in pastry, baked until golden — but the execution at Evans elevates them into something special. The pastry is described by customers as light and airy, almost melting rather than requiring any real chewing.
It shatters gently with each bite in the best possible way.
Inside, the sausage is meaty and flavorful without being overly dense. The balance between the buttery pastry shell and the savory filling is exactly right.
Reviewers who ordered them as add-ons ended up raving about them just as much as the main fish dishes.
If you have never tried a sausage roll before, Evans is the perfect introduction. They capture the grab-and-go spirit of British street food beautifully.
Paired with a side of English mustard, which Evans stocks, the experience feels genuinely transported from a London bakery counter straight to Flagstaff.
Impressive Portion Sizes That Deliver Real Value
Opening a takeout container and actually gasping at the portion size is not a common experience — but that is exactly what happened to one reviewer at Evans. A large order here is genuinely large, with multiple customers noting that one portion was more than enough for a single person, sometimes enough for two.
At around seventeen dollars for a large, the value is remarkable considering the quality and quantity involved. Reviewers from all over the country called the pricing “wild” in the best sense — they simply could not believe how much excellent food they received for the cost.
Evans does not cut corners on portion size the way many tourist-area restaurants do. Whether you order a small or a large, you walk away satisfied rather than wondering where your money went.
For a restaurant in a prime downtown location, that kind of honest generosity stands out and keeps people coming back.
Perfectly Battered Shrimp That Steals the Show
While cod gets most of the spotlight, the shrimp at Evans quietly earns some of the most enthusiastic praise in customer reviews. Described as “done perfectly” and paired beautifully with the restaurant’s signature white sauce, the battered shrimp is a genuine highlight that deserves far more attention than it typically gets.
The shrimp is sweet, tender, and cooked just right — no rubbery texture, no overcooked chewiness. The batter wraps each piece evenly, giving you that satisfying crunch without overpowering the natural sweetness of the seafood beneath.
One Texas visitor said she would be thinking about the shrimp long after returning home.
Ordering the cod and shrimp combo is a popular choice that lets you sample both without committing to just one. Several reviewers who went that route said the combo was the highlight of their entire Flagstaff trip, which is saying a lot given everything the city has to offer.
Hoki Fish — a Fresh Alternative Worth Ordering
Most people visiting a fish and chips shop stick to cod out of habit, but Evans offers hoki as an alternative that is absolutely worth trying. Hoki is a mild, white-fleshed fish with a slightly sweeter flavor profile than cod, and Evans handles it with the same care and freshness that defines everything on the menu.
One reviewer ordered the hoki paired with Evans’ spicy dragon cocktail sauce and described the combination as something that made her genuinely emotional — in the best way possible. The fish was fresh, hot, and perfectly breaded without any heaviness.
Branching out from the usual cod order might feel risky, but at Evans, the quality across every fish option is consistent and high. Hoki gives regulars a reason to try something different on repeat visits while still delivering the satisfying, authentic British fish and chips experience the restaurant is known for.
The Cheesy Onion Roll — a Surprising Gem on the Menu
Not every gem on the Evans menu swims in batter. The cheesy onion roll is a freshly baked side that catches many first-timers off guard in the most pleasant way.
Several reviewers mentioned ordering it almost as an afterthought and then finding themselves genuinely impressed by how good it was.
Warm, soft, and packed with savory cheese and onion flavor, the roll adds a comforting, bakery-fresh dimension to the meal. It pairs naturally with the fish and chips, offering something to soak up sauces and round out the plate in a way that feels very authentically British.
Late-night visitors especially appreciate it as a satisfying addition to an already filling order. Whether you are a bread lover or just looking to try something beyond the main dishes, the cheesy onion roll is a low-risk, high-reward choice.
Grab one and you will likely wonder why you did not order two.
Friendly Staff and Fast Service That Keep People Returning
Great food only goes so far if the experience around it falls flat — but at Evans, the staff consistently earns as much praise as the menu. Reviewers use words like “professional,” “cool,” “patient,” and “a breath of fresh air” to describe the team behind the counter.
That kind of consistent warmth is rare and genuinely appreciated.
One particularly memorable review described a staff member who stayed past the end of his shift to make sure a customer got exactly what they wanted. That level of care is not something you can fake, and it clearly reflects the culture Evans has built over the years.
Orders come out quickly even during busy periods, which matters when you are hungry and standing in a line that stretches into the alley. The combination of fast, friendly service and exceptional food is exactly why first-time visitors almost always become repeat customers whenever they find themselves back in Flagstaff.
A Late-Night Spot Open Until 3 AM on Weekends
Finding genuinely good food after midnight in most cities is a challenge. Evans solves that problem with weekend hours that run until 3 AM on Fridays and Saturdays — an almost unheard-of schedule for a quality restaurant rather than a fast-food chain.
For night owls and late-arriving travelers, this is a serious perk.
Located right in downtown Flagstaff at 113 S San Francisco St, Evans is perfectly positioned for anyone wrapping up an evening out and craving something hot, fresh, and satisfying before heading back to their hotel. The food does not dip in quality just because the hour is late — reviewers who visited late at night consistently report the same freshness and care as daytime visits.
Sunday through Tuesday the kitchen closes at midnight, which still beats most dining options in the area. Whether you are an early lunch crowd regular or a midnight snack seeker, Evans has hours flexible enough to fit almost any schedule.
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