Minnesota takes its fish seriously. Ask anyone in the state about a Friday fish fry, and you will likely hear strong opinions about batter, filets, and fries.
In the south metro suburb of Apple Valley, a small counter-service spot has quietly built a loyal following by serving walleye, perch, catfish, and more without any fuss. Couples who drove past it for months now kick themselves for waiting so long.
A British pair stopped in with sky-high expectations and left planning a return trip. The menu goes well beyond a single fish choice, the prices stay friendly, and the kitchen works fast.
Keep reading to learn where to find it, what to order, which sides earn their spot on the plate, and the practical details that will help you plan a visit before the doors close for the night.
A Strip Mall Address Worth Remembering
Some of the best meals hide in plain sight. MN Fish & Chips sits at 15052 Gleason Path #101, Apple Valley, MN 55124, tucked into a suburban stretch south of the Twin Cities.
The restaurant is a casual, locally owned fish joint. It focuses on fried fish, fries, and a handful of comfort sides.
Plenty of first-timers admit they drove by for ages before finally stopping. Some wandered over after a shopping trip at a nearby Target, curious about the buzz.
Others spotted the sign on the road and decided to give it a shot. That casual discovery story repeats again and again.
The setup is simple. You order at the counter, pick your sides and sauces, and if you are dining in, the staff brings the food to your table.
For south metro residents, the arrival filled a real gap. Fans were thrilled to finally have a dedicated fish and chips spot closer to home instead of a long drive into the city.
The address may be humble, but the reputation travels far beyond the parking lot.
Walleye, Perch, And Catfish On One Menu
Variety is the whole point here. Instead of locking diners into one standard filet, the menu lets you mix and match several kinds of fish.
Walleye, the Minnesota favorite, shares space with perch, catfish, cod, and halibut. Fans love being able to switch things up depending on their mood.
One couple ordered a cod sandwich plus separate pieces of perch, walleye, and catfish. They assumed the portions looked small online and planned to share.
The result was two very full people. They ranked their favorites afterward, and perch took the top spot for one of them.
Walleye and catfish landed close behind, nearly tied. Not a single bite let them down.
A two-piece perch side runs about six dollars, which makes building a sampler platter easy. Some diners now skip the fries entirely and just add extra fish varieties instead.
Catfish has its own fans too. Diners who paired it with shrimp called it full of flavor, with a crispy batter that kept them coming back.
Choosing just one fish is optional, and frankly, a little less fun.
The Batter Behind The Buzz
Batter can make or break fried fish. At this Apple Valley kitchen, it is the detail people bring up most.
The coating is described as light, crispy, and never heavy. Diners repeatedly mention that there is barely a trace of grease on the plate.
Inside, the fish stays tender and flaky. That contrast between the crust and the filet is exactly what brings people back.
Some call it the crunchiest batter they have ever had. Others simply say it is fried to perfection.
Everything is made fresh to order, and you can often see the cooks working on it. That visibility gives diners confidence that their meal did not sit under a heat lamp.
One honest note: a few people find the cod and walleye fairly plain on their own. The fix is easy, since the staff asks which sauces you want, and pairing filets with a couple of options keeps every bite interesting.
Cod remains the most talked-about choice, with halibut earning its own perfect scores. Either way, the batter does the heavy lifting without feeling heavy.
Waffle Fries, French Fries, And The Side Debate
Every dinner comes with a choice, and it sparks friendly debate. You pick waffle fries or french fries, then coleslaw or a dinner roll.
Waffle fries get plenty of love. Fans call them tasty without being over-seasoned.
The french fries are skin-on and appear lightly battered, which suited a visiting British couple just fine. They found both styles crisp outside and soft in the middle.
Not everyone agrees on quantity, though. One diner felt the fry portion was a bit light for the price on a particular visit.
Coleslaw splits the room. Some find it refreshing and enjoyable, while others call it average and suggest trying the roll instead.
Beyond the standard sides, the menu offers hush puppies, which fans describe as little bites of joy. Cheese curds also show up, and they come out crispy with a satisfying cheese pull.
A smart strategy is to order one dinner with each fry style and share. That way the household argument gets settled at the table.
Sauces, Tacos, And Menu Extras
Fish may headline, but the supporting cast deserves credit. The tartar sauce earns steady praise for being rich and creamy.
The hot sauce gets its own compliments for bold flavor. Since the staff asks about sauces when you order, it pays to grab a couple.
Halibut tacos have a following of their own. They offer a lighter way to enjoy the restaurant’s most premium fish.
Chicken tenders are on hand for anyone who is not in a seafood mood. Kids especially seem to enjoy them, and parents appreciate having a non-fish choice.
Shrimp rounds out the fried lineup. Diners who order it note that its breading is just as light as the fish.
Then there are the extras mentioned earlier, like hush puppies and cheese curds. Together they turn a basic fish basket into a full spread.
The menu is big enough that first-timers may need a minute to decide. Once you settle in, ordering is quick and easy, and the hardest part is choosing just one thing.
Spotless Floors And A Visible Kitchen
Clean is the word that keeps coming up. Diners notice it in the dining room, the restrooms, and even through the kitchen window.
Floors look well kept, and staff can be seen tidying throughout the day. Some guests point out that the kitchen itself is spotless.
The space is described as cute and welcoming. It feels like a small neighborhood spot rather than a chain.
Seating is limited, though. On busier days, tables can fill up, so takeout becomes a handy backup plan.
Food arrives on square paper plates, a small touch that fans oddly adore. Portions fit them nicely.
Complimentary lemon water is also offered, a thoughtful little extra. It is the kind of detail that makes a casual stop feel cared for.
A tidy room and an open view of the cooking go a long way toward trust. Here, both are part of the package.
Friendly Faces And Family Portions
A five-year-old took one bite of cod and said wow. Then he said it seven more times and asked to come back.
That kind of reaction sums up why families like this place. The kids’ meals are surprisingly large, and even the one-piece fish dinner is generous.
Smaller appetites are respected too. Being able to order just one piece of fish is a plus for people who find two too much.
The staff gets warm words across the board. Diners describe them as friendly, welcoming, and quick with a smile.
Orders move fast, sometimes in around five minutes. That speed helps on busy weeknights or quick lunch breaks.
Not every experience is perfect. One diner was unhappy with an undercooked piece and felt the response fell short, so speaking up right away is wise if something seems off.
Still, the overall picture is of a place run by people who care. Being locally owned only adds to its neighborly charm.
Hours, Prices, And Takeout Tips
Timing matters here. MN Fish & Chips opens at 10:30 AM and closes at 8:30 PM, Monday through Saturday.
Sundays are closed. Plan your fish craving accordingly.
Some fans wish the kitchen stayed open a little later. For now, an early dinner is the safest bet.
Most meals land in the $10 to $20 range per person. Many diners feel the portions deliver solid value, though a few think fries could be more plentiful at the higher end.
Takeout is popular and easy. One warning from experience: the drive home can feel very long with fresh fried fish in the car.
Eating sooner rather than later keeps the batter at its crispiest. If you can grab a table, dining in is the best way to enjoy it fresh.
The location also works well as a stop after errands nearby. A quick lunch fits neatly into a Saturday shopping run.
Why The Hype Holds Up
A 4.8-star standing across 280 opinions is hard to ignore. The consistency is what stands out most.
Regulars order the same two-piece cod with fries visit after visit and say it never lets them down. Newcomers arrive skeptical and leave planning their next trip.
The appeal comes down to a few simple strengths. Light batter, real fish variety, a clean room, and friendly staff.
It is not a fancy place, and it does not try to be. Seating is small, and Sundays are off the table.
Plain filets benefit from a good sauce, and coleslaw is a matter of taste. Those small quibbles rarely slow anyone down.
For Minnesotans who want walleye without a lake trip, it delivers. For catfish and perch fans, it offers rare choice in one basket.
Bring an appetite and order a little of everything. This small Apple Valley counter has more than earned its loyal crowd, one crispy filet at a time.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.