Comments on: Restaurant review! American Style fish and chips

By: Lisa Deeley Smith

Lisa Deeley Smith — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:15:13 +0000

“Fish and chips” is a British phrase, not American. To us, “chips” are potato chips (which I think are crisps to the British) and what the British call chips are fries (sometimes French fries) here.

A “fried-fish platter” in America, especially in coastal resort towns, will frequently have fries. To many, the best fried-seafood experience is a white paper box of fried clams. The phrase “a box of clams” conjures up summer on the seashore.

By: David

David — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:31:45 +0000

Amazing coincidence. This is my 6th year coming to Icelanc and I have always avoided American Style. However, on Saturday night after seeing Sound of Music, I was going to get a pylsur at Bæjarins beztu, on my way to a graduation party around there and on the spur of the moment, decided to walk into Anerican Style on Tryggvatata. I asked what everybody typically ordered and they suggested the “Heavy Special”. I took a walk around the restaurant while waiting and as you say , they were very clean but it was very empty, except for another couple or two. The hamburger was excellent. The beef tasted so much better than what I’ve had in the States, the bun was scrumptous. The service was top-notch. So, I concur, it was a complete surprise to me. I do try to go for the local shops that are more Icelandic but I’m glad I finally tried it!

By: alda

alda — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:30:34 +0000

Yes, I remember those fish ‘n chips places from my Canadian incarnation. The vast difference here – and the one that changes everything – is that the fish is FRESH and delish.

By: SDC

SDC — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:56:18 +0000

oops, low 80s/high 70s. Farenheit.

Carry on…

By: SDC

SDC — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:55:50 +0000

A lot of sandwhich type places in US do the fish-n-chips thing, but as an earlier commenter said, it’s not really a signature, ubiquitous US thing.

We did have a fast food chain called ‘Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips’ when I was a kid that was reasonably popular (but not that popular – it’s almost completely gone now).

I didn’t check out American Style when I was in Iceland. Maybe next time I’ll check it out.

(couldn’t be nicer here in Indiana, high 80s and I spent the afternoon at the also non-American activity of watching a cricket match).

Steve in Bloomington/IN/US

By: Lee, UK

Lee, UK — Sun, 31 May 2009 09:53:14 +0000

Fish’n'chips with salad is a sacrilege! It’s got to be mushy peas

By: Kerry Scott

Kerry Scott — Sat, 30 May 2009 21:48:19 +0000

Thanks for the tip, but American Style Fish and Chips is going to have to wait until I get back to the US. I will tell you that we have enjoyed the best of what Kirkjubaejarklaustur, Myrar and Egillsstadir have had on offer for our visit. Many thanks for your efforts to arrange for this amazing transition in the weather. We’re really enjoying Niceland.

By: alda

alda — Sat, 30 May 2009 12:26:18 +0000

Takk for the input, everyone!

Rozanne – it’s interesting to ponder fry culture … here in Iceland it’s unheard of to serve them with vinegar – and even ketchup isn’t that commonplace. Instead Icelanders use this dip that’s like a combo of mayo and ketchup that they call ‘kokteilsósa’ (cocktail sauce – probably because it was the sauce served with shrimp cocktail when those were popular). Meanwhile, on the European continent they like their fries with lots of mayo.

Tony – actually that’s not that expensive for us … I just meant we’re not getting a 50% “reduction”, like foreign visitors.

By: Carl

Carl — Sat, 30 May 2009 08:27:03 +0000

No doubt about it, I have never had better fish and chips than at American Style!

By: Stephen Cowdery

Stephen Cowdery — Sat, 30 May 2009 05:29:26 +0000

I’ve experienced that “American Style” as well, the fish and chips were delish, but, oh, those adverts they show at the cinema!