Fish ‘n’ Frites Opens in Half Moon Bay, Comes to Montara

The man behind Gherkins, the Montara roadside restaurant famous for its savory colossal sandwiches, has now opened a new venture on Main Street in Half Moon Bay. It’s called Fish ‘n’ Frites and soon there will be another one in Montara as well.

Owner Elias Jweinat, a Montara resident who owns two other sandwich shops in Daly City and San Francisco named Mr. Pickles, is just waiting for the permits from the County before he can officially the doors at the Montara location. The space is also still undergoing renovations. There are plans for a fire pit with deck seating and wine and beer may be on the menu, but that’s still in the works, said Jweinat.

“There will also be a bench with a life-size fish and frite behind it for photo ops. They are longtime friends,” said Jweinat, pointing to the restaurant’s sign, a colorful caricature of a fish chatting up a potato sitting on a bench.

In the meantime, the Main Street location is open for business during its soft opening and offers seating inside as well as outside in Zaballa Square. A grand opening celebration will be planned some time this month, said Jweinat, and neighboring businesses are encouraging him to host it outside in the Square with them.

The menu features a unique take on fish and chips. You pick the type of fish from a selection of fresh fish on ice in a display case as well as the type of batter and oil you want, and the chef whips up your custom order in the back. The fish options run the gamut from shrimp, tilapia, oysters, salmon, cod, sea bass, scallops, calamari, and tuna. Batter choices are house, beer, tempura, rice (gluten free), cornmeal, and panko. Rice, canola and peanut oil are the oils of choice. All orders include fries and coleslaw and one serving will cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

“Customers know us for our large portions at Gherkins, and Fish ‘n’ Frites will also be generous,” said Jweinat. “I just really like to feed people.”

There’s also a selection of mayo-based dipping sauces to chose from for your frites like chipotle and fire roasted salsa and black truffle wild mushroom and Mediterranean tartar with dill lemon.

Fish 'n' Frites, 328 Main St., Half Moon Bay, is open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. 

Have you tried Fish ‘n’ Frites yet? What do you think?