Tips About Chips

As we were driving our way through Canada this past week to get from Michigan to Montreal and then Maine, we fell upon a great local lunch place. It is a good idea when visiting an unfamiliar area to get some local help, so while we were camping at Chutes Provincial Park in Ontario we made a trip through the nearby town of Webwood to get some lunch and find a library and a place to use the computer.

We asked the librarian were we should go and she told us to stop at J ‘n’ B Fish and Chip Stand.  She explained that, “The food is made with real love,” and that the fish is caught the same day they serve it. Well, she didn’t have to say much else: we hit the road.

J ‘n’ B is run out of a small pink house that has had some additions to the kitchen which transformed it into a restaurant. They have added a few stools and a cash register to the counter on the island in the kitchen.  Also, they have added an extension beside the counter–a four compartment frying station. The drawers in the counter top  (that may have once held utensils or pot holders) now house the breading  for the fresh, caught-that-morning whitefish. A large container under the fryer holds tons of hand-cut french fries ready to accompany every order of fish.We placed our order through a side window while we stood on a concrete slab that had a cover to provide shade while we waited for our food.

The whitefish is dipped in a Tupperware box with some eggs whipped up in it,  then breaded in another container that has a flour and corn meal mix before the pieces are gently added to the hot oil. The fish is fried to order and is presented on a colorful tray decorated with flowers or butterflies and served in a white cardboard box that is piled high with glistening fish squares and fries overflowing underneath. To finish the dish off, a splash of vinegar is drizzled over top and lunch is ready.

The fish is flaky and has a tender texture that is soft against the crunch of the cornmeal breading. The tang of the vinegar is a welcome contrast to the sweetness of the fish and the fries support the lightness of the fish and act as a backbone for each bite.  Together they make a filling lunch that leaves gentle flavors lingering on your tongue.

Lunch at J ‘n’ B’s was a great break from the day– just to be sitting in someone’s front yard and enjoying a homemade lunch. The lake air blew through our hair and the laundry on a line at the neighbor’s house created a relaxing atmosphere. We felt welcomed as though we were part of the community; just joining the locals for a lunch as we sat under a covered set of picnic tables together.

The towns can start to blur together, becoming interchangeable as we cruise down the highway. Fortunately for us, we decided to stop in this particular town. With help from a neighbor, we enjoyed a special part of this town, and I am glad that there is a spot the locals want to help support and that they were willing to share this special place with us!