Roma's Hook and Chook
We've been forced to reopen the books on where to get good fish and chips in Suva, and barring any new discoveries, Roma's Hook and Chook is currently filling that gap in our lives.
The first shop in Samabula was the basis for this review, but Hook & Chook has just opened shop number 2 in the centre of Suva, on Gordon Street, right next door to a certain curry house.
The Samabula shop offers an express lane for pre-cooked, kept-in-the-warmer chicken, chips and anonymous fish ... and the 'Student pack'
All else is pick & point: cooked on demand; starting from $5.50 for the fish cakes, and climbing up through the various fillets to Ulavi, somewhere around the $10 mark. The choice of regular or spicy batter is a nice touch in our chilli-mad nation.
I was excited when I first saw scallops on ice, but my enthusiasm has been somewhat dampened. Scallops should not be dipped in batter and deep fried. They should be seared ... or if you really must fry them, then roll them in breadcrumbs.
That aside, the other bitsy seafood packages live up to their calling: calamari, mussels, and the cheap anonymous seafood equivalent of sausage: 'seafood sticks'
The "chook" part of this eatery's name deserves but a brief mention: there is little anyone can do to make chicken and chips sexy ... and Roma's doesn't try. And in any case, if chicken and chips is your thing, then you need a serious injection of culinary verve.
Also on offer: salads. These appear to come from an MH deli (convenient, okay, but sometimes on the trailing edge of fresh).
Extra tomato and tartare sauce sachets are available if the included condiments don't meet your requirements.
In addition to the standard range of soft drinks, there is an espresso menu.
Both shops are small and rather cramped with seating at a premium - plan to eat takeaway.
It heartens me greatly that the serving staff were able to tell me how fresh the different fish options were ... even more heartening was that most of it had come in that morning.
For good fish & chips, and a choice of venues, Lunch in Suva gives Roma's Hook & Chook a thumbs-up.
In Summary
- Roma's Hook and Chook
- Waimanu Road, Samabula
- Gordon Street, Suva
- Opening Hours:
- ?
- Spend:
- $5.50 - $12 per person
3 comments so far:
The foods alright here, but I was surprised at having to pay for the plastic cutlery! The place is quite small though and the seats too close. Takeaways better. Otherwise, good stuff :)
Tried it and was dissappointed. Fish dry, batter dry. Felt the fish was overfried on the asbestoes end of the fried fish scale. The one at Terry Walk by the Koreans are far better and cheaper.
I'm disappointed with Hook & Chooks too. The first time, I ordered my fish and chips serve....my fish was overcooked, oily, and slightly burnt.
Haven't been there seen...
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