Review
We arrived pretty late (8:30) and figured we'd be in-n-out in no time. Since we've been to the Bowl for beverages a few times before we kinda knew what we needed to do, and had a table within our 15 minute quoted wait time. At this point in the evening it was still busy, but not exactly what you'd call crazy-busy. We had a chance to sit and look over the menu, and eventually figured out which waitress was ours when she walked by and looked down her nose at us crossly - not a good start. Eventually, she painted on a fake smile and came by to take our orders.
While the menu was fairly straight forward, we (mostly my vegetarian wife) had a couple questions which were answered curtly and not to our satisfaction. Fearing further reprisal, she quickly threw an order together as best she could on partial information, while I opted for the standard Door County perch that comes with French fries (do not even try to inquire about hash browns, or risk further scowling). Medusa then left to put the order in leaving us feeling like we'd just been brow-beaten.
In no more than three minutes our food appeared - I kid you not, it was that fast. It was almost alarming to have a full plate in front of me that quickly and I immediately wondered how it was even possible... at first taste I knew... this fish wasn't fried just for me. The SBB is clearly running an assembly line Fish Fry where they just fry a bunch and fill plates as orders for it appear - never good for fried foods. My four butterflies were lukewarm, but still maintained a delicate texture (a sign of fresh fish). Even at the tepid temps they tasted good, and featured the typical golden Door County breading, but unlike other breading we've had in Door, you could taste a little extra hint of spice. Surely, had we gotten a freshly fried batch, this perch would have been superb.
Apparently another DoCo norm is crinkle-cut fries, which, while acceptable if they come in an AYCE, are less than desirable when plated with my perch. These were as basic as it gets, but were at least hot. The tartar was also a bit too basic as it looked to be about 99% mayo and 1% relish. While it was thick, it had an unhealthy gloss that made it look a bit unappetizing and little flavor since it was almost straight mayo.
A fresh cabbage and vinegar coleslaw was also basic, but not in a bad way. The sweet vinegar had a nice zip which really would have gone well with the half rye/half white loaf of bread (had we received it). Truth be told, we did receive it, but only because we went out of our way to ask for it. In her haste to get us out the door she totally spaced it (or more than likely intentionally didn't bring it). By the time we did get it I was too full to even try the rye (and I live to cut up those little loaves). Sad face.
Off-putting service aside, we still have some issues with this Fish Fry, namely the assembly-line manner in which the food is prepared, and the lack of options for customers willing to pay for an upgrade - the "take it or leave it" philosophy is rarely acceptable when you're talking Fish Fry (some people just want more than fries or a baked potato). Overall, we still barely recommend this Fish Fry and have to imagine that if we had a more pleasurable experience they might even reach highly recommended territory - the fish seemed worthy.
Time heals all wounds as they say, and for our 2019 trip to DoCo I vowed to try the Bowl again and see if that one bad experience was the exception or the rule. It turns out 2012 was an EXTREME exception... 7 years, one child, about 500 Fish Frys, and many lessons learned later we got to experience the SBB in all its glory. This time we showed up to an overflowing parking lot at 4:45 and got our names on the waiting list pronto. We killed an hour or so milling around the lanes, playing bar games, sipping stiff Old Fashioneds, and enjoying the company of our friends from Manitowoc. When we got our spot in the dining room overlooking the Sister Bay hill our party of six was met by a kind and patient waitress. All the cards were falling into place this time.
The Fish Fry of record at the Bowl is lake perch (as it should be) and they aren't exactly giving it away (as they shouldn't be). The plate is composed of four fat butterflies (that's 8 fillets for any novices in the room) and these babies are silky smooth with the absolute lightest breading imaginable. This is what lake perch is supposed to taste like - just enough breading to add some depth, but light enough that the perch is what you taste first and last. It's so smooth and so balanced one could easily cram 'em in without tartar, but the sauce definitely makes them something more.
The tartar in this case was thick as molasses and about ten times as tasty. It gives the perch just what it wants - a little kick without overshadowing its inherent delicate sweetness. A bevy of fat crinkle-cut fries support the star as well, and while they aren't going to win any awards they don't need to. They're here to do a job and to that end their mission is achieved. Some house slaw also does it's job without trying to co-star, and the creamy concoction rounds things out admirably.
All fish, fries, slaw, and sauce aside (and that's a big aside) the Sister Bay Bowl goes straight-up supper club with a real loaf of slice-it-yourself bread on a mini-cutting board. What's more, this loaf isn't just straight up white or rye - it's a half and half! Never before have I seen such a feat and I almost didn't know how to handle myself once I saw it. I swear gazing upon its majesty I saw the eyes of God and he smiled back saying this is the gift I give for you. Praise be.
Bad service can sour even the heartiest Fish Fry fan and I have no problem admitting that it happened to me. It took me a while to come around, but I'm glad I finally gave the legendary Bowl a second chance. I have no problem saying that it lived up to the hype and then some. It really is everything a Fish Fry should be and it's no wonder people consider it the Best of Door County. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry. The ambiance and the waitress were fantastic and the perch is easily worthy of Top 25 status. It is the stuff of legend.
The four butterflies were immaculate and fluttered far above the norm with their supple meat and perfect breading...perhaps the best perch we've ever had at the Bowl (and we've had some pretty damn good fish there).
The house tartar was zippy and complimented the fish just right, the slaw had that pleasant vinegar tang, the crinkle-cut fries were as basic as it gets, and the fresh rye/white loaves were spot on.
While some might say $23.50 is a little steep I happily say, bring it on. It's a small price to pay for fish this tasty, service this friendly, and a Friday special in such a special place. Overall, this is one amazing Fish Fry and I for one hope it never ever changes.
The fish of record at the Bowl is the lake perch and this fish was sheer perfection. The three butterflies (six fillets) were expertly fried resulting in a supple texture that was further highlighted by their lightly-seasoned breading. This delicate coating is as good as it gets and lets all the inherent sweetness of the perch shine through. Amazing.
The flavor of this fish stands on its own, but somehow it's still elevated by their transcendent tartar. This superb sauce alters the taste of the already amazing perch making it all the more interesting and inviting.
Before the fish a couple cutting boards with mini mixed loaves of bread meet the table, and the rye is always a pure delight. The slaw is also in the zone although it pales in comparison to the fantastic fish.
If there was any failing with tonight's Fry it was the crinkle-cut fries (which were plentiful but spent a minute too long in the fryer). I still destroyed the hearty portion of extra-crispy critters so they clearly weren't problematic but if I had to pick nits, these would be them.
The Sister Bay Bowl remains the gold standard is Fish Frys in Door County and I really can't imagine coming up on a Friday and not going there at this point. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and thinks it's just as iconic as ever. Top 10 all time. End of story.Naturally, our first SBB FF experience was a forgettable one. We were younger, it was late, the waitress had had it, and everything didn't live up to expectations. Fast forward a decade - old wounds are healed, kids are in tow, we eat early, and everything is right in the world. This time we had dinner with our friends (who own restaurants of their own) and it was great. Sure, we waited for our table like everyone else, but we played bar games, drank old fashioneds, and laughed loud. Of course, by the time we sat down and ordered we were feeling no pain, but I'm 100% confident this was this was still a flawless Fish Fry.
Lake perch is the name of the game in the Door and five fat fillets of real perch come to an order at the Bowl. This fish is nothing less than superb. It's moist and dense with the flavors you want and none you don't. The breading is basically just a skin, and while it doesn't have much flavor of its own it lets the flaky fish shine through.
Of course there aren't many sides to choose from at the Bowl, but the fat crinkle cuts do the deed admirably. The Bowl's tartar is a supper club standard - thick and rich and just a tad little sweet (which wasn't a bad thing).
There aren't a ton of supper clubs up DoCo way, but the since the Bowl fancies themselves as one they have the requisite relish tray. This one was a mini personal version, but still...better than most. A basic bun and a vinegar-based slaw with a serious pucker factor are also in effect and round out this Fish Fry admirably.
There are so many great things up in Door County that it's easy to overlook stuff and in all honesty we wrote off the Bowl far too quickly based on one "bad" experience. I couldn't be happier we buried that grudge and gave them another shot. These last two visits have lived up to every expectation and cemented their iconic status in our eyes. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and will likely make it a yearly stop from here on out. It's that good.
The perch at the SBB is 100% the genuine article and is listed at "Market Price" on the menu (which was $27 this year). For that lofty price tag you get four full fish (eight fillets) with all the standard sides. While there might be a sticker shock for some, the dense, meaty perch is worth every stinking penny IMO. The fillets are tender and sweet, and complimented by a lightly-seasoned, ideally flaky breading that sets the standard for what lake perch is supposed to be.
The crinkle-cut fries are run-of-the-mill and the only other option on Tuesday and Friday is a baked potato. The Bowl's tartar is unique with a really smooth texture and super sweet flavor. The homemade slaw has a nice vinegar tang and the half-white half-rye homemade bread loaf is always a quirky treat.
The Sister Bay Bowl shines as one of the Crown Jewels in what I consider Wisconsin's lake perch holy trinity along with Wendt's on the Lake and Maricque's Bar. Overall, we highly recommend this Fish Fry and it was simply another wonderful visit with wonderful friends in one of the most wonderful places in Wisconsin. Long live Door County and long live the Bowl! Until next year...