Sterling Heights' Best Fish and Chips

I’ve eaten a lot of fish and chips in my day, often with the grim resignation of someone destined for a soggy napkin. But Sterling Heights isn't playing that game.

This list runs from the old-school, cash-only comfort of Old House Family Restaurant, where the homemade tartar sauce deserves a bow, all the way to a surprisingly great plate served inside a gas station at Saroki's. I even found a version with a Cajun kick at Gator Jake's that made me rethink my whole ordering strategy.

The details are in the lineup below. Go get some.

Jacob‘s Eat and Drink

Highlights
Fresh, flavorful, quality-driven dishes
Friendly and attentive service
Comfortable, welcoming atmosphere
Convenient late-night hours
Halal options available

I stopped by Jacob's Eat and Drink on a late weeknight, and the fish and chips really hit the spot. The batter was light and crispy, and the fish inside was flaky and fresh, not greasy at all. The service was friendly even at that hour, which made the whole experience feel welcoming. I also noticed they have halal options, which is a nice touch for a broader crowd. The place feels comfortable, like you can sit and relax without being rushed. If you're looking for a solid, quality-driven plate of fish and chips late in the evening, this is a dependable choice. I’d go back for sure.

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Roger's Roost

Highlights
Great local beer selection
Generous seafood portions
Convenient Schoenherr location
Attentive, friendly service
Worth a repeat visit

Roger's Roost is a straightforward spot with a great local beer list, and their fish and chips are equally good. The portions are generous, with thick fish fillets and a crispy exterior that stayed crunchy all the way through. What stood out to me was how well the tartar sauce paired with the fish—it was creamy with just a hint of tang. The service was attentive without hovering, and the location on Schoenherr is easy to get to. It's the kind of place where you can grab a pint and a solid meal without any fuss. Worth a repeat visit, especially if you appreciate a good beer with your seafood.

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Old House Family Restaurant

Highlights
Big portions, old-school diner feel
Homemade tartar sauce stands out
Fish stays crispy to the last bite
Friendly service with local chatter
Cash only, so bring a wallet

Mike's Greek Grill is a place where the staff genuinely cares about what they serve. I ordered the fish and chips, and they were cooked perfectly—flaky inside, crunchy outside, nothing greasy. What really stood out was the service; the waiter, Manuel, went out of his way to make sure everything was to my liking. The atmosphere is family-friendly, and I noticed a few kids happily munching on their meals, so it's great for families with picky eaters. The fish was made exactly as I asked, which is rare these days. I’d come back just for the welcoming attitude and the reliable quality.

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Ike's Restaurant

Highlights
Consistent, fantastic food options
Delicious puffed bread basket
Great chicken shawarma platter
Reliable service with full water
Worth returning for bread

Charlie's Restaurant is one of those spots that feels like a local legend. The fish and chips were solid, with a golden crust and tender fish, but the real highlight was the warm, heartfelt service. You can tell the staff enjoy being there, and it shows in how they treat you. The flavors are simple but well-executed, and the portions are satisfying. It's popular, and I saw why—there was a steady stream of regulars. Even with a wait, it felt worth it. If you're after comfort food with a genuine human touch, this is the place. I'd travel a bit out of my way for their breakfast, which is just as good.

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Mike's Greek Grill

Highlights
Chefs genuinely cared for us
Manuel’s service was unforgettable
Family friendly, picky kids approved
Food made exactly as ordered
Worth coming back again

Royal Oak Brewery is more than just a beer spot; their fish and chips are a pleasant surprise. The batter is light and beer-battered, which gives it a nice edge, and the fries are done right. I also tried their loaded pepperoni pizza, which was a generous, cheesy mess of goodness. The atmosphere is welcoming, with a laid-back vibe that suits families as well as groups of friends. The Nashville chicken sandwich is another winner—spicy and crispy. If you're here for seafood, you won't feel shortchanged. They offer a good mix of pub classics done well. I'd come back for both the brews and the food.

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Charlie's Restaurant

Highlights
Warm, heartfelt customer service
Unique flavors worth traveling for
Popular spot worth the wait
Attentive staff, welcoming vibe
Serves satisfying comfort breakfasts

The American Polish Century Club is a bit of an unexpected find for fish and chips, but it works. The fish was haddock, lightly breaded and flaky, served with a side of their addictive house salad dressing—it's creamy and slightly tangy, and I kept going back for more. The place is spacious and accessible, with plenty of parking, which is a plus. During certain events, they do a buffet-style chicken that draws a crowd, and it's easy to see why. The festive décor adds a nice touch without being over the top. If you're in the area, it's worth checking out for a casual meal with a Polish twist.

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Royal Oak Brewery

Highlights
Great pub food for families
Welcoming atmosphere and beer
Loaded pepperoni pizza loved
Nashville chicken sandwich recommended
Fried avocado worth trying

Detroit 75 Kitchen is a gem that started as a food truck but has found a permanent home. Their fish and chips are excellent, with a crisp batter and fresh fish, but the real stars are their sides. The garlic fries are impossible to stop eating—they're loaded with flavor and just the right amount of garlic. The staff are friendly and welcoming, making you feel at home in their clean, open space. You can still taste the soul of the food truck in the recipes, which is a good thing. If you're looking for something a little different from the usual fish and chips, this is the spot. I'll be back.

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American Polish Century Club

Highlights
Authentic Polish dishes and halls
Festive décor for all seasons
Handicapped accessible with ample parking
Addictive house salad dressing
Buffet-style chicken that wows crowds

Saroki's Crispy Chicken & Pizza is a bit odd being inside a gas station, but don't let that fool you. Their fish and chips are actually quite good, with a crispy coating that lives up to the name. But the real highlight was the calzone—it was packed with cheese and toppings, and the buttery garlic crust was a standout. Everything exceeded my expectations, especially given the unconventional location. The service was quick and friendly, and the food came out hot. If you're willing to look past the setting, you'll find some seriously good comfort food here. It's a better experience than many sit-down places I've been to.

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Detroit 75 Kitchen

Highlights
Fresh bread, perfect crust
Garlic fries impossible to stop
Friendly, welcoming staff
Soul of food truck indoors
Clean, comfortable open space

Aliz Seafood and Breakfast House is a clean and straightforward spot for a solid meal. I tried their fish and chips, and the fish was fresh and mild, with a light breading that didn't overpower it. They also have a grilled fish option, which I tried as well—the snapper was cooked perfectly, and the pomfret was just as good, both with a nice char. The service was welcoming, and the place felt tidy and well-kept. It's the kind of place where you get exactly what you order, no fuss. I'd come back for the seafood, and maybe even try their breakfast menu next time. A reliable choice.

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Saroki's Crispy Chicken & Pizza

Highlights
Full restaurant inside gas station
Calzone packed with flavor
Buttery garlic crust
Better than expected experience

Gator Jake's Bar & Grill brings a taste of Louisiana to the area, and their fish and chips are just the beginning. The fish was well-seasoned with a bit of Cajun flair, and the fries were crispy. But the gumbo is where they really shine—it's rich, spicy, and worth every penny. The portions are generous, with plenty of protein, and the coleslaw is homemade and tangy, a perfect contrast to the fried fish. The place feels like a New Orleans neighborhood joint, but friendlier. If you're in the mood for something with more kick than your typical fish and chips, this is the place to go. I left impressed and full.

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Aliz Seafood and Breakfast House

Highlights
Clean dining room
Fresh, flavorful snapper
Grilled pomfret shines
Welcoming service throughout
Worth the return trip

Old House Family Restaurant feels like a step back in time, and I mean that in the best way. The fish and chips were served with a big portion of golden fries, and the fish stayed crispy from the first bite to the last. Their homemade tartar sauce is the star—it's clearly made fresh and adds a nice zing. The room is filled with local chatter, and the staff treat you like a regular even on your first visit. A heads-up: it's cash only, so come prepared. If you want no-frills, honest fish and chips with a friendly vibe, this is the place. I left full and satisfied.

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Gator Jake's Bar & Grill

Highlights
Authentic Cajun flavors done right
Affordable portions with generous protein
Gumbo worth a religious experience
Delicious house-made coleslaw
Tastes like New Orleans in Michigan

Ike's Restaurant surprised me with its consistency and quality. The fish and chips were well-executed, with a crisp batter and moist fish, but what really caught my attention was the puffed bread basket they bring out first—it's light and airy, perfect for dipping. They also have a fantastic chicken shawarma platter, which shows their range beyond just seafood. Service was reliable, and they made sure my water glass stayed full without me asking. It's a comfortable, unpretentious spot that delivers on the basics every time. If you're in the area for fish and chips, you won't be disappointed, but don't skip the bread.

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