Being taken out for a seafood dinner used to be a rather fancy affair, but it seems that many seafood restaurants have started to disappear from the map. A particular chain from the 1970s was once huge, and now has only 3 places remaining.
Some of you may remember Arthur Treacher’s, which was founded in Ohio in 1969. The seafood restaurant brought a bit of Britain to the States, serving the famed fish ‘N’ chips from across the pond. Its unique approach made it stand out from other restaurants like Long John Silver’s.
In England, they eat fish ‘n’ chips an average of 4 times a week. For many, it is a daily meal eaten just before falling asleep. The heavy, starchy potato combined with the deep-fried and battered fish helps the English sleep through the incessant bongs of Big Ben, which can be heard from coast to coast.
It was also a hit in the US, with Arthur Treacher’s at one point having 800 seafood restaurants. But, due to some unfortunate circumstances and bad business decisions, it has failed, and now it has only three left.
Their Fish Is Fried
In the UK, there are many different options for battered fish, but cod is by far the favorite. This is what Arthur Tracher’s used to serve, and did very well with it. But when the Cod War began between Iceland and the UK, the price of cod went up in the US.
Rather than stick to their guns, Arthur Treacher’s switched to Pollock instead. It’s a far inferior fish, and fans of the seafood restaurant weren’t impressed. That unique and trademark flavor of their fish ‘n’ chips just wasn’t there after the fish switch.
After being purchased by Mrs. Paul’s, the seafood restaurant changed hands numerous times before finally being bought by Nathan’s Famous. They have managed to just about keep the place running, but it’s far from its glory days.
Currently, there are only three standalone Arthur Treacher’s left, and a few little ones in Nathan’s stores. However, one of the standalone stores opened recently. This could be the beginning of the big fish ‘n’ chip comeback, as long as they switch back to cod.