Midtown Lunch

It’s been a long time since we’ve checked in with Sea World the non-theme park home of every fried aquatic creature imaginable. When last I ate there is was because they had an all-you-can-eat buffet for the low, low price of $7 but I think most people shunned that and kept on ordering up fried seafood to go. When I walked by I noticed that not only was the buffet gone (!), but in its place they had added a rotisserie for chicken and some other non-fried options. As a consequence, they’re now calling themselves Sea World Rotisserie & Grill & Fried Seafood. I went in to get the amazing combo of rotisserie chicken and lo mein, but was told there was no chicken that day. Since I was there and hungry I forged ahead and ordered up a sandwich of epic proportions.

While tempted by the fried oysters on the menu, I knew I had to try the fried whiting sandwich because I had heard it contained a wealth of seafood. I was given the choice of sliced wheat bread or Wonder bread and since this was such a trashy meal anyway, I went with the mushy white kind.

Four fish fillets were thrown into the fryer and within a few minutes, placed on top of one of the slices of white bread. They wait to wrap the sandwich up until you’ve topped it with whatever you like from the bottles on the counter including tartar, hot and cocktail. I went with straight up hot sauce and then my quadruple-decker sandwich was wrapped and I was on my way. This bad boy costs $4.95.

Unfortunately the sandwich suffered a bit in transit as the wrapper plus paper/plastic bags steamed the sandwich and made the bread super soggy. Despite that the fish was really good and I was happy with my choice of hot sauce. I did find myself wishing there was something else here – maybe some iceberg lettuce or something to provide some contrast to all of the mushy components of the sandwich. Still, this was a cheap and portable lunch for when you want to ingest four fish fillets without having to use a fork.

RIP all-you-can eat fried food buffet.

Sea World, 321 Church St. (at Lispenard), (212) 925-4790