Joey's Seafood Restaurants Prince George

“Welcome,” the leader said. “This is a closed meeting. Is there anyone who is here for the first time?” 
 I stood up, more than a tad hesitant. “Yes, I am,” I squeaked.

 “Please introduce yourself by your first name only. We want to welcome you now.”

 I stood awkward among an ocean of strangers. “I’m Chris, and I like Joey’s Seafood.”

 “Hi Chris,” the group responded in unison.

 “I guess I’ve always been frightened of seafood. I grew up weaned on Azorean cuisine, which is not admittedly a gateway food. Clams and Chorizo. Octopus Stew. Steamed mussels in a tomato sauce. For a five-year old—it was terrifying. And then there were…(cough)…Van De Kamp’s frozen battered fish fillets.” I sank my head and began to weep. The others dipped their heads. One stood to offer an arm around my shoulder.

 “Everyone,” the stranger said, “let's thank Chris for sharing himself with us.”

 “Thank you, Chris,” the group said.

 “No, wait,” I snapped. “I want to get this out. I swore off seafood almost entirely. I lived on pizza pops and pepperoni sticks for twenty years. Then I found sushi, and I started my climb. It was a long road; I was very selective. I relied on chefs I could trust, mostly my mother. I would only order specific dishes from specific places. Occasionally, I would get disappointed, like that odd-flavored fish & chips plate at that Irish pub. I shouldn’t like Joey’s. It resembles a Denny’s stripped of half its flair, as generic as Timex watches, Toyota Corollas, or children named James. The password for the store safe is probably “password”. It’s a cookie-cutter restaurant with TVs on the walls and laminated menus with pictures.”

 “What was it like?” a voice from the crowd asked.

 “I opened with the pan fried shrimp dumplings with citrus soya, Hokkaido mustard, and spring onions. It wasn’t generic at all. It didn’t have that shrimpy aftertaste I get from other places. It had a pleasant look—the mustard was a nice contrast over just being handed a bottle of Kikkoman. While my friends enjoyed their fish and chips, I decided to tackle the blackened basa, Cajun dredged, pan seared, and spicy. I won’t lie…the fries were, dare I say, a little pedestrian. And the portion size was modest given the $16 price tag. I would expect to pay more in a better restaurant, but those would feature a seaweed salad or wasabi honey aioli, not a Dixie cup of slaw and a bucket of fries. But the fish was really good. Flakey, moist, and zesty. It shouldn’t be good, but it is, like the movie Jaws. It should be cheap and lackluster. Even the fish & chips my friends ordered had been good.

 “I just don’t get it. Where did I go wrong? Where did misstep? I’m supposed to hate places like this. Franchises, places with cloying websites, staff with plastic uniforms. Their logo is an obese fish for crying out loud. Their biggest draw is unlimited taco Thursday. Clearly there is an underpaid chef in the back working out of a cage lest he or she escape and form a better restaurant. Alas, I can find no excuse; Joey’s Seafood is actually good. I’ll have to give up my entitled reviewer card, my yelper status. I may have to act less sanctimonious whenever I visit Pizza Hut.”

 The room fell quiet, unsure if I had finished. Some nodded. I wasn’t alone. They had liked Joey’s as well. Perhaps they were too afraid to speak until now. Finally, the leader interjected from his podium. “I look around this room and I see a lot of courage. And it gives me strength. We give each other strength. I’m hungry. Let's follow Chris’s example and get some fish.”

Food: 4/5

Service: 3.5/5

Presentation: 2/5

Value: 4/5

Recommendation: 4/5

Good food. Stopped in for a little snack with my daughter while driving through Prince George. Clam chowder was above average, and the coconut shrimp were fantastic

Great. Awesome service, large selection.

If you want to go the traditional deep fried route of joeys, i recommend the haddock. Other choices of fish i recommend choosing a different method of cooking.

The all you can eat shrimp is probably my favorite night. Many different flavors, served hot, and quick.

Went for the 'all you can eat fish and chips'and couldnt finish the first plate. Huge portions, fresh and delicious. Staff were super friendly

Usually I eat in tonite I had delivery.. The fish was hot crisp tender & on time . Yup they told me when it was leaving the store , when I ordered , with traffic rite on time . As always great food & great service .