Kobans

Overall: 8.01 (out of 10)
Fry: 8.85 (out of 10)
Sides: 1.78 (out of 3)

Value: 1.36 (avg is 1.36)
Family: 5.88 (out of 10)

Kobans is located on Niagara St in Niagara Falls.  The fry is skinless haddock and is available beer battered or breaded.  The fry is served with a side salad, coleslaw, and your choice of French fries, baked potato, or au gratin potato for $12.95.  They fry is served for lunch and dinner on Fridays only, and reservations are not typically taken.

Owned and operated since 1980 by the Koban family, Kobans serves an array of traditional Polish-American plates in a laid-back, old-timey setting.  Their specialties include homemade pierogis and other assorted comfort dishes.  

Please Note:  This fry was previously ranked #1 overall, last being reviewed in 2018.  Perhaps we can blame the fall from grace on Covid, then again, perhaps we cant.

Fish: A large piece of well cooked haddock.  The batter was crispy and the fish flaked nicely.  There was little residual grease on the plate.  Unlike previous visits, the taste just wasn't there.  I wonder if they changed the beer in their batter.  But it was still a fine example of a what a Lenten fish fry should be.

Tartar: I don't know what to make of this one.  It tasted fine, but looked funny.  It was tannish in appearance.  I honestly don't know what would cause that.  Again, it tasted fine, just was hard to get past the tint of the usually white substance.

Sides: Honestly I cant believe this fry previously held the #1 spot being served with frozen crinkle cut fries, but the formulas don't lie.  Any who, the fries were fine and enhanced with vinegar, but a far cry from a properly cooked, fresh cut, Idaho.  The slaw was tasty.  It was lightly dressed with a well seasoned dressing.  While I certainly have been known to enjoy a side salad from time to time, (I.e. double salad at TxRH), it just seemed out of place being served with a fish fry.  I would of much rather seen the salad substituted for a macaroni or potato salad.  Either way, the salad was simply a bagged mix with a slice of tomato, it could of easily been elevated with some croutons, cheese, etc.

Clam Chowder:  My how the mighty have fallen.  Previously this chowder received a score of 9.5.  The chowder I was served today was only able to muster a mediocre 6.5.  While it was served piping hot with large chunks of clams, the flavor just fell flat.  I also wish it had been served with some crackers.

Overall:  I've sent many people to Kobans over the years for their fish fry.  While they still serve a respectable piece of fried fish at a very competitive price, there are now better options out there.

Covid Update: Kobans currently has very abbreviated hours but is taking reservations.

Social Distancing Score: 9.25 / 10
The spacing of the tables was perfect and the menus were visibly being cleaned in between use.