Reviews of Bortell's Fisheries (Fish Shop)

5510 S Lakeshore Dr, Ludington, MI 49431

Average Rating:

DESCRIPTION

We offer you the feddbacks of real people who purchase the products of Bortell\'s Fisheries (Fish Shop) in Michigan.

At this moment the business receives a rating of 4.8 over 5 and the rating was based on 475 reviews.

You must have seen that the average of ratings that it reaches is virtually the best one, and it's based on a very large number of opinions, so we may conclude that the rating is very faithful. If there are many people who bothered to evaluate when they've done well with the service, it works.

You know that we do not usually bother to set scores when they are good and we usually do it only if we have had a problem or incidence...

This Fish Shop is classified in the category of Fish and chips takeaway.

Where is Bortell's Fisheries?

REVIEWS OF Bortell's Fisheries IN Michigan

Tom Crews

This is truly a Hidden Gem if you want great fish you definitely have to try this place.

Carolyn Strait

Best fish ever. Cash ONLY though

Roger Pashby

Great variety of fish, a bit pricey, but when you are with friends that gets forgotten.

Milan Stocking

Best fresh fish fillets, quick fried.

Lee Lange

Great fresh fish

Norm N

Best fish in the Ludington area. Definitely a mom and pop place. Great people. They know you when you come in the door and greet you like friends. Get your fish and go across the road to Summit Park and eat overlooking lake Michigan. You won't be the only people from Bortell's, lots of white bags in the many garbage barrels. We have shared a table with people from all over the country. Many have returned just to get their fish dinner from Bortell's. Their smoked fish is also awesome. My mother would remind me often that I needed to stop for smoked fish on our way home from the weekend in Ludington!

Joshua Rewis

Very good, fresh food. You pick your fish and they cook your food right in front of you. The people are cordial also. This fishery has been a family owned business for over 100 years! Make sure you go down to the picnic area by Lake Michigan for a great view while eating this great food. The picnic area has a kids playground, tennis courts and a bathroom also.

Nicole Ferguson

West Michigan's Best Kept Secret for fish! You can purchase a variety of fish baskets, ocean and lake. A variety of smoked fish is available too. Cash only establishment. You won't be disappointed.

jen rok

Great fish and sides. Worth the drive. Exceptionally clean. Family owned business.

Michael A Fonseca

Great place for fish, yesterday had Lake Perch fish basket went today for lunch had Shrimp Basket. Cooked to perfection not greasy or oily. You can buy fish by the pound and take it home to cook or they will cook it for you. Many varieties of fresh fish and smoked fish everyday.

Doug Allen

Best fish around

Art Killian

Great as always. Amazing staff. Outstanding fish choices. Always a must stop while camping in Ludington!

Becki Gum

Delicious fish try the smoked lake trout

Jim Williams

The whitefish ia excellent

Tracy Bennett

Awesome food and experience!!

Christopher Jeruzal

If you like to eat fish and you're in the Ludington or Pentwater area during the summer, Bortell's is a must do. Best fried fish in West Michigan! Lake Perch, Whitefish, Trout, and Smelt are just a few of the fish varieties available. The fish, the fries, and the coleslaw are always fresh. A healthy squeeze of lemon and some dill pickle tartar sauce are the perfect condiments to top it off. Don't forget to wash it down with one of their ice cold soda pops. Don't like fried fish? Try their smoked fish! You can eat at one of their picnic tables or head across the street to Summit Park where you you can have a nice picnic and let the kids play on the S. S. Summit Pirate ship or take a dip in Lake Michigan! Don't miss this local favorite!

Scott Cuttle

Great place to eat fish. I don't really care for seafood but will go here and get the Icelandic Cod basket. You'll have your food in about 5 minutes (or less) as they are very proficient!

Justin Kraus

Cash only but has been a family spot for generations

Kendall Mead

This place has the best fried fish that I have ever eaten in my life. The fish is fried right in front of you when you order, and all the fish is as fresh as it can be. I can now understand how this place has survived for so many generations. Lastly, just so you know this is a cash only establishment. Thank you Bortells I will be back soon!

Mickey Shimel

This little known treasure is a great find. The food is awesome!

madnessmike12345

Awesome place to get fresh fish. They take cash only but its worth it. The fish is lightly breaded and you will never regret making the trip. I live just over 200 miles away and I make the trip once a year for this great food. They fry your food to order. Their prices are fair. This is a fish market too and you can buy fresh fish to take home and cook. They will even put it on ice for you. Fresh shrimp is also available and salmon. They also have a variety of smoked fish for purchase. Great place! Make a point to visit!!!

Luke Orth

Awesome eats! Waiting patiently for next spring.

Susan Kalsbeek

Fantastic as always!

Mark Woodcox

Good take out fish fresh and hot. There's a nice park across the road.

Marie Campbell

One of our favorites in the Ludington area. Great fish!

Jamison Wicks

Best fried fish around!!!

Wayne Schultz

Best fresh fried fish , fried to perfection ! Have never had a bad fishing day at Bortell"s Fisheries !

Bre Malkowski

Wonderful hidden gem! The fried fish is very good, it’s not heavily fried so not too greasy. It’s a great place to go when it’s nice out so you can go across the road to summit park to have a beautiful view of Lake Michigan while you eat dinner.

Gary Olsen

Great fish /seafood, about normal prices always a line moves pretty quickly

Todd Myers

Great fish! Fresh and fast

Nautical Miles

Some of the best fish around. This is where I tell folks to go if they want a local delicacy. Over the years, I've honed in on perfection... I get the Icelandic and/or salmon, lightly fried, no salt, and onion rings or fries, lightly fried also. And they actually have Vernors and A&W Root beer! The yummiest combo ever! Oh, and the Norwegian smoked salmon is the best! It also makes the best salmon cheese dip, but it almost seems a sin to put it into a recipe. (Be prepared: cash only! Not all sites online state this...) Nice, open, sunny atmosphere, unless it's raining. It's all outdoor seating. We usually take our fishy contraband over to Summit Park next door to watch the waves. The fresh Lake air and super fresh fish are the best combo on a sunny, Michigan summer afternoon! It's just a flavor of fish that I don't find elsewhere. Definitely for lovers of anything from the sea! ⚓⚓⚓

Chris Lamkin

Best place to get fried fish on the west side of Michigan

Mike Dyer

Best smelt I have ever had. Was a great experience. Thank you!

Karen Huckabone

Hands down the best smoked rainbow trout I have ever enjoyed. I'm no expert, but I'm working on it

Emily Scholtens

I have been coming here for 30yrs! My parents have come since before I was born. The service is fast and friendly. I had the clam basket and mushrooms. I have enough for lunch tomorrow. Portions are generous and delicious =]

Harmony Bailey

Such friendly people. And AMAZING fish. Caught daily! Cash only.

Erin Kennedy

Amazing place, just remember to bring cash! The picnic area across the street is the perfect place for lunch.

Kim Moyer

Best fried fish in Ludington area.....

Dylan Malama

Just simply amazing fish. Cooked extremely fast and also gone extremely fast. Awesome service and awesome fresh fish.

Sally Weaver

Fresh fish fried in front of you sold by the pound or as dinners. Cole slaw comes with the dinners. You can also get fried mushrooms, fries, cauliflower and onion rings. I believe they also sell shrimp and chicken tenders, but not 100% sure about that.

Cheryl Evans

Always fresh food and never had a bad meal. We don't eat any other fish when Bortells is closed for the season.

Brian Adams

Fish was great! Don't forget to bring cash, no ATM.

Grant Holmes

Bortell’s is an old school fried fish shop that is absolutely delicious!! They have a wide variety of fish to choose from and a great little road side atmosphere. My Fiancée and I got the walleye and Lake perch and both were absolutely fantastic! Everyone working was very friendly and the entire experience was classic American! Make sure to bring cash as that is all they take. There is also a great little road side park across the street where you can go and eat and have an amazing view of Lake Michigan. Don’t go to Ludington without eating at Bortell’s!!!

Brandon Verdier

The fish is excellent. Right by Lake Michigan so you can enjoy your meal there. Pricey but what do you expect

S Hopkins

Great food

scott mitchell

Wow very good

Ashley Mayle

Small but amazing. They have delicious food, quick service. We go everytime we come up here for camping.

Wayne Laitala

Best smoked fish I have ever had. Also the best smoked fish dip ever. Stop grab a bite to eat you wont be disappointed.

Brent Beacom

Best fried fish in West Michigan!

Steve Yager

Good. Little $$

Ellen Polzien

A great fishery for both fresh, off- the- dock Lake Michigan fish and imported fish...but the real unique feature of this business is its fish lunches -- you pick your fish from a long list -- at least 10 local or other species -- they pull it out of the case, deep- fry it on the spot and serve it to you with fries and slaw, or another of a limited choice of sides. There's no indoor seating, but there are picnic tables outside, and you can also take your lunch across the street to a shaded county park overlooking the big lake. We had whitefish and walleye here, and it was absolutely delicious. The slaw was tasty too. I'd love to go back and work my way down the fish menu!

Roy Wilson

Great fish, we eat deep fried there in their picnic area or take home fresk

Doug Ferrell

Good fresh fish!

Aytha Johnson

Our favorite place for fresh fish, while vacationing! Our family begs to eat at Bortell's when we visit Ludington!

Christina Smith

Fresh and amazing!

Linda Osborn

The best fish place around

William Sweet

Fresh fish simple and fast

Toni Marry

Very good. A little pricey but cheaper than a fishing charter and super fresh fried while you wait.

Emma Heersema

Great fish, great atmosphere!

Charlie Sullivan

One of the Best Fried Fish Shop's a

Rob Super

Best smoked salmon in the area!

Cristina Whitehouse

My family has been coming here for many years now, and it never disappoints. A tip for a new comer, bring CASH! Credit and debit are not accepted, which can be a pain, but plan ahead and you're all set. We bring at least $160 with us, but we also get at least 4 fish dinners and sometimes 2 appetizers, plus some smoked fish for back home. I highly recommend their smoked fish over anywhere else, it's never too salty or too greasy, they always get it just right. I'm also happy to report that this place is CLEAN. If you're in the area, or making a trip in for Bortell's, you won't be disappointed! We make at least one trip a year, its 3 hours one way... Enjoy!

Cody Heche

This has been my favorite fried fish joint since I was a kid. The breading is perfect and the people are awesome and efficient. Stop in on your way to the beach, get a pound of perch and an RC cola and start a tradition like I have by coming here every chance you can.

Bryan Cramer

Every time ww come near Pentwater it is a must stop.

Jackie Beland

Awesome delicious great owners. Service. WOW Very busy but enjoy at tables very near, with great Michigan weather like heaven

Frank Conner

Best fish in the state.

Cheryl Henderson

Good food, great staff, wish it was open a little longer in the year, but just can't complain

Rick Baldwin

Great place great food cant go wrong

Dale Krause

Amazing Fish with great service

Jason McDonald

We enjoyed our meal.... the fish was indeed delicious. Having said that, they don't accept credit or debit cards, which is pretty inconvenient. We were on vacation just passing through and we found Bortell's on Yelp. We didn't see any mention about them not accepting cards and we arrived unprepared. Only one person in our party had a significant amount of cash on them so we went ahead and ate and settled up later. There were five in our party and the bill was just over $100, so it is a little pricey, but high quality seafood is worth the price. It's a little outside of Ludington, so once you get there you're kinda committed. There is no inside dining; it's all outdoor. There are a handful of picnic tables. Now if you live locally, it would be a great place to buy fresh seafood. As out-of-state travelers we were looking for more of a sit-down dine-in kinda restaurant. Again, the fish was delicious, so if you really want good seafood, this is your place!

Michael Bailey

Icelandic Cod basket was awesome. We come as often as we're in the area great food and prices bring cash as credit and debit cards are not accepted here

Betsy Klein

This place is a must go!! Their fish is fresh, fried right in front you you, and the best!! Byob and either eat on their picnic tables, or go across the road to the county park to enjoy!!

Tim Lindley

great little place for fish and chips style food. no dining area but there is a roadside park just up the street. not really a "kids meal" type place we took the kids but next time i am packing them PB&J... for them it fun to eat at the roadside park

Joel Huizinga

I've visited this establishment multiple times per year for 40+ years and it never gets old and it's always good. If you love fresh, fried fish you'll love Bortells.

Melissa Roberts

I was surprised how quickly or meal was ready. There was a line out the door when we arrived. I hesitated seeing the line. So very glad we stayed. I had the walleye dinner. Loved the walleye, very lightly breaded and super tasty.

Linda Beintema

Very good food!!! Will definitely go back again:)

Brian Wolff

Great fresh fish and service! FYI cash only!

William

Very fast!! Long line but I was in and out within 10 minutes with fresh fish!! Good prices too

Douglas Holden

Good fish. Lots of options. Bring cash, no credit cards. Need to try it. Outdoor seating or take it home.

Dave Stanulis

Amazing fish dinner!

Stacy Daumeyer

Fried fish is amazing

Jim Scholten

Hi Quality. Excellent

G Slocombe

Great fish, seafood, and other fried foods.

P Brown

This the absolute BEST FISH RESTAURANT EVER!!!!! GO YOU WON'T BE SORRY. It's take out only.

Eli Todd

Excellent fried and smoked fish.

Mike Austin

Never received a bad meal yet!

Bri Minock

First time visiting and had the catfish dinner. Was pretty good portion for 1 person.

Scott Gillish

Small place, but good selection of a fresh fish and smoked fish for a decent price. Help staff very kind and courteous.

H GK

Ok so Google says I 'visited 4 days ago'. As if! This is a local attraction for sure - and limited to Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend (whenever they sell out that weekend, that's when they close). You can buy fish dinners there (eat at the tables outside, or on top of the bluff at Summit Park across the street...). Or buy smoked fish by the pound. Either way, you'll love it :) Cash/ check only, if I remember correctly.

Sandy Robs

Smoked fish was excellent bought three different kinds. The young and I mean young lady that helped us was rushing us on making a decision she made us feel like we were putting her out by helping us food great service 0.

Mark Kowitz

Great food. Very informal!

LanceDawn Centers

Always friendly and great food

Effie Slawinski

One of the best places to get fresh, smoked and deep fried fish in Mason County!! Been going here year after year and never been disappointed!! ❣️

Eric Horkey

This place is crazy good! Fish fried to a perfect crispness. Some of the best, freshest shrimp I've ever had anywhere. We got the fish and shrimp and then took it across the street to Summit Park overlooking the lake. Amazing! Can't wait to go back!

Gale Wright

The best

Taylor Huebler-Davis

Great food, good price, and fast service. First time for me ordering fish, and I had the lake perch dinner basket and it was amazing!

Christopher Swinford

Some of the best fried fish I've ever had, run by an incredibly friendly family that always remembers me even though I only pop in every couple of months. Easily my favorite place to eat in Pentwater or Ludington, this place wouldn't be home without my Bortell's.

Randy Neumann

Great fish!

Pam Smetanko

Small seafood restaurant with excellent meals of just about any type of fish from salmon to clam strips, all of which are lightly breaded and fried. You get great fries and coleslaw with the meal. No inside tables but they do have picnic tables outside. We were lucky that when we went it wasn't too busy but while we were eating it got super busy. People were parking on the side of the road as the parking lot was full. We'll go again!

Elizabeth Hahn

Great fried and smoked fish. Clean tables outside to picnic. Bring cash and bug spray

Mr H

Great lunches cook in short time and sellection of smoked & fresh fish - smoked Norwegian salmon is my favorite.

Lois Helland

Oh, boy!! Bortell's has fish frying down to a science! Fresh, hot, lightly battered and golden-crisp describes the big variety of seafood they cook. We love to go there on our motorcycle and have a picnic right outside the building or across the street in the park overlooking Lake Michigan. At Bortell's, you can buy your fish by the pound or as part of a meal. They also sell many types of smoked fish. We love this place!

Anna Ray

CASH/CHECK ONLY Delicious fish, we ordered the dinner basket. The fish is lightly battered and fried after you choose the type of fish you want. You get fries and coleslaw as well. Drinks are available for $1 extra. Picnic area outside, also a small park with picnic tables by the beach nearby!

James Bevans

Best place to get fish

Jeff Matthews

The best fresh fish & fish fry in the state of Michigan. I'm a third generation customer. Great traditional smoked fish too.

Rayna Spicer

Best fish on the planet!!

Ryan Moss

Best. Fish. Ever.

David Hackert

Great owners and the best fish in Ludington!!

Martin Personette

Excellent fresh fish

Craig Kent

Freshest, tastiest, seafood around.

Jason Butterfield

Best place to get fresh fish. They can even fry up meals there for you. Love it.

Neil L

The best kept secret of Ludington.

Michelle Williams

I was not over the top about the rainbow trout. Other people that we were with enjoyed there meal. I heard the shrimp was amazing and the smoked fish I was told was good as well. I just didn't care for the rainbow trout. I'm not from the area but I had heard that had been around for a long time.

Dean Lichtenberg

We get a variety of smoked fish here. However there is fresh fried fish here made to order. Long lines during meal times tells you the food is good. Smoked fish is worth the trip.

Shirley Gritter

Love the fish going back soon great prices

Julie Krider

Best fresh fish in the Ludington area. You can also have it fried right there with crispy fries and Cole slaw and eat at the picnic tables. We always buy whitefish here and have the perch fried up to eat. YUM!

Ed Meurer

A local fish market that serves up hot fish dinners is definitely worth the drive. Packed at dinnertime on a Wednesday night, I would recommend coming at lunch since they have only a few picnic tables for seating. I had the whitefish and my wife had the clams. Both were superb with plenty of fries & coleslaw.

Jeffrey Johnson

Good small town fried fresh fish!

Sandra Fairbanks

Food is great and customer service even better! We come back on vacation every year!

Gerald Gregones

Freshest fish you can get. Prices are steep but food is great. Used to be a hidden gem now lots of a-hole tourists know about it.

Jacob Foutch

Great fried fish joint!

Tracey Wood

Lovely, family owned business. Fish tastes wonderful. I would have given 5 stars, but the pound of smoked fish I paid $8 for was half a pound of Bones and thick skin and only half a pound of flesh.

Chris Maneke

While we enjoyed our meal here, it was not quite at the level of hype we read in other reviews.

Shirley Heeg

Terrific fish, lots of food, always a great experience! Amazing that you can see the raw fish in the case and then a few steps later, pick up your meal, freshly fried!

Barbara Scott

Excellent fish dinner! Always

Izzy S

Great place for fresh fish! You can select from a nice variety of fresh fish and take it home to cook, or they'll deep fry it for you. I ordered the Lake perch basket which includes 8 ounces of perch (about 4 pieces), fries, and coleslaw. My companions ordered the whitefish basket (same sides). I tried both and thought the Lake Perch was the best. Bortell's has outdoor picnic tables, or you can take your lunch to the nearby park.

David Wright

Great fish!

Michael Sluis

Awesome fish. My favorite is lake perch. Some folks feel it's a little pricey, but I feel it is worth every cent. Outside eating and cash only.

Ryan Klinefelter

Smoked fish by the pound. Loved the smoked trout. Ate in the fried smelt. Eat outside on blue picnic tables

Alyssa Campbell

Have always loved bortell's! Fresh fish, and yummy coleslaw! Wish they gave us more ketchup, but that's the only complaint! Definitely should try this place out.

Brian M

Cool place to go for a ride. South of town, takeout only (picnic tables outside) seasonal fish fry. Great food, long lines which move very quick, with friendly and efficient staff. If you are looking for something different and you like lightly breaded seafood, you have to check this place out. Picture below is the shrimp (comes in cardboard boat in a bag).

Dan Boverhof

It was delicious as always!

Rich Merrill

Best fish dinners ever, and the nicest family you could ever meet.

Al Karon Buning

Excellent

Jellyfish Jam

Great selection and they fry it fresh to order. Yum!! Smoked fish options as well. If you're in the area you won't want to miss this.

Delorma Goodrow

They do what they do very well. 2nd visit in 4 days.

Kristi Smith

Hole in the wall/ blink and you'll miss it kind of place. You must try the fried salmon- out of this world delicious!

Peter Dunn

A local landmark, open May till Labor Day. Prepare for a long wait in line.

Sulema Burmeister

Amazing food & fast service!

Rick Anes

As always great fish !

TIM SAGLIMBENE

One of the main reasons we drive up here is for their fish. The best in Michigan. Try the fried white fish!!!

Jason C

Well worth the visit. Great fish both smoked and fish dinners. We make a few trips a summer to Ludington just to get fish from Bortells and ice cream desert at HoF

Todd Rasmussen

Best fish in Michigan!

Karen SaintDenis

Iconic place to eat! Even as locals, my husband and I look forward to the first week in May when Bortells opens up again for business. A generational family owned and operated business, this is the best place to go for a good fish dinner. There's no indoor dining, just get in line at the display cooler, choose your fish, and watch as it's deep fried while you pay. There's a large selection of various fish, along with shrimp and scallops to choose from, served with fries and cole slaw. Take your meal outside to the picnic tables right there or head across the street to Summit Beach, right on Lake Michigan, a quiet secluded beach.

Jaclyn Christensen

Busy but fast and so good

Linda Raeth

This amazing restaurant is the best kept secret outside of Ludington. It is a small place serving seafood to order, accepting only cash. There are tables outside in the shade or you can get the order to go. Always fresh, clean, fast, friendly service. A must if you are in the area!

J Hall

The Walleye was our favorite!

Matthew Scheltema

Always have had good fish here, have had several different things over the years. Favorite is the Norwegian Smoked Salmon.

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