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Some of the best fish and chips in Arizona come out of a shop so small that barely two people fit inside at once. There are no booths, no host stand, and no dining room.
There is a short line on a downtown Flagstaff sidewalk, a few tables tucked into an alley, and a menu that reads like a page from a British high street. People drive up from Phoenix and Rimrock just to order here, then eat in their cars without a single complaint.
The portions are big, the batter is light, and the house sauces have their own fan club. Late on a Friday or Saturday, the counter is still open well past midnight.
Keep reading to learn where this tiny shop hides, what to order beyond the fish, and how to plan a visit that feels like a quick trip across the ocean.
A Tiny Counter on San Francisco Street
Blink on the wrong block and the whole operation slips right past you.
Evans Fish and Chips sits at 113 S San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, in the heart of downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. It is a walk-up fish and chips shop, and the emphasis really belongs on the words walk-up.
There is no seating inside. The interior is roughly big enough for two people standing at the counter, and that is being generous.
What the space lacks in square footage, the kitchen makes up for in output. Orders are cooked when you place them, and the food heads out the door in takeaway containers built for travel.
The address also puts the shop within easy reach of the rest of downtown. That matters, because the meal here usually becomes a portable one.
Locals tend to treat the place as a quick stop on a longer evening downtown. Out-of-town travelers often stumble onto it after a long drive and leave planning their return.
So the first lesson is simple. Look for the small storefront, the short line, and the people walking away with heavy boxes.
The story behind that line is where things start to get interesting.
Takeaway Done the British Way
Across Britain, fish and chips has long been a grab-and-go meal rather than a sit-down affair. This Flagstaff shop leans fully into that tradition.
The format feels more like an authentic takeaway chippy than a typical American restaurant. You order, you wait a bit, and you carry your meal somewhere else.
That approach keeps the focus where it belongs. There are no frills competing for attention with the fryer.
Inside, an information board helps first-timers figure out the menu and the day’s offerings. It is a small touch, but it gets plenty of appreciation.
The British accent shows up across the whole menu. Alongside the fish, there are pies, sausage rolls, scotch eggs, gravy, English mustard, and malt vinegar.
People who have eaten fish and chips in England and in coastal towns often say this counter holds its own against those memories. Some even call it the best version they have found stateside.
For Arizonans, that is a fun bit of bragging material. A proper chippy lives a couple of hours north of Phoenix, tucked between mountain town storefronts.
Of course, a tradition is only as good as the fish in the fryer. That is where the menu gets a twist.
Fish That Changes With the Catch
Cod gets top billing, yet it is far from the only fish swimming through this menu.
The fish options shift based on availability. On any given day, the board might list cod, trout, mahi, hoki, or flounder.
That rotation keeps regulars curious. A second visit can bring a completely different fillet than the first.
Cod and chips remains the classic order, and plenty of people insist it is the move. Each portion is a whole fillet rather than a pile of small pieces.
Trout has its own following, and it shows up often in conversations about the shop. Mahi and hoki also earn praise when they appear.
Fish can be battered and fried, and a grilled option is also served. That gives lighter eaters a path through the menu too.
The batter itself gets steady compliments for being light rather than heavy. Many people mention that the meal does not come across as greasy, with more fish than coating in each bite.
Not every plate lands perfectly, and a few people have wanted more salt in the batter. Still, the overwhelming verdict is that the fish is fresh, made to order, and worth the trip.
And then there are the sauces, which deserve a section all their own.
The Sauce Lineup With a Fan Club
Plenty of shops treat tartar sauce as an afterthought. Here, it might be the reason some people come back.
The shop makes its own tartar sauce, and there is more than one version. The classic tartar gets steady praise as an excellent match for the fish.
For heat seekers, the White Dragon jalapeño tartar adds a spicy kick. A spicy dragon cocktail sauce is also on offer for those who want a different direction.
English mustard sauce rounds things out. It gets enthusiastic mentions from people who did not expect to love it as much as they did.
Malt vinegar is available for the traditionalists. Extra splashes are part of the experience for many cod fans.
Tartar sauce shows up as one of the most talked-about items connected to the shop. Some fans joke that they would happily drink it straight.
The best strategy is to try more than one. Pairing the fries with a sauce is a popular move, and the combinations can change the whole meal.
A few cups of sauce can turn a simple order into a small tasting session. Next up, the British side of the menu steals more spotlight.
Scotch Eggs, Sausage Rolls, and Savory Pies
Ordering only fish here is a bit like reading just the first chapter of a good book.
The scotch egg is one of the most mentioned items on the whole menu. It comes packed with sausage, a soft-cooked egg in the center, and a crisp breadcrumb coating.
Sausage rolls are close behind in popularity. The pastry is flaky, and the sausage portion is generous.
Steak and ale pie appears often in conversations about the shop, and the pies in general earn strong praise. A cheesy onion roll or pastry is another option for something meatless.
Gravy is also available, and it has its own small group of devotees. It works well with chips if you want to go full comfort mode.
Opinions vary a little on sausage flavor and density. That is normal for British-style sausage, which can differ from what many Americans expect.
Many first-timers return specifically to try these extras after filling up on fish the first time. Splitting a fish order and adding a couple of savory sides is a smart way to sample more.
Save a little room, though. Dessert at this counter has a reputation that travels.
Sticky Toffee Pudding, the Quiet Headliner
Some people show up for the fish and leave talking only about dessert.
Sticky toffee pudding is among the most frequently mentioned items tied to this shop. It is a classic British dessert, and here it serves as the closing act of the meal.
Fans call it a showstopper. Some order extra portions to take home for later, which says a lot.
It arrives warm and rich, and it gets described as the ideal finish after a big plate of fish and chips. Even people with mixed feelings about other items tend to rave about it.
There is also a sweet story of hospitality attached. The owner once added a little extra pudding for a couple sharing a single portion.
The dessert has become a reason for return trips all on its own. More than a few people mention cravings long after leaving Flagstaff.
If you are sharing a large fish order, consider getting your own pudding. Splitting dessert can lead to friendly negotiations.
With dessert sorted, it is time to talk about something every hungry traveler wants to know: how much food actually lands in that box.
Portions That Surprise First-Timers
Opening the container is a moment many people remember. The portions here are huge.
A large order can easily feed two people. Couples often share one large fish and chips combo and still walk away satisfied.
The small fish and chips is plenty for a single person. That makes it the right pick if you also want a scotch egg or pudding.
Combo orders are popular too. Half fish and half shrimp is a common choice, as is cod paired with shrimp or trout.
The fish fillets are large enough that one person compared the size to a whole slab. That generosity is a big part of the appeal for most.
Chips come thick and hearty, and many say they are cut in house and fried fresh. A few people have caught them on a less warm day, but most praise them highly.
Shrimp also gets frequent compliments for its crisp outside. It is a solid choice for anyone who is not a big fish fan.
Planning your order around appetite pays off. Big boxes, however, raise an important question about where to eat them.
The Alley Tables and Other Dining Rooms
Seating here is a creative exercise. Since there is no room to eat inside, people get resourceful.
A couple of small tables sit on the side in the alley. They are handy, though seating is limited and fills quickly.
Many people simply eat in their cars. Parking as close as possible and dining from the driver’s seat is a popular strategy, especially in winter.
Others take their boxes back to a hotel room. The food tends to hold its crispness well enough for a short drive.
Heading to a nearby park is another favorite option. The food comes out very hot, so a few minutes of travel works in your favor.
Flagstaff weather plays a role too. Cold days can make the alley tables less appealing, so plan ahead.
Nobody seems to mind much. Most people agree the setting does nothing to take away from the meal.
A blanket or folding chairs in the trunk could make a park picnic easy. Now let us meet the people behind the counter.
Friendly Faces Behind the Fryer
Small spaces often create big personalities, and the crew here earns plenty of affection.
Staff members are frequently described as friendly, cool, and patient. That holds true even during busy rushes.
Patience matters at a counter with a lot of menu options and many first-time customers. The team helps people sort through fish choices and sauces without fuss.
The owner’s generosity also gets mentioned, such as that extra pudding for a sharing couple. Gestures like that turn a quick meal into a story worth repeating.
Many people leave saying they wish they had this shop back home. Travelers from Texas and other states mention thinking about the meal long after their trip.
For locals, the warmth is part of why the shop feels like a downtown fixture. It is the kind of place people describe as a classic.
Some fans say there is no reason for it to ever change a thing. That loyalty is hard to earn and harder to keep.
Good company aside, timing your visit well can make things even smoother.
Lines, Wait Times, and Made-to-Order Patience
A line outside a tiny shop is usually a good sign. Here, it tends to move faster than it looks.
Everything is cooked after you order. That means a short wait, often around 15 minutes for your food.
Some visits involve no wait at all. Others, especially late in the evening, bring a line that cycles through fairly quickly.
The made-to-order approach is a big reason people trust the freshness. Fish, shrimp, and chips come out hot rather than sitting under a lamp.
Service is commonly described as quick. Considering the size of the kitchen, the pace is impressive.
A smart plan is to order, then scout your eating spot while the food cooks. Grab a car space close by or check whether an alley table is open.
Groups can split up tasks too. One person orders while another hunts for parking or seating.
Fifteen minutes is a fair trade for a fresh fillet. And speaking of timing, the hours here are friendlier than most.
Late-Night Hours for Night Owls
Plenty of kitchens close early in mountain towns. This one keeps the fryer going long after dark.
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the shop opens at 1 PM and stays open until midnight. Thursday also opens at 1 PM but runs all the way to 3 AM.
Friday and Saturday start earlier at noon and also close at 3 AM. Sunday hours run from noon to 11 PM.
That schedule makes the shop a reliable stop for late dinners. Travelers rolling into Flagstaff after dark often find it open when other options are winding down.
Note the afternoon start on weekdays. Morning or early lunch plans will need a different stop.
Late evenings can bring lines, especially on busy weekend nights downtown. Even then, the wait tends to move along.
Hours can change, so checking the official website before a long drive is wise. That is especially true around holidays.
Late hours are great, but the price tag might be the biggest surprise of all.
Prices That Feel Like a Throwback
Good value can be hard to find these days. This counter seems to have missed that memo, in the best way.
A large order has been priced around $17, based on one recent visit. Given that a large can feed two people, that math works out nicely.
Prices change over time, so treat that figure as a guide rather than a guarantee. Still, reasonable prices are a recurring theme.
Some call it the most affordable fish and chips they have ever seen. Families with teenagers are especially encouraged to come hungry.
Sodas and other drinks are also reasonably priced. That keeps the total friendly for groups.
The small fish and chips offers another budget-friendly route for solo diners. Add a sausage roll or scotch egg and you still stay reasonable.
For Arizonans on a budget, that value makes the drive north easier to justify. A full meal and dessert will not drain the travel fund.
All of that leads to one final question: is this tiny counter worth going out of your way for?
Worth the Drive North
People have driven from Phoenix and Rimrock just to eat out of a box in their cars. That speaks louder than any sign above the door.
The shop holds a 4.7-star average across more than 700 opinions on Google. Not every plate is perfect, and a few people have found the batter under-seasoned or the chips cooler than expected.
Yet the broad picture is clear. Fresh, made-to-order fish, generous portions, house sauces, British sides, and a beloved pudding keep people coming back.
The no-frills setup is part of the charm. You trade a dining room for authentic takeaway and a downtown Flagstaff stroll.
For Arizona locals, it is a fun reminder that the state hides surprises in small storefronts. A proper British chippy sits right in the high country.
Plan for a short wait, bring a seating plan, and save room for dessert. Check the hours if you are arriving late, and consider sharing a large order.
Flagstaff has plenty of reasons to visit, from cool mountain air to scenic drives. A trip that ends with a box from this tiny counter might just become a new habit, no passport required.
