I grew up in 60s/70s in Council Bluffs just across the river and my grandfather would take us to the fish house on special occasions. I never understood why the single was called a sandwich, but the food was incredibly good. I moved away in ´71 and have not lived more than two miles from the Pacific Ocean since then, the last 8 years in Pacific Central Mexico. Fish as part of my diet has been constant, but I have never found fish better then Tess´s fish house. At 68 I have only one desire to satisfy before I pass away, I will revist this incredible fish house.
Tammy
Best place for catfish. The food was hot and delicious. I absolutely love the curbside service.
Jackie Fiore
In visiting Omaha, I stopped by Joe Tess. I ordered 4 pieces of carp & 2 orders of cole slaw(came in 2 toddler size-micro cups), it came to $32.00. When I asked for hot sauce(note: none come complimentary with your order), I was told they are .50 cents each. Yes, u read that. It's like going to McDonald's ordering a box of fries & no ketchup at all, not even one packet being provided. Back to Joe Tess, prior times, pickles as well as hot sauce came complimentary with your order. When I also asked for pickles, I was told they were .50 cents as well. I live in Los Angeles and these prices are higher than us and we are a destination spot with the highest mortgage/rent prices/food costs in the US mainland. So, this is funny to see this fried fish joint in Nebraska nickel and dime their customers. As a business owner, be advised you will out-price and lose customers by nickel & diming them. I will never come back....all too tacky.
Danny Aydelott
We sure miss eating in the restaurant. A gun carrying security guard, brings your food out to your car in front of the restaurant takes your money. Food was excellent oh, but we really miss going inside sitting down to enjoy our dinner had to eat it in the parking lot as we were at a motel miles away and we didn't want to see before we got home. Please bring back the indoor restaurant thank you.
cm mora
The food was tasty.. BUT VERY EXPENSIVE!!A large catfish dinner is $25 dollars!!I asked for extra pickles and hot sauce. They charge .50 cents for extras. I thought that was seriously ridiculous after paying $25 for a piece of fish. ? They're getting very greedy. It's been almost 2 years since they've had dine in too. They keep saying they can't find waitresses. This is strange everyone else seems to be able to find waitresses just fine. Excuses are like @sses every body has them. I love fish.. but this last visit left me feeling very annoyed with this place and their greed. It'll be A LONG LONG time before I eat here again.
Lisa Israel
My husband was born and raised in Omaha and has loved Joe Tess his whole life. So we slid over to get his fix for his home town favorite with some pickles and the bread. We grabbed an order of Buffalo for him and Tilapia for myself. It wasn't crunchy, but maybe thats because we had to drive it ? in the takeout boxes so it probably steamed a bit. I was very disappointed in my ? because its tasted like a completely different ?. I have hand raised and grown my own tilapia so I know what they taste like. They must fry all of the fish together, from the buffalo, catfish, carp, ?, & tilapia. There were literally only 2 tiny slices of pickles. The 1st time in my life where I HAD to use hot sauce on my ?. Its very sad that Covida Jones forced them to stop an 80 year tradition of selling live fish & having their actual restaurant.
Khalfani Watson
More fried bits of batter than edible pieces of fried fish. Fries were good. So was the slaw. Drive thru only right now.
M. V.
I love this place but my son and I ordered shrimp dinners. Both had burned shrimp? I live in Bellevue so it was too far to drive back with the orders. Have not returned since!
Jim S
If you are looking for a not-so-usual dining experience, this is a good place to try. "Out of carp" due to Covid supply-issues, we ordered the catfish fingers on take-away. Not really finger-sized, these were four thin catfish filets, breaded & fried to just the perfect combination of crispy outside & flaky inside deliciousness! Unusually good!
Preston Johnson
I have eaten at this place over 20+ years and they have never disappointed me. Long as they are selling fish I will gladly come back and eat more ?
fish was greasy potatoes ere dripping with grease fish had old fish taste only thing good about the whole experience from point of ordering to eating was cole slaw
Perthedia Berry
Not happy with the quality of the meal. They did not add the whipped cream to my cakes.
Jonboy Harris
Good food take out or be drive through only. Next door is a seafood market that is absolutely amazing with good Prices and very good selection of fish and seafood. The owners are great people who are honest and friendly for sure. Located in Joe Tess place building. Love that seafood.
William Clark
Catfish fingers were great the chips very soggy tossed them. Slaw was ok. Had the okra also not to my liking was mushy I like crispy whole thing cost $32 and all I ate was fish and slaw
I grew up in 60s/70s in Council Bluffs just across the river and my grandfather would take us to the fish house on special occasions. I never understood why the single was called a sandwich, but the food was incredibly good. I moved away in ´71 and have not lived more than two miles from the Pacific Ocean since then, the last 8 years in Pacific Central Mexico. Fish as part of my diet has been constant, but I have never found fish better then Tess´s fish house. At 68 I have only one desire to satisfy before I pass away, I will revist this incredible fish house.
Best place for catfish. The food was hot and delicious. I absolutely love the curbside service.
In visiting Omaha, I stopped by Joe Tess. I ordered 4 pieces of carp & 2 orders of cole slaw(came in 2 toddler size-micro cups), it came to $32.00. When I asked for hot sauce(note: none come complimentary with your order), I was told they are .50 cents each. Yes, u read that. It's like going to McDonald's ordering a box of fries & no ketchup at all, not even one packet being provided. Back to Joe Tess, prior times, pickles as well as hot sauce came complimentary with your order. When I also asked for pickles, I was told they were .50 cents as well. I live in Los Angeles and these prices are higher than us and we are a destination spot with the highest mortgage/rent prices/food costs in the US mainland. So, this is funny to see this fried fish joint in Nebraska nickel and dime their customers. As a business owner, be advised you will out-price and lose customers by nickel & diming them. I will never come back....all too tacky.
We sure miss eating in the restaurant. A gun carrying security guard, brings your food out to your car in front of the restaurant takes your money. Food was excellent oh, but we really miss going inside sitting down to enjoy our dinner had to eat it in the parking lot as we were at a motel miles away and we didn't want to see before we got home. Please bring back the indoor restaurant thank you.
The food was tasty.. BUT VERY EXPENSIVE!!A large catfish dinner is $25 dollars!!I asked for extra pickles and hot sauce. They charge .50 cents for extras. I thought that was seriously ridiculous after paying $25 for a piece of fish. ? They're getting very greedy. It's been almost 2 years since they've had dine in too. They keep saying they can't find waitresses. This is strange everyone else seems to be able to find waitresses just fine. Excuses are like @sses every body has them. I love fish.. but this last visit left me feeling very annoyed with this place and their greed. It'll be A LONG LONG time before I eat here again.
My husband was born and raised in Omaha and has loved Joe Tess his whole life. So we slid over to get his fix for his home town favorite with some pickles and the bread. We grabbed an order of Buffalo for him and Tilapia for myself. It wasn't crunchy, but maybe thats because we had to drive it ? in the takeout boxes so it probably steamed a bit. I was very disappointed in my ? because its tasted like a completely different ?. I have hand raised and grown my own tilapia so I know what they taste like. They must fry all of the fish together, from the buffalo, catfish, carp, ?, & tilapia. There were literally only 2 tiny slices of pickles. The 1st time in my life where I HAD to use hot sauce on my ?. Its very sad that Covida Jones forced them to stop an 80 year tradition of selling live fish & having their actual restaurant.
More fried bits of batter than edible pieces of fried fish. Fries were good. So was the slaw. Drive thru only right now.
I love this place but my son and I ordered shrimp dinners. Both had burned shrimp? I live in Bellevue so it was too far to drive back with the orders. Have not returned since!
If you are looking for a not-so-usual dining experience, this is a good place to try. "Out of carp" due to Covid supply-issues, we ordered the catfish fingers on take-away. Not really finger-sized, these were four thin catfish filets, breaded & fried to just the perfect combination of crispy outside & flaky inside deliciousness! Unusually good!
I have eaten at this place over 20+ years and they have never disappointed me. Long as they are selling fish I will gladly come back and eat more ?
Restaurantji Recommends
Fish was hot and fresh upon arrival for pickup
fish was greasy potatoes ere dripping with grease fish had old fish taste only thing good about the whole experience from point of ordering to eating was cole slaw
Not happy with the quality of the meal. They did not add the whipped cream to my cakes.
Good food take out or be drive through only. Next door is a seafood market that is absolutely amazing with good Prices and very good selection of fish and seafood. The owners are great people who are honest and friendly for sure. Located in Joe Tess place building. Love that seafood.
Catfish fingers were great the chips very soggy tossed them. Slaw was ok. Had the okra also not to my liking was mushy I like crispy whole thing cost $32 and all I ate was fish and slaw
Loading...