Growing up in Altoona you always knew where to get fried fish and Mac and cheese, The Fish Bowl Inn. Things have changed a bit. Now it is called Wilson’s Fish Bowl Inn due to new ownership. We were pleasantly surprised with our encounter. Mallory, the bartender was a delight and made us feel very welcomed. We split a steak sandwich that by far was worth the price. As the cook resurfaced from the kitchen I was intrigued by his demeanor. He asked how we liked the sandwich, something I haven’t seen in a very long time. He had passion and heart as he was explaining to me his ideas and flavor combinations he’d like to try. Matt Wilson was his name and he doubled as the owner as well. I learned he was formally trained and creates most of his own recipes. I am always on the pursuit for good pepper jack cheese balls and after Mallory’s suggestion I tried a few. The batter was like nothing I’ve ever had and the flavors exploded. This new Fish Bowl Inn is not only worth a try, as I will be back to try everything on the menu, but it’s worth several repeat visits.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Philly Cheese Steak
David Ferguson
I went here with my husband for our anniversary because we wanted somewhere we haven't tried, that was also close to home. Let me tell you the bartender who I think was called Mallory was fantastic! She was really personable, and guided us through some must try items. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Fries, Philly Cheese Steak
Justin S
We have had a Jeep meet there twice now, good environment, food is great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: blt
Steven Helsel
Good food and friendly service. Limited menu at that time due to a storage unit problem.
Susan Foor
Great food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Fries, Buffalo Chicken, Chicken Wings with Fries
Shirley Deeters
Nice place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Jeff Stoyanoff
The fish sandwich is the best in town. The roast beef is excellent, too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Haddock, Roast Beef
948dl
Really good hole in the wall bar/restaurant! Friendly servers with nice atmosphere. Food is above bar food, nice size with fresh well cooked food!
Adrian
This place is a must try if you are in the area. The wings were great and big, not those little wings that other places serve.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gerald Nelson
Great food, best fish sandwich in town! Peyton is a terrific server perhaps the best in town ?
From the outside this place doesn't look like much. Plenty of parking but looks a bit like someone opened a bar in their house. Going inside, the decor is very neighborhood bar. It is roomy and fairly well lit. Wasn't too sure about the place at that point, but we were quickly and warmly greeted by the girl behind the bar and asked to sit where we liked. We were brought menus and our drink orders were taken right away. When Peyton (our server) returned with our drinks she filled us in on the daily specials and cheerfully gave us time to decide what we wanted.The food choices were actually surprisingly varied. There's standard bar fare but other choices too, including soups, salads, dinners, sandwiches, wings, apps and more. My wife ordered some cheese fries and a Philly Cheese steak, I ordered some Mac n cheese along with their bruschetta beef sandwich and my Mom ordered the soup and salad comprised of a ham and cheese sandwich and the chili.Before long, the cheese fries came out. My wife usually is not a big fan of steak fries, but these were perfectly done. Golden brown, crispy and delicious on the outside, soft and hot on the inside and nicely bathed, but not drowned, in a decent quality cheese sauce. We enjoyed the fries until our sandwiches arrived.My wife's cheese steak was very large. Plenty of properly cooked, well-seasoned meat and cheese on a gently toasted roll. My bruschetta beef sandwich was nearly as large. Tender, seasoned beef under tangy, tomatoey bruschetta topping on a toasted roll slathered with pesto mayonnaise. It was delicious and original. My Mom's chili was flavorful and well seasoned but not hot. She had plenty of fresh ham and cheese topped with crispy green lettuce and tomato again on some really nice Italian bread. The portions were very good, none of us finished our sandwiches, though they were delicious and we all took some home. The Mac and cheese I had on the side was really nice as well. It was neither dry nor over sauced. Made me think of pasta Alfredo and Mac n cheese having a love child. Warm and comforting, creamy with a hint of garlic. I enjoyed it very much.If you're looking for haute cuisine or a fine dining experience, this is not it. But, if you want great service (Peyton was wonderful), good portions, reasonable prices and really well made food this place is a diamond in the rough. Highly recommend, will definitely go back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Fries
Garrett
Great food, best bartender in the place! (There was only one bartender) They even had most of the things that were on the menu! Delicious food and cold beer, give it a try. Ask for Gib
Barb Hileman
Fish was so good. Their homemade tartar sauce is unbeatable
Growing up in Altoona you always knew where to get fried fish and Mac and cheese, The Fish Bowl Inn. Things have changed a bit. Now it is called Wilson’s Fish Bowl Inn due to new ownership. We were pleasantly surprised with our encounter. Mallory, the bartender was a delight and made us feel very welcomed. We split a steak sandwich that by far was worth the price. As the cook resurfaced from the kitchen I was intrigued by his demeanor. He asked how we liked the sandwich, something I haven’t seen in a very long time. He had passion and heart as he was explaining to me his ideas and flavor combinations he’d like to try. Matt Wilson was his name and he doubled as the owner as well. I learned he was formally trained and creates most of his own recipes. I am always on the pursuit for good pepper jack cheese balls and after Mallory’s suggestion I tried a few. The batter was like nothing I’ve ever had and the flavors exploded. This new Fish Bowl Inn is not only worth a try, as I will be back to try everything on the menu, but it’s worth several repeat visits.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Philly Cheese Steak
I went here with my husband for our anniversary because we wanted somewhere we haven't tried, that was also close to home. Let me tell you the bartender who I think was called Mallory was fantastic! She was really personable, and guided us through some must try items. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Fries, Philly Cheese Steak
We have had a Jeep meet there twice now, good environment, food is great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: blt
Good food and friendly service. Limited menu at that time due to a storage unit problem.
Great food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Fries, Buffalo Chicken, Chicken Wings with Fries
Nice place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
The fish sandwich is the best in town. The roast beef is excellent, too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Haddock, Roast Beef
Really good hole in the wall bar/restaurant! Friendly servers with nice atmosphere. Food is above bar food, nice size with fresh well cooked food!
This place is a must try if you are in the area. The wings were great and big, not those little wings that other places serve.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, best fish sandwich in town! Peyton is a terrific server perhaps the best in town ?
Restaurantji Recommends
From the outside this place doesn't look like much. Plenty of parking but looks a bit like someone opened a bar in their house. Going inside, the decor is very neighborhood bar. It is roomy and fairly well lit. Wasn't too sure about the place at that point, but we were quickly and warmly greeted by the girl behind the bar and asked to sit where we liked. We were brought menus and our drink orders were taken right away. When Peyton (our server) returned with our drinks she filled us in on the daily specials and cheerfully gave us time to decide what we wanted.The food choices were actually surprisingly varied. There's standard bar fare but other choices too, including soups, salads, dinners, sandwiches, wings, apps and more. My wife ordered some cheese fries and a Philly Cheese steak, I ordered some Mac n cheese along with their bruschetta beef sandwich and my Mom ordered the soup and salad comprised of a ham and cheese sandwich and the chili.Before long, the cheese fries came out. My wife usually is not a big fan of steak fries, but these were perfectly done. Golden brown, crispy and delicious on the outside, soft and hot on the inside and nicely bathed, but not drowned, in a decent quality cheese sauce. We enjoyed the fries until our sandwiches arrived.My wife's cheese steak was very large. Plenty of properly cooked, well-seasoned meat and cheese on a gently toasted roll. My bruschetta beef sandwich was nearly as large. Tender, seasoned beef under tangy, tomatoey bruschetta topping on a toasted roll slathered with pesto mayonnaise. It was delicious and original. My Mom's chili was flavorful and well seasoned but not hot. She had plenty of fresh ham and cheese topped with crispy green lettuce and tomato again on some really nice Italian bread. The portions were very good, none of us finished our sandwiches, though they were delicious and we all took some home. The Mac and cheese I had on the side was really nice as well. It was neither dry nor over sauced. Made me think of pasta Alfredo and Mac n cheese having a love child. Warm and comforting, creamy with a hint of garlic. I enjoyed it very much.If you're looking for haute cuisine or a fine dining experience, this is not it. But, if you want great service (Peyton was wonderful), good portions, reasonable prices and really well made food this place is a diamond in the rough. Highly recommend, will definitely go back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Fries
Great food, best bartender in the place! (There was only one bartender) They even had most of the things that were on the menu! Delicious food and cold beer, give it a try. Ask for Gib
Fish was so good. Their homemade tartar sauce is unbeatable
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Haddock
Always good here. Nice inside and good prices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Perfect
Emily was so cool. Best fish sandwich in Altoona.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
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