Food In The Fort

I had been craving a fish fry for ages so, despite the fact that Leo and I had just made pan-fried fish on Thursday (it’s just not the same!), I decided to take the kids to Ya Boy. In case you are unfortunate enough to be unfamiliar with this wonderful establishment, it’s at the corner of Anthony and McKinnie, across from the 99 Cent Pus store – your one-stop-shop for knock-off purses, perfumes and bling. Being situated in this less than lovely part of town, Ya Boy does boast some unusual features such as bullet-proof glass separating you from the food preparation area and a little lazy susan contraption that allows them to give you your food without actually handing it to you. Brings back fond memories of liquor stores which sold vodka to minors in NYC when I was an undergrad…

Because I am wildly boring and always order the same thing, I can only describe the small ocean perch dinner ($5.99) which comes with four pieces of fish, French fries, the teeniest cup of coleslaw you’ve ever seen and two pieces of white bread. The white bread is there, I believe, to soak up the grease. The dog highly recommends it. The fish is prepared “Chicago style” according to the menu and, with its corn meal breading, is light and crunchy and just greasy enough to make you feel good without feeling guilty. The kids always get the small chicken tenders dinner ($5.99) which comes with five pieces of chicken and the same sides as the fish. It is always devoured enthusiastically within minutes of hitting the house.

I almost forgot to mention the hot sauce. They give you plenty of it and I recommend using it generously (even my daughter likes it – but not my son, of course, he sticks with ketchup). Sorry I can’t be of help with other specific menu items, but the nice gentleman who was trying to pick me up while I waited did speak highly of the catfish.

Since I couldn’t quit raving to poor Leo about how much I had enjoyed my fish fry, he persuaded me to go back again the following Monday. In a truly dazzling demonstration of a complete lack of adventurousness, we ordered the perch and chicken tenders combo ($7.99 gets you three pieces of fish, three pieces of chicken, the usual sides and a can of pop!). We rounded this out with an order of the best frickin’ onion rings I’ve had in ages and a piece of red velvet cake. The cake was slightly stale and unexciting (it wasn’t deep fried, after all!). Next time, we’ll just get two orders of onion rings.

To sum it up, Ya Boy is an excellent place to get fried fish at a very reasonable price. You will have to wait about ten to fifteen minutes for your order, but it is well worth it. And if you’re ever adventurous enough to try to catfish nuggets and chicken gizzards combo, lemme know how that works for you!

4 out of 5 garlic bulbs. The yummy fish certainly deserves five, but the establishment could be cleaner.

Ya Boy Fish & Chicken
4304 S Anthony Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
(260) 744-5200
Monday – Thursday • 10am – 12am
Friday & Saturday • 10am – 2am
Sunday • 11am – 11pm

About the author:  I'm a Latin-teaching foodie who has lived (and eaten) in Fort Wayne for the past 10 years. I love all the ethnic grocery stores here and the great Mexican restaurants. Cooking is something that I really enjoy, although I tend to improvise a lot and experience my share of disasters. My parents are both wonderful cooks, as was my paternal grandmother (Oma), and I'm always trying to make things the way mom, dad or Oma did. Read more from this author