New Fish-N-Chips Contender on Lansing’s East Side

A new fish and chicken joint is making waves on Lansing's east side.

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Sea House Fish & Chicken opened earlier this year in the same building on E. Michigan Ave. where Fish & Chips and Arthur Treacher's used to be.

If you're looking to dress up for a night on the town and a 5-star dining experience, this is not it. If you're looking for a modestly-priced local joint that offers a wide selection of fried seafood, chicken and other comfort foods - this might be a place to put on your list.

Visiting Sea House Fish & Chicken in Lansing

When you first pull into the parking lot at Sea House, you're greeted by an inviting fresh-fried aroma. Signs alert you that there is no drive-thru; dine-in, carryout and delivery options are available.

Longtime Lansing residents will notice the familiar lantern-shaped sign out front that's been there for more than half a century now - originally for Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips.

RELATED: What Ever Happened to Arthur Treacher's?

You might notice the cracked windows as you step inside. You might also notice relics of restaurants past - the inner décor hasn't been updated in quite some time.

On first blush, Sea House gives off a dive-y feel - but the kind where you just know the food is going to be good.

What Kind of Food Does Sea House in Lansing Have?

You order at the counter, and come up and get your order when called. The vast menu is almost too much to choose from. You came for fish? What kind of fish do you want? They've got cod, whiting, catfish (filets, nuggets, or bone-in steaks), white bass, swai, ocean perch, tilapia, orange roughy, pickerel, salmon and red snapper. Oh, and smelt. Let's not leave out the smelt.

Other seafood options include lobster tail, claws, scallops, oysters, crab legs, crawfish, clam strips and jumbo shrimp.

Chicken options include your usual breasts, legs, wings and thighs, plus tenders, nuggets and wings (with several sauces from which to choose). Gizzards and livers are available too.

Standouts from among more than a dozen side dish choices include okra, fried corn on the cob, crab cakes and hush puppies. Drink choices include Kool-Aid or your choice of canned pop. A restaurant-style customer-facing refrigerator stocks a wide selection of single-serving desserts as well, including puddings, cakes and cheesecakes.

Is Sea House Fish and Chicken in Lansing Good?

We wanted to sample several Sea House offerings, so we decided to try "Combo 8" - two chicken tenders, eight large shrimp and three pieces of fish (we picked the ocean perch). We ordered clam strips, french fries and hush puppies too.

We had to brush a few crumbs from a previous customer off a table. While it felt like we waited a long time, our food came out hot and fresh.

The seasoning on the ocean perch was reminiscent of another fish-and-chips icon on Lansing's east side - though not an exact replica. The fish was flaky and perfectly cooked. The chicken tenders were plump and juicy, all white meat. The shrimp tasted like it had been freshly caught - even though we're hundreds of miles from where that happens. The clam strips were good, and the fries were too.

The portion sizes were generous, and we had plenty to take home.

Bottom line: Sea House is definitely a place I'd return to. I might call ahead next time, or even order delivery.

Every other time there's been a fish restaurant at this location, it's thrived for many years. Perhaps Sea House will see the same success.