I really thought I enjoyed eating fish and chips. I often order it when I go out to eat. Sometimes it’s good – which means crunchy and not too chewy. And sometimes it’s awful – which means not crunchy and quite chewy.

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Our essayist Robert Ebsen, at left, with his wife, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, presently on an Alaskan cruise

Then we went to Santa Barbara – my wife, her visiting brother, his wife, and I. While we were walking on the Santa Barbara Pier, I got a phone call from our friend Bobbi. When Bobbi heard we were in Santa Barbara, she said we just HAD to try the fish and chips at the Brophy Bros. restaurant at the harbor. I stored that information in the back of my mind.

After strolling on State Street for almost an hour, we realized that lunchtime was looming. Our guests chose an Italian restaurant. I looked at the menu and thought, “I would really like fish and chips.” At that very second, Bobbi’s suggestion popped into my consciousness. I announced that I was not SO hungry and, therefore, I would wait until we got to the harbor area to eat. I sat there staring at the good-looking Italian food my guests were having, convincing myself that it was worth taking a chance on the fish and chips at Brophy Bros.

The fish and chips arrived at our table. It looked good. But it was not very good – it was WONDERFUL! All these years of eating just okay fish and chips. I was now in heaven. My fish was very crunchy, very tender, and very delicious. While I was eating, my wife and guests came to visit me. I gave them a taste of my fish.

Of course, I spoke to the owner of the restaurant to tell her my story. When I practically pleaded with her to open a restaurant at a harbor near me (Santa Monica would be the closest), she said they were working on it. She also said they had a restaurant in Ventura. Wow! That’s only about 25 minutes from my home. I thought, “I’ll be there often with my mom.” Surprise! The next day I drove our guests to the Camarillo Outlets, and guess where we went for lunch. Brophy Bros. in nearby Ventura Harbor was just as special as the one in Santa Barbara. I told our waitress my fish-and-chips story. She said she hopes to be the manager of the Brophy Bros. in Santa Monica when it is built.

Now on my “If-I-Win-the-Lottery” list: Build a fake port & a Brophy’s in Encino.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com.