Serving fish and chips to generations of Windsorites

Tomorrow is Good Friday — and whether they're Christian or not, a lot of people in this city will have fish on their plate.

Windsor has no shortage of fish restaurants. Many of them have long histories and serve their signature product well. One such establishment is a tiny place on Ottawa Street called Heather Bell.

Aldea Morris is the fifth owner of Heather Bell — she purchased the business 23 years ago. It's named after the ship the original owner came on from Scotland.

Morris says Heather Bell has been serving fish and chips in Windsor for at least 100 years. According to her research, the restaurant started out in Riverside, and then moved behind Monarch Mattress on Wyandotte Street in Walkerville. Around 65 years ago, Heather Bell moved south to Ottawa Street. 

Morris adds that at some point, there was also a second location on Tecumseh Road, but it didn't last.

Keeping it simple

The menu is almost small as the establishment itself. Eggs, bacon and the like for breakfast. Hamburgers and chicken fingers for lunch.

The main draw, however, is the fish and chips — her group of regulars come from all over Windsor and Essex County.

"We're well known for our fish and chips because of the light batter," explains Morris. "People like the fact they can see through and see fish, and that it's not mile high batter."

Only one type of fish is available — halibut. "It just warrants itself for frying," she says.

Everything is made from scratch, including the tartar sauce and coleslaw.

A one-woman show — except on Good Friday

While her daughter is involved in the business and helps out when she's not around, the restaurant is generally staffed by the 71-year old Morris alone. She takes your order, cooks the fish, and rings you up at the till.

Good Friday, however, is a different story. It's her busiest day of the year, with sales increasing by 90% — most of them takeout. While Morris still serves breakfast, it all changes when lunch starts at 11 a.m. 

"We cover up our breakfast menu, our lunch menu…with newspaper. It's too hard to do it all, just on that day…families are ordering 12 dinners at a time."

With lines out the door, Morris enlists a few helping hands to pack the food and handle the cash register, but she's still the only one frying the fish.

Want to try these fish and chips?

Heather Bell is located at 1991 Ottawa St. in Windsor, between Kildare and Argyle Road.

No phone orders for Good Friday — it's first come, first served. The restaurant is open until 8 p.m. that day and it's cash only.