ToquiNotes: Trying to Confirm a Possible Second City Fish Tale of Decades-Old Restaurant on its Last Legs
By Jeff Toquinto on March 14, 2026 from ToquiNotes
A few months back, I ran a blog about a “true fish tale” right here in Bridgeport. The blog focused on Captain D’s and its brief time in the city.
While I found out I had the wrong location (it was about a building over), my thoughts were correct on it being in Bridgeport and the general area was correct. As it turned out, a whole lot of people remembered the business, and some remembered dining there.
Here is what else stood out in a few comments, as well as a text message and email or two. Several people pointed out that there was an
Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips location in Bridgeport.
Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips location in Bridgeport.
I never recalled one being in the city. So, I called Bridgeport’s resident historian Dick Duez to get the answer.
Duez did not recall one. However, he said it was possible many decades ago before he moved into Bridgeport.
What does that mean? I do not know for sure, despite some certain people, whether Arthur Treacher’s had a fish restaurant in Bridgeport. The one thing, however, that was common is that the handful of those commenting or contacting me all had the same location in their comments.
The site in question held restaurants in the past, including the old Mexican restaurant Durango’s. Today, the site is home to WesBanco. For those not familiar with the location, think of the stop light at the main entrance to Home Depot Plaza. If you’re leaving Home Depot Plaza, instead of turning right or left onto Route 50, you just go straight and you end up at WesBanco.
With the geography lesson complete, this is a blog that is not complete with information. This is a blog that I hope someone can assist with the additional information that is needed to get it complete.
So, for starters, does anyone remember Arthur Treacher’s being in Bridgeport? Please comment below or on our Facebook page. Remember, Captain D’s was located on the site that today is home to MyEyeDr under the guidance of Dr. Theodore Kress.
For those who think it was once Long John Silver’s, there was one in Bridgeport. However, it was not at the site that today houses WesBanco. Instead, it was in the current home of Papa John’s. Long John’s relocated to Eastpointe, where it still has a home today.
Here is the unique thing. I thought Arthur Treacher’s was a relic of the past. I was incorrect. It is alive, but just barely.
According to our friends at Google, there are as many as three locations still out there. They are in Northeastern Ohio.
One was listed as Garfield Heights, Ohio with a reopening in 2023. Another was listed at one time as the final survival and original location (although Google also listed Columbus as the original location in another search) in Cuyahoga Falls, while the last one was listed as being in Cleveland.
The one in Cuyahoga is consistently listed on multiple Google searches as the last remaining traditional standalone version of Arthur Treacher’s, which likely means Columbus is the first one.
The first Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips restaurant opened in 1969 in Columbus. After that, the business exploded. At its peak, Arthur Treacher’s had more than 800 locations across the nation.
As for the menu, the business name signaled the signature item – fish and chips. But there was plenty more that sounds familiar to those who like a fast food fish experience.
Along with the fish (pollock or cod) and the fries (AKA the chips), there were shrimp and chips, clams and chips, and chicken and chips. The other main item was a fish sandwich you could get with cheese.
The sides and dessert menu were limited. Along with the chips, you had your choice of hush puppies and, occasionally, clam chowder. The dessert menu featured two types of pies – fried lemon or fried apple.
I honestly do not know if I have ever eaten at Arthur Treacher’s. My late grandparents lived in Northeastern Ohio and any trip there involved the once rare treat of eating out at least two or three times.
Maybe a return trip to my grandparents old stomping grounds is in order. Maybe you could make the trip too.
If anyone is that nostalgic, it is a bit longer than a road trip. It is also not so far away that you would need to take vacation days to visit one.
If you have been to one of the remaining ones, let me know. If you remember whether there was one located in Bridgeport, let me know that too. Like Captain D’s, I am hoping this makes for another good fish tale.
Yes, I remember Arthur Treacher's being where Wesbanco is now located across from Home Depot Plaza.
Posted by Steve Losh
Mar. 14, 2026 at 10:15 AM EST
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