Need something to do this weekend? Here are five fish and chips locations that hit the spot.

Pajo's, 12351 3rd Avenue, Richmond

Pajo's operates four locations across the Lower Mainland, but, let's be real, it's the original Steveston spot that trumps all. Situated on a floating dock within the charming village—one that allows decidedly more breathing room than the crowded wharf at Granville Island on any given afternoon—the seaside shop offers unparalleled views (and a cozy, small-town atmosphere) to enjoy its crisp, lightly battered, and fried-to-perfection fish. Choose from Ocean Wise Pacific wild cod, salmon, or halibut and watch as the pros load up a newspaper-print cone with a healthy heaping of fresh-cut. Some genius even thought to equip Pajo's outdoor tables with small holes where you can rest your cone for foolproof consumption-because not everyone has the hand-eye coordination to juggle an inverted pyramid of fries and two separate containers of ketchup and tartar sauce.

Go Fish Ocean Emporium, 1505 West 1st Avenue, Granville Island

If you've visited this quaint, net-and-shell-hung little blue shack by Granville Island's south-side wharfs, then you know to expect a lineup—especially if it's a nice day. The only seating is outdoors, the good news being the area is covered and the grub is worth the wait. Why else would there be such a long queue of lunchgoers, anyway? Generous, fresh hunks of fish (cod, salmon, and halibut) are fried up in Granville Island beer batter to crispy goodness, and the fries are hand-cut heaven. It's all about the spot's Pacific Rim slaw, too, with its light pickled edge and Asian-inspired dressing. Add a view of the boats coming and going and the sounds of seagulls and you pretty much have your quintessential casual Vancouver experience.

New Brighton Pool concession stand, North Windermere Street

Impossibly delicious as fish and chips might be, they come with a steep price: unless your name happens to be Mr Creosote, you end up hating yourself 10 minutes after licking the last splatter of tartar sauce off your hopelessly grease-slicked fingers. Thank God then for the New Brighton Pool concession stand, which, as the name suggests, is conveniently found right next to East Vancouver's ever-bustling New Brighton Pool. The fish is—at the risk of understating things-generously battered and the fries sinfully crispy, added bonuses including tartar sauce and malt vinegar being not only free, but offered as serve—yourself condiments. (That means no disapproving looks from the kitchen when you explain you'll need a gallon of each with your order.) The best thing about what's possibly the greatest unknown fish and chip spot in the city is, however, the fact that you can swim a mile or 10 in New Brighton Pool before loading up on the greasy goodness. Hell, swim the equivalent of the English Channel and then proudly opt for the two-piece order with extra-crispy fries—completely guilt-free-just like Mr Creosote. 

WindJammer Restaurant, 937 Commercial Drive

After spending years on Oak Street and then a few more on Main, the WindJammer finally settled into its current location on Commercial Drive. If it ever uproots again, the Windjammer's loyalists will follow, and not just because the décor reminds you of the Blitz. There's no room for second best when it comes to this sort of thing, and if you've ever eaten fish and chips in its native habitat, the North of England—NOT THE SOUTH—then you'll quickly recognize the WindJammer as your closest facsimile out here in the New World. Why? Fluffy halibut, golden batter, chips fashioned by hand into the correct size (traditionally the distance between Queen Victoria's thumb tip and forefinger), malt vinegar, mushy peas (essential), a pint (of whatever, as long as it's beer), and even a side of white bread with butter for chip "butties" (that's a French-fry sandwich, and also the reason Britain won the war.) It's not rocket science, people, but you do need to use the right kind of oil.

Moby Dick Restaurant, 15479 Marine Drive, White Rock

There are plenty of fish and chip outlets to choose from when you're visiting White Rock, but the one that has hordes of people lining up is always Moby Dick Restaurant. Opened since 1975, this dine-in or take-out spot is decorated with eccentric under-the-sea memorabilia, which ranges from fish nets to plastic whales to historical photographs. Don't worry about its interior being distracting, 100 percent of your attention will be focused on your golden platter of seafood goodness once it arrives. Moby Dick's famous Alaskan cod is fried to crispy perfection in homemade batter, served with a generous portion of fries and tartar sauce. Visitor's tip: order take-out and enjoy it on the famous boardwalk or nearby West Beach. Be sure to protect your meal from the hungry seagulls that will most likely be circling above you because it's that good.