For years we drove by Daly’s Drive-In at 2713 Eastlake Ave East (at Edgar Street) without a thought, but don’t you do the same!

The sad news is that come next spring, the lot they’re on, and the one next to it, are slated for demolition. Truth be known, the building they’re in is irreparable, but we have very sadly come to terms with the fact that is highly unlikely that they will stay on Eastlake. For now we are eating fish and chips at Daly’s once a week in anticipation of our having to do without.

Daly's may be the poster child for "dive restaurant." What with all the rain we've been getting, their roof has sprung a leak and there's a bucket hanging from the ceiling, and a steady "plop plop" of raindrops coming down inches to the east of said bucket. The outside does not look any better, although unlike most restaurants in Seattle, they have an awesome parking lot.

For a long time we’d heard that their burgers were great (in an old-fashioned flat-patty sloppy kind of way), and so finally a couple of months ago we ventured in.

The guy in front of us was picking up his fish and chips, and after seeing his plate, we knew what we were having. This is not your regular fish and chips. This is not your tasteless-get-it-anywhere variety. Daly's fish and chips are what we dream of when we dream of fish and chips. The fish is fresh halibut – FRESH, not frozen. The portions are generous. They are perfectly fried so that the outside is so crispy and light it actually shatters when you bite into it. The fish inside is perfectly white and very moist, and not at all greasy. And the fish comes perched on a plateful of french fries that are a magical mix of the crunchy ones and the soft ones, long ones and the little bits we can't ever leave behind.

Daly's fish is so good, that when your order is called, and the fish is so hot you have to hot-potato it between hands, you STILL start eating it and burn the roof of your mouth. It's unavoidable. The best salve is one of their milkshakes which come in a plethora of flavors, everything from chocolate to blackberry to eggnog. We've been taste-testing for the good of mankind, and believe we have found the best: hot fudge malted.

The counter staff is always friendly, and so is the owner, who kindly offers to bring extra ketchup or vinegar to your table, making you feel rather special and like a regular, well before you become one. There's also the added bonus of a great view of Lake Union, which is much better than the view of the dilapidated dining room itself. And if you're looking to relive your teenager-hood, they've got a small room with pinball machines that keep our husband entertained while he waits for his food.

If anyone can recommend another cheap and fabulous (and we mean FABULOUS) fish and chips outlet, we'd love to hear about it.