Fish & Chips Shops: Regional differences

[Morden Via CHX]

We have 4 chippies within striking distance of our house, 3 of them owned by the same Greek family. In addition to the usual delights they also do a very good line in various kebabs and pizzas. The staff are always extremely pleasant but one thing that does concern me is that none of them seem to stock Tartare Sauce.

I've always found that Greeks do the best fish and chips too. Unfortunately in the Midlands there's not that many good chippies about any more. Shame.

 

[mac]

not been on for a few days so only just seen this. What I would like to no about fish and chip shops is why do they say outside Traditional fish and chips what is non Traditional

 

[IanD]

not been on for a few days so only just seen this. What I would like to no about fish and chip shops is why do they say outside Traditional fish and chips what is non Traditional?

Heston Blumenthal's version.

 

[DarloRich]

@IanD and others- can you suggest a decent chipper down here (MK) as i cant find one. They all tend to be serving kebabs and pizzas and fries rather than being a proper fish shop.

 

[TQ]

No mention of battered chips? Are they just a Wolverhampton thing?

Personally I normally have mini fish, sausage, chips and curry sauce available in tthe vast majority of the chippies round here (Shropshire / Worcestershire).

 

[Class172]

I've always found that Greeks do the best fish and chips too. Unfortunately in the Midlands there's not that many good chippies about any more. Shame.

There's a Greek-owned chippy in Droitwich; I find they generally serve the best tasting chips.

 

[IanD]

@IanD and others- can you suggest a decent chipper down here (MK) as i cant find one. They all tend to be serving kebabs and pizzas and fries rather than being a proper fish shop.

The one I use most is The Golden Fry in Newport Pagnell (as it's closest to home). Napoli in New Bradwell or Fenny Fish Bar in Fenny Stratford are also quite good, although I haven't been to the latter for a while.

Smarts in Bletchley and Stony Stratford are OK too.

There's one in Broughton that won the 'Central/Southern Shop of the year' a couple of years back but personally I'd give it a miss and could never understand how it could win compared to any of the above, never mind the rest of the region.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just remembered the Madeira Fish Bar in Wolverton which sells deep fried mars bars.

 

[DarloRich]

The one I use most is The Golden Fry in Newport Pagnell (as it's closest to home). Napoli in New Bradwell or Fenny Fish Bar in Fenny Stratford are also quite good, although I haven't been to the latter for a while.

Smarts in Bletchley and Stony Stratford are OK too.

There's one in Broughton that won the 'Central/Southern Shop of the year' a couple of years back but personally I'd give it a miss and could never understand how it could win compared to any of the above, never mind the rest of the region.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just remembered the Madeira Fish Bar in Wolverton which sells deep fried mars bars.

Cheers - Fenny Fish Bar has really gone down hill - i think it was taken over. I go to Smarts now and that is about the best i have found. Will try Pagnell/Wolvo next!

 

[IanD]

Cheers - Fenny Fish Bar has really gone down hill - i think it was taken over. I go to Smarts now and that is about the best i have found. Will try Pagnell/Wolvo next!

Oh - Fenny Fish Bar used to be owned/run by the same people as Napoli in New Bradwell. Will give it a miss too then!

 

[D6975]

I don't think anyone has pointed out that vinegar in Scottish chippies tends to be the colourless variety, unless I've missed it wading through.
And Yorkshire chippies do tend to sell the 'potato/fish/potato sandwich' type of fishcake in my experience.
The best chippy I've been to was in Seahouses many moons ago, haven't a clue to the name, but I suspect it's the one referred to earlier by D841 Roebuck. post 102.

The best one in Bristol is a short walk from Lawrence Hill station.
Hamblins, Avonvale Road.

 

[Spaceflower]

@IanD and others- can you suggest a decent chipper down here (MK) as i cant find one. They all tend to be serving kebabs and pizzas and fries rather than being a proper fish shop.

These are becoming increasingly common in the North East and the fish is often inedible in these places. It's either a lower quality white fish or it's overcooked. As a result, decent fish and chip shops are becoming harder to find.

Oh and it's always 'wi scraps'.

Mince pie comes in as a close second, cutting a hole the top to dip the chips, as well as battered sausage dripping in vinegar.

 

[Class172]

It's either a lower quality white fish or it's overcooked.

River Cobbler...?

 

[306024]

If you are struggling for a decent chippie, how about a good old East End Pie and Mash shop.

Wide choice on the menu:

Pie and Mash
Double Pie and Mash
Pie and Double Mash
Double Pie and Double Mash

Or Jellied Eels if that takes your fancy.

 

[W-on-Sea]

Yeah, but the important thing is: make you have the pie and mash (or *non-jellied* eels and mash) with liquor - - - and not with gravy.

(I know a few reasonably decent ones in Essex: probably the one in Rumford Market Hall, just off Romford Market, stands out: there are couple of good ones in Southend, too, and in Hornchurch, and Ilford, and Dagenham Heathway. The one at Pitsea Broadway is less good...)

 

[306024]

Rumford Market Hall - that takes me back. Liquor - of course.

Another outside Upton Park station - very popular when West Ham are at home.

Even been in one in Maldon, someone must have been longing for home to set up shop there.

 

[Strat-tastic]

If you are struggling for a decent chippie, how about a good old East End Pie and Mash shop.

Wide choice on the menu:

Pie and Mash
Double Pie and Mash
Pie and Double Mash
Double Pie and Double Mash

Or Jellied Eels if that takes your fancy.

Wot no spam? :razz:

 

[Tibbs]

I'm agog that no-one has yet mentioned the magnificence that is the King Rib.

Had one for the first time in years when I was back up in Edinburgh this Summer.

Reformed Pork Patty, coated in Barbecue Sauce, dipped in batter and deep fried. You have a heart attack just lifting it off the styrofoam, but by god is it good. King Rib Supper, lots of Salt & Sauce and I'm a happy camper.

Since moving to and around London, I've only found one good chippy near where ever I've been living, the Viking Chippy in North Watford. Queues out the door, everything cooked to order and fantastic chips. I live the wrong end of town now to get back home before it's cold, which is great for my arteries.

Visiting my sister years ago when she lived in Chester revealed an odd option of bread soaked in the juice from the mushy peas. I don't recall the name, but it was something I just couldn't face trying, and I've eaten bugs!

You can definitely get Saveloys in Scotland, they're just called smoked sausage.

 

[D6975]

Just remembered one odd thing I saw in a chippie in Glasgow a few years ago.
I'd already become aware of that wonderful delicacy the deep fried mars bar, but...

the deep fried cream egg was new to me.

Not seen it since either.

 

[Chew Chew]

Just remembered one odd thing I saw in a chippie in Glasgow a few years ago.
I'd already become aware of that wonderful delicacy the deep fried mars bar, but...

the deep fried cream egg was new to me.

Not seen it since either.

The deep fried Mars Bar started a few miles away from me in Stonehaven and it was around there other chocolate bars were battered and fried to begin with as well.

As Tibbs mentioned a King Rib is nice but not a patch on a red pudding or a decent bit of haddock. Haddock is so much better than cod.

 

[DarloRich]

Oh - Fenny Fish Bar used to be owned/run by the same people as Napoli in New Bradwell. Will give it a miss too then!

lets not ruin the guys trade - i might be wrong they just might have gone crap! Bets thing to do is get a fish supper tonight and report back

 

[Tibbs]

The deep fried Mars Bar started a few miles away from me in Stonehaven and it was around there other chocolate bars were battered and fried to begin with as well.

As Tibbs mentioned a King Rib is nice but not a patch on a red pudding or a decent bit of haddock. Haddock is so much better than cod.

I'm a recent convert to the depe fried mard bar. At uni the Chocolat du jour was the curley wurly.

I've never had red pudding, but if you're putting in the bold claim that it's better than the King Rib, then it's a must for my next trip North of the Border!

And you're right - Haddock is better than Cod. I quite like a bit of Pollack or Whiting as well, but as a less 'white' white fish they tend to get short shrift.

 

[Aldaniti]

There's only one to eat chips in my house. Twice fried with cider vinegar and a light sprinkling of salt.

 

[Class172]

What better to took into after getting home than this:

 

[DarloRich]

What better to took into after getting home than this:

woah - whats them little orange things on your plate? And your peas appear to be unmushed! I'm out.

 

[Class172]

I had no choice over the veg, mum's orders. :roll:

Ignoring them however…

 

[generalvegitable]

lets not ruin the guys trade - i might be wrong they just might have gone crap! Bets thing to do is get a fish supper tonight and report back

I went to the Napoli in new Bradwell on monday, he's still as good as he's always been (and still my chippy of choice at the moment)

 

[ATW Alex 101]

What better to took into after getting home than this:

Exactly what I had at school for lunch today! Fishcake (just 1), chips, peas and carrots! Weird!

 

[theblackwatch]

Sorry, but that just does not look like a chippy meal!

And does your mum know you are taking pictures of meals and posting them on the internet? :P

 

[ATW Alex 101]

The chips and fishcake look chippy done to me!

 

[IanD]

woah - whats them little orange things on your plate? And your peas appear to be unmushed! I'm out.

Yes - far too many colours on that plate! It should be all brown, maybe with a hit of green.