please empty your brain below
Sevenoaks (home of Rangetek, apparently) has just seen its oldest fish and chip shop surrender to become a Chinese take-away. The Dolphin was dishing out cod and chips since before the 1940s. Still two left in the town, though, and both of them pretty ace and well patronised. Notably Sevenoaks was one place where a town centre McDonalds closed through lack of business.

Waterhouse | 07.08.18 - 7:08 a.m. | #

I still have a fish and chip shop 2 minutes walk away. They are busy most days. Fish is generally cooked to order, huge portions of both, £6 and enough for two people!

John | 07.08.18 - 7:11 a.m. | #

Two near me, one wraps in paper, the other puts stuff in plastic boxes, luckily the one that uses paper is nearest, chips vary from good to OK (but this can also be due to the potatoes), never had that revolting stale oil taste from them.

Still Anon | 07.08.18 - 7:21 a.m. | #

I am pleased that you ended up at Saucy Kipper Fish Bar, this is my local supplier of Fish and Chips, my only complaint being that they actually give you to many chips.

fishislandskin | 07.08.18 - 7:27 a.m. | #

Just outside your self imposed mile boundary is a good one at Tramway Avenue Stratford.

The cafe down the road had similar problems with the 'Games police'. They just peeled the O off their frontage so it is now Cafe lympic. The hairdressers round the corner in Portway was missed in the pedantic search to rid the area of anything 'Olympic', but they probably placed a curse on it as it has since closed.

scrumpy | 07.08.18 - 7:42 a.m. | #

You left the best till last - I’ve been using the Saucy Kipper for 20 years. At the other end of the Roman Road there was one called the Saucy Plaice - not sure if it’s still there.

Al | 07.08.18 - 7:54 a.m. | #

Please remind me. What was so wrong about using out-of-date newspapers as the outer wrapping for fish and chips? The paper is not eaten and the f&c are protected by the inner bag.

It seems like good recycling to use newspaper as against using fresh paper each time. Did anyone ever die from eating fish and chips wrapped in newspaper?

dg writes: Ssssh.

RayL | 07.08.18 - 7:56 a.m. | #

Ahh ... Real fish & chips. I acquired the taste for it in my students days in Midlands.Trying to get authentic ones in my neck of woods on the other side of the world (Malaysia) is a lot tougher. This appears to be the most authentic one near my daily commute.

S M Sabri Ismail | Homepage | 07.08.18 - 8:13 a.m. | #

Considering how close Billingsgate is it does seem a shame that ye olde east end chippie is in decline. Wonderful taste memories evoked by this post and the broadcast you ref cf @RayL

B | 07.08.18 - 8:16 a.m. | #

I'm surprised fish and chips served in newspaper hasn't been taken up as a cause by Brexiteers, in the same way blue passports and more powerful hoovers have. Do like fish and chips though, better up north.

Tom | 07.08.18 - 8:24 a.m. | #

There is a fish and chip shop not far from me in a thoroughfare called Silver Road. The emporium has chosen the unforunate name of "The Silver Fish Bar". I find the thought of encountering silverfish so unpleasant that I have never ventured within.

Tim W | 07.08.18 - 8:26 a.m. | #

Growing up with summers in Lowestoft visiting family, fish and chips was very much a special occasion (my father refusing to eat fish most of the time). It was slightly odd to grow up, move out, and realise I could have it whenever. I do miss Blackheath Royal Standard's incumbent, who kept reminding me to call ahead to get my fish set aside. I kept forgetting. (They're still there as far as I know.)

Ben | 07.08.18 - 8:32 a.m. | #

I like fish and chips too. But these days I find that I only want about a quarter of a portion of chips, or even fewer. This works out OK, as the same applies to most of the people I am likely to share with.

Malcolm | 07.08.18 - 8:37 a.m. | #

My local chippy has had the temerity to go on holiday too! So I ended up driving (gasp!) to the next nearest (it was hot), not nearly as good as my local: The Crispy Cod... :-(

Southern Heights (Light Railway) | 07.08.18 - 8:42 a.m. | #

Proper chips are fried in batter, as in the Black Country.

Tony Martin | 07.08.18 - 8:43 a.m. | #

Kennedy's, in Streatham Hill, is the real deal. Highly recommended.

Ben | 07.08.18 - 8:46 a.m. | #

and it's almost impossible to find a fish and chip chop where they fry in beef dripping.....

coming across one recently in Birmingham can only be described as a Proustian experience. How often can you say that about a bag of chips?

Martin | 07.08.18 - 9:03 a.m. | #

Fish and chips will always remain my takeaway of first choice. "Haddock and chips, salt & vinegar, open please.." Best eaten straight away, on foot or in the car (windows open, even in winter).

If to be taken home, plastic carrier bags are to be avoided at all costs as they make the contents sweaty, and they become even soggier!

Frank F | 07.08.18 - 9:12 a.m. | #

Wot! No artisan emporium selling beer battered fish and chef sculpted chips for £27.50 (Welsh sea salt extra at £2.85 a pinch)?

Ironicsteve | 07.08.18 - 9:26 a.m. | #

The Brothers Chain was always very good, now all thats left is Infratelli on Tramway Avenue E15,

Drew | Homepage | 07.08.18 - 9:38 a.m. | #

The cafe at the university I attend serves fish and chips for £4.37.

I also sometimes get fish and chips at the Morrison's cafe. Can't recall the price though.

There was a great fish and chip shop in Cardiff city centre, but can't recall its name.

Paul | 07.08.18 - 9:58 a.m. | #

I'm often tempted to end my two decade self imposed exile and move back to London. This post has made me think again. I need proper fish and chips, and if the place is more than five minutes walk away, then it's too far. It'll be cold and soggy by the time I get home.

I have one of the best in the country (or so the Awards stickers on the window says) just up the road. So I'll stay put here for as long as it stays put there.

Gary Denness | Homepage | 07.08.18 - 10:05 a.m. | #

Along with changing tastes, I imagine the ethnic mix in your area DG has contributed to the decline of your local fish and chip shops.

Indeed, it's extraordinary the amount of fried chicken that seems to be consumed now. Fish and Chip shops do still rule supreme in seaside resorts though, maybe it's the sea air, maybe it's nostalgia!

Mikey C | 07.08.18 - 10:18 a.m. | #

I'm still waiting for Fish Island to get it's fish & chip shop back.

Ken F | 07.08.18 - 10:45 a.m. | #

Having had a summer job in a printing plant, I'll be the dissenting voice that thinks wrapping food in newsprint not certified as food-grade is disgusting.

Chz | 07.08.18 - 10:45 a.m. | #

Maybe I should regret avoiding Fish & Chips during my first visit, while having my stomach too full in the morning to have any during my second (I doubt the one I ate at my first night in the hotel in Croydon was genuine). Very sad to see if such an integral part of the English culture is to go.

Patrickov | 07.08.18 - 11:31 a.m. | #

I once tried going into the Saucy Kipper, but when i got through the door the elderly server was warming to his theme about how "homosexuals should be shot"

I left before sampling their (reputedly excellent) cheap lunch deal

_incrediblebikeperson | 07.08.18 - 11:37 a.m. | #

You missed out the best place which is fish house by Victoria park. There fish is amazing there.

Al | 07.08.18 - 12:12 p.m. | #

I once lived above a fish and chip shop run by a huge Glaswegian, and no other has ever come close. Up here in Sheffield (and points north) it's haddock that's the default, and cod the special order.

Sarah | Homepage | 07.08.18 - 12:18 p.m. | #

Excellent stuff. I'm fortunate enough to have a great shop within five minutes walk. The wife loves the individual Pukka Pies, I love freshly done plaice. Of course it's run by a Greek.
Ben - The Standard chipper is still there and serves up good tucker although, as befits the location, everything is a tad pricey.

Chris | 07.08.18 - 12:27 p.m. | #

I must admit I do miss skate from the chippy - I tried cooking it at home once but it was no where near as nice. Unfortunately the chippies in Ipswich seem to think it's acceptable to charge £2.50 for a portion of chips so I don't bother to use them.

Still DG, at least you found somewhere worth going back to and this article is a nice bit of publicity for a small business like the Saucy Kipper. So well done on that score.

milliem | 07.08.18 - 12:49 p.m. | #

Funny you should mention the newspaper - they have it as a free option in the chippie on White Horse Lane in Stepney. [photo]

Jim | 07.08.18 - 1:08 p.m. | #

Gosh I really want fish and chips now! But I am going to Cornwall on Friday so will try to hold off until then!

David | 07.08.18 - 2:35 p.m. | #

Re Martin above. Fried in dripping? Try the excellent Fryer's Delight in Theobalds Road, opposite Holborn Police Station. My favourite chippie in London since the Sea Shell in Lisson Grove went seriously downhill.

MartinL | 07.08.18 - 2:42 p.m. | #

In Crouch End/Hornsey we are spoilt for choice with decent chippies. That is all.

Johnny TopZ | 07.08.18 - 2:52 p.m. | #

Leyton and Leytonstone have one decent chippy apiece. The one next to Bakers Arms (mere moments from our old house) is my favourite of the two. They do chicken too, but certainly as an adjunct: fish is their main trade, and there's often a queue.

There's also Michael's, on Hainault Road - which is always queued out the door thanks to their bizarrely inefficient method of serving: they'll take your order at the front corner, tot up the amount in pencil on a bit of newsprint, then once they've taken your money, ring it up on a till at the other end of the shop.

I wonder if the Olympic fish bar ever made use of the famed London 2012 branded chip forks?

martin | 07.08.18 - 4:38 p.m. | #

Chippie at one of DGs previous visits is good.
Black Country Living Museum. Go there every year when I go to Slade Back 'ome gig I'm Bilston

Scrumpy | 07.08.18 - 5:19 p.m. | #

My local Fish & Chip shop is what some call "the Chinese". Family run for nearly a half-century. The menu is hand-written and the shop is very sparse. Even though in quite busy area of London, they don't stay open late as to avoid the "hassle". Never seems busy and reckon they barely making a gain. Quite humble people, who work hard and probably give end-of-day leftovers cheap to local unemployed/homeless. Behind every counter there a story.

E | 07.08.18 - 5:23 p.m. | #

Got caught out 'oop north' recently by fish and chip shops - even those in my Good Fish and Chips Guide, sticking to locals' mealtimes and closing their doors by 8 to 8.30 p.m.

Paul | 07.08.18 - 6:32 p.m. | #

I’d give Barry’s a go. I used to work near there and their fish and chips is surprisingly good.

I asked for a chip roll once. It was a full portion of chips and a bread roll

Ian | 07.08.18 - 8:05 p.m. | #

By coincidence we were taking grandchildren for fish and chips yesterday, and can highly recommend 'The Magpie' on Pier Road, Whitby.

RogerB | 07.08.18 - 9:22 p.m. | #

The Britannia is our nearest chippie. It's good. We prefer it to the Lauristone Place Fish Shop mentioned elsewhere in the comments.

Dominic | 07.08.18 - 10:11 p.m. | #

+1 for Kennedy's on Streatham Hill.
Just beware the queues out the door on Friday evenings... Worth the wait though.

Peter | 07.08.18 - 10:43 p.m. | #

Kebabish: so only a bit like a kebab. Lovely!

NickW | Homepage | 07.08.18 - 11:09 p.m. | #

If you can do 1.7 miles from bus stop M (less as the crow flies and in the opposite direction), you’ll find a rather nice takeaway called Fish and Ships on the corner of Old Ford Road and St James’s Avenue. It only opened a year ago and gives both the Britannia and the decidedly upmarket Fish House (a local favourite) in Victoria Park a run for their money.

M | 07.08.18 - 11:48 p.m. | #

All this talk of East End fish and chips and not one mention of a wally - a pickled gherkin in a jar to the unenlightened.

M | 07.08.18 - 11:52 p.m. | #

Sadly the closest chippy to my workplace on Oxford Street charges £13! It can't be that good.

CG | 08.08.18 - 8:11 a.m. | #

I love fish and chips but it's many years since I've had it as a take away meal. Costs too much I'm afraid.

PC | 08.08.18 - 11:54 a.m. | #

I'd tried the Saucy Kipper a few years back (was it always called that?) and wasn't madly impressed, but as someone who also likes fish and chips (and used to work in a chippy, so is particularly critical of them), I may have to give it another go based on this review.

Hands down worst chips I've had in London, by the way, were at Chip Inn on the Holloway Road, which seems to cater entirely to football fans too drunk to care that the chips are slimy and soggy and the fish has been sat in a hot cabinet for six hours.

Moogal | 08.08.18 - 1:47 p.m. | #

I always rate a chippy based on their sides. Fresh Gravy is a must, but did they sell both type of peas? Is curry sauce available?

Also, was it skin on or skin off?

Northern Chip Shop Connoisseur | 08.08.18 - 6:39 p.m. | #

There's a guy works down my fish shop swears he's Elvis.

Running_Correspondent | 09.08.18 - 9:50 a.m. | #

RayL, I suppose you could always bring your own newspaper and rewrap the fish and chips. It would mean wasting the original wrapping but would recreate the experience of eating fish and chips wrapped in old newspaper, which I think somehow managed to make them more tasty.

JohnC | 09.08.18 - 11:56 a.m. | #

When I moved out of London to Greater Manchester, the number of chippys was very noticeable.

There were two Chinese chippies (one was recently sold when the owners retired, with no clue as to its future), two English ones and a Greek place within five minutes walk from my house. There are at least two more within a mile walk.

The best - Mr Chips - infuriatingly also closes at 7pm!

But best of all, there is not a chicken shop for miles.

Andrew Bowden | Homepage | 14.08.18 - 8:01 p.m. | #

I just tried out the Britannia Fish Bar, and I can confirm that it too does a fine battered cod and chips, but the Saucy Kipper easily edges it.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 14.08.18 - 8:04 p.m. | #

Britannia is on Grove Rd not Globe Rd. As I have just discovered on globe Rd!

dg writes: Updated. sorry!

Half a physicist | 18.08.18 - 7:24 p.m. | #

I've given Barry's Fish Bar a try.

• The lady behind the counter failed to understand me when I asked for 'cod and chips'.
• She failed to understand the second time too.
• There were no chips ready, despite it being 6pm.
• She dropped my cod and broke it in half while placing it on the paper.
• When the chips were eventually ready she tried adding two fishcakes I hadn't asked for.
• She also added a second chip fork into my bag, forgetting she'd already done that.
• When I got home, the chips weren't firmly wrapped and some spilled out into my bag.
• Other chips stuck to the paper, and it took me a minute to peel them off.

The fish and chips were OK, but I'll not be rushing back.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 23.08.18 - 12:44 a.m. | #

Went back to Gary's Fish House.
Shutters still down.
Still says 'Back in 2 weeks'.

So either they close on Mondays,
or they're defunct.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 17.09.18 - 6:50 p.m. | #











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