Fish and chip shops in London

[tarannau]

Nah, can't agree with that. Decent fish and chips is a good meal: fried chicken is always crap.

And I'd avoid like the plague any chippy that was doing fried chicken as well. Fish and chip shops should do exactly what they say IMO.

Bollocks. How can you explain the worldwide popularity (and growing) of fried chicken. It's not the world's most popular snack food for nothing. Fried chicken done well can be the food of champions from all round the world. Crisp skin, moist chicken, a delectably spicy coating. What's not to like?

Besides, I can confirm that the chicken shop near us does some excellent fish and chips. They go to some real efforts to use proper fat chippy chips ,make the batter and fry in small, fresh batches - they're one of the best in the area. They cook crappy fried chicken strangely enough - bland.

What makes you think that a bloke who's capable of cooking multiple items in a chicken shop (or a chinese takeaway) can't make a simple batter or deep fry some items. Put the rose tinted spectacles down - it's not tough to make decent fish and chips. When most fish and chip shops also serve all varieties of dodgy pies, worrying sausage products and nasty sauces/gravies and luminous mushies then there's no particular reason to think that there's any more integrity in fish and chips than any other fast food operation. They've just got a better image and more people harking back to older days - it's misty nostalgia more than the reality.

"Fish and chips ain't as good as it used to be'

...'Vinegar tasted the same back then too grandad. Have a Werther's and enjoy your battered sausages...'

 

[Roadkill]

I'm not saying fried chicken can never be good, but the kind of shit that's served up in those gacky shops spread like syphilitic sores all over London never is. It certainly doesn't stand comparison with decent fish and chips - but then, I've never had decent fish and chips in London. It's always small, expensive and badly cooked.

Btw, my 'misty nostalgia' is for a place where I had three tip-top fish and chip shops (and an array of fried chicken and pizza places I never used) within a few minutes' walk of home.

 

[tarannau]

How do you know though? I'm guessing that you haven't eaten in them all.

There's a lot of fried chicken snobbery that gets on my tits if I'm honest - it's just another thing battered and fried after all. The difference is that it's not seen as 'English' or 'traditional,' with all the negative associations that carries.

I've had great fried chicken in the most unprepossessing of places. And horrible stuff in some sit-down restaurants too.

Don't get me wrong - I like the occasional bloat-out carbo-filled feeling of eating a whopping plate of fish and chips, garnished with a mouth tingling amount of salt and vinegar. It's a wonderful treat once in a while.

What I don't believe is that fish and chips is some kind of sacred food, tricky to make, something more worthy than the average takeaway. It's just another thing in the fryer after all. And I've eaten it in many places, many highly regarded too - I simply don't believe such a unsubtle battered assault on the senses is ever going to be an eyeopener. We're not talking simple notes of flavour or difficult cooking technniques here.

What's true is that there are few things better to eat on a windy seaside scene than fish and chips. Like paella and sangria on a Spanish beach, I've no doubts that fish and chips can taste better on a cold day in Hull than it will on a grey day in London.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Masters Super Fish, Waterloo Road

Best in London imo

Surely you want fishcotheque if you are around waterloo.

 

[poster342002]

There's a lot of fried chicken snobbery that gets on my tits if I'm honest - it's just another thing battered and fried after all. The difference is that it's not seen as 'English' or 'traditional,' with all the negative associations that carries.

Interesting point, although it's worth noting that Doner Kebab isn't seen as "English" or "traditional" either, yet doesn't seem to garner quite the disparaging remarks that fried chicken seems to. As it happens, I love fried chicken, doner kebabs AND fish & chips (not all in the same meal, though!).

 

[tarannau]

Interesting point, although it's worth noting that Doner Kebab isn't seen as "English" or "traditional" either, yet doesn't seem to garner quite the disparaging remarks that fried chicken seems to. As it happens, I love fried chicken, doner kebabs AND fish & chips (not all in the same meal, though!).

Kebabs used to though didn't they? I remember the jokes about 'dirty turks' and filtht 'elephant legs' when I was at school, and jolly bordeline racist japes about the guys' accents behind the counter (see Harry Enfield)

I suspect fried chicken is the new lowest of the low. In some ways it's difficult for me to know - I'm a west indian/londoner after all - there's always been more than a few fried chicken merchants near me. I've watched them spread rapidly to the suburbs and beyond during my lifetime.

 

[Roadkill]

@tarannau

I don't really see why you're getting so exercised over the fact that I think fried chicken is (largely) shit. Snobbery has fuck all to do with it: I'm just not very keen on cheapshit, battery chicken coated in nasty, additive-flavoured batter and served up with horrible McDonald's-style chips. Which is what 99% of the chicken shops seem to do.

Yes, I do think fish and chips is a better meal: at least you don't get battery-farmed haddock. Not yet, anyway. It's not 'sacred' or anything of the sort - just rather good.

How do I know what, anyway? That London fish and chips is generally shit? I've eaten in enough London chippies to form a judgement, if that's what you're driving at...

Tbh this is a pretty daft argument.

 

[foamy]

there used to be a good fish and chip shop on meeting house lane in peckham whose garden backed on to ours.
whenever they started up their fryers we had gorgeous breezes of chip smell wafting through the house, i think i spent most of my student loan there

i had some chips at Sea Cow (?) on Lordship lane, East Dulwich years ago. They were really expensive. Posh chips just dont work, the whole glory is the cheapness, salt of the earth, good honest food

anyway, all this talk of chips has made me hungry.
*pops across road to 2nd best kebab shop in london*

 

[poster342002]

Kebabs used to though didn't they? I remember the jokes about 'dirty turks' and filtht 'elephant legs' when I was at school, and jolly bordeline racist japes about the guys' accents behind the counter
I suspect fried chicken is the new lowest of the low. In some ways it's difficult for me to know - I'm a west indian/londoner after all - there's always been more than a few fried chicken merchants near me. I've watched them spread rapidly to the suburbs and beyond during my lifetime.

I'm sure fried chicken takeaways have been around longer than kebab places, weren't they?. I'm pretty certain I remember them being around before I started noticing all the kebab places springing up around the early 1980s.

 

[BadlyDrawnGirl]

There are a couple of half-decent chippys down Penge way I think, but I've forgotton what they're called. I used to frequent them back in the day so they're probably gone now.

 

[zoltan]

On a point of basic economics- I would suspect that if the local Chikn shop can do Chick & chips and a drink for like 1.20, the sourced ingredients must be apallingly cheap, even taking into account that the soft drink costs like 0.9p + the cost of the paper cup.

what type of chikn are they sourcing for this ? doesnt bear thinking about.

I think thats the difference here - if you pay £4.50 for a chikn & chips, you have to assume it must be good quality, if you pay £1.20 incl a drink, then you KNOW its poor quality

 

[Relahni]

kebabs are on a level with fried "chicken" imo.

I've experienced both of these in the last couple of weeks. Both were disgustingly bad - I would not feed my dog this shite.

fish and chips are the best.

A nice big peice of fish - fluffy, white - in decent batter - with decent chips -salt and vinegar!

Delicious!

Can't wait til tonight!

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I vote for Olleys in Herne Hill, really yummy and they make their own sauces which are really good too. I love fish and chips but if its cooked in peanut or palm oil like a few do in Stockwell i am puking a few hours later

There is/was an Olley's just off Union Street SE1 that was very good, but a bit pricey. Possibly on Gt Suffolk Street. Not sure exactly. Maybe same people?

 

[Relahni]

On a point of basic economics- I would suspect that if the local Chikn shop can do Chick & chips and a drink for like 1.20, the sourced ingredients must be apallingly cheap, even taking into account that the soft drink costs like 0.9p + the cost of the paper cup.

what type of chikn are they sourcing for this ? doesnt bear thinking about.

I think thats the difference here - if you pay £4.50 for a chikn & chips, you have to assume it must be good quality, if you pay £1.20 incl a drink, then you KNOW its poor quality

you know there used to be a lot of pigeons in trafalgar sq?

you know there is lot of fried "chicken" shops in London?

Well - you do the maths.

 

[tarannau]

On a point of basic economics- I would suspect that if the local Chikn shop can do Chick & chips and a drink for like 1.20, the sourced ingredients must be apallingly cheap, even taking into account that the soft drink costs like 0.9p + the cost of the paper cup.

what type of chikn are they sourcing for this ? doesnt bear thinking about.

I think thats the difference here - if you pay £4.50 for a chikn & chips, you have to assume it must be good quality, if you pay £1.20 incl a drink, then you KNOW its poor quality

I know what you mean, but bear in mind that you can buy chicken pieces ridiculously cheaply at catering prices. It's the unfortunate side effect of having such a demand for chicken breasts (mostly shipped off for ready meals) that the other bits, particularly the wings, can go for a song.

That said, have you ever tried to buy decent cod at under £4 a portion in London? Frozen fish is cheaper, but I doubt the gross profit on either item is that different.

 

[Final]

Two ok-ish ones near work (one on Tottenham Street just of tottenham court road, and another at th top end of Cleveland St).

Best one I've been to in London (for years and years) is Skipjacks. But it's way out in the 'burbs. (Streatfield Roundabout near Queensbury).

 

[christonabike]

Nearest decent fish and chip shop?

Probably Cleethorpes

Anyone explain why, in London, you seen to get a fucking stupidly small piece of fish?

And no-one complains?

 

[Relahni]

Nearest decent fish and chip shop?

Probably Cleethorpes

Anyone explain why, in London, you seen to get a fucking stupidly small piece of fish?

And no-one complains?

Long lane fish bar does a fair size of fish - £3.50 - not too bad really?

Chris's Sea Breeze which is pretty much a kebaby fish and chip shop does a smaller fish for £5......

I never complained because I can see what I'm buying. The only complaint was with my stomach after I'd eaten the shite.

No problems with Long Lane fish bar so far....

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Re. Fried chicken, for me it's the fucking chips that I can't stand, rather than the actual fried chicken, which is passable (no worse than the chicken mcnuggets in mcdonalds).

But fish and chips is a much nicer meal. It's the first thing I'm having, unquestionably, when I get back to Britain.

As to good ones in London, well around Hackney, I thought Clapton Fish Bar, just opposite Clapton Passage, was good, I used that one for years and years. Also on Chatsworth Road, the Turkish/Greek run one (but it's not a kebab place) at the end of the road (not the one kind of at the top of the hill, that's wank), near the bike shop. That was also pretty good.

The Chinese-run one near the Beehive Lane Roundabout, between REdbridge and Gants Hill tube stations, was also excellent, but only open for about 3 hours a day.

 

[marshall]

If you're in North London:

Poseidon Fish bar on East Finchley Road is the best in the area, imo.

 

[marshall]

If you're in North London:

Poseidon Fish bar on East Finchley High Road is the best in the area, imo.

 

[pootle]

I vote for Olleys in Herne Hill, really yummy and they make their own sauces which are really good too.

Olleys is OK...but not as good as the hype would have you believe. Blimmin' pricey too. I prefer my chips to be a bit well, squishier and softer.

Will check out the Long Lane chip bar though as I work ded near Borough...

 

[Janh]

I vote for Olleys in Herne Hill, really yummy and they make their own sauces which are really good too

Agree with you, Olleys gets my vote and takes F&C to new levels. They manage to give service, which others don't.

I also vote for:

Golden Cafe on Farringdon Road near the Mount Pleasant Post Office. Best value, meaning cheap.

If you're looking for beef dripping try a place (I can't remember it's name) on Theobalds Road near Lambs Conduit. It's good and in spitting distance of decent pubs.

In Forest Hill I like the cheap and cheerful Island chippy on the A205 opposite the coop partly because the Chinese lady serving is always smiling and I like that. Food is good too.

Sea Cow @ Dulwich is ok too, but prices itself into a different league.

I wonder, is there any pub in London that does really good F&Chips?

 

[Relahni]

Agree with you, Olleys gets my vote and takes F&C to new levels. They manage to give service, which others don't.

I also vote for:

Golden Cafe on Farringdon Road near the Mount Pleasant Post Office. Best value, meaning cheap.

If you're looking for beef dripping try a place (I can't remember it's name) on Theobalds Road near Lambs Conduit. It's good and in spitting distance of decent pubs.

In Forest Hill I like the cheap and cheerful Island chippy on the A205 opposite the coop partly because the Chinese lady serving is always smiling and I like that. Food is good too.

Sea Cow @ Dulwich is ok too, but prices itself into a different league.

I wonder, is there any pub in London that does really good F&Chips?

I think the problem with fish and chips in pubs is that it tends to be warmed up shite that you can pick up for £1.99 at your local Iceland. I wouldn't risk getting fish and chips at a pub, unless one was recommended.

 

[Onket]

Relahni- What is this 'the blue' that you are going on about?

When I have fish n chips I pretty much always feel let down. Greasy limp fish & horrible chips. I've given up now & just have a kebab. I even prefer french fry type chips now cos I've had so many portions of crap 'proper' chips.

Rubbish.



rutabowa- I tried that Faulkner's place in Dalston when I lived up there, had a meal inside & it was expensive & really nowt special. Massive portions though.

 

[Skim]

Golden Cafe on Farringdon Road near the Mount Pleasant Post Office. Best value, meaning cheap.

If you're looking for beef dripping try a place (I can't remember it's name) on Theobalds Road near Lambs Conduit. It's good and in spitting distance of decent pubs.

I do like that place on Farringdon Road, it's a good place to sit down.

That place on Theobalds Road... do you mean the Fryer's Delight? I've never been but have heard very good things about it.

 

[dennisr]

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Bert's - end of east street corner with old kent road

 

[guinnessdrinker]

There is/was an Olley's just off Union Street SE1 that was very good, but a bit pricey. Possibly on Gt Suffolk Street. Not sure exactly. Maybe same people?

yes, it is on great suffolk st. hopefully, it is still there.

 

[Monkeynuts]

Relahni- What is this 'the blue' that you are going on about?

It's a Bermondsey thing...

 

[zenie]

Relahni- What is this 'the blue' that you are going on about?

When I have fish n chips I pretty much always feel let down. Greasy limp fish & horrible chips. I've given up now & just have a kebab. I even prefer french fry type chips now cos I've had so many portions of crap 'proper' chips.

Rubbish.



rutabowa- I tried that Faulkner's place in Dalston when I lived up there, had a meal inside & it was expensive & really nowt special. Massive portions though.

Me, You and our (your??) lass should go the windmill

It's wicked and you can eat in