Man visits 120 chip shops across the UK and this Welsh chippy made his top 5

Wales Online

2 days ago

Man visits 120 chip shops across the UK and this Welsh chippy made his top 5
Stephen Peel, 62, has been eating at two fish and chip shops a week for the last 15 months in his quest to find the nation's best chippies - and now he's made his picks
A dedicated fish and chip shop enthusiast who's travelled 120 UK chippies over a year has unveiled his top five picks. Stephen Peel, aged 62, embarked on a 15-month gastronomic adventure, dining at two different fish and chip shops weekly in a bid to discover the crème de la crème of British chippies.
One Welsh fish & chip shop made the cut in Stephen's top five, though, joining fryers from Lancashire, Cornwall, Yorkshire and Cheshire.
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Crowning Green Lane Chippy in Leigh, Lancashire, as his personal best so far, with The Old Forge Cafe in Bugle, Cornwall, trailing close behind, Stephen, hailing from Penketh, Warrington, shared: "I've tried quite a lot of chippies so far on this journey but it has never gotten old - I still look forward to eating them every single time. I just love a good old traditional fish and chips - there is nothing that beats it for me."
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Rounding out Stephen's top five was Hennighan's Top Shop in Machynlleth, which has previously been named as one of the best in the UK. The family run shop has been going for forty years and they won best in in Wales, too, back in 2017.
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Stephen's tour, which he documents on his YouTube channel, here, said that Hennighan's 'delicious' pea fritters were 'the best' he'd tasted to date. The reviewer also liked the shop's potato doughnuts, tucked into some battered haddock and praised Hennighan's as a 'cracking little shop.'
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Kickstarting his 'Chippy Tour' to honour the cherished staple he believes the nation risks losing due to many establishments facing closure from escalating costs, Stephen assessed each chippy on several criteria. He judged them on a scale of five, taking into account customer service, cleanliness, presentation as well as the quality of the fare.
He spends £30 at every chippy purchasing a battered sausage, steak and kidney pie, curry sauce, and a pea fritter alongside the chips - and has spent £3,600 in total.
He further commented: "There's a lot that goes into getting a five star review - I also put a lot of pride into giving them. All aspects of the experience affect the score - for instance how friendly the staff are as for me manners are important.
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"How the shop is presented is also something I look out for too as I want to feel comfortable and welcome when I'm inside. Also those who sell other meals, like kebabs and pizzas. If the love for fish and chips doesn't come first then it may affect the score.", reports the Mirror.
"I'm sharing the joy and the history of these iconic places - I want to do it right."
Stephen gave a resoundingly postive 'oh' after tasting a pea fritter
(Image: YouTube/The Chippy Tour )
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Stephen remarks that to earn a top score of five, the place must be so impressive that visitors won't feel let down if they make a trip specifically to see it.
He observed that fish and chip shop prices fluctuate across the UK: "On average nationwide it costs around £10 for a meal - up north it is a little bit cheaper as you normally pay £8 in my experience. But further down south you are looking to pay double the northern price."
Stephen embarked on his quest in February last year when his wife's barber shop had to shut down due to competition from newer establishments.
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He reflected: "It got me thinking, this surely can't be the only business being affected. Fish and chips has always been my favourite since I was a lad.
"Before long, I discovered that their numbers had dwindled dramatically over the past 30 years from 30,000 to about 10,000. It has become increasingly difficult for them to stay open with the rising prices.
"So I started The Chippy Tour to celebrate the iconic dish and to try my best to keep the buzz of having a chippy alive."
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During his tour, he visited the UK's most affordable fish and chip shop, Mathews Chippy in Grimsby, Yorks, where his meal cost just £3 - a price he deemed "a lot more" than its value.
Describing his ideal serving, he said: "There is a freshness to the fish with no discolouration - for me it doesn't matter if it is cod or haddock. I have no preference on the colour of the batter but as long as it isn't soggy underneath you are all good.
"It has to look fresh and clean - when you break open the batter there should be a sweet earthy smell. For the chips you are looking for the light golden colour.
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"They need to be a bit plump while crispy on the outside but not too firm in the middle but also not overly soft - you are looking for the sweet spot.
"Lastly, I prefer it cooked in beef dripping rather than vegetable oil - the flavours are much better this way."
You can find Stephen's full list here.
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Stephen's top five UK chippies:
1st: Green Lane Chippy - Leigh, Lancashire
2nd: The Old Forge Cafe - Bugle, Cornwall
3rd: Charlie's of Mobberley - Mobberley, Cheshire
4th: George A. Green Fisheries - Wakefield, Yorkshire
5th: Hennighan's, Machynlleth, Wales