The Traditional Chip Shop

With a low recommendation on Zomato and bad reviews, I still tempted fate and gave this place a try. There must be a crossed wire in me to subject myself to low rating places to see how bad it can be... like when someone tells you something stinks... but you choose to still smell it.

After a bit of reading, I went in with the knowledge that the style of the menu is heavily Irish and British influenced.... so much so even their fish is shipped in from overseas.

I tried their Mini Cod and Chips.... and there was nothing mini about it. The serving portions were more than generous. The biggest complaint in the reviews were for their chips... and I can see why. The style of chips is very different to what we're use to in Australia. We love our chips golden, piping hot, crunchy and with a soft potato filling. These tend to be soggy, less crunch, less golden and even slightly drier.

On the upside, the cod was fantastic... melt in your mouth fantastic! The batter was super oily but was amazingly crispy. I was sold on the Irish McDonnell's curry sauce with a promise it was spicier than the British counterpart. The curry sauce was nice, with mild to no kick, but the taste grew old and weary quite rapidly... which is quite rare with sauce. I'll admit the initial reaction was more of a shock factor to enjoy fish and chips with curry sauce... but luckily there's self serve tomato sauce in store for those who need something more "traditional".

I also tried their Jumbo Battered Sausage.... another of their more popular items on the menu... and it was like a more lame Dagwood Dog in my books. It was fine... but at around $6... it was not worth it.

I did brave up and order the haggis but unfortunately they were out.. maybe next time. The meal still ended up costing me over $20 to eat alone... but with the amount of food I ordered, I can see bigger savings if you chose to dine as a couple (allowing you to share the chips).

Their menu is full of interesting things to try if you're adventurous... which I guess is the only thing keeping me excited about a possible revisit. I would give this place a good recommendation based on the fish they served me today.... but if the other items on the menu follow the sub-par trend... I'm not sure there'll be any reason to come back....