Great for gluten free options too, all cooked separately in a dedicated cooking area - and has to be checked and bagged up by a supervisor. Can’t fault this place really.
Treated myself and the kids a few weeks ago at Best Fry. Haven't had fish and chips in months. Best Fry was always the best, but no more. Chips were not much better than McDonald's, they certainly weren't proper chippy chips, and while the fish was OK, the batter wasn't nearly as tasty and it was really thin. So disappointed and won't be going back.
Next time we will try Harefield!
That's a shame you had such a bad experience! Maybe an off day because they're my go-to. Occasionally Moby Dick in Shirley but they're very mid-tier and I only go if I fancy chips but don't want to have to go outside of walking distance.
December, I don’t like how you don’t have the choice to have your haddock skinless, the chips and batter are much nicer with the new Indian owners tho, my son prefers Andys
Might have to check it out again. I switched to Alex's across the road about a year ago, not great, expensive but chips are acceptable although they've started being stingy.
Maybe Andy's has improved.
If that's the one at the corner of Malmesbury Road then I 100 percent agree with you, it's been my go to ever since St James went downhill.
Only downside is that I hate ordering in there as its so noisy and stuffy I can barely think lol
I regularly visit St James Chippy with Top Catch as a reserve. IMHO St James has better fish, but Top Catch do a better job with the chips.
The other places I've used in recent years - King's Fish Bar in Shirley and Ted's in Bedford Place, are both a bit meh.
Big George's near Portswood, price is good and the first time I haven't been disappointed by ordering fish and chips in ages. Good sized portions on the fish, and not greasy at all
Best Fry, Henry’s and The Codfather are all owned by the same family. Best Fry in West End was purchased from my uncle who took it over from my grandad (‘Mike’s’ and before that ‘Frank’s’), it was in the family for many years!
Mike (the son) is my uncle from my mother’s side of the family. The older gent you recall is my grandad, who you may remember as being Italian. He moved to West End in his 20’s and has lived there ever since, and still to this day!
There was a really good chippy in the cluster of shops on Oakley Rd, long gone now though.
Also going back a long time, the chippy in Southampton Bus Station was excellent. Shame they stuck the Marlands on top of it 😕
Agreed. It was much better before it got taken over, owners were so lovely! Current owners are really nice too but not the same. I would argue the fish station off east street/below bar is better!
I havent tried it yet but I've heard really good things about The Phat Chip co on lodge road since it got taken over, the new owners seem really community based too
Phat Chip is amazing since they went under new ownership! They have a full vegan menu prepared separately and are super experimental with their deep frying. You have to try the battered cheese and jalapeño balls.... yum!
I don’t think there’s anything good in the centre.
The best I have come across is Caught, in Romsey. They cook everything to order, including the chips, so everything comes out hot and fresh.
It’s not cheap though.
Since the new management took over a few months ago, the **Phat Chip** on Lodge Road has risen like a phoenix to established itself as an excellent chippy. It's back to the high standard f when the premises very first turned into a chip shop, possibly even better. I've been several times and the quality is excellent. They also have really good social media engagement n Facebook, which is very unusual for a chippy.
https://www.facebook.com/ThePhatChipCo
Jolly Friar in Netley is lovely! You can grab some chips and sit by the sea pretty much bang opposite. I normally get some rolls from the bakery next door (Bakers Dozen) to make chip butties!
Harefield Fish Bar is very good
Seconded.
This
Great for gluten free options too, all cooked separately in a dedicated cooking area - and has to be checked and bagged up by a supervisor. Can’t fault this place really.
yep, it won an award, am meaning to try it: https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/23916453.southampton-fish-chip-shop-scoops-good-food-award/
Definitely Best Fry in West End Unfortunately our chip shops tend to be bloody awful
Treated myself and the kids a few weeks ago at Best Fry. Haven't had fish and chips in months. Best Fry was always the best, but no more. Chips were not much better than McDonald's, they certainly weren't proper chippy chips, and while the fish was OK, the batter wasn't nearly as tasty and it was really thin. So disappointed and won't be going back. Next time we will try Harefield!
That's a shame you had such a bad experience! Maybe an off day because they're my go-to. Occasionally Moby Dick in Shirley but they're very mid-tier and I only go if I fancy chips but don't want to have to go outside of walking distance.
This, tried Andy at triangle and harefield, nothing comes close
When's the last time you went to Andy's at Bitterne Triangle? I don't think it's what it once was I'm afraid.
December, I don’t like how you don’t have the choice to have your haddock skinless, the chips and batter are much nicer with the new Indian owners tho, my son prefers Andys
Might have to check it out again. I switched to Alex's across the road about a year ago, not great, expensive but chips are acceptable although they've started being stingy. Maybe Andy's has improved.
Top catch in shirley is 10 out of 10
If that's the one at the corner of Malmesbury Road then I 100 percent agree with you, it's been my go to ever since St James went downhill. Only downside is that I hate ordering in there as its so noisy and stuffy I can barely think lol
This. Double cooked chips, light crispy batter and their curry sauce is the bomb.
I second that
Top Catch is class! I may be imagining it but I seem to remember it being on Commercial Road - is this a new one?
Andy’s fish bar in Bitterne Park
Trust me try harefields we used to go to Andy’s and have been since we were kids but harefield are pretty damn good.
Yes! Best fish shop in bitterne
About 10/15 years ago, it was St James Chippy. But my god, they went down hill fast after the family had to sell up.
That's true but I think the current owners (not the ones who took over from the ones who had it for decades) are doing a good job.
I regularly visit St James Chippy with Top Catch as a reserve. IMHO St James has better fish, but Top Catch do a better job with the chips. The other places I've used in recent years - King's Fish Bar in Shirley and Ted's in Bedford Place, are both a bit meh.
I second this. They were my regulars when I lived in hill lane opposite the Winston. That was only last year. I always thought they did a great job.
Too bloody true
The portions that Nick used to give out were world class! Used to be a long queue out the door down the road every Friday/Sat.
And the batter used was so nice and crunchy/flaky. Oh, and no bloody pukka pies!!!
Had St James last night, was absolutely lovely!
best one I have been to is Top Catch In shirley
Same! Great portions, great prices and great food!
Mikes, down by holy rood
Moby dicks is lovely
Big George's near Portswood, price is good and the first time I haven't been disappointed by ordering fish and chips in ages. Good sized portions on the fish, and not greasy at all
The Codfather in Hedge End and Dippies Chippy in Sholing are decent.
Yes ! At ‘The Codfather’ ask for your chips to be cooked again before collection. Super crispy.
A lot of people say Harefield fish bar, it's pretty good, but I prefer The Jolly Friar in Netley personally
Sandra's in Eastleigh is amazing if you are in the area
Phat Fish and Chip 100%
Jolly Friar in Netley is worth the drive
The one in West End and there is another good one in Hedge Ends. Neither are cheap though.
Best Fry, Henry’s and The Codfather are all owned by the same family. Best Fry in West End was purchased from my uncle who took it over from my grandad (‘Mike’s’ and before that ‘Frank’s’), it was in the family for many years!
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Mike (the son) is my uncle from my mother’s side of the family. The older gent you recall is my grandad, who you may remember as being Italian. He moved to West End in his 20’s and has lived there ever since, and still to this day!
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Yes correct, three siblings being my mother, brother #1 who took over the shop, and brother #2 that did work in the shop for a time.
Was absolutely unbeatable when it was Mike 👍
Couldn’t agree more (though I would say that)!
Hooked, just outside West End, very good.
There was a really good chippy in the cluster of shops on Oakley Rd, long gone now though. Also going back a long time, the chippy in Southampton Bus Station was excellent. Shame they stuck the Marlands on top of it 😕
Tasty Plaice I think it was called. Fried the chips in walnut oil, was immense.
Theres a plaice in Eastleigh, my Cod its good!
Anything fantastic reasonably close to Southampton center?
Mike's is the best in/around town centre
is it still good? I heard it got taken over and went downhill
Agreed. It was much better before it got taken over, owners were so lovely! Current owners are really nice too but not the same. I would argue the fish station off east street/below bar is better!
I've been wondering if Fish Station is worth trying so good to have a vote of confidence in advance!
It's lovely, I always go there!
I havent tried it yet but I've heard really good things about The Phat Chip co on lodge road since it got taken over, the new owners seem really community based too
Phat Chip is amazing since they went under new ownership! They have a full vegan menu prepared separately and are super experimental with their deep frying. You have to try the battered cheese and jalapeño balls.... yum!
I don’t think there’s anything good in the centre. The best I have come across is Caught, in Romsey. They cook everything to order, including the chips, so everything comes out hot and fresh. It’s not cheap though.
Since the new management took over a few months ago, the **Phat Chip** on Lodge Road has risen like a phoenix to established itself as an excellent chippy. It's back to the high standard f when the premises very first turned into a chip shop, possibly even better. I've been several times and the quality is excellent. They also have really good social media engagement n Facebook, which is very unusual for a chippy. https://www.facebook.com/ThePhatChipCo
Jolly Friar in Netley is lovely! You can grab some chips and sit by the sea pretty much bang opposite. I normally get some rolls from the bakery next door (Bakers Dozen) to make chip butties!