I'm getting more and more frustrated by the amount of Fish and Chip shops conning people by selling cheap fish over the counter. If they advertise Cod it has to be cod. The problem comes when they advertise two or three different types on the board. Most people won't ask so they give you a poor quality substitute. Cod comes in chunks, if the fish looks and taste jelly like you are being ripped off. If you go down south or Yorkshire way were they use local catch, you will be surprised at the poor quality we are being served around here. Be cheeky and ask whether it is cod before you buy. Panga is a South African fish which the locals don't even eat, you also get Vietnamese fresh water fish but this is covered up by advertising Fish and Chips!!

There is only one Cod!

Personally I PREFER the Vietnamese River Cobbler. It is a type of catfish - no real bones only cartilage and perfectly good taste. Some folk spread rumours about poor production conditions in Vietnam. NOT true. Been there and seen them. Very well managed.

Sure, I like cod as well but it is damned expensive and the less cod that is taken out of our waters for a few years the more chance the stocks will recover properly.

At this very moment I am making a sort of bouillabaisse ie fish stew, using Cobbler (smoked), salmon and "unidentified" white fish - probably Coley (which is a type of cod). Added large prawns, onions, spuds and then towards the end mussles

Snod

well done in drawing this to peoples attention,was a commercial fisherman for 30 years and have noticed that the fish that is hiding in the batter is not of british origin,but at a lighter note the cod,haddock at pisces milner road heswall is great.

Snod, I don't say it's a case a preference, it's more the back door deception that's happening. I'm sure if you speak to fishermen you will also find Cod levels have risen and everybody knows the over fishing of British waters was down to the usual European Union double standards.

Enjoy your stew.....interesting!

I love fish n chips.
A few months ago popped up to newcastle to see family. Popped into a chippy down at the quayside (its been there for 20 years that I know of) and the fresh cod was amazin. When I ordered my Jumbo Cod with scratchins (extra batter) I was promptly informed it will be 10 mins. Which was worth the wait twice over.

I do find local chippy's all seem to serve a bland fish in batter and are far too greesey. My mission of late has been to find a simular chippy to the one in newcastle.

Thanks for the heads up (first post).

Believe it or not after a few attempts of finding the right Fish weatherspoons so far comes up trumps but the chips are a let down.

I hate that tasteless Pollock that is used in a lot of fish products (eg Birds eye fish fingers), it might as well be filled with flour and water its so tasteless. I always try and get cod or haddock.

FULLY agree with you that passing one fish off as another is WRONG. By all means the chippies can use Cobbler - BUT they should say what it is.

Having said that I remember a few years ago - err maybe 35 - I was somewhere in Cornwall and samples "fish" & chips from the loacl place on the quayside . . . on a basis that if it aint fresh there it never will be. Indeed the fish was SPLENDID. So much so that Mrs & I and the kids went back for "second helpings". Because I was interested in fish/ sea fishing I asked the guy what sort of fish it was and (quietly) he said 'Conger Eel'. The next day he showed me how he cut the conger to make fillets that looked just like cod fillets.

Snod

Nice to see that the Chip shop in Milner road still dose Place, not had Place and chips for years now, if i'm in the area i will have to pop in and and then go and stuff my face on the shore in lower Heswall, ah memories !!.

That one in upton that's won loads of awards normally have a selection and the plaice might be a bit on the pricey side but it's worth it for the taste.

mmmmmmmm

Would love the name of the said 'Chippy' or simply directions. Me and my Hobbits have been traveling in the direction of Parkgate/Neston to a popular shop but these fell foul of our expectations this week. Please some suggest a chippy that serves this tasty poisson!

clicky


I wont eat basa fish, pangasious fillet, river cobbler or whatever it's being called! Don't like the way its farmed close to sewage outlets (see link) and also the fact its a fraction of the cost of cod which isn't generally reflected in the price in your average chippy! At 2.2 US dollars per kilo - that's about £1.35 for over 2lbs of uncooked fish there's a vast profit to be made by passing the fish off as cod!

Marigolds in West Kirby....THE best fish and chips ever!!

I'll defintly be asking what the fish is, in our chippy. Just assumed it was cod.
I remember years ago when the fish would be pre battered and cooked, then stored on the 'heat ledge'. Only to be deep fried again, upon order. Bleugh.