In our household, it doesn’t take much to justify a chippy tea. Whether we’ve been busy decorating, out at a parents’ evening, or if it’s just Friday, a chippy tea is always the answer. So, when we discovered that a fish and chip shop close to our home in Greater Manchester had been crowned the best in the UK, well, no excuse was needed – chippy tea for everyone.
After an epic journey visiting 120 chip shops in his quest to find the nation’s top chippies, Stephen Peel has declared Green Lane Chippy in Leigh, Wigan, as the ultimate winner. Throughout his Chippy Tour, Stephen has been rating each chippy out of five, considering factors such as customer service, cleanliness, presentation, and naturally, the quality of the food itself.
To earn a five, the 62-year-old fish and chip enthusiast, from Warrington, said it has to be ‘that good’ people won’t be disappointed if they make the journey to visit it. I didn’t have to travel far, so, while the chippy does have a restaurant you can dine in – a very popular one at that – I opted to take ours away to enjoy at home.
Upon my arrival, the queue was out the door. But while this could easily be attributed to the publicity Stephen’s review has generated, as one staff member informed a customer ‘it’s always like this’.
With an entire wall adorned with nearly a dozen Good Food Award certificates, this place is no stranger to recognition. The establishment appeared spotless and had received a ‘good’ four out of five food hygiene rating during its latest inspection in February.
The staff were as friendly as could be expected, given the constant barrage of orders and calls for ‘service’ from the boss. Stephen is a fan of fish and chips with vinegar and curry sauce – and we went for the same.
The fish was freshly cooked, generously portioned, and encased in a crispy, golden batter. It didn’t quite live up to Stephen’s expectation of not being ‘soggy underneath’, but after a 10-minute car journey, a soggy bottom is somewhat unavoidable.
Despite this, it was still delicious, and the curry sauce here is among the best we’ve tasted. The same can be said for the gravy, which our eldest drizzled over her choice of chips and battered sausage before declaring it ‘banging’.
Our youngest opted for a classic Wigan kebab – a pie in a bread roll for those unfamiliar with the local treat – and a potato scallop. The roll was slightly squashed by the time he got his teeth into it, but there were no complaints.
According to Stephen’s Chippy Tour, the average cost of a meal nationwide is £10, while in the north it’s slightly cheaper, at around £8. Here, fish and chips will set you back a standard £8.40.
But for a standard price, you’re getting something quite exceptional. With this chippy on your doorstep, you don’t need an excuse for a chippy tea.