Fish and chips and a day at the beach is a past time loved by so many of us. One woman scored herself the perfect day out with a delicious meal, but there was one thing missing
One person had an ideal day out many will want to try while scoring themselves some traditional British fish and chips – but there was one key thing missing.
Birmingham Live’s Parenting Editor Zoe Chamberlain explained she wanted some final “holiday vibes” as the summer drew to a close. With fish and chips synonymous with British cuisine and days out at the seaside, Zoe went hunting for a holiday treat of her own, but the catch was that there was no beach in sight.
Zoe went to Stourport-on-Severn, a Worcestershire town known more for its beautiful Georgian canals, rather than waves lapping on its non-existent shores. She said: “There is, of course, no beach at Stourport-on-Severn but there’s pretty much everything else you might want from a seaside resort. Fairground? Check. Amusement arcade? Check. Sweet shop? Check. River boats, mini golf, go karts? Check.”
The savvy reporter found herself there on a weekday with the local Riverside chip shop in sight, calling it “great place to pick up chips to eat overlooking the river”. Zoe said: “Inside, is a large restaurant that’s elevated so you have a good viewpoint across the street down towards the bridge. An old photograph has been enlarged on the wall, showing what Bridge Street looked like in 1955. It hasn’t changed much, there are just more cars on the road now.” The takeaway menu is extensive, offering everything from fish, pie and sausages to donner wraps and faggots with mushy peas, with prices as follows:
- Small cod and chips £8.20
- Haddock and chips with curry sauce £11
- Pie and chips £7
- Large sausage and chips £6
- Faggots and chips with mushy peas and gravy £5.80
- Donner meat and chips £7.50
- Chicken meat and chips £7.70
- Mixed meat and chips £7.90
- Kebab meat wrap meal £8.90 for a choice of donner or chicken served in a wrap with salad, chips and a soft drink can
- Quarter pounder beef burger, cheese burger or chicken burger £7.80 with salad, chips and drink (or double up the burger for an extra £1)
- Tinned roe and chips £6
- Small sausage and chips £5.30
- Fishcake and chips £5.30
Zoe and the person accompanying her chose a small cod and ships and a haddock and chips with curry sauce. She said she received the largest piece of haddock she had ever seen.
She said: “The batter was crispy and the fish was really tender and flavoursome. Sometimes, haddock can be a little dry but not at all here. In fact, it’s the best fish and chips I’ve eaten in ages. The chips weren’t greasy and there was a sign on the wall saying all potatoes are freshly prepared in the restaurant, no frozen chips in use here. You could taste it.” In all, the total bill came to £19.20 which may be a little steep for some in these trying times, but Zoe said enough food was saved that she could take some home with her.