Journalist Craig Jones enjoying a day out around the historic city of York and decided to stop off at a fish and chip shop after seeing an ‘abundance of five star ratings’ on Tripadvisor
When it comes to fish and chip shops, the UK has plenty of contenders for the best of the lot.
With that in mind, earlier this year journalist Craig Jones went for a day out in York for a look around a museum as well as a touch of shopping. For lunch, he decided to stop off at one particular chippy in the historic city after he’d heard good things about it on Tripadvisor. “There’s something rather special about a day in York. That’s probably one of the least controversial things I’ve ever said in my role at Yorkshire Live’s What’s On Editor,” he began.
Craig went on: “If anything, I probably don’t get to the historic city quite as much as I’d like,” before adding, “arriving late morning, my York visit consisted of a return to the National Railway Museum, weaving through negotiating the Shambles, cocktails at Evil Eye and a little bit of retail therapy.
“For lunch, it felt like a chippy day. So, I sought recommendations with TripAdvisor directing me one way, to Drake’s in Low Petergate. Topping the charts, with an abundance of five star ratings for York fish and chip shops, recent reviews are full of praise for the service at Drake’s alongside the quality of the food offering.
“Testimonies include ‘best fish and chips around’, ‘amazing food’ and ‘the best in York’. I have no doubt there’s other great options to be found but it felt, on this occasion, Drake’s had to be the place.”
Drake’s has been a “York stalwart since 2010”, according to Craig, and has an upstairs restaurant seating above its takeaway chippy. The menu’s offerings varies between the two and, being a pleasant day in May, Craig decided to enjoy lunch “gazing in wonder” at York Minster.
He continued: “Visitors will find the takeaway menu is packed with all the chippy favourites you’d expect alongside a few more niche delights such as mozzarella sticks and even a battered Mars bar. We opted for the light bite fish and chips which, in fairness, for a smaller option looked a generous portion.
“Alongside that came the concoction of chips, chicken bites, gravy and those wonderful accompanying scraps. Taking our seats on the benches beside York Minster it was abundantly apparent why Drake’s receives such regular praise.
“As mentioned, we enjoyed a pretty hefty lunch with it coming in at £21 in total (with the addition of a can of Coca-Cola and a bottle of water). The chips, just done, were crisp on the outside with that desired fluffy core.”
Craig described both the fish and chicken as “higher quality than a standard chip shop offering”. He finished: “Once we’d concluded our lunch, with us both fit to burst, we took a moment to pay thanks to those who’d pointed us in the direction of Drake’s Fish and Chips.
“In 2023, Drake’s was the recipient of TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award with the accolade certainly being much-deserved. Now, Drake’s has been ticked off, if anyone wants to supply any additional York chippy recommendations they’d be gleefully received.”
