Fish N Chips

I decided to start off with the namesake of our URL, a traditional meal of Fish N Chips. This is something you always hear about when it comes to anything that is culturally British and if you visit is something that you cannot, I repeat, cannot miss out on.

It's fairly simple to understand: fish and chips. Now in the States our understanding of "chips" usually has to do with Pringles or Wavy Lays. In Britain, chips are what we call french fries. This meal is generally sold as take away (take out), and served in a number of different ways. Sometimes it is sold with a side of mushy peas (exactly what it sounds like) or curry sauce to dip your chips in. Some people put vinegar all over, and others still prefer tartar sauce. A lot of places still serve it wrapped up in newspaper!

Fish N Chips, according to sources, was first introduced in the mid 1800s, and is traditionally battered cod, but could be haddock or other similar fish. There isn't a place in Britain that doesn't serve their own, and while my first experiences of it came in a card board box that was sold to me out of a van sitting at the side of the road, I was hooked instantly. There is nothing Long John Silvers has on the original, and I've never even really liked fish.

My second experience of having it was in Whitby at The Duke of York Harbour Inn, a lovely place in it's original building "at the bottom of the 199 steps". http://www.dukeofyork.co.uk/

This dish was a bit fancier than your traditional take away, served with chips, peas (not mushy), lemon, and coleslaw. The haddock was as long as my arm from my wrist to elbow and the chips were large and fat as they were supposed to be, all for 8.95 (GBP). It was delicious and I'd highly recommend eating there. But if you can't make it to Whitby don't fret, fish n chips are served everywhere and are always in sight. Signs everywhere pointing to where you can get your fix. The smell is recognizable as well and a pleasant one that makes you crave it as soon as the scent hits your nostrils. Let your nose lead the way!

Me at the Duke of York

in Whitby

If you take a trip to Britain, you have no excuses to miss out on this tasty tradition. And saying you've eaten it at Long John Silvers or anywhere else that isn't Britain, you still fail. You must do it properly and you won't regret it!