Friday night chippy is a given for many households, which is probably why I wasn’t expecting such a weekend crowd.
Even if we’d wanted to eat in at the award-winning Green Lane Chippy for our Saturday tea, we would have struggled for a table as the restaurant was packed out.
I’ve never seen anything like it in a chip shop before, the atmosphere coming from the lively restaurant, in Leigh, Wigan, was as strong as the smell of the fish and chips we were about to devour.
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Some might say it’s down to the alcoholic beverages sold there, but I think customers are more excited about the food rather than the beer. That’s just an added bonus and is one of many ways this place caters for all requirements – the gluten free and vegan options earn high praise indeed.
Ours was a simple order of two fish and chips with curry sauce, along with sausage and chips for the kids.
We’d timed it well, as a fresh batch of fish had just been cooked, so we didn’t have long to wait at all.
I like the fact it’s served in a box, as it seems to keep it fresher, and we got the sauce in a separate pot to pour it over once at home.
The fish was pretty big and the quality of it – fresh, moist flakes coated in light crispy batter – well worth the £5.20 price tag, plus an extra £2.70 for the chips.
Jumbo sausages are a favourite as far as the kids are concerned and these ones didn’t disappoint. I’d have been tempted to add some gravy, but they prefer them plain. Each to their own. One large portion of chips, at £3.30, was plenty enough for them to share.
A wall inside the chippy is plastered with the awards this place has picked up in previous years. Some are a while back now – it was awarded North West Chippy of the Year two years running in 2012 and 2013.
But the recent five-star Google reviews speak for themselves, including one from just this week saying: “This has to be the best fish and chip shop restaurant ever. Food cooked to perfection. Attentive, friendly owners and staff. Sit in with my mum when in Leigh as a treat. Love it.”
And another, which says: “Great chippy, food tastes like a proper English chippy should. Great friendly service with a smile. If you’re in the area definitely worth a visit. 5 stars all round.”
A third described the fish as ‘to die for’ and said: “Always superb, fresh and piping hot. Service is fast, and the queue out the door tells you everything you need to know.”
Next time I might skip the queue and join the happy diners eating in. If we’re lucky enough to get a table that is.
