There was a time when Sunday nights meant fish and chips for dinner, the aroma of salty chips escaping from their butcher’s paper wrapping. With Good Friday fast approaching, here are some of the region’s ‘must try’ fish and chipperies, open for takeaway and/or delivery during COVID-19:
The Inky Squid, Terranora
Owned by ex-Taverna Head Chef Ben Jones and his wife Jessica, The Inky Squid gives us the best trawler-sourced local fish and seafood. Awarded ‘Readers’ Choice Award for Best Seafood’ by the AGFG and ranked #7 in NSW in the Australian Fish & Chip Awards, The Inky Squid is a shining star in the fresh seafood stakes. Their bestsellers continue to be Lemon pepper squid with seaweed, the Inky Squid pack, and burgers.
Two Wise Fish, Mermaid Waters
Tucked away in the Waterways Shopping centre, Two Wise Fish is not your average fish and chip joint. Owner Belinda Gates, a third-generation fishmonger, has worked hard to establish rapport with local fishermen, sourcing her fish from Australian and New Zealand waters. Serving standards such as fish and chips your way, prawn cutlets, sea scallops and kabana, as well as burgers and fish sandwiches, Two Wise Fish is BYO.
The Fish Shak, Southport
Located in the Broadwater Parklands, The Fish Shak offers great fish and chips with a water view. Championing fresh Australasian seafood at its best, refrigerated displays show off the glistening seafood: fish, prawns, oysters and bugs, delivered daily. Choose your fish panko-crumbed, grilled or in garlic butter to eat with chips or salad. Oysters are shucked daily, joining a diverse menu of ‘everything seafood’.
The Jolly Roger, Miami
“Simple fresh food. Local and environmentally clean. Handmade as much as possible. Cooked using clean oil. Reasonable pricing.” It’s Isa Ham’s summary of what sets his fish and chip shop, The Jolly Roger, apart. “All our fish are delivered fresh except the NZ hoki,” Isa tells us. The Jolly Roger also carries a range of keto-friendly dishes: fish crumbed in almond flour and parmesan, zucchini chips, and skewers of grilled seafood.
The Fish Emporium, Isle of Capri
Dining waterfront at Capri on Via Roma on fish from local suppliers prepared daily by the fishmongers. You can dine in from an extensive menu or choose your fish and chips to take away or to eat at picnic tables near the water. There’s no better place to sit with a rosé or cocktail in hand as the sun descends enjoying the view of city lights reflected off the water. A casual ‘fish and chips’ experience doesn’t come much better than this!