God. Is there anything more British than standing in a queue outside a chippy on Good Friday, the smell of vinegar making your stomach growl like an angry dog? I've been doing this ritual since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and last year I waited 45 minutes in the rain outside Pete's in Manchester only to find they'd run out of cod. The betrayal still stings.
Why We're All Obsessed With Battered Fish Today
So here's the thing about Good Friday and fish. Christians traditionally avoid meat as a sort of mourning ritual for Jesus dying on the cross. Makes sense. But let's be honest - most of us are just using it as an excuse to indulge in Britain's most iconic takeaway without the guilt.
I remember back in 2018 when my uncle (devout Catholic, never misses church) lectured me about the religious significance while simultaneously drowning his chips in curry sauce. The irony was completely lost on him.
The Map That Made Me Question Everything
The National Fish and Chip Awards dropped their 2025 winners list in February, and I'm still not over it. My editor bet me £30 I couldn't write this piece without complaining that my local chippy didn't make teh cut. (See what I did there? I'm losing that bet already.)
These judges apparently went around stuffing their faces with battered cod and chips, rating everything from taste to sustainability. Must be nice.
The Fancy-Pants Restaurant Winners
Yarm Road Fish and Chips in Darlington snagged the top restaurant spot. Under a tenner for a meal and the owner, Burrell, has been in the game for over 20 years. Their secret weapon? Some mysterious ingredient in the batter that they refuse to reveal. I emailed them asking what it was. Their response: "Nice try, but we'd have to kill you." Worth the drive just for the attitude.
Second place went to The Fish Works in Largs, Scotland. They get fresh fish deliveries DAILY. Who has that kind of dedication anymore?
Kellaway's in Truro, Cornwall took third. Larry and Amanda have been running it for almost 30 years. Thirty! I can't even keep a houseplant alive for a month.
When You Just Can't Be Bothered to Sit Down
Listen. Sometimes you just want to grab your fish and chips and eat them while walking home, grease soaking through the paper, fingers freezing in the April chill.
For those moments, Bells Fish and Chips in Durham was crowned Takeaway of the Year. They've got 4.5 stars on TripAdvisor, which anyone in the restaurant business knows is practically impossible unless you're bribing your customers.
Malt and Anchor in Gloucestershire came second. They serve WINE with their fish and chips. Actual wine! What happened to a can of Tango?
Trenchers Spanish City in Whitley Bay rounded out the top three. They've got a pianist playing while you eat. A pianist! I feel fancy when my local chippy has clean tables.
From Potato Field to My Belly
The weirdest category has to be "Field to Frier" which sounds like a farming documentary but is actually about the journey of ingredients. Redcloak Fish Bar in Stonehaven, Scotland won for sustainable sourcing.
I once asked my local chip shop owner where he gets his potatoes. He just pointed vaguely toward the window and said "farms." That's probably why they're not on this list.
The One That Got Away
I spent last summer touring the UK coastline, eating fish and chips at every stop. The best one I had? A tiny shack in Whitstable that isn't even on this map. The woman who served me had hands weathered by decades of hot oil and salt water. She called me "love" and gave me an extra scoop of chips.
That's the thing about these awards... sometimes the real gems are the places that don't have the fancy sustainability certificates or the pianist in the corner.
They're just good. And sometimes good is enough.
Now I'm hungry. Poor planning on my part to write this before lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does inflation affect the value of money?
Inflation refers to the general rise in prices over time, which erodes the purchasing power of money. As inflation increases, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services, meaning that the value of money decreases in terms of what it can purchase.
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Saving typically involves setting aside money in a secure account for short-term needs or emergencies, while investing involves using money to purchase assets like stocks or real estate with the expectation of generating a return over the long term. Investing carries higher risks but offers the potential for greater rewards.
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Credit scores are numerical representations of an individual's creditworthiness, calculated based on credit history, payment behavior, and debt levels. They are important because they impact the ability to obtain loans, credit cards, and favorable interest rates, affecting overall financial health.
What are the different types of money?
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What is a budget deficit?
A budget deficit occurs when a government's expenditures exceed its revenues over a specific period, usually a fiscal year. This can lead to increased borrowing and national debt if not addressed through spending cuts or revenue increases.
What is the importance of financial literacy?
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Statistics
- According to a Gallup poll, 56% of Americans report that their financial situation is better than it was a year ago.
- In 2020, the average retirement savings for Americans aged 60 to 69 was approximately $195,000, according to Fidelity.
- According to the World Bank, around 1.7 billion adults worldwide remain unbanked, lacking access to basic financial services.
- The average return on investment for the S&P 500 over the past 90 years is about 10% per annum.
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- A study by the National Endowment for Financial Education found that 60% of Americans do not have a budget.
- According to a survey by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), about 66% of Americans could not correctly answer four basic financial literacy questions.
- As of 2021, the average student loan debt for recent graduates was approximately $30,000, according to the Federal Reserve.
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Did you miss our previous article...
https://hellofaread.com/money/the-holy-grail-of-pennies-that-elusive-1933-coin-that-could-buy-you-a-literal-yacht
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