'Today's spuds are Agria from
Archie Wells Farm, Lincolnshire' - so read the sign above the counter at Simpson's chip shop in Cheltenham.
This takeaway / restaurant is a large establishment on the outskirts of the town centre. It's frontage is dominated by a banner reading 'UK's No.1 fish and chip shop'. A very inviting prospect for the Chip Fiends.
The first impression upon entering Simpson's is one of quality. From the long black granite counter, and shelf full of awards, to the branded packaging.
The restaurant was busy on this lunchtime so the Chip Fiends decided to have a takeaway and eat in the sunshine on a nearby patch of grass.
Customers order and pay for their food on arrival and then are given a numbered ticket to collect the meal when it is ready. We had hake, chips and mushy peas, and cod, chips and curry sauce.
Both fish were excellent. Pure white, fresh, with a light batter. The chips were chunky. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The peas had the flavour of the tinned variety and were mushed to a purée consistency - rather like baby food.
The curry sauce tasted like the Chip Fiend's favourite 'Ceres' variety. Strong-flavoured (although we have had it at another chippy where it was mixed a bit thicker).
A memorable al fresco lunch. As Simpson's themselves say, 'long live fish and chips'!
Ratings out of 5:
Hake: 5
Cod: 5
Chips: 5
Mushy peas: 3
Curry sauce: 4
Shop / service: 5
Over all: 5
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