British Fish and Chip Shops around Boston area / New England?

February 18, 2008 5:56 AM

British Fish and Chip Shops around Boston area / New England?

Are there any authentic British style Fish and Chip Shops (Fish/Chips/Sauasges) like "Chip Shop" and "A Salt and Battery" in New York, in Boston or anywhere around New England?

( http://www.chipshopnyc.com , http://www.asaltandbattery.com )

posted by fx3000 to food & drink (9 comments total)

I'm not really sure what British fish and chips are like but as a Kiwi in New Hampshire, there are lots of restaurants with "Fish and Chips" on the menu that seem to me pretty much the same as the fish and chips I enjoyed back in New Zealand.
posted by tetranz at 6:35 AM on February 18, 2008

Not a chip shop, but my fave fish & chips in the area is at Matt Murphy's in Brookline. (Map) It's an upscale-y irish bar, and the chips come in newsprint. For every chip shop in London, there is a corresponding greek sub shop in boston that will serve flash fried frozen french fries and put two packets of ketchup in the bag alongside a soggy piece of cod in a stryofoam box. Not recommended. There are of course some great seafood restaurants in the area and on the cape that will serve excellent fried fish and some of them will come with good fries, but this is not what you're looking for I imagine.

I will be watching this topic with interest to see if there's a place nearby I didn't know about though!
posted by neustile at 6:55 AM on February 18, 2008

Just here to second Matt Murphy's - In fact, the newspaper wrapping used to be the Irish Times, but I think they were spending a bit too much on media, so now it's the Boston Globe. In any event, excellent fish and chips, and they have this great, chunky, homemade ketchup - as to a "real"chip shop - dunno, but I'll also be be curious to hear of any.
posted by jalexei at 7:39 AM on February 18, 2008

Third'ing Murphy's. Chips aside, they probably have the best pub kitchen of any place in the city. Between Thursday and Sunday, it's worth arriving there early as the place does get packed.
posted by bl1nk at 8:18 AM on February 18, 2008

I'll third Matt Murphy's--definitely my favorite.

You may also want to check out Cornwall's in Kenmore Sq. It's not a proper chip shop, more a restaurant/bar. They do have bangers and chips and the like. Also at the Gaelic games out in Canton in the summers, Mannion's Restaurant from Quincy sells sausage and beans and chips. I've been there for Irish breakfast and had the chips and beans at games, but haven't had the fish, but probably worth a shot.

I've never seen a menu exactly like those you've linked to, however. I'd love to find out if there is such a place around here.
posted by jdl at 8:19 AM on February 18, 2008

The Phantom Gourmet site/TV show/radio show might be helpful.
posted by FlyByDay at 11:45 AM on February 18, 2008

I think the Coat of Arms pub in Portsmouth is a contender, but I can't remember what it's like, so I can't vouch for it's authenticity or un-crappiness at all. Portsmouth is a lot of fun, though, so you can check it out and if it's awful, there are other good places around. 1 hour north of Boston.
posted by theredpen at 1:39 PM on February 18, 2008

OK, their menu page lists something called "Lighter Fayre" so I retract that recommendation -- that's the kind of thing I was afraid of. Sorry. The food might be okay regardless, though.
posted by theredpen at 1:42 PM on February 18, 2008

I'm back to say I just remembered eating at the The British Beer Company on the Cape. I liked the pasty I had there. It is a chain, however, and I wouldn't drive to the Cape just to eat there. But if you find yourself near one of their locations, it may be worth a try.
posted by jdl at 3:34 PM on February 18, 2008