As one of Liverpool's most loved chippies, Chris's in Mossley Hill has been serving generations of loyal customers for over half a century.
Opened by husband and wife Chris and Christine Moustoukas, the Rose Lane business has been going since 1967 and was one of the first takeaways in Liverpool to start offering Chinese dishes. Originally from Cyprus, the couple came to England in the 1950s and worked in London before moving to Liverpool and buying the shop from Chris' brother, Steve.
Now 55-years-on, Chris's is run by Tony and Costa Moustoukas, the second generation sons of this chippy dynasty. Known for serving everything from delicious fish and chips to kebabs, gyros and more, Costa, 58, said the family are "proud of how far they've come."
READ MORE: 20 photos that'll take you right back to Liverpool in 2002
He told the ECHO: "Mum and dad originally came from Cyprus in the late fifties and they went to London and started working there - my dad in a restaurant and my mum as a seamstress. My dad had a cousin in Liverpool, a few cousins came over just after the Second World War so because we had family here they asked them to come to Liverpool and help out with their businesses.
"After working in a couple of shops in Liverpool, we bought the shop in Rose Lane around 1967 and that was bought from my dad’s brother who's name was Steve. We've had the shop ever since.
"It was difficult at first, they could speak a little bit of English and it was just them two on their own so it was difficult to learn how everything worked over here in business. My dad had to get up around 5am or 6am and go to the markets to get fresh fish everyday and other things we needed to buy for the shop.
"The hours were a lot more those days as well, we'd open at around 11.30am and close at midnight with a few breaks in between. My mum and dad had five kids, it was hard.
"There was never any problems, they took to it like ducks to water. It was such a multicultural place and everyone was very welcoming - it was like home from home really."
Along with his four siblings, Costa said the family lived above the chippy and as teenagers they would help out after school. He said the menu has changed a lot from offering the likes of just fish, fish cakes, pies, peas and curry sauce in the early days to now boasting an extensive menu offering Chinese dishes, Thai dishes, kebabs, burgers and more.
With decades of experience between them, Costa said the team blend different flours together to create their signature batter and also have a secret recipe for their popular salt and pepper boxes. He said: "Whatever we do, we try to improve it till it gets to a level that is unbeatable because we’re foodies ourselves, we want to make it the best that we can.
Have you ever visited Chris's Chippy? Let us know in the comments section below.
"The customers, the way they come in and say it was amazing, to hear that makes us feel good and it’s a nice feeling. It’s very rewarding for us to hear that from customers.
"It's extraordinary the way we've been here such a long time and we know all the different generations coming through, from my mum and dads era in the 60s and 70s to us growing up in the shop. We just know so many people out in the area and it’s like we're family to everyone.
"People come in the shop and tell us about their private lives, that’s how close we are with the customers. It's a very unique situation."
Over the years, Costa said customers have come as far as the city-centre, Crosby, Widnes and beyond to try a dish from Chris's Chippy. They've also served famous faces from Ken Dodd and The Real Thing to former LFC goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar, actor John Gregson and Hollywood star Shirley MacLaine.
In the community, many students living in the now lost Carnatic Hall will remember visiting Chris's. For years, Chris and Christine would also be invited to dinner events held by the halls of residency.
The latest series of Memory Lane is in major retailers including Asda, Tesco, Home Bargains and selected newsagents now. This series of the bumper picture special looks at fun in the sun - with stunning photographs and treasured memories of family holidays from years gone by. You can also buy Memory Lane online here.
Costa said: "They could never have imagined we’d still be here after 50 years. It’s 55 years this year.
"We're second generation now me and my brother, we’ve kept the formulas the same to try and be the best that we can. My mum and dad are still here, my dad actually came in and gave us a hand on Good Friday because we needed another fryer and it was nice for him to be there and the customers were made up."
For more nostalgia stories, sign up to our Liverpool Echo newsletter here.
Like many other businesses, Chris's had to close during lockdown and later underwent a refurbishment. After delays due to covid, the business reopened in March this year, much to the delight of their loyal customers.
Costa said: "My mum and dad, I think they're very very proud of what they've created and the amount of hard work over the years. They still get involved in supplies and give us advice. They're very proud of how far they've come and the name they've created in the city."
Join our Liverpool memories and history Facebook group here.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
