Yanni's has become a firm favourite with fish and chip lovers since it opened its doors eight years ago.
The city centre chippy has proved so popular customers have travelled from as far as the USA and South Korea to try the food after hearing glowing reviews from their friends and family. Owner Yanni Hamajan and his partner Sandra Lawton are the faces behind the business, where they say customers are treated like family.
Yanni had worked in chippies across the region, from County Road to Walton Village, Hunts Cross and the Albert Dock before he opened his own shop on Lord Street in 2015. He told the ECHO: "I worked for other people but this is my shop from 2015. I just had a passion for the job. I want to be the best.
READ MORE: Dates snow and sleet set to fall on Merseyside as forecasters predict freezing weather
"It's about the team and caring about the customers. I like to get the money in the till but twice the amount I like the customers to be happy to come back.
"Some customers, I look forward to seeing them and they come in all the time, especially the old ones. I treat them like a family. They keep me going, to be honest with you."
At Christmas, Sandra said their customers bring them presents and bake cakes, while staff member Pauline was recently given a tub of Lurpak butter from a customer.
Yanni said: "A guy came in two weeks ago from South Korea. He said 'my friend has been here and he said if you go to England, go to Liverpool and go to that chippy.'"
Sandra added: "Americans come in and they say 'our friends were here three years ago they told us to come.' It's word of mouth, I think that's why we're busy.
"We take pride in what we serve. If I don't think the chips are good enough we throw them away."
Yanni's has been rated as the top chip shop on TripAdvisor and has received a number of awards over the years, including Good Food Award Gold Seal in November. Like many businesses across the city, the chippy was hit hard by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and is now feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis.
Sandra said: "During football matches we're really busy but it's started to pick up a bit more now. There's tourists coming into the city now the weather is getting a bit warmer.
"But then the cost of living doesn't help because people can't afford to come out and eat. The price of everything has gone up and all of our deliveries.
"Say if one delivery is £400 and you get the same thing every week, it's now £800. It's really hard and trying to keep your prices at a good level for people because you want people to be able to afford to come in, but also you've got to make a living.
"It's still nowhere near where we were but we're here and we're surviving - we pay the bills."
The couple hope M&S relocating to the former Debenham's building in Liverpool ONE will encouraging more passing trade in that part of the city centre.
Sandra added: "It all depends on what's going on [in the city]. The Eurovision song contest is coming so that's going to make a difference. We're in a good spot for stuff like that."
READ NEXT:
No post for whole street because Royal Mail don't think it's safe
11 things we learnt at an explosive Liverpool Council budget meeting
Brookside's Corkhills where are they now? From West End to Benidorm
Funfair rides and beach days take us back to childhood in the 80s
