Good Friday is here, which means it’s time to head out for that all-important chippy tea.
It’s the quintessential takeaway but it’s also traditional as Christians believe that Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross on Good Friday, so avoid eating meat as a mark of respect and remembrance at Easter.
Now, for those who still follow the tradition - for religious reasons or not - a sizeable portion of fish and chips doused in salt and vinegar, accompanied by mushy peas and a homemade pie, is the only way to celebrate. We’re well aware that Greater Manchester’s cup runneth over with great places for a chippy tea, but this week we asked you for some of your favourites - and you didn’t let us down.
Read more: I tried the Greater Manchester fish and chip shop people say is 'to die for'
We wanted to know why your favourite chippy is the best in the region and why it could give others a run for their money. Maybe their chips are cooked to perfection, or perhaps they serve up perfectly flaky cod. Maybe they have unlocked the secret to the perfect gravy.
Well, the wait is finally over. The results are in and we've totted up the scores to reveal your top five favourite Greater Manchester chippies. Below, you’ll find out a bit more about what makes them so special, plus a few honourable mentions for those who just missed out on a top spot.
1. Hill's Fish & Chips, Middleton
The traditional chippy on Oldham Road, which has been run by the Hill family for over 20 years, led the charge of our ‘best chippy’ survey, with regulars praising the “outstanding service” and “friendly” staff, who “always support the community". The food sounds excellent too, including its “to die for” battered chip muffins, “superb” homemade cheese and onion pie and “amazing” Chinese curry sauce.
It sounded so good that we dropped by last night to try the fish and chips for ourselves. From perfectly crispy cod with just the right amount of batter to a sublime curry sauce that we most certainly need the recipe for - it’s not hard to see why this Middleton chippy came out on top.
To keep things affordable, the chippy also offers a 'fish special' - a half potion of fish and chips plus a side for less than a fiver - great for smaller appetites and the purse strings. You can read our full review of Hill’s here.
331 Oldham Rd, Middleton, Manchester M24 2DN
2. Foz's Fish Bar, Failsworth
At number two, and the first of two Failsworth chippies in our top five, is Foz’s Fish Bar on Propps Hall Drive. This traditional, family-run fish and chip shop has clearly earned its place in the hearts of its customers with its “friendly service and “great choice” of food options.
We really enjoyed reading about Foz’s, a chippy where the team goes “above and beyond” for its customers. One person, who seems to know them rather well, wrote: “Exquisitely prepared fish and chips. A very welcoming establishment and the owner's a pretty nifty dancer too!”
The Failsworth fish and chip shop also caters to a wide range of customers, with many praising its deals and gluten-free options. Another person wrote: "Quality has always been great since its first day. Gluten-free only days making it possible for people who wouldn’t usually be able to eat chippy eat it.”
8 Propps Hall Dr, Failsworth, Manchester M35 0LN
3. Harry's English Fish & Chips, Moston
745 Moston Ln, Moston, Manchester M40 5GT
Back in February, we asked our readers to share their views on the best chippy, and this Moston fish and chip was flying the flag for north east Manchester. Describing itself as a “small, friendly, family-run business” that prides itself on "bringing the best quality food”, Harry’s sounds like a real gem.
Customers praised the fresh food and friendly staff who always greet people with a smile, and the “amazing” fish, which many say is the “best they’ve ever had”. One person wrote: “I'm getting on for 60 and the food is exactly how chippies used to serve them in the 70's. The batter is crisp, the fish moist and delicious, and the chips are not too greasy - proper chippy chips. But there also needs to be a good gravy and curry sauce - both are also spot on.”
On their Facebook page, you might also spot that this Moston spot has a rather impressive menu - not just fish and chips, but a stellar butty selection, fry-ups and a Friday special of chicken curry and rice, which many of you also mentioned to us.
745 Moston Ln, Moston, Manchester M40 5GT
4. The Village Chippy, Failsworth
Sitting at the heart of Failsworth for over 35 years, The Village Chippy is an institution. Open six days a week and delivering traditional fish and chip dinners to people of Failsworth and beyond, its menu ranges from fresh cod and chips and heart pies to battered sausages and delicious chicken and burgers.
Described as a “proper old-school fish and chip shop with none of the triple-fry nonsense”, what really stood out for us beyond the food - which does sound very tasty - is the top notch customer service, which as one customer told us “you can’t put a price on”.
They added: “The staff are always so friendly, they even know my order off the top of their heads.” Another said: “Fantastic fish and chips, great family deals, and they cater for a wide range of allergies, plus lovely friendly staff and owner.”
A third wrote: “Great staff who are always happy to see me. The food that they serve is top tier. Love getting a treat from there most Fridays.”
47 Ashton Rd E, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9PN
5. Frankie's Fish Bar, Blackley
Last, but by no means least, is Frankie's Fish Bar in Blackley, which you told us is “the highlight of each night for many households” in the area. Located on Hill Lane, this traditional fish and chip shop - with over 20 years of experience behind the fryers - has been welcomed with open arms into the community.
Offering some very affordable prices, a range of specials and child-friendly options, it sounds like quite the place. One person told us: “They do the best fish and chips and have amazing homemade specials each day! Staff are always very friendly and chatty.” Another echoed this sentiment, adding: “The staff are absolutely amazing make you feel so welcome and they also take a lot a pride in the food they cook
And one customer has been so moved by the Blackley chippy that they wrote a rousing review rivalling even some of our own - so we thought we would end our round up by sharing their enthusiastic tribute to Frankie’s. They said: “In the words of Tony Walsh, "This is the plaice", where salivating tongues savour every exasperating forkful.
“Where Blackley aficionados daydream of lip-smacking Friday night teas all week. Where fanciful fish gleefully dream to break on through to the perfect plate. The right dash of vinegar with the right amount of sea salt which clings on for life as it knows it will board the spud train to hell as heaven wouldn't allow a dish so diabolically delicious as this.”
215 Hill Ln, Blackley, Manchester M9 6RG
Special mentions also go to Off The Hook in Sale, a spot described as "anything but average", and Brobbins Crispy Cod English Fish & Chips, the Failsworth chippy people are happy to make a forty-minute round trip for.
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