Approaching Colmans Seafood Temple on Good Friday, you can already smell the tantalising scent of frying.
Fish, chips, the famous mushy pea fritters and plenty of other battered delights: they’re all being prepared ahead of what’s always one of the busiest days of the year. The entire team is on-site and sacks upon sacks of potatoes have been peeled ready to feed thousands of people.
This year, on Ocean Road, South Shields, queues snaked out of the door from just after 11, while, come lunchtime, a crowd of beachgoers had gathered outside the scenic seafront Seafood Temple.
Read more: What reviewers said about the North East's most popular chippies
I wanted to see what exactly it is that draws thousands of people to endure these long queues year on year for Colman’s food, so I order a classic cod and chips and prepared to tuck in.
The meal was eaten, as is only proper, sitting on a wall overlooking the gorgeous sweep of Sandhaven beach. It’s certainly true that a great setting can improve your experience of a meal, but brilliant though the view is, that’s not enough to explain my serious enjoyment of this food.
The long and short of it is, these guys know what they’re doing with fish and chips.
The batter on my cod was feather-light and crisp on the outside, with that lovely soft interior that melts into the fish beneath the outer shell. The fish itself is moist and meaty, falling apart beneath my small wooden fork.
I always think the test of a good fish supper is to see if you still enjoy a piece of the fish, devoid of chips or batter, and this fish certainly stood up to that test. The branch I ate at is called the Seafood Temple and I’d say that’s an appropriate name: these are chefs that do seem to worship fish, treating it with all the respect and reverence it deserves.
Where's your favourite place in the North East for fish and chips? Let us know in the comments below.
As I'd expected from a chip shop, the portion was dauntingly large, but I still managed to make my way through it with relish (even if I did end up feeling in serious need of an afternoon nap afterwards to digest it all).
The thoughtful and friendly staff, still smiling despite the seasonal rush, offered sachets of salt and vinegar instead of applying it themselves - as someone who enjoys just a drizzle of both, I really appreciated this touch.
Fish and chips is such a classic in this country that I think sometimes we take it for granted: it’s a cheap and satisfying takeaway that we maybe forget to expect much brilliance from. It takes eating a really good portion to remember what a genuinely delicious meal a chippy tea can be.
So, worth the wait? In this reporter’s humble view, it certainly was.
