A West Bridgford chippy is in the running for a prestigious national award. The Cod's Scallops, located at the £20m Wilford Lane retail park, has been shortlisted in the top ten restaurants of the year in the National Fish & Chip Awards. Reporter Rebecca Sherdley decided to tuck in.
I have always been a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to fish and chips. Up north, where I'm from, the tradition is to have curry sauce on your chips - a delicious condiment after a night out, although some would argue otherwise.
But having lost two stone on a weight loss plan in just one year, trips to the fish and chip for me are more a rarity, and a treat these days. So when I was asked by my newsdesk to try The Cod's Scallops, off Wilford Lane, West Bridgford, shortlisted in the top ten restaurants of the year in the National Fish & Chip Awards, I opted for a small portion of fish and chips and mushy peas, desperately hoping this would not show on the scales!
READ MORE: Nottinghamshire chippy The Cod's Scallops in West Bridgford named one of the top 10 in the UK
This brand new chippy is based on the £20m Wilford Lane retail park, near a drive-thru Starbucks, Lidl and Dunkin' Donuts, with plenty of parking space, as well as disabled bays and mother and child spots. The restaurant was moderately busy, clean and welcoming, when I visited on a Friday night in October.
My order placed for the smaller option, I took a seat on a hard blue bench with a line of others waiting for their food which comes in eco-friendly cardboard boxes. The Cod's Scallops logo is everywhere; on the T-shirts of staff, to the boxes and paper bags larger orders are wrapped in.
The flooring sparkles with a pebble-effect, fish baskets hang over glowing orange light shades, and even the toilets have a seaside theme as "buoys and gulls".
I could see the fryers busy at work from my seat - the men wearing knotted handkerchiefs on their heads - which I assumed was part of their standard workwear attire - and much nicer than a horrible hair net. I waited about 15 minutes for my order of mini fish and chips (£7) and mushy peas (£1.60).
This is my verdict: The food was piping hot and crisp. The chips were not particularly remarkable and a little dry for my liking. The fish appeared to be a little overcooked but was fresh, succulent and packed a crunch.
The mushy peas had a rather thick consistency - but they helped to moisten the chips and complimented the fish nicely. I had plenty in my portion - portion sizes at this chain have been praised by diners since its April opening.
Would I go back? Yes, definitely.
* After hundreds of applications, the popular restaurant is the only fish and chip shop in Nottinghamshire to be shortlisted for the esteemed award, sponsored this year by Seafood from Iceland. The winner will be announced at The National Fish & Chip Awards, hosted by the The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), on the February 28, 2023, at London's Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.
With other chippies across the county, the fryers at The Cod's Scallops are no strangers to awards. Back in 2019, the chain won a national award for the best pie.
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