If there's one tradition that the North East truly holds on to, it's got to be Good Friday fish (and chips, of course).
Chippies across the region boast queues out the door on the Bank Holiday, as people honour a centuries-old Christian tradition - or maybe just enjoy the excuse to get their favourite takeaway. Either way, the question of where you go for your traditional chippy tea is a hotly contested one.
Everyone's got their own preferred venue, but there are a few places which are famed throughout the region for their battered treats. While we wouldn't dream of making a definitive ruling on where is best, we wanted to see what the people of the North East had to say on the matter.
Read more: Northumberland chippy hires local musician to entertain crowds on Good Friday
Tripadvisor has become the place to go if you want to get the popular view on any eatery, so we took a look at their scores for some of the region's big names. Here's what reviewers on the popular ratings site had to say about some of our most well-loved fish and chip restaurants:
Harbour View, Seaton Sluice
Expecting such big queues on Good Friday that they'll be putting on entertainment for those waiting in lin e, the Harbour View is always a popular spot for a chippy tea.
That's reflected in its Tripadvisor rating, which has it as the top-rated fish and chip spot in Northumberland. With four-and-a-half stars out of 814 reviews, it certainly seems to have impressed customers, with 697 of them giving it the full five stars.
One customer called it the "best fish and chips in the North East" while another wrote: "Amazing friendly service! Beautiful cod and chips! Huge portion of fish. Freshly cooked while you wait. Lovely view as well."
Where are you going for your fish and chips this Good Friday? Let us know in the comments below!
Colmans, South Shields
Famed for its fish throughout the North East, Colman's plans for huge crowds every Good Friday. With over 1,700 Tripadvisor reviews it seems it's earned its high rating (four-and-a-half stars), which sees it listed as one of the best restaurants in South Shields.
One reviewer said: "Always a pleasure coming here, you know what you're getting. Always fantastic food and great service my grandma insists we go here every week!"
Colman's other North East branches also proved popular. Another Tripadvisor user wrote: "If you haven’t had mushy pea fritters I absolutely recommend. I’d never had them before til I’d been to Colman’s seafood temple (must try if you haven’t been) and I’m obsessed. The only chip shop I’d go to in South Shields."
Longsands Fish Kitchen, Tynemouth
Fish and chip fans are spoilt for choice in Tynemouth. From old-school favourite Marshall's to sit-down restaurants like The View, it's hard to know where to head.
Top of the Tripadvisor ranking, listed as the best place for the classic dish across North Tyneside, comes Longsands Fish Kitchen. It boast four-and-a-half stars out of over 1,150 reviews and a page flooded with positive comments - with several saying it was "worth the wait" as there's often a decent queue.
One reviewer wrote: "It's right up there as one of the best in the area. Nice spotless place with friendly and efficient service. Really good fish and chips priced at about 15-20% above your average chippy. Chip stottie was tempting!!"
Pantrini's, Whitley Bay
Currently celebrating 100 years in Whitley Bay, Pantrini's is something of a North East institution. It gets three-and-a-half stars on the review platform out of just over 400 reviews.
One person said: "Amazing food fish and chips are huge and absolutely delicious good price too staff are all friendly and polite best fish and chips in Whitley Bay by far. You pay for what you get with this place 100000% we will never go anywhere else now."
Another praise it's "traditional" atmosphere, writing: "We noticed the queue to this chippy and thought it must be good and so it proved. Interior is neat and tidy, light and airy with lots of tables, we ordered fish, chips and mushy peas. [The] meal was absolutely delicious, fish huge and lightly battered, beautiful seasoned, chips thick cut and tasty, just a wonderful fish and chip meal in a great chippy.
"[W]hat's more traditional than having a fish & chips meal in a pretty seaside resort?"
Dhillons Fish Inn, Throckley
This unassuming takeaway is listed as the best chippy in all of Newcastle with its 4.5-star rating. There's praise for the kebabs and pizza as well, but the classic fish supper also gets praise.
One reviewer said: "Had a lovely fish and chips with some of the best tartare sauce I’ve ever had absolutely lovely would have it again if I was in town."
Another wrote: "Superb fish and chips, we don't go anywhere else when going for a takeaway. We always call in when on route to Newcastle, staff are very friendly and helpful."
Fenham Fish Bar, Newcastle
One of the city's most popular chippies, this place has earned praise in the past by our reviewers for its "humongous" portions, as well as shout-outs for its unusual specials like deep-fried pigs in blankets.
It does well on Tripadvisor too, another four-and-a-half star rating (out of 215 reviews), with reviews praising "perfect" fish and "hot and crunchy" chips.
One tongue-in-cheek reviewer wrote: "I'm sick and tired of this place…of being stunned by the quality of the food. I’m sick of being continuously impressed and tired by eating the most delightful; wondersome [sic] and impressive takeaway fish and chips you’ll find.
"I’m sick and tired of finishing my meal and wondering if that was the best one yet. I’m completely galled by how good this chippy is."
Bell's Fish Restaurant, Durham
Bell's, in Durham's Market Square, is listed as the best chippy in County Durham, with four-and-a-half stars out of five. One called it "fabulous" while another praised the "good value, friendly and quick service".
Another person wrote: "It’s been a few years since we were here, but the fish is still the same, fresh and tasty, good service and good value. Don’t miss Bells when you visit Durham."
