McDermott’s Fish & Chips

I am not a fish and chip connoisseur, I’ve only lived here about a year. Despite my frequent visits to England I still have not managed to capture the joy of eating delicious fish and chips, I just find them far too greasy and heavy for my taste. Thus, much of this review will be taken from my husband’s opinion and his extensive knowledge of chippies (chippys? The initial spelling look like a derogatory term) from years of personal experience (he even worked in one!).
Firstly, it’s in a weird and unexpected place (I feel like I say this really often). Located in a shopping… strip (or centre? I dunno) McDermott’s is tucked away among unassuming looking shops.
I have to admit, one of the reasons I wanted to try out McDermott’s was because it was given an award for best fish and chips. Despite my poor appetite for deep fried foods, I was intrigued at what «upscale» fish and chips would taste like. We decided to do a take-​away (and I use the term decided loosely because we thought the restaurant was closed). Immediately I noticed a stark difference between the kitchen of McDermott’s and many of the fish and chip shops I had been to previously — the kitchen looked like a restaurant kitchen. The fish fillets were all individually placed on a stainless steel tray in the refrigerator, the chef (can we call it a chef?) was donned in whites, the prep area was vast despite the relatively limited menu. I suppose it does make sense, McDermott’s is also a restaurant. All of the foods, I assume except for the pies and chips, are cooked to order — meaning you order and wait around while someone batters and shoves your food into a deep fryer (mmmmmm…) So instead of getting a fish that had been sitting under a heat lamp for 2 hours slowly getting more and more… warm… the fish you get is fresh from the fryer and about the same temperature as the fires of Mt. Doom.
So, the verdict on the fish? Delicious and crunchy. My husband said that the batter was well-​made and light, more noticeably on the battered sausage than the fish. I found the batter on my cod to be a bit thick and heavy but then again with the caveat that I don’t really eat deep fried food often (the Scots would be displeased with me). The fish however was flaky and delicious, the edges of the battered fish crispy and perfectly fried.
In sum, I wasn’t disappointed with my first experience with quality of the fish and chips; however the next time I come here I might try for the restaurant rather tan the take-​away.

If you find a better chippy with better food and staff in the UK, let me know.
The best fish and chips by a mile. Gets very busy Friday and Saturday evenings by 7pm. Closes early because? Have you been in Forestdale after dark?

Very good place! They have numerous awards for their fish & chips and those are totally deserved. The staff is welcoming, but could be slightly more attentive. Contingent mostly comprises people in their 50s and up, the menu and restaurant in general are kids friendly. If you are ever around it’s definitely a place worth visiting, also probably great to bring along a friend from abroad to have a taste of proper British food:)

Despite it taking so many awards for being the best fish and chips in the south east, and having that claim plastered all over the windows. It wasn’t spectacular. My mum agreed and she even said that it’s gone downhill, but that may be because we arrived around 8pm and they usually shut quite early.
The fish wasn’t bad but the batter wasn’t as light as I would like it, and the mushy peas tasted a bit bitter. the chips were nice, but I have a habit of not finishing my chips but if anything, that was the best part of the dish.
Underwhelmed.

Voted best Fish & Chips in the London & South East region in 2005 and came 3^rd in 2007. The shop offers a proper family restaraunt and a fast and efficient takeaway counter. The food is always high quality with the best chips I have ever had from a shop.