Union Quay, North Shields, just outside Newcastle.
The holy grail of fish and chips, although I haven’t been there since at least 2005. Everything was almost perfect: the fish, the batter, the chips. You could buy them and then go sit on the dock and watch the fishing boats come in and land the fish.
There were several fish shops on the quayside; some were fresh fishmongers and some chip shops, and they were all pretty good, because the proprietors bought the fish directly off the boats. They knew which fishing crews would freeze the fish the right way: slowly, using flakes of ice, rather than by shoving them in a deep freeze and bursting all the fibres which give the fish its flavour and texture. Nothing went through a wholesaler, and nothing sat in a warehouse or a truck for ages.
They were all good (Jonty’s was a good alternative) but Kristians was the best. I know it’s been a while and I’ve no way of knowing if it’s still as good but I can’t make a fish and chips blog without referencing the best I’ve ever had.
Chip Advisor 