The real thing

Given that the province of Alberta is nowhere near the sea, I was quite surprised at how good the fish and chips I had here in Edmonton a few months ago tasted. The fish was obviously frozen but it was tasty, and the batter was cooked just right. In fact, there wasn’t much in it between this fish and chips and the fish and chips I had at my local chippie when I went back home at Christmas time; although on the batter front, I’d have to say that Brits, which is the chip shop here in Edmonton, was actually better.

I’m not too sure why Brits serves its fish and chips in a plastic basket although I’m guessing that it’s got something to do with the whole ‘chicken in a basket’ concept of food (although there’s no dimmed lighting or dodgy cabaret singer in sight in the restaurant). And the black and white chequered paper is obviously an attempt to replicate the newspaper in which people may (although probably may not) believe fish and chips is served in the UK. Maybe it is in some parts, but I haven’t had fish and chips served in newspaper in England for decades (and my memory of fish and chips served in newspaper may just be some sort of romanticised, rose-tinted spectacles one).

I can’t help thinking, though, that it would be a much better experience all round if Brits ditched the plastic and the paper and the Styrofoam saucer for the mushy peas, and just served it all on the one plate. But they do use real knives and forks so at least that’s something!