Midlands' top chip shops take away E&S prizes
They're the best in the Midlands - five chip shops are celebrating after being named the best in their areas by Express & Star readers.
A Wolverhampton takeaway came out on top in the search for the Express & Star's City Final Edition of Chip Shop of the Year.
Frydays, of Long Knowle Lane, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, which serves up traditional fish and chips in its own secret batter mix, fended off stiff competition from shops across the county to take the title.
The takeaway is run by Gavinder Sangha, aged 35. He opened the chip shop in 2002 and is immensely proud of his win. Gavinder, who runs the chip shop alongside four servers working behind the counter and two delivery drivers, said: "We work really hard and love what we do and it's so good to get some recognition for all that.
"We have a special way of cooking that means we can't be copied by anyone.
"It's a very popular shop. Our best sellers are our fish and chips and the kebabs although everything sells really well to be honest."
The shop has recently begun delivering its chips to customers within a two to three mile radius. "It takes a lot of organisation," Mr Sangha added, "But it's worth it!"
Martin White, circulation manager at the Express & Star which ran the campaign, added: "This was the first time we have run Chip Shop of the Year in the Express & Star
"The response we had to it was amazing. There was a mixture of entries from across the county. It ran as a token-collect promotion."
The runner up was Majors, of Church Street, Bilston and in third place was Tasty Plaice, High Street, Sedgley.
Family-run Victoria Chippy won the Sandwell title. The takeaway, located on 10 Owen Street, Tipton, is run by Stan Menicou, aged 66.
He opened the chip shop in 1996 and is proud of his win. Stan, who runs the chip shop with son and daughter-in-law, said: "We are very proud of the award of course.
"We always knew we had the best fish shop in the area but now we have official confirmation from Express & Star readers.
"We have always made the best product, everybody who comes in the shop say how much they like it.
"I would like to say thanks to all our customers who have supported us and for their services.
"I put our success down to our cleanliness, quality and freshness.
"We clean the pans every day and wash them out each week.
"Fish and chips always taste better with clean oil."
The runner up was Hydes Road Chippy in Wednesbury and in third place was The Port in Tipton.
To mark the shop's 20th anniversary, Stan will be holding an open day in July when customers can go behind the scenes and see how they make their fish and chips.
Walsall's Chip Shop of the Year is family-run Copper Fish.
The takeaway, on 1 Leamore Lane, Walsall, is run by Chris Georgallas, aged 38, with his wife Antonia, He said: He took over the chip shop in 2004 and is proud of his win. Chris, who runs it the chip shop with his wife Antonia, 37, said: "Our win was down to our customers, I am delighted."
"Our chip shop has been in the family for over 40 years. I came here when I was 19, I am almost 40 now, so I have almost grown up in the trade.
"I run the shop with my wife and my brother helps me out as well.
"We always buy the best ingredients.
"Some of the favourite items on our menu are kebabs and the chicken strips, they are quite a big seller.
"I would also like to say thanks to my staff for their hard work."
Antonia added: "Me and Chris have been working there since 1999 and we took over from my dad in 2004. We are really proud and have done the work for a long, long, time.
"It is nice we are appreciated and our hard work is recognised."
The runner up was The Little Chippy in 11 Norton Road, Pelsall and in third place was Village Chippy in 170a Lichfield Road, Brownhills, Walsall.
A family-run fish and chip takeaway came out on top in the search for Dudley's Chip Shop of the Year.
Our Plaice located on Dudley Road, Halesowen, is run by Oliver Howard, aged 24. He took over the chip shop in 2013 and is proud of his win.
Oliver said: "My nan and grandad, Maureen and Mike, first opened up a chip shop in Colley Gate, Halesowen, in 1968 before coming to our current place in 1986.
"Then my dad, Paul, took over in 2005. I have been working for around 11 years.
"I took over three years ago after my dad stepped down and have never looked back since.
"It has been a big learning curve, I did a night business management degree to learn how to run my business better. The award is a bit of recognition for the work I have done in the last three years, I am really happy.
"I would put our success down to hard work, determination and putting faith into the people around me in the business.
"Karen, who has been here for 23 years, has helped me through the transition. Her daughter Chelsie has always been here for 11 years."
The runner up in the competition was Blue Submarine in 7 Middlepark Road, Russells Hall, Dudley, and in third place it was Kings Fish & Chips in 25 Market Street, Kingswinford.
A Lichfield takeaway came out on top in the search for Staffordshire's Chip Shop of the Year.
Queens Fish & Chips in Wheel Lane is run by Joe Singh, aged 34.
Mr Singh, who runs the chip shop with his father Jaspal, thanked the people of Lichfield for supporting him after opening the takeaway around a year ago.
He said: "We started about a year ago so the competition sort of came with the anniversary.
"To win the award is brilliant. It shows us that we must be doing something right and we're grateful to everyone for going out and voting for us.
"The people of Lichfield have been great to us and it's thanks to them that we've won this award.
"I would also like to thank my staff as well because without them the business wouldn't even be going."
The runner-up was Trocadero Fish Bar in Hednesford and in third place was Chris's Fish Bar in Stafford.
