hermajesty

We will have one evening in London on our way to Bombay (Mumbai). I want to have fish and chips wrapped in newspaper, malt vinegar. We will be going to the London Eye; our hotel will be by the airport. Any suggestions? Thank you!

AR

You are more likely to get a fish & chip shop local to Heathrow than in central London.
Tell us which hotel you are staying in and then someone can post the nearest chip shop or you could ask at the desk in the hotel (or order a taxi and ask the driver).

UKUKUK

Fish and chip shops are no linger allowed to sell their fare wrapped in newspaper as the print rubs off and "could contaminate your food". There should be a fich and chip shop near the airport - you could take a taxi. Alternatively you could take the tube a couple of stops and find yourself some authentic fish and chips in the delighful suburban sprawl of Hounslow!

hermajesty

I'd heard about the newspaper controversy but I didn't know if it was exactly true. It's hard to imagine the Brits putting up with something like that!. I do want authentic so I'm hesitant to settle for by the airport. I live in Phoenix and I wouldn't want someone to try Mexican food at Taco Bell, you know?

Julian

I believe that there's a Harry Ramsden's at Heathrow Terminal 3.

Alternatively, If you get the Heathrow Express, take a cab (or walk for 15 mins or so) from Paddington Station to Sea Shell, just to the north of Marylebone Station, at the junction of Lisson Grove and Shroton Street. The take away bar is way cheaper than the restaurant, but it's all the same food.

As far as the London Eye is concerned, there might be one down in the backstreets by Waterloo and The Cut, but I don't know that area very well.

flanneruk

The nonsense about white, ink-free paper doesn't really affect the taste of fish+chips. The crucial thing is that the food stays wrapped in the paper for at least 5 mins, to absorb the vinegar atmosphere properly. That's why plated f+c never taste right. And insist they don't use these new, faddy, plastic dishes.

Your best bet - though prolonged exposure to Phoenix might make you a but leery of this - is the hole in the wall at the river end of Waterloo Road, opposite Waterloo station, called something ridiculous like Fishcotheque. Actually, there are two, I think: one with a name and one without. Both 5 mins from The Eye.

There is also a Harry Ramsden Express at T3 in the airport. Personally, I think their way of doing f+c is effete. And they use dripping to fry in.

For dinner, by far the best place to eat if you're overnighted at Heathrow is The Brilliant in Southall (ask any South Asian airport worker for directions). Indian food as cooked by and for the East African diaspora. Far better than the insipid junk they serve in Bombay.

Bailey

HERMAJESTY.....
I use to live in Phoenix....some of the BEST & MOST AUTHENTIC Mexican food was...down by the airport.....Taco-trucks!!
AR may be correct!!

UKUKUK

If you want the authentic thing you should gop to Hounslow. It is two to three stops on the tube from Heathrow. Obviously if you have time head in to the centre. But you will find that in central London it is hard to buy traditional fish and chips. Look at the link below and this gives you contact details for fish and chip shops near Heathrow. Hounslow is not very nice but it is not very bad. It is just a really dreary and suburban area but go there and you will experience a truly British fish and chip shop used by Brits. If you go into central London you will be in the tourist trap and will probably end up in Harry Ramsdens.

I do not recommend Harry Ramsdens if you want the real McCoy.

http://search.yell.com/search/DoSear...mp;Submit.y=13

hermajesty

Thank you all for your help. I shall eat the meat and spit out the bones of the messages. Considering I grew up here in Phoenix, it is more than just "long exposure" I have to overcome. I'm sure it's permanent heat wave.

Queen Al