National Fish and Chip Day: Top 10 best named fish and chip shops in Birmingham

One of the most iconic British dishes is being celebrated with its own National Day.

Fish and Chip day is celebrated on June 2 and is celebrating its eightth year. It’s an amazing opportunity to celebrate the fisherman and farmers that work hard to ensure we are able to enjoy this treat.

Birmingham has some quirky named fish and chip shops and we’ve taken a look at the Top 10 best named places.

Top 10 best named fish and chip shops

Hi Tide - 56 High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7JZ; a nice nod to the sea source of the key ingredient for your fish and chip supper. Hi Tide also sells burgers, southern fried chicken, desserts and children’s meals. Why not pop in and say Hi!

Cod’s Scallops - 85 High St, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9ND - this fancy fish and chip shop has plenty of space to dine in, and you can even order a glass of prosecco to wash your meal down. There are a range of tempting puds too - and you can choose how your catch of the day is cooked.

Le Codfather - 10 Kyotts Lake Rd, Sparkbrook, Birmingham B11 1JT - this takeaway is temporarily closed, according to Google. We hope it opens up again soon, with a fantastic name - and over 30 years of service.

The Tasty Plaice Fish and Chips - 15 Alvechurch Rd, West Heath, Birmingham B31 3JW - well this is the plaice to be, if you’re around West Heath and are looking to celebrate National Fish & Chip shop day. Prices look pretty reasonable too.

Frydays Fish Bar - 159 Lincoln Rd N, Acocks Green, Birmingham B27 6RT - Why not make every Friday a Fryday and enjoy then nation’s favourite meal at this takeaway which knows how to grab attention with this puntastick name.

Deep Blue - Collingwood Dr, Great Barr, Birmingham B43 7JU - with a nod to the ocean heritage of a key ingredient of your fish and chip supper this takeaway has a huge selection of other dishes too - including Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

Moby Dick Fish and Chip Shop - 87 Turves Green, Birmingham B31 4AH - with a nod to American literature you can enjoy a ‘wale’ of a time at this takeaway which also sells pies and pasties, and has a dedicated vegetarian menu.

Our Plaice - 216 Dudley Rd, Halesowen B63 3NJ - this plaice has been run by the same family for three generations, and dates back to 1968. With all that experience in fish and chip suppers you’re in for a treat if you’re near Halesowen tonight.

Kippas - 32 Dettonford Rd, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 4HP - with chips from £2.20 there’s a lot to like about this takeawa,w hcih also serves a selection of milkshakes, as well as kebab meals, salads and lots more. You won’t be able to kippas away if you’re around Bartley Green in the evening.

Flakes of Moseley -17 St Mary’s Row, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8HW - this is where you’ll find traditional fish and chips in the heart of Moseley Village. Food is freshly prepared daily, seven days a week, so the team are far from flakey. Definitely worth a visit for National Fish & Chip shop day!

What is National Fish and Chip Day?

National Fish and Chip day was set up in 2015 by The National Edible Oil Distributors’ Association (NEODA). The aim is to raise awareness with the consumer for all the work that goes into creating such an iconic dish.

NEODA doesn’t want to just celebrate fish and chip shops, pubs and restaurants and retails but also the fishermen and farmers that work tirelessly to get the food to our plates.

The association also works with other organisations such as Seafish, the National Federation of Fish Friers, the Frozen At Sea Fillets Association and The Fishermen’s Association to raise awareness for the important role of fishermen.

What is the history behind fish and chips?

Although it is not known when fish and chips were first created, the history of frying fish in batter dates back to the early 1800s.

It is believed that this style of preparing fish was brought to England by Jewish immigrants from either Spain or Portugal. The earliest record of chips being served is in Oldham, Greater Manchester in the 1860s.

Both London and Lancashire have tried taking credit as the place where fish and chips were invented but it still remains a mystery.

However in the 1860s a fish and chip shop opened in London by Joseph Malin. As techniques around commercial fishing began to improve it increased availability of fish, as well as reducing the cost.

Because of this, it made the meal readily available to the working class and because of its affordability, it could be enjoyed regularly.

The meal also became a British staple during both world wars when the meal wasn’t rationed like other foods. Sir Winston Churchill even referred to the dish as “the good companions” for its ability to keep the British public in good spirits.

According to the Great British Mag, by 1930 there were more than 35,000 fish and chips shops in the UK, but this has reduced to around 10,500 today.