My favourite fish and chip shops in Paignton

I’ll always remember an ill-fated wreck fishing trip as a young lad in Paignton. My best friend and I (plus our two dads) were setting off from Paignton Harbour for a full day at sea and hopefully catching gigantic conga eels in the process…

The reality was somewhat different as about half and hour in I was violently sea sick and had to spend the rest of the day watching the horizon so not to cause any further upset to my poor tummy – I also had a banging headache to boot.

There is a good end to this story though because as soon as we got off the boat I felt instantly better. My headache lifted as well as my spirits – it was a miracle!

Riding on the wave of this great feeling I was suddenly in need of food after starving all day and begged my dad to get me a hearty portion of large chips from Sands Fish & Chips on Esplanade Road.

I’ll never forget munching away a towering tray of hot delicious chips (with lashings of salt and vinegar) while walking back home in the rain. A new love affair with a classic British takeaway was born!

The best way to judge a good fish and chip shop (in my view!) is by their quality of chip and my current favourite is Scoff’s Fish & Chips on Torbay Road.

I used to really like the chips at the Frying Scotsman up at Three Beaches on Dartmouth Road because of the way they fry their chips in batter. The end effect is pleasing on the eye (they almost look like roast potato chips if you know what I mean?) and even better on the taste buds!

I digress… With all this in mind, when I saw Scoffs pop up on Torbay Road a couple of years ago promising proper battered chips from Yorkshire, I was in the door and at the counter quicker than two shakes of cod fish’s tail.

Moments later, with a very reasonably priced portion of chips in hand I decided to walk down Torbay road towards Paignton Green and take in some sea air. I eagerly opened the paper they were wrapped in (sadly not newspaper) and with wooden chip fork in hand I started tucking in and the memories started flooding back – I was in chip heaven.

These chips are the best in the Bay by no doubt. The batter on them makes them look almost golden and they have the taste to match. Chips fit for kings! I’d say they just pip the Frying Scotsman’s chips to the post as Scoffs chips are slightly thinner and have just the right mix of hot potato and light golden batter.

I’ve also recently eaten in the restaurant which I can highly recommend as they don’t hike up the prices like other traditional fish and chip shops sometimes do.

Other fish and chip eateries worthy of note are the excellent London Fryer on Seaway Road (definitely try their ‘catch of the day’ deal) and Squires Restaurant and Takeaway on Churston Broadway just off Dartmouth Road.

I sometimes treat the old timer (sorry dad!) to a meal here and he always embarrasses me asking for lashings of custard with his apple crumble for desert. Who’d have parents eh?

Just seen on the site that tammyfshr is a big fan of Squires too: “The best fish and chip shop around. It is situated in a lovely spot with Broadsands beach nearby.

“The restaurant has a lovely modern decor which is bright and airy. They also sell breakfasts as well as the traditional fish and chips. There is a carpark area outside and the staff are very friendly. Also the food is yummy!”

What’s your favourite fish and chip shop in Paignton then? It’s all about the chips for me!