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Fish and chips is a dish that many people associate with Britain. In fact, we’d say that you couldn’t find a town in Scotland without a chippy shop in it. They’re that popular.
When we were writing about the top three fish and chip shops in Scotland, we began writing down mistakes to avoid when ordering fish and chips, and then we realized, we’ve got loads of mishaps we’ve made at chippy shops, and needed to do a total post on it!
Avoid these 10 mistakes when ordering fish and chips, and you’ll feel so much more like a local than a tourist, and even save some cash too!
10 Mistakes People Make When Ordering Fish and Chips
Mistake 1 | Not Having Cash
While more and more fish and chips shops accept credit or debit cards, there are loads that do not. And for some reason, there are often problems with card machines in Scotland in the smaller shops, so be prepared and have some cash on you!
Mistake 2 | Eating At The Fish And Chips Shop
If the weather is nice, take your fish and chips to go. Eating in will cost £1-2 more per item ordered than simply taking it out.
Obviously, there’s a time in place to sit and eat in a restaurant, but you can save loads and enjoy a private ocean view near any of these shops by just ordering it take out instead.
Mistake 3 | Calling The Shop A “Fish And Chip Shop”
Yes, we know that we keep saying fish and chip shop, but that’s simply because most people reading this probably don’t know any different. But “fish and chip shops” are actually referred to as “a chippy”.
So you’d say something like, “Where’s the best chippy in town.” Don’t get us wrong here, people know what a fish and chips shop is too.. but “chippy” is the lingo used in Scotland!
Mistake 4 | Eating Fish And Chips At A Pub
Do not, under any circumstance, get fish and chips in Scotland from a pub. Just trust us here, pubs in Scotland are not the best at fish and chips and have way better food that you should try!
Always, always, always, get fish and chips from a chippy! At a pub, go for the haggis or lasagna!
Mistake 5 | Believing The “Award Winning” Label
Every single chippy is award-winning at something! And for whatever reason, the chippy wants to flaunt that award.. best in the region, best on this street, best in the UK… You name it, each fish and chip shop is best at something. Don’t go to a place just because it has this award – they really don’t mean much!
Mistake 6 | Ordering “Fish And Chips”
Nope, honey.. don’t order “fish and chips”, order a “Haddock Supper”. Ordering fish and chips automatically makes you a tourist. The “Haddock” is the type of fish and the “supper” part of that is just saying you want chips with it!
Mistake 7 | Eating Breaded Fish
No… just no! If you’re going to get fish and chips, you need to get battered fish and chips. The traditional way is the best way! It’s nice and crispy, almost flakey, and goes so well with the fish! And with that, get the vinegar and salt on it too.. again, just go with the local way instead of thinking something isn’t going to match your taste buds!
Mistake 8 | Not Ordering Mushy Peas
Mushy Peas are on our 15 things to try in Scotland list and trust us here, you need to try them! Make sure they’re actual mushy peas and not just normal peas, and then order two servings! They’re so dang good!!
READ MORE | 15 Things to Try in Scotland
Mistake 9 | Ordering Two Singles
If you’re getting fish and chips with someone else, don’t order to single suppers, order one large haddock supper. The “large haddock supper” is served with one massive fish or two of the single supper fish. Either way, it’s plenty for two and will be about £5 less than ordering two singles. Usually, there are enough fries for two people, but if you’re concerned, just ask to see the box the large is served in – it will be filled with fries, and you can decide if that’s enough for you to share.
*The exact terminology of how each chippy explains “single” supper may be different. It may be small or something similar instead of “single”. But the difference between the two is obvious at each shop!
Mistake 10 | Buying Ketchup of Tartar Sauce At the Chippy Shop
Both ketchup and tartar sauce are SO overpriced at chippy shops. And with most chippies being on a street with a store nearby, it’s easy to just grab both at a local store.
We’ve once almost bought ketchup since we ran out in the van, and then decided to just walk to the nearest store (five minutes away) while our fish was made, and we literally spent the same amount on an entire bottle of ketchup that we would have bought one packet at the chippy!
It’s really so worth it, especially if you think you’ll want more than one packet. And hey, if you’re at the store you might as well buy a drink to go with your supper for half the price too! 😉
The only time we recommend buying tartar sauce at the chippy is if it’s homemade, like at Frankie’s Fish and Chips in Shetland and Oban Fish and Chips in Oban.
More On Scotland Here
After you visit your first chippy, don’t forget to come back over here and pop your experience in the comments below! We’d love to know which shop you visited, and what you thought of the whole experience!
If you’re interested in more of our tips on Scotland take a look at these links here. We think you may find some of them helpful for your trip exploring the beautiful country.
READ MORE | Top Places to Visit on the Isle of Skye
We were lucky enough to visit Skye multiple times while living in Scotland, and never once during the tourist season! Holla!! Check out our favorite things around the island, and our tips on traveling to the Isle of Skye.
WATCH MORE | The BEST Ice Cream in the World? Portsoy Ice Cream
Hands down, our favorite ice cream in the world. Well worth the trip to Portsoy, just to get a wee taste of this! Don’t take our word for it though, see it for yourself!
LEARN MORE | Scotland Travel Advice
This page is full of all our Scotland posts. From itineraries to photo blogs, and where to find abbeys + castles to tips on moving to Scotland, we’re covering it all! Scroll through this page and see which posts you fancy most!
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