Poppies of Spitalfields

Craving a good ol’ British Fish & Chips, we headed up to our new local Chippy on Hanbury Street which opened earlier this year. Word has it that Poppies is run by owner ‘Pop’ who has been frying up fish in the East End since 1945. And everything about the venture feels straight out from the ’50s as well… from the waitresses’ chequered aprons to the cooks’ white jackets… the Elvis Presley classics playing in the background to the old-school decor (which includes a towering, fully-restored 1958 jukebox).

Poppies of Spitalfields

Poppie’s takeaway Menu

There are no surprises in the menu department here and there are all the usual choices of Cod, Haddock, Halibut and Sole amongst others… all beer battered and deep-fried in ground-nut oil. Thick hand-cut chips, tartare sauce and mushy peas, all with that home-made feel mean there’s every element you need to complete the spread for a traditional, no-frills fish supper… all available to eat-in or takeaway.

Cod and Chips Meal £9.50 (inset: Haddock)

The verdict? –  There’s no faulting the light, crisp batter and fresh, meaty chunks of the fish underneath. What slightly pooped the party though were the excessive cooking juices which seemed to seep out of the fish as you dug into it, making the batter a little soggy especially towards the end of the meal. On the whole, it was ‘okay’ – not quite as good as the gorgeous Hake and Chips we had at Rick Stein’s Chippy in Padstow, but not too far off. Full marks though have to go to the ambience of this place which will no doubt make you feel like you are on a diner date from the era of Archie comics.

G.

 6-8 Hanbury Street, Spitalfields E1 6QR | www.poppiesfishandchips.co.uk | ingested May 14th 2011